Bosnia & Beyond

Jacqueline Priddin   -  Traveled, August 2023

AVB090223 Just returned from 11 days in the beautiful Balkans with 16 other great people making up the tour group. The itinerary was well planned, considered and delivered and gave me a greater insight into this part of the world I had longed to visit. The range of landscapes and cityscapes we journeyed to and through were breathtaking with enough guided and free time to learn, explore and absorb. Most Inspirational Moment One of the standout experiences was the visit to the home of a family in the village of Podgora. We were offered the most delicious lunch, most if not all sourced from their land. Their hospitality was so warm and welcoming. The city tour of Sarajevo with guide Alem was really interesting and his delivery was superb as was our tour of Kotor and Cetinje with the fabulous Ivana. Thoughts on Group Leader Fatima was the most wonderful guide to us from start to finish. From the depth of her historical/social/ political knowledge of the places we visited to her care and compassion towards us was above and beyond. She clearly loves her role and we enjoyed the enthusiasm, humour and smiles she bought to each day. The world needs more Fatima’s!!! Advice for Potential Travellers Be prepared for some quite long coach journeys but you are certainly rewarded with stunning scenery. Our morning trip to Durmitor National Park with walks around the black lake -you’ll find a toilet block at the beginning of the walk with a wooden decked path up to it. This decking was very slippery on our visit. It had been raining the night before. So perhaps under similar weather conditions it would be safer to use the toilet in the adjacent cafe. Suggestions Often in hotels clients are given the option of choosing not to have their towels etc changed daily to help in the reduction of electricity/water waste. It would have been good to have had a label to hang on the door handle or to display in the room to let them know you were happy to keep your existing towels.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/14/2023

Laura Savill   -  Traveled, May 2023

Mysteries Unveiled It is a busy trip but with time to explore cities and sights on your own. So you can either revist places that you been taken around but wanted to get a better insight i.e Sarvejo or just sit and people watch. The Balkans have an interesting history that needs exploring. Visiting 3 countries certainly showed tge connection with each other but also the differences. People were very friendly wherever we went and wanted to share their daily lives. Our guide Samra and our driver Sam were excellent. Pity this was Samra’s last trip as she is expecting her first child in September. She not only lead the tour as a manager she integrated the group by booking restaurants for all of us to eat together for the first night at a stop, but we could do our own thing on the second night. She was very knowledgeable and explained the history of what we were seeing, clearly but easy to understand. It was more like having a big sister around. Hotels were all good. Most Inspirational Moment I think visiting The Tunnel in Sarvejo where Samru shared some of her family's experience and of her memories, just aged 4 living in Sarvejo at the time. Thoughts on Group Leader As I have said Samru was excellent. Always there to help and advised. Her enthusiasm for the countries we visited shone through. Her knowledge was excellent. Advice for Potential Travellers Although it was late May take a raincoat and waterproofs as it rained during every day we were there. Pack walking shoes as there is alot of walking. Suggestions I think another day in Dubrovnik would have been idea. For those on the group flight, there was only a late afternoon to look around. Also a smaller lunch stop on the first day, as having a group meal on the first night was a little too much. The holiday takes in beautiful scenery, historical cities, a few walks. Do this trip before these countries get to spoilt.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/25/2023

