Balkans holiday, tailor made

Arrive in Sarajevo and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore or relax. Overnight in hotel.

This morning we explore the old oriental part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital city, with atmospheric streets and beautiful architecture. Other sites include the historic Princip Bridge, and the unique tunnel museum, a section of the tunnel that was the only way of accessing the city during the infamous siege during the Balkans conflict. Later there is free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Drive to Lukomir, the highest and most isolated settlement in the country, surrounded by stnning mountains and wild landscapes. Traditional culture is strong here and we explore the village with its traditional architecture and mediaeval tombstones. From here continue along the stunning Rakitnica Canyon to the nearby village of Umoljani, for more of an insight into the rural way of life. We return to Sarajevo for the night. Overnight in hotel.

Today we cross into Serbia and travel to Belgrade, arriving in the late afternoon. The former capital of Yugoslavia, Belgrade is the largest city in the Balkans, and is a fascinating combination of modernity and tradition, busy with museums, galleries and lively nightlife. Overnight in hotel.

Spend today exploring Belgrade. We visit the impressive cathedral of St Sava, the largest Orthodox church in the world, as well as the fortress, an imposing structure whcih is the oldest part of Belgrade and dates back around two thousand years. This afternoon we take a cruise on the Danube to see more of the city’s sights, before some free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in hotel

Continue to the mountain region of Zlatibor in the west of the country. Here we explore the landscape with its valleys and forests and stop in local villages for an insight into life in this part of the country. Overnight in hotel.

Cross the border into Montenegro, a beautiful country dominated by forests and mountains and home to some of Europe’s most dramatic scenery. We drive to Biogradska Gora National Park, the oldest of Montenegro’s national parks and characterised by pristine forests, high mountains and beautiful glacial lakes. We explore the park on foot and by vehicle and continue to Kolasin where we spend the night. Overnight in hotel.

Continue on to Durmitor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important refuge for wildllife.This area is inhabited by many species of birds and animals, and we may see eagles, white-headed vultures, foxes, deer or chamois, a type of mountain goat. The scenery here is breathtaking, with almost fifty peaks above 2000 metres, as well as forests, lakes and high pastures. Overnight in hotel.

Drive to the monastery complex of Ostrog, dramatically situated against an almost vertical rock and linked by beautifully decorated caves, passages and stairways. We then continue to Cetinje, an important historical centre dating from the 15th century and the cultural and spiritual heart of Montenegro. Overnight in hotel.

Visit the former palace of King Nikola, now Montenegro’s National Museum before heading to the coastal town of Kotor. Kotor is best known for its impressive mediaeval walled city and has been recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO as one of the best preserved old towns along the Adriatic coast. We spend the afternoon visiting some of the city’s key sights, including the Sveti Ivan fortress. Overnight in hotel.

Drive to Dubrovnik, one of the best known and most attractive cities in this region and renowned for its historic centre. We have time to explore the city, with its picturesque terracotta tiled buildings and historic architecture. Overnight in hotel.

Pocitelj – Mostar – Return to Bosnia-Herzegovina and visit the village of Pocitelj, an old Turkish settlement with many interesting monuments – damaged during the war but rapidly being restored to its former splendour. We then travel to Mostar and ex[plore the historic Ottoman quarter Overnight in hotel.

Blagaj – Morning trip to Blagaj, with its charming Ottoman architecture and cliff top fortress. In the afternoon we return to Mostar, where the rest of the day is free to explore this charming town on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Sarajevo – Head back to the capital, arriving around lunchtime. The afternoon is free to wander the streets of Sarajevo and take in anything that you’ve not yet seen. Overnight in hotel.

Sarajevo – Tour ends. (B)