8D7N Culture Package is the best way to explore and understand Bosnia and Herzegovina in depth and experience the ultimate combination cultural diversity, complex history and incredible nature sites.
This budget friendly trip will enable you an amazing chance of being joined in a small group and experience the best of Bosnia and Herzegovina with guaranteed attention to smallest detail by our team.
In order to keep the maximum attention to quality of the tour please note that number of people is limited to 8 travellers per group.
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
>Sarajevo War Tunnel – dug in 1993 during the Siege of Sarajevo, with purpose to supply city with arms during the 4 year siege.
Activity Note: Today’s itinerary includes walking on uneven terrain, while visiting some of the ruins during our Sarajevo Siege tour. Make sure to have some water with you, and always take attention to the present day weather forecast.
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: Your afternoon session (starting at 2 PM) is fully reserved for the important story of Siege of Sarajevo, the story of the impossible survival and story of the worst Genocide in Europe since the WWII. Funky Tours Top Experiences aims to deliver a clear and unbiased understanding of the topics we consider important for better overall understanding of the Balkans.
Your host for the afternoon session will be local Sarajevan, an ex Bosnian army soldier who during the 1990ies was directly involved in the resistance organised by the local people of Sarajevo. When joint force of Yugoslavian National Army, Serbian Paramilitaries and local Bosnian Serbs initiated general attack on Bosnia and Herzegovina with goal of taking the control of Bosnian capital, only a few people “got their heads” together and started organising resistance. Resistance which later proved crucial for defending Bosnian independence and saving hundreds of thousands of lives.
Places in focus will be Sarajevo’s infamous Sniper Alley and Hotel Holiday Inn, Sarajevo War Tunnel, Sarajevo Olympic Bobsled and Olympic mountain of Trebević, Jewish cemetery and numerous other locations scattered throughout the Bosnian capital, today serving as the memory of the 1990ies bloody years.
>Sarajevo Olympic Bobsled Track at Trebević mountain built for Sarajevo Winter Olympics 1984. Unfortunately it was destroyed during the Siege of Sarajevo and today serves as great reminder of Sarajevo’s Olympic glory and perfect spot for graffiti art.
The story you will follow will be firsthand experiences of local Sarajevo Siege survivors, backed up with ICTY (International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia) verdicts and official judgements. The Balkans today are place where wars have ended in military way, but wars of denial, especially denial of Genocide and wars of relativisation are still going on. Making sure that the unbiased facts of the 1990ies conflicts are well documented and shared is an imperative.
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: Jajce, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B
Morning:Morning ride will take us through interesting regions of central Bosnia, passing by Visoko town and valley of Bosnian Pyramids. We will continue the ride along the flows of river Bosna and Lasva including an especially beautiful flow and canyon of Vrbas. Nearly three hours later, we will arrive to Jajce.
Once there, the first thing we go and see is one of the World’s most beautiful waterfalls, and the only one in the World placed in the city center, famous Pliva Waterfalls – spot where Pliva river ends its flow and meets Vrbas is simply breathtaking.
After we bless our eyes and soul we are good for a walking tour through Jajce. We will visit Jajce Citadel (Fortress), the Museum of the Second Session of the National Liberation Army of Yugoslavia (AVNOJ), Medvjed Kula, the Tower of St. Luke, famous Catacombs – underground church, one of the World’s very few mosques named after woman – Mosque of Esma Sultanija, and much more. All followed with interesting stories.
Jajce Citadel is an amazingly interesting place giving us great opportunity to see whole area around us and Jajce itself.
>Jajce and Pliva waterfalls in Central Bosnia during the sunset
Lunch: After we have “tasted” Jajce for roughly 2.30 hours we go for the Lakes. In the vicinity of Jajce on Pliva river there are two lakes. Only five kilometers away we’ll check out Large and Small Pliva lakes.
Very interesting part of the Pliva lakes story are Mills at small Pliva lake. Amongst people famously called “Mlinčići”, which once have been main promotional material for postcards and the tourist potential of Great Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy. We will make a stop there too.
Afternoon: After we finish exploring Jajce town, Pliva lakes and mills, we move towards our next destination, Travnik.
