Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

There simply is no way to tour Europe &  not be awestruck by its natural beauty, epic history and dazzling artistic & culinary diversity.

Welcome to   mesmerizing Serbia - a land of cultural fusion & wild party and sylvan hills & rugged gorges, with serene echoes of a bygone glory.

Arrive in the ‘eternal’ city of Belgrade, Serbia’s hot-blooded capital - one of the oldest cities in Europe.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport,  subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next day.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

As you drive from the Airport, you will pass by prominent Belgrade’s blocks, classic examples of Socialist architecture built after World War II & modern business centers. See the Western Gate of Belgrade, the famous Belgrade Arena & the monumental Palace of Serbia.  

Arrive at the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the afternoon is free to relax or for optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make the arrangements).

Diverse, welcoming and a hell of a lot of fun – everything you never heard about Serbia is true. Best of all, this landlocked country in the heart of the Balkans is still delightfully off the tourist trail. While the feisty Serbian spirit is embodied in Belgrade’s world-class nightlife & Novi Sad’s epic EXIT Festival, look beyond these historic metropolises & you will discover a crucible of cultures & unsullied outdoors ripe for exploration.

It is the only European capital built at the confluence of two big rivers - the Danube & the Sava.  Outspoken, adventurous, proud & audacious: Belgrade is by no means a 'pretty' capital, but its gritty exuberance makes it one of Europe's most happening cities. Many tribes have lived in the area - the Celts have called their settlement Singidun but later, the Slavs named it “The White City”.

While it hurtles towards a brighter future, its chaotic past unfolds before your eyes: socialist blocks are squeezed between art-nouveau masterpieces & remnants of the Habsburg legacy contrast with Ottoman relics & Socialist Modernist monoliths. An old-world culture that at once evokes time-capsuled communist-era Yugoslavia & new-world EU contending cradle of cool.

Grandiose coffee houses & smoky dives pepper Knez Mihailova, a lively pedestrian boulevard flanked by historical buildings all the way to the ancient Belgrade Fortress. The riverside Savamala quarter has gone from ruin to resurrection & is the city's creative headquarters (for now). Deeper in Belgrade's bowels are museums guarding the cultural, religious & military heritage of the country.

Belgrade has a reputation as one of the world's top party cities, with a wild club scene limited only by imagination & hours in the day. There are so many nightclubs 'they can't fit them all on land'. Indeed: the city is famous for its Sava & Danube river-barge clubs known collectively as splavovi (many open in summertime only) on 1.5 km strip on Sava’s west bank.

The once-derelict, now dapper Savamala creative district was once Belgrade’s hip HQ, with bars, clubs & cultural centers that morphed into achingly cool music & dance venues come sundown, though that is slowly changing due to the Belgrade Waterfront development. Still, don’t let the bedraggled buildings fool you; there is magic going down inside.

Belgrade proudly stands tall as a regional powerhouse when it comes to gastronomic delights. You can find everything from high-class gourmet restaurants all the way to edgy street eats.

Later in the evening, meet the Journeys Rep / Driver & proceed to Skadarlija Street- the bohemian heart of Belgrade full of traditional restaurants & lively bars, each slightly different to the one that came before it. Dress codes & attitudes are far more relaxed here than in other parts of the city.

Enjoy authentic Serbian dinner in Dva Jelena (Two Deer), arguably one of the best in Belgrade. Dva Jelena has fed some of the most famous mouths in modern history. Everyone from Tito to former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher nipped in here to dine over the years. The interior may not have changed in that time either & the paintings on the walls hark back to simpler times. Dva Jelena is worth visiting for the history alone, but the food more than holds up its end of the bargain. There is a nice mixture of traditional & more creative modern fare, allied with perfect service & no small amount of nostalgia.

Try out some of the numerous local specialties, accompanied by traditional music. Don't skip the mak pita - a baklava-like dessert made with poppy seeds, sexy lighting & a room full of good-time-seeking locals (& celebs) who will eventually be dancing on the tables!

Return to the hotel.

Overnight.  D

Morning, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 08:00 am & embark on a 6 hour sightseeing tour of the city.

Belgrade is well known for its various architectural styles, dynamic history & fantastic views of one of the biggest river confluence in the whole Europe.

Start the tour visiting Yugoslav History Museum, memorial complex devoted to life and deeds of Josip Broz Tito, political leader of Yugoslavia.

Then you will pass by the stadium of FC Red Star, former European & World Cup champion & proceed to Saint Sava Temple, a famous symbol of Belgrade & an impressive building that can be seen from any part of the capital.

After a short break at the Temple’s plateau, panoramic tour will go on to Slavija Square, Saint Mark’s Church, Parliament & President’s Residence.

Continue on to Republic Square, the most central point of Belgrade that is surrounded by cultural institutions such as the National Theatre & National Museum.

Walk through lively Knez Mihailo Street - the main walking & shopping zone - & visit the Congregational Church, just across the building of Serbian Patriarchy. Hear great stories about “Question Mark - ?”- the oldest tavern in the city & continue to the imposing  Beogradska Tvrdava (Belgrade Fortress), the most important cultural-historic complex of the city, situated on the confluence of the Sava & Danube. The fort is a testament to the city’s strategic importance to the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Serbian & Austrian empires, and it is now the site of several museums as well as Kalemegdan, a vast park.

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration or perhaps for an optional activity (we would be happy to offer suggestions & arrange).

