Banja Luka
Banja Luka is the largest city of the Republika Srpska entity and second largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the capital Sarajevo. The city lies on the River Vrbas and is well known in the countries of the former Yugoslavia for being full of tree-lined avenues, boulevards, gardens, and parks. According to the 2013 census the City of Banja Luka, has 185,042 inhabitants.
Banja Luka has a moderate humid subtropical climate which borders a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 21.3 °C. The coldest month of the year is January, when temperatures average near freezing at 0.8 °C.
Due to its long history, Banja Luka is rich in culture. There are several museums including the Museum of Bosanska Krajina, the Ethnographic Museum established in 1930, and the Museum of Modern Art of Republika Srpska which is also called MSURS the Museum of Contemporary Art. Banja Luka is also the home of the national theatre and library, both dating from the first half of the 20th century, and of numerous other theatres. The headquarters of the Archives of Republika Srpska is situated in the building known as Carska kuća or Imperial House, build around 1880. It has been in continuous public use longer than any other structure in Banja Luka.
The natural beauties of the surrounding area guarantee the city of Banja Luka a good position in tourism. he city and surrounding area boast a number of popular tourist attractions. Among the most famous are the pools, thermal springs, and spas in the region. Due to its parks and over 10 000 trees Banja Luka was once nicknamed the "Green City".
Ulm
Ulm has a lot to offer both inside and outside its city limits. Here, for example, an impressive mix of architecture meets historic sites and numerous gardens and parks. These are ideally complemented by great museums, theaters and collections of world class. The most popular Ulm attractions can be found in the city center.
High, higher, Ulm Münster! With 162 m, the Ulm Cathedral has the highest church tower in the world. At the same time the Ulm Cathedral is the largest Protestant church in Germany. The construction of the imposing church began in 1377 and spread over a period of 500 years. The profane reason for this: In 1543 the money for the further construction was missing. However, church construction was nearly completed by this year. To this day, it has been preserved in its original substance.
The Fishing Village (Fischerviertel): The talk is about the fishmonger Ulm, which is the most important old town complex in Ulm. Situated at the mouth of the Blue River in the Danube, the fishing village enchants with half-timbered architecture, old alleys and winding passages, as well as its numerous bridges. Once upon a time, craftsmen, whose work was related to the water, lived and worked here. Among them were Fischer, Gerber, Seifensieder or Müller.
Architecture: Opposites attract! If the city houses impressive historical buildings on the one hand, it shows an exciting architectural interplay with super-modern buildings on the other side. Ulm's town center, for example, is home to historic buildings such as the Town Hall, the Market Square and the Ulm Cathedral. On the other hand, there are modern buildings such as the White Town Hall and the pyramidal, glassy Central library.
Ulms Museums: If you are going on a trip to Ulm on the Danube, you will be surprised by the range of museums and exhibitions. For example, you can get an insight into the age of primordial and early history or the art of modernity in the cultural institutions of the city. To choose one of the museums in Ulm is anything but easy. How about visiting the Museum of Bread Culture? It gives you an exciting insight into the importance of grain and bread for the cultural development of mankind. A focus is on the depiction of the lack of bread or its history and present.
The Crooked House from the 15th / 16th century, the best-known house in the old town of Ulm, is located in the Fishermen's quarter on the banks of river Blue.According to the Guinness Book of Records, this building lodges, since 1995, the "most crooked hotel" of the world. After a complex renovation, it is corrected and secured in its crooked position.
The Town Hall Ulm: It is located close to the Ulm Cathedral and can be recognized by its impressive exterior paintings from the early Renaissance period. The paintings depict doctrinal representations of commandments, virtues and vices, dating back to 1900. In fact, they are considerably older. However, they had to be re-applied because of the weather.
Einstein Fountain: Once Ulmer, always Ulmer! One of the most famous sons of Ulm is none other than Albert Einstein. On March 14, 1879, the world-famous genius was born in Ulm. Although Einstein lived only 15 months in the city, he felt that he will be connected with the city even after his death.
The Danube Aquarium: A visit to the zoo with Danube Aquarium should not be missing on your to-do list of the most exciting attractions in Ulm. In the zoo you can marvel at more than 2,000 animals up close. There are numerous native species as well as exotic inhabitants to admire. When visiting the zoo, for example, you will discover arrowgift frogs and iguanas. In the tropical house, monkeys, crocodiles and colorful birds await you.
A holiday in Ulm is more than worthwhile. The Donube city is the right place for adventurers and explorers as well as for culture and nature fans. These most popular Ulm attractions promises you a colorful mix that shows how versatile the city is. Therefore you can look forward to an impressive combination of tradition and modernity, from history and innovation as well as exciting experience.