Ottoman time vizier’s town, later Nobel prize winner birthplace with stunning Plava Voda spring, Coloured mosque and old Ottoman fortress are places definitely worth stopping by.
Travnik is also famous for tasty Ćevapi or Travnik white cheese, so why not make this stop not only interesting, but also tastily-interesting.
Doing a break at Plava Voda with some good Bosnian coffee is also a must.
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 3*, 4* or 5* in Sarajevo
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 a train ride, but not just any train ride, we will do the famous “Šargan Eight”.
The Šargan Eight is a 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 at from the sky look like the 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: Lukomir, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel 3*, 4* or 5* in Sarajevo
Meals Included: B – L
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 to reach the starting hiking point and the rest of the tour is on foot through breathtaking natural surroundings.
Morning:This tour will begin with 1.15 hours transfer from Sarajevo to Umoljani village, across Bjelašnica Olympic Mountain. Your guide is an adventurous and knowledgeable enthusiast who will introduce you to all of the Bjelašnica beauty. He will make sure no questions remain unanswered, even of personal nature, so don’t refrain from sharing your thoughts and opinions at any moment of time.
At Umoljani village we shall leave our car and explore the village most important sites such as: Studeni Potok (Cold Creek), Stoned Dragon – Ažbaha – the legend of birth of Umoljani. We will shortly visit Umoljani Mosque and learn story of Sarajevo Haggadah.
First part of the Umoljani to Lukomir village trail will be 3.30 hour long hike. Trail will take us from starting point of roughly 1275 meters (Umoljani) across peak of Obalj at around 1896 metres.
On the way we will pass by old Gradina settlement, believed to date from Illyrian period. During the ascent you will enjoy amazing scenery, especially the Studeni Potok (Cold Creek) panorama.
At the top of Obalj, Rakitnica Canyon and mountains of Treskavica, Visocica and peak of Bjelašnica mountain with numerous small villages in distance will be simply stunning.
After some rest and full time body and spirit enjoyment we are ready to hike down to Lukomir village at altitude of 1500 which will be “one of a kind” story as well.
Please note that depending on time of the year we can get lucky to have fields of blueberries, rose-hip, certain types of mushrooms, thyme or other plant species around us free to pick up.
LunchLukomir – on the language of locals “harbour of peace”, is the village which dates at least 600 years ago, and where most of the century old traditions have been kept alive until today.
It is the only remaining semi-nomadic traditional mountain village in Bosnia and Herzegovina
As soon as we arrive to the village we will have locally prepared lunch, meet some of the local people, learn about their customs and enjoy the best Bosnian coffee.
Later we will visit the village mosque, see more Stećci tombstones, climb the Vijenac peak and admire the stunning 800 m deep Rakitnica canyon. Here, mother nature is at its best.
After Lukomir village explorations, it is time to start hike back.
Afternoon: After exploring Lukomir village, return hike will mainly be pleasant 2.30h hours flat hike to Umoljani village through Canyon of Rakitnica river.
Rakitnica canyon is the probably European most remote and unexplored canyon. With length of 26km it separates massif of Bjelašnica and Visočica, and without doubt it is longest canyon in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Firstly explored in 1956, until today very few people have walked the full length of it, as in some parts it can be over 800 meters high and only 1 meter wide, making it very hardly accessible.
The trail we will take will be on the upper edge of the canyon, so you can see and feel the “magnificience” of this place.
Return to Umoljani should be around 5 pm, and arrival to Sarajevo around 6.15 pm.
Destination: Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel 3*, 04* or 5* in Sarajevo
Meals Included: B – L
>Srebrenica Memorial Cemetery
Morning: We will pick you up from your hotel after breakfast and head towards Srebrenica. During the, roughly, 3hrs of drive, we will pass along some picturesque villages and stunning sceneries of the remote parts of East Bosnia known for its fertile vast fields embraced by the high mountain peaks.
Along the way we will discuss the ex-Yugoslavia, from its rise to its fall, from the reasons to consequences and slowly introduce you to the story of the largest massacre in Europe ever since WWII.