Morning, depart for Mokra Gora in the Western part, driving through the picturesque Ovcar-Kablar Canyon that extends above the meandering Morava River.

Enroute, stop at the famous resort town of Zlatibor, a romantic region of gentle mountains, traditions &

hospitality. The region's name serves as a poetic introduction; Zlatibor means 'golden pine'. Not far beyond the resort centre - which has become overdeveloped & commercialised in recent years - are quaint villages that feel a million miles away from the après-ski scene; it's a road-tripping wonderland.

Enjoy a relaxing walk around the town center of this prominent spa town, with Tara National Park to the north & Zlatar mountain to the south. 

From here, you will proceed to Tara National Park with its Tara mountain known for its diversity of flora & fauna.

Mount Tara with endless evergreen & deciduous forests, lush pastures & vast meadows is one of the most beautiful corners of Serbia. No wonder that the old Slavic God Tar had chosen Mt. Tara for his home. According to the legend, the mountain was named after him.

The canyon of the Drina River in the north of the mountain range contributes to the already exceptional beauty of Tara. Lake Perucac on the Drina River & Zaovine lake are located at the foot of the mountain. Thanks to these extraordinary natural beauties & unique ambient, Tara is a true jewel among Serbian mountains.

“Tepih livada” (Carpet meadow), a part of the natural reserve “Crveni potok” (Red creek), is a particular attraction in Tara. It was named after a unique phenomenon – the meadow sags under your feet giving you a sensation that you are truly walking on carpet. This phenomenon is a result of water preserved under the watertight soil. Lack of oxygen, acidic base, excess water & low temperatures prevent plants from decaying.

In winter time Tara, with its several smaller ski resorts Beli bor, Nagramak, Sljivovica & Mitrovac na Tari (Mitrovac on Tara), attracts numerous fans of winter sports. The highest quality ski resorts are located in the region of “Predov Krst” & they are equipped with trails for Alpine & Nordic skiing with a system of ski-lifts.

All year long numerous visitors come to Tara because of favorable climatic conditions. Zaovine with lakes, Kaluđerske Bare, Mitrovac, Sokolina & Predov krst are the most visited tourist resorts in Tara. During summer season cycling & hiking tours are organized, while fans of extreme sports can enjoy mountain cycling tours.

Several archaeological sites can be found in Tara & particularly interesting are stecci (medieval tombstones) in Perucac, medieval fortress Solotnik & the 13^th century Raca Monastery. For restless spirits & true adventurists there is whitewater rafting on the Tara River & the Drina.

In 1981 the mountain range of Tara was declared a National Park with spectacular nature with rich flora & fauna. There are 53 species of mammals & 153 species of birds living in this nature reserve park while bear, chamois & roe deer are protected by law.

Spend an hour or 2 & drive on to your final destination for the night Mokra Gora, (meaning the Wet Mountain in English), a village located in the city of Uzice, in the southwestern part of Serbia.

Situated on the northern slopes of mountain Zlatibor, the lush nature of picturesque Mokra Gora surrounded with valleys & gorges of the White & Black Rzav and the Kamiska River, merges the spirit of old times & modern era. Emphasis on historical reconstruction has made it into a popular tourist center with unique attractions.

Steep, exciting relief covered with dense pine forests between Mt. Tara & Mt. Zlatibor was once known as “Markovo polje” (Marko’s field), a place where Marko Kraljevic, a Serbian medieval knight & a hero of epic poetry, threw maces from one hill to another, according to traditional folk stories.

While filming the “Life is a Miracle”, the internationally acclaimed enigmatic Serbian film director Emir Kusturica (who won 2 Palm d’Or in Cannes film festival 2002 for the same film), was so enchanted by the beauty of Mokra Gora that he decided to live here & start the Kustendorf Film & Music Festival that takes place every January which has had the honor to accommodate some of the biggest movie stars: Johnny Depp, Monica Belucci, Jim Jarmusch & many others.

He created an ethno-village “Drvengrad” (meaning Wooden Town) with old mountain cabins set in a line on cobbled streets scattered across meadows between streams & numerous mineral springs. And contrasting them, new cabins were built in the old traditional style on the Mecavnik hill that dominates the village.

All the objects, including Mecavnik Hotel, apartment houses, galleries, shops, cinema & churches are made of natural materials, mostly from wood. Quirky flourishes are everywhere: the Stanley Kubrick cinema shows Kusturica's films & vintage cars are parked on twisting streets named after celebrities such as Bruce Lee & Diego Maradona (whom Kusturica made a fascinating documentary about). 

The village is a destination for skiers as the ski resort “Iver” is located only 10km up the hill from Drvengrad. The new modern ski center is fully equipped for spending a perfect day out in the snow: 4 ski tracks, ski lifts & artificial snow system.

However, the most beautiful way to experience this lush landscape is to take a train ride on the retrofitted tourist vintage train called “Ćira” on the “Sargan Eight” railway, a truly unique experience on the narrow track. It is one of the most popular attractions for locals as well foreigners.

You will drive to Sargan Vitasi to board the train & Check-in later.

The Sargan Eight is a narrow-gauge heritage railway running from the village of Mokra Gora to Sargan Vitasi station. At the beginning of the 20^th century, it used to be a part of the railway from Belgrade to Sarajevo & Dubrovnik

You will have free time for lunch (not included - direct payment) at the train station restaurant before boarding the train.

