Walking in Bosnia & Herzegovina

David Strachan   -  Traveled, September 2016

Everything you want in a hiking trip and much much more! This was my first trip to this part of the world and went with an open mind regarding the turbulent recent history of the country but what I found was a wonderfully warm, hospitable and friendly country with no hangover from the past. The walking was truly wonderful with spectacular views wherever you looked, from the magnificent Sutjeska national park where Bosnia’s highest mountain (Maglic) resides along with some wonderful ancient forests to the mountains around Sarajevo and the visit to Bosnia’s highest inhabited village (1469m). Walking in the Bosnian mountains really is a hidden gem and something anyone that enjoys walking should do before the world finds out about this. The city trips of both Sarajevo and Mostar were equally a great part of the trip and both city guides were not only informative and knowledgeable but also warm, friendly and answered every question that was put to them. Most Inspirational Moment Meeting the inhabitants of the country's highest inhabited village and having lunch that they kindly prepared for us, the walk to the village was truly spectacular with stunning views wherever you looked, the friendliness and unassuming nature of the villagers was indeed inspirational as it is a tough life living off the land and I can imagine that the winters can be harsh and long! Thoughts on Group Leader Samer was a wonderful leader, his knowledge of the mountains was second to none and he looked after the group with patience and encouragement throughout, even on some of the more arduous climbs. He was more than just a leader though, he was a historian always happy to answer any question the group might have, he was an interpreter when we had problems getting out requests across to the locals and at times he was a comedian with his own brand of humour!....... if you get Samer as your guide you can be reassured that you will be in safe hands! Advice for Potential Travellers The walking is rather strenuous and a fair bit tougher than we have in the UK but it is easily done with anyone that is a regular walker and the views more than make up for the effort! Suggestions Bosnia is a wonderful and diverse country and really is somewhere to visit before the "secret" get out!.... Sarajevo is a wonderful city and somewhere I would go back again to spend more time in, Mostar has its own natural beauty beside the famous bridge, with its rich history and narrow cobbled streets. One great upside of Bosnia is the cost of living, dinner with wine or beer would not be much more than about 20marka (£10) and I bought the whole group (15 of us) an ice cream in Sarajevo and still had change from £10... If there was a downside in Bosnia it is that they still allow smoking in restaurants, cafes and bars but this should not distract you from visiting this wonderful country and the air in the mountains is unpolluted and smoke free!!... I cannot recommend this trip highly enough.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/20/2016

Michael Power   -  Traveled, October 2023

Mixed Experience Overall this was a good trip. The walks were well led and the historical aspect interesting Most Inspirational Moment The hike to Maglic Mountain and the guided tour of Mostar Thoughts on Group Leader Saudin was a really wonderful leader. He was attentive to the needs of the group and everyone warmed to him. He managed a very mixed ability very well and was very safety conscious. I would highly recommend Saudin as a leader. Advice for Potential Travellers The hotels in this area do not always meet the standards of European hotels, however once you can accept this then they are fine for a night or two. Suggestions A major problem with this was the non-compatibility of the hiking levels of the group. This holiday was a level 4 as per Exodus advertised levels. The group fitness and hiking ability ranged from 1 to 5. This created great difficulties for the leader, and group members. The leader, through necessity and for safety had to adjust many of the walks to cater for the least fittest and able walkers. A number of the weaker walkers opted out of several walks whilst stronger walkers self navigated walks in order to have a satisfying day on the mountain. There seemed to have been little or no effort on behalf of Exodus to ascertain if group members were up to the advertised level for the holiday. The general consensus was that it was a matter of "bums on seats" rather than any serious attempt to match hiking abilities on the holiday.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/19/2023

