8D7N Off The Beaten Path package will conveniently enable you to explore the very best of Bosnia and Herzegovina while traveling completely off the beaten path. If you are a fan of responsible travelling and are into culture, arts and crafts, meeting the locals and actively participating in local community, then this package is absolutely perfect for you.
Most importantly, you can customise your own itinerary while still keeping the package in shared trip option by replacing day tours that are offered with any of the day tours you choose from our portfolio.
Please keep in mind the package is based on shared tours, with no more than maximum 8 travellers (usually 3-5) per tour. It is based on private 3/4/5* accommodation in Sarajevo, from where we conduct our tours to most important parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina on daily basis.
Destination: Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
>Sarajevo is great place to start your amazing Bosnian and Montenegrin adventure. Being very well connected via WizzAir with many European cities it is the most convenient place to start and end your Balkan journey.
Arrival Note: Depending on your arrival time and hotel check-in policy, you might not be able to check into your room immediately after arrival. Of course, you are welcome to store your luggage at the reception desk of your hotel, or if easier, at our Funky Tours office until check-in time. Your Funky Tours Host upon your airport arrival and pickup, will inform you about all check-in details and will brief you on the rest of the day activities.
Morning/Afternoon: As soon as you arrive in Sarajevo, your Funky Tours Host will welcome you at the airport holding a sign with your name. We will assist you with your 30min transfer to your conveniently and centrally located hotel in Sarajevo. Accommodation we use in Sarajevo are amazing hotels, which usually offer cafe or bar services, ideal for refreshment after your arrival. Among other perks, all rooms are air-conditioned and always equipped with private bathrooms, minibar, satellite TV and wireless internet.
After you settle in your room, your Funky Tours Host will brief you on suggested activities for the rest of the day. In the afternoon you can feel free to take a stroll through Sarajevo old town and city centre, while visiting popular squares, cafes, shops and local markets.
Dinner: On your own. Bosnian traditional cuisine is simply amazing. Your Funky Tours Host will happily give you all the necessary information on where to find some of the finest Bosnian food. Perhaps you should look for the restaurants serving traditional Bosnian cuisine and decide to try Klepe (a kind of Italian ravioli, but Bosnian style ones stuffed with cheese, meat or spinach) or Bosanski Lonac (slowly cooked in a clay made pot mix of meat and vegetables).
If needed, we are happy to arrange reservations at certain restaurants where needed.
Evening: This is time on your own. However, Funky Tours state of the art support is more than happy to suggest and organise interesting evening activities. Unless you decide to have an easy evening and adjust yourself to the time difference, your Funky Tours host will suggest interesting activities for an evening chill.
WHEN YOU HAVE FREE TIME IN SARAJEVO
During your time in Sarajevo, you will have some free time slots, during which you can opt for some interesting activities in Sarajevo. We recommend few of the following for independent explorations:
Rising from the crowd-sourced book War Childhood and championing the principles and practices of social entrepreneurship, the independent, youth-led War Childhood Museum has garnered recognition as the world’s only museum focused exclusively on childhoods that have been affected by war.
How to get there: Museum is located in the old part of Sarajevo and is usually walking distance from all hotels we usually use in Sarajevo.
Hours: Mon – Sun: 11 AM to 7 PM.
Costs: 5 EUR per person.
Gallery 11/07/95 is the first memorial museum/gallery in Bosnia and Herzegovina – exhibition space aiming to preserve the memory on Srebrenica tragedy and 8372 persons who tragically lost their lives during the genocide.
How to get there: The Gallery is located in the old part of Sarajevo and is usually walking distance from all hotels we usually use in Sarajevo.
Hours: Mon – Sun: 10 AM to 8 PM.
Costs: 6 EUR per person.
The most famous Pizza place in Sarajevo is called “Pekara kod Mahira” and the most famous viewpoint above Sarajevo is the Yellow Bastion, a few min walking distance from the Baščaršija square. Pekara kod Mahira is a takeaway pizza place offering just one type of pizza. Pizza is made in the traditional style with Bosnian style ingredients such as smoked beef and kajmak (a type of butter) being in focus. If you are vegetarian, you are free to tell the pizza master to skip the smoked beef and you immediately have an amazing vegetarian option. Yellow bastion is just 10 min walking distance from the pizza place.
