Journey Through the Balkans

Our tour starts today in the quaint coastal town of Dobrota, Montenegro. Backed by mountains and fronted by azure-blue waters, it's the perfect spot to unwind before our adventure begins. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and, for those that wish, there'll be the chance to go for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Dobrota at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) in neighbouring Croatia, which is around a two-hour drive away. Should you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to try a popular Montenegrin dish such as pohovani kackavalj - fried cheese or corbast pasulj - a stew made with beans, smoked ribs, salami and sausage. If you want to try the local tipples, you could have it alongside a traditional lager like Niksicko.

This morning, we'll travel the short distance to the medieval city of Kotor, lying beneath the slopes of Mount Lovcen. With its engaging mix of European and Byzantine influences, Kotor was once an independent city republic, until the threat of Ottoman attacks saw it join with the Venetians. We'll take a wander through the old city, walking its walls to take in the views across the town's rooftops and out over the fjord. Under the Venetians, Kotor became one of the best fortified cities in the region, boasting walls twice the length of Dubrovnik. Today, these walls give us a fascinating glimpse into the city's turbulent past. You have the option to hike up to the Kotor fortress for breathtaking views. The walk involves climbing 1,200 steps, some of which are uneven, loose, or slippery. We recommend wearing suitable footwear and having a reasonable level of fitness if you choose to do this. The hike takes about three hours in total and has a total ascent and descent of 300m. After lunch, we'll take to the waters of Kotor Bay on a boat trip, to explore some of the small islands that occupy the turquoise waters. An inspiration for artists and poets, the bay is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Its breathtaking mix of rugged mountains and azure waters complement its scattering of coastal towns that attest to its former domination by the Venetians and the Ottoman Turks. The evening is yours to enjoy. Maybe take some time to wander around and try some delicious Montenegrin dishes such as grilled fish, octopus salad, or priganice\emdash little fried dough bites served with honey or cheese.

This morning, we'll head to Rijeka Crnojevica, a charming town on the shores of Skadar Lake. On the way, we'll stop at the incredible Pavlova Strana Viewpoint to take in some truly breathtaking views. Once we arrive, you'll have the option to explore Skadar Lake and its stunning national park either on an optional boat trip* or on foot. This area is teeming with wildlife, including around 270 bird species such as egrets, spoonbills, and one of the largest cormorant colonies in the world. The journey from Dobrota to Rijeka Crnojevica should take around 1.5 hours. In the afternoon, we'll continue to Zabljak, a scenic town on the edge of Durmitor National Park. Zabljak is popular in the summer months for its close proximity to the incredible walks offered in the Durmitor National Park, and in winter for its extensive skiing facilities. Surrounded by towering peaks and sparkling alpine lakes, it sits between the dramatic Tara and Piva Canyon The journey from Rijeka Crnojevica to Zabljak should take around 2.5 hours. *Please note, for the optional boat trip there must be a minimum group size of 7 participants.

This morning, we'll explore Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a perfect setting for a morning walk. Upon arrival to the park, we'll hike through dense forest toward Crno Jezero, or the 'Black Lake', named for the dark pine trees that surround it, some of which are over 400 years old and reach heights of 50 metres. Of the 18 glacial lakes in the area, the Black Lake is the largest, feeding both the Tara and Komarnica River basins. If you're visiting in summer, bring a swimsuit for a refreshing dip. In addition to its glacial lakes, the park is home to 27 peaks over 2200 metres, five canyons, ancient forests, and a vast network of caves and sinkholes. After exploring these natural wonders, we'll head back to Zabljak for the afternoon where you are free to relax. Today's walk is of moderate difficulty and takes approximately 2.5 hours round trip to the lake. While it begins with an easy path, the trail includes tree roots, uneven steps, and even a section where you'll walk through a waterfall. If you have knee issues or concerns, please speak with your tour leader beforehand. Be sure to wear appropriate walking shoes. For those up for a challenge, there's an option to extend the walk by two hours to Zminje Lake (Serpent Lake).

