Walking in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Customer Reviews

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  Charles Trimingham

  · October 11th, 2011
  An excellent trip. Very good mixture of hiking and sightseeing.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Swimming in the Neretva river - cold but exhilarating. What did you think of your group leader?Sameer and Eldar were excellent.  Sameer was always willing to answer my many questions.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?It would be a good idea to read about the history of the country - as there is much to learn.Is there anything else you would like to add?You are likely to meet pleasant group members (like we did) because the itinery will probably attract like minded people.
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  Trip date: October 2011
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  Catherine Robinson

  · September 29th, 2011
  An absolutely beautiful country. The walking was fantastic, very beautiful, sometimes challenging and sometimes the group would be the only people I would see all day. The trip was well planned with interesting city tours, a variation of walks and the additional rafting day was brilliant. I will definitely be going back to see more. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The Maglic walk has to be one of the best walks I've ever done.  It was an excellent mix of beautiful scenery, a few challenging moments, a swim in a lake (optional!) and finished with a view of the sun setting over the mountains. One of the most beautiful things I've ever seen!Sarajevo was  also a wonderful place to spend 3 days.  It was nothing like I expected it to be, but it was a lovely city with great food, beautiful buildings and friendly people. What did you think of your group leader?He was excellent. Very knowledgeable about the mountains and the history of the country which made the walks and city tours very interesting. He worked well with the group and managed the different range of abilities very well. He was also funny and sociable! I would highly recommend him.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Read up on some of the history before you go. It gives you an additional perspective if you've got some understanding of the past.  Is there anything else you would like to add?I could not recommend this trip highly enough. If you like walking in beautiful mountains, seeing interesting cities, meeting lovely people and drinking amazing coffee then you should go. I will definitely be going back to see more.
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  Trip date: September 2011
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  Paula Morris

  · August 23rd, 2011
  I don't often write reviews but this time I felt the need to!! This was the best Exodus holiday I've been on in a while, I loved every minute of it and I could have stayed longer.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There were so many great moments including the hike up Maglic which was made extra special by the fantastic weather which made the views spectacular, and our visits to both Sarajevo and Mostar which were made particulary special  by the insights and experiences of our guides. What did you think of your group leader?Both of our guides were very professional and showed awareness of the needs of our group members.  They helped to make the trip special, especially as they were prepared to answer all of our questions and share there personal experiences of Bosnia's recent history.  They were knowledgeable and informative about all of our walks and the culture of the area.   I rate them among the best guides I have come across in the 14 years that I have been going on Exodus holidays.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Be prepared to enjoy yourself whatever the weather!Is there anything else you would like to add?Of course your fellow travellers can make the difference between an OK experience and great holiday, for me this was a fantastic trip!
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  Trip date: August 2011
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  Maria Cabral

  · August 16th, 2011
  The perfect combination: i) moderately demanding trekking amid great scenery and ii) the incredible emotion and depth of Bosnia Hezegovina's historical and cultural heritage - not to mention that both Dubrovnik and Mostar are stunningly pretty. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Sarajevo. I'm already thinking of a good reason to go back and I don't even like city breaks.  What did you think of your group leader?The team Samer+Alen had the perfect combination of knowledge, skills and temperaments. I enjoyed every second of the time I spent with them and they made the whole trip not only easy, fascinating and (very) safe, but really great fun.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Just go. This trip has everything (except point to point walks, but the bus rides are never over 1 hour and I ended up enjoying even those - I guess it's all about the company).Is there anything else you would like to add?A big thank you to Paula, for being the Perfect Roomate Mate, an inspired singer and really really good company. 
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  Trip date: August 2011
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  JANET PENDLEBURY

  · August 12th, 2011
  I have done a few Exodus holidays in Europe and would actually say that in terms of the scenery and the history of the country it was among the best. Bosnia is not normally thought of as a holiday destination, but has lots to offer! Also not that many tourists eitherWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Walking in the wildflower meadows was absolutely beautiful and there were lots of butterflies as well if you like nature.There is also lots to see in Sarajevo.  As this was a walking holiday then obviously we had walks organised everyday but it would be nice to go back to visit some of the museums there as unfortunately there was so much to see we did not have enough time.It is amazing to see the resilience of the people of Sarajevo following their recent troubles.  It is difficult to imagine what it must have been like, but the reminders are still there in terms of the damaged ski station etc and the library which is still under repair. Amazing to think as well of the work which has been done rebuilding Mostar including the bridge there which was completely destroyed.What did you think of your group leader?Both Samer and Alen were excellent - considerate, informative about their country and enthusiasticDo you have any advice for potential travellers?In Sutjeska National park there are not always well marked paths as it is not like the Lake District by way of example.  However, it is not a problem if you are used to walking. The scenery is well worth it anyway!Is there anything else you would like to add?Book it now!!!!
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  Trip date: August 2011
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  Lesley Parks

