Bosnia & Beyond

Customer Reviews

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  Karmen

  · June 18th, 2019
  Great itinerary, fantastic guide , the out of way places, clear instructions, great and polite driver, great humor from guide and very friendly. Wonderful tour.
  Trip date: May 2019
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  Eileen Mcdonald

  · July 21st, 2013
  My first experience of an Exodus holiday proved to be inspirational. So much beauty; so much to learn; I didn't want it to end.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The Gulf of Kotor takes your breath away and the city itself, with its ancient battlements, was awe inspiring.Walking round the Black Lake, surrounded by glorious mountains, was impressive.Driving alongside the River Piva on the way over to Bosnia was incredible. The wooded mountains, the deep green river and the miles and miles of Alpine meadows covered in flowers with not a soul around. What a contrast to our own overpopulated country. Learning about the siege of Sarajevo; so poignent when we realised that our guide, Anaid, had been imprisoned at that time. And the contrast between the old city and the more modern part. And the beautiful Venetian cafe where we indulged in amazing coffee and cakes. And climbing up at evening to witness the mortor which was fired to mark the end of that day's fast; then all the lights came on on the minarets and the people round us shared their Rhamadam bread and Turkish delight with us.The day at Lukomir. Wild roses and many other flowers grew alongside the canyon where we walked and had a picnic supplied by Anaid's mother. I'm not exactly young,and I found it fairly tough going, but I loved every minute of it.The Kravice Waterfalls: We swam in the clear, refreshing lake below the falls and thought nothing could get better than this!Fresh trout at the restaurant at the source of the Briva River, opposite a beautiful monastery. The river water was crystal clear and lovely to drink.And finally, back to Dubrovnik, to the Old City . I wish we had had time to walk round the walls ; we had to choose between that and a swim in the Adriatic.  What did you think of your group leader?Anaid made our holiday special. He is a historian and even the extremely complex history and politics of the Balkans came alive as he explained it.He was well organised and very personable and chatty;  a good combination. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?This is not a strenuous holiday, though there's a lot of fairly hairy travelling. A good job our driver was so careful and reliable.Be prepared to soak up all the information about an area which is unfamiliar to most of us. Enjoy the remoteness and the amazing terrain. Is there anything else you would like to add?I'll never forget dancing the Twist with  a coppersmith in the square in the centre of the old Montenegran Capital, Cetinje. You can't plan these things.
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  Trip date: July 2013
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  Jemma McCowan

  · August 2nd, 2011
  Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina are stunning countries with plenty of history, lots to do and see, friendly people and beautiful outdoor landscapes. Make sure you can cope with the summer heat (the hat & gloves were misnomers in the trip notes) and be aware that the design of the trip does not lend itself to the most active of holidays - so the age group is likely to be an older profile (although the outdoor activities and opportunities in both countries are fab so Exodus are missing a trick here!).What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Rafting the waters of the Tara River (not included in trip but I did this anyway!), finding out the ins and outs of the Balkans history (both new and old history) and the stunning scenery throughout.What did you think of your group leader?Passionate, well-informed and thoughtful, with a fun personality.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Its very hot in July and August - even in the mountains! Be prepared...Don't expect a huge amount of activity - the walks are all "gentle" and there are some long bus journeys. But you can go rafting independently in Zabljak, very easy to arrange.
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  Trip date: August 2011
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  Andrew Pollard

  · August 24th, 2009
  An rare "unmodernised" part of Europe- if you want to go, probably best to go soon before it changes too muchWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Being in Sarajevo with our guide who had helped defend it during the siege was really interesting. The Podgora village visit was also really good.What did you think of your group leader?He possibly could have led more assertively at times, but he was generally a caring and insightful guide, especially in Bosnia, which was his own patch. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Currencies: Euros are the official currency in Montenegro. In Bosnia they have their own currency which you can get fairly easily in Sarajevo, though they accept Euro notes as well. Same in Dubrovnik. I booked a couple of extra nights in Dubrovnik at the end rather than just have the last afternoon there. In retrospect I would not have done this- Dubrovnik is expensive and in the european mainstream: I thought Mostar and Sarajevo earlier in the trip were much more interesting.
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  Trip date: August 2009
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  Joanne Baldwin

