Cultural Landscapes of Bosnia-Herzegovina

Fly to Sarajevo. Transfer to the hotel and check in to the hotel for four nights.

Enjoy a city tour of Sarajevo. Visit the major historical, cultural and war related sites in and around the city to piece together Sarajevo's complex and fascinating history. Spend some time in the Old Town of Sarajevo,shop for wooden boxes and hand-made woollen rugs. Head to Kazandziluk situated at the end of the Old Town to see metalwork crafts. In the afternoon, take the newly re-opened cable car up to Mt Trebevic. At the top, the abandoned bobsleigh course from the 1984 Winter Olympics awaits. (B)

Today is a full day trip to Lukomir. This is the highest and most isolated village in Bosnia-Herzegovina and is only accessible 6 months of the year by car. However, if you fancy putting on a pair of skis or snowshoes then it can be an all-year-round destination. The houses are typical of those found in traditional Bosnian villages. The kitchen is at the heart of the house with its stove, coffee table, smiling 'grandmothers' and the ubiquitous Turkish coffee. Enjoy a hearty home-made meal at one of the families' homes. Wander over to the edge of the village, where the views of the Rakitnica Canyon are truly impressive. (B,L)

Day excursion to Kraljeva Sutjeska. Visiting this tiny, ancient town is like taking a step back in time. Here, explore the Franciscan church and monastery with its rich library and wander amongst sleepy houses and stop at one of the oldest Mosques in Bosnia. Have lunch locally before returning to Sarajevo. (B,L)

Drive to Travnik, beautifully set in the Lavsa Valley. This town is famous for its impressive architecture, abundance of water, Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andric (a visit to his house is included) and its cheese, which is similar to feta and is used in local dishes. Continue to Jajce and see its waterfall and the old ruins of St Luke's Church and the catacombs, originally built for the Bosnian King but also used for 6 months by the local community as a shelter during the Balkan War. Overnight stay in Jajce. (B,D)

Drive to Mostar, the oriental gem of Herzegovina. On the 2 hour city tour, shop for silver and admire the famous bridge from all angles. Visit the photographic exhibition depicting the story of the bridge during past decades, witness skilled divers performing crazy jumps into the Neretva River and enjoy the sunset behind this landmark bridge from the terrace of one of the restaurants in the Old Town. Check-in to hotel for overnight stay. (B)

Today's sightseeing includes the town of Pocitelj, an old Turkish market town and a beautifully preserved Ottoman hill settlement. Here, walk through the narrow lanes and enjoy views of the mosque and river below. Also, discover Blagaj, a lovely village at the source of the River Buna. The River Buna flows out of a 200m cliff