Today, we'll be crossing the border from Montenegro into Serbia. Along the way, we'll pass the stunning Djurdjevica Tara Bridge, which soars 135 metres above the Tara River Gorge. Our journey will also take us to the 13th-century Mileseva Monastery near Prijepolje. Founded by King Vladislav between 1234 and 1236, the monastery is one of Serbia's most significant spiritual sites. We'll enjoy a guided tour with a local priest, who will guide us through the monastery's 13th-century frescoes, including the famous 'White Angel', which depicts an angel visiting Christ's grave. Our journey from Zabljak to Mileseva Monastery should take around 2 hours. We'll continue for around 1 hour into the Uvac Special Nature Reserve, home to the stunning Uvac Canyon. This reserve is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, with the Uvac River carving deep, winding canyons through the mountains. It is also an important sanctuary for the Griffon Vulture, a species that was once endangered in the region. The colony here is one of the largest in the Balkans, playing a crucial role in the conservation of the species. We'll take a short walk to the Molitva viewpoint for panoramic views, and there will be an optional boat trip (depending on river conditions) to further explore the canyon. Later, we'll drive for about an hour to our hotel, situated on the outskirts of the charming town of Sjenica.

Today we'll head to western Serbia and head for the peaks of the Zlatibor massif. Covering 300 square kilometres, Mount Zlatibor encompasses a range of mountains that stretch for 27 miles and make up part of the Dinaric Alps. Our journey shoult take around 2 hours. Tonight, we'll stay in the mountain-side village of Sirogojno - home to a remarkable open air museum that was declared a national monument back in 1983. Upon arrival, we'll take a tour of the museum, which covers nearly 15 hectares. It contains a collection of traditional 19th-century wooden buildings that have been taken from across the region - these include a bakery, an inn, and a dairy. All are authentic and provide us with a glimpse into Serbia's rural past. This evening, we'll be staying in the museum complex in small historical mountain houses. Each house can accommodate two to five people, with rooms being either single or twin-share. Bathroom facilities in each house are shared.

Did you know that Sirogojno knitted sweaters are so popular they've been featured in fashion shows around the world, including in London, Paris, and New York? This morning, before we leave, we'll get an up-close look at how these beautiful knits are made, and even have the chance to try knitting them ourselves. Later this morning, we'll drive to Mokra Gora, a verdant mountain valley which in English translates to 'wet mountain'. Here, we'll board the historic narrow-gauge railway, Sargan Eight. One of the most famous train journeys in Europe, the line is part of the former track that once ran between Sarajevo and Belgrade. It was closed in 1974 but renovated and reopened in 1999. The renovation tried to recapture the railway's glory days, back in the 1920s, when it was admired as a world-class construction. The train makes a steep climb through the mountains, in a figure of eight, weaving through 22 tunnels and covering just over 15 kilometres (though the actual distance between Mokra Gora and Sargan stations is just 3.5 kilometres). From here, we'll continue our drive to Kustendorf, a distinctive mountain village that was built by international film director, Emir Kusturica, for his movie 'Life is a Miracle'. Kusturica wanted to create a traditional Serbian village, so all the buildings are constructed from wood - however, the village does have a non-traditional twist in that all of its streets are named after famous actors and directors. Today, the village is Kusturica's home, a hotel and also hosts an annual international film and music festival. Tonight, we'll stay in this unique location and have the chance to enjoy the mountain scenery. There's also a gym, indoor swimming pool, restaurant, bar and small art gallery exhibiting local Serbian artists.

Crossing into Bosnia Herzegovina this morning, we'll drive around 30 minutes to Visegrad on the Drina River. Here, we'll find the inspiration for Nobel Prize-winning author, Ivo Andric's novel, 'Bridge over the Drina'. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it's been an iconic symbol of the region for generations and was the scene of some of the worst atrocities of the Bosnian War. Later, we'll continue our journey to Sarajevo, Bosnia Herzegovina's vibrant capital, located on the Sarajevo plain. The journey should take around 2 hours. The city is famed for its diverse religious heritage and is often referred to as the Jerusalem of Europe. It'll be our base for the next two nights. This afternoon, we'll take a walking tour of some of its highlights. Although it was a major settlement during the Middle Ages, it was the Ottoman Empire that founded much of the Sarajevo we know today, transforming a collection of villages into the largest city in the region. Annexed by the Habsburgs, Sarajevo became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1908, going on to become the scene of the catalyst for the start of World War I, when Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated here on 28th June 1914. During the time of the Ottoman occupation, the city was home to Muslims, Catholics, and Jews and Eastern Orthodox and many of its religious monuments have survived the city's turbulent past. Our tour will take in the beautiful old Serbian Orthodox Church of Saint Michael and Gabriel and the stunning 16th-century Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque. Considered the most important Islamic building in the country, this is one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture in the world. We'll also see the city's magnificent Gothic cathedral and its pseudo-Moorish style Town Hall - a particularly grandiose building that dates back to the Austro-Hungarian period.

