Bosn Ia and Herzegovina

BOSN IA AND HERZEGOVINA DATES: September 7–12, 2019* DURATION: 6 days / 5 nights MEALS: Breakfast plus an additional meal per day TRANSPORT: Bus Saturday, September 7 –/–/D SARAJEVO arrival in Sarajevo hotel transfer and check-in walking tour welcome dinner Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina with a population of over 300,000. It is the social and cultural center of the country as well as the Balkan region with its influence on entertainment, media, fashion, and the arts. overnight in Sarajevo – hotel Pansion River Sunday, September 8 B/L/– SARAJEVO Morning - on foot excursion in the city center lunch Known as the “Jerusalem of Europe”, Sarajevo has a long, rich history of religious and cultural diversity. It is one of only a few major European cities to have a mosque and synagogue as well as Catholic and Orthodox churches in the same neighborhood. A regional educational hub, the city was home to the Balkans’ first institute of tertiary education – the Saraybosna Osmanlı Medrese, an Islamic polytechnic that now belongs to the University of Sarajevo. Although settlement in the area dates back to prehistoric times, modern Sarajevo rose as an Ottoman stronghold in the 15th century. The city has attracted international attention several times. In 1885 it was the first city in Europe and the second in the world after San Francisco to have an electric tram network. It was the site of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination by a young Bosnia activist named Gavrilo Princip in 1914 – an incident that sparked World War I. This war ended Austro- Hungarian rule in Bosnia and gave birth to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. The establishment of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Second Yugoslavia after World War II led to massive expansion of and prosperity in Sarajevo, which culminated in hosting the 1984 Winter Olympics. This period of growth ended during the April 1992–February 1996 Yugoslav Wars when the city endured the longest siege of a capital in the history of modern warfare. Since the breakup of Yugoslavia Sarajevo has undergone significant reconstruction and is the fastest growing city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In recent years Lonely Planet named Sarajevo the 43rd best city in the world and listed it as one of the top 10 cities to visit. In addition, Sarajevo was nominated (though ultimately not chosen) to be a European Capital of Culture in 2014. overnight in Sarajevo – hotel Pansion River Monday, September 9 B/L/– SARAJEVO – JAJCE bus transfer to Jajce on the way: - excursion in Visoko - lunch in Travnik arrival in Jajce hotel check-in excursion In the spring of 2005 Dr. Semir (Sam) Osmanagić – an independent researcher of ancient civilizations – visited Visoko, where he noticed a hill named Visočica, which had the attributes of a pyramid. He saw similar formations nearby. After studying local archaeological findings, legends, topographical maps, and geological features of pyramidal hills, he claimed to have discovered the first pyramid in Europe, which would also be the largest in the world. Osmanagić identifed two other pyramid- shaped hills in the Visoko Valley. Together these ancient structures make up four slopes with an entrance area – similar to groupings of pyramids in Latin America. There is no conclusive evidence that the Visoko hills are pyramids. Nevertheless, as excavations continue, discoveries suggest these formations could be man-made. –––––––– Jajce was built in the 14th century and served as the capital of the independent Kingdom of Bosnia. The area became a key battleground for the Ottomans and Hungarians who were seeking to expand their empires. Jajce was the last Bosnian town to come under Ottoman rule in the 1590s. overnight in Jajce – hotel Stari Grad Tuesday, September 10 B/L/– JAJCE – MOSTAR bus transfer to Mostar on the way: - visit Kravice - leisure time - visit Počitelj - lunch in Počitelj arrival in Mostar - hotel check-in - walk in the city center Spanning a deep valley of the Neretva River, Mostar transformed from a minor village into a key military and trade crossroads under the Ottomans in the 15th and 16th centuries. The town’s layout and infrastructure underwent further significant development several centuries later when the Austro- Hungarians were in power. Mostar has long been known for its Turkish houses and the old bridge (Stari Most) that it is named after. Most of the historic town and its bridge, designed by the renowned architect Sinan, was destroyed in the 1990s and has since been rebuilt and restored in cooperation with UNESCO. The area around Mostar’s bridge is an outstanding example of a multicultural urban settlement with pre-Ottoman, eastern Ottoman, and western European architectural features. The reconstructed bridge and old town symbolize reconciliation, international cooperation, and the coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic, and religious communities. overnight in Mostar – hotel Kapetanovina Wednesday, September 11 B/–/– MOSTAR – SARAJEVO bus transfer to Sarajevo on the way: - excursion in Blagaj arrival in Sarajevo - hotel check-in - free time Blagaj Tekija, a Dervish monastery with elements of Ottoman architecture and Mediterranean style, was built around 1520. On the outskirts of Blagaj is Vrelo Bune, the source of the Buna River and strongest karst spring in Europe. –––––––– The Bosnian War for independence resulted in large-scale destruction and dramatic population shifts during the Siege of Sarajevo, which lasted from 1992 to 1996. The constant bombardment and sniper attacks carried out by Serb forces from the Republika Srpska and Yugoslav People’s Army killed over 11,500 people and wounded an additional 56,000. After the siege ended, shrapnel scars in the city’s concrete were filled with red resin. The floral pattern of the resin patches came to be known as “Sarajevo Roses”. overnight in Sarajevo – hotel Pansion River Thursday, September 12 B/–/– SARAJEVO free morning in Sarajevo transfer to airport for departure price per person – double occupancy 1200 € price per person – single occupancy 1310 € includes: • hotel accommodations • meals as specified next to dates in the itinerary: B=breakfast, L= lunch, D=dinner (note: – indicates meals not included in the tour price) • airport transfers • buses • English-speaking tour guides • all entrance fees does not include: • international flights • drinks • personal travel insurance –––––––––––––––––––––––––– * Please note that there may be small changes to the itinerary and price –––––––––––––––––––––––––– You have the option to combine this tour with ART-TOUR ALBANIA AND KOSOVO, September 14–24, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––– Payment policy: - 1000 € deposit by May 15, 2019 - rest of payment by August 2, 2019 –––––––––––––––––––––––––– Cancelation policy: - 100% refund until June 8, 2019 - 70% refund June 9–July 18, 2019 - 40% refund July 19–August 8, 2019 - no refund on or after August 9, 2019 .

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