Bosnia & Beyond

Name: Bosnia & Beyond
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (58 reviews)

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11 Days from

~~USD 2,599~~ USD 2,349

USD 3,484

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Culture

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Culture

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Group Size :

6 - 18

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

AVB

Experience the cultural variety and rugged natural beauty of Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro have been at the crossroads of ancient civilisations for centuries, with a magical mixture of European and Near Eastern culture. The diversity is very clear, from the vibrant cities to the tiny traditional villages. Here we find a unique fusion of traditions, religions and architecture. Outside the towns and cities, the raw natural beauty is breath-taking, with ancient forests, rugged peaks and the beautiful Adriatic coastline where we explore the magnificent Bay of Kotor before making our final stop in the wonderful Croatian city of Dubrovnik.

Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here

Highlights

Discover a mix of Balkan countries with beautiful scenery and fascinating cultures
Explore Sarajevo, the cosmopolitan and historic capital of Bosnia
Visit enchanting Mostar with its iconic bridge
Admire the beauty of the sparkling Adriatic in Kotor, Montenegro
Walk the pristine marble streets and city walls of Dubrovnik
Enjoy gentle walking in Durmitor National Park

Key Information

10 nights in hotels and pensions
Group normally 6 to 18, plus leader. Minimum age: 16
Travel by air-conditioned private minibus
Option to travel by train to your adventure

Countries visited: Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro

What's Included

All breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner
All accommodation
Free group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Visas and vaccinations
Single supplement

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that have a positive impact on the people and places we visit and look after the planet we explore. Learn more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

Local guides keep you well informed about local traditions and cultural-social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other enterprises, and by championing locally produced food wherever possible.
The itinerary includes lunches with local families at Zabljak, Durmitor Park (Cetkovic family) in Montenegro and Lukomir mountain village (Maslesa family) in Bosnia. This provides great culture-sharing opportunities.
Read more about our other initiatives here.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

By travelling in a small group, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively reduce waste; this includes eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles by providing refills for reusable bottles.
The payment of entrance fees to natural reserves and archaeological sites generates income used to upkeep and develop these important sites. We visit Kotor which is on the Unesco list of natural and cultural heritage sites.
We rewild 1,075sqft (100sqm) per passenger to compensate for all trip and flight emissions.
Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Our local partners are the founders and active supporters of Eko Akcija, an environmental NGO set up to add to the conservation of protected areas, and to get local communities involved in participating in environmental protection issues.
Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
Plastic waste reduction: Please bring a reusable water bottle on this trip, also consider avoiding single-use hotel toiletries, which generate a large amount of plastic waste.

Itinerary

We start at Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia before transferring (approximately three hours) to the beautiful sea-faring town of Kotor. Neatly tucked in one of the largest fjords in southeast Europe, Kotor is a cultural treasure dating from the 12th century and still retains the Mediterranean ambience of the region.

Accommodation: Hotel Porto In (or similar)

Meals Included: Dinner

Today we explore Kotor, visiting the 3mi (4.5km) long fortification walls and the many churches and palaces. These are the main reasons why Kotor was named a Unesco World Heritage site in in 1979. Our approximately two-hour walk takes us through spacious squares lined with grand townhouses, known locally as palaces, and various impressive religious buildings. After our tour, we take a short transfer to Perast, a town once owned by the Venetians, which explains the distinctly Italian feel. It is dominated by the 17^th-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. After, we take a boat ride to the Lady of the Rocks island and visit the chapel. The views of towering cliffs of the Dinaric Alps from the boat are truly 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. In the evening, we visit Budva, one of the oldest settlements on the Montenegrin coast with perhaps the best nightlife in the area.

Accommodation: Hotel Porto In (or similar)

We transfer (approximately two hours) to Cetinje for a tour. The town lies at the foot of the Lovcen Mountain and was the ancient capital of Montenegro. Since 1485, it has been the sacred centre of Montenegro; as a result, the city houses more museums and cultural heritage sites than any other in the country. Our tour 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. Few people expect to witness such a marvellous spectacle when they arrive. Intricately carved into the rising rock face, the Ostrog Monastery is considered by many to be the most inspiring Orthodox sacred place in the former Yugoslavia. It has become the largest religious pilgrimage site in the country, with many Orthodox Christians and even Catholics and Muslims paying homage to St Vasilije, the founder of the 17^th-century monastery. The day culminates with a drive (approximately three hours) 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Zabljak (or similar)

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, enjoy a scenic walk, go for an invigorating dip in the lake, or perhaps drink a glass of local wine or beer in a cafe.

