Those who love to explore the historical sites can visit this country and spend a memorable Lebanon tourism vacation. The country is dotted with Roman ruins and can be easily accessible. This country boasts among the oldest as well as continuously populated cities in the entire world named as Beirut, Byblos, and Sidon. Its diverse mix of the Mediterranean Coast, rugged alpine peaks as well as green, fertile valleys is stretched on 225 kilometres long and 46 kilometres wide land. Lebanon was once recognized as the Paris of the East and its beauty is flourishing further due to its capital city called Beirut that boasts a magnificent position that thrust into the Mediterranean Sea.

The city seems beautiful and breathtaking due to the towering mountains at the backdrop. It is visible when the traffic haze in the city clears up. The country has beautiful beaches that boast by the Corniche Seafront. So you can visit and enjoy its water and take leisure walk at the beach. In fact, try some of the activities at the beach that will fascinate you a lot. Lebanon has plenty of fine restaurants, theatres, and astounding range of shops. The city of Beirut had suffered heavily from the 16-years of civil war in Lebanon. However, the reconstruction and development of the city, it became a well-known tourist and business destination in the Middle East, before the attacks of 2006 by the Israel.

Despite the city, many UNESCO World Heritage Sites boasts the glory of the country. The sites also reflect many different ancient civilizations in the country. You can explore the Roman temples, Phoenician tombs, Crusader castles and Mamlouk mosques, Baalbeck ruins, Tyre, and Byblos. Head towards the town of Aanjar, which is located in the Bekaa Valley and get fascinated from its Umayyad site that dates back from the 8th century. It is an exceptional example of a commercial centre, which was inland. Those who love adventure can visit and try some real activity at the mountains. The Kadisha Valley boasts ancient monasteries and churches that you can explore. The valley also contains a chapel that is constructed into the rock face.

To enter the provinces of the country, you can take a flight to the Beirut International Airport and start exploring the best of attractions in various cities. Some of the best places to visit in Lebanon are the beautiful Beirut Downtown, Baalbeck Roman Temples, Al Bass Archaeological Site, Jeita Grotto, Beiteddin, Anjar, and Qadisha Valley. Well, while exploring the city, do try to enjoy to its fullest and this could be done only by trying few of the activities. Experiencing the nightlife of the city will offer you immense joy.

Besides this, enjoy Hiking at Lebanon Mountain Trail, skiing at any of the ski resorts in the country, and taste the wine here, as the country is among the oldest sites of wine production in the entire world. The country has six ski resorts for the tourists who love to enjoy this activity completely. So visit Lebanon tourism and make it a wonderful vacation of lifetime.

Talking about its history, here also time speaks about its past events with the visitors through its architectural marvels. The Roman columns emerging out to touch the sky, the collapsing Arab watchtowers guarding the magnificent landscapes, and city plazas holding the baroque structures are all historic wonders.

Tracing its rapid changes, the high-speed rail tracks now run on the mountainous terrain to reach what was inaccessible in the past and that many cities offer new metro and tram journeys.

Tourists’ Attractions

• Madrid:
  This is the capital of Spain. Attractions here are the Prado known as the heaven of art, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia offering modern art and Picasso’s famous Guernica, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza – the Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor – the historic square, and Puerta del Sol.
• Barcelona:
  Take trip to overcrowded alleyways of the Barri Gotic (Gothic quarter) and the 19th century Eixample quarter holding Gaudi buildings. Do not miss a walk from Rambla to ancient Barceloneta and the waterfront where you can visit the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family), the Seu (old cathedral), the Episcopal Palace, and the Palau de la Generalitat. A cable car journey to Montjuic is also worthy.
• Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum:
  This famous monument has made Bilbao the famous spot of attraction. The museum is an architectural wonder of 20th century. The main city of the Basque region, the old town also offers a gothic cathedral and a magnificent Town Hall.