Enjoy the ride from the bottom of Sargan mountain on a route that is designed in the form of number eight (hence the name) as the train chugs past some stupendous mountain scenery with its disorienting twists & turns passing through 22 tunnels & over 5 bridges & viaducts all the way to an altitude of 300 meters (hang on to your camera; it is a long way down).

At the several Stops along the way pride of green pines & amazing viewpoints will leave you breathless, with sounds of the nearby waterfalls. Mineral waters spring out deep in forest & the best known spring is “Bele vode” (White water). It is said that its miraculous water cures eye diseases, therefore at Mokra Gora, numerous tourists also come here to invigorate their eyes.

Covered with mountain flora, the “Hajducka” & the “Crvena” (Red) caves treasure the secrets of hajduci (hero freedom fighters in the Balkans) while the remains of a Roman road & cemeteries indicate that in the time of the Roman Empire a significant road was leading through this area. This landscape isn’t appealing only to humans, but also to numerous rare animal species that found their home in these forests. Capercaillie, Short-toed Snake Eagle, brown bear, wolf & wild cat are just some of them.

The 2.5 hour / 15 km journey will take you back in time with its wooden seats, smell of a wood burning stove & the rattling sound of an old train ride.

Arrive back in Mokra Gora & walk to the hotel to Check-in.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.  B  

Morning, depart Bosnia & Hercegovina, passing through the picturesque villages.

Cross the border into one of Europe's most exciting destinations, the craggily beautiful Bosnia, most intriguing for its East-meets-West atmosphere born of blended Ottoman & Austro-Hungarian histories filtered through a Southern Slavic lens.

It is impossible not to fall in love with the landscape as you travel across Bosnia & Hercegovina, a country on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe with its countryside is home to medieval villages, rivers & lakes, plus the craggy Dinaric Alps.

Many still associate the country with the heartbreaking civil war of the 1990s, and the scars from that time are all too visible. Despite the horrors of the conflict still being fresh in local memories, Bosnians will go out of their way to welcome strangers. Today's visitors are likely to remember the country for its deep, unassuming human warmth, its beautiful mountains, numerous medieval castle ruins, impressive waterfalls & bargain-value skiing.

Dramatic rocky mountains, cut down the middle with turquoise blue rivers & gushing waterfalls, carpet most of the country. While Bosnia & Herzegovina only has a 25km slice of the Adriatic Coastline, overshadowed by the coves & bays of Croatia & Montenegro, the country does win out when it comes to epic gorges & valley drives.

Adventure travel fanatics will like Bosnia & Herzegovina as the rocky mountains are fantastic not just for hiking & climbing, but also rafting, paragliding and mountain biking.

Bosnia & Herzegovina has always been a country known for its trade & consequently has long had a diverse population. Today you may hear mosques calling out to prayer across the valleys, followed by the sound of church bells. In downtown Sarajevo a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic church & an Orthodox church can all be found in the same block.

Just after the ‘virtual’ border crossing on Drina river, stop at Visegrad, a small municipality with around 10000 inhabitants, located in eastern Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia right on the borderline.

Drina River has always been a de facto border. During Roman times it was the border between the Eastern & Western part of the empire. Later, it separated Serbia from the Ottoman empire & then Serbia with the Austro-Hungarian empire. Nowadays it flows near the border between Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

It is a cultural center with numerous buildings & facilities built on the banks of Drina River, most notably the UNESCO Heritage listed 'Bridge on the Drina' immortalised as the title of the classic novel by Nobel prize writer Ivo Andric.

Visegrad used to be a small settlement before the 16^th century, when the Bridge was built. The man behind the idea of the bridge was the Grand Vezier Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic who was born in a Serbian family in Herzegovina. Construction of the bridge took place between 1571 & 1577. Since then it is the link between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia. Once it was on the main route from Sarajevo to Istanbul.

The bridge survived more than 400 years but not without any damage. During WW1 it was bombed by the Serbians & the Austrian troops. It lost three of its pillars. After being repaired, it received no mercy during WW2 when 5 of its beautiful arches were damaged. The bridge witnessed many terrible events. During the Bosnian war hundreds of Bosnians were killed in this majority Muslim town. The population is now 88% Serbian. But, no matter how many times you cross the charming bridge, it is never enough.

Visegrad has parlayed this identity into a niche tourist industry when, after he built his Wooden city Drvengrad - Mecavnik in Mokra Gora in Serbia, the famous Serbian film director Emir Kusturica used his imagination & creativity to build Andricgrad or the “Stone city”, a small but likeable mock-historical city core nominally celebrating the author. It is a mini-town with its own streets, buildings, cafes, a church & workshops. A central part of the complex is the cinema. Andricgrad loks like a decor of a movie that has not yet been shot.   

In Andricgrad after walking around to explore, you will take a break during which you may order a lunch (not included - direct payment) in unusual restaurant called “Zlatna moruna”, the interior of which is decorated with frescoes by a well-known artist Bisenija Terescenko.

After spending time, continue driving for Sarajevo, the national capital.

On arrival by early afternoon, Check-in at the hotel.

Ringed by mountains, Sarajevo is a singular city with an enticing East-meets-West vibe all of its own. Its idyllic mountain setting & diverse heritage makes Sarajevo one of Europe’s most intriguing cities. Yet it is its indomitable spirit that makes it truly special.

