Within the "Holidays in BiH" Initiative: Successful trip for BiH journalists to Bihać organized

(Patria) - Organized by the "Holidays in BiH" Initiative, which aims to provide "first aid" to the tourism sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina in challenging times of the pandemic, an organized Familiarization Trip (FAM Trip) for BiH media to Bihać and its surroundings was held, with the aim of bringing the great potential of the Bihać region closer to the BiH public. The trip was organized with the help of the Bihać Tourist Board, and a group of about fifteen journalists and cameramen set off in the "Holidays in BiH" bus from in front of the National Museum in Sarajevo.

The first stop, after about three hours of driving, was the Eco Center Konoba "Slapovi", located on the road from the center of Jajce to the Pliva Lakes. As the name of this Center suggests, its main attraction is the relaxing waterfalls of the Pliva River, but also excellent gastronomic offer in the shade of the river and trees.

The next resting place was the Rural Household "Čardaklije", not far from Bosanski Petrovac, 30 kilometers from Bihać. In addition to the ethno-village with a wealth of different facilities and its friendly hosts, "Čardaklije" is also specific for the love they have for the Bosnian mountain horse, and the sight of herds of horses playing freely represents an ideal anti-stress therapy.

This was followed by a visit to Una National Park and Martin Brod, where the spectacular Milančetov buk is located, the largest waterfall on the Una River, which averages 63 meters in height. In Martin Brod, there is also the Orthodox monastery Rmanj, built from Una travertine. It was first erected in the 15th century and today represents one of the most important cultural and historical attractions of the Bihać region.

The first day of the trip for BiH media to Bihać, organized by the "Holidays in BiH" Initiative, concluded with accommodation and dinner at the Natura Art tourist complex. This complex, located in Lohovo, at the entrance to Una National Park from the direction of Bihać, offers numerous catering facilities at a very high level in a beautiful natural environment.

On the second day, the media visited the Japod Islands, river islets in the village of Račić near Bihać, connected by wooden bridges, which, viewed from the air, present a unique image of the "heart of nature". Due to their attractiveness, but also the fact that they do not have large accommodation capacities, the Japod Islands are quite full even during the pandemic.

On the same day, journalists also visited the famous Štrbački buk, which is reached by a macadam road through the forest, representing a 14-kilometer adventure, followed by a true reward – a view of the spectacular 24-meter-high waterfall on the Una River.

This was followed by lunch on a boat while cruising the Una River, at the excellent River Dock restaurant in the village of Ripač, then a visit to the Old Town Sokolac, which was recently asphalted, and is located on Debeljača hill, offering a beautiful view of Bihać and its surroundings.

On the second evening, the travelers were accommodated in the designer hotel Emporium in the center of Bihać, where the accommodation and catering services are top-notch. The program for the third day of the trip included a tour of Jotani Islands, located in Bihać itself, where the World Fly Fishing Championship is expected to be held this year.

Then came a city tour of Bihać, during which journalists visited the Fethija Mosque, the Captain's Tower, the Museum of the First Session of AVNOJ, the city island with the monument "Girl from Una", the City Cafe "Pavilion", located next to the remains of the first mini hydroelectric power plant in BiH. A lunch break was organized at the restaurant of the Hotel "Kostelski buk", with an excellent offer of food and accommodation by the magical Una River and its waterfalls.

The "Holidays in BiH" bus then continued towards the famous Ostrožac Castle, a national monument of BiH, which houses a park of sculptures created as part of the "Ostrožac" Sculptors' Colony.
The road then led to the picturesque Bosanska Krupa, where accommodation was organized at the "Zlatna nit" tourist complex near the town, which offers its visitors a fantastic holiday in nature with numerous facilities. After visiting the Green Islands in the very center of Bosanska Krupa, dinner was organized at the excellent "Amfora" restaurant.

On the fourth day of the trip, the return to Sarajevo followed, with lunch and a cruise on the Big Pliva Lake near the beautiful Jajce, located approximately halfway between Bihać and Sarajevo.
As a reminder, as part of the "Holidays in BiH" initiative, a web platform was launched at www.odmoriubih.ba, which promotes BiH destinations and offers the possibility to purchase holiday packages in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The "Holidays in BiH" initiative is also recently supported by the European Union in BiH, with whose help familiarization trips for the media will be organized to eight more destinations in BiH.