The Adriatic Sea from Split to Dubrovnik is gorgeous, very clean, and includes 22km of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The closed bay at Neum is protected from the strong open sea winds by the Peljesac Peninsula, and wonderfully calm.

Neum

During Yugoslav times it was an isolated retreat for the communist elite. Tourism has returned to this place and scuba-diving, parasailing, boating and jet skiing can all readily be arranged in any of the major hotels. It all costs a little less than what it costs in Croatia. During the season, it is wise to book in advance.

TO DO & SEE

Neum is a holiday resort town. Besides swimming and sunbathing, there are boats for rent at several places on the beach.

From Neum you can jump on the excursion boats that travel up and down the Adriatic coastline. Scuba diving is relatively inexpensive compared to Croatia and other western Mediterranean countries. Jet skis and water skiing are also organized from beachside rental outlets. Dubrovnik is only an hour's drive from Neum, and the peninsula of Peljesac is a stone's throw away. From Orebic on Peljesac you can catch a ferry to the beautiful island of Korcula.

In the hinterland behind Neum is the village of Hutovo and the ancient ruins of Hadzibegova kula Fortress, used by the Ottomans to defend their western front. The holy site of Svetiste Kraljica mira is a shrine to the Queen of Peace in Hrasno. It has more local significance but those who have come on a pilgrimage often pay a visit to this tiny hinterland shrine. Hutovo blato, Ljubuski and Medugorje are all within an hour's drive of Neum for day trips, with Mostar only being a little further.

GETTING HERE & AROUND

The only land connection Neum has to Bosnia and Herzegovina is through the hinterlands towards Hutovo where a narrow two-lane road winds through the hills.

To go to Neum via the main coastal road you must first enter Croatia (at the Metkovic border crossing if coming from Mostar), then reenter Bosnia and Herzegovina after the tourist settlement of Klek. Neum is 8km from the border crossing. After 22km you'll be crossing back into Croatia heading towards Dubrovnik. Generally, none of these border crossings will cost you any time.

By air

Airport Dubrovnik (www.airport-dubrovnik.hr; info@airport-dubrovnik.hr ), Cilipima Croatia 85 km away from Neum,

Airport Mostar (Address: Ortijes bb P.O.Box 4. Tel: 387 36 350-212; 036 359 992. info@mostar-airport.ba; www.mostar-airport.ba) is 70km from Neum, and 185 km from Airport Split Croatia (www.split-airport.hr).

By car

From Sarajevo (approx. 200 km), follow regional roads E 762; E73 and E 65

From Mostar (distance 77Km, approx. 1 hour drive) follow regional roads E73; E65

By bus

Sarajevo-Neum: every day at 07:15. A one way ticket costs 36,00 KM

Neum-Sarajevo: every day at 09:15.

Ploce-Neum: the bus goes every hour, and it is a 35 minute ride 

Konjic-Neum: 05:55 (15 Jun - 05 Sep)

By train

Sarajevo-Ploce: 07:05; 18:18. A one way ticket costs 25,40 KM. From Ploce to Neum there is bus every hour. The ride takes 35 minutes and a ticket costs 28,00 Croatian kuna.

Ploce-Sarajevo: 06:00

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