How to get there: Pekara kod Mahira is located in the old part of Sarajevo and is usually walking distance from all hotels we usually use in Sarajevo.
Hours: Mon – Sun: 6 AM to Midnight.
Costs: Regular pizza 3.5 EUR.
Destination: Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B
Breakfast: Our well chosen range of hotels in Sarajevo start serving buffet-style breakfast around 7 AM, featuring Bosnian and International options.
Morning: The morning part of the day will start at 10 AM when we plan to set out for the walking tour of the old part and city centre of Sarajevo. Our 2.5/3 hour tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We shall visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem. We’ll make sure to visit the Latin Bridge and learn the story about how WWI was triggered right here, in the heart of Sarajevo. Sarajevo’s 1984 Winter Olympics and life during the Siege of Sarajevo will surely be part of our story today.
After the walking you will have some free time to further explore the centre of Sarajevo on your own. You might stay in the Ottoman part of Sarajevo delving into hidden cobblestone streets, discovering the breath of Sarajevo’s mystical past, or alternatively visit Austria-Hungarian part and understand why Sarajevo is a city located on the crossroad of cultures.
>Sarajevo old town – Bačšaršija coppersmith street, famously called Kazandžiluk is the oldest originally preserved street in Sarajevo.
Lunch: Get ready to try the most famous dish of the Balkans, at the most important stop of the Balkans – the glorious Sarajevo’s Ćevapi or Ćevapčići. In Sarajevo, Ćevapi are made of pure beef with basic spices and are hardly to be found of such a quality anywhere in the rest of the Balkans. For vegetarians we have alternatives available where we suggest trying traditional Bosnia “pita” (eng. pie) with cheese, spinach or potatoes. In the Balkans generally this food is referred to as “burek”, but in Sarajevo if you order burek, you will be served with meat pita.
Afternoon: Once you have some rest we will head towards the Balkans last existing calligraphy workshop. This serene gallery, shop and working place is run by the man who was in charge of beautiful calligraphy works in the stunning Bey’s Mosque. You will have a chance to learn about Bosnian School of Calligraphy from a master himself and find your inner peace in a whirlwind of colors and reed qalam strokes while following his instructions.
>Apart from Arabic, Hazim also creates his art in Bosancica, Arabica and Latin. Whatever the letter is, Hazim will teach you about the beautiful and some broader, deeper meaning we may have forgotten.
Dinner/Evening: Evening time is reserved for traditional Bosnian dinner. Try traditional Bosnian food while chatting about Bosnian culture of living and present day challenges of life. Traditional Bosnian brandy (Šljivovica) and tasty wines of Herzegovina (Žilavka and Blatina) are a must try. Keep in mind that Bosnian food is widely based on meat, but Funky Tours will make sure we have available options equally for vegetarians and vegans.
THE BEST OF SARAJEVO’S NIGHTLIFE
The moment you arrive at the front doors of this unique cafe bar, you will understand something is “wrong”. Once you are in, the world of vintage opens in front of you. While the interior is dominated by very strange objects from the past, with antique sewing machines, black and white paintings, old TVs, tapestries, mirrors and paintings, this place extremely intricately exudes dust-covered splendor of past times, which most Balkans people believe are long gone. To really feel the true nature of the past, visiting the cafe bar Ribica is a great way to do it.
How to get there: Ribica cafe bar is located in the pure center of Sarajevo, just behind the corner of the Eternal Flame monument.
Hours: Mon – Sun: 10 AM to 1.30 AM.
What to try: Cherry brandy, Sarajevsko Premium beer, hot chocolate, tea, etc.
For lovers of the best international style, espresso based coffee, the Napoli Caffe House, is one of the best places to be. Meet Dino, the bar’s founder barista, discuss the specifics about this unique beverage and ask for a personally made coffee.
