The picturesque southern town of Neum is Bosnia and Herzegovina 's only outlet to the Adriatic sea and a popular tourist resort.

Situated in the Neum-Klek bay, just north of the Peljesac Peninsula, Neum has distinctly Mediterranean climate, with long and hot summers and mild winters, and basks in 270 days of glorious sunshine per year.

Neum is also perfectly located between the Dalmatian cities of Split and Dubrovnik . The inland area behind Neum has a rich archaeological history and untouched wilderness and is starting to develop agricultural tourism.

Locals grow olives, figs and vine and the sea abounds in all kinds of fish and sea-shells, while higher up in the hills are fine game and birds.

Sandy and pebble beaches are packed in the summer and crystal clear waters offer many water sports activities. The town hosts annual music festival Etnofest Neum.

The hotel and private accommodation is not expensive, and generally prices tend to be lower than in neighbouring Croatia.

Besides the big hotels (Sunce, Neum, Zenit...) there are many private apartments where you can stay for 15 Euros per night.

With Neum as a beachside base, you can visit Hutovo Blato Bird Reserve, Vjetrenica Cave, Kravica Waterfalls near Ljubuski, Medjugorje or Mostar, all within an hour's drive from Neum. Tourist agencies regularly organise excursions to Split, Dubrovnik, Peljesac, Korcula and Hvar.

The area cuts off Croatia 's southern peninsula Peljesac from the mainland and visitors cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to travel from one part of Croatia to the other.

Border formalities are relaxed at peak times.

With the construction of Komarna-Peljesac Bridge, designed to overcome border crossing and due for completion in 2008, the island of Korcula will be about an hour from Neum, including 15 minute ferry from Orebic.