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Written by Robert Schrader from Depart Your Each day Hell.
The Balkans’ most stunning waterfall isn’t the one you suppose.
In the beginning of my journey to the Balkans final yr, I had a well being scare, so I didn’t get an opportunity to go to Plitvice Lakes Nationwide Park once I was in Croatia as deliberate. I relayed this info to the pleasant couple who runs Villa Tajra in Mostar as we have been attending to know one another over my welcome tea—folks in Bosnia have a approach of creating you’re feeling like household.
“You already know,” the lady stated, “there’s a reasonably wonderful waterfall not removed from right here.” She described Kravice waterfalls, a pure space about 40 km from town’s south.
This, by itself, didn’t shock me. Bosnia and Herzegovina is an extremely stunning nation, a land of lush mountains and rolling fields crisscrossed by crystal clear rivers and charming cities. What shocked me, nevertheless, was how she prompt I get there.
“You suppose I ought to lease a automotive?” I gasped as I attempted to get a affirmation. The Balkans are well-known for loopy drivers, in any case, as they’re for his or her nature and sort folks.
She nodded and picked up her telephone. “I’m calling our pal proper now. He’ll have the automotive right here in lower than an hour.”
Drive To Kravice
I can’t lie: I used to be extremely nervous as I started driving out of Mostar on the E73 motorway, and never solely as a result of the “semi-automatic” transmission of my compact automotive felt extra like a handbook one. Nevertheless, inside about 20 minutes (I received rotated greater than a few instances), I used to be cruising alongside—and getting excited.
The panorama of southern Bosnia, you see, is karstic—the dramatic limestone mountains that rise out of the earth right here aren’t not like those you see in Southeast Asian nations like Laos and Thailand, even when the vegetation is a bit much less tropical.
I felt anxious as I handed every of the charming villages alongside the Nereveta River (the identical one which runs by means of Mostar), questioning if I ought to cease off and have a chat with the locals, however in the end feeling like my precedence was to achieve the Kravice waterfall.
Issues To Do In Kravice
After I received there, I first realized that the place is technically known as “Kravica.” In fact, this can be a small element, provided that locals don’t make a giant deal of correcting vacationers like me.
The second factor I spotted is that I ought to’ve parked nearer and brought the shuttle bus—the primary falls and swimming space are a few 20-minute stroll from the doorway, and whereas nature is gorgeous, it’s additionally scorching.
After I received to the underside, I used to be completely happy to see so many distributors promoting ice-cold Sarajevsko pivo (and different Bosnian beers—I don’t select sides!).
Beer additionally helps you chill out, which is important to having time at Kravice. There isn’t a lot to do right here apart from drink, swim, and get solar, even when there’s a viewpoint of the falls about 15 minutes up the hill from the swimming space (notably, in the wrong way from the parking space).
Different Methods To Get To Kravice
You don’t need to drive your automotive to get to Kravice, though doing so provides you the liberty to cease alongside the best way when and the place you need. From the villages I discussed earlier on this piece, town (and standard Catholic pilgrimage web site) of Medjugorje, and a number of other different pure and cultural sights, there are various issues to see between Mostar and Kravice!
However, there isn’t a public bus service to Kravice, which implies hiring a taxi is mainly your solely different choice. This is likely to be choice in the event you’re as frightened of driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina as I used to be however don’t have as persuasive a visitor home proprietor as I did.
Hiring a taxi or personal switch can be costlier than hiring your automotive (round 70 Bosnian marks vs. 150 or so), though it may not make a lot of a distinction in case you have a number of folks. Entry to Kravice itself prices four KM (earlier than including in beer!).
The Backside Line
Kravice was so stunning that I fully forgot about having missed out on Plitvice Lakes. Nevertheless, I did find yourself going there once I returned to Croatia—Kravice is extra stunning in the event you ask me and positively much less crowded. If you happen to’re on the lookout for unbelievable day journeys to take from Mostar, rent a automotive (or a driver), and make your approach southward to attractive Kravice!
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