My first day was exploring the city of Sarajevo; the Ottomans, Austro-Hungarians, & the siege times. It's sometimes called the Jerusalem of Europe or of the Balkans. Felt like a special city.
Then to the planned activity, snow shoeing. Good walk on the first day, got used to the snowshoes, some lovely mountain views, though the driving icy snow at times made it v wet & took away the view. We Overnighted in a mountain guest house
Thankfully the sodden clothing dried overnight, & after a breakfast of village-made cheese, homemade pastry bread & jam, omelettes, wild herb tea & Bosnian coffee... we set off. A 12km hike to a nearby summit, & ridge & valley walk. It was dry to start but gentle snow later, depriving us of the views, although the sun tried, but a vg walk nevertheless. Then time to sample the Herzegovina red again.
After a 'village breakfast' the next morning, we set off on the opposite side of the mountain, with views back to the overnight pension. We walked a watershed ridge between the Adriatic & Black Sea basins. Walked around the cloud obscured peak, then down to a Olympic resort, for a different overnight stay in an international hotel. I like the rustic cosy mountain pensions, but I like the comfort too!
Today we walked through spruce & fir forests, & through the site of some of the Olympic skiing. Lunch of bean soup & cake in a mountain lodge. Then the descent into the city of Sarajevo. A conference call for the last hour was my most surreal to date.
The next day we had a drive, from Bosnia over to Mediterranean Herzegovina, through ancient mountains & a canyon, to the beautiful city of Mostar. We were told of the '2 wars', the war within the city, and the war to the city. It was very good to see the famous (re)built bridge. I reflected on the achievement of living & loving across difference, enjoying difference, and what happens when we stop working at it, and lose it. Blessed are the bridge re/builders.
The last day was a snow hike up a mountain nearby to Sarajevo. We walked through spruce trees with a blue sky & sunshine, to the peak, where we were at the same height as the tops of the tall trees, looking across at the mountains we'd climbed earlier in the week.
We finished the day once more with good local food & wine and good company.
I recommend BiH, the countryside & the people. Go visit.

Photos here:

https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B02GTI3fvG4jxQ1