• Santiago Calatrava’s City of Arts and Science Park:
  This is located in Valencia. A spectacular hemispheric glass structure offers a planetarium, IMAX dome, and laserium. In addition, do go to the cathedral that contains the Holy Grail.
• Pamplona:
  Do visit the ancient walled quarter, Renaissance cathedral, and the stunning citadel.
• Ruins of Merida:
  Do trace the ancient Rome here. Other sites of Roman remains are in Tarragona and Italica besides Seville.
• Cordoba:
  Feel the spirit of Moorish Spain in the streets here. Do visit the Mezquita (Great Mosque), the spiritual marvel and the ruins of Medina Azahara in the outskirts of the city.
• Seville:
  Core of Spain, this city of Carmen and Don Juan offers the cathedral, the largest gothic building on Earth, bell tower – the Giralda, the Alcazar exhibiting the Mudejar (Moorish) architecture, and the old Jewish Quarter.
• Alhambra:
  Located in Granada, the palace-fortress was constructed in the 13th and 14th centuries by the Nasrid rulers.
• Toledo:
  Located south of Madrid, this is the old Spanish capital that offers the splendid cathedral, Alcazar, and several paintings of El Greco such as The Burial of the Count of Orgaz in the Santo Tome Church.
• Avila:
  Considered as the provincial capital, this city is in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Birthplace of the 16th century spiritualist, St Teresa; it offers 11th century walls in a good condition.
• Salamanca:
  This is an old university town that offers a collection of finest buildings displaying the Renaissance style known as Churrigueresque and Museo Art Nouveau y Art Deco that displays good series of objets d’art belonging to the 20th century.

• Beaches:
  Relax on sands of the Balearics coast, Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera.
• Festival of San Fermin:
  Celebrated in Pamplona in July, this is full of bulls running along the streets, which is the major tourist puller.
• Passion of Flamenco:
  Experience this at Andalucia and Seville through music, dance, and song.
• St James to Santiago de Compostela:
  This is the holy route of pilgrims on foot since the middle age where the gothic Cathedral if 1188 A.D. is the focal attraction. This too is in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Excursions:
  Explore the wildlife and nature in Spain through one of the national or regional parks. Walking, hiking, and jeep journey can make you visit the marshlands, wetlands, secluded peaks, and Atlantic beaches. Rock climbing is just perfect in the mountains of Spain – the Naranjo de Bulnes in the Picos de Europa and Monte Perdido in Ordesa National Park.
• Cycling and Biking:
  Opt one of the Vias Verdes that once were picturesque railway tracks now transformed into cycling tracks. Mountain biking also has its own scope through bountiful paths and tracks.
• Arab Bath or Hammam:
  Drench yourself for a relieving experience in the baths made out of lavish standards in Madrid, Cordoba, Granada, and Seville.
• Sports:
  Water sports such as swimming, sailing, waterskiing, and windsurfing are offered by almost all seaside resorts. Tarifa is the main windsurfing resort in Spain that hosts the world championships. Take yourself to the slopes in Spain where you can try out skiing.
• Spain has five premier skiing regions that also involve the Pyrenean and Cantabrian ranges. Also, do look for the highlands region of the Sierra Nevada located in the south of Granada.

Contradicting its underestimation, Poland has something to offer for all its visitors. The reason being that the nation is simply blessed with different sites catering to different moods – view of its hilly south for memorable skiing and hiking; the astonishing ancient towns of Krakow, Zamosc, and Gdansk; the nature’s home in the Bialowieza National Park; and the Great Malsurian Lakes in the north for boating refreshment.

For beach lovers, the Baltic coast on the north provides a few admirable beaches ranging over 500 km (300 miles) with bays, sheer cliffs, and dunes. On the other hand, for nature admirers, the Slowinski National Park offers unearthly forests, bogs, and wandering dunes. The Great Malsurian Lakes has hundreds of unspoiled lakes made by the thick forest as a gift to boating fans. For the history hunters, the Krakow-Wielun Highland offer caves and medieval fortresses.

Polish is the formal language of Poland. However, you will find German, English, and Russian being also spoken.

Tourists’ Attractions

• Warsaw:
  This is the capital of Poland that was almost demolished in the World War II. However, today it attracts tourists from the far corners of the world. This ancient city was then rebuilt taking into consideration its original plans and paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries. Just half a century old, it is just incredible to accept so while walking along its old-fashioned paved lanes. A famous view of the city can be taken from the 30th floor of the Palace of Culture and Science that is an architectural marvel gifted in 1953 from Stalin as a sign of ‘Polish-Soviet Friendship’.