During the drive, we will pass the remote places of Sokolac, Vlasenica with the notorious Sušica Concentration Camp, Milići, Kravica warehouse, the place of mass mass execution of nearly 1200 man in Kravica warehouse and Bratunac, place where Srebrenica Genocide victims were held first before the executions.
Once we reach Potocari, we will visit the Memorial Centre complex with the cemetery and the former Dutch UN base where you’ll get a chance to see Museum of “Srebrenica Genocide – failure of international community”, the Memorial Room, documentary movies, chronological photo exhibitions, graffiti remains and listen to the testimonies of the genocide survivors.
Most importantly, you will have a chance to meet the local survivor who will guide you through the Memorial and share some of his/her personal stories and experiences.
Lunch: It is impossible to decide what will be the highlight of today’s day as each moment will be absolutely overwhelming, but if we must choose a highlight, we will always go with supporting the local community and intense work on reconciliation.
After the Memorial Center we will meet with our hosts at their home and, over the tasty home-cooked lunch prepared from home-grown organic products, we will discuss further on the past, present and future of Srebrenica.
Afternoon/Evening: Last part of a day will be some nice and easy walks in the Srebrenica town and admiring the sunset from the viewpoint towering the mosque, catholic & orthodox church nestled in less than 200 m distance. We shall return to Sarajevo around 6 PM and let you have some free time to relax and explore the city on your own.
Destination: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel 3*, 4* or 5* in Sarajevo
Meals Included: B
Breakfast: Our beautiful hotel in Sarajevo will serve us buffet breakfast from 7 to 10 AM featuring Bosnian and International options.
Morning: As soon as we finish our delicious breakfast we leave Sarajevo at 8 AM. The road will take us south-west towards Konjic, where we plan to visit the Konjic old town and famous Tito’s Bunker.
The old town of Konjic is dominated by the beautiful turquoise Neretva river and Konjic old bridge, dating from the period of the Ottoman era. At the very vicinity of the Konjic, there is probably the best kept and one of the most expensive Yugoslavian secrets – the famous Tito’s Bunker. Built during the period of 26 years (1953 – 1979), at the peak of the Cold War, Tito’s Bunker cost $4,7bln, and was meant to hide top Yugoslavian leadership in case of nuclear invasion. Since the Bunker was never used, and was protected from destruction intended by escaping Yugoslavian Army soldiers in 1992, today it is perfectly preserved as originally built, and offers great insight into the Yugoslavian past. At the same time, by hosting permanent modern art displays, it serves as a modern art space of global importance.
After we leave Konjic, we shall take an amazingly scenic road passing by the Jablanica lake and via the Neretva river canyon, we’ll arrive at Jablanica town.
Jablanica town is home to the famous WWII story of the Neretva battle, tasty roasted lamb and stunningly beautiful natural surroundings. At a location called “Bridge over Neretva”, we shall give insight into one of Tito’s most famous military maneuvers during WWII.
During the winter of 1943, under a combined attack by Axis powers’ enemies, Tito’s brilliant strategic maneuvers made partisans “win” the battle, which in the upcoming years, proved Tito worthy the title of Marshall. Nationwide, the battle was referred to as the “World’s most humane battle”, according to which, the Oscar nominated movie was filmed in 1969.
>Konjic Old Bridge – Crossroad between Bosnia and Herzegovina
Then we continue through some really amazing parts of Neretva river canyon, telling the unique stories of Herzegovina, before we arrive to our second stop – Počitelj.
Stunningly nested above Neretva river, visit to Počitelj (“Počivati” – Bos.”to rest in peace”), easy uphill, one hour long walking activity, accompanied with a stories of town’s development and strategic importance during its 600+ year long written history and visit to most important sites such as Hajji Alija Mosque, Clock Tower and Gavrankapetanovic tower, IS A MUST, for anyone passing through or near Herzegovina region.
Unique, medieval, Ottoman era glorified, present day Ottoman-Mediterranean style designed fortress – town Počitelj, is one of the very few urban ensembles in Bosnia and Herzegovina preserved in their integrity to the present times.