Once renowned as a religious melting pot, earning it the epithet 'the Jerusalem of Europe', Mosques & minarets decorate the skyline along with the Romanesque towers of Catholic churches & the onion-shaped domes of Orthodox ones. Within a few blocks you can still find large Catholic & Orthodox cathedrals, Ashkenazi and Sephardic synagogues, and numerous mosques.

During the 20^th century, two violent events thrust Sarajevo into the world's consciousness: the assassination which sparked WWI & the brutal almost-four-year siege of the city in the 1990s.

Although Sarajevo is a name which might seem inextricably linked to war & tragedy, the passing of time has done much to heal this remarkable & resilient city and Sarajevo with its  well preserved old quarter, is once again a wonderful place to visit - for its intriguing architectural medley, vibrant street life & irrepressible spirit of years past..

The reason is obvious. Sarajevo is beautiful. The city is tucked inside a long, thin valley & surrounded on all sides by forested mountains, and almost every crossroad & street corner provides at least a glimpse of an idyllic picture-postcard backdrop. Sarajevo is ‘again’ a city that embraces life.

At around 2.00 pm, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby & proceed for a sightseeing tour of this historic city.

Its historic center blends East & West - visitors can feel they are in Vienna one minute & Istanbul the next.

Sarajevo's Ottoman past can be felt in the cobbled streets around Bascarsija where green copper domes overlook craft bazaars in the narrow alleyway & grand relics from the Austro-Hungarian Empire span the streets round Ferhadija.

Commence at the awe-inspiring Gazi Husrev Bey mosque - the largest Ottoman mosque in Bosnia & an important symbol of the city. Bosnia's second Ottoman governor, Gazi Husrev-beg, funded a series of splendid 16^th century buildings of which this mosque, with its 45m minaret, is the greatest. The domed interior is beautifully proportioned & even if you can't look inside, it is worth walking through the courtyard with its lovely fountain, chestnut trees & the turbe (tomb) of its founder. Being the central Sarajevo's mosque since the beginning, till today, it is the main congregational mosque of the Islamic Community of Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Next stop will be Sahat Tower, an elegant stone tower sporting an Islamic prayer clock, which is adjusted daily so that dusk is the moment when the hands appear to show 12 o'clock. It was built in 1529 as part of the bequest of Gazi Husrev-beg; it originally had a soup kitchen & free hostel for travellers at its base. The Tower is one of the few structures of the Belgrade Fortress that has not suffered significant damages, still preserving authentic architectural & stylistic features.

The octangular baroque tower, visible from every part of the park, has a central clock mechanism & pendulums. The height of the tower (27.5 m) is enough for the clock to work for approximately a week before it is winded again. The ticking is sounded with gongs instead of bells, which is traditionally the case. The clock has two hammers: a smaller one which ticks once for the first quarter, twice for the second, three times for the third and four times for the fourth, while the bigger hammer ticks immediately after to mark the current hour. 

Continue on to the 1798 Ottoman era Latin Bridge. Of all the crossing points of the Miljacka River, this pale-stone triple-arched bridge is much the most famous. The northern end of the bridge was the site where the heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, successor to the Austro-Hungarian throne, & his pregnant wife Sophie, were assassinated on 28 June 1914 by a Bosnian Serb nationalist, Gavrilo Princip, which ignited World War I.

Throughout the Yugoslav era, the Bridge was called Principov Most in honour of Gavrilo Princip but after the breakup of Yugoslavia, Princip lost his public aura as a heroic revolutionary & the Bridge reverted to its original name. Beyond a plaque at the site and a small Museum nearby little fuss is made of its notoriety but standing here you are at the place where Princip fired his pistol & where the rest, as they say, is history.   

Walk over to the 16^th century Bezistan market.

Built as a silk-trading bazaar for silk brought in from Brusa & Asia by the founder himself, this elegant rectangular 2 storey stone structure is topped with 6 green-metal domes designed in reference to the Constantinople Sandal Bedestan (domed market place).

It is now a branch of the Museum of Sarajevo, providing an overview of the city from prehistoric times up until 1914 & encircled by shops.  At its centre is a scale model of Sarajevo as it looked in 1878. Sarajevo survived a number of severe fires. During this period, important documents were preserved in Brusa Bezistan, which served as the city treasury in the Ottoman period.

Move to see the1902 Ashkenazi Synagogue, Sarajevo's primary & largest functioning synagogue. The Synagogue is known to have been built with the donation of Turkish Beylerbey Sijamush Pasha to help members of the Jewish community in Sarajevo who were poor.

The Synagogue has enormous arches with richly painted decorations. The high, ornate ceiling was highlighted by a ten-pointed star. Today, the Synagogue is confined to the women's galleries on the upper floor. At the entrance, a stone menorah commemorates the 400 year anniversary of the Jews in Bosnia.

The Holocaust in the 1940s & the civil war during the 1990s left fewer than 5,700 Jews in former Yugoslavia. The Jewish community, like the entire country, was once defined by its unique combination of eastern & western traditions. Populations of Sephardi & Ashkenazi Jews peacefully co-existed with their Christian & Muslim neighbors in Sarajevo & elsewhere in Bosnia &Herzegovina. 

Spend time walking on the main pedestrian thoroughfare, Ferhadija, This cultural equator is marked for posterity on the pavement & a sign encourages visitors to take a photo looking first one way up the street & then the other.

