Late August 2025, I flew to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina to spend three weeks reconnecting with family, friends, and the version of myself that only exists there.
Travel always includes coffee at the airport. The 7 am Lavazza latte at Frankfurt Airport was a welcome change from the overly dark-roasted lattes I often get in the USA. Maybe it was simply more familiar to my taste buds, but either way, it felt like the perfect start to an early morning after a long flight across the Atlantic.
Before sharing about Sarajevo, let me tell you about Tučepi in Croatia. I spent couple of days with my mom and daughter enjoying the Adriatic Sea, relaxing on the pebble beaches, and eating incredible seafood.
Tučepi is a small seaside town on Croatia’s Makarska Riviera, located between the Adriatic Sea and the slopes of Biokovo Mountain. It’s known for its long pebble beach (about 2.5 miles), clear water, palm-lined promenade, and relaxed summer atmosphere.
We stayed at Villa Borić, a family-run accommodation where you often get the chance to meet and chat with different family members during breakfast. They have their own parking, and the apartments are excellent – cleaned daily and equipped with air conditioning, a small kitchen, and a balcony.
They also offer a buffet breakfast, which is still quite rare in private accommodations in Dalmatia compared to how it used to be. Located just a second row from the beach, everything is conveniently within walking distance.
Restaurant Dupin is a beachfront restaurant. They are known for relaxed seaside dining and classic Dalmatian cuisine. The restaurant sits directly on the promenade, offering beautiful view and sound of Adriatic Sea.
For the rest of our stay, we dined at Restaurant Gajeta, which won us over with its warm hospitality and excellent food. The complimentary višnjevača (cherry liqueur) was a lovely bonus, and their espresso was exceptionally smooth and rich. They make their own breadsticks, and olive oil with garlic is a great snack while waiting for the food to arrive.
My favorite dish was the homemade pasta with mussels, scampi, small local clams, and octopus. It was so appetizing that I only remembered to take a photo halfway through the meal. One of the best meals I have had in a long time.
Of course, we had coffee on the beach. Marco Polo is a bistro and fast-food spot in Tučepi, offering a casual mix of quick meals and simple Mediterranean-style dishes.
On our way back to Sarajevo, we stopped at Restaurant Gojko. It was my parents and great parents favorite spot in Jablanica. Every trip to and from Croatia coast had a stop here. They are one of the most famous roadside restaurants in Bosnia, especially known for its spit-roasted lamb. The experience is very informal and traditional, often described as part of the journey itself rather than just a meal.
Of course, a Bosnian coffee before hitting the road.
I will do a separate post on Bosnian coffee, as it deserves its own space for all the rituals, flavors, and stories behind every cup.
The Coffee & Knits Journey 
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