Croatia, Montenegro – two victims of overtourism? (page 9 of 11)

How much was parking in Blagaj?

About 7 or 8 years ago when we went, it was 2 € for unlimited day parking. (In central Mostar, it was 10 €/day.)

Just checking how prices have changed. In Bosnia, we only spent a day in Mostar and a little time in Trebinje.

I’d love to go back—I really loved it and would definitely want to see more! !

I don’t know, I parked in a free parking lot 100 meters before the paid one (next to a mosque).

In Mostar, the car was parked in the guesthouse courtyard, so it was free too.

I don’t know, I parked in a free parking lot 100 meters before the paid one (next to a mosque).

In Mostar, the car was parked in the guesthouse courtyard, so it was free too.

Mostar like never before.

I wouldn’t have dared say it! ;)

I don’t know, I parked in a free parking lot 100 meters before the paid one (next to a mosque).

In Mostar, the car was parked in the guesthouse courtyard, so it was free too.

Mostar like never before.

Really great! I’d even say: Agnès loved the Old Mostar!

In Mostar, what struck me the most were the cemeteries scattered all over the city. I suppose they must still be there?

I didn't pay attention to that.

Thanks so much, Agnès, for this travel journal—I really enjoyed it. It was a pleasure to revisit places I’d passed through. That was a long time ago, and there were a lot of warning signs about explosives, even in the countryside—did you see any?

Hey Nathalie,

It looks like these countries have finally been cleared of landmines because I didn’t see any signs like that where I went. 😮

Great, that’s reassuring. Thanks.

An old, well-worn clog bought in Mostar

Thanks Agnès for this travel journal 🙂. I’d read very little about this destination and discovered a few spots that really tempt me... but there are also quite a few Italian regions I’m keen on (despite the locals’ driving 😉) and especially Greece (I’ve never been disappointed every time I’ve been there). Tough choices! 😏

Italy and Greece are way past their prime in terms of tourist development.

But it’s not too late for the interior of Montenegro and Albania yet...🙂

It’s too late for Italy and Greece in terms of tourism development.

I disagree 😉. In Greece, we always found spots with few (or even very few) people, even in July (on the mainland). Often, all it takes is stepping off the beaten path to find places almost devoid of tourists (I’m well aware that this can change quickly for some spots "thanks" to social media, but there will always be lesser-known ones).

I know Italy less well, but the interior of Sardinia last May-June reminded me of France in the 60s 😎: very few tourists and a very peaceful pastoral atmosphere. As for the beaches (northern half), they were still pretty quiet, except for a few highly Instagrammable spots like La Maddalena or La Pelosa Beach, where there were still some crowds (but my tolerance for human density is very low 😏). As for hikes, we didn’t run into many people there either 🙂.

In my mind, I was comparing Durmitor to the Dolomites, for example.😉

The top 10 spots in Montenegro and Albania are still largely under-exploited (outside the coastal resorts).

For Sardinia, I went a few years ago. Too late for the beaches and the top 10 spots, even though it was actually nice inland. Then I left in September, and Italians were still on vacation!😕 The worst was Neptune’s Grotto...

Greece was almost in the last century for me. Not too crowded inland in the north, actually (in the middle of summer). The Peloponnese and Crete—wow, that was like 40 years ago! Even back then, the "must-see" sites were already pretty busy.

I’ve crossed a few islands off my personal list. When I see the photos online, all I want to do is run away!🏴‍☠️ Maybe in winter?

The problem with off-season travel for some places is that everything can be closed, and getting there isn’t always easy at a reasonable price...

You’re right to go in the spring rather than September. I feel like there are way fewer people then.

Makes sense—water temperatures are still decent in September, while in the pre-season, it can be like a fridge...

It’s true that Neptune’s Grotto was really crowded (but we hadn’t booked and still managed to get in without waiting). I also get the feeling there are fewer people in May-June than in September. For anyone who wants to swim, sure, the water’s a bit chilly, but the days are noticeably longer, and the vegetation and flowers are way prettier. After that, it’s all about personal preference 😉

I think generally there are fewer people in spring. We were in Croatia in April 2023 and it was really quiet. Same in 2024 in Denmark and in 2022 in the Netherlands, except at Keukenhof. Italy – Cinque Terre, Pisa, Siena, etc. – was perfect in autumn 2020, but now it must be a nightmare.

The Dolomites, I’d love to go, but I hate walking in a long line in the mountains.

Peru in April and early May was also perfect.

Sardinia is calling my name for spring. Maybe in 2027.😊

We’ll be traveling by van, so I need to check if the island has some great spots.

I can't really give you any info on that... we traveled between two places in a Fiat 500 😏

I’d love to go to the Dolomites, but I hate walking in single file in the mountains.

I didn’t walk in single file (except to one lake), but it wasn’t peak season and it was right after Covid...

It’s best to avoid spring because of the snow.

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October’s not bad either. You just need to be lucky with the weather.