Bosnia and herzegovina Bosnia-Herzegovina is a country on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. Bordered by Croatia in the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except 26 km (16 miles) of Adriatic Sea coastline.

The interior of the country is mountainous centrally and to the south, hilly in the northwest, and flatland in the northeast. Inland is the larger geographic region with a moderate continental climate, marked by hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The southern tip of the country has a Mediterranean climate and plane topography.

Almost a half of the area is under a forest. Sava is the largest river of the country and it forms its northern natural border with Croatia. Its structure is decentralized and divided into two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska. The capital is and also the capital of the Federation of B&H and Banja Luka is the capital of the Republic of Srpska and the second largest city. Bosnia & Herzegovina is place that eastern and western civilizations met, sometimes clashed, but more often enriched and reinforced each other throughout its long and fascinating history.

Perhaps what is most important for the visitor to know today, though, is that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a stunningly beautiful country with a vast array of landscapes, cultures, traditions and people. And as the old cliche goes 'people make the place' - and B&H prides itself on its hospitality and treating our guests as if they were family members. And family we take to heart.

We offer Banja Luka, in cooperation with our partner travel agency, as starting point in unforgettable journey through Bosnia-Herzegovina. This tour will enrich you for a new spiritual and exciting experience and knowledge, as well. Friday: BANJA LUKA Banja Luka occupies the biggest municipality area in Ÿ Arrival to Banja Luka Bosnia and Herzegovina and was one of the ten largest cities in the former Yugoslavia. With population of Ÿ Hotel accomodation about 250.000 it is the largest city of the Republic of Srpska and the second largest city in Bosnia and Ÿ Rafting at night on the river Vrbas Herzegovina.The city represents administrative, economic, cultural and university center of the Ÿ Dinner at restaurant „Kanjon“ Republic of Srpska.The city is located in the valley, at the 164 m above the sea level, where the Dinaric Alps from the south descend into the Panonnian Basin in Ÿ Arrival to hotel the north. Banja Luka has mild-continental climate with warm summers and mildly cold winters. The average annual temperature is 10,7 C (July 21,3 C/January 0,8 C). The city belongs to the Central European Time Zone (GMT +1). Due to its numerous parks and the tree lined avenues, Banja Luka is deemed the “city of greenery”. It has been also known as the city of youth, sports and beautiful girls.

Raft on the Vrbas - the most interesting part of the Vrbas River, rafting here includes a slalom course. In low water, you can choose cliff jumping, enjoy free descent down the rapids, swim, or learn rowing skills and team paddling. Rafting services provide maximum security measures and all skippers are licensed by the International rafting Federation. Saturday:

Ÿ Breakfast in the hotel

Ÿ Banja Luka Sightseeing

Ÿ Departure to Sarajevo

Ÿ Tour of the stone spheres in Zavidovici. (50 stone spheres)

Ÿ Departure to Kraljeva Sutjeska, visiting mosque and monastery STONE SPHERES IN ZAVIDOVIĆI The Stone Spheres are found outside Ÿ Lunch in nature Bosnian town of Zavidovici. There is about 60 Stone Spheres found in Bosnia- Herzegovina so far. Some of them are 1 Ÿ Deparure to and tour of Bosnian pyramids metre hight while others are 10 metre high. Some are only 2 Kilo in weight while others Ÿ Departure to sarajevo are up to 18 tons. All of Bosnian Stone Spheres are made by the material called " Granodiorite". This Stone Spheres are Ÿ Arrival and accommodation at hotel between 6.000 - 12.000 years old it is confirmed after Carbonate test was done on Ÿ dinner this fascinating Spheres. Many Historians and Arhelogic belive that this Spheres was made by the same people who also made the Ÿ free time Bosnian Pyramids beacouse they are connected as well. Numerous stone spheres were found in the settlement of Grab near town Zavidovići.

KRALJEVA SUTJESKA

Kraljeva Sutjeska and Bobovac are treasuring exceptional cultural-historical heritage and therefore are particularly interesting for historians, architects, archeologists, writers and especially tourists. Famous Franciscan monastery of Kraljeva Sutjeska is considered the oldest institution of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while one of the oldest mosques in Bosnia and Herzegovina, built in 15th century by Sultan Mehmed II el-Fatih., is situated at the entrance of the village. There is also the oldest house in the central Bosnia, an example of authentic Bosnian architecture and lifestyle. It was built in the early 18th century, carefully maintained up to nowadays and opened for visits. The last Bosnian queen, Saint Katarina, is mourned even today by the local townswomen who still wear black scarves as part of the traditional dress. When the Ottomans conquered the fortress at Bobovac, Queen Katarina either fled or was exiled to Rome, never to return to Bosnia. It was reported that her children were taken to Istanbul, where her son converted to Islam and became a major figure in the Ottoman empire.

