The winter solstice is done and dusted, and in only a few more months it will be spring.

As the season of renewal is only just around the corner, a trip to one European gem well deserves a spot on your next adventure list.

This compact city has everything one needs for a stunning getaway, with majestic mountains providing the perfect sunbaked backdrop, with old-school charm felt throughout and its very own version of the Niagara Falls.

Here in this medieval city, you will find archaeological sites from the Roman period.

Despite its obvious beauty and having much busier destinations just a few hours away, this city remains largely unknown by many tourists. 

Trebinje is located in the southernmost part of Bosnia & Herzogovina which is less than a four-hour drive from the capital of Sarajevo and only two hours from Mostar.

The city offers layers of urban life together with its prominent natural landscape of the river, the awe-inspiring mountains and the flatlands, have all created an authentic city.

Trebinje still has significantly less tourism compared to its neighbours Dubrovnik in Croatia and Kotor in Montenegro – but is just as pretty.

In the centre of Trebinje, you will find a tiny walled Old Town with a quaint, leafy market square. 

Up on the hillsides, you can see Orthodox churches scattered throughout, giving that old-world feel. 

The Trebišnjica River runs through this gem of a city, with its banks lined with swimming spots with replicas of waterwheels, once used for irrigation. 

The walled old town of Trebinje lies the region’s small but picturesque centre, where you will find the impressive Kravica Waterfall.

There is plenty to see and do in Trebinje, including a visit to the Kravica Falls, which is also known as the Niagara Falls of Bosnia & Herzegovina, and a must-visit when in the country.

Perched high upon a hill, the Hercegovačka Gračanica is also a must-see and is arguably the most idyllic monastery in all of Bosnia & Herzegovina. 

Trebinje’s Arslanagić Bridge also known as the Perović Bridge is another sight to behold and was constructed in 1574 with Freedom Square and Tvrdoš Monastery worth exploring. 

The city is stunning all year round but becomes especially majestic in May, when the flowers are blooming and the average high temperature is around 18C (64F).

“Another pleasant stroll in the old town of Trebinje, and up atop the hill of this remarkable city with such amazing panoramic views,” reads one review on TripAdvisor.

Another said: “Really good mixture of old and new and a lovely river runs through the city. If you are after a few different cities to see in Bosnia then this is a good one.”