General Safety and Security Travel Tips
- Use your business address (or business card) in your luggage tags to avoid revealing your home address and phone number.
- Tape a card with your name and address inside every piece of luggage in case the bag is lost and the outside tags get lost.
- Make two photocopies of every important document you'll be carrying -- tickets, driver's license, proof of auto insurance, passport, vaccination certificates, and so on. Carry one copy with you (not with the originals) and give one copy to a friend at home. These copies may be lifesavers if you lose the originals.
- Carry a list of toll-free phone numbers for all of your credit and bank cards in case you have to cancel them (if they're lost or stolen) or if you need to find an ATM to use them at.
- Remove old airline destination tags; they're the main reason bags get lost.
- As soon as you get to your hotel room, look for a map of fire escape routes. Be sure to check that the routes are marked correctly and are accessible.
- During hot weather, never leave an animal or a child in a parked car -- even with the windows open.
- If you can find someone to reliably pick up your mail and newspapers while you are traveling, there is less chance that strangers will know no one is home. Another option is to have delivery temporarily stopped; the Post Office can hold mail, and the price of undelivered newspapers is often credited toward future deliveries.
- When driving in unfamiliar locales, always park in well-lighted areas.
- Never open your hotel door to a stranger without first calling the front desk to see whether hotel management has sent someone to your room.
WHICH IS THE NEAREST AIRPORT TO MEDJUGORJE?The nearest airport to Medjugorje is Mostar, only 27km away from Medjugorje, but unless you are having a seat on ocasional charter flight (mainly Italy) you will not be able to book a flight.
So, you have Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia which are all almost same distance from Medjugorje cca 150 km. Which airport would you recommend?Well, my first choice would be Split airport. Very fast custom formalities and a highway road that borders only 30km from Medjugorje.
How do I get from Airport(s) to Medjugorje?Unless you are planning on renting a car for your trip , you should arrange your transportation with local Medjuguorje connection. It will save you a lot money and time. Your private car (mini bus or bus) will be waiting for you at your exit gate and take you directly to your Medjugorje hotel.
What type of accommodation is available in Medjugorje? What about Mostar and Sarajevo ?Medjugorje is highly developed pilgrimage site with many guesthouses, BB and several hotels. Mostar and Sarajevo can over 4 and 5 star accommodation in some of their hotels. Please use search box on your right to see and / or book the accommodation available. If you seek something special please feel free to write to me and I will be glad to assist you and suggest the right accommodation for you or your group.
UPDATE on accomodation 2013.There are 4 and 5 star newly built hotels in Medjugorje now including a brand new wellness and spa hotel Medjugorje. Also are available fully equipped sports resort with 4 star hotel as well as an ethno-williage on about 3 km distance form the Medjugorje centre.
Can I hire a car in Medjugorje?Yes, there are agencies that offer rent-a-car services at reasonable prices here in Medjugorje.
Is it safe to go around?Yes, it is as safe as it is in any other country. You should not be worried about the war as the war has ended in 1995.
Can we use public transportation?Yes, you may. Medjugorje is well connected with all of the country also with Split city. However coming from Dubrovnik might be quite complicate to use public transportation as there is only one bus a day.
As far as the touring the sites go, it would be difficult unless you have a prolonged stay. You can use public transportation to visit Mostar from Medjugorje and vice verso as those two are well connected, several departures every day (except on Sunday) What should I wear to Medjugorje?Medjugorje is a small place in Herzegovina, so the climate is Mediterranean and is mostly hot in summers. Depanding on the period you are visiting you should ajust your cloding to the warmer climate. I would reomend lyers :-)
Visiting Mejdugorje involves lots of walking and climbing steep rocky hills, therefore do not forget a very confortable shoose. What currency can I pay with?
The official currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Convertible Mark (Konvertibilna Maraka or KM). It is officially abbreviated as BAM. This currency is tied to the EURO. Many private companies such as hotels, restaurants and other salesmen (street vendors, taxis etc) accept EURO’s for payment, but it is always good to ask beforehand to avoid surprises.
Most shops will accept payment in Euro bills, using a 1 to 2 ratio. There are many ATM machines in all major towns and cities. US dollars, British pounds, Yens and other major currencies can be exchanged at the banks and exchange offices that are present in most major towns. They also swap your leftover KMs back into any of these main currencies. Most banks do not have a fixed fee, but take a percentage of the total amount. As this percentage varies, you should do a bit of research before exchanging large amounts of money. Although credit cards are increasingly widely accepted in major towns, you should not rely on them. VISA and Master will be accepted in most places, but it no guarantee with American Express. Make sure you have all the cash you need before leaving the major towns, as it is next to impossible to find a money machine or anybody who accepts credit card payments in smaller towns and villages. Is the water drinkable?
BiH has an exceptionally high quality of drinking water. Water from the tap is safe to drink as well as most places in the mountains or fountains in towns or along the side of the road
Do I need any vaccinations?
No vaccinations are needed upon entry into BiH.
Mines ?!The mine issue is an understandable concern: there are mines in Bosnia andHerzegovina and, with the clearing process progressing slowly, there will continue to be mines for the decades to come. But that does not mean that visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina is unsafe. So far, no visitor to Bosnia and Herzegovina has ever been involved in a mine incident. Mine safety is a matter of respecting a few rules:
- Highly populated areas, national parks and conservation areas are all clear of mines and safe to visit. - Stay away from taped areas. Whether in yellow or red, whether themarkings are new or old: just simply never go there. - If you arein the countryside, stay away from areas that are not obviously frequented by people. Look for cut grass, tire tracks, footprints or rubbish – all indications of safe areas. Obviously, areas in which people are walking, jogging, BBQ-ing et cetera are safe. Conversely, abandoned villages – however much fun it seems to explore them - may pose a threat. - The most dangerous areas are the former lines of confrontation in the countryside. Many mountain ranges and some rural areas are still contaminated. As tourists and travelers would not normally know much about the location of these former confrontation lines, it is best to take a guide or a local who knows the terrain. Mountain associations and eco-tourism organizations are your best bet for a safe mountain adventure. There is plenty of safe hiking, walking, wandering and exploring to be done in Bosnia and Herzegovina – it is simply not wise to do it alone. For more information, you could visit the Mine Action Centre (MAC; Zmaja od Bosne 8 in Sarajevo) or visit the center's website (www.bhmac.org) |
Statua Piccola di Madonna di MedjugorjePiccolissime, bellissime, abboradbili, ed adesso disponibili tramite internet
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