Most Inspirational Moment
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Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Great way to see stunning Balkan scenery
It was well thought out, with a comfortable vehicle and good hotels (with the exception of the Hotel Komodor in Dubrovnik) and both the driver, Damir, and the tour leader, Evelin, were excellent. The trip is basically an extended taxi ride through stunning mountain scenery, punctuated by a few short walks, so getting a good view from every seat in the vehicle matters. Having air conditioning that worked well both in the vehicle and in the hotels is also important. Of the four trips I have done with Exodus, this was the one that most exceeded my expectations—indeed it was one of the best organised trips I have done in thirty years of group travel. Full marks to Exodus, local agent Green Visions and tour leader Evelin Balta
Balkans: Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina
This was a trip covering a wide range of experiences. Starting in Dubrovnik, the transfer to the very attractive Kotor was in itself a taster to some of the superb scenery we were to encounter later in the tour. Kotor and the old town of Bdva enabled us to sample the Montenegro coast followed by some spectacular drives into the interior. The Durmitor National park provided opportunities for walks for many of us and then further spectacular drives took us into Bosnia & Herzegovina visiting the very interesting cities of Sarajevo and Mostar. Having 3 nights in Sarajevo and 2 nights in Mostar gave us the chance to get to know these cities reasonably well. All of the drives were broken up with interesting places to visit including some wine tasting at the Tvrdos monastery on the return to Dubrovnik.
Most Inspirational Moment
Many highlights especially the stunning scenery. The visit to the isolated village of Lukomir and the hike to the Ratinica canyon in the area.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Evelin Balta was excellent. He took great care of the group and was always keen to discuss some of the turbulent history of his country(Bosnia) and particularly showed a great passion for the great outdoors. He was always very helpful in deciphering menus and took us to some interesting restaurants.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Stay a few extra days in Dubrovnik. Although we had been there before, we found it was an excellent wind down after the tour, especially by visiting Cavtat and Lokrum Island(by boat) to avoid the cruise boat crowds during the height of the day. We stayed at the Hotel Aquarius, a very pleasant small, family run establishment.
Great Balkan Adventure
Starting from Dubrovnik airport we crossed quickly intoKotor, Montenegro. Having enjoyed the beautiful city of Kotor we then drove to Cetinje through a series of 25 hairpin bends! Spectacular!
Durmitor National Park and its gorges was our next highlight. Then came the Zabljak Plateau and finally into Sarajevo.
Apart from this great city we saw the remote and semi-nomadic village of Lukomir, a not to be missed experience.
We next found ourselves in Mostar another great place.
Finally it was back to Dubrovnik!
Most Inspirational Moment
The visit to the remote and semi-nomadic settlement of Lukomir in Bosnia. Also Mostar and Sarajevo itself!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Evelin Balta was a very nice guy with a great sense of humour. He also was good at keeping his sheep together and was good at organising things for us
Advice for Potential Travellers
Spend an extra few days in Dubrovnik
Bosnia and Beyond
This was an excellent trip, very interesting for the history of the area and the scenery was stunning.
Was not sure what to expect but there were no disappointments.
Most Inspirational Moment
Just being in Mostar
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader was very good and a very interesting person because of his knowledge and first hand experience of the area and of the conflict.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go at a cooler time.
I LOVE the Balkans!!!!
My 8th and, quite simply, THE best Exodus trip I have done (and that’s saying something!) We had history, from both the first World War and the more recent conflict in the 1990’s. We had culture. We had some hikes through beautiful locations. We had the vibrant cities of Sarajevo (now on my list as one of my favourite’s) and Dubrovnik. We had the Eastern feel of Istanbul in Mostar. We visited Churches, Monastery’s and a Mosque. We had great food and even better wine and beer from the Balkans!! The prices were really cheap too. Great hotels, especially in Zabljac and Dubrovnik. Weather was in the early 30’s and that was May/June. The local people were friendly and most had good English.
Most Inspirational Moment
Standing on the line where East meets West in Sarajevo, seeing the famous bridge in Mostar, seeing the mountains and Black Lake in Zabljac, Montenegro. Walking the city walls in Dubrovnik. Visiting the Sarajevo tunnels and having people that lived through the conflict share their experiences.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We were lucky enough to have 2, as Evelin will lead the next tour he was shadowing our leader Mustafa. They were both excellent. They could not do enough for you. They were always punctual, polite, funny, knowlegable, helpful and respectful. Carried our bags to the hotels .Very concerned for our safety both on the hikes and in the towns/cities. They tried to teach me some of the Bosnian language but to no avail. I found it one of the hardest languages I have ever heard! lol
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take high factor sunscreen as the sun was fierce even in May/June. Some of the hikes had some sheer drops and i'm not good with heights (but the leaders stayed with the people like me) Don't take sterling. In Mostar and Dubrovnik they were happy to take Euro's (as well as Bosnian Marks and Croatian Kuna) The hotels could not change Sterling( they would change Euro's) and you would need to go to a bank. Dubrovnik is pretty but I found it very touristy, especially with the cruise ships in town.
Bosnia & Beyond
Probably the best European trip I’ve ever taken.
Great mixture of scenery, culture & history.
A couple of very gentle walks, personally I would have liked more.
Weather was great, just a short thunderstorm in Sarajevo, and then very hot (with biting insects) in Mostar. End of May/ June was perfect time to go.
Drives were fairly lengthy, and days full which made it feel as though we had done and seen a lot.
Hotels were very comfortable, and group was good.
