We all have our preferences when it comes to picking a destination for a trip away. Whether it’s sunny skies on the weather forecast and a beach nearby, wandering around an ancient city complete with castles, or sticking close to home and opting for a camping trip in the Great British outdoors, there’s plenty of different holidays to choose from.
There’s also plenty of things that can potentially ruin a holiday, from delayed flights to noisy hotel rooms and sudden downpours of rain. More and more, you might also find that you prefer something that’s not full of crowds of tourists, and opting for a more unusual destination or hidden gem is one way to avoid this. It’s also often a lot less pricey than the usual holiday hotspots, and a great option if you’re travelling on a budget. But if you’re stuck for ideas of where to go, the travel creator @emsbudgettravel shared the “underrated” European country she visited which is “absolutely stunning” in spring.
In the video posted on TikTok, the creator said that out of all the 17 countries she went to, this underrated destination “is probably my favourite country I visited in the whole of 2024”.
The creator also added that it was “one of the cheapest countries I visited in Europe too”, so if you’re looking to plan a spring getaway on a budget, you might want to consider a trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Nestled in between Croatia and Serbia, the Balkan country is home to a striking landscape that includes the Dinaric Alps mountain range, while the capital city Sarajevo is also surrounded by several mountains including the Trebević which offers panoramic views.
Following the devastating civil war that lasted from 1992 to 1995, the historically-rich country has rebuilt itself into a destination sought after by many travellers in search of a hidden gem, regarded highly for its spectacular nature and warm hospitality.
An abundance of medieval villages, rivers and lakes, @emsbudgettravel also said: “It’s a country with a lot of history so make sure you can visit some of the museums while you’re there”.
Described as a meeting point of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian histories, from Sarajevo you can take a day trip to the southern city, Mostar, and walk across the iconic “Stari Most”, a medieval archived bridge over the Neretva River known for its turquoise waters.
It’s not just medieval cities lined with cafes and artisanal shops, the Kravica waterfall is also a must-see and for those looking for something more adventurous, hiking trails along the Rakitnica canyon make for some spectacular views.
Direct flights to Sarajevo International Airport in May, which is the main airport in Bosnia and Herzegovina, start at £46 from London, but require a stop off if you’re flying from other UK cities so it’s worth planning ahead.