7 days in Bosnia

7 days in Bosnia WWW.OZREN.ORG

Culture, outdoor & more

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Day 1- Points of interest: Cave Rastuša

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What made experts from Cambridge University, Division of Archaeology curious about and inspired to come and investigate a cave, located some 30 km from Doboj to the west?

According to their first findings, university senior professor Dr. Preston Miracle is stating that Rastuša cave has rich artefacts dating back some 130,000 years, reaching to the Ice Age and human race predecessors Neanderthals, adding that in terms of value for archaeological research it represents El Dorado. photo

Monastery Liplje

Not far from the cave there is a magnificent Orthodox monastery from the 14th century – Liplje Monastery, whose architecture makes it one of the most beautiful sacral buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The monastery is situated in the pleasing surroundings and is open to public.

Cicvara

Among the places of interest in Teslić municipality, there is a sports-recreation centre in Borja mountain, with “Hajdučka voda” motel.

What is Cicvara, is to be explored right there.

This traditional dish is made of cheese, milk cream and corn flour, and was served prior to hard labour to make body filled with energy.

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Day 2 - Points of interest: photo

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Tandem paragliding at Ozren

You do not need any previous knowledge to fly with tandem paraglider, you just need rugged shoes and with the skilled flying of the experienced paraglider pilot your day will be unforgettable. The duration of the flight depends upon weather conditions and your wish and the flying will be done at the sites on Ozren, Doboj. This is the invitation to all of you adventurers or those who consider paragliding as dangerous sport, regardless of your age or gender. You will remember the day when you took the tandem flight as the day when you’ve enjoyed your life like never before!

Biking and hiking at Ozren

“The Mountains are the means, the man is the end, the idea is to improve the man, not to reach the top of the mountain” - Walter Bonatti “Walking is a man’s best medicine” – Hippocrates Let us take you cycling or hiking on Ozren with experienced guides, it may take a lot of energy, but at the end of the day, you will be happy!

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Day 3 - Points of interest: I

Picnic and fly-fishing at Krivaja river

s Bosnia cradle of fly-fishing? The first written mention of fly-fishing was made by Claudius Aelineus (170-230) in the II century AD. In his 17th book of De Natura Animalium. He also provided description of handmade tied flies and the location where people use this method for fishing was Macedonia.

Modern researchers argue this was false location since there was neither abundance of water nor practice of fly fishing today. Many claim that Bosnia has preserved same style of handmade tide flies as described in Aelineus books. There is evidence that in the 16th century some families were producing and selling handmade tied flies as their basic occupation. n Englishman G.E.M Skues who visited Bosnia in September 1898, witnessed and described the efficiency of local people in fly fishing. He described the following: …the local flies had wings of “soft wild goose” or feathers from under the wings of gees, owls or eagles….Skues was in the country for 16 days, and he found “all natives” even on different rivers were using the same tackle. Skues speculated on the possibility of the Yorkshire and North Country use of soft hackles coming from some marauding Viking who brought his plunder from the Balkans”. ocal expert on this matter, Slavko Čamber is providing an argument that in Bosnia as nowhere else in the world, “night fly fishing” has been traditionally practised using handmade tied flies, so called “Lampare”. To this hypothesis I can only add my own experience in fishing, using local skills to catch my first fish: I took dandelion’s seed head, blew off the seeds, cut the stalk short to the head and attached it to the hook. I was gently touching the water surface for 30 seconds or so imitating an insect, and the fish was caught. The entire experience is so exciting so let’s go to this beautiful river...

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Day 4 - Points of interest:

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Medieval tour Doboj-Maglaj-Tešanj

Medieval age still have significant traces in the chain of fortresses located along the main corridors of that time, erected on the hills to be easier to defend from enemies but also to control caravans and trade. These historic spots are perfect to learn more about BiH medieval history, for example how the last Queen of Bosnia Katarina Kotromanić (daughter of Stjepan Vukčić Kosača, Duke of Saint Sava) had to flee the Ottoman invasion in 1463 but her children were sent as hostages to Turkey. The last royal family Kotromanić was inspiration for a local entrepreneur to build a living history attraction, 20 km from Doboj to the north. There in Kotromanićevo medieval village, you can meet knights and a princes, have lunch and relax in the past.

Day 5 - Points of interest:

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Jadrina river, Monastery St.Nikola, Ozren This hiking trail is amongst the most beautiful one on Ozren mountain as it stretches along beautiful Jadrina river. Hiking here is rather a small expedition examining river and pine forest flora and fauna. It will certainly become a wonderful photo safari, healthy relaxing walking, pine tree aroma therapy and much more. Depending on season you can pick mushrooms, thyme, forest berries, flowers, camomile, mint, rose hip, St. John’s wort, and many more medicinal herbs and flowers. Honey and local brandy produced here is extraordinary.

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The orthodox monastery of St. Nikola was built by the Serbian King Dragutin who was ruling this area in the early Middle Ages. The monastery is situated seven kilometres south from Petrovo, surrounded by pine tree forest in the mountain landscape enriched by beautiful Jadrina river that is passing by. Starting from the March 2003 this orthodox monastery has been declared as the national monument of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Day 6 - Points of interest: photo

MAP TRAILS People in this region have a centuries old tradition in the collection of wild medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) due to its richness in different landscapes and ecosystems. One of the most diverse ecosystems in Europe, with pristine forests, fertile agriculture, ample fresh water sources, and a rich mosaic of flora and fauna Bosnia and Herzegovina has an estimated 3,572 plant species, subspecies, and varieties; some 3,000 species of algae; and 3,000 to 5,000 species of fungi and lichens. Considering the number of species and the relatively small land area, Bosnia and Herzegovina is among the five richest countries in Europe in terms of species density and diversity. The country has a significant number of endemic plant species, an estimated 500. On average, 74 percent of fungi species from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List for Europe can be found in Bosnia and Herzegovina forest ecosystems.

World Bank 2008 - Report No: 39952

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Day 7 - Points of interest: 1. Wolf mountain (Vučija planina) Vučija planina (Wolf Mountain) in Teslić municipality has wonderful landscapes and gives fantastic opportunity for hiking. Villages scattered around have the tradition in sheep breeding and produce well known cheese.

Pastures, sheep and birds, forest, springs, watermills and peace will surround you. photo

2. Blatnica village

Blatnica is beautiful village well known by its cheese and dish Cicvara. There is restaurant “Lane”, built in retro style, situated in the nature on Usora riverbank, offers delicious local food and enjoyable ambience. Landscape around is typical green and hilly rich with forest.

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3. Kardial spa center Teslić municipality also has a famous spa & wellness centre “Banja Vrućíca” that is recently renovated and has image of the best spa centre in BiH. Sauna, massage, pools facilities will make your day a complete joy. photo

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