Lizette Sutherland   -  Traveled, August 2023

Bowled over by Bosnia We had an amazing time. Our tour leader, Fatima, was absolutely wonderful. Our driver, Samir (sp?) is the most chilled man in Bosnia and an excellent driver on all those narrow windy roads. Our group gelled really well and we had lots of fun together. The tour had a good balance of city highlights, combined with rural villages and getting out into nature for short refreshing walks and swims. We had some excellent homemade traditional food as well as great restaurants, especially Babylon in Mostar where we had a great view of the bridge and Red Bull bridge diving competition. And another restaurant set on the banks of a river. We learned a great deal about the complicated history of the Balkan countries as well as current political situations. Bosnia, Montenegro and Croatia are all phenomenally beautiful countries. But Bosnia in particular blew me away with its gorgeous mountains, rivers, lake, waterfalls and warm, genuine people. A feast for the eye and soul. Most Inspirational Moment There were so many highlights and beautiful places on this trip that it’s hard to choose… We drove up a narrow windy gravel and dirt road, passing the most magnificent landscapes, up to Lukomir, the highest village in Bosnia. We went for a short walk up the hill overlooking the gorge and mountain ranges for spectacular views. After, we had a wonderful homemade lunch of locally grown and prepared food and the strongest coffee I ever tasted. Just enjoying the sound of the wind, crisp clean air and peace up there was such a gift. Thoughts on Group Leader Fatima was an excellent leader and her enthusiasm and sincere commitment to make sure everyone had the best possible time was amazing. She helped us carry heavy suitcases up stairs, made sure dinner arrangements were made and orders placed ahead of time to maximize free time. She dealt with two serious medical issues in our group professionally and with great care and empathy, and even after a long night at the emergency room, joined us for breakfast bright and early with her usual smile. She translated where needed, shared difficult stories of her own family history during the war and made personal connections with each person. She is a beautiful person inside and out. Advice for Potential Travellers If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring your meds. The roads are narrow and windy, but the views truly make up for it.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/12/2023

Sharon Brown   -  Traveled, July 2023

Brilliant Bosnia & Beyond The whole trip was amazing and genuinely a lovely group of people.. friendly, interesting, generous and great fun. Well organised throughout with well selected destinations and knowledgeable guides .. not least Evalin who has such a wide knowledge of history, local people, the countryside … everything. We were also lucky to have Fatima with us too who was always ready with answers to questions and help/advice. Our drivers were brilliant driving us safely and comfortably through every type of terrain and on very narrow and winding roads … also friendly and welcoming. This was my first Exodus trip and I have already recommended it. Most Inspirational Moment So much was inspirational .. the multiculturalism in Bosnia was inspiring, with different religions side by side, reflected in art and architecture. What I most enjoyed and was most impressed by was being with local people from the guides and bus drivers and also spending time with local families and small communities who greeted us warmly and welcomed us as their guests. Gorgeous surroundings, delicious food and wine. Thoughts on Group Leader Evalin is an amazing group leader.. he combines the energy needed to lead a group, the diplomacy to deal with any issues, huge enthusiasm and obvious passion for the areas we travelled through. I couldn’t believe the depth of his knowledge which brought history to life. He was flexible to group needs whilst keeping us on schedule and made the holiday fun for everyone. Advice for Potential Travellers You don’t need to pack as much as you might think … no ironing required! The Exodus packing guide is good. Be prepared for a pretty non-stop adventure with significant time spent on the bus including passing through border control. Go with the flow and soak up the experiences and chance to make new friends. Suggestions At our final destination, there was a plumbing disaster for one of my fellow travellers. The hotel staffs response was at best poor and at worst racist. I was very unhappy that this was experienced by a member of the party. Most of us and guides had gone off in different directions but luckily this was witnessed by another member of the party. I hope Exodus take this up with the hotel. It was the only cloud on a dazzlingly brilliant trip.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/12/2023

Charlotte Reeve   -  Traveled, August 2022

Varied trip with stunning scenery and picturesque towns I thoroughly enjoyed the trip, which let us enjoy the highlights of Montenegro and Bosnia. There was quite a lot of driving, but it’s nearly all through stunning scenery, so it didn’t feel like a chore. The itinerary was very well put together to provide a real variety of experiences, from old towns, to nature, to modern cities with an interesting past. The included walks were enjoyable, and not too challenging (although the optional climb up the city walls in Kotor was hard work in the heat and humidity). The food throughout the trip was excellent – while meat and potatoes were the staples, there were always other options available when you wanted a bit more variety. Most Inspirational Moment The drive through Durmitor National Park was absolutely stunning. Although very busy and touristy, I also really liked the towns of Kotor and Mostar, and they contrasted well with the natural areas we visited. Thoughts on Group Leader This was my 20th group tour, and I have to say that Samra was probably the best guide I have had on any trip. She was very personable and felt like a friend to the group, and was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about everywhere we visited. Advice for Potential Travellers The roads are generally very twisty, so I was very grateful for my travel sickness tablets (although our driver, Big Sam, was excellent and his smooth driving certainly helped). The roads up to Lukomir were bumpy as well as twisty, so I'd recommend medicating that day if you suffer from motion sickness.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/15/2022