  · September 29th, 2008
  This was a wonderful trip exceeding all my expectations in every way. This was a moderate but genuine adventure offering plenty of wild, authentic, & off road experiences. A truly fantastic and diverse region to explore, thrilling scenery throughout, past and recent history revealed, offering a further insight into this recently troubled landWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I think to visit Sarajevo and Mostar boasting so much in the way of history, culture and different religions coalescing in peace.  I understand that there are unresolved issues, but to witness apparent prosperity, even if only on the surface, and recovery from the bitterness of the events of the mid 1990s, does give reason for hope and inspiration.  Quite stunning memorable cities.What did you think of your group leader?I can only praise our group leader, who spoke with passion and honesty, and informatively about his country.  He always was willing to offer the flexibility which was expected by the group thus keeping the group whose interests and endurance was quite diverse, to put it modestly, pretty well together.  His enthusiasm, wit and genuine good nature facilitated this trip, no doubt.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?It depends what sort of traveller you are.  The weather may be warmer, colder or wetter than you expect, be open minded.  There are slightly more challenging aspects to the trip, like twisting roads, mountain tracks, but it is after all billed as an adventure holiday so that is what you get - I love it.  For the very conservative traveller or very adventurous traveller this may not suit so well for plenty of obvious reasons.  However, I personally sit between these two extremes and enjoy the safer but again moderately adventurous options, and this trip together with my Exodus trip to Iran two years ago are such, both excellent, different but  equally as brilliant.Is there anything else you would like to add?Well it was great to see this option as  a new Exodus trip.  I thought from the write-up that it was worth a shot and looked good and didn't think too much more about it.  Just believed it would be fantastic. I wasn't wrong. Again I prefer this type of trip rather than the very long coach tours ar the very localised hiking tours or specialist holidays.  This type of option offers the best of all I feel.
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  Trip date: September 2008
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  Jonathan Coles

  · August 5th, 2008
  A truly memorable experience, enabling the group to visit a beautiful and fascinating corner of Europe that, for now at least, is relatively free of western tourists. My advice would be to visit before this changes, as it surely will do (the Montenegrin coastline is already starting to show signs of overdevelopment in places)What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Exploring the Sarajevo War Tunnel that served as a lifeline for the residents of Bosnia's capital during the siege of the early '90s. While it's not possible to imagine the true horror of the situation, the visit did provide an insight into the difficulties faced by the city's inhabitants.The trip to Lukomir was also a highlight for me, giving a flavour of life in rural Bosnia and offering a glimpse of a culture that many visitors to the country will miss.What did you think of your group leader?Both Alana (leader during the Montenegro leg of the trip) and Mustafa (Bosnia) were informative, more than willing to answer questions and keen to ensure that the holiday ran as smoothly as possible. Mustafa in particular really managed to put across his passion for his country, and this really ensured that we got the most out of the trip.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Be prepared for a lot of travelling. Being stuck on a minibus for several hours at a time was initially quite frustrating, but it's difficult to see how we could have seen so much without lengthy periods on the road. The driver was excellent though, skilfully negotiating hairpin bends on mountain roads without sending the passengers into blind panic.Is there anything else you would like to add?Enjoy every moment and take full advantage of every experience and opportunity that comes your way - the eleven days pass like a flash, and before you know it you're back in damp grey Britain.
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  Trip date: August 2008
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  Steven Martin