Accommodation: Hotel Zabljak (or similar)

We transfer (approximately two to three hours) to the Montenegro-Bosnia border, via Durmitor's interior with its impressive peaks, isolated mountain lakes and deep canyons. The mountain roads are narrow and we meet the occasional shepherd with his sheep moving up to the higher grassy pastures of Durmitor. This seasonal migration has taken place for centuries and is very much part of Montenegrin culture, even today.

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. Before lunch, 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. The water here is wonderfully pure and offers a great setting for a photo. After lunch above the Piva River, we continue through an empty and mountainous part of east Bosnia and Herzegovina to Sarajevo.

Accommodation: Hotel Cosmopolit (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we have a full day exploring Sarajevo on foot and by bus. One of the most culturally diverse cities in Europe, Sarajevo spent more than 400 years under Turkish governorship until the Austro-Hungarians arrived in the late 19th century. Forty years later, the empire collapsed when Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated here, hastening the outbreak of the First World War. The late-20th century saw Sarajevo host the 1984 Winter Olympics, and the long siege of the city during the recent conflict. Our tour of the major historical, cultural and war sites in the city will help you piece together its complex history.

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.

Accommodation: Hotel Cosmopolit (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We transfer (approximately two hours) to Lukomir, the highest village in Bosnia at 4,820ft (1,469m), with its ancient stecci (medieval tombstones). Here we get an insight into the traditional way of life. Customary dress and the occasional turban and fez are still worn, going hand in hand with the more contemporary features of everyday life. The village houses here are a powerful image of a simpler time. We then take a walk down towards the Rakitnica Canyon nearby and find excellent viewpoints to admire this majestic scenery. The scale of the mountains coupled with the canyon far below are sights that will live long in the memory. 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Cosmopolit (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We transfer (approximately 2hr 30min) to Mostar where we have a whole day to visit this beautiful Herzegovinian city. Mostar was founded in the 15th century and the architecture is a precious combination of Turkish ingenuity and Herzegovinian and Dalmatian workmanship. 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Kapetanovina (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 Sahat Kula, a silo-shaped fort that dominates the skyline from a hill above the town. It once housed watchmen and military guarding against possible invasion from the Neretva Valley. 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. The spring here is amazing. It flows out of a 655ft (200m) cliff wall to form the Buna River. Unsurprisingly, the Ottoman sultan was impressed and ordered a tekija to be built right next to it. This 16^th-century house/monastery was built for the Dervish cults and is still one of the most mystical places in all Bosnia and Herzegovina. Blagaj Old Town is worth walking through too. This Herzegovinian town moves at a slow pace and many of the old structures are reminiscent of the Ottoman days. Also in the vicinity are old flour mills that the strong Buna River used to power. We spend the late afternoon and evening in Mostar.

Accommodation: Hotel Kapetanovina (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

The wines of Herzegovina are among the newest in the second world wine category. This tradition, however, has been in existence since Roman times. The sunny Mediterranean climate and rich hinterland soils here produce some of the finest wines in southern Europe.

After the lunch break, we travel south to our final destination: Dubrovnik, a magnificent walled city at the southernmost tip of Croatia. Formerly a prosperous trading centre, Dubrovnik is now a Unesco World Heritage site, and the perfectly preserved Old Town and rich cultural life draw many visitors each year. 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.

Accommodation: Hotel Komodor (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

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. Should you wish to do so, please ask your sales representative about our post-tour nights.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Croatia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Croatia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/croatia
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/croatia
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/croatia/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Croatia.html

Montenegro

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Montenegro. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Vaccination

Bosnia & Herzegovina

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and tuberculosis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Croatia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Montenegro

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, two lunches and one dinner are included.

Breakfast will usually be either hot and cold buffets or a choice of set meals. Breakfast in Bosnia and across the Balkans usually consists of bread and pastries, dairy products such as yoghurt and cheese, cereal, eggs cooked in a variety of ways, smoked meats, honey, tea and coffee, milk and juices.