Sheila Shannon   -  Traveled, July 2022

Three countries in less than 2 weeks! This was a really exhilarating trip. We had such a diverse journey through mountainous landscapes and fascinating cities – with stops at a waterfall, lakes and interesting historical remote buildings. The itinerary was excellent. Most Inspirational Moment Kotor Bay and the Old cCty, Sarajevo and Mostar where we whitnessed a young diver jumping off the famous Ottoman Bridge. Also a visit to the highest and remotest village in Bosnia Hezagovinia where we met Sam's grandparents. A dying village that only has about 50 residents still living there -but not in the Winter. Thoughts on Group Leader Sam was fantastic in every area. Her English was totally colloquial and she had a great sense of humour. I must also praise Sam, the driver. I suffer from vertigo but never felt fearful whilst he was manipulating those hairpin bends through the mountains of Montenegro. We nicknamed them Big Sam and Little Sam. Advice for Potential Travellers I felt that one of the highlights listed on the website is not totally accurate. For example the walking in the Durmitor Park was described as 'Enjoy gentle walking in the stunning Durmitor National Park' I was one of the older members of the group and am fairly fit and am a Member of the Ramblers Association and regualary walk 7-9 miles most weekends. However, I found the terrain around the Black Lake extremely challenging insofar as we were walking on a mixture of unsteady and different sized rocks and tree roots. I actually had to be supported by Sam for this walk which was only about 4 miles but a very difficult 4 miles and took longer than expected. I would also like to point out that everywhere we went there were many many steep steps to navigate - mostly without rails. Suggestions I thought that two of the hotels were not up to scratch. The first one was in Zablak (we were not in the listed Hotel Zablak) where I felt the group was part of a feasability project. It appeared that we were the first group to stay in this newly built hotel. It was still unfinished and many things did not work i.e showers with no doors that completely flooded the floor of the bathroom. Haphazard breakfasts - although it was table service, there was no menu and the waiter came to the table and told us what was for breakfast - which is not always always remember! The second hotel was in Saraevo where the aircon did not work when I arrived and I had to sleep with the window open to try and cool the room down. The only member of staff in the building was the Receptionist and I had to wait until the next day to have it sorted - It was about 38 degrees. Breakfast was pitiful. Packets of instant coffee, the small choice was of very poor quality and quickly ran out. There appeared to be very little organisation and every so often someone would come in and replenish the bread. Surely there has to be a better hotel in Sareva - its only redeeming feature was that it was quite central but so were many others.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 08/23/2022

Carol Taylor   -  Traveled, June 2022

Bosnia & Beyond An amazing trip dipping into the complex history, cultural background and natural wonders of the region. Most Inspirational Moment My absolute highlight was the day we travelled up, through magnificent scenery, to the village of Lukomir. The views were out of this world and we were made very welcome in the village and treated to a delicious lunch. It was a privilege to be in such a beautiful, sparsely populated place. A truly wonderful memory. Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader, Evelin Balta, couldn’t have been better. He was kind, courteous to everyone and, above all, passionate about the area and keen to share his knowledge with us. He always made us feel that what he did was not a job - that he was enjoying the trip as much as we were! His enthusiasm was infectious and no one could fail to be fascinated by the history and culture of the region or to fall un love with the beautiful countryside. Advice for Potential Travellers This trip has everything - amazing towns and cities, fascinating history and stunning scenery. Walks are optional but not over-taxing. The many trips in the minibus are kept to manageable lengths with frequent stops but be prepared for a lot of travelling - worth it to see some amazing sights. Suggestions As well as an inspirational group leader, our driver, Semir, was amazing - extremely capable and never losing his cool on some tricky roads and situations!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/25/2022

