Teslic Voyage Tips and guide

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Teslić (Cyrillic: Теслић) is a town and municipality on the Usora River in the central part of the Republika Srpska entity, in north-central Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Tesliċ is a well known tourist destination, mainly because of the Banja Vrućica, а health spa for healing cardio-vascular diseases. With a complex of five hotels and a capacity of over 1000 beds, Banja Vrućica has the biggest tourist capacity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also worth mentioning nearby mountain Borje, an attractive tourist destination, with two hotels and sports facilities.

The town was settled in the 19th century with the first industrialization of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Main industries are wood products and the chemical industry. Long before Tesliċ began to rise a nearby village called Čečava existed as one of the oldest places people inhabited, there is archaeological evidence that Čečava existed as early as the 10th century. Teslić was until the late 1950s among the largest industrial centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today Tesliċ industry is mostly based on the production of wood, milk, clothing, telecommunications, electro industry, metallic industry and building construction.

Tesliċ has a beautiful countryside to drive in as the scenery is spectacular. Enjoy the scenic route to Banja Luka via mount Borja and Liplje Monastery.

The closest regional and international airport is Banja Luka[1], about an hour away for Teslic. If arriving by plane, the best deals are to travel via Belgrade (Serbia) Nikola Tesla International Airport, Sarajevo (Bosna and Herzegovina) (shorter route), or Zagreb, Croatia.

You can try and find direct bus lines from some of European cities to Teslic and Doboj (about 25 km from Teslic), but in that case your journey may be quite long. A bus from Belgrade costs about €12 (2006). Buses also run from Sarajevo and other cities.

Bus Zagreb - Doboj Departure: 14:00 Arrival: about 18:00

Price (one-way): about €13.

Belgrade Bus Station [2] ^{[dead link]} Železnička 4, 2644-455 Ticket Offices 00-24 Information and reservation, tel. 2636-299 (05:30-22:00) BAS turist, Železnička 4, tel. 2658–759, 2627-146 (07:00-20:00) BAS turist, Sremska, tel. 2622–526, 180-377 (08:00-20:00)

Bus Belgrade – Doboj Departure:07:00 - Arrival: 13:00 Departure:10:00 - Arrival: 16:00 Departure:22:30 - Arrival: 04:30

Bus Novi Sad – Doboj Departure:06:00 - Arrival: around 11:00 Departure:07:00 - Arrival: around 12:00 Departure:07:30 - Arrival: around 12:30

Railway options are pretty good as Doboj is railway junction of BiH. From European countries, direct lines from Belgrade, Zagreb, Sarajevo and Nis are bus and railway lines, as follows:

Train Zagreb – Doboj Departure: 08:57 Arrival: 14:55 Price (one-way): about €15.

Train Belgrade – Doboj Departure: 15:30 Arrival: 22:30 Price (one-way): about €11.

Train Budapest – Doboj Departure: 17:45 Arrival: 02:27 Price (one-way): about €35.

Train Sarajevo – Doboj Departure: 10:41 Arrival: 13:34 Departure: 20:32 Arrival: 23:25 Price (one-way): about 18 KM.

For more information – www.zrs-rs.com

The best way to get around is on foot. For taxi service, go to Tesliċ main square by the Serb Orthodox Church. Hitching is not advised, and walking between towns can prove dangerous (including in areas which may not have been de-mined).

• Local bus company, Teslić-prevoz a.d., Krajiška bb, Tel: 053/430-083
• Teslic Street Map ^{[dead link]}

• ^{[dead link]} Liplje Monastery, ☏ +387 53 441 022. Through the mountains from Teslic to Banja Luka is a stunning Orthodox monastery from the 14th century. Liplje Monastery's (Liplje bb; architecture lends itself to one of the most beautiful sacred places in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is open to visitors. 
• In Teslic town the local Orthodox Art Gallery and Museum exhibitions (Svetog Save 60; tel: 053 736 363) are certainly a worthwhile visit. You may find reasonably priced gifts and handmade souvenirs that are distinctly Byzantine in style.

• Duke Momčilo Stones - About 5 km to the South-East from the city center there is a location of medieval tombstones of Duke Momčilo.

• ^{[dead link]} Rastusa Caves, ☏ +387 53 445 754. Located between Teslic and Doboj, about 12 km from the city center. 

• Turistički savez opštine Teslić, Karađorđeva bb, Tel: 053/430-761
• Sineks d.o.o.[3] ^{[dead link]}, Karađorđeva L/B, Tel: 053/435-829
• Turističko društvo Borja Teslić, Banja Vrućica bb, Tel: 053/421-200

• Annual Fish Stew Festival (August) on Usora river beach.
• Watch Proleter Teslic Football Club [4] at Radolinka Stadium by the river Usora.
• Hunt with Lovačko društvo "Borja" (The Official Hunting Organization of Teslic), Marka Pejića H-28, Tel: 053/430-810
• Try fresh testing mineral water at Banja Vrucica Springs (2.5 km from Teslic main square)

The most available food in Teslic is Cevapi (normally 2-4 km), the ubiquitous Balkan kebab. Two prominent variations exist - the "Banja Luka" Cevap, a larger kebab with a square shape, and the Sarajevo Cevap, smaller and round. If not had before, every visitor should try an order of Cevapi at least once. There are several variations of pita (around 2 km), a sometimes-greasy pastry made of filo dough and stuffed with meat (Burek), cheese (Sirnica), spinach (Zeljanica), potatoes (Krompirusa) or apple (Jabukovaca).