  · September 8th, 2008
  A varied holiday with walking, scenery, sightseeing, meeting locals, a bit of fun with the optional white water rafting, experiencing it all with a great bunch of peolple from various backgrounds. Oh and there is plenty of flora fauna and fungi for those who are inclined.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The forest left in its natural state that we walked through was wonderful. The white water rafting was my first experience and I cant wait to do it again! The monument dedicated to those who had died in the recent war (the one by the 1980's hotel!!)  The friendliness of the people in the remote parts.We were introduced to the president of Bosnia by our number 2 leader even though we had just stopped at the hotel for a convenience break after a long days walk and we were not as fresh as we could have been. He was very approachable dispite his minders.  What did you think of your group leader?Emir was a knowlegeble, amenable, fit,caring person. He will make a great leader. he was only let down a very little by his inexperience which showed when he mentioned things we could do instead of saying who wants to (people are shy at coming forward) and a couple of times when he did not preempt all the points to organise meeting up and what we would require for each activity (we are on holiday and want to be spoon fed!!!). Having said that the moment we asked the question he filled in the answer. He is only 23! His number 2 was very knowledgeable, amenable ,fit and caring also. She remained professional and carried out her duties at all times and appeared to organise a little more thouroughly when she was doing the activity.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The holiday has a bit of every thing and the scenery and sights are magic in a country that feels fresh and clean.Is there anything else you would like to add?Where are the brochures for next year so I can book next year's holiday.
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  Trip date: September 2008
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  Michael Dowd

  · August 23rd, 2008
  Enjoyable walking in unspoilt countryside and Sarajevo is wonderful. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The most lasting memory will be Sarajevo, having a sense of the place that is more than the besieged wartime city.  Inspirational moments?  The traditional lunch in Lukomir then walking around the village.  The derelict buildings and cables on the 1984 ski slopes at Bjelasnica.  Mint tea, rosehip tea.  (It's a sad comment on my shallowness  that I seem more inspired by the lunchstops than the walks.  The countryside was beautiful, honestly.)  The stecci.  Sitting in the tram in Sarajevo at night watching reflections in the Miljacka river.   Listening to sevdah by the river.  Buybook in Sarajevo and Mostar.  And I really didn't expect the coffee to be so good.What did you think of your group leader?Samir and Emir are why I've said five stars.  Friendly, willing to answer anything ('there's no such thing as a silly question,' though we probably sorely tested that), patient, witty, passionate about Bosnia.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Book now.Is there anything else you would like to add?I enjoyed the unspoilt Sutjeska national park in the first days of the holiday but it is still a tour that gets better the longer you stay in Bosnia - which is good planning!  Dubrovnik at the end was a bit too picture postcard for me - I guess I was missing Bosnia already.
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  Trip date: August 2008
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  Deirdre O'Connor

  · August 5th, 2008
  This trip has a great combination of excellent walks and really interesting visits to Sarajevo and Mostar. It is fascinating to see how the country is faring after a war that is all too recent.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I really enjoyed the fact that the walks were in spectacularly beautiful places, with so few other people around. I particularly enjoyed the walk to Lukomir, and the warm welcome we received from the local people. However, my highlight was spending time in Sarajevo, and having two guides who live in Sarajevo and who were so generous with their information made the experience fascinating.What did you think of your group leader?Samir and Emir from Greenvisions were excellent guides, both in the mountains and beyond. They were considerate, passionate about the environment and their country and really made the trip special.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Bring snacks for the first part of the trip, limited shopping opportunities and not great food in the hotel in Sutjeska. Do the rafting, the Neretva canyon is beautiful. Be prepared for longish transfers in the bus, as you will cover a lot of the country.Is there anything else you would like to add?This trip is interesting in all kinds of ways. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys walking, but wants to get a feel for a country that we have all heard so much about, but usually understand so little of what we hear.
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  Trip date: August 2008
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  Brian Rogers

  · August 3rd, 2008
  A good blend of walking and sightseeing encompassing 6 full day walks (or 5 walks and a rafting day) and 3 particularly historic cities in just 8 full days. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The visits to Mostar to Sarajevo. Given the events of 1992 to 1995 there are some very poignant reminders of the war but it was very pleasing to see how the cities are being restored - the symbolic reconstruction of the old bridge in Mostar being the best example. Seeing the local people enjoying a normal life again was an uplifting experience.What did you think of your group leader?Both the leader (Samer) and his assistant (Emir) were excellent representatives of their country. Both were considerate hosts with considerable humour.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Don't have any second thoughts about going!Is there anything else you would like to add?The only downside was the poor quality and quantity of the food on the first two nights at the Hotel in the National Park. We ate away form the hotel on the third night and the food at that restaurant was exceptionally good.
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  Trip date: August 2008
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  Roselyne Pat Fong

  · October 4th, 2007
  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?experiencing nature which is as yet unpolluted and unspoilt, hope it stays that way.NO CROWDS, sometimes meeting other walkers was nearly an eventWhat did you think of your group leader?EXCELLENT,  helpful and thoughtfulDo you have any advice for potential travellers?It can get very hot at that time of the year, good to be well preparedIs there anything else you would like to add?1.The only black spot of the trip from my point of view and everyone else in the group, was the inflying journey, arriving in Dubrovnik very late(the flight was delayed but the original landing time was late anyway) and then having a really excruciatingly uncomfortable minivan journey to Sujeska National Park.I felt nearly sick with tiredness and discomfort and I don't have a sensitive stomach usually.Please consider flying into Sarajevo.I found Dubrovnik quite disappointing anyway and would not have minded missing it. 2.Some of the people on the trip said that the trip notes exaggerated the difficulty of the walking,I didn't think so, specially when the weather was extremely hot for walking.I am also a novice walker whereas several of the other people in the group were much more experienced.I thought the trip notes were pitched right to address walkers of all experience.
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  Trip date: October 2007