Dalmatia and Bosnia

From Sicily we drove across the south of Italy proper to Bari where we boarded an overnight ferry (11 hours) to Dubrovnik, Croatia. After checking in to Apartmani Ana for a two night stay we went to the airport and rented another car this time from Hertz and parked our Avis rental car. The German Avis could not be driven into either Bosnia or Montenegro.

Then we took off to Bosnia, Mostar in particular.

First a word about Dalmatia. Dalmatia is a territory that in history extended along most of the eastern coast line of the Adriatic Sea. Dubrovnik itself sits just about in the center of old Dalmatia. The name Dalmatia and its associated history predates Rome's conquest of the area. However from Rome on, Dalmatia had many masters, most noticeably by the architecture of its cities and towns, Venice. As happens when you are integrated into greater empires, Dalmatia (and its people) lost its original language and identity. Historical Dalmatia consisted essentially of the rugged mountainous coast line from Montenegro in the south to Slovenia in the north. The region is quite narrow at some points only a few kilometers wide. Though Dalmatia is long gone, the coast line is still referred to as the Dalmatian Coast.

The north south coastal road which until the A-1 Autocesta was built had been the only way to efficiently cross Dalmatia. Driving the 400 plus kilometer route you often find yourself hanging high up on the side of very steep cliffs giving the novice (to the area) driving tourist quite the experience. Taking a local bus on the route can be quite the ride. Our daughter Rosalynn and I several years back took the bus from Split to Dubrovnik and back for the day. After experiencing how the driver took the outside corners 100 to 200 meters above the rocky shore line I concluded at the time that they must have been required to complete the Mario Andretti School of Driving for Bus Drivers as training for the job.

The Dalmatian Coast is known for its great beauty and as a great adventure for the auto tourist who is looking for that extra thrill and beautiful scenery. The picture above is of Primosten, Croatia and is typical of what you will see as you travel along the coastal road.

Bosnia:

(The city with the iconic bridge is Mostar, the water fall, Kravice Falls)