Bosnia & Beyond

Most Inspirational Moment

Having lunchtime meals in villages in Montenegro and Bosnia. getting to see the welcome from the local families.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It was Fatima's first solo lead and she had to cope with two trips to A&E to help travelers who got sick or injured - a baptism of fire. She was understandably nervous but determined we should all have a great time. Her personal passion for Bosnia and all that it has gone through in recent times shone through and made the trip very memorable - reminding us of the challenges of the conflicts of the recent past.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some longish days in the bus but worth it for the scenery. The first day after pick up from airport you do go back into Bosnia Herzogovina for a lunch stop - it does not take cards and there was no ATM near by so we had to borrow some local currency from Fatima - please remember to pay her back!

Suggestions

We loved the walking opportunities - spectacular scenery and good paths - particularly near Lukomia. Any chance for an extension there - perhaps to walk back to meet the bus down the road - would be excellent- but we do recognise this is not a walking holiday. Some of the walks around towns were very hot - take water and a hat!

Most Inspirational Moment

One of the standout experiences was the visit to the home of a family in the village of Podgora. We were offered the most delicious lunch, most if not all sourced from their land. Their hospitality was so warm and welcoming. The city tour of Sarajevo with guide Alem was really interesting and his delivery was superb as was our tour of Kotor and Cetinje with the fabulous Ivana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fatima was the most wonderful guide to us from start to finish. From the depth of her historical/social/ political knowledge of the places we visited to her care and compassion towards us was above and beyond. She clearly loves her role and we enjoyed the enthusiasm, humour and smiles she bought to each day. The world needs more Fatima’s!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some quite long coach journeys but you are certainly rewarded with stunning scenery. Our morning trip to Durmitor National Park with walks around the black lake -you’ll find a toilet block at the beginning of the walk with a wooden decked path up to it. This decking was very slippery on our visit. It had been raining the night before. So perhaps under similar weather conditions it would be safer to use the toilet in the adjacent cafe.

Suggestions

Often in hotels clients are given the option of choosing not to have their towels etc changed daily to help in the reduction of electricity/water waste. It would have been good to have had a label to hang on the door handle or to display in the room to let them know you were happy to keep your existing towels.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many highlights and beautiful places on this trip that it’s hard to choose… We drove up a narrow windy gravel and dirt road, passing the most magnificent landscapes, up to Lukomir, the highest village in Bosnia. We went for a short walk up the hill overlooking the gorge and mountain ranges for spectacular views. After, we had a wonderful homemade lunch of locally grown and prepared food and the strongest coffee I ever tasted. Just enjoying the sound of the wind, crisp clean air and peace up there was such a gift.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fatima was an excellent leader and her enthusiasm and sincere commitment to make sure everyone had the best possible time was amazing. She helped us carry heavy suitcases up stairs, made sure dinner arrangements were made and orders placed ahead of time to maximize free time. She dealt with two serious medical issues in our group professionally and with great care and empathy, and even after a long night at the emergency room, joined us for breakfast bright and early with her usual smile. She translated where needed, shared difficult stories of her own family history during the war and made personal connections with each person. She is a beautiful person inside and out.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring your meds. The roads are narrow and windy, but the views truly make up for it.

Most Inspirational Moment

So much was inspirational .. the multiculturalism in Bosnia was inspiring, with different religions side by side, reflected in art and architecture. What I most enjoyed and was most impressed by was being with local people from the guides and bus drivers and also spending time with local families and small communities who greeted us warmly and welcomed us as their guests. Gorgeous surroundings, delicious food and wine.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Evalin is an amazing group leader.. he combines the energy needed to lead a group, the diplomacy to deal with any issues, huge enthusiasm and obvious passion for the areas we travelled through. I couldn’t believe the depth of his knowledge which brought history to life. He was flexible to group needs whilst keeping us on schedule and made the holiday fun for everyone.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don’t need to pack as much as you might think … no ironing required! The Exodus packing guide is good. Be prepared for a pretty non-stop adventure with significant time spent on the bus including passing through border control. Go with the flow and soak up the experiences and chance to make new friends.