The contrast is stark. Austro-Hungarian architecture & a mosaic of western shop signs can be seen in one direction, while, with a simple turn of the head, the outlook abruptly transforms into a Turkish bazaar. On one side of this line, people sit & drink beer at tables on the street, while on the other, there isn’t a drop of alcohol to be found. Instead, you will find open-fronted cafes offering strong Bosnian coffee & also, perhaps, a puff on a hookah pipe. Following Ferhadija in the direction of the coffee cafes, will wind you into the heart of Bascarsija & inevitably, to the enjoyable hubbub nicknamed “Pigeon Square”.

Sarajevo is one of Europe's cheapest capitals & there are some amazing shopping opportunities in Bosnia Herzegovina.  When compared to neighboring Croatia, which has prices tending towards Western European levels, it's ridiculously cheap & visitors can wind up spending all their money at the wonderful bazaars.

Not only are prices low, the level of craftsmanship is amazing. Hand-hammered copper goods, some handmade delicate lace, as well as traditional carpets, weaves & jewelry are among the traditional specialties.  More unique are the pens on sale in the market around Sarajevo's Bascarsija – they are made out of bullets from the siege of 20 years ago.

The sightseeing concludes & you are transferred back to the hotel or continue exploring on your own.

Balance of the evening is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.  B  

Morning, depart for Trebinje, the southernmost city in Bosnia situated on the banks of Trebisnjica river in the region of East Herzegovina.

Couple of stops enroute.

First will be Mostar - one of the most beautiful cities of the Balkan Peninsula with its splendid Turkish-era stone architecture, quirky bars, inviting street-terrace cafes, traditional barbecue restaurants & vibrant arts scenes.

Mostar is the largest city straddling the Neretva River in Bosnia & Hercegovina,

While more than a generation has passed since the Bosnian War, the scars still remain. Walls of apartment buildings & storefronts have gouges where they were riddled by sniper fire, blood-red graffiti scrawls out important dates related to the brutal conflict, and the Museum of War & Genocide Victims details the history of the war alongside displays of the personal belongings of victims & items pulled from mass graves.

The old town is absolutely captivating: think cobblestone streets that wind through a bazaar that seems untouched by the hands of time, the curved minarets of impressive mosques jutting into the sky, and pastel facades of cafes & storefronts that create a kaleidoscope of hues best seen from the banks of the river. Nearby alleys are full of shops & market stalls.

At dusk, the lights of numerous millhouse restaurants twinkle across gushing streams, narrow Kujundziluk bustles joyously with trinket sellers & in between, the Balkans' most celebrated bridge forms a majestic stone arc between medieval towers.

The city’s crown jewel is Stari Most (Old Bridge), a grand reconstructed medieval arched stone bridge which sweeps across the water, making it the most photographed landmark in the entire country for good reason. Architecturally speaking, the most noticeable impact of the war was on Stari Most. Originally built in 1566, the beautiful bridge was tragically destroyed by shelling in November 1993, collapsing into the Neretva. It took more than a decade of painstaking work to rebuild, eventually reopening in 2004 & earning a designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, the Mostar Bridge is considered a symbol of the city & is even the site of a Red Bull cliff diving competition where thrill-seekers jump off of it into the freezing water below.

Aside from wandering across Stari Most & taking photos of it from every possible angle as most visitors do, enjoy the other memorable attractions in the surrounding area & ponder the city's darker side - beyond the cobbled lanes of the attractively restored Ottoman quarter are whole blocks of bombed-out buildings, a poignant legacy of the 1990s conflict.

During the walking tour around the town, you will visit the most photographed sight in the country & a symbol of this city - the Old Bridge. Explore the Bridge’s long history in the Old Bridge Museum.

You will then proceed to the 17^th century Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque, with striking views of the river & surrounding town. Entered from a gated courtyard, this mosque (substantially rebuilt after the war) has a dome painted with botanical motifs & punctuated by coloured-glass windows. You can climb the claustrophobic narrow staircase leading up to the minaret for sweeping panoramic city views.  Access to the charming courtyard doesn't require a ticket unless you want to get close to the parapet for the river view.

Walk across the pint-sized bridge Crooked Bridge, built around 1558, that crosses the tiny Radobolja River amid a layered series of picturesque millhouse restaurants. The original bridge, weakened by wartime assaults, was washed away by floods on New Year's Eve 1999; it was rebuilt in 2002.

Last stop will be the mid16^th century old Tanner’s quarter Tabhana (the town district encompassing leather processing workshops), built at the place where the river Radobolja flows into the Neretva. The Tanners moved to the present-day tannery, the Upper or Large Tabhana before 1664. Because of the smell of the leather, the Tanners' guild was the only one that had its own mosque. The Tabacica (Hajji Kurt) mosque was built in the 16^th century on a branch of the Radobolje, which it spanned with 2 stone arches, leading to its being known as "the mosque where the imam is in the dry & the congregation in the wet”.

The Cejvan Cehajin Hammam stands by the mosque. The use of public baths (hammam) was common practice in the Ottoman era & often stands beside a mosque, an Islamic school or a public kitchen. This 16^th century Turkish stone bath house was built in the classical Ottoman architectural style & is the onlyTurkish bath still existing in Mostar & one of the few remaining examples in the whole of Bosnia Herzegovina.