Janet Sully   -  Traveled, September 2019

An exceptionally interesting and varied trip This trip exceeded my expectations in terms of the sheer variety of scenery and experiences. Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro are stunningly beautiful countries and, as yet, unspoilt by mass tourism. The Bay of Kotor, with the mountains rising up precipitously behind; the remote valleys and settlements; turquoise lakes and rivers; deep gorges and waterfalls; fascinating towns and cities like Cetinje, Sarajevo and Mostar; monasteries below sheer rock faces; isolated villages offering great hospitality; plentiful food portions; wine tastings; a superb guide who brought the incredible history to life: what more could one want? Although we saw and experienced a huge amount, there were no early starts, and the drives were punctuated by stops at places of interest. It was also good to spend at least two nights at each place apart from the last (Dubrovnik), so that we were not packing up and moving on every day. Our driver, Semir, also deserves a mention – he was always helpful and was a very steady driver, so we felt completely safe. Most Inspirational Moment Every day had several highlights and it would be impossible to single out one particularly inspirational moment, but unexpected sights such as a perfect rainbow over the river in Sarajevo, and shepherds with their sheepdogs and umbrellas up, herding huge flocks of sheep in most isolated terrain and unfavourable weather conditions, caused me to gasp in amazement. Thoughts on Group Leader I echo the other reviewers' comments about Sabina; she is simply outstanding and I feel very lucky to have had her as leader. Her knowledge of the history and culture of the region is phenomenal and her passion for the environment shone through, yet she never overloaded us with information at any one time. Her accounts of her family's experiences in World War II, under Tito and during the siege of Sarajevo brought the history to life. Sabina has a delightful personality; she was always cheerful, showed a good sense of humour and was very helpful and caring. Her organisational skills were excellent and the trip ran seamlessly. Advice for Potential Travellers We stayed on in Dubrovnik for three more days after the group trip ended and are very glad we did, as there would have been little time to do justice to it otherwise. Others in the group stayed in Cavtat, near Dubrovnik airport, for a night or two before the trip started, which seemed a good idea The centre of Dubrovnik is much more expensive than anywhere else, but outside the walled town we found prices reasonable. Bring mosquito repellent if you are prone to bites! Suggestions It's a tremendous trip and I thoroughly recommend it if you enjoy beautiful scenery, architecture, history and good food.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/27/2019

Gillian Forbes   -  Traveled, September 2019

Beguiled by Bosnia This holiday gave a great taste of 3 Balkan countries, breath-taking scenery, attractive towns and villages and sobering insights into the past suffered there, particularly Bosnia. A variety of sites, history and experiences were included which made the trip really interesting. The only downside was the over-popularity of Dubrovnik at the end of the trip Most Inspirational Moment The resourcefulness of the people of Sarajevo during the siege of the city was illustrated in the tunnel museum, also added to by our guide who, with her family lived through it. The city of Mostar was also particularly beautiful, the fallen bridge having been rebuilt exactly how it was before the war Thoughts on Group Leader Our group leader Sabena was really good, full of information, caring, sociable and organised Advice for Potential Travellers Bear in mind Dubrovnik is really expensive, pay in restaurants in the local currency not euros

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 10/15/2019

David Richardson   -  Traveled, August 2019

Two surprising gem's This is a fascinating trip and I would recommend you book soon before some of the places you visit become too popular. The trip starts in Montenegro, and you spend a mixture of time in the stunning town of Kotor and out in the wilds of Durmitor NP and Zabljak. The views and walks are beautiful. Onto Bosnia and much learning about the recent war, however the country has far more to offer than this with wine tasting, waterfalls, remote villages and of course the very touristy, Mostar. The trip is paced well, with no really early starts and time allowed for you to explore yourself. Walks are not difficult and the food meaty, whilst accommodating vegetarians. If asked I would say “just book” Most Inspirational Moment Possibly for me the lunch up in the hills with a very generous and welcoming Montenegrin family, and this was closely followed by numerous "pies" in the wilds of Lukomir following a walk on the hills. Thoughts on Group Leader What can I say about Sabina! "Hello, hello" Sabrina's passion for the region was clear and she struck just the right balance of giving us information without overloading us. She always put the group first and tried her best to make sure we had an enjoyable and hassle free adventure. I am proud to say she is now a friend and should she be your guide, she will enhance your trip. Advice for Potential Travellers Consider a night in Cavtat before the trip starts and extra time afterwards in Dubrovnik if you have never been there before. Otherwise, don't hesitate to book!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/21/2019