Suggestions

At our final destination, there was a plumbing disaster for one of my fellow travellers. The hotel staffs response was at best poor and at worst racist. I was very unhappy that this was experienced by a member of the party. Most of us and guides had gone off in different directions but luckily this was witnessed by another member of the party. I hope Exodus take this up with the hotel. It was the only cloud on a dazzlingly brilliant trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

I think visiting The Tunnel in Sarvejo where Samru shared some of her family's experience and of her memories, just aged 4 living in Sarvejo at the time.

Thoughts on Group Leader

As I have said Samru was excellent. Always there to help and advised. Her enthusiasm for the countries we visited shone through. Her knowledge was excellent.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although it was late May take a raincoat and waterproofs as it rained during every day we were there. Pack walking shoes as there is alot of walking.

Suggestions

I think another day in Dubrovnik would have been idea. For those on the group flight, there was only a late afternoon to look around. Also a smaller lunch stop on the first day, as having a group meal on the first night was a little too much. The holiday takes in beautiful scenery, historical cities, a few walks. Do this trip before these countries get to spoilt.

Most Inspirational Moment

Going to our tour leader's Grandma's mountain village, where our tour leader's mum grew up too. Extremely remote, with very few facilities even now; so much so that people can't live there still in the winter. Sarajevo - as a city itself, after all the inhabitants have been through and going to the Sarajevo tunnels. Let us not forget their tragedies.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were very lucky to have Samra as our tour leader, because we were her last group before going on maternity leave. She was a terrific guide throughout the whole of Bosnia. She was definitely in charge of us, yet she was also our friend, being authentic throughout. She really helped the group to gel. I don't want to forget our driver Sam too. There were so many mountain passes and unpaved roads, yet he was a real professional and I always felt safe in his hands.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a rucksack instead of a suitcase. Several hotels didn't have lifts. Why hasn't anyone else mentioned this before?? If you get travel sick, take medication. The roads are windy for almost the whole trip. Take layers. Take waterproofs. Ladies - take a headscarf for mosques (although you can also borrow them, but handy).

Suggestions

I'd like to give a compliment. Unfortunately my roommate got sick, which made it impossible for us to share. The Exodus team (in particular Candice from Operations), helped to find a solution and kept in regular contact during the trip, to ensure everything was ok. I was left with the feeling that I'd like to travel with Exodus again. It could so easily have gone the other way. We often got to the major tourist spots and did guided tours before the crowds got there, which made the whole experience a lot more authentic. Mostar was the only exception. I'd highly recommend this trip to everyone, although I personally couldn't visit in July/August, when it usually gets to 40°C+

Most Inspirational Moment

The drive through Durmitor National Park was absolutely stunning. Although very busy and touristy, I also really liked the towns of Kotor and Mostar, and they contrasted well with the natural areas we visited.

Thoughts on Group Leader

This was my 20th group tour, and I have to say that Samra was probably the best guide I have had on any trip. She was very personable and felt like a friend to the group, and was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about everywhere we visited.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The roads are generally very twisty, so I was very grateful for my travel sickness tablets (although our driver, Big Sam, was excellent and his smooth driving certainly helped). The roads up to Lukomir were bumpy as well as twisty, so I'd recommend medicating that day if you suffer from motion sickness.