David Clough   -  Traveled, August 2023

Poor customer service when we had problems. Trip was good, but flight was delayed on return. Customer service at this point was terrible. Exodus was oblivious to the problem until I contacted them. I was then told they would monitor and get in touch with updates, but nothing was done. I was assured the out of hours service would be fully briefed – they were also oblivious. They also claimed to have no access to any customer records. What’s the point of an emergency service that has no clue what customers they have or where they are? I was expecting better from Exodus and was bitterly disappointed. Glad we didn’t have a medical emergency, I’d have no faith they’d have been capable of dealing with it. Walking in Bosnia & Herzegovina Reply from Exodus We would like to thank David for his review and are very glad to hear that he was happy with his Exodus trip to Bosnia overall; however, we were sorry to read that he felt this was let down by the service he received following a flight delay on his return journey. In the event of flight delays or cancellations, it is the airline’s responsibility to inform customers directly of the disruption to their flights and to provide information, a new flight if necessary, and accommodation and food/drink should this too be required. We understand that the airline held David’s ticket for his delayed flight and so there wasn’t a need for Exodus to become involved; we would note, however, that should airlines fail to fulfil their obligations Exodus are always prepared to step in and ensure that our customers are able to catch a flight to their destination in a timely manner. We are happy that, on this occasion, David was able to take his scheduled flight home, but are sorry for the delay he faced and any stress this caused. We have been in direct contact with David and have assured him that our out of hours service are fully able to access customer records, and we are confident they were able to do so in this instance; however, they are not able to access the customer records held by the airlines we use to provide more comprehensive updates than those given by the airline to passengers on the ground. We have also outlined to David how our out of hours team are able to directly contact senior members of Exodus staff as part of our emergency management process, which we feel is an appropriate and efficient way to ensure that any emergencies are identified and handled with urgency. – Vivien Urban, Exodus Product Manager

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/19/2023

Mark Gilbert   -  Traveled, July 2023

Fantastic A trip walking in the Bosnian mountains, climbing mount maglic. Should call it magic as the scenery was absolutely stunning. Food was good, try the Bosnian pie! Most Inspirational Moment Getting to the top of Maglic. Thoughts on Group Leader Kenan and Sead were a suite stats. Kind funny and caring. Not only did they guide us but was so informative and passionate about their country. Two of the best guides I’ve had and I’ve been on quite a few treks. Advice for Potential Travellers Enjoy! Suggestions On the top of the trekking there is also some sightseeing notably in Sarajevo.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/27/2023

Hugh Stronge   -  Traveled, September 2018

Bosnia hertz walk Very good, particularly impressed by ou magnificent guide Kanaan who spoke English perfectly, was passionate about his country, informative and balanced when describing recent conflict,great with people and made time for everyone. This is a good trip and appropriately rates in terms of challenge presented Most Inspirational Moment All of it Thoughts on Group Leader Cannot rate highly enough Advice for Potential Travellers Just enjoy Suggestions Just our thanks. Would be nice to see more younger people - are there options for a more budget/roughing it experience?

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/29/2018

Jill Kilpatrick   -  Traveled, September 2018

Beautiful Bosnia Yet again Exodus has offered an amazing package. The best guides, the best views and the best locations. The Bosnian mountains are stunning and the local people are so welcoming. Most Inspirational Moment Reaching the highest peak. Thoughts on Group Leader He was fantastic. The group gave him a couple of challenges and he was so calm and sorted everything out. Bring toiletries. Advice for Potential Travellers Bring toiletries. Bosnian hotels do not supply anything bar hand soap. Suggestions Great mixture of culture and hiking.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/27/2018