• Warsaw Rising Museum:
  This museum hosts films, testimonials, slides, and artifacts.
• Chopin’s House:
  This is the mansion house marking the birthplace of Frederick Chopin in Zelazowa Wola located at a distance of 53 km (32 miles) west of Warsaw. You can expect a charming park, concerts during summer, and 19th century equipments and instruments.
• Zamosc:
  This ancient town holds the Renaissance-pattern market square along with the well-maintained 16th century town centre. This is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Auschwitz:
  Holding the memories of one the darkest events in human history, the city pay homage to the victims of the holocaust at Oswiecim-Birkenau (Auschwitz-Birkenau) concentration camp. This is at a distance of 70 km (43 miles) from Krakow offering you a soothing journey.
• Krakow Gate:
  Originally erected in the late 14th century, this monument was restyled in 1782 that is an architectural figure of Lublin. Holding a historical museum, this gate is the main door to enter the Old Town.
• Krakow:
  Considered as the country’s majestic capital, this city is a preserved architectural wonder that has survive against several wars. Listed as one of UNESCO’s 12 most noteworthy historical sites, its medieval environs will attract you. The attractions here include the central Market Square (the largest one in the continent) and the Cloth Hall in its center, which was reinstated in the 19th century using the 14th century merchants’ stands. Still more to add; visit the Jagiellonian University since 1364, former Jewish quarter, Kazimierz containing the Remuh Synagogue (1553), and Wawel Fortress holding the largest number of 16th century tapestries in the world and being the home of a gothic cathedral.
• Wieliczka Salt Mine:
  Possessing 350 km length of corridors, its 2 km (1.2 miles) corridors are only reachable by the visitors. The visitors’ journey here 64 to 135 m beneath the land that displays imposing chambers, bas-reliefs, chandeliers, and a salt chapel.
• The Black Madonna Icon:
  Famous as the magical painting of Our Lady, this icon is kept in the big Jasna Gora monastery complex at Czestochowa located at a distance of 100 km (60 miles) north of Krakow. It is alleged that St. Luke has painted it.
• Wroclaw (Breslau):
  This is the city holding 100 bridges most of which are across canals or link 12 islands of the city. Attractions for the visitors here are the 15th century Town Hall that is a historical museum today, the Ethnographic Museum enclosed in the Royal Palace, and the Cathedral on Ostrow Tumski (Cathedral Island).
• Gdansk:
  Attractions here are St. Mary’s Basilica that is the largest gothic church in the country, the beach resort of nearby Sopot with the continent’s longest jetty (500 m), the forested Hel Peninsula, the Kashubian Lakeland, and the Teutonic fortresses at Malbork and Gniew.
• Torun:
  This is the gothic walled town where visitors love to take a leisure walk. It is also the home of the astronomer Nicholas Copernicus.
• Hiking:
  Try this out in a few national parks and nature reserves – the Kampinos National Park, near Warsaw and the Bieszczady National Park – part of the Carpathian mountain range housing the brown bear, lynx, wolf, and wildcat.
• Bialowieza National Park:
  Holding 400 years old trees, this park is the last major shelter of the European bison and houses many more rare species. Nature trails, cycling, and exploring with a warden are the attractions here.

• Horse Riding:
  The Polish countryside offer many riding schools for this activity. For those who are just beginners, they might ride on a Hucul who is a rare mountain pony of Poland.
• Mushroom Picking:
  A polish tradition offering several varieties, this activity can be performed while walking in the woods in the early autumn.
• Tatras:
  This is famous for its alpine diversions.
• Zakopane:
  This is popular for its climbing and winter sports. In addition, do not miss to visit the charming valley of Koscieliska, the mountain of Kasprowy Wierch, and the glacial lake Morskie Oko.
• Beaches:
  You can find them on the Baltic Coast in north. The resorts of the Pomeranian coast, such as Kolobrzeg and Leba (white sandy beach) are popular. The beach at Leba is linked with the Slowinski National Park famous for its shifting sands.
• Hel Peninsula:
  This site is free from over population and that you can reach here by foot or on bike to relax at its beaches or spend time at a campsite.

