Sarajevo is interesting for walking

Jeroen got his love of woodworking from his father, a carpenter. Today, his Jera Wood products can be ordered at www.jera-wood.com.

- BiH is a wood-rich country and I can easily come by quality walnut, ash, oak.... It’s very important that I buy wood from responsible sources, because I’m against illegal cutting and negligent exploitation of nature.

While Emina was pregnant, Jeroen created a line of wooden toys (with no screws) that stimulate children’s imagination and develop motor skills.

Rock climbing

He and his wife do rock climbing, which is how they met, and he’s made an artificial wall in front of their house so that they can stay in shape.

- In Sarajevo, we climb on the most popular site in town – Dariva. We’re keen to visit Skakavac and Bukovik; and Blagaj, Drežnica, Pecka…offer some great climbing outside of Sarajevo.

They’re often out in nature, so they enjoy snowboarding on Bjelašnica in winter, hiking in the summer. They usually go to Prenj and Čvrsnica, where Emina studies a species of fire salamander.

He says our mountains are wonderful, but he notices that they should be made more accessible, from having transport to reach them, to the signage that would make it easier for tourists to orient themselves.

- You need to offer people who stay in hotels on the mountains shorter tours with a guide, information, maps…. BiH remains an unknown country for many, and its nature is not ruined by mass tourism. Life here is cheap, by European standards, and the people are friendly.

As for museums, he spotlights Svrzo's House as a special historical and architectural site.

- The whole city is interesting for walking, but I miss more exhibits by international contemporary artists and street art exhibits.

Hand-made items

As for buying hand-made products by young BiH designers, Jeroen recommends OREA online bazaar, Waga Wood cutting boards, Gazzda furniture, items from St., hand-cut furniture by the Nikšić family in Konjic....