Highlights
- Eat your way across Sarajevo on a local-led food tour
- Learn about the history of Mostar and its famous bridge on a guided walk
- Join a local family for a special Croatian dinner in the countryside
- Get lost in the cobbled streets of Dubrovnik's atmospheric Old Town
- Take a day trip to Montenegro and visit Perast and Kotor
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Free Time | Sarajevo |
| Day 2 | Sarajevo Walking Tour, Afternoon Food & Culture Tour | Sarajevo |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Mostar via Međugorje, Guided Mostar Tour | Mostar |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Dubrovnik (Croatia) via Blagaj & Vrelo Bune | Dubrovnik |
| Day 5 | Dubrovnik Walking Tour, Konavle Region Culinary Experience | Dubrovnik |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Montenegro: Visit Perast & Kotor | Dubrovnik |
| Day 7 | Depart Dubrovnik |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina), Free Time
Welcome to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina! Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, this interesting city has a beautiful setting and a rich and complex history that reflects the cultural diversity of its people. Sarajevo bears the scars of the Bosnian War in the 1990s, evident in the rebuilt structures alongside reminders of the conflict. On arrival at the airport, a private driver will meet you for a short transfer to your hotel. Drop your bags, refresh, and set out to explore the city at your own pace.
Sarajevo is often called the "Jerusalem of Europe" as this city is a place where Jews, Christians, and Muslims coexist, creating a unique cultural and religious life with links back to the Ottoman Empire. Get your bearings with a stroll around the Old Town, then visit the historic bazaar, Baršćaršija, to enjoy a traditional Bosnian meal and taste delicious sweets inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine at local pastry shops.
Day 2: Sarajevo Walking Tour, Afternoon Food & Culture Tour
Meet your local guide and prepare for a journey into the turbulent past of Sarajevo. You'll start back at Baščaršija, the old bazaar, and find out about the traditional crafts still produced by the local artisans here. Continue to the city's most important sights like the Husrev-beg Mosque and the Catholic Cathedral. Visit the Latin Bridge, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, sparking World War I. Along the way, you'll hear stories about the former Yugoslavia, how people live nowadays, and learn about the region's traditional cuisine.
After soaking up history all morning, you'll join a food and culture tour this afternoon to glimpse another side of Sarajevo. Along with a local foodie, you'll navigate historic streets to taste delicious traditional specialties, both sweet and sour, and learn more about the city's history. Try fresh baked goods and local produce at the market, and fall in love with the diversity of Sarajevo and its food. After the 2.5-hour food tour, use the rest of the day to stroll along the Miljacka River or keep exploring history at the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum. For a panoramic sunset view, take a stroll to the Yellow Fortress.
Day 3: Transfer to Mostar via Međugorje, Guided Mostar Tour
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Today, a private driver will take you 2.5 hours from Sarajevo to Mostar, a small city known for its old Turkish-style houses and its iconic Stari Most bridge. En route, your driver will pass the city to make a special stop at Međugorje. This town has been a pilgrimage site since six children claimed to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary in June 1981. You'll have free time to explore Međugorje, the St. James Church, and the peacefulness of the surroundings. After, continue to Mostar, where you'll check into your hotel.
There's more to Mostar than the famous bridge. You'll find mosques, Catholic and Orthodox churches, and even a Jewish synagogue here. Join a private guide this afternoon for an illuminating city tour and discover its secrets. Enjoy panoramic views of the Neretva River from the minaret of the Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque, traipse along ancient alleyways and paths, and cross the reconstructed medieval Stari Most (Old Bridge), a symbol of reconciliation that was rebuilt after the Bosnian War. Pause for a touch of Bosnian hospitality at a local guesthouse, then part ways with your guide for the evening.
Day 4: Transfer to Dubrovnik (Croatia) via Blagaj & Vrelo Bune
After a final breakfast in Sarajevo, your driver will collect you for the 2.5-hour transfer to Dubrovnik, one of Croatia's most famous coastal cities. En route, you'll stop at Blagaj, a small and historic village home to the Vrelo Bune. At this Bosnian spring, and in front of towering cliffs, stands the beautiful 16th-century tekija, a Dervish monastery from the Ottoman period. Take a few photos and enjoy the pristine nature that surrounds you.
Continue to Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic." This Croatian coastal destination is one of Europe's most ancient fortress cities. Robust city walls enclose its UNESCO-listed Old Town, and within, you'll find well-preserved Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque structures, including the City Walls and Sponza Palace. Check into your hotel, then set out to explore the Old Town at your leisure. End your first day in Dubrovnik at one of the city's many wine bars and celebrate your first moments in Croatia with a glass of white or red as the sun goes down.
Day 5: Dubrovnik Walking Tour, Konavle Region Culinary Experience
Get a deeper look at Dubrovnik's many wonders today on a private guided walking tour of the historic center. Entering the medieval Old Town through the 16th-century Pile Gate, you'll uncover centuries of the city's rich history as you listen to stories of local life and legends and of the importance Dubrovnik once held in the era of the Republic. This 90-minute walk includes highlights such as Onofrio's Fountain, the 15th-century Rector's Palace, Luza Square, the Church of St. Blaise (St. Vlaho), and the café-lined streets of Brsalje Street.
In the afternoon, you might like to hike up or ride the cable car to Mount Srđ to take in the sunset and panoramic views over the city and Adriatic. In the evening, you'll be whisked out to a family farmhouse in the countryside. Meet your hosts and learn about regional gastronomy and Croatian culture and history. You'll help pick fresh vegetables and prepare a four-course Croatian dinner. When it comes time to sit down and taste your efforts, you'll get to pair each dish with homemade wines. Živeli!
Day 6: Day Trip to Montenegro: Visit Perast & Kotor
Today, you'll check off another country on your travel bucket list when you cross the border into Montenegro. This tiny Balkan nation borders Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south and is known for the beautiful beaches and medieval villages along its Adriatic coastline. A private driver and guide will collect you for today's day trip, which includes a border crossing, so you'll set off early to allow plenty of time.
After reaching Montenegro, enjoy a scenic drive around the Bay of Kotor before stopping at the charming village of Perast, which feels like a little piece of Venice on the Adriatic. Learn about history through the town's stories and legends, and don't miss taking a boat ride to a small island called Gospa od Skrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks), the only human-made island on the Adriatic. From Perast, you'll continue to the medieval coastal village of Kotor. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is built on a sloping mountain and abounds with Venetian palaces and Romanesque churches. After, return to Dubrovnik.
Day 7: Depart Dubrovnik
Your Balkan adventure draws to a close today. When the time comes, a driver will collect you for the 45-minute private transfer to Dubrovnik Airport. Use the drive to reflect on a fantastic week exploring Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, and learning about the rich culture, nature, and people who call these countries home. Safe travels!
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