• Malsurian Lake District:
  Offering more than 1,000 lakes, this is famous boating site that can make you visit its other several lakes and canals. Lake Hancsa is the deepest lake here. This site is just worth seeing when the local people of Mikolajki and Gizycko towns arrange festivals and vibrant events.
• Canoeing:
  This is best on the sites of Brodnica, Mysliborz lakelands, or the rivers of Brda, Czarna, Hancza, and Obra.

The country’s unquestionable trinkets are found in its remarkably abundant mountainous lands that can be excellently viewed from a national park. A lot of more attractions are maintained and offered even in the urban life, mainly in the multi-ethnic capital of Sarajevo that is adorned with the Turkish legacy and energetic cafe site.

Plagued with mines in some areas, the remaining areas hold ancient citadels, beautiful old mosques, captivating monasteries, and splendid Catholic shrines. However, the structure that ranks first in the tourist circuit signifies the fusion of the country’s history and an optimistic fresh start and it is the renovated Ottoman bridge at Mostar.

Bosnia and Herzegovina being holding its ethnic and religious diversity, there are three prominent ethnic groups here. These are stated from maximum to minimum inhabitation – the Bosniaks – also known as the Bosnian Muslims, the Serbs, and the Croats. Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian are the formal languages spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Latin alphabets are used by the Croats and Bosniaks, while the Serbs are fond of Cyrillic. Majority of the population is Muslims followed by Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and other cults.

History

• 1996:
  Elections took place after the 1992-95 war beneath the rules of the Dayton Accord and under the supervision of the international community.
• 2006:
  Haris Silajdzic, Nebojsa Radmanovic, and Zeljko Komsic became the part of the presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Out of them, two are members and the other is the chairperson that changes every eight months.
• 2007:
  Nikola Spiric became the Prime Minister.

However, the recent one under the leadership of the Prime Minister Nikola Spiric was marked as the first poll to be held without the international supervision after the war.

Etiquettes

Avoid providing any beliefs or views on the war or any other critical topic. Tourists are required to honor the traditions and culture of the different religious and racist sects. Some Muslims consider drinking alcohol in public places as an offence.

Tourists’ Attractions

• Mostar:
  This holds the most elegant Ottoman bridge that connects the two parts of the city via the Neretva River. Originally built in the 16th century, the bridge was demolished during the war after which it was rebuilt with the help of the Turkish folk. Other attractions include the 16th and 17th century mosques, historic buildings, and paved streets that remain unaffected at the time of war.

• Bihac:
  Situated in the northwestern region of Bosnia & Herzegovina, this is western Muslim settlement in Europe lying in close proximity with the Croatian frontier. Other key attraction here is the Fathija Mosque that previously was a church. This pocket city of Bihac is the just the place for adventurous tourists who would love to perform rafting on the excellent base on the Una River.
• Beach:
  Located at Neum, this is the Bosnia & Herzegovina’s only that covers a small distance of the shoreline splitting the Dalmatian shore of Croatia.
• Sutjeska National Park:
  Do not forget to head to the natural home of the wild and evergreen unblemished charm. As said above that some of the picturesque views can be explored from a point in a park, this is that place which hosts the Maglic Mountain at an altitude of 2,368 m (7,769 feet). This is the highest peak/point in the nation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In addition, the Perucica Forest is also worth visiting that is marked as among the last prehistoric forests of Europe.

• Medjugorje:
  Located towards south of Mostar, this is the second most frequently visited Catholic shrine in the world. A popular belief holds here that many people have seen the spirit of the Virgin Mother Mary. This shrine attracts thousands of visitors in a year. However, Vatican has yet to proclaim it as an official pilgrimage spot.
• Banja Luka:
  Famous for its well-maintained Tvrdjava citadel, this is the second biggest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also the administrative capital of the Republika Srpska. Close to the countryside, you can have a round of its numerous Orthodox monasteries.

