Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Experiencing the multicultural flavor of Montenegro, Bosnia and Croatia. Observing first hand how peoples of different faiths with a common history and language can work together for a better present and future.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Sabina Sirco, made these countries come alive for us. She has a great personal understanding of the history, the social, cultural and environmental issues of the Balkan countries. Her passion and her depth of knowledge was inspiring, and her enthusiasm spoke to all the tour participants. There was a good balance of hiking the beautiful countryside, experiencing culture and historical sites, trying out local and ethnic foods, and laughing over shared meals. Sabina was always safety conscious. We felt privileged that she shared her own personal experience as a young girl living in downtown Sarajevo during the war. She earned the admiration and respect of the whole group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring good hiking shoes and a rainproof jacket.

Suggestions

Thank you Exodus. You hit this tour out of the ball park.

Most Inspirational Moment

Happy Jordanians singing on the tractor train

Thoughts on Group Leader

Good organiser who treated us all empathetically and could not have been more attentive and helpful. Some times didn’t allow enough free time at attractions. Very interesting to hear her family war experiences.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Beware of very slippery cobble stones.

Suggestions

Accommodation excellent and well located throughout

Most Inspirational Moment

Sarajevo, a city I knew for all the wrong reasons in the 1990’s is now a vibrant city with a lovely old town full with a great cafe culture where you could easily spend an afternoon people watching. At the same time it also has a lot of excellent museums and galleries, some very sobering, but all very well presented and worth visiting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alen was excellent, he imparted a lot of knowledge of the cultures & places we visited. He also showed we were in safe hands as he dealt in a calm & professional manner when when of our group had an accident while walking.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Unless you have a great desire to go to a crowded place with bars with blaring music & full of kids, suggest you stay the second night in the beautiful scenic Kotor bay rather than Budva!

Most Inspirational Moment

The countries were stunning, sometimes raw and compelling which was refreshing (its sobering to see mortar and sniper damaged buildings that show their recent past). The citizens were warm, friendly and couldn’t do enough for tourists as they need to build a strong tourism industry to create more jobs to help each country prosper.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The tour leader (Sabina) was excellent and made our trip great. She was enthusiastic, knowledgeable, careing, friendly and shared personal family stories that bought the regions historical past and impacts to life for us. Would travel with her as a guide in a heartbeat. She spoke exceptional English, had great humour and supported everyone individual needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

2 of the 3 short hikes/walks were ok if you were average fitness, the 3rd and last hike really did need people to be a bit above average fitness, though you could sit it out and do something else on you own if you wanted.

Most Inspirational Moment

Kotor,Cetinje ,the Montenegrin scenery;Sarajevo in general and atmospheric Mostar all impress

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sabina is an excellent cheerful guide who manages the tour friendly and efficiently, she imparts her keen enthusiasm for these countries and is willing to share her personal insight into their history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Like others have said,just visit and enjoy the experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the bobsleigh track.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very efficient, funny and thoughtful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go!

Suggestions

No.

Most Inspirational Moment

I particularly enjoyed Mostar and visiting the bridge but also there were some lovely walks in spectacular scenery by pretty lakes and rivers.

Thoughts on Group Leader

See above. A real ambassador for her country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The history is complex and although explained by the tour guide and local guides having some pre knowledge of the context of the 1992 conflict would assist. Bring a sarong to cover shoulders / legs for mosques. Need bosnian marks for bosnia. Have to get in the country.

Suggestions

You will definately want more time in these countries. Suggest adding time on the Montenegran coast at the end . There is also very little time in Sarajevo a city with so much to do so plan carefully your must see sites.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in Ludomir And visiting Mostar

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour guide Sabina was outstanding. She brought the information to life by brining in her own stories and memorabilia. I rarely use the term ‘going the extra mile’ but I really think it is fitting here. Sabina went well beyond anything that can be expected of a tour guide, looking after the needs of all individuals in the group, helping with personal crises and even planning beyond the end of the trip,

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe read up about the history of Yugoslavia in advance. The trip works very well without this, but you would probably get even more out of it. Stay on for some more time by the coast afterwards

Suggestions

No, it was perfect!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

We were fortunate to be in the country during the World Cup. Watching how passionate the people were about the game and in particular with Croatia advancing, it was really exciting. Also, when we went to the local farms and homes to learn about their lives and have a most incredible meal of the local region was fantastic.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Evelin Balta is one of a kind. His energy and spirit of youth makes you want to join him in everything he suggested. His passion for the region, its history, the people, and overall positive aspects of each country was inspiring and truly educational. His concern for each and every one of us was very appreciated. He made sure we were prepared for each activity, made sure our meals were to our specification, included everyone in the conversation but also went out of his way to connect personally to each and every member of the group. He is a treasure to the company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it. It is a fascinating part of the world, the food is something to experience, and the people are friendly and very diverse. It is a shining example of how different cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds can all live together in harmony.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our stay in a Sarajevo and a tour of the "Tunnel of Hope" was both horrifying and uplifting at the same time. It was interesting to hear personal stories from our guide who lived through the brutal siege. I now understand much more about how and why this conflict started, the complex politics of the region and ongoing issues that still need to be resolved. Another highlight for me was a trip to a mountain village for a hike and locally prepared lunch. The views were magnificent and it was great to see how the locals lived.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Alen Causevic was an excellent leader. Nothing was too much trouble and the whole trip ran very smoothly. He knew all the best restaurants and had plenty of suggestions for things to do in our free time.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a fair bit of sitting in a coach and take car-sickness pills if you are that way inclined! Our first bus was a bit too small for a full group of 18 including driver and guide with luggage having to be squashed into the passenger space. It was very quiet and comfortable though, as one would expect from a Mercedes. The the mountain roads were pretty challenging and a larger vehicle would have struggled to negotiate some of the bends and oncoming traffic. Take some walking boots or trainers and a waterproof jacket.