Today is free for you to relax and explore more of Sarajevo at your own pace. A stroll through the centre of Bascarsija, in the heart of old Sarajevo, will give you the chance to browse the city's markets. The alleys that radiate out from the market square reflect the Ottoman tradition of naming streets after the traders who practised there and among these winding alleys and covered markets you can find bargains galore. You could also consider visiting the site of the 1984 Winter Olympics. This historic event marked the first time nations within Yugoslavia collaborated to host a successful Winter Olympics in a Communist country. The facilities from the games remain a symbol of Sarajevo's pride. If you'd prefer, there's the option to join a tour to discover the Sarajevo Tunnel, which was the only way in or out of the city when the longest siege in modern military history took place here during the war of the 1990s. The tunnel took six months to build and covered 800 metres. A small section of this hand-dug tunnel has survived and is now part of the Tunnel Museum.

This morning, we'll travel for about an hour to visit a fascinating piece of history. Hidden within what seems like an ordinary building lies the extraordinary underground Atomska Ratna Komanda, also known as ARK D-0 or simply 'Tito's Bunker'. Built into Bjelašnica Mountain, this secret nuclear command center and protective bunker was designed during the Cold War to shelter Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and the country's political leadership in the event of a nuclear attack. Capable of withstanding a 20-kiloton nuclear blast, the complex took nearly 15 years to build, starting in 1953. The secrecy surrounding the bunker was so strict that workers were reportedly blindfolded before being taken to the site, and when it was completed in 1979, only 16 people are said to have known of its existence. After, we drive for around 1.5 hours to historic Mostar. Set on the banks of the Neretva River, Mostar is the largest and most important city in the Herzegovina region. Mostar was founded by the Turks during the 15th century and expanded by the Habsburgs 300 years later. The city is divided by the Neretva River and, traditionally, Muslims lived on the east bank and Christians on the west. The UNESCO-listed Old Bridge (Stari Most) provided a crossing between the two and became a symbol of Bosnia's multi-ethnicity and the friendship between the two communities. Both the town and its historic bridge were badly damaged during the Balkan conflict of the early 1990s. The old Ottoman bridge was rebuilt after the war and much of the old city has also been restored to its former glory. The five-year-long programme of reconstruction went a long way to restoring peace to this shattered region, with international and ethnic co-operation helping to rebuild cultural as well as historic bridges. This afternoon, we'll enjoy a 1-hour walking tour of Mostar with a local guide, covering the Old Town, the iconic Old Bridge, and Mehmed Pasha's Mosque (entrance fee not included, but it's 2 Euros per person). The rest of the afternoon and evening are free for you to explore further at your own pace.

This morning, we'll head to the charming historic village of Pocitelj, known for its Ottoman-era architecture, cobblestone streets, and landmarks such as the Sahat Kula (Clock Tower) and Hadzi Alija Mosque. After some free time to explore, we'll continue on to our final destination, Dubrovnik. The drive from Pocitelj to Dubrovnik is around 2 hours & crosses the border from Bosnia and Herzegovinia into Croatia. Famed as one of the world's most beautifully preserved medieval towns, Dubrovnik was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. The Old Town is a stunning mix of monasteries, museums, and red-tiled buildings, reflecting its former glory as one of Europe's greatest maritime cities. So enchanting, it's served as the backdrop for many films and TV shows, including Game of Thrones and James Bond. We'll get a sense of the town's layout with a 3 hour guided walking tour. After being fully restored following the Siege of Dubrovnik (1991-92), the Old Town still holds its unique charm. As George Bernard Shaw once said, 'those who seek paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik'. During our tour, we'll visit the Stradun, Placa, Big Onofrio's Fountain, the Gates of Pile, the Old Port, Rector's Palace, the Franciscan Monastery, the Clock Tower, Dominican Church, the Dominican Monastery, and Sponza Palace. Entrance fees are not included, but if you'd like to explore further, we recommend booking extra nights in Dubrovnik after the tour ends. The evening is yours to enjoy as you wish-perhaps join your group and tour leader for one final meal together.

Our trip ends this morning in Dubrovnik. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are usually available at the hotel, but please liaise with your tour leader regarding this. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Dubrovnik Airport (DBV), which is a 30-minute drive away.