How to get there: Ribica cafe bar is located in the old town of Sarajevo, just behind the Gazi Husrev bey’s mosque.
Hours: Mon – Sat: 8 AM to 10 PM.
What to try: Latte macchiato, Cappuccino, Ice Cafe, etc.
Destination: Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B
Morning:Today we will delve into the world of Yugoslavia mysteries, cold war fanaticism and communists paranoia while discussing the possible reasons for the fall of Yugoslavia and its rigid consequences.
We will ride through the suburbs of Sarajevo and areas of central Bosnia until we pass Ivan Mt. and enter the region of Herzegovina. As soon as in Herzegovina, we’ll start descending as the region of Herzegovina is generally at lower altitudes and has a totally different climate, so you’ll notice dramatic natural, environmental and usually climate change.
First stop of the day is a short visit to old part of unique, prehistorically inhabited Konjic, town famous for its 17th century 6-arch Old Bridge, looming over turquoise Neretva river, usually very sunny place and a home to one of the most expensive Yugoslavian projects – Tito’s Nuclear Bunker, or also called: Facility D-0, Atomic War Command (ARK).
It took 26 years to build this 6500 m2 miracle of construction with a purpose of withstanding a possible nuclear war and providing a shelter to over 350 Yugoslav leaders and army generals.
We will wander around this amazing structure and venue for a biennial of contemporary art while discovering the labyrinth of Yugoslavia mysteries, cold war fanaticism and communists paranoia.
>Titos Bunker – Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Afternoon:After some nice walk and lunch in Konjic, we will head towards the War Tunnel Museum and learn from a local survivor why it is popularly called the Tunnel of Hope. Besides the War Tunnel, today we will also make a visit to Olympic Mt. Igman and Trebevic, where we will learn the story of Sarajevo Winter Olympic Games from 1984, but also cover some other sites related to the story of besieged city such as Yellow Bastion, Jewish cemetery and Sniper alley and understand Yugoslavia, War of Bosnia and Siege of Sarajevo in depth.
>Sarajevo War Tunnel
Evening: On your own. Arrival to Sarajevo is expected at 7 PM. However, having in mind we are always pushing our limits and going above and beyond in order to keep up with the outstanding quality of each of our trips, the day can be even longer.
Destination: East Bosnia, Bosnia & Herzegovina & West Serbia, Serbia
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B
Activity Note: The tour is adapted to all ages and is not physically demanding. Due to the distance of the locations, we use vehicles during the tour.
Breakfast: Our well chosen range of hotel in Sarajevo start serving buffet-style breakfast around 7 AM, featuring Bosnian and International options.
Morning: After departing Sarajevo in the morning 7.45 AM we’ll take approx. 45min ride to reach Rogatica and first stop of the day, Borak Stećci necropolis near the Burati village. This hidden gem deep in the misty forests of East Bosnia just recently inscribed as UNESCO World heritage, so we will surely make a visit there. We will discover the unique history of the Medieval Bosnian Kingdom and figure out why these blocks of limestone are scattered all around Bosnia and Herzegovina. The necropolis is a bit hidden in the forest so a bit of hiking is required to find them.
Later, we ride for one more hour, through mountain parts of Bosnia before we meet up with turquoise Drina river canyon, and arrive to Višegrad.
Višegrad is home to UNESCO heritage too, an Ottoman time bridge built in 1577. by the Grand Vizier Mehmed Pasa Sokolović. The UNESCO summary: “The unique elegance of proportion and monumental nobility of the property as a whole bear witness to the greatness of this style of architecture.” is definitely reason to visit such a beautiful place.
The book: “Bridge Over Drina” by Bosnian and Travnik born, World famous Nobel Prize winner, Yugoslav writer Ivo Andrić ,has given most of the glory to this amazing place and we surely recommend you to read this novel before coming to this region and for this tour. This way you can better understand historical importance of this area in regard to a local but as well to a global aspect.
