Holy Sith, you guys, Star Wars Day is upon us again.
This annual event celebrates the popular movie which is loved by millions around the globe. The event was not created by George Lucas or his company Lucasfilm but is observed by fans around the world.”May the Fourth be with you” is said to have first been coined in a newspaper advertisement by the conservative party, on May 4, 1979. The Walt Disney Company, which bought the rights to Star Wars and Lucasfilm in 2012, now hosts celebrations in its Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks. Fans celebrate the day by re-watching the world-famous franchise’s movies or reading the comics.
Do you think you are a true Star Wars fan?
Historical Roots
It might seem silly, but it has some weird, interesting, historical roots. Reportedly, when Margaret Thatcher was elected as Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1979, Britain’s Conservative Party took out a full-page advertisement in the London Evening News that read: “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations.” Because even members of British Parliament are giant nerds.
How to celebrate it
If you can believe it, there are some people who’ve never seenStar Wars. So now’s the time to get busy and watch all movies. For the rest of you nerds, REVISIT them any way you want.
Water Supply: spring „Hajducko vrilo“ 1,5 h from the motel Orientation
Difficulty: None
Total length: 4 km
Ascent to Vran is particularly suitable for recreational hikers, whereas south and southeast allow passage through the richness of the karst landscape.
Going from Jablanica through the picturesque canyon of river Doljanka, road seemingly leading to nowhere, upon the arrival to the saddle of Sovićka vrata suddenly transforms into a spectacular vedute of mountainous landscape. Plateau Dugo polje is bounded by the mountains Čvrsnica on the southeast and Vran on the northwest and it offers idyllic atmosphere of mountain resort, both in summer and winter. Since 1995, the plateau and surrounding mountains were incorporated into a Nature Park Blidinje. Shallow lake Blidinje is placed on the southwestern side of the plateau, opposite to the Sovićka vrata saddle, with the peaks of surrounding mountains mirroring themselves on the surface. One of those peaks is Veliki Vran (2074 m.a.s.l.), the highest peak of Vran which forms western boundary of Dugo polje. Vran is not a typical Dinaric mountain. One of the facts to suggest this is the direction of the mountain which spreads from southwest – northeast. Ascent to Vran is particularly suitable for recreational hikers, whereas south and southeast allow passage through the richness of the karst landscape.
The starting point is placed in Trnovac, two kilometers after the crossroad in Blidinje in direction of Rama. The beauty of the landscape increases with the ascent. After the first steep part, one can find a valley with water reservoir constructed during the times of AustroHungarian Monarchy. The name confirms it: „Carska lokva“ or „The Emperor’s Pond“. Well marked path continues through the belts of mountain pines, beech forest and grass. In the summer, mountaineers are recommended to rest in the thick shade of pines. Before the arrival to Veliki Vran, the path passes through the thick pine forest somewhere mottled with barren land. The peak of Veliki Vran is marked with the pile of rocks, and as the reward for the successful ascent, the mountaineers have the fantastic view of three surrounding lakes: Ramsko, Buško and Blidinjsko.
The culture of wine growing and wine production in Bosnia and Herzegovina dates back to the Illyrian period and the Thracians who introduced grapevine seedlings to the Balkans. Warm Mediterranean climate and excellent natural conditions perfectly fit wine making industry in this country, especially Herzegovina region. With its long tradition, over 2000 years, this region is the home to some strong and quality wines from autochthonous Blatina and Žilavka grapes, and several non-autochthonous varieties grown in sunny and warm lands of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Blatina is autochthonous grape, cultivated in plantations with other varieties such as AllicanteBouschet, Merlot, and Trnjak and provides high-quality red wine of dark ruby color, particular and characteristic aroma with full and rich harmonious taste.
Second autochthonous grapevine, Žilavka with its fine veins visible from the yellow-green and thick skin in a period of full maturity of the grapes in the berry, gives an excellent white wine with particular fragrance, and strength typical of southern wines.
Local winemakers have a lot to offer to those enjoying a glass or two. Selection of bottled red wine ranges from Blatina, made from pure Blatina grapes; BlatinaBarrique, aged in oak barrels for at least 2 years: EmporiaBlatina, mixed with AlicanteBouschet and Vranac; Romanca, refined, semi-sweet red wine, made of Blatina, Vranac and CabernetSauvignon grape varieties; HercegoVranac,VranacBaroque and Plavac, with its dark red color and pronounced aroma and refined taste. Trnjak, strong and characteristic wine with ruby red color and robust taste; TribuniaRed, made from Cabernet and Merlot variations adorned with fruity accent and richness.
Oenologists claim that Žilavka is the brand that King Tvrtko drank with his entourage back in 13 century. Light yellow in complexion with greenish reflection it’s the staple white wine in Bosnia and Herzegovina, among others, there are EmporiaŽilavka, made with addition of Bena grapevine sort; ŽilavkaBarrique, aged for two sec years in oak barrels, Kameno, stone wine made from Žilavka grape grown in harsh karst soil; Tvrtko, made from overripe Žilavka, with glowing golden color and ripe and massive aroma. HercegoŽilavka, high-quality dry wine with pleasant flavor and a taste that gets its fullness from a high extract; RomancaWhite, a delicate semi-sweet wine with fruity flavor; Traminac, golden- amber colored sweet wine, and Graševina, strong stone wine with discrete fruity flavor and characteristic scent.