The Hammam comprises a central room used as an antechamber, an intermediate space (tepidarium) & the room for the bath itself, called calidarium. The building is conceived for a purely functional, public use without any pretence to opulence: the external parts usually have no decorations. The Hammam has no windows & has a roof made of domes designed to protect the privacy of its users. At the end of the Ottoman era, the Bath ceased to be used. It was restored during the reconstruction of the historic centre, thanks to the aid of France & Turkey & nowadays used to host exhibitions & cultural events.

The most authentic place for shopping is at the Old Bazar Kujundziluk, which winds through the old town. Overlooking the left bank of the Neretva River, its cobbled streets date back to the 16^th century & are lined with traditional handicraft shops selling the likes of original paintings, silver jewelry & long scarves, as well as common souvenirs like t-shirts & mugs. There are also one-of-a-kind housewares like colourful hanging lamps, copper pots, gorgeous glassware and ornate coffee & tea sets.

You are sure to work up an appetite so fuel up at one of the great restaurants or cafes in the old town. The traditional Restoran Sadrvan is one of the area’s most popular eateries, thanks to its ambiance & great location & serves local dishes like cevapcici which is a traditional Balkan style mixed meat sausage, a Bosnian-style chicken & okra soup called begova, and Balkan style kebabs & skewers.

You can enjoy lunch (not included - direct payment) in any of the restaurants on the bank of the Neretva River bank, with amazing view of the bridge that rises above you.

Continue driving to Blagaj a village in the Mostar basin, which was ruled by the Kosaca noble family.

The pretty 15^th century Blagaj hugs the turquoise Buna River as it gushes out of a cave past a historical tekke (Sufi dervish spiritual house), several enticing restaurants and Ottoman-era homesteads. Blagaj was the crib of Islam of today’s Bosnia & Herzegovina, when dervish Sari Satluk built a khanqah at the river-head of Buna.

Blagaj has an extraordinary large number of sunny days, almost 200. It is therefore not strange that it is the habitat of around 170 types of birds. The best known of them is the white-headed vulture (Gyps fulvus), a kind that is threatened by extinction and that can only be found here & on the island Cres.

The ecologically clean & cold Buna, the spring of which is among the strongest in Europe (36m3/s) is ideal for the cultivation of the world-renowned trout. As regards fruit, there are different Mediterranean cultures such as grapes, figs, peaches, apricots, pomegranates, kiwi, etc.

The Muslim Dervish monastery & the one found near the rural settlement of Blagaj near Mostar has probably the most spectacular location of any religious building in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Built between 1446 & 1520 while the country was under Ottoman rule, Blagaj Tekke is tucked in under a sheer, 200m (656-ft) limestone cliff face overlooking the emerald-green source of the River Buna. The attractiveness of the piece of Oriental Bosnian architecture lies, among other things, in its brighter reflection in the calm water.

According to historical narratives, the Dervish house on Buna spring was founded by Dervishes from the Bektashi order in the 16^th century & it is documented that Mufti Zijaudin Ahmed-ibn Mustafauz from Mostar ordered the construction of a Helvetian order Dervish house on Buna spring ''where the Dervishes talk & have scientific discussions''.

It was constructed for a sect of soldier-monks somewhat akin to the Christian Knights Templar called the ‘bektašije’, & is a striking mixture of Bosnian & Oriental architecture, a whitewashed, half-timbered four-story structure leaning over the water’s edge. Today monks from the Naqshbandi order inhabit the monastery & Dervish ceremonies still take place there; the remains of two 15^th century Dervishes are interred under ornately carved wooden roofs & are the subject of Muslim pilgrimages. The two-story buildings with protruding oriel windows & wide flower gardens. Two musafirhanas (charity houses for guests) were used for the accommodation of travelers.

This lovely spot is backed by spectacular rock formations & a complex of caverns that lead well underground; boat trips make the journey to explore the subterranean passageways. During snowmelt in spring, 43,000 gallons of water per second shoot over the weir in front of the monastery, sending spray high into the air; several open-air restaurants linked by wooden bridges peer over the river from under colorful awnings.

During a short tour, enjoy the view of the Monastery located in a fairy-tale environment, beneath the cliffs on the shores of the emerald green river Buna.

Wherever opportunity presents, before leaving Bosnia, try a cup of famously-strong Bosnian coffee. Similar to Turkish coffee, the magic of Bosnian coffee is in how you drink it: by sipping slowly, perhaps during a long conversation with good company on an outdoor patio, savouring a break from the day.  

After spending an hour there, drive to your final destination of Trebinje, a picturesque town with a wonderful mix of sights that origin from different cultures.

Arrive late afternoon Check-in at the hotel. 

Immediately after, accompanied by the Tour-guide, proceed for a sightseeing tour.

By far the prettiest in Republika Srpska, the small city of Trebinje in the Trebisnjica river valley is the economic & cultural centre of the region of Eastern Herzegovina.

Despite its small size, there is plenty going on in this town in the way of live music, festivals, outdoor activities & nightlife. One of the most beautiful cities in Bosnia, it is called "the city of sun & platan trees".

It has a compact centre with a tiny walled Old Town flanked by a leafy market square & is best experienced by foot or on bicycles.

The slow & shallow Trebisnjica passes through the city, its banks lined with swimming spots & replicas of waterwheels which were once used for irrigation. Mountains provide a sun-baked backdrop, while hills topped with Orthodox churches punctuate the suburbs.