Typical Bosnian cuisine consists of ingredients such as tomatoes, potatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, cucumbers, mushrooms, spinach, beans and dairy products such as milk, cheese, pavlaka (sour cream) and kajmak (similar to clotted cream). Meat dishes usually consist of beef and lamb and specialities include cevapi, burek, dolma (stuffed vegetables with meat) and goulash. Desserts often have an Eastern influence with baklava being very popular. The alcoholic drink rakija, made from apples or plums, is common in this region also.

Vegetarian and special diets can be catered for, but options are limited throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. Please advise of any specific dietary requirements at time of booking.

Weather

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro enjoy a similar climate to most of Central Europe: hot summers, cool springs and autumns, and cold winters with considerable snowfall. We visit from July to August, when temperatures will be generally warm (25C-30C/77F-86F). However, it will be a little cooler in the mountains. It is here we are right in the middle of the Central Dinaric Alps, a rough and unpredictable place where Mediterranean and Continental Alpine climates vie for supremacy. The result is an extremely unstable climate even in summer. Rain can fall at any time of the year, although in mid-summer it is more likely to come as short, sharp thunderstorms.

Is this trip for you?

This trip has been rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate).

This is a cultural discovery trip with some walking. You don’t need to be an experienced hill walker, just of average fitness. Walks are optional so the trip is suitable for anyone. Travel is by private bus, generally on good roads.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Laura Savill

Reviewed June 2023

Mysteries Unveiled

It is a busy trip but with time to explore cities and sights on your own. So you can either revist places that you been taken around but wanted to get a better insight i.e Sarvejo or just sit and people watch. The Balkans have an interesting history that needs exploring. Visiting 3 countries certainly showed tge connection with each other but also the differences. People were very friendly wherever we went and wanted to share their daily lives. Our guide Samra and our driver Sam were excellent. Pity this was Samra’s last trip as she is expecting her first child in September. She not only lead the tour as a manager she integrated the group by booking restaurants for all of us to eat together for the first night at a stop, but we could do our own thing on the second night. She was very knowledgeable and explained the history of what we were seeing, clearly but easy to understand. It was more like having a big sister around. Hotels were all good.

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.

Joy W

Reviewed May 2023

Bosnia in general, especially Sarajevo, was a lovely surprise

A great balance of being guided vs free time, eating together as a group or finding restaurants on our own. We were incredibly unlucky with the weather for virtually the whole trip, but that didn’t stop us enjoying the scenery, mountains, lakes, history and the warmth of the local people.

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+

Charlotte Reeve

Reviewed September 2022

Varied trip with stunning scenery and picturesque towns

I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, which let us enjoy the highlights of Montenegro and Bosnia. There was quite a lot of driving, but it’s nearly all through stunning scenery, so it didn’t feel like a chore. The itinerary was very well put together to provide a real variety of experiences, from old towns, to nature, to modern cities with an interesting past. The included walks were enjoyable, and not too challenging (although the optional climb up the city walls in Kotor was hard work in the heat and humidity). The food throughout the trip was excellent – while meat and potatoes were the staples, there were always other options available when you wanted a bit more variety.

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.

Sheila Shannon

Reviewed August 2022

Three countries in less than 2 weeks!

This was a really exhilarating trip. We had such a diverse journey through mountainous landscapes and fascinating cities – with stops at a waterfall, lakes and interesting historical remote buildings. The itinerary was excellent.

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.

Carol Taylor

Reviewed July 2022

Bosnia & Beyond

An amazing trip dipping into the complex history, cultural background and natural wonders of the region.

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!

Janet Sully

Reviewed October 2019

An exceptionally interesting and varied trip

This trip exceeded my expectations in terms of the sheer variety of scenery and experiences. Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro are stunningly beautiful countries and, as yet, unspoilt by mass tourism. The Bay of Kotor, with the mountains rising up precipitously behind; the remote valleys and settlements; turquoise lakes and rivers; deep gorges and waterfalls; fascinating towns and cities like Cetinje, Sarajevo and Mostar; monasteries below sheer rock faces; isolated villages offering great hospitality; plentiful food portions; wine tastings; a superb guide who brought the incredible history to life: what more could one want? Although we saw and experienced a huge amount, there were no early starts, and the drives were punctuated by stops at places of interest. It was also good to spend at least two nights at each place apart from the last (Dubrovnik), so that we were not packing up and moving on every day. Our driver, Semir, also deserves a mention – he was always helpful and was a very steady driver, so we felt completely safe.