Marion Neale   -  Traveled, June 2018

A beautiful country Bosnia & Herzegovina is a really beautiful country with stunning mountain scenery. Although I’m not usually a fan of cities, all 3 cities visited on this trip were well worth a visit. The mountains were also lovely and quiet, no hoards of tourists everywhere, in fact we hardly met another person on any of the walks. Most Inspirational Moment There were many but the highlights were the ascent of Maglic Mountain and the river rafting. Thoughts on Group Leader Both our leaders, Kenan and Branko, were excellent. They were happy to share their extensive knowledge of the areas we visited. They were both humorous and engaged brilliantly with the whole group. They were very well organised, very safety conscious and always put in the effort to make sure the trip was thoroughly enjoyable. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for quite a few hours in the minibus as the transfers are often quite long and the roads can be winding. The ascent of Maglic Mountain is a long day with some steepish sections of scrambling/via ferrata but well worth the effort as it is a very rewarding hike. The steep sections were not difficult but if anyone has not experienced this type of terrain before they'll find it more challenging than a regular mountain path. Take insect repellent, a couple of sections of walking had quite a few midges/mozzies! You can easily change up Bosnian currency once you arrive - there was an ATM and a currency exchange very close to the first night's hotel in Trebinje. There is a lot to fit in to 9 days but you do get to see a lot of Bosnia in that time and it is well worth visiting. Suggestions It was very moving to see so many cemeteries, a poignant reminder of the war in the early '90's but this is a beautiful country that deserves to be visited.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/20/2018

Mojgan (Nariman) A   -  Traveled, June 2018

breathtaking scenery I really enjoyed this trip. Both the guide (Kenan) and the assistant guide (Branko) contributed a lot to this and ensured everything was going smoothly and were listening to the group as well as the individual’s requests and tried to accommodate to those requests as much as possible. In summary, excellent guides, very good group as well as good weather. What else could I ask for?! ?? Good weather is important since on a rainy day the climb to the various summits would not be possible as the terrain would be too slippery and quite dangerous. Bosnia & Herzegovina is a beautiful country with breathtaking scenery. The image of walking through the green meadows covered with variety of wild flowers and surrounded by high mountains will always stay with me and just the thought of it will give me positive energy. Most Inspirational Moment - Hiking through the beautiful meadows covered with varieties of wild flowers surrounded by high mountains. - Having homemade cheese and potato pie and coffee in Lukomir village made by a local lady. - Arriving at Maglic summit and looking at the breathtaking scenery all around us. - Our guide (Kenan) showing us a personal family album and telling us about his family's contribution towards preserving the national park. - The assistant guide (Branko) explaining about various plants and flowers and mushrooms. Thoughts on Group Leader Kenan was an excellent guide in spite of being so young. He was full of energy and passionate about his country as well as the nature. His family was in Sarajevo during the siege and he shared with us their experience during that time which provided me a deeper understanding of the history of this beautiful country. The day after the summit he showed us the old family album and how his family specially his grandfather contributed to the Sutjeska national park and the summit. Hearing all these and looking at those old photos was very touching. Branko, the assistant guide was as good as Kenan. They were both lively and energetic and were good friends and both were passionate about hiking/nature/history/etc. Even though Branko is a very adventurous person and does quite dangerous activities in his personal time, when it came to us, he was very caring and considerate and was always alert and aware of our safety. What I enjoyed most about Branko was his passion for nature and the desire to share his knowledge with us. Walking alongside him, you could see his eyes were looking around and then he would point out a unique flower or plant or mushroom and tell you all about it. :) Advice for Potential Travellers The summit day can be demanding so ensure you are fit enough before the trip. Also there are sections where you have to use both hands and feet ;) , so once again make sure you are aware of this before you sign up. Suggestions I would definitely recommend this trip.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/12/2018