As soon as we see the Bridge and take the river cruise through amazingly green Drina river, we’ll explore stone town of Andrićgrad (eng.Andrić town). Small, stone made town, recently built, named and dedicated after novelist Ivo Andrić. Site also interpreting story of once glorious and very successful Yugoslavian cinematography from perspective of one of the best local directors – Emir Kusturica.
As soon as we finish story of Višegrad, we’ll continue driving towards east Bosnian border and on the way will pay visit to one of the most important Serbian Orthodox monasteries, Dobrun Monastery. Originally built in 1343 with frescoes preserved until today is ideal stop to learn more about local history and enjoy the amazing nature surrounding it.
Lunch:Later on, time to cross the Bosnia to Serbia border and as soon as we do, we will enter amazing area of nature park of “Šargan-Mokra Gora”.
First stop (for lunch possibly) will be ethno village of Drvengrad (eng.Timber Town) also know as Küstendorf and Mećavnik. Village-town designed by the movie director Emir Kusturica for his movie “Life is Miracle” and the design which won the “Philippe Rotthier European Architecture Award” from the Brussels Foundation for Architecture.
Why the place looks out of this world? Why it won one of the most prestigious awards in world of the architecture? The best is to come with us and see it for yourself.
Afternoon:After lunch at Drvengrad we are about to take train ride, but not just any train ride, we will do the famous “Šargan Eight”.
The Šargan Eight is narrow gauge (760mm) steam railway originally built in 1925., famously called Ćira (Chira). Once it used to connect Sarajevo and Belgrade, and the name “eight” origins from the pure shape of the track which if looked from the sky looks like number 8.
It was made famous for the impressive engineering which enabled it to rapidly climb height of 300m over the short distance 3.500m where total length is of the railway today is 15.440m. Stunningly, all of that was achieved by passing through 22 tunnels and 5 bridges. Quite amazing stuff even on the global scale of rail and train engineering at the time, but the most amazing for us is that we are going to experience this story. Today the train, after it was closed in 1974, is again reopen for primarily tourist reasons, but as well for true lovers of old school steam train engineering. Simply interesting and stunning.
Read more about Bosnian Gauge also known “Bosnaspur” or “Bosnische Spurweite”.
As soon as we end amazing train ride we’ll continue, and on the way we will stop to explore amazing region of one of the most beautiful National Parks in Serbia – National Park Tara.
National Park Tara (declared in 1981.) with its biological diversity is one of the most amazing areas in whole of Serbia, offering great nature experiences, stunning views, hiking and trekking opportunities, unique Picea Omorica, vast animal diversity, and many other ways to fully enjoy life.
One of the most important stops will be stunning viewpoint of “Banjska Stena” which offers an amazing panorama of Perućac Lake on Drina river, which naturally borders Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
Evening:Return to Sarajevo is planned in the very late evening, around 8-9 PM.
Destination: Visoko, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B – L
>Valley of Bosnian Pyramids
Activity Note: The tour is adapted to all ages and is medium demanding. Due to the distance of the location, we use vehicles during the tour. Due to the complexcity of the itinerary, we will not include a guided tour of the Pyramids but all of you enthusiasts who would like to learn or see more, feel free to contact us, we are always open to your suggestions and preferences and each of our tours can easily be customised.
Morning:We will arrive at Visoko around 10 AM and leave our car in the city centre. Once in Visoko, we shall take a stroll through the town, explore its small narrow streets and learn how does it look like to live in a small Bosnian town. Whether you are a skeptic or not, we should also discuss the phenomena of the Bosnian Pyramids and take you to the most beautiful viewpoint for taking some amazing photos.
We will arrive to the charming little village of Ljesevo just on a time for some refreshments. We will meet our wonderful hosts Vahid and Hava, have a drink at their home and learn more about how does it look like to be a young couple deciding to spend their lives in the rural side of the country.
Our next goal will be to help Vahid in finding the perfect clay for the souvenir we will be making. We will take a short ride from their home to the place where we will leave a car and do a short hike through a beautifully dense but completely serene forest which has been a safe haven and a treasure trove for many pottery artists.