Most Inspirational Moment

Kotor Bay and the Old cCty, Sarajevo and Mostar where we whitnessed a young diver jumping off the famous Ottoman Bridge. Also a visit to the highest and remotest village in Bosnia Hezagovinia where we met Sam's grandparents. A dying village that only has about 50 residents still living there -but not in the Winter.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sam was fantastic in every area. Her English was totally colloquial and she had a great sense of humour. I must also praise Sam, the driver. I suffer from vertigo but never felt fearful whilst he was manipulating those hairpin bends through the mountains of Montenegro. We nicknamed them Big Sam and Little Sam.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I felt that one of the highlights listed on the website is not totally accurate. For example the walking in the Durmitor Park was described as 'Enjoy gentle walking in the stunning Durmitor National Park' I was one of the older members of the group and am fairly fit and am a Member of the Ramblers Association and regualary walk 7-9 miles most weekends. However, I found the terrain around the Black Lake extremely challenging insofar as we were walking on a mixture of unsteady and different sized rocks and tree roots. I actually had to be supported by Sam for this walk which was only about 4 miles but a very difficult 4 miles and took longer than expected. I would also like to point out that everywhere we went there were many many steep steps to navigate - mostly without rails.

Suggestions

I thought that two of the hotels were not up to scratch. The first one was in Zablak (we were not in the listed Hotel Zablak) where I felt the group was part of a feasability project. It appeared that we were the first group to stay in this newly built hotel. It was still unfinished and many things did not work i.e showers with no doors that completely flooded the floor of the bathroom. Haphazard breakfasts - although it was table service, there was no menu and the waiter came to the table and told us what was for breakfast - which is not always always remember! The second hotel was in Saraevo where the aircon did not work when I arrived and I had to sleep with the window open to try and cool the room down. The only member of staff in the building was the Receptionist and I had to wait until the next day to have it sorted - It was about 38 degrees. Breakfast was pitiful. Packets of instant coffee, the small choice was of very poor quality and quickly ran out. There appeared to be very little organisation and every so often someone would come in and replenish the bread. Surely there has to be a better hotel in Sareva - its only redeeming feature was that it was quite central but so were many others.

Most Inspirational Moment

My absolute highlight was the day we travelled up, through magnificent scenery, to the village of Lukomir. The views were out of this world and we were made very welcome in the village and treated to a delicious lunch. It was a privilege to be in such a beautiful, sparsely populated place. A truly wonderful memory.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Evelin Balta, couldn’t have been better. He was kind, courteous to everyone and, above all, passionate about the area and keen to share his knowledge with us. He always made us feel that what he did was not a job - that he was enjoying the trip as much as we were! His enthusiasm was infectious and no one could fail to be fascinated by the history and culture of the region or to fall un love with the beautiful countryside.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This trip has everything - amazing towns and cities, fascinating history and stunning scenery. Walks are optional but not over-taxing. The many trips in the minibus are kept to manageable lengths with frequent stops but be prepared for a lot of travelling - worth it to see some amazing sights.

Suggestions

As well as an inspirational group leader, our driver, Semir, was amazing - extremely capable and never losing his cool on some tricky roads and situations!

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day had several highlights and it would be impossible to single out one particularly inspirational moment, but unexpected sights such as a perfect rainbow over the river in Sarajevo, and shepherds with their sheepdogs and umbrellas up, herding huge flocks of sheep in most isolated terrain and unfavourable weather conditions, caused me to gasp in amazement.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I echo the other reviewers' comments about Sabina; she is simply outstanding and I feel very lucky to have had her as leader. Her knowledge of the history and culture of the region is phenomenal and her passion for the environment shone through, yet she never overloaded us with information at any one time. Her accounts of her family's experiences in World War II, under Tito and during the siege of Sarajevo brought the history to life. Sabina has a delightful personality; she was always cheerful, showed a good sense of humour and was very helpful and caring. Her organisational skills were excellent and the trip ran seamlessly.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We stayed on in Dubrovnik for three more days after the group trip ended and are very glad we did, as there would have been little time to do justice to it otherwise. Others in the group stayed in Cavtat, near Dubrovnik airport, for a night or two before the trip started, which seemed a good idea The centre of Dubrovnik is much more expensive than anywhere else, but outside the walled town we found prices reasonable. Bring mosquito repellent if you are prone to bites!

Suggestions

It's a tremendous trip and I thoroughly recommend it if you enjoy beautiful scenery, architecture, history and good food.