Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina & Croatia Cultural Discovery Walk (Bay of Kotor, Sarajevo to Dubrovnik) 11D10N, Fully Guided

The journey kicks off at Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia, where our group comes together to begin the adventure. From there, we take a scenic one-hour transfer to Trebinje, a hidden gem in Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of the country’s most picturesque small cities.

Just a short stroll from our hotel lies the enchanting old town, a perfect gateway to Herzegovina’s rich cultural heritage. With its timeless stone architecture, tranquil shaded squares, and the historic 18th-century Arslanagić Bridge, it’s a place that feels like stepping back in time.

As the evening unfolds, we gather around 6pm to hear more about the exciting experiences that await us. To mark the start of our adventure, your tour leader hosts a warm welcome dinner by the serene banks of the Trebišnjica River—a perfect setting to connect and savor the moment.

Today’s adventure starts with a visit to Kotor’s 4.5km long fortification walls featuring its churches and palaces. These majorly account for the inclusion in 1979 of Kotor on UNESCO'S list of natural and cultural heritage sites.

We take a walk through some of Kotor's spacious squares, decorated with townhouses locally known as palaces and several spectacular religious buildings. Embark on a short transfer to Perast, a town previously owned by the Venetians, explaining the distinctly Italian aura. Perast's view is dominated by the 17th Century church of St Nikola, secured by a Venetian fortress and enclosed by gorgeous palaces and gardens once built by the famed sea captains of the Adriatic. Here, we eat lunch accompanied by views of the bay.

After lunch, venture on a serene boat ride to the 'Lady of the Rocks' island and visit the chapel. Marvel at a fresh perspective of the Montenegrin coastline offering views of the towering peaks of the Dinaric Alps from the boat. Cruise back to the hotel by boat, the best way to truly enjoy this breathtaking setting.

In the evening, explore one of the oldest settlements on the Montenegrin coast, Buvda. It is known for arguably having the best nightlife in the entire area.

Today, transfer to the town of Cetinje for an exploration of the city. Cetinje is the ancient capital of Montenegro and is located at the foot of Lovcen Mountain. Since 1485, Centinje has been the sacred centre of Montenegro, making it house more museums and cultural heritage sites than any other city in Montenegro. Uncover some of the main areas in this unfrequented cultural oasis in the Cetinjsko fields.

From Cetinje, head towards Montenegro's gigantic interior en route visiting the holy shrine of St.Vasilije in the shaded Ostrog Mountains. Sophistically carved into the rising rock face, many people consider the Ostrog Monastery to be the most inspiring Orthodox sacred place in the former Yugoslavia. The monastery is the largest pilgrimage site in the country, with many Orthodox Christians, Catholics and Muslims paying homage to St. Vasilije, the founder of the 17th Century monastery.

We bring the day to an end with a drive through isolated villages and high mountain passes to the small ski resort of Zabljak. Zabljak is nicely seated on a plateau at 1500m, encircled by lovely pinewood forests, high alpine mountains, and the deep Tara Canyon.

Conveniently located in Zabljak's centre and surrounded by the breathtaking scenery that features 23 mountains and 18 lakes is Hotel Zabljak, our lovely home for the next two days.

We dedicate today to exploring the Zabljak Plateau with its many lakes and traditional villages. Begin with a walk around the region's largest lake, a charming spot with sparkling waters mirroring the surrounding cliffs.

We transfer to Podgora village around lunchtime. The village recently became part of a regional ecovillage network helping to promote tourism in rural communities. For lunch a local family provides us with delectable traditional Montenegrin mountain food. We also visit and enjoy vistas from one of the many viewpoints above Tara Canyon, which is considered the deepest European Canyon and as such is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Transfer back to Zabljak and spend the afternoon doing as little or as much as you please. Enjoy a scenic walk, go for a rejuvenating dip in the lake, or drink a glass of local wine or beer in one of Zabljak's cafes.

Our journey today takes us on a scenic two- to three-hour transfer to the Montenegro-Bosnia border. We'll travel through the heart of Durmitor, a landscape defined by impressive peaks, secluded mountain lakes, and deep canyons. The mountain roads are narrow, and we may encounter shepherds guiding their flocks to higher pastures—a seasonal migration that has been a cornerstone of Montenegrin culture for centuries.