During a short, half an hour walk and exploring the forest, we will be able to hear a lot of interesting stories as, besides an incredible artist, Vahid is also an amazing local story teller and a person perfect to ask about anything you might be interested in when it comes to not only arts and crafts but the ancient history as well. Once we find our perfect peace of clay, we will return to Vahid’s home. On the way, we will make a short stop and visit a local mountain lodge, place so serene and scenic that is an absolute must for taking some amazing photos.
>While feeling the clay, you can even close your eyes for few moments and indulge yourself only in your sense of touch.
Lunch:If you were missing a home cooked meal or ever wondered how it looks like to have a true Bosnian locally prepared lunch, this is a perfect time of day for you.
Prepare your tastebuds for one of the tastiest meals you will ever have. Serving only from the ingredients she finds in the vicinity of her home, Hava will put her skills and heart into making you the finest lunch that will make you feel a lot less of an outsider and more like a family member. Depending on the time of the year, the lunch menu will be a small surprise but do feel free to contact us with any possible dietary restrictions so we could keep that in mind.
>Vahid’s wife, Hava, will be more than happy to show you her garden and greenhouse where she puts a lot of love to grow an absolute abundance of tasty fruit and vegetables.
Afternoon: After lunch Vahid will show you his small museum where he proudly collects artifacts he finds during his extensive walks and exploring. Over the year, Vahid has managed to turn this place into a small museum that will surprise you with the fascinating amount of ancient pottery tools and artifacts.
Once we are done with a short ” history class” Vahid will show you his skills and teach you the basics about the art of clay modeling. It is your time now to sit on a small chair and connect yourself with the old, hand-made, potter’s wheel machine which is used in the modeling of round ceramic wares. Despite being impossible to master any art or craft within just a day, rest assured that Vahid’s calming voice and smiling face will make you believe you can create a shape you will be proud of.
We will return to Sarajevo in the late afternoon.
Destination: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B
Activity note:Today we will indulge into discovering the secrets, mysteries and origins of religion in Herzegovina while exploring Medjugorje, Blagaj, Pocitelj and inevitable Mostar. We will move away from the war history and discover the way religions found their way of reconciliation, unity and peace.
Morning:We will start at 7 AM in the morning and drive to Medjugorje where we will attend 45min to 1hour English speaking mass at St. James Church. After the mass, if needed, guests will have some free at the church, before we head to Apparition Hill. With the messages: “I have chosen this parish in a special way and I wish to lead it.”, “Peace, peace, peace – and only peace! Peace must reign between God and man and between men!”, the hill Crnica, today called Apparition Hill has become the most important pilgrimage site for Catholics in this part of the World and a symbol of peace.
>Saint James Church evening Mass at Medjugorje – Bosnia and Herzegovina
Lunch: Our next stop will be Blagaj town which is home to Buna river spring – Europe’s most beautiful, most powerful, clean, and drinkable karst river spring, settled beneath a few hundred meters high rock. Just next to the spring, under the rock, is home to Blagaj Tekke – Dervish house, dating most likely pre or early Ottoman era from the early 16th century, a unique sacral-residential example of Islamic architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Afternoon: Afternoon and golden hours in Mostar are the perfect opportunities to take a stroll through Mostarska carsija, admire the old bridge and learn more about this incredibly charming city. The story of Mostar will be about the Bridge, it’s rise and fall, and how it had risen again. We will recreate Mostar for you and with you, but also give you some time to soak up the atmosphere on your own.
>Mostar Old bridge during the sunset
On the way back we will make short stops in Jablanica and arrive to Sarajevo around 7 pm. This will be a long but amazing day overall.
Destination: Treskavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B – L
Activity note: The tour is adapted to all ages and requires normal level of fitness, since it is medium demanding. Due to the distance of starting point, we use vehicles during the tour to reach the hiking point, but the rest of the tour is done on foot in mesmerizing nature surroundings.
Morning: A 3 km long hiking trail through the vast expanse of the forest and stones will take us to charming mountain hut Sustavac which was built back in 1950. Mountain house “Sustavac” is located at an altitude of 1180 m. The word “susto” is an old word which literally translated means “tired”. In other words, the area got its name as a result of being the first place for mountaineers to have some rest on their way to Treskavica Mt. When tired or sustained, Sustavac is a perfect location to make a break and enjoy the amazing nature.
