Bosnia and Herzegovina - Samuel Matthews

Bosnia and Herzegovina. History, People, Culture, Travel and Tourism Environment. When the Romans extended their conquests into the territory of modern Bosnia during the 2nd and 1st centuries bce, the people they encountered there belonged mainly to Illyrian tribes. Most of the area of modern Bosnia was incorporated into the Roman province of Dalmatia. During the 4th and 5th centuries ce, Roman armies suffered heavy defeats in this region at the hands of invading Goths. When the Goths were eventually driven out of the Balkans by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I in the early 6th century, the Bosnian territory became, notionally at least, part of the Byzantine Empire. Tourism

Craggily beautiful Bosnia and Hercegovina is most intriguing for its East-meets-West atmosphere born of blended Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian histories. Many international visitors still associate the country with the heartbreaking civil war of the 1990s, and several attractions focus on the horrors of that era. But today, visitors will likely remember the country for its deep, unassuming human warmth, its beautiful mountainscapes and its numerous medieval castle ruins. Apart from modest Neum it lacks beach resorts, but easily compensates with cascading rafting rivers, waterfalls and bargain-value skiing in its mostly mountainous landscapes. Major drawcards are the reincarnated historic centres of Sarajevo and Mostar, counterpointing splendid Turkish-era stone architecture with quirky bars, inviting street-terrace cafes and a vibrant arts scene. And there's so much more to discover in the largely rural hinterland, all at prices that make the country one of Europe's best-value destinations.