We'll drive to Brod na Drini and pause for lunch at a restaurant overlooking the Drina River. Afterward, our journey continues through the remote, mountainous region of eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina as we make our way to Sarajevo.

We take the whole day to explore the wonders of Sarajevo on foot and by bus. This city being one of the most culturally diverse in Europe, spent over 400 years under Turkish governorship until the Austro-Hungarians arrived in the late 19th-century. After forty years, the empire collapsed when Archduke Ferdinand was killed there, contributing to the outbreak of the First World War. The late 20th-century featured Sarajevo hosting the Winter Olympics in 1984 and the city's siege during the recent conflict. Our tour covers the major historical, vulture and war sites, which will help you understand its complicated history.

Explore the main sites and a visit to the famed Sarajevo Tunnel Museum. The tunnel was a lifeline for the citizens of Sarajevo during their 1400 days of isolation. It was the only reliable way of supplying goods and electricity to the city as all other supply lines were cut off by the Serbian Army.

Today is for Bosnia's highest village, Lukomir, standing at 4,820ft (1,469m) with its ancient 'stecci' (mediaeval tombstones). Here, gain insight into the traditional way of life. People still wear customary dresses and the occasional turbans and fez, complementing it with more contemporary features of everyday life such as electricity and running water. The village houses here represent simpler times.

We walk down towards the Rakitnica Canyon close by and find some spectacular viewpoints to admire this magnificent scenery. The sight of the mountains' dimension and the canyon below is one that will stick in your memory.

In the village, we savour a filling and traditional lunch prepared by one of the main families still living there. At the end of the day, we return to Sarajevo.

This morning, we transfer to Mostar where we use the day to unveil the charming Herzegovinian city. Mostar's architecture was founded in the 15th century and is a combination of Turkish ingenuity and Herzegovinian and Dalmatian workmanship.

We spend the morning and afternoon exploring Mostar, a city that was split during the conflict of the early 1990s. The scars of war remain, but Mostar is currently that warm and bustling place with an intriguing history. You have the rest of the day to explore the city on your own.

You’ll stay at the charming Hotel Kapetanovina, situated close to Mostar's main attraction, the Old Bridge and Old Bazaar.

The oriental-style town of Pocitelj is our first stop today. Pocitelj hosts the longest-functioning art colony in southeast Europe and was recently added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites. The most distinctive object in Pocitelj is the Sahat Kula, a silo-shaped fort that occupies the skyline from a hill above the town. It was previously used to house watchmen and military guarding against possible invasion from ten Neretva Valley.

Our next stop is Kravice Waterfall, a stunning lush oasis in the craggy Herzegovinian terrain. Following a short walk and perhaps even a cooling swim, we set out to Blagaj for lunch. The Buna Spring and the adjacent Ottoman monastery are the highlights of Blagaj. The spring here is spectacular. Flowing out of a 200m cliff wall, it single-handedly creates the Buna River. The Ottoman sultan, being impressed, ordered that a Tekija be built right next to it. This 16th Century monastery was built for the Dervish cults and is one of the most mystical places in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

You want to take a walk through Blagaj's Old Town. This leisurely Herzegovinan town moves at a slow pace, and many of its old buildings remind you of the Ottoman days. In this region, you will also encounter old flour mills that power the Buna River. We spend the rest of the afternoon and evening in Mostar.

Today's journey takes us back to Dubrovnik through Radimlja with its many charming mediaeval Christian tombstones and Trebinje (the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina). Here, we visit the cellars for an intimate taste of the exquisite, earthy, bold red wines. Despite the tradition being in existence since Roman times, Herzegovina's wines are the newest in the 'second world' wine category. Its sunny Mediterranean climate and fertile hinterland soils give rise to the production of the finest wines in southern Europe.

After eating lunch, we travel south to our final destination, a spectacular walled city that lies at the southernmost tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik. A former thriving trading centre, Dubrovnik now maintains its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its prosperous cultural life draws many visitors every year.

You have free time for the rest of the day in Dubrovnik, which you could spend touring the Old Town, walking along the ancient walls of Dubrovnik or swimming in the warm Adriatic. Amazingly, today's accommodation, the quaint Hotel Komodor, is located just 50 metres from the beach.

Savour a relaxing breakfast and one last refreshing dip by the pool, a perfect time to reflect on your incredible journey before you bid farewell and make your own arrangements for your onward travel. Alternatively, airport transfers can be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.