Gina Kramer   -  Traveled, September 2017

Already Planning my Return with Exodus Have you ever connected so deeply with a country, you couldn’t put it into words? That’s how I felt about Bosnia and Herzegovina. As an avid traveler, it’s one of the few places with which I felt a bond this strong. Perhaps that’s due to the nature of this tour — you get a taste of various cities across the country, experiencing different energies and landscapes along the way. The one thing that remained consistent was the beautiful people and invigorating culture. Of course, the focus of this trip is the outdoors. I was happy to see the level of difficulty exceeded my expectations; it was more hiking and climbing (and even included a surprise via ferrata route!) than scenic “strolling” which is what I had envisioned — still, it’s fit for those who only hike occasionally. Overall, the trip was a nice balance of active/offbeat adventure (the majority) and opportunities to soak up the culture. Most Inspirational Moment During our time in Sarajevo, before our trek to Lukomir, we hiked to that top of a mountain that played a role in the Bosnian War. Our guides were both children at the time of the war, and shared their stories with us -- not negatively, but in an inspiring, positive tone. It was something we needed to hear, from a locals' perspective, to fully grasp the past and understand the present... how it all started, what life was like during the time, how it ended and how far they've overcome and continue to grow from it. It was a powerful, emotional and beautiful moment. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader, Eldar, was a perfect leader. He established an open foundation for communication early on, which was a nice ice breaker for the group. He's fun, humorous, caring and accommodating ... the list goes on. His assistant, Nedim, also contributed to our group's incredible experience -- they're personalities meshed really well together; by the end of the trip, we all felt like family. Advice for Potential Travellers Bring sleeping pills to knock you out the first few days -- the beginning of the trip is the most active/exhausting. You'd think all the hiking/climbing would wear you out, but a few of us actually found it to raise our adrenaline and keep us up at night! Suggestions Exodus is amazing. Bosnia and Herzegovina is breathtaking. And I can't wait to do both again. :)

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/27/2017

Scott Brohinsky   -  Traveled, August 2016

Walking in Bosnia and Herzegovina Great trip with outstanding hiking and informative city visits. Leader was exceptional with excellent support staff. An authentic and exhilarating hiking and cultural experience. Most Inspirational Moment Reaching the peak of Mt. Magic. Thoughts on Group Leader Samer was a knowledgeable, professional and caring leader. His knowledge of the mountains was vast and love of Bosnia was inspirational. It was a pleasure and an honor to participate with him. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for changing weather conditions that are likely to occur in the mountains. Suggestions We also appreciated the wonderful and interesting traveling companions.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/13/2016

Katherine Davies   -  Traveled, September 2016

Variety and challenge Apart from hiking there is a big emphasis on getting to know the history of the area, which I really appreciated. Bosnia is a beautiful and friendly country and you will enjoy getting to know it better. We found local people really keen to talk, even if we didn’t share many words. We enjoyed really perfect weather. Most Inspirational Moment For me, by far, was the rafting. A glorious day, peaceful and a little bit different. Working as a team was fun. I enjoyed the walks and the city tours too. We enjoyed eating out in the evening with the group. The town at the top of the hill was very interesting and I enjoyed talking to the people who lived there. Thoughts on Group Leader He was good, but he failed to keep the group together sufficiently during the hikes which was unfortunate. Other Exodus leaders worked harder to be inclusive. Other than that he was very nice, enthusiastic, well organised and informative. Advice for Potential Travellers Practice walking up hills. I used a much smaller pack than suggested which was just fine. The two star hotels are adequate - however we didn't always have hot water. Coffee is really important and generally delicious. Suggestions The food always includes both cheese and meat, and not much in the way of vegetables/salad. It can be heavy and creamy. It is generally good. We felt the restaurant in Dubrovnik was a rip off.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/18/2016

Kevin Wallace   -  Traveled, June 2016

Walking in Bosnia Fine walking in a very interesting part of Europe. Lots of turbulent history! But now peaceful and accommodating. Most Inspirational Moment The day on Maglic. "Entertaining" climb to the top. A very steep descent down scree to a tranquil green lake. Once at the water it really seemed like paradise. Sarajevo is a great city. Standing at the waters edge in Mostar at night. Looking up at the iconic re-built bridge. Thoughts on Group Leader Eldar and Kenan were exceptionally good Very knowledgable. Friendly. The best! Advice for Potential Travellers The weather in June was blisteringly hot. Take suitable protection. Suggestions Great country. Ignore the past troubles. You will enjoy it.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/27/2016