• Sarajevo:
  Recognized as the capital of the nation, this is the site that takes you for a memorable trip in the past of Turkish rule for 500 years, as its marks are still present. Despite being frightened by the war, the Turkish quarter (Bascarsija) and the town centre have been renovated and life is becoming normal as seen in the multicolored bazaars that tribute the Ottoman legacy.
• Bascarsija District:
  Do visit this district in order to shop for souvenirs and halt for a traditional Turkish coffee in any of the cafes.
• Blagaj:
  Reachable in just half-day time from Mostar, this is famous for its tranquil hamlet named the dervish tekkija located at the foot of a cliff that is 200 m (656 feet) high.

• Watersports:
  You can opt for whitewater rafting on any of the several mountain rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stating some of the most thrilling sites of Neretva, Una, and Tara rivers, these are the busiest locations in Europe for this fun. Other water sport for which the country offers many opportunities is Kayaking.
• Hiking:
  Being a mountainous landscape, Bosnia and Herzegovina is full of strolling and trekking options, except for those areas where landmines can affect both the activity and life. The Bjelasnica Mountain is the only area of the nation that provides hiking, rafting, and village tourism.
• Winter Festival:
  Generally celebrated in February and March at the nation’s capital, this is the festival of art. Been held consistently even before the war of the 1990s, this festival was determinedly even during the war. A tribute to the worldwide creativity and freedom despite the presence of varied cultures and sects, the winter festival is celebrated for two months
• Sarajevo Film Festival:
  Coming in August, this is the most famous festival as compared to the other festivals in Sarajevo. The festival aims at showing films that are produced mostly by the neighboring nations whose quality of films is excellent with a flavor of an artistic standard.
• Shopping:
  Do purchase the traditional items – woodcarvings, brass coffee jars, ceramics, artificial carpets, woolen products, wines, folk-art, wall hanging, and embroidery. Souvenirs and imprinted weaponry coverings that mark the Yugoslav war at the Bascarsija bazaar in Sarajevo are worth buying. The timings of shopping are daily from 0800 to 2000.

Passports and Visa

A valid passport is a must for all the nationals. However, it is not mandatory if you hold a valid national identity card issued either by one of the nations – Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. In addition, if you are from Germany and possess a valid identity card issued for minors known as Kinderausweis with a photo, you do not need a passport. Kindly make a note that a passport sanctioned by the Former Yugoslav Federation Republic (Serbia & Montenegro) having a red cover is not valid.

Visa is not required for the nationals of British, Australian, Canadian, USA, and other EU for a three months stay. For other nationals, please contact the embassy to find out the visa requirements.

Reaching Bosnia and Herzegovina

By Air

B&H Airlines (JA) is the national airline that can take you to Banja Luka, Mostar, and Sarajevo. Listed below are the major airports.

Sarajevo (SJJ) is the key international airport from where Sarajevo is at the distance of 12 km. You can take a taxi for your trip into the city from the airport. Banja Luka (BNX) and Mostar (OMO) are other airports that also manage international flights on a small scale.

Departure tax is applicable to both international and domestic flights. For international flights, it is €18 and for domestic flights and transit passengers, it is €9.

By Rail

A good, but slow railway network connects Sarajevo, Mostar, Doboj, and Banja Luka to Zagreb, Belgrade, Ljubljana, and Ploce. It takes 9 hours to reach Zagreb or Belgrade from  Sarajevo.

Rail Passes

InterRail allows first- or second-class journey in 30 European countries unlimited with two types of passes. The Global Pass is for 22 days, one month, five days in 10 days, or 10 days in 22 days of travel. Whereas, the One-Country Pass is for three, four, six, or eight days in one month excluding Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Please bear in mind that you are not permitted to travel in the passenger’s country of residence. For visitors under 26 years, there is a special concession; whereas for children, 50% off is offered on the pass. The passes can be collected from the Rail Europe. You are also given a privilege to take discounts on Eurostar and some ferry routes.

By Road

Yet in the course of reconstruction due to damage in the civil war, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s roadways are still linked with major cities and towns. You can run a car from Croatia, Serbia, and Montenegro with a necessary Green card. Other option is to travel through a bus from several Eastern and Central European cities such as London to reach the capital.