Bosnia & Beyond

Day 1  Dubrovnik, Croatia
The adventure begins at Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia, where we meet as a group to catch our transfer (one hour) to Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of the most beautiful small cities in the country.

Day 2  Dubrovnik to Kotor, Montenegro       
Bid farewell to Trebinje this morning and transfer (approximately two hours) to the coastal town of Kotor in Montenegro. We set out to discover the Old Town, a World Heritage site since 1979. On our guided walk (approximately two hours), we wander through atmospheric streets and squares, lined with elegant townhouses (known locally as palaces) and an array of impressive churches and monuments that reflect centuries of Venetian and Byzantine influence. After, we transfer (25 minutes) to Perast, a town once owned by the Venetians, which explains the Italian feel. It is dominated by the 17th-century church of St Nikola, protected by a Venetian fortress and surrounded by beautiful palaces and gardens built by once-famous sea captains of the Adriatic. Here, we have lunch overlooking the bay, before a boat ride to the Lady of the Rocks island and a visit to the chapel. The views of the Dinaric Alps from the boat are impressive, giving us a different perspective of the Montenegrin coastline. We transfer back to our hotel by boat, the best way to enjoy this fabulous setting.

Day 3  Kotor to Zabljak      
We transfer to Cetinje for a tour, which takes us to some of the main sites in this cultural oasis in the Cetinjsko fields. From Cetinje, we set off towards the mountainous interior of Montenegro, visiting the holy shrine of St Vasilije high in the shady Ostrog Mountains en route. The day culminates with a drive through isolated villages and high mountain passes to the small ski resort of Zabljak, which sits neatly on a plateau at 4,920ft (1,500m), surrounded by beautiful pinewood forests, high alpine mountains and the deep Tara Canyon.  

Day 4  Zabljak      
Today we explore the Zabljak Plateau with its numerous lakes and traditional villages. We start with a walk around the largest lake in the area, where the waters reflect the surrounding peaks. Around lunchtime, we transfer to the village of Podgora, which has recently become part of a regional ecovillage network helping to promote tourism in rural communities. A local family provides us with a tasty lunch of traditional Montenegrin mountain food. We also visit and enjoy views from one of the numerous viewpoints above the Unesco-listed Tara Canyon, said to be the deepest canyon in Europe. We then transfer back to Zabljak and have the afternoon free to explore.      

Day 5  Zabljak to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina      
We transfer to the Montenegro-Bosnia border, via Durmitor’s interior with its impressive peaks, isolated mountain lakes and deep canyons. We wind out of the Piva Gorge down to Scepan Polje, the border crossing into Bosnia and Herzegovina, stopping where possible to enjoy the views in this wild, uninhabited part of Bosnia. We take a walk along the Piva River to an old suspension bridge, which for a long time was the only connection between the two riverbanks. After lunch, we continue through an empty and mountainous part of east Bosnia and Herzegovina to Sarajevo.

Day 6  Sarajevo      
Today we have a full day exploring Sarajevo on foot and by bus. Our day involves a walking tour of the main sites and a visit to the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum. The tunnel provided the Sarajevo citizens a lifeline during Sarajevo’s 1,400 days of isolation and was the only reliable way of supplying goods and electricity to the city as all other supply lines were cut off by the Serbian Army. This is a sobering and fascinating visit.    

Day 7  Sarajevo      
We transfer to Lukomir, the highest village in Bosnia at 4,820ft (1,469m), with its ancient medieval tombstones. Here we get an insight into the traditional way of life, where customary dress and the occasional turban and fez are still worn, going hand in hand with the more contemporary features of everyday life. We then take a walk down towards the Rakitnica Canyon nearby and find excellent viewpoints to admire this majestic scenery. Lunch is taken in the village, prepared by one of the main families still living there and will be traditional and filling. We return to Sarajevo at the end of the day.  

Day 8  Sarajevo to Mostar      
We transfer to Mostar where we have a whole day to visit this beautiful Herzegovinian city. We spend the morning and afternoon exploring Mostar, a city split during the conflict of the early 1990s. We see the scars of war, but these days Mostar is once again a warm and bustling place with an intriguing history. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city on your own.      

Day 9  Mostar      
Our first stop today will be Pocitelj, another Unesco World Heritage site and host to the longest-operating art colony in southeast Europe. The most striking object in Pocitelj is the Kula, a silo-shaped fort that dominates the skyline from a hill above the town. Our next stop is Kravica Waterfall, a green oasis in the rocky Herzegovinian landscape. After a short walk, and perhaps a cooling swim, we head to Blagaj for lunch. The Blagaj highlights are the Buna Spring and the adjacent Ottoman house/monastery. We spend the late afternoon and evening in Mostar.

Day 10  Mostar to Dubrovnik, Croatia        
Our journey now takes us back to Dubrovnik via Radimlja with its numerous beautiful medieval Christian tombstones, and Trebinje, the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Trebinje has a rich history dating to the Middle Ages. Here we visit a family-owned winery and get a taste of life in old Herzegovina, venturing into the cellars to sample the rich, earthy, bold tastes of the red wines. Then, we travel south to our final destination, Dubrovnik. We end the day with free time, so you can swim in the warm Adriatic or explore the Old Town solo and take a walk along the ancient city walls.      

Day 11  Dubrovnik      
The trip ends this morning in Dubrovnik after breakfast. You may wish to extend your stay in the Croatian capital to further explore its cobbled streets or enjoy the beautiful coastline.