Pam Peers   -  Traveled, June 2016

Superb and varied trip in beautiful mountains and historic cities This was our first trip to the Balkans and we were amazed how much we were able to see in just over a week. The country has recovered exceptionally well from a very tumultuous recent history, and we felt inspired by the warmth and enthusiasm of all the BiH people we met. The countryside is pristine, with absolutely no pollution, and the walking very varied and interesting. We all loved Sarejevo and Mostar, both fascinating and sophisticated cities. Most Inspirational Moment The entire group of 15 reached the summit of Maglic. The ascent included a challenging stretch just below the summit, including some scrambling and a short stretch of via ferrata, but with guidance and support from the guides we all managed this without difficulty. Watching Euro football matches in the open air Fanzone in central Sarejevo was a great experience. Thoughts on Group Leader Eldar was brilliant at everything. It would be difficult to find anyone who knows the mountains better, he's a great team leader, all the arrangements worked like clockwork, his communication was clear and unambiguous, and he was very patient with our constant questions (as none of us spoke any of the local languages). There appeared to be no problem he couldn't solve, including repairing my sunglasses, very professionally, when the lens fell out! Advice for Potential Travellers Get as fit as possible before you go so that you can really enjoy the superb walking on this trip. Maglic is a bit of a challenge but more than worth the effort ... Take insect repellent as the pristine, unspoilt countryside is not at all polluted by insecticides. Don't be put off by this - it's beautiful with wonderful wild flowers everywhere. BiH gets very warm - take light clothes and plenty of sunscreen. Suggestions This was a superb trip and I'd advise anyone to do it

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/28/2016

Charlotte Lacy   -  Traveled, September 2015

Fantastic trip to a stunnning country! This is another great Exodus trip which we thoroughly enjoyed. We decided to go to Bosnia on our honeymoon and it was a great decision. The country is stunningly beautiful and has so many hidden gems. The countryside is incredible and you barely see another person on the small tracks that you walk along. Each city brings a lovely contrast to the walking. They are unusual and fascinating places to visit. Definitely recommended! Most Inspirational Moment There were so many highlights to this holiday it's hard to single anything out. All of the walks offered amazing views and each city had it's own story to tell. We had a preconceived idea of Sarajevo from the images of the war many years ago. However it is an incredible city which is so full of history and has been beautifully rebuilt. The old city is fascinating to wander around and seeing so many different cultures and religions living side by side without conflict was impressive! A must see city for anybody! Thoughts on Group Leader Samer was a fantastic leader. His passion about bringing tourism to Bosnia and allowing people to see the beauty of his country was so clear to see. He showed us around brilliantly and was a lovely man who made everyone feel valued. Advice for Potential Travellers Keep an open mind throughout the trip and be prepared for the basic accommodation in the National Park. It's completely as described as the rooms are pretty old but the views are stunning and a dip in the swimming pool nearby is a must (although it is pretty damn COLD! Be prepared for some long hours on the little bus as many of the walks can be quite far from where you're staying. Bosnian mountain roads aren't very well maintained but our driver was particularly skilled and determined at getting up them :)