In the end of the walk we take some time for locally grown fresh lemonade or Bosnian coffee if you prefer 🙂
>Pocitelj town overlooking Neretva river – Herzegovina
Afternoon:After Počitelj, we keep going, and after short ride arrive to Blagaj.
Blagaj town is home to Buna river spring – Europe’s most beautiful, most powerful, clean and drinkable karst river spring, settled beneath few hundred meters high rock. Water comes out of quite large but stunningly deep cave, which springs amazing 43 cubic meters of water per second. Can you imagine this?
Just next to the spring, under the rock, is home to Blagaj Tekke – Dervish house, dating most likely pre or early Ottoman era from early 16th century, as unique sacral-residential example of Islamic architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Visiting this complex and learning more about Dervish life in Herzegovina as important part of our history is, MUST DO.
For Muslim travellers “Tekija” is place where prayers are hosted 5 times a day and can be attended if wanted.
As we finish visit to “Blagajska Tekija” and “Izvor rijeke Bune” we stay there for bit longer. It is time for lunch. Due to famousness and cleanliness of Buna river the most important thing to taste in Blagaj today is local trout. That is why we don’t leave the place before we offer our guests to try locally prepared trout on “Blagaj Way”, enjoying amazing scenery of Buna river spring and Dervish house next to it. Vegetarians don’t worry, we have solutions for you as well 🙂
>Blagaj River Spring and Dervish House
Later only, 15 minute further it is time for Mostar experience which is the most important jewel on our “Herzegovina Necklace” day trip.
As soon as we arrive to Mostar we start our walking tour which will cover most important sites and locations in Mostar.
We focus at Mostar’s Old Bridge, Old Bazaar and Old Town, but offer stories of Mostar’s uniqueness, in regard to historical and cultural diversity.
Story of Mostar will be about the Bridge, it’s rise and fall, and how it had risen again. You will learn about Siege of Mostar, about why it is called Mostar, about “Mostarians”. We recreate Mostar for you and with you.
In Mostar, if preferred, we give our guests free time to explore on their own as we simply do not like to “hold a candle all the way”.
Sunsets are amazing time in Mostar, so we’ll have drink at place overlooking the bridge panorama and discuss more about everything we did today.
When Mostar is done, it is time to go back to Sarajevo, and it will take us around two hours ride before we are “home”.
The reason why, during this day tour, we prefer to arrive to Mostar around 3 or 4 pm and then explore Mostar, is because in the afternoon most of the day tours and big groups passing through Mostar are already gone, so we get to have Mostar for ourselves for maximised experience.
>Mostar old bridge during the sunset
Evening: On the way back we can make another break for those desiring to try famous roasted lamb at Jablanica. We expect to be in Sarajevo around 7 pm, so better don’t plan too many things that evening as days can be quite long sometime.
What Do I Need to Bring?
Top-notch service
Visited Sarajevo a few weeks ago (June 2023) & did 3 tours with Funky Tours. I started asking them a million questions by email months ago when I was first planning my trip & it was very helpful, great communication with friendly staff. I also spent hours reading pretty much every link & article on their website so I suggest that alone as a valuable planning too!
The first day I had the morning city walk (free; tips only) with Mary. She gave us a good overview of the city & its history. The route also provides a handy orientation which let me plan where to visit. I also took Mary’s suggestion for where to eat cevapi & later had a delicious dinner!
That afternoon I had the “siege” tour with Almir. He told us personal stories about his experiences during the war & made sure we had plenty of time to view all the sites. He even drove me to the ICAR beef monument after the tour so I could snap pics of that, a bonus visit 🙂
For the full-day Srebrenica memorial visit our guide was Mustafa, who also shared his personal stories with us & a historical overview of the events. We had lunch with Leila, a local survivor. It was very touching to meet her & of course the meal was delicious.
Finally Funky Tour also helped arrange a taxi to the airport for my very early flight, much appreciated!
I hope someday to visit again; Bosnia & Herzegovina is beautiful & Funky Tours was fantastic.
Outstanding! highly recommend
Funky Tours has my highest recommendation!
For planning the trip, Ema was super helpful and accommodating from my very first email inquiry, and always very prompt and thorough in her responses.