Along with the Treskavica Mountain, Sustavac is one of the most visited nature resorts in the country.
The trail from Sustavac will lead us to the Great Lake. The amazing thing about Treskavica hike is that it does not always have to include the goal of conquering one of the peaks. The experience will be absolutely amazing just by visiting the two of the lakes. Therefore, despite the trail will slowly become harder and narrower, this hiking trail is absolutely convenient for anyone, regardless on their fitness level.
It usually takes about an hour and a half to reach the Great Lake located at 1,675 meters above sea level. However, we will make sure to go slowly and steady, soaking up every small detail on our way.
>Peace and love from Funky Tours team. We always strive to above and beyond the ordinary, making the trips into essential life journeys.
Lunch: Treskavica is famous for a truly amazing contrast between its lush vegetation on the North side, and complete bareness and karst on the southern slopes. In other words, this mountain will keep on surprising us with each step we take.
Once at the lake, we will give you some free time to explore the lake and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Meanwhile, your guides will take time to prepare fresh lunch. During the hot summer months, lake is perfect for swimming so bring your swimming suits.
Afternoon:Once we finish with lunch, we will continue a short hike towards the amazing Black Lake.
A truly special thing about this mountain is the abundance of water and springs that lie below the highest peaks. This is what sets this mountain apart from many other mountains. The legend says this mountain has 365 springs. Although we will be visiting only two of the lakes, we will find crystal clear drinking water at each corner of the path.
Uphill walk to the Northwest will take us to Black Lake which lies at an altitude of 1675 meters. The length of the lake is about 150 meters with a width of cca 100 meters. The name of the lake came as a result of the black moss that covered the bottom of the lake. We will make a short break, take some amazing photos and if you want, you can swim at this lake as well.
>Treskavica Hiking – Black Lake
Once we bless our eyes and souls with the amazing beauty of both lakes, we will head back toward the village Turovi. On the way, we will make a few short breaks, share the impressions and discuss the dark period between 92-95 when Treskavica Mt. was one of the main locations of some heavy battles.
In addition, we will very often come across the remains of dug trenches. This will remind us how savage and meaningless war history can leave a scar on something so beautiful that should be kept away from any human destruction.
We will continue our hike over the large and dense coniferous and deciduous forests and lush grass enriched with beautiful field flowers and herbs. Due to the specific mountain climate in Treskavica, it is very likely we will be able to experience four seasons within only one day and witness from high summer temperatures all the way to the pristine snow slopes and the heaps of bushy leaves.
Discovering the trails of Treskavica can not leave you indifferent and, at each moment, you will feel the excitement similar to one the child feels when opening Christmas presents.
We will take a drive back to Sarajevo from village Turovi and drop you off at your hotel. Perfect closure of a truly perfect day.
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Best Agency to Experience the Balkan Region!
Sarajevo Funky Tours is hands down the best travel agency I have ever had the pleasure of working with. From the initial booking inquiry months in advance to the ride to the airport on my last day, everyone that I met with the Sarajevo Funky Tours team was delightful to be around. What sets this agency apart from the others is that their guides and staff know what it means to balance professionalism and building friendships with their guests. For the 8 days I spent touring with Funky Tours, all of the guides, drivers, and staff went above and beyond to check in with how I was doing throughout my stay — and as a solo female traveler in a brand new county, that meant the world to me. I will always recommend this agency because of the time, effort, and care they put into breaking down prejudice — and cannot wait to explore more of the Balkan Region with their team the next time I visit! Puno Ljubavi!
I contacted Sarajevo Funky Tours when I had guests visiting from the US, and it was the best possible decision. They were extremely professional from that first call throughout the multiple tours we had the privilege to take with them.
The guides are not only very educated and well spoken, but also exceptionally pleasant, which made our whole experience absolutely fantastic! I would very much recommend this company to anyone and hope to use them in the future myself.
