Mission Interrupted: Witten Sisters in Sarajevo

Our first visitors have arrived! My two sisters, Terri and Ruth, came for a whirlwind 7-day visit. I had the best time showing them around this beautiful part of the world. 

Sorry (not sorry) for the photo overload, I want to remember every moment of this unforgettable sister week! 💕

Their first day started with sightseeing around Sarajevo, the beautiful city live in

First stop? The first of many sladoleds (Balkan ice cream)  

and a bit of shopping… or maybe a lot. Prices in Bosnia are just too good to resist.

I took them on a walk through the heart of the old town, Baščaršija with all the winding streets, cool little shops, and so much history packed into one place. And yep, I made them stop for the must-have photo at the “East Meets West” spot where the Austro-Hungarian and Turkish sides of the city meet. Total tourist move, but you’ve gotta do it!

                             

 

I took them to some of favorite shops.

Along the way, we spotted a Sarajevo Rose one of many across the city. These red resin-filled craters mark where mortar shells hit during the war. If three or more people died, the damage was left as a memorial. A simple,reminder of lives lost during the siege of sarajevo

We took the Sarajevo cable car up to Mount Trebević, a peak over looking Sarajevo 

    

 

For dinner we had the traditional Bosnian Ćevapu at the famous Željo's and had dessert a Turkish cinnamon bread cups cooked over an open flame. They are filled with all kinds of yummy fillings 

Day 2 Plitvice Lakes! A beautful national park in Croatia 

Beautiful torquoise colored lakes and waterfalls with wooden plank sidewalks.

 

Charles was the ultimate taxi driver, tour guide, interpreter, pack mule, and photographer, all in one. All while having to listen to me an my sisters talk and talk. 

Love him! 

 Day 3 in the beautiful city of Zadar! 

 

We took a city tour with the absolute best guide in all of Zadar! You can find her on Instagram @jasminaŠogolj if you're ever in town, I can't recommend a tour with her enough. So much knowledge and hidden secrets. 

   

She even made Charles laugh out loud. 

                                                          

I love Ruthy's new hat. She bought it in Sarajevo from the famous hat maker. 

It is a family business that started in Slpit Coratia. 

Charles knew the owner from his mission days 45 years ago. 

                 Inside the famous Sveti Donat in Zadar Croatia

 
 

When in Zadar you can’t miss the Sea Organ,  it’s a set of steps that “plays” music when the waves push air through pipes underneath. Sounds pretty magical! Right next to it is the Greeting to the Sun, a giant solar-powered circle that lights up at night with colorful patterns

End of Day 3 we arrived in Split Croatia. Charles and I lived in Split for 5 months during our last mission. It was so fun showing my sisters around this beautiful City. 

Our first night in the city they were practicing an Opera that was going to be performing the next night right in the middle of Diocletian's Palace. With the cost of a soda we were able to watch rehersal with front row seats. Diocletian built this palace in the year 305! 

Day 4 was all about our favorite thing to do when friends visit, a 5-island, 10-hour speedboat tour. Absolutely loved it and highly recommend!

First stop: the beautiful island of Vis, where they filmed the latest Mamma Mia! They painted some of the window shutters blue to give it that authentic Greek vibe.

Stop 2 The Blue Cave on Biševo Island in Croatia. Sunlight filters through underwater openings, lighting up the water in an amazing electric blue glow. It’s a magical.

Swimming, hiking, meeting the sweetest nun, and grabbing a few ice creams 

We couldn’t have packed more fun into one day!

On Day 5 (Sunday), we went to church in Split and loved visiting the Split Branch. Back during our last mission, we helped organize the very first branch here — Lovre Kolega was the Branch President, and Charles served as his first counselor. We actually held meetings in our apartment at first, until I found a more permanent spot. Now the branch is right at the end of the Riva in downtown Split, and we were so happy to see there's finally a church sign up! It must be working, there were lots of visitors.

  

                                    

 

From Split, we headed to Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Balkans. It’s honestly one of the most breathtaking cities on the Adriatic, like a real-life fairytale with its massive stone walls, terracotta rooftops, and endless sea views.

We spent the evening exploring and walking the famous city walls. For dinner, Ruth recommended a spot called Taj Mahal (despite the name, it’s actually Bosnian cuisine!) — a Michelin-recognized gem with some of the best food we had on the trip.

 

Day 6 was packed with fun! We went on a kayak tour around Dubrovnik’s old city walls, stopped at a cave for some snorkeling, and even paddled out to a nearby island. Such a cool way to see the city from the water!

Dubrovnik is extra fun if you are a Game of Thrones fanwhich my sister Ruth us. King’s Landing, the Jesuit Stairs (“Shame” walk), Fort Lovrijenac (Red Keep), and the city walls.

We went to the island near Dubrovnik called Lokrum a 10-minute ferry ride from the Old Town. Charles was happy to visit the huge botanical gargen. There were several tamed peacocks  and a Benedictine monastery. And they had a Game of Thrones throne that was used in the movie. 

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Day 7 Before our drive back to Sarajevo we visited the Homeland War Museum in Dubrovnik. It tells the story of the city's siege in the '90s through photos, videos, and artifacts. Powerful, emotional, and definitely worth the visit.It is located on a hill above the city,  the views from the top are beautiful.

 

Mostar is home to the famous Old Bridge and if you're lucky, you’ll catch the local jumpers in action.

Charles took us to a small bridge and the cutest little restaurant nearby. I tried to sneak a photo of this Muslim man pretty sure he caught me… just look at that smile!

The next morning at 6 a.m., they headed home. What a wonderful week it’s been! Huge thanks to Terri and Ruthy for visiting, it was so much fun having you here!