Martin Saunders   -  Traveled, August 2023

Bosnia & Beyond A very good mix of Balkan history, culture and lovely countryside. Most Inspirational Moment Having lunchtime meals in villages in Montenegro and Bosnia. getting to see the welcome from the local families. Thoughts on Group Leader It was Fatima's first solo lead and she had to cope with two trips to A&E to help travelers who got sick or injured - a baptism of fire. She was understandably nervous but determined we should all have a great time. Her personal passion for Bosnia and all that it has gone through in recent times shone through and made the trip very memorable - reminding us of the challenges of the conflicts of the recent past. Advice for Potential Travellers Some longish days in the bus but worth it for the scenery. The first day after pick up from airport you do go back into Bosnia Herzogovina for a lunch stop - it does not take cards and there was no ATM near by so we had to borrow some local currency from Fatima - please remember to pay her back! Suggestions We loved the walking opportunities - spectacular scenery and good paths - particularly near Lukomia. Any chance for an extension there - perhaps to walk back to meet the bus down the road - would be excellent- but we do recognise this is not a walking holiday. Some of the walks around towns were very hot - take water and a hat!

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/12/2023

Sarah Morrow   -  Traveled, June 2019

An interesting tour of the Balkans This is a very interesting and varied trip through Montenegro and Bosnia Herzogovina, covering countryside, mountains, culture and history. A lot is fitted into a relatively short time, so it involves quite a bit of travelling, but the countryside is stunning and our driver was excellent, so it was really worth it. The mountains are reminiscent of the Dolomites, but without the crowds. The cities are medieval and very quaint, but still bear the scars of the Balkan war of the 90’s. The war exhibition in Sarajevo is particularly thought provoking and well worth a visit. Most Inspirational Moment Sarajevo Thoughts on Group Leader The group leader was young and enthusiastic

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/23/2019

Muriel Mccleery   -  Traveled, August 2019

A fabulous trip - full of variety A superb trip with great variety – coastal scenery, mountains, rivers, lakes, canyons, the city of Sarajevo, and then all the history, culture and peoples of the Balkans. It was a very easy trip with comfortable travel, unhurried and yet lots seen and done. I really enjoyed travelling with the group – always someone to go out with for meals or a drink and yet plenty of time to do your own exploring. Most Inspirational Moment The scenery - the Adriatic coastline of Perast and Kotor, Tara Canyon, the journey from Zabljak to Sarajevo (thank you Semie for your excellent driving skills) and all the history of the region. Sarajevo has lots to see and do and has so much more to offer than just its war history. Thoughts on Group Leader Sabina Sirco was an excellent leader - she certainly deserves a nomination for an Exodus tour leader award. She was passionate about her country and through her family history was able to bring the history of the region alive. She put a lot of personal energy and time into ensuring that each of us had a really enjoyable trip. She was always friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, organised and with excellent English and communication skills. This all led to a relaxed and fun filled trip. Advice for Potential Travellers Just book it! Suggestions You will need to go on a diet at the end of this trip - the food was excellent and abundant.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 09/24/2019

Bruce Pryde   -  Traveled, June 2019

When things go wrong I enjoyed the mix if this trip. Old walled towns, wonderful coastline, and flower meadows as you like to think they were in the UK in the past. Even the coach journeys through the countryside were worth the time spent doing them. Most Inspirational Moment There was inspiration to be found in almost everything we did. The journey from Zabljak to Sarajevo was particularly wonderful. The wild flowers were stunningly beautiful particularly where we had a coffee stop, as were the views to and the journey in the Piva gorge. Thoughts on Group Leader Alen was an engaging guide full of useful information imparted with clarity. Always ready to help he came into his own when I slipped and broke my leg! He handled the situation in a very calm manner with excellent first aid skills. Moving on with the rest of the group Alen arranged support for my wife left in Sarajevo. What a guy! Advice for Potential Travellers Make sure you have travel insurance! Suggestions We were impressed by the friendliness we encountered especially considering their recent history.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 07/12/2019