There are also rose wines, but not heavily represented; Rosary characterized by the crystal clear pink color. Well balanced, harmonious and full of flavor accompanied with a pleasant fresh scent of raspberry, currant, strawberry and cherry; Rosse, RosseBarique and TribuniaRose.
Studies carried out have shown that the best varieties in Europe, and even some oriental ones, were not as quality and drinkable as Žilavka and Blatina, which are used to produce wines before mentioned.
The golden age of viticulture in Bosnia and Herzegovina began by the revival of wine-growing, which was done by the Habsburgs in the area of Herzegovina. Since then, local winemakers received more than twenty-two gold medals, some of which were awarded to them by Emperor Franz Joseph, the Belgian King Leopold and Queen Victoria. Also good to know is that Zilavka and Blatina received “MedailledePlatte” in 1929 and in 1937 “Grandprix” rewards.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is much more than you can imagine. There’s really something for every kind of wanderlust to enjoy—even if spending a lazy day under the sun isn’t your cup of coffee. Old town in Mostar, landscapes, medieval city of Pocitelj, Kravice waterfalls—the list of travel-worthy experiences goes on. Ahead, 5 photos of Bosnian and Herzegovina’s most beautiful sites to kick off your trip planning.
The highest peak in Bosnia and HerzegovinaRama LakeOld Bridge MostarSmall village Blagaj on Buna spring and waterfall in Bosnia and HerzegovinaPerucica rainforest in Bosnia and Herzegovina
As a tourist, in Mostar, you can see a lot of historic buildings and monuments, try a variety of traditional foods and customs, but also stay in hotels that offer excellent services at very low prices.
Below, we have singled out the top 10 according to guest’s bookings:
1 City Hotel is the first hotel that offers modern rooms, a restaurant within the same, shops, bars and car rental services. In addition, there are free Wi-Fi and parking, family rooms (non-smoking) and a fitness center. Price is 83 KM/day, a bus station is only 20 m away. The hotel is rated four stars and a score 9, 2/10 for service and telephone number is 036/ 349 090.
2. Hotel Eden which is located about 450 m away from the famous Old Bridge and offers usage of an indoor pool, cable TV, air-conditioned rooms and a mini bar. According to the data, Hotel Eden has four stars and guests rate it with a score of 9, 3/10, and the price per day is 76 KM. The hotel has 24 rooms that can be booked at number 036/555 390 or at Konak, Mostar 88,000.
3. Hotel Villa Milas is located on Franciscan 3, 88000 Mostar and boasts a score of 9, 6/10 and with three stars for service and location. The hotel offers comfortable accommodation equipped with bathrooms and meals, and the Old Bridge is only 5 minutes’ walk away. If you love history, close to the hotel there are Franciscan Monastery and Church of St. Peter and Paul that are, according to the experience of tourists, among the most visited places in Mostar. You can contact Villa Milas by phone 036/316 381.
. 4 Boutique Hotel Pellegrino boasts guest rating 9.3/10 and with four stars which place it on the list of the best hotels in Mostar. The main characteristic is that it is located only 150 meters from the bus and train station which makes it easy for tourists to come. The hotel offers free internet connection and parking, fitness centre and all 14 rooms are designed for non-smokers, and you can get them at a price of 70 KM per night. Contact phone: 062 969 000.
5. Famous Hotel Mepas which is famous for being the newest hotel completely renovated in 2015 and which offers a variety of benefits such as fitness center, spa, and wellness center, free parking and the Internet. Also, there is a shopping center Mepas Mall in the same building, where you can find anything you need for your taste, from food at McDonald’s to the latest fashion trends in the stores. Room price in this modern hotel is 140 KM due to the fact that it has five stars and a rating of 9,4 and booking can be done by calling 036/382 000 or at Kneza Viseslava, Mostar 88,000.
6. Hotel-Restaurant Kriva Cuprija is located at Onescukova 23, Mostar 88000 with a phone number 061 135 286 where you can book any of the 28 rooms (77 KM / night) that are air-conditioned and fully equipped for the needs of guests. The hotel also offers a mini bar, cable, or the best features are views of the Old Town and the kitchen where you will have the opportunity to try many of the traditional dishes of this people.
7 . Hotel Herzegovina is located at Bisce field bb which offers 26 modern rooms (59 KM/night), parking, restaurant services, free parking, and Internet. Guests have rated this hotel with 9/10, and have deserved four stars for location and offer. The phone number for reservations is 036/ 576 0700.
8. Villa Nadin is popular due to affordable price of 49 KM, but also it’s rated with 9.4 / 10. The hotel is 7 minutes’ walk away from the bus station and about 6 km from the airport. According to impressions of guests, ‘Nadin’ is a very popular hotel because it offers much for little money. Reservations can be done by telephone number 036/578 574 or 063 118 918.
9. Villa Hum is located at Franciscan 29 and is available at a number 061 657 638. This is another hotel that is popular among guests because of the low prices for a lot of things- room price is 51 KM and all of them have air conditioning, cable TV, and some also have a balcony.
10. Hotel Bevanda is a hotel located at the site of Old Ilicka bb, which you can contact on the number 036/332 332. The hotel is 10-minutes’ walk away from the Old Town and has a restaurant with an outdoor terrace where you can enjoy local and international specialties. Moreover, you can find a supermarket, park, and several clubs and restaurants near the hotel where you can enjoy the real issues of Mostar.