Most Inspirational Moment
Walking up the hill behind Kotor old town for views of the bay. Zabljek mountain scenery in Montenegro was beautiful. Sarajevo fascinating. Mostar stunning - go up the minaret in the mosque for best view. Dubrovnik was a nice end to the trip, try and walk around the city walls before dinner, only takes 50 minutes.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Mustafa was excellent, and we were lucky to have Evelin as a second guide, he will be taking the tour in future. Both passionate about Bosnia and good fun.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Watch the biting bugs in Mostar if you are near the river. Do those little extra walks/climbs for worthwhile views.
montenegro, bosnia and herzegovina
I have been on several of your trips, but this one rates as one of the best. Anaid our guide was very knowledgeable and gave an unbiased account of the homelands war which was extremely interesting and made me want to learn more about the Balkans, so already looking in the brochure for next year.
Most Inspirational Moment
The way Anaid our guide brought the history alive in conjunction with visiting the museums made me feel that I could understood what the people experienced.
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was extremely knowledgeable on the history of the countries. In addition he ensured everyone was okay and that he genuinely wanted us to enjoy our trip
Advice for Potential Travellers
Start reading the Cellist of Sarajevo before you go and finish it while you are there
Balkans adventure
This was a fantastic trip with lots of variety and a great introduction to a beautiful part of the world. It included a really good range of activities, including (gentle) hiking in the mountains, guided tours of historical towns, swimming by a waterfall, visiting Orthodox and Dervish monasteries (and wine tasting at one of them), boat trip in the bay of Kotor, visiting a traditional Bosnian village in the mountains and getting to grips with the 20th century history of Sarajevo. In short, something for everyone!
Most Inspirational Moment
I enjoyed all parts of the trip. Some particular highlights were the trip to Lukomir, Bosnia's highest village - it took quite a long drive up a gravel road to get there (mention must go to our fantastic driver, who approached this, as well as the frequent hairpin bends up and down mountains throughout the trip, with calm expertise!) but was worth the drive. We started with a fairly easy hike to a mountain waterfall (I found the hike down easier than the hike back up, but that might be my fitness level!) and afterwards were were rewarded by a delicious homemade lunch provided for us by one of the village families. It was fantastic to do as it would not have been possible had I not been traveling with the Exodus group I also found visiting Sarajevo very interesting, and we were able to get a good introduction to the recent history in the city. We visited the Sarajevo Tunnel museum and our group leader was happy to share his experiences of the 1990s siege. Sarajevo itself was a beautiful city with very diverse culture and history.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our group leader, Alen, was fantastic. He was very easy-going and friendly, and provided us with lots of interesting information about the places we visited and the culture of the region. He was happy to answer our group's many questions, made sure we had good information about things to do during our free time, shared with us his personal experiences of the 1990s conflicts and was a wonderful ambassador for Bosnia and Sarajevo.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Those of us who spent a few days in Dubrovnik before or after the group trip were glad we had arranged this - the time in Dubrovnik is limited (arrival in the afternoon and group flight was the next lunchtime) so there was really just time for a late-afternoon visit to Dubrovnik Old Town and supper. I also recommend taking walking boots - it does advise these in the trip information, but I wasn't sure it would be necessary for the walks we were doing. I was very glad to have mine in the end, as the ground on the walks was not necessarily easy underfoot, especially with some loose stones etc underfoot on the Lukomir walk. I also advise good insect repellent if you are susceptible to bites - I did get bitten by mosquitoes on both occasions that I didn't wear any repellent. Zip off shorts-trousers, or a long skirt for women would be handy for the monastery trips - something that could be stored in a backpack. They did tend to provide wrap-around skirts and headscarves to borrow if you needed them but some people might prefer to have their own.
Balkan delights
Well rounded trip of Montenegro & Bosnia. Spectacular scenery & very interesting history.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the immense Bay of Kotor from Lovcen mountain - wow! Durmitor National Park - spectacular & humbling Mostar - dsepite the hoardes of tourists it is lovely & well worth seeing
Thoughts on Group Leader
Anaid was fun, full of facts & kept things going along smoothly
MONTENEGRO, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
A varied and enjoyable trip encompassing the Montegrian coastline, national parks plus the two key cities of Bosnia/Herzegovina : Sarajevo & Mostar and ending up in Dubrovnik. The balance of coast/nature/city was great with no really long drives. We lucked out and benefited from two excellent and extremely knowledgeable tour leaders (one was learning the itinerary for a future trip). Learning and seeing first hand about the ravages of the recent conflicts was both facinating and moving.
Most Inspirational Moment
The crystal alpine Black Lake in Durmitor National Park and the walk & lunch at Lukomir, Bosnia's highest village. The contrasts of Sarajevo from the chilled Otoman influenced cafe culture; war damaged buildings; communist era trams; the war tunnel museum and great baklava.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We lucked out and benefited from two excellent and extremely knowledgeable tour leaders (one was learning the itinerary for a future trip). Anaidt was an infectiously enthusiastic history student and able to provide the historial insight. Alen was a mountaineer and snowboarder so great in the mountains. Both were great travelling companions and dealt extremely well with water born illness which struck down half the group event though they themselves were also affected by the bug.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bear in mind that you are crossing lot's of boarders (mostly very smoothly and quickly) including an unexpected crossing at the beginning of the trip where you cross somewhat unnecessarily from Croatia into Bosnia and then into Montenegro - rather than from Croatia direct into Montenegro which the trip notes don't mention. All the hotels were of pretty good quality. The hotel in Sarajevo is the best on the trip but located about 5 km from the city centre - although very easy to get in by tram.