Bev Wickham   -  Traveled, May 2019

Exceeded my expectations An amazingly diverse trip taking in wonderful UNESCO world heritage sites. From cities to isolated mountainous hikes, swimming at Kravica waterfalls and lunches in out of the ordinary hidden gems. I now have a much greater knowledge and understanding of the war in these countries. Most Inspirational Moment As a wild flower and especially Orchid lover, the Flora was breathtaking. The unspoilt countryside, meadows and alpine regions were packed full of so many species. Swimming in Kravica waterfalls was an experience never to be forgotten. The walk towards the Rakitnica canyon,views and lunch with one of the main village families sitting out in the open is a memory that will stay with me for a long time Thoughts on Group Leader Alen our group leader was over and above anything I could have asked for. He was extremely knowledgeable, interesting and great fun - even his jokes!! Nothing was to much trouble for Alen and he went out of his way to make this a truly memorable holiday. One of our group unfortunately broke his leg at the end of a hike. Alen’s knowledge of making a temporary splint, staying calm and organised and still managing to make sure we were all looked after was very impressive. What a guy and a man of many talents. Advice for Potential Travellers Do make sure you have suitable foot ware for rougher terrain. The walk down to the Rakitnica canyon was rugged in some parts and some of the cobbled streets are slippery with so much footfall especially Mostar. We made the mistake of arriving at Kotor on day one after a long journey from Dubrovnik and crossing borders etc and went out exploring immediately. This wasn’t necessary as we had a guided tour the next day. It may be a good idea to walk up the steps to St John’s Fortress for panoramic views. This needs to be done earlier or later in the day because of the heat. Suggestions All the hotels were what I expected. They were clean adequate and the staff were all friendly. Our hotel in Zabljak had a chained up dog which woke us with it’s barking through the early hours as we were at the front of the hotel. When we arrived in Mostar it would have been great to chill out for the afternoon instead of going straight out for a tour in the heat and crowds. We had a fantastic driver Sandy. He was great fun, and a very safe driver. Truly memorable holiday

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/25/2019

William Edginton   -  Traveled, May 2019

Bosnia and beyond This was an enjoyable and illuminating trip, very efficiently run. Almost all places visited were worthwhile, with the possible exception of Budva. A mixture of lovely scenery (especially the Montenegro mountains), comfortable travelling and towns/cities attractive in themselves but with an extra layer of history. Most Inspirational Moment Sarajevo - walking its streets, visiting its museums and mosques, taking views from its hills and remembering what they were used for, sampling its food and its vibrancy. But there were other highlights such as the view over Kotor Bay, the pleasure of seeing Mostar's restored old bridge from various angles including the top of a minaret and the traversing of a spectacular mountain road only just made passable through snowdrifts. Thoughts on Group Leader I can only echo the plaudits given to Sabina in other reviews. She just makes you happy to be in her country/region. Advice for Potential Travellers The group hotel in Dubrovnik is on the outskirts of the new town and a bus (approximately hourly) is needed to get to the old town. Don't know about taxis but reception seemed to want several hours notice for a taxi to the airport. The old town is small and almost overwhelmed by visitors. Seasoned walkers may find the walks undemanding (can't speak for the walk outside Sarajevo - truncated because of the weather) Suggestions Just for clarity, because of poor weather I chose to stay in Sarajevo rather than go with the group to Lukomir and so saw more of the city but none of the countryside. An extra day based in Sarajevo is the solution.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/15/2019

Chris Bridges   -  Traveled, May 2019

Bosnia and beyond A great trip, scenically a good mix of coastal and mountain scenery, local culture well explained & a great introduction to this part of the Balkans. Most Inspirational Moment Visiting Sarajevo & learning of the history. Seeing the spectacular mountain scenery Thoughts on Group Leader Sabina was wonderful, her passion for her country & for tourism & conservation came through very strongly. She was well organised & a lot of fun. Advice for Potential Travellers Please do this trip & learn about Bosnia & see the spectacular scenery.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/23/2019

