Explore Bosnia & Herzegovina

Let’s begin our Balkans adventure! As we land at Split airport in Croatia, a warm greeting awaits us from our knowledgeable local guide, ready to accompany us on our journey to the hotel located to the south of Split and our base for the night, setting the tone for the exciting days ahead.

Let’s explore more of the beautiful Balkans region as we visit the Neretva Delta. Otherwise known as the “Croatian California”, this vast marshland, teeming with diverse flora and fauna, is renowned for being a haven for various bird species. We will discover more of this beautiful landscape on board a traditional Neretva rivercraft. Let’s travel through its intricate canals and waterways, offering an up-close encounter with the delta’s unspoiled beauty.

Let’s then enjoy lunch under the open sky, allowing us to savour the essence of Croatia through local specialties and traditional cuisine.

This afternoon let’s travel onwards to one of Europe’s undiscovered gems, Bosnia. Our first stop will be the fortified town of Pocitelj on the banks of the Neretva River. Let’s enjoy some time to wander around the stone streets and admire the views of the surrounding countryside from its ramparts before continuing to the historic town of Mostar. A town where west meets east, a mix of Ottoman and Balkan architecture and culture and our home for the next two nights.

There will be a welcome meal included tonight with our fellow group members so we can dine together and get to know one another better ahead of our action-packed group holiday.

Nature beckons as we delve into the heart of Bosnia's landscapes at Blidnje National Park. Let’s explore the lower reaches of the Cvrsnica Mountain, exploring the forests and admiring the mountain peaks and lakes to see along the way. We will finish our hike at one of the viewpoints where we can admire stunning views of one of Bosnia’s scenic highlights. A packed lunch will be included today for you to enjoy at your leisure during your hike.

(Distance: 9km/ Difficulty: Moderate / Elevation: 400m /Duration 3-4hrs)

A captivating day of discovery begins this morning in Mostar. Let’s explore more with our expert local guide, who will show us sights such as the old bazaar in Kujundziluk, the Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque, The Spanish Square and of course, the iconic Stari Most bridge, the emblem of Mostar. Seen to be the symbol of the connection between Islam and Christianity in Mostar it was destroyed during the war in 1993. Newly rebuilt, it now represents the newly rebuilt Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Next let’s travel onwards to Jablanica, famous for the railway bridge over the Neretva that was destroyed by partisans during the Second World War. Let’s listen to our guide explain the story of this symbol of resistance and see the park and monument commemorating this action.

We will then travel onwards to Konjic where we will delve into history once more at Tito's bunker, a sprawling underground complex built to safeguard the Yugoslav president and his inner circle during atomic conflicts. Let’s explore the bunker made up of residential areas, conference rooms, offices, strategic planning rooms, and other areas which remained a state secret until after the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. it is now open to visitors as well as serving as a space for art exhibitions.

Finally we will arrive into Bosnia’s capital Sarajevo in the late afternoon. Let’s settle into our hotel and have the evening free to relax. Your local guide will be happy to suggest local restaurants where you can eat dinner at your leisure.

Let’s adventure more today as we discover the hidden gems of the hills surrounding Sarajevo with a hike around Trebevic Mountain. First, we’ll take a cable car ride to the top of the mountain. This cable car, once the pride of the modern city of Sarajevo, was destroyed during the war. Newly rebuilt, it is now a symbol of the city’s resilience and determination. Let’s admire the views of Sarajevo as we travel upwards. From the top we will have a guided hike through the forests seeing sights along the way such as the Serbian sniper positions or the abandoned bobsled track that was built for the 1984 Winter Olympics. (Difficulty: Moderate)

This afternoon let’s explore more of Sarajevo. Bosnia’s capital Sarajevo is located on the crossroads of Europe where east meets west. The city is a melting pot of different cultures, religions, historical influences and cuisines. While the scars of the 1990s Balkan Wars are still visible, Sarajevo has rebuilt itself and is a fascinating and enduring place to visit. Let’s learn more about its complex history and culture on a combined food and sightseeing tour. 

As we wander through local markets and eateries, let’s indulge in traditional delights such as traditional pies, delicious local cheeses, meat products, and homemade brand  while soaking in the sights—the Sarajevo City Market, the Orthodox Church, Obala Kulina bana street, the Eternal Flame, the Latin Bridge, and the Old Town.

Let’s get off the beaten track today and uncover one of Bosnia’s greatest mysteries as we explore Visoko, the site of a cluster of hills that it is often said look like pyramids. However, many locals claim that it’s more than just a passing resemblance! For many people these hills are the largest man-made pyramids on Earth. However, these are not just alleged historical monuments. In the tunnels of Pyramids is supposedly home to a mystical healing energy. Let’s explore the tunnels and immerse ourselves in the mysteries surrounding these ancient wonders before enjoying a guided meditation on sight to try channel some of this mystic energy ourselves!

This afternoon let’s return to Sarajevo where you will have the afternoon at leisure to explore more of Sarajevo’s cobblestoned streets. Why not walk to the Yellow Fortress and admire Sarajevo from above? Or else sit at café in the Old Town and watch the world go by. Your local expert guide will be happy to make recommendations to suit your taste.

Let’s learn more about Bosnia’s recent past with an optional visit to the Sarajevo Tunnel of Hope Museum. Covertly built during Sarajevo’s siege in the 1990s, the tunnel underneath the airport provided the citizens of Sarajevo with a lifeline and was the only reliable way of secretly transporting vital water, goods, and electricity to the city as all other supply lines were cut off by the Serbian Army. See parts of the restored tunnel and learn more about its construction and conditions in the city during the siege. Transfers, entry into the museum and a local guide are included in your tour.

Please note this excursion is subject to minimum numbers.

This morning let’s discover more of the beautiful region of Herzegovina as we visit the spring of the Bosna river, a beautiful nature reserve located near Sarajevo. Here let’s admire Herzegovina's natural splendour at the Bosna River spring, an enchanting nature reserve near Sarajevo. Serene lakes and islands dot the landscape, with the Bosna River Spring standing out for its crystalline waters.

Next let’s visit Blagaj, located at the base of the Buna Springs, known for its glittering blue waters. Here let’s explore the Monastery built for the Ottoman Dervish monks, and revel in the calm of this holy place.

Let’s finish our day in Medjugorje. Following claims of visions of the Virgin Mary, Međugorje became a place of worldwide pilgrimage, and one of the biggest Christian prayer centres in the world, comparable to Lourdes and Fátima.

Let’s join our fellow group members at our hotel for a farewell dinner. This is the perfect time for us to reminisce on the adventures we have shared over the last few days in the Balkans.

Today it is time to bid a fond farewell to the beautiful country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. But before we leave, let’s travel over the border to Croatia and enjoy a walking tour of the old town of Split centred around Diocletian’s palace, the retirement villa of the Roman emperor and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will then have the rest of the day at leisure to explore the shops, bars and restaurants built in the arches of these ruins before heading to Split airport for our return flight home.