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/04/2015

Kathy Ombler   -  Traveled, October 2015

Walking in Bosnia-Herzegovina A seven day walking trip starting/finishing in Dubrovnik, visiting Sutjeska National Park, Sarajevo, Neretva river canyon and Mostar. The trip encompassed a mix of strenuous and easy day walks, visiting a remote mountain village, and exploring and understanding the volatile history of the country. An overall highlight was discovering the beauty of the landscape – so many mountains, forests, lakes and rivers. Accommodation ranged from the basic, Socialist-era style hotel in Sutjeska National Park (though perfectly comfortable and adequate), to the small, comfortable and more modern hotels in Trebinje, Sarajevo and Mostar. Travel was in a 12 seater van, driven by the personable Gvard, from Sarajevo. Most Inspirational Moment Climbing Mt Maglic, Bosnia's highest peak. Walking to and being hosted for lunch in the remote mountain village of Lukomir, near Sarajevo. Sharing the knowledge and experiences of our guides, Samer and Eldar, both in the mountains and their times as teenagers living in the Siege of Sarajevo. Learning about the complicated and volatile history. Thoughts on Group Leader Samer is one of the most inspirational trip leaders I have had the pleasure to travel with. Passionate about his country and its mountains, knowledgeable and open minded about the history, organised and professional, patient, caring, gentle and a tricky sense of humour. Co-guide Eldar also shared his love of the mountains - he is also a keen rock climber, mountain biker and part of the mountain rescue team, so we felt more than confident! Also helpful, going out of his way to show some of us find Sarajevo's specialist biking and sporting shops. Advice for Potential Travellers Don't expect any pillow menus - however this is five star tour for what it offers in discovering a beautiful country, still recovering from a tragic recent history.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/29/2015

Victoria Adnitt   -  Traveled, August 2015

Fascinating and rewarding holiday. A thoroughly rewarding and fascinating insight into the rich history and geography of BH. As a trekker of limited experience but average fitness I found the walks challenging but well within my limits to complete thanks to the expert guidance given. The routes planned by our excellent guide Samer showed us the vast range of climates, ecology and history of the region-within one day we went from a Mediterranean climate to a alpine and back again! Every day was packed full and every aspect well organised. A fantastic mix of rural walking, a couple of interesting city tours and even a day of rafting. I highly recommend this trip! Most Inspirational Moment Everyday was so different and so packed full it is hard to pick out one moment but probably reaching the summit of Maglic having beaten the looming storm! Thoughts on Group Leader Samer along with his colleague Dino was faultless as a guide. Their, humour, knowledge and enthusiasm for BH made the trip. Every aspect was planned in-depth from the treks to booking lunches/dinners for the group; we were made to feel very looked-after throughout the trip. Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for all weather. During August we arrived at the end of a lengthy heatwave but still experienced frequent showers-some heavy. If you get travel sick just be aware that some of the minibus travel is through bumpy and windy roads; most journeys about an hour via minibus to the start of the walk. Suggestions I highly recommend the optional rafting trip- it gave a great perspective of the gorge with a dramatic landscape and crystal clear waters as a backdrop. The route is mostly very gentle with a few small rapids just big enough to make it exciting but not too big to distract from the scenery; plus with a good 4/5 hour trip including cooked lunch of fresh fish at the end it is amazing value.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/27/2015

David Tuckett   -  Traveled, August 2015

Bosnia and Herzogovina - Walking Overall an excellent trip with a good combination of walking and cultural sights. The scenery is magnificent and unspoilt. The rafting was great fun down the Neretva river through gorges and over rapids. Sarajevo is a most interesting city and the people in Bosnia Herzegovina were very friendly. Most Inspirational Moment Reaching the top of Maglic Mountain felt like a real achievement but the most moving part of the trip was seeing the evidence of the recent Balkan war and hearing some personal stories from the leaders. They brought the conflict alive in a way that is not achievable by films or the written word. Thoughts on Group Leader Eldar was very calm and capable and he coped with every situation. He was exceptionally good at managing people and had a fun dry sense of humour. His knowledge about the history of the country added a rich dimension to the trip. Benjamin - the assistant guide was full of energy and good humour but when necessary he was supportive and patient. Both guides were very safety conscious. I have been on many group trips and they have been amongst the best leaders that I have encountered. Advice for Potential Travellers Day 3 is a long arduous hike - much more strenous than the other days. If you have any doubts about your ability have a rest day. Note that there is quite a lot of time spent on the bus travelling to and from the start and end of the walks and between the various overnight stops Suggestions Visit this unspoilt part of Europe. There is a great variety of scenery, interesting towns and cities plus a rich history.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/24/2015