Hercegovina is well known for its wine, and Trebinje is the perfect place to sample the local varieties for a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere. Family-run wineries dot the outskirts of Trebinje, and a degustations are available at attractive prices. Zilavka is the local white wine, and Vranac is the local variety of red wine and you can find both of these wines, often from Trebinje's best winieries, at almost every cafe and bar in town.

Likewise, various types of rakija purchased in a local cafe will be homemade. Every day, women from the surrounding villages come to Trebinje to sell fruit & vegetables from their own garden at the market. Be sure to stop by the the market square (piazza) to find various types of homemade rakija being sold, as well as homemade wine. The best variety is on the Saturday market, when farmers come in from the villages surrounding Trebinje to sell their produce & alcohol.

Start the sightseeing with a visit to artists’ & photographers’ dream Arslanagica Bridge. This stone bridge & its peaceful atmosphere will bring you 400 years back in time.

The 16^th century Bridge, an object of exceptional cultural, historical & artistic value, is one of the most valuable architectural monuments in Bosnia & Herzegovina. It used to be the bridge that linked Central Bosnia & Novi (present day Herceg Novi, back then part of Bosnia within the Ottoman Empire), &  all of the trade activity in the region, particularly salt trade, passed by this bridge.

This unique double-backed structure was built under the direction of Grand Vizier Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic, who was also behind the Visegrad bridge, though this one was named for the toll collector.

Its present location is not the same as the location where it was initially built; it has been moved many years ago in order to protect it from destruction. Originally 10km further upstream from its present location but in 1965 it disappeared beneath the rising waters of the Gorica reservoir. Rescued stone by stone, it took six years before it was finally reassembled.

During a leisurely walk through narrow streets of the old town you will see the most important sites of Trebinje, on your way to “Poet's Market” where you can sit under 115 year old trees which are the symbol of the town. Emir Kusturica, the world famous Serbian movie director, made one of his last movies featuring Monica Belluci in the leading role, in this beautiful town

Balance of the evening is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.  B  

Today, you will passing be through 2 borders. Travelling through Perast & Kotor in Montenegro to Dubrovnik in Croatia.

Morning, depart for Perast, an old town on the Bay of Kotor in Republic of Montenegro, a country that boasts a rich heritage & immense natural beauty.

Montenegro is a slice of Adriatic heaven. Bursting at the seams with majestic mountains, breathtaking beaches & larger-than-life locals, minuscule Montenegro proves once & for all that good things do indeed come in small packages.

It is nigh on impossible to come across a travel write up without someone trumpeting Montenegro as the new 'it' destination. And though the country is rightfully revelling in the spotlight, the people remain as they have always been: candid, convivial & charming. Whether you are chasing highland hospitality or coastal comradery, expect gregarious greetings.

Montenegro is where Land & Sea embrace & here the coastline crams in some of Europe’s most spectacular seaside scenery as mountains jut sharply from crystal-clear waters in such a way that the word 'looming' is unavoidable. Ancient walled towns cling to the rocks & dip their feet in the water like they are the ones on holiday. In summer, the whole scene is bathed in the scent of wild herbs, conifers & Mediterranean blossoms.

Ever since the Roman Empire split in two 1600 years ago, Montenegro has sat on the borderline between east & west. The richness of its cultural history can be seen in the mosaic floors of Roman villas, flamboyantly painted Orthodox monasteries, ornate Catholic churches, elegant minarets of mosques & the sturdy fortresses built by the numerous powers that have fought over these lands. Then there is the legacy of 50 years as a non-aligned communist state, independent of both the Eastern Bloc & the West. For those with even a passing interest in European history, it is a fascinating place.

Reach the UNESCO World heritage listed Perast, one of the most beautiful little places in Boka Bay, located just a few kilometres from Kotor & noted for its proximity to the islets of St. George & Our Lady of the Rocks.  

Looking like a chunk of Venice that has floated down the Adriatic & anchored itself onto the Bay of Kotor, Perast hums with melancholy memories of the days when it was rich & powerful. Throughout history, many have struggled to conquer this place (Byzantine Empire, Venetian and Hungarian, French, Austrian). Each has left a significant mark on this marvelous, beautiful little place.

The town slopes down from the highway to a narrow waterfront road (Obala Marka Martinovica) that runs along its length. At its heart is St Nicholas' Church, set on a small square lined with date palms & the bronze busts of famous citizens. Despite having only one main street, this tiny town boasts 16 churches & 17 formerly grand palazzi. While some are just enigmatic ruins sprouting bougainvillea & wild fig, others are caught up in the whirlwind of renovation that has hit the town.

Perast’s most famous landmarks are actually right in the middle of the waters- two peculiarly picturesque islands with equally peculiar stories behind them.

Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Skrpjela) sits on a man-made island. The story begins on July 22, 1452: two sailors, returning to Perast from a difficult voyage, discovered an icon of the Madonna & Child resting on a rock in a shallow part of the Bay. Considering the find a miracle, they vowed to build a church on the spot. The sailors dropped stones around the spot where the icon was found, slowly creating an islet & building a small chapel.  It soon became a tradition for sailors to drop stones in the water around the chapel before a voyage, to contribute to the strength of its foundations & to ask the Virgin Mother to bring them safely home. The tradition of dropping stones at the site remains alive today & forms an integral part of one of Europe’s oldest sailing regattas: the Fasinada. The Island hosts a church with valuable paintings of local artists, silver votive tablets and a famous votive tapestry.

