PAID CONTENT
Gourmands and wine-lovers — don’t miss out on this luxurious paradise travel spot.
Tourists in the know have Mostar at the top of their must-visit list: the tranquil valley in Bosnia and Herzegovina is renowned for its crystal-clear rivers, scenic lakes and dramatic canyons, and offers so much more than the obligatory photo of its famous bridge. Many people come to snap pictures of Mostar’s UNESCO World Heritage-protected Stari Most Bridge, dating back to 1557 — but then stay for the stunning scenery, medieval charm and rich culture and history in the city.
Luxury-seeking tourists, wine lovers and gourmands know exactly where to base themselves for a stylish, relaxing and gastronomically exquisite break in Mostar: the Emporia Hotel, an architecturally impressive 12-room boutique hotel that offers a tranquil respite from the hustle and bustle of the main city.
Once you’ve walked across Old Bridge, strolled down the cobbled streets of the old town, immersed yourself in the blend of Ottoman and Mediterranean influences and stocked up on souvenirs at the historic bazaar, Emporia Hotel is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a sublime culinary journey.
The ideal location for exploration and celebration
Thanks to its panoramic terraces, discreet service and impressive winery, guests often find it hard to leave the hotel at all. It’s tough to drag yourself away from the elegant, spacious guest rooms, equipped with modern conveniences, stylish artistic touches and comfortable furnishings, and each with uninterrupted views of the surrounding vineyards, rivers and mountains. But if you can resist the temptation to spend your entire stay sipping the estate’s signature vintages by the swimming pool, the hotel is ideally situated to enjoy the beauty of Mostar and immerse yourself in the unique charm of the Balkans.
Nearby, you’ll find attractions such as Ottoman-era mosques, Orthodox monasteries and one of Europe’s largest bird reserves, Hutovo Blato Nature Park. Nature lovers relish the chance to explore Velež Mountain and its abundance of scenic hiking trails. Mostar’s star attraction, Stari Most, and the cobbled shopping street of Kujundžiluk are around a 15-minute drive away: close enough to feel accessible, while far enough to offer a respite from the crowds. Don’t miss a visit to the Marian shrine of Medjugorje, a popular Catholic pilgrimage site that’s a 40-minute drive from the hotel.
Indulge in fine dining
The result is a gastronomic journey that pairs beautifully with Emporia’s own wines and reflects the soul of the region with refined international flair.
Savour dishes that tell regional stories through flavour and leave a lasting impression: favourites include fresh, delicately prepared tuna tartare and warming slow-roasted veal, each infused with authentic local ingredients.
Knowledgeable and friendly sommeliers are on hand to present thoughtful wine pairings and answer questions about the resort’s varieties as you embark on your culinary journey. It’s not just the dining, however, that’s impressive: floor-to-ceiling windows flood the restaurant with light and offer sweeping views of the hotel’s pool, vineyard and orchards.
Read more: Why you need to visit this lesser-known region of northern Italy
A paradise for wine connoisseurs
Oenophiles will feel right at home here: Emporia Hotel’s privileged location atop a hill means it’s surrounded by 40 acres of vineyards, olive groves and fruit orchards ripe for exploring. Here, the dedicated winery team works tirelessly to produce high-quality wine varieties — with creative twists specific to the region — that have won awards around the world. The Emporia Winery is a world of its own — a place where wine is crafted with care and vision by the hotel’s expert team.
There are nine exclusive Emporia wines. Signature wines like Deep Red Cuvee, a creative blend of cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot and the local trnjakgrape, and White Mist Cuvee are aged in amphoras, concrete eggs and barrique barrels. Get an up-close look at these for yourself while exploring the winery’s stone-carved archive tunnel, tucked away within the property’s hillside.
Emporia also produces a refined selection of artisanal liqueurs and olive oil, all made on-site. These include liqueurs from pomegranate, cherry, fig, walnut, and the rare plavac-based brandy, as well as the estate’s own extra virgin olive oil.
Read more: ‘I visited Spain’s best-kept secret — it felt like a private sanctuary’
But tastings and are just the beginning of the food and wine-focused adventures: here, you can take tours of the underground winery and rolling vineyards, learn about the centuries-old history of wine production in the region, and get adventurous with cycling, quad biking and golf buggy tours of the vineyard.
A place to relax
Set within the lush vineyards and rolling hills of the resort, Emporia is more than a hotel — its a destination designed for unforgettable moments, and its outdoor pool is the ideal place to unwind and take in the idyllic surroundings. With its west-facing horizon pool, guests can enjoy a refreshing swim in the large unheated basin before relaxing under a parasol on one of the sun loungers, cocktail in hand, and sampling gourmet bites from the restaurant.
Read more: These active holidays are a must for your year-round travel plans
On the sun-filled terraces, pastel-toned interiors meet dramatic vineyard views, and guests can savour local flavours beside apricot, olive, and pomegranate trees. As evening falls, some of the most surreal sunsets in the Balkans light up the sky, making this spot as ideal for quiet escapes as it is for private events, photo shoots, boutique weddings and creative productions. Whether you come for the cuisine, the wine, or the stillness, Emporia Hotel offers the best of Balkan luxury in a setting designed to leave a lasting impression.
Words: Deborah Cicurel
Feature image: Emporia Hotel