Andrew Hickey   -  Traveled, July 2015

Bosnia Herzogovenia walk This trip gave us an excellent insight into life in Bosnia Herzogovenia pre and post the 1992 war. This was one of the main reasons we chose this hike. It did not disappoint. We also saw a great deal of the country and its majestic parks. Most Inspirational Moment Reaching the summit of Mt. Maglic after an arduous and long hike along many differing terrains. The descent was just as thrilling. Thoughts on Group Leader Eldar Fazlagic was one of the most patient and laconic guides we have spent time with. He was aware of everyone's capabilities and nuances and wisely managed the group to accommodate these points. He was informative and helpful when asked. He gave personal and interesting insights into the history of his country and the troubles that beset it during WW1 and the 1992-95 war. He gave the trip an "edge" that helped Andrew & I know we chose well in making the journey. Advice for Potential Travellers We did this trip when there was record heat in Eastern Europe, temps of 32-38 deg. I know this is unpredictable but another time of the year may reduce this possibility. Some of the walks are exposed and lengthy and in that heat a challenge. Listen to the guide. If his advice is that you may be better to have a day off, listen to him as day one is a good measure of a clients stamina and he goes from that. They will accommodate but if a less fit client makes the day 3 hike, it really slows the group and makes for a most difficult day. Also be aware there are lengthy trips in the bus that are necessary to get to starting and end points of day's hike. If this is not your zone, think again. Suggestions Benjamen, the secondary guide was great fun, most helpful to those of the group who lagged behind due to tiredness and heat stress but never did he intimate it was a trouble or an onerous task for him to "bring up the rear". His conversations in the bus during the journies were always chirpy and informative.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/19/2015

Julie Hyam   -  Traveled, September 2014

Balkan secret The holiday visited areas of Europe where many people would not think of visiting, they are missing stunning scenery,interesting history and the chance to eat fantastic pastries atop a mountain, the best we have ever eaten. Most Inspirational Moment Eating the pastries on a hillside in a village that time seemed to have forgotten. Thoughts on Group Leader Excellent he was very good to ensure we always had a plan b as the weather let us down a few times but we were not disappointed , Advice for Potential Travellers Keep an open mind as your trip may need to be changed.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/12/2014

Richard Lowry  -  Traveled, September 2014

Bosnia Herzegovina A fantastic trip! I really liked the combination of several days walking alongside the opportunity to take in some culture too (Sarajevo is an amazing city). Bosnia and Herzegovina is a really beautiful country and my advice would be to go now before it is spoiled by mass tourism. Most Inspirational Moment It was interesting and moving to learn about and see evidence from the recent Balkan war and hear our guides talk about their experiences during this time. I enjoyed the scenic views of glacial lakes but due to poor weather conditions and terrain reaching the top of Maglic Mountain (Bosnia's highest peak) was not possible. Since I went for the challenge of such an opportunity this was disappointing. Rafting down the Neretva river. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leaders were good. They were extremely knowledgeable about their country and provided a very balanced view of its recent history. Well organised, happy to answer questions and their health and safety considerations were very good. Advice for Potential Travellers Be well prepared for wet weather. Gaiters were a great investment. It is worth considering adding a couple of days before or after the trip to see a bit more of this beautiful city. It is worth considering adding a couple of days before or after the trip to see a bit more of Dubrovnik- I visited the city walls as well as taking the boat across to Lokrum island. It is also worth taking a ferry boat ride to the island of Lupad. I organised a day trip to Montenegro- visits to the Bay of Kotor for wonderful scenery and a good climb along the city walls of Kotor up to the fort is good if you like a challenge but be prepared to race down in time for the pick up time. Budva for wonderful beaches definitely worth visiting again for a longer stay. Suggestions I would recommend this trip if you like exploring unspoilt places.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/18/2014