Once in Sarajevo I took two tours, Srebrenica with Almir (including a lovely lunch in Potocari with Lajla) and Sarajevo Siege with Mustafa.
Both guides were simply excellent – super knowledgeable and informative, as well as warm, welcoming, and fun.
A Truly Great Vacation — thanks to Funky Tours
My husband and I spent a week in Bosnia in late June.
I worked directly with Ema, who heads the Funky Tours office, to put together a full week of activities. I knew very little about Bosnia other than it was part of the former Yugoslavia, and that it experienced a terrible genocidal war in the 1990’s.
We were interested in learning more about the war and the recovery, but we were also interested in outdoor activities. Ema put together a perfect itinerary for us.
I found Funky Tours on the internet. I knew we did not want to drive ourselves in Bosnia and I knew that we would learn a lot more if we had a mixture of free time and time with guides.
But it is a bit of a leap of faith to work with a company that you do not have previous experience with. Ema immediately put me at ease by setting up an initial Zoom call so that we could “meet” and talk about the different options. Ema was a joy to work with — responsive to all my questions, and attentive to the kind of trip we wanted to have.
Funky Tours provides some set itineraries for small groups, but they will also set up tours for individuals that encompass things that are not part of the group tours.
We had a combination of private tours and groups tours — but in the end all of our tours were private with our own driver and guide.
I can’t say enough about how fabulous all of the different guides were — different personalities, different skill sets, all of them interesting and knowledgeable — but also so engaged with what they were doing and all of them excellent at connecting with their guests.
I am very cynical about people who say things like “they seemed like friends” — but they really did. In a country where things don’t always go perfectly, our
trip went perfectly.
I also really appreciated that everyone was flexible. If there was something we decided to do that wasn’t on the itinerary they could and did accommodate us.
We have traveled a lot — and have done a wide variety of types of trips. Many planned by me, some by high-end travel companies, others through local contacts.
But this is a trip that I have come home from and was really excited about both the country and Funky Tours. They are truly doing something special in Bosnia.
Highlights from our trip was the Siege Tour in Sarajevo with Adnan. He was an officer in the Bosnian army during the war and gave us a very intimate and personal account of the siege and the toll on civilians during the war. While I know this was not the first time he has told this story he was compelling.
We also loved our day of hiking at Cvsnica and our morning on the Trebizat river. The Dervish House at Blagaj and the medieval city of Pocitelj and the 16th c. watermills at Jaycee were also exceptional — but there are too many things to mention! Most of all though we enjoyed the time we spent with all of the guides — learning from them, feeling at ease, and seeing the country through their experience.
I’d like to give a special shout out to Tarik and Stefan who spent the most time with us and who really made the whole trip both educational and fun.
Thank you Funky Tours.
Great 5-Day Trek through Bosnia & Herzegovina and Croatia
I spent 5 days in the Balkans as part of a 16-day trip to Europe in May.
It was a fast-paced visit that included 4 stops in 5 nights (Sarajevo, Lukomir [high altitude herding community], Mostar, Dubrovnik).
Ema with Funky Tours was very helpful in putting the trip together. She helped with coordinating guides, transportation, and special experiences like dinner with 3 generations of a Bosnian family in their home.
I was traveling with a 20-year-old, and she was also really good about pairing us with younger guides with whom the 20-year-old would be able to relate.
Working with Ema was a pleasure, and I would highly recommend Funky Tours for 2-3 hour tours, day trips, or more extended itineraries like mine.
We had a top-notch, stress-free experience in the Balkans, which is due in large part to Ema and Funky Tours.
The Best tour company to show you Bosnia & Herzogovina!
I took a package of three tours with Funky Tours, including the transfer from Belgrade to Sarajevo. Their organisation and communications in putting this package together for me was excellent. Pick up’s were from the door and very punctual. Each of the individual guides were extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic in their presentations. It was a bonus to hear first hand experiences from the guides of their time during the Sarajevo siege and actually fighting in the Balkans war. This greatly enhanced my experience.
In short I’d highly recommend Funky Tours for everything around Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzogovina, as well as the wider Balkans tours they also provide. I look forward to returning one day.