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.

Gillian Forbes

Reviewed October 2019

Beguiled by Bosnia

This holiday gave a great taste of 3 Balkan countries, breath-taking scenery, attractive towns and villages and sobering insights into the past suffered there, particularly Bosnia. A variety of sites, history and experiences were included which made the trip really interesting. The only downside was the over-popularity of Dubrovnik at the end of the trip

Most Inspirational Moment

The resourcefulness of the people of Sarajevo during the siege of the city was illustrated in the tunnel museum, also added to by our guide who, with her family lived through it. The city of Mostar was also particularly beautiful, the fallen bridge having been rebuilt exactly how it was before the war

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Sabena was really good, full of information, caring, sociable and organised

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bear in mind Dubrovnik is really expensive, pay in restaurants in the local currency not euros

David Richardson

Reviewed September 2019

Two surprising gem's

This is a fascinating trip and I would recommend you book soon before some of the places you visit become too popular. The trip starts in Montenegro, and you spend a mixture of time in the stunning town of Kotor and out in the wilds of Durmitor NP and Zabljak. The views and walks are beautiful. Onto Bosnia and much learning about the recent war, however the country has far more to offer than this with wine tasting, waterfalls, remote villages and of course the very touristy, Mostar. The trip is paced well, with no really early starts and time allowed for you to explore yourself. Walks are not difficult and the food meaty, whilst accommodating vegetarians. If asked I would say “just book”

Most Inspirational Moment

Possibly for me the lunch up in the hills with a very generous and welcoming Montenegrin family, and this was closely followed by numerous "pies" in the wilds of Lukomir following a walk on the hills.

Thoughts on Group Leader

What can I say about Sabina! "Hello, hello" Sabrina's passion for the region was clear and she struck just the right balance of giving us information without overloading us. She always put the group first and tried her best to make sure we had an enjoyable and hassle free adventure. I am proud to say she is now a friend and should she be your guide, she will enhance your trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Consider a night in Cavtat before the trip starts and extra time afterwards in Dubrovnik if you have never been there before. Otherwise, don't hesitate to book!

Muriel Mccleery

Reviewed September 2019

A fabulous trip - full of variety

A superb trip with great variety – coastal scenery, mountains, rivers, lakes, canyons, the city of Sarajevo, and then all the history, culture and peoples of the Balkans. It was a very easy trip with comfortable travel, unhurried and yet lots seen and done. I really enjoyed travelling with the group – always someone to go out with for meals or a drink and yet plenty of time to do your own exploring.

Most Inspirational Moment

The scenery - the Adriatic coastline of Perast and Kotor, Tara Canyon, the journey from Zabljak to Sarajevo (thank you Semie for your excellent driving skills) and all the history of the region. Sarajevo has lots to see and do and has so much more to offer than just its war history.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sabina Sirco was an excellent leader - she certainly deserves a nomination for an Exodus tour leader award. She was passionate about her country and through her family history was able to bring the history of the region alive. She put a lot of personal energy and time into ensuring that each of us had a really enjoyable trip. She was always friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, organised and with excellent English and communication skills. This all led to a relaxed and fun filled trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just book it!

Suggestions

You will need to go on a diet at the end of this trip - the food was excellent and abundant.

Sarah Morrow

Reviewed July 2019

An interesting tour of the Balkans

This is a very interesting and varied trip through Montenegro and Bosnia Herzogovina, covering countryside, mountains, culture and history. A lot is fitted into a relatively short time, so it involves quite a bit of travelling, but the countryside is stunning and our driver was excellent, so it was really worth it. The mountains are reminiscent of the Dolomites, but without the crowds. The cities are medieval and very quaint, but still bear the scars of the Balkan war of the 90’s. The war exhibition in Sarajevo is particularly thought provoking and well worth a visit.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sarajevo

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader was young and enthusiastic

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Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.

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