  · August 4th, 2008
  A little more than a couple of hours flying time from the UK is a part of Europe that, for now, remains largely undiscovered by western tourists. Cut adrift for almost half a century by a cold war and an iron curtain before decending into a vicious nationalist conflict that brought the region to the edge of oblivion at the dawn of a new millennium.Montenenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, deliver a diverse melange of geography, history, ethnicity and culture to the visitor but above all provide a message of hope and warning of the fragility and transient nature of peace. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Sarajevo. One time Olympic city (Winter Olympics 1984) that within 10 years owed it's very survival in part to around 800m of tunnel, the digging of which helped save the lives of 300,000 people during a siege lasting over 3 years (1992 - 1995). The Old Towns Turkish quarter is a delightful trip into graceful Islamic architecture that meets an Austro-Hungarian esplanade, right about where Gavrilo Princip assassinated Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sofia on 28th June 1914 and set in motion the First World War. For all the conflicts that have decended upon and emerged from this city, it is nevertheless an inspiring and convivial place that has a relaxed and easy feel about it.What did you think of your group leader?Mustafa. Can't fault the group leader, always ready to oblige and an all round good guy.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Vegetarians - Do not expect a varried veggie diet. You'll get vegetables....... just vegetables....... cold vegetables. Don't panic though as there's always 'Salty Pies'....... wine and beer!! You'll see;)Is there anything else you would like to add?There's not much free time on this trip, it should be a 14 night holiday.These countries are mountainous - mountains are steep(y).
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  Trip date: August 2008
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  Simon Wilson

  · October 4th, 2007
  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Going to Lukomir village and seeing the villagers living as they have done for hundreds of years.What did you think of your group leader?Both Samir and Mustafa were excellent - very friendly and knowledgable about the country.  Slobodan the driver was also very good despite his English being more limited.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Nothing in particular - expect a warm welcome.  The mountain walks can get moderately strenuous.Is there anything else you would like to add?Thought it was fantastic.  The guides made the trip what it was with their knowledge of the surrounding area and some out of the way places to eat, particularly in Sarajevo.
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  Trip date: October 2007
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  Michael Charlton

  · September 16th, 2013
  A varied and enjoyable trip encompassing the Montegrian coastline, national parks plus the two key cities of Bosnia/Herzegovina : Sarajevo & Mostar and ending up in Dubrovnik. The balance of coast/nature/city was great with no really long drives. We lucked out and benefited from two excellent and extremely knowledgeable tour leaders (one was learning the itinerary for a future trip). Learning and seeing first hand about the ravages of the recent conflicts was both facinating and moving. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The crystal alpine Black Lake in Durmitor National Park and the walk & lunch at Lukomir, Bosnia's highest village. The contrasts of Sarajevo from the chilled Otoman influenced cafe culture; war damaged buildings; communist era trams; the war tunnel museum and great baklava.  What did you think of your group leader?We lucked out and benefited from two excellent and extremely knowledgeable tour leaders (one was learning the itinerary for a future trip). Anaidt was an infectiously enthusiastic history student and able to provide the historial insight. Alen was a mountaineer and snowboarder so great in the mountains. Both were great travelling companions and dealt extremely well with water born illness which struck down half the group event though they themselves were also affected by the bug.    Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Bear in mind that you are crossing lot's of boarders (mostly very smoothly and quickly) including an unexpected crossing at the beginning of the trip where you cross somewhat unnecessarily from Croatia into Bosnia and then into Montenegro - rather than from Croatia direct into Montenegro which the trip notes don't mention. All the hotels were of pretty good quality. The hotel in Sarajevo is the best on the trip but located about 5 km from the city centre - although very easy to get in by tram.     Is there anything else you would like to add?Exodus should include a visit to Tito's bunker in Konjic which is located on the drive from Mostar to Dubrovnik.  
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  Trip date: September 2013
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  Ben Manning

  · July 28th, 2013
  A hugely enjoyable holiday - really varied and interesting and relaxingg. From the historic towns, to the natural scenery.....to war backdrop and religious landmarks...and a fantasic guide and welcoming locals. Highly recommended!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?- lunch cooked at a local villager's place, absolutely the best food we had will long live in the memory- the natural beauty of the endless, gorgeous scenery- diving into Sarajevo, the deeper we got, the better is was What did you think of your group leader?Anaid was superb - everything you would want from a guide: - hugely knowledgeable - fun and interesting - made the trip exciting yet comfortable Do you have any advice for potential travellers?bring a sunhat, a jumper, mossie cream, and swimming costumeIs there anything else you would like to add?this holiday was 10 or so days....it felt like at least 2 weeks. BUT....as we had not visited Dubrovnich before, we were jealous of those that had decided to stay a day or so more as the trip covers just an evening there.Other than that, this is a hugely rewarding holiday with great value for money and a something fascinating around every corner! Ben & Carly 
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  Trip date: July 2013