Pamela Moore   -  Traveled, May 2019

Fantastic Trip If you love glorious mountain scenery on every day of your journey then this is the trip for you. Every place we went looked like it could be an airbrushed postcard, yet the beauty was very real. The walks were lovely and not too difficult, although I do recommend bringing walking poles. I was fortunate enough to be in a group with Sabina as our guide. While I’ve never had a bad guide with Exodus, Sabina stands out as the best. She did a wonderful job of looking out for everyone in the group and making sure everyone felt included. Her love and knowledge of the Balkans really came through. Our driver was very skilled and he kept us safe on some narrow, winding roads. Most Inspirational Moment In addition to the scenery of the Balkans, the history of this part of the world is fascinating. The scars of the war are still very visible on many of the buildings, especially in Sarajevo. I still don't understand what started the war or why the rest of the world looked the other way, but I think it's important to learn from situations like this. One of the dozens of buildings that was destroyed in the war was the City Hall of Sarajevo. I took a picture of the plaque on the outside of the new building and the last line reads, "Do not forget, remember and warn!" I shall never forget. Thoughts on Group Leader Sabina was an outstanding guide. She did a great job of organizing the trip and everything went very smoothly. On one of our days when we were supposed to walk in the mountains, the weather did not co-operate. That's OK, Sabina made a new plan and we still had a very fun day. If I am fortunate enough to return to this part of the world I would love to be in her group again. I especially loved hearing of her personal experiences during the war. Advice for Potential Travellers I'm sure the Balkans are great at any time of the year but I'm very glad I went in May. The days were warm but not too hot, nights were cool and wildflowers were blooming.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/27/2019

Tony Hill  -  Traveled, May 2019

Bosnia visited I was hoping to understand more about the recent war in Bosnia. I didn’t learn much except that this is an extraordinarily complicated place the crossroads of Europe geographically and historically, that nationalism is toxic, and that efforts by internationalbodies such as the UN were incapable of preventing war and even genocide if one of the combatants decide on a course of action. Most Inspirational Moment Sarajevo, the resilience and friendliness of its people when important issues are still unresolved. It is a living, fascinating city. Montenegro and especially Kotor. An intact, walled old city on a harbour surrounded by steep mountains and with a fiercely independent history. The high mountains and deep river valley's of the countryside with remote villages. Thoughts on Group Leader Sabina was excellent. She was knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and shared the remarkable history of her family to help us with understanding the rich cultural environment. Her warmth and humour helped bind the group together. Our driver Damen was very professional and soon gained our confidence with his driving on the steep, tortuous, narrow mountain roads. Advice for Potential Travellers Old men be warned, there are very few public toilets and stairs and steps are steep and rarely have handrails. The roads are unremittingly winding so bring a remedy if prone to car sickness. Read up on some history before going, it will enrich the experience. Suggestions Be prepared to be amazed by the richness of the history and geography of this fascinating region and its people, and if your guide is half as good as Sabina you will have a lot of fun.

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 06/23/2019

Joy W   -  Traveled, April 2023

Bosnia in general, especially Sarajevo, was a lovely surprise A great balance of being guided vs free time, eating together as a group or finding restaurants on our own. We were incredibly unlucky with the weather for virtually the whole trip, but that didn’t stop us enjoying the scenery, mountains, lakes, history and the warmth of the local people. Most Inspirational Moment Going to our tour leader's Grandma's mountain village, where our tour leader's mum grew up too. Extremely remote, with very few facilities even now; so much so that people can't live there still in the winter. Sarajevo - as a city itself, after all the inhabitants have been through and going to the Sarajevo tunnels. Let us not forget their tragedies. Thoughts on Group Leader We were very lucky to have Samra as our tour leader, because we were her last group before going on maternity leave. She was a terrific guide throughout the whole of Bosnia. She was definitely in charge of us, yet she was also our friend, being authentic throughout. She really helped the group to gel. I don't want to forget our driver Sam too. There were so many mountain passes and unpaved roads, yet he was a real professional and I always felt safe in his hands. Advice for Potential Travellers Take a rucksack instead of a suitcase. Several hotels didn't have lifts. Why hasn't anyone else mentioned this before?? If you get travel sick, take medication. The roads are windy for almost the whole trip. Take layers. Take waterproofs. Ladies - take a headscarf for mosques (although you can also borrow them, but handy). Suggestions I'd like to give a compliment. Unfortunately my roommate got sick, which made it impossible for us to share. The Exodus team (in particular Candice from Operations), helped to find a solution and kept in regular contact during the trip, to ensure everything was ok. I was left with the feeling that I'd like to travel with Exodus again. It could so easily have gone the other way. We often got to the major tourist spots and did guided tours before the crowds got there, which made the whole experience a lot more authentic. Mostar was the only exception. I'd highly recommend this trip to everyone, although I personally couldn't visit in July/August, when it usually gets to 40°C+

Source: Tour operator   Submitted: 05/10/2023