Bosnia & Beyond

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. The old town, which is a short walk from our hotel, is the perfect introduction to Herzegovina’s cultural heritage with stone architecture, shaded squares, and the 18th-century Arslanagić Bridge. Around 6pm, we gather as a group to learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner by the banks of the Trebišnjica River. Want more time in Trebinje or Dubrovnik? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

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.

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 17th-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.

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.

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 drive to Brod na Drini, where we stop for lunch at a restaurant with views overlooking the Drina River. After lunch, we continue our journey through the remote and mountainous eastern region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, making our way to Sarajevo.

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.

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. It's a traditional, filling meal and the family normally sits down − an excellent chance to learn firsthand about daily life in the mountains. We return to Sarajevo at the end of the day.