Sarajevo & Mostar City Break

Participants in this four day tour will travel from Sarajevo to ancient villages that have preserved their traditions and way of life. On the first day in Sarajevo participants will get an intimate understanding of Sarajevo's history from the time of Turkish governance to the more recent Austro-Hungarian influences. From there the group will venture out of the city and into the beautiful mountains that surround Sarajevo.

Day 1: The trip starts in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina; and one of the most oriental and culturally diverse cities in Europe. Sarajevo spent over 400 years under Turkish rule until the Austro-Hungarians arrived in the late nineteenth century. A two hour walking tour of the city covers its major historical, cultural and war sites and helps in understanding its complex and fascinating history. Dinner will be at Baščaršija, the city's beautiful old bazaar, which dates back to the Ottoman period.

Day 2: The group will visit the traditional mountain village of Lukomir, Bosnia's highest, perched 1,469 metres above sea level. Some time among the local villagers gives glimpses of the lifestyle and traditions of the Bjelašnica highlanders that have survived since ancient times. From there, the group will head off into the canyon to see a waterfall and the amazing Rakitinca Canyon. Lunch will be served on a high ridge over an 800 metre drop into the canyon, with stunning views of the mountains.

Day 3: The group will drive through Jablanica to Mostar. The afternoon and evening will be spent exploring Mostar, the former oriental trading centre of Herzegovina, situated on the Neretva River. After Mostar, the group will travel to the nearby village of Blagaj. Blagaj's highlights are the Buna Spring and the adjacent Ottoman house/ monastery. The spring flows out of a 200 metre cliff wall and single-handedly creates the Buna River. The Ottoman sultan was impressed enough to order a tekija to be built right next to it. After exploring this sleepy Herzegovina town, participants will return to Mostar for the evening.

Day 4: The group will drive back to Sarajevo on the final day. Depending on the participants' departure time they may have time for some shopping or sightseeing, before they are transported to the airport for their flight home.