Local food is heavy on meat and fish, and light on vegetarian alternatives. Even traditional so-called vegetarian dishes like beans or Pasulj are cooked with bacon or smoked meats. Stews often contain meat but can be created without. Fast food, with the exceptions of cevapi and pita (or burek) consists of, like in other parts of Europe, pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs. Pannini sandwiches are served in most coffee shops popular with the youth, and Serbian coffee, reminiscent of Turkish coffee, is a must-try for any coffee aficionado.

• Plavi Cvet, popular restaurant in a city center serving local food including great pasulj, stuffed peppers, mixed grilled meat and more. Plavi cvet s.u.r. 74270 Teslić, Svetog Save 32. Tel. 065 567 402.
• Picerija Zlatne kapi, Karađorđeva bb, Tel: 053/430-995
• Restoran Krajina, Svetog Save 64, Tel: 053/436-364

The legal drinking age in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 18 years (changed in 2005). Popular beers are Banjalucko (Nektar beer). Even in more heavily Islamic areas alcohol is available in abundance to those who choose to drink and almost every bar is fully stocked.

"Rakija' which comes in many a variety and is made both commercially and at home. Red wine is 'Crno vino' (Black wine) and white wine is 'bjelo vino'. Alcohol is not taxed as heavily as in most Western nations and is often very affordable. Quality alcohol is sought after and valued.

Tip: How to toast, Serb style: Like everywhere, Serbs from Bosnia love to toast when in good company, whether it's in a pub or in the home with friends. When toasting, it is expected that you look your friends at the table directly in the eyes whilst clinking glasses as a sign of respect. Say 'Živjeli!' (cheers!) to everyone and take a sip. Repeat as necessary, and enjoy a night out in Teslic!

• XL Club, Karadjordjevića 55, 1000 spinning Disko, House, Electro, Reggae, Techno, etc.

Tesliċ is a very popular tourist destination in the region, mainly because of the Banja Vrućica, а health spa for healing cardio-vascular diseases. With a complex of five hotels and a capacity of over 1000 beds, Banja Vrućica has the biggest tourist capacity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also worth mentioning nearby mountain Borje, an attractive tourist destination, with two hotels and sports facilities and nearby Liplje Monastery.

Hotels

• SCR Hajdučke vode, Borje bb, Tel: 053/441-001 (Recommended)
• Hotel Crna Gora, Svetog Save 52, Tel: 053/431-842 (Center)
• Hotel Trogir-Blatnica a.d., Blatnica bb, Tel: 053/446-503 (Blatnica is about 30km away)
• Motel Rođo, Đulići bb, Tel: 053/420-000

Spa of Vrucica (Banja Vrucica)^{[dead link]} The thermo-mineral water, as the most important resource, the geographic position and the climate, the arranged complex and built capacities, as well as the people factor, contributed that the spa offers a very wide spectrum of health services today, out of them are an included part of defined health programs.

The accommodation capacity of Vrucica Spa are circled to some more than 1000 beds so far, and including private accommodation of about 500 categorized beds, make this Spa complex a leader in our environment in the area of the health, congress and recreation tourism.

Banja Vrucica Complex Hotels

• The Kardial Hotel - 435 beds, restaurant with teracce (600 seats), night club, cafe exchange office and boutique, congress hall with (450 seats), ten congress rooms (20 to 100 seats), additional equipment, additional service, etc. recreation: bowling, swimming pool, trim-cabinet, fitness-room. Tel: +387 53/421-200
• The Posavina Hotel - 270 beds, restaurant with terrace (280 seats), therapy room, night club and boutique. Tel: +387 53/430-345
• The Hercegovina Hotel - 158 beds, complete prevention, treatment and rehabilitation programme. Tel: +387 53/430-270
• The Serbia Hotel - 179 beds, aperitiv bar, pizzeria, four small saloons with 20-100 seats. It is connected with central treatment center (all medical services are provided here), hotel Herzegovina and restaurant Ozren by heated underground tunnel. Tel: +387 53/436-992

With one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe (in some areas up to 40%, official rate 17%), it will be unlikely you will find legitimate employment in the country unless you are working for a multi-national organisation. Try looking into local NGOs including OSCE, EUFOR^{[dead link]} or USAID^{[dead link]}.

If you plan on traveling off the beaten path in Teslic region, be aware of the estimated 5 million land mines left around the countryside during the war of 1992–1995. In rural areas try to stay on paved areas if possible, and never touch any unarmed explosive device. Houses and private property were often rigged with mines as their owners fled during the war. If an area or property looks abandoned, stay away from it until it has been cleared by a demining team.

Churches and mosques are popular tourist attractions enjoyed by many in this region, but as with any religion encountering one another, there is room for misunderstanding. Some tourists have found themselves more confronted than they expected. Enter discussion about this with politeness and caution, or, of course, not at all.

Respect the ethnic differences of the people in the Teslic region and their effort to move past the Yugoslav civil war. It is important to be careful in areas where there is still tension and to ensure that one does not offend a particular group due to indifference or sheer ignorance. Always consult local tour guides for advice on the natural dangers and land mines.