At sunset on July 22, countless local boats are decorated with garlands and sail out into the Bay to drop a stone around the island.

Island of Saint George is the other islet off the coast but unlike Our Lady of the Rocks, it is a natural island. The island contains 12^th century Saint George Benedictine monastery & the old graveyard for the old nobility from Perast and further from the whole Bay of Kotor.

Proceed to Perast Pier & board a boat for a relaxing ride along Boka Kotorska Bay to the picturesque island of Our Lady of the Rock.

After the boat ride, continue on to the 12^th - 14^th century Kotor, an old fortified Mediterranean town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, in a bay near the limestone cliffs of Mt. Lovcen.

Characterized by winding streets & squares, its medieval old town has several Romanesque churches, including Kotor Cathedral. It is also home to the Maritime Museum, which explores local seafaring history. Sveti Dorde, one of 2 tiny islands off the ancient town of Perast, features a centuries-old church.

Enjoy a guided walking tour around this UNESCO site with prominent sights: St. Nicolas & St. Luke Church, Cathedral of St. Tryphon & other cultural monuments.

All restaurants on the Perast coast offer you great fish specialties. In Kotor, you will have free time to wander around the old bricked town, or take a lunch (not included - direct payment) at one of romantic squares of the old town.

Finishing with this glimpse of Montenegro, continue driving to cross the border into Dubrovnik in Croatia.

If your Mediterranean fantasies feature balmy days by sapphire waters in the shade of ancient walled towns, Croatia is the place to turn them into reality.

Croatia's extraordinary island-speckled coastline is indisputably its main attraction & the first thing that strikes a visitor is the remarkable clarity of the water which sparkles with a jewel-like intensity in shades of emerald & sapphire set against a dazzling white pebbly beach. There are long sandy & shingly stretches too - perfect for lazy days spent lounging & devouring trashy holiday novels.

Precariously poised between the Balkans & central Europe, this land has been passed between competing kingdoms, empires & republics for millennia and each has left behind a rich cultural legacy. Venetian palaces snuggle up to Napoleonic forts, Roman columns protrude from early Slavic churches & Viennese mansions face off with Socialist Realist sculpture. Excellent Museums showcase treasures that cover the gamut of European history, from the prehistoric to the post-communist, telling a story that is in equal parts fascinating & horrifying.

The Dinaric Range, which stretches all the way from Italy to Albania, hugs much of the coast & the limestone karst has bequeathed a wonderland of craggy peaks, caverns, river canyons, waterfalls & ridiculously picturesque lakes. Head further inland & things flatten out again into rolling farmland.

Sharing food & drink plays a big part in the culture here, which speaks both to the nature of Croatian hospitality & to the quality of local produce. Croatian wines & olive oils are making their mark on the world stage, garnering top awards.

Arrive in Dubrovnik, Check-in at the hotel & freshen up.

Shortly after, meet the Tour-guide & proceed for a 3 hour walking tour of the city.

Dubrovnik is a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea, known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16^th century.

Dubrovnik is one of Europe's best preserved walled cities known since the 7^th century. Regardless of whether you are visiting Dubrovnik for the first time or the hundredth, the sense of awe never fails to descend when you set eyes on the beauty of the old town.

Indeed it is hard to imagine anyone becoming jaded by the city’s limestone streets, baroque buildings & the endless shimmer of the Adriatic, or failing to be inspired by a walk along the ancient city walls that protected the capital of a sophisticated republic for centuries.

Its well-preserved buildings range from baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace & Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum. Paved with limestone, the pedestrianized Stradun (or Placa) is lined with shops & restaurants.

Marvel at the interplay of light on the old stone buildings; trace the peaks & troughs of Dubrovnik's past in museums replete with art and artefacts; take the cable car up to Mt Srd, exhaust yourself climbing up & down narrow lanes - then plunge into the azure sea.

If you are lucky enough to cross the tourist/guest barrier & be invited into a local's home, you will soon become acquainted with the refrain 'Jedi! Jedi! Jedi!' (Eat! Eat! Eat!). Simple, home-style cooking is a feature of family-run taverns, but increasingly a new breed of chefs are bringing a more adventurous approach to the table.

Although the shelling of Dubrovnik in 1991 horrified the world, the city has bounced back with vigour to enchant visitors again.

Dubrovnik enchanted lots of famous persons to devote their pieces of art to the city, so in this city of marble and light colored stone you’ll find numerous art galleries & unique shops.

The old town is surrounded with a 2km long wall that gives a great opportunity to see old Dubrovnik from above, during the 1 hour relaxing walk on the ramparts. You can see the city churches, fortification & monuments.

In the historical center of Dubrovnik, walk around the Main Square Stradun,(also called Placa, Pile Gate), Rector’s Palace, Sponza palace,  the Church of St. Blaise, the Cathedral, the Jesuit Church, Orlando’s Column, Onofrio’s Large Fountain, the city port & other hidden gems.

Come back to the hotel or continue discovering history on your own.

Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or for independent exploration (we would be happy to offer suggestions).

Overnight.  B 

Alas, like all good things, the wonderful experience comes to an end. Time to say good-bye to these enthralling Balkan  gems & go home. But, we sure hope that after this glimpse, you may want to discover a little bit more of the enchanting destinations & brush up on the Ottomans & Austro-Hungarian dynasties on your next visit.

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? – Dubrovnik Cilipi International Airport for your onward journey. B

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