VISOKO

Visoko is named after the Visoki Castle and the town of Visoki, which occupied Visočica hill, Podvisoki, Mile (today's Arnautovići), Biskupići and Moštre — together known as Visoko valley. Visoki and other historical places in the Visoko valley were the early center of the once powerful medieval Bosnian kingdom. PYRAMIDS The Bosnian Pyramid, Visočica Hill, is the first European pyramid to be discovered and is located in the heart of Bosnia, near the town of Visoko. The pyramid has all the elements: four perfectly shaped slopes pointing toward the cardinal points, a flat top and an entrance complex. On top of the pyramid are also the ruins of a Medieval walled town, once the base of a Bosnian king Tvrtko Kotromanić (1338-1391). Because of its similarities to the Pyramid of the Sun in Teotihuacan, Mexico, it has been named the “Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun” (Bosanska Piramida Sunca). There are also a four more ancient structures on the site, the Bosnian Pyramid of the Moon (Bosanska Piramida Mjeseca), Bosnian Pyramid of the Dragon (Bosanska Piramida Zmaja), Bosnian Pyramid of the Love (Bosanska Piramida Ljubavi) and Temple of the Earth, (Hram Zemlje).'We have already dug out stone blocks which I believe are covering the pyramid', said Semir (Sam) Osmanagic, a Bosnian American archaeologist who has spent the last 15 years studying the pyramids of Latin America. 'We found a paved entrance plateau and discovered underground tunnels'..... SARAJEVO Sarajevo is the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Urban image of the city is characterized by numerous religious buildings, mosques from the Ottoman period, Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical churches, synagogues and other cultural and historical monuments. Sarajevo is a relatively small city compared with large world capitals, but his name through a rich spiritual, historical and natural looking, better- known than some other major cities. 1914th in Sarajevo killed the Austro- Hungarian throne Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, which caused First World War. BAŠČARŠIJA Sunday: Baščaršija is Sarajevo's old bazaar and the historical and Ÿ Breakfast cultural center of the city. The word Baščaršija derives from the Turkish language. The word Ÿ Visiting Bašèaršija and Sightseeing "baš" which is "baş" in Turkish literally means "head", in some Ÿ departure to mostar contexts however also "primary", "main", "capital" and "čaršija" which is "çarşı" in Ÿ arrival and Sightseeing Turkish means "bazaar" or "market". Ÿ tour of old bridge Tourist attractions: Spite House, City Hall tour, Šeher-Ćehajina bridge, Alifakovac, Yellow and White bastions, Jajce Barrack, Kazandžiluk Ÿ lunch street, Sebilj, Brusa Bezistan museum, Sarači, Morića han, Old Orthodox Church, Kuršumli madrassas, Begova Mosque, , Ÿ departure to medjugorje Museum of Sarajevo, Gazi Husrevbegov bezistan, Jewish synagogue - Old temple, Ferhadija street, Cathedral, Bosnian Institute, and memorial. Ÿ accommodation

Ÿ dinner

Ÿ free time

MOSTAR Mostar is largest urban center in Herzegovina and the fifth largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city is known by the famous old bridge, built in the 16th century. Old Bridge is the first monument in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is on UNESCO's list of protected cultural monuments of the world. monday:

Ÿ breakfast

Ÿ Sightseeing

departure

Medjugorje

Medjugorje is one of the most famous Roman Catholic shrines in the world. It became famous for the apparitions of the Virgin Mary, which first started in 1981, after which it began to develop religious tourism. Center of the gathering in the shrine Queen of Peace, as the shrine of Medjugorje officially called, is the church saint James in the town center.

Bon voyage! ! ! Bana Lazarevića 6 Potok 7 78000 Banja Luka, B&H 72000 Zenica, B&H Tel: +387 51 490 300 Tel: +387 32 404 707 Fax: +387 51 490 305 e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] www.respect.ba www.banjaluka-tourism.com