DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1 - WELCOME TO SARAJEVO

• Upon arrival in Sarajevo the group will be met by our team and transferred to their hotel.

• Tour of Sarajevo’s historic Old Town - a walk back in time, covering over five centuries.

• At the exquisite Ottoman marketplace there are shops selling a wide variety of hard-to-find goods, handicrafts and cosmetics in a traditional marketplace surrounded by beautiful old buildings and mosques.

• This is Islam in the heart of Europe. The cafes, restaurants and bakeries serve all types of delicious food and sweets. Try the world famous delicious Bosnian kebabs and desserts or coffee. Learn all about the amazing 500 year old waqf of Gazi Husref Bey, the heroic governor of Bosnia whose generous donations built the marketplace as well as many public buildings, fountains, a clock tower, library, baths, soup kitchens for the poor, a college and merchant hostels. His mosque, built in 1530, is considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture in the world. At the end of the first day, return to hotel to rest and overnight.

 Day 2 – SARAJEVO STORIES

• Learn about some of the great stories of this unique city. Start the day walking and learning about the different architecture reflecting the history of Bosnia - from the majestic Austro-Hungarian buildings such as the City Hall, Cathedral and Post Office, to the buildings of the World War 1 and 2 and the communist period, to modern European buildings and shopping malls.

• Visit the location of the Assassination of Franz Ferdinand in 1914 and hear the fascinating story of this infamous crime that sparked World War 1.

• Proceed to the Lion Cemetery to remember and make dua for the shaheeds’ that defended the city and the Bosnian nation.

• Enjoy beautiful views of the city from here. Then drive to the springs of the River Bosna located in a beautiful pine forest - and a wonderful location for a riverside lunch.

• Enjoy a relaxing horse carriage ride along picturesque tree – lined avenues.

  Proceed to the Tunnel of Hope, a section of the 700m tunnel built during the Siege of Sarajevo (1992-95). Learn the incredible story of this tunnel, the only lifeline for the people during those difficult years, and bear witness to the genius and bravery of the defenders of Sarajevo. End the day at a nearby mountain - at the famous Sunnyland Restaurant – enjoy coffee and panorama views of Sarajevo. Here, there is also an exciting alpine coaster ride (additional fee of 10 Euros). Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 3: CENTRAL BOSNIA TOUR

• Travel to the central Bosnia region with its beautiful green hills and valleys. Stop off at a Muslim village and have a coffee with the friendly villagers. Listen to their stories and get insights into their lives. Proceed to the cultured town of Travnik with its traditional Muslim neighbourhoods or ‘Mahalas’. Visit the stunning Coloured Mosque (1575), the impressive Ottoman Fortress and enjoy great local food products – especially honey and cheese and the best kebabs in the country. Lunch will be at a local restaurant with beautiful scenery. At the 'Blue Water' spring which emerges from the mountains, there is time for a relaxing coffee or tea among the great nature. Proceed to the village of Ahmici and its War Crime Memorial. Learn about the tragic 1993 massacre of the Muslim villagers by Croatian militia.

Return to Sarajevo and overnight.

Day 4: OLYMPIC MOUNTAINS TOUR

• In the morning the group will do a khidma (service) project – supporting the Muslim community in Bosnia. On this day the group will a visit a local school to meet the children and donate some schoolbags with education items inside.

• After this, travel to the beautiful mountains where the 1984 Winter Olympics were held. At Bjelasnica mountain, the group can enjoy magnificent views, fresh air and walks in the alpine nature, while learning about the region. Take a cable car ride to the peaks. At Igman Mountain, visit the Army Mosque - built by the Bosnian army during the war - and hear its inspiring story. Enjoy lunch at a scenic mountain location. At the end of the day the group will return to their hotels. In the evening, the group will meet some local youths and learn about the challenges for young people living in Bosnia today.

Return to Sarajevo and overnight

Day 5: HERZEGOVINA TOUR

• Travel south, to the Herzegovina region, passing rivers and lakes, stopping off at the town of Konjic with its Ottoman bridge, before arriving at the UNESCO Heritage City of Mostar with its rich Ottoman culture.

• Visit the Old Town, including the world famous Stari Most Bridge, Karodoz Bey Mosque, Mehmed Koski Pasha Mosque, and the Ottoman marketplace with beautiful green scenery.

• Move on to Blagaj, where a 450-year-old Sufi Takkiya is located by the raging source of a river at the base of a 200-metre cliff. Proceed to Skybridge on a mountain with great views of the city.

• Try the long zipline (extra fee). Proceed to Pocitelj, a picturesque Ottoman town set as an amphitheatre against the river, with original structures dating back to 1383. It is guarded a clifftop fortress. Move on to the beautiful and cultured Ottoman town of Stolac – with unique stonework architecture. Along the way the group will stop at a Muslim village and meet the locals and learn about their lives and experiences. During this day, try the delicious specialty roast lamb or grilled fish dishes at the riverside restaurants.

• Return to Sarajevo and overnight

Day 6: WHITEWATER RAFTING

Depart in the morning for an unforgettable full day river journey along the beautiful Neretva River. The whitewater rafting will take place in safety with an experienced rafting management team. Separate male and female rafting groups can be arranged. Traveling down the river, surrounded by perfect green nature and crystal - clear waters is a breathtaking experience. Halfway through the journey, the group will stop for a break by the riverbank and enjoy the scenery. At the end a delicious Bosnian lunch will be served and includes Bosnian pies, grilled meat and vegetables amongst the beautiful riverside setting.

Return to Sarajevo and overnight

Day 7: SREBRENICA: GENOCIDE IN EUROPE

Travel to northeast Bosnia to the city of Tuzla to meet some of the local women’s groups, to learn about some of their income generation projects for women such as carpet weaving and handicrafts. Proceed from here to the town of Srebrenica, famous for its tragic role in ending the war. Visit the Srebrenica Genocide Memorial and learn about the tragedy that unfolded in front of the world’s media in June 1995, when over 8,300 Muslim men and boys were massacred by the Serbians, despite being declared a UN-protected ‘Safe Area’. This was perhaps the greatest failure in the history of the United Nations.

There will be opportunity to meet some or the Muslim survivors who have returned and learn about their terrible experiences and bravery. There is time to meet Muslim community leaders and local villagers and learn about their charitable projects to create incomes for those in need. It is also possible to meet poor families and individuals and an opportunity to make donations if anyone wishes to do so. All donations will be made discreetly and respectfully. Return to Sarajevo and overnight.

Day 8: FAREWELL BOSNIA

After breakfast, checkout and free time for last minute photos and activities. Say farewells to new Bosnian friends and transfer toairport