In a picturesque valley beside a gently flowing river we found Trebinje; a peaceful and charming town in the heart of Bosnia and Hezegovina‘s wine country. In the centre, sprawling cafes come to life as locals and tourists alike shelter from the intense summer heat. While the rustic suburbs remain sleepy and simply beaming with vibrantly-coloured flowers and plump seasonal fruit.
Little Trebinje is easily navigable on foot, making it a perfect day by walking and looking around the Old Town, or explore the suburbs, strol along the river or if you’d rather indulge in the wining and dining culture that the region is known for, it’s an ideal place for a slow-paced weekend escape.
SAMPLE THE GRAPES
When in wine country there’s no better way to escape the heat and while away the afternoon than sipping on a chilled glass of white under the shade of the plane trees, or wine tasting in wine cellars. And so, on this trip we will do it all.
Hotel Platani, with a separate restaurant and bar, is the most popular gathering spot for both locals and tourists. Set on the sprawling leafy plaza across from the fresh produce market, it’s one of the best places to nurse your wine and watch the world go by. The food is also excellent.
Considering the area is famous for its wine, there are couple famous wineries in the area. The main winery located within walking distance from the old town is Vinski Podrum Vukoje 1982. It’s a fairly upmarket place and the interior is a little sterile, but the views over Trebinje and the vineyards are lovely, as are the wines. They do self-directed tastings priced per glass and the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.
Several kilometre outside of town are the Cellars of the Tvrdoš Monastery and Andjelic Wine Cellars, both of which do tastings.
WATCH THE SUNSET FROM HERCEGOVAČKA GRAČANICA
Unmissable on a hill overlooking the city is Hercegovačka Gračanica, a Serbian Orthodox church, built here in 2000.
From here the views are the real highlight looking out over the clunkily put together jigsaw that is Trebinje nestled in the mountains. Clusters of identical Soviet-style apartments, the grey walls of the old town and the red roofs of the suburbs dotted between a lush tangle of grape vines and fig trees.
Take the short uphill climb out of town at sunset when the river shines golden between the verdant hills.
Mostar (Google Map)
Also available transfers from: DUBROVNIK, SPLIT, NEUM, SARAJEVO (Send request for transfer)
9.00 AM
There’s no family business like the wine business in Trebinje!
Take advantage of the proximity of Trebinje — with its wines and culinary delicacies — to Mostar with this private day trip to Trebinje. Free from the hassle of planning your transport and route, let a driver-guide introduce you to this Eastern Herzegovina town’s highlights and the local region’s gastronomic staples. Tour Trebinje Old Town, sample local honey and wines, and eat at a traditional ‘konoba’ restaurant before your return.
Trebinje (Serbian Cyrillic: Требиње) is a city located in Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina situated on the banks of Trebišnjica river in the region of East Herzegovina. As of 2013, it has a population of 31,433 inhabitants. The city’s old town quarter dates to the 18th-century Ottoman period, and includes the Arslanagić Bridge.
Located less then 130 km from Mostar (80 miles) Trebinje area in Bosnia and Hercegovina is a world of its own. Limestone hills, small fertile pockets of land following the river flow, flocks of sheep and goats grazing and endless fields of vineyards will capture your imagination instantaneously.
After departing from Mostar, we will drive through the Herzegovinian region in the length of 130 km, passing through Stolac, Ljubinje, and next to Zavala and Cava Vjetrenica, we will reach the Tvrdoš Monastery where our first stop is. Orthodox monastery of Tvrdos from 15ct is place where monks have been producing wine for centuries until they blew up the monastery when it was about to be taken over by the Ottomans in 18ct. We will visit their ancient cellars and taste some of their best white and red wine. Your guide will explain about the wine and the current hard working monk life-style.
After tasting monk’s wine, we start by driving up to the top of Gracanica hill above Trebinje for great panoramic views of the city so that your guide can explain the geography of the area and show you all the spots that you will visit during the tour. A visit the Ortodox Church of Blessings (Hercegovačka Gračanica) standing at the top of the hill is also possible.
Old town of Trebinje was formed because Turks needed organization of their territories in Herzegovina due to great changes in wars with the Holy league (1683-1699) – the fall of Herceg Novi and Risan under the rule of Republic of Venice. It was built on the right bank of Trebišnjica, above the deepest part of the river – so called Ban-vir (vortex), named after a legend in which a ban (ruler) drowned in the vortex.
The most important person for the development of the Old town as a fort is Osman Pasha, founder of the Resulbegović family. He started the construction in 1714 but it was interrupted for a short time by the war with Venice. Builders were brought from Dubrovnik, and work force was from local area – Ljubinje, Cernica and Nikšić. During the next year a hendek (canal) was dug around it, which was connected to Trebišnjica. During Osman’s reign, Sultan Ahmed and Osman-pasha mosques were built, together with Sahat-kula (clock tower), which is still resistant to the many years that have passed.
Old town ‘Kastel’ was initially triangle-shaped and it became rounded over time. Its final shape, with all towers, canals and ramparts, was formed in the first four decades of 18th century. In front of the entry gate (today’s tunnel) there was a draw-bridge that was leading across the canal. The canal was later filled and levelled due to a possibility of epidemic disease, as advised by doctor Levi. (1932)
After visiting the Old Town we can visit the Vukoje Wine Cellar 1982 which is close to the Old Town and is easy to reach on foot.
Finally we move 6 kilometers (4 miles) out to the hills beyond Trebinje to village of Tuli. There we stop in a family owned restaurant serving traditional domestic Bosnian food. We will have lunch accompanied with home made wine.
After dinner, we drive back to Mostar (around 90min drive depending on trafic) and you will be back in the hotel/apartment, just after sunset.
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