Okay, so lemme tell you about my Bosnia Sarajevo Airport adventure. It wasn’t just a simple “get on a plane and go” kinda deal. Nope, had some twists and turns, learned a few things the hard way, and figured I’d share the whole shebang.
First off, I started by booking the flight. Found a decent deal online, figured Sarajevo sounded cool, so why not? Then came the fun part: prepping for the trip. I mean, I read up on Bosnia, watched a few travel vlogs, you know, the usual tourist stuff. But honestly, I didn’t REALLY dig in. Big mistake, HUGE!
Got to the airport, no dramas there. Check-in was smooth, security was the usual shoe-removing, belt-loosening routine. I grabbed a coffee and a sad-looking sandwich, and then just chilled, waiting for my flight to board. Boarding was a bit chaotic, but hey, that’s airports for ya.
The flight itself was uneventful. I mostly slept, woke up for a soggy pasta meal, and then went back to snoozing. Landed in Sarajevo, and this is where things started to get interesting. Customs was a breeze, thankfully. Got my bag, and then I was like, “Okay, now what?” I hadn’t pre-booked a taxi or anything (again, bad planning on my part), so I figured I’d just grab one at the airport.
Walked outside, and BAM! Taxi swarm. Everyone yelling, trying to get my attention. It was kinda overwhelming. I picked one that seemed legit, but honestly, they all looked a bit… shady. We agreed on a price (or so I thought), and off we went. Turns out, the “agreed” price was just a starting point. By the time we got to my hotel, the meter was running wild, and I ended up paying way more than I expected. Lesson learned: always negotiate FIRMLY beforehand, or better yet, pre-book a ride.
Checked into the hotel, which was decent enough. Dropped my bags, and immediately went out to explore. Sarajevo is a fascinating city, full of history and culture. But navigating it was a bit tricky. I got lost a few times, ended up in some random neighborhoods, but hey, that’s part of the adventure, right?
Over the next few days, I visited the main sights: the Latin Bridge, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated; Baščaršija, the old Ottoman bazaar; and the Sarajevo War Tunnel. Each place had its own story, and I spent hours just wandering around, soaking it all in.
Food-wise, I tried all the local specialties: ćevapi (grilled minced meat), burek (a flaky pastry filled with meat or cheese), and baklava (a sweet pastry). All delicious, but definitely not diet food!
One thing I wish I’d done differently was learn a few basic phrases in Bosnian. Most people spoke English, but it would have been nice to be able to communicate a bit better. Also, I should have researched transportation options more thoroughly. The public transport system seemed confusing, and I mostly relied on taxis, which, as I mentioned, can be a bit of a rip-off.
Leaving Sarajevo Airport was much smoother than arriving. I learned my lesson and pre-booked a taxi, so no price haggling this time. Check-in was quick, security was efficient, and before I knew it, I was back on a plane, heading home.
All in all, the Bosnia Sarajevo Airport experience was a mixed bag. There were definitely some hiccups along the way, mostly due to my own lack of planning. But it was also an incredibly rewarding trip, full of unexpected discoveries and memorable moments. Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I’ll be a bit more prepared.
- Plan ahead: Book transportation and accommodation in advance.
- Learn some basic phrases: It goes a long way.
- Research local customs: Be respectful of the culture.
- Be aware of taxi scams: Negotiate prices upfront.
- Just go with the flow: Embrace the unexpected!
Hope this helps anyone planning a trip to Sarajevo. It’s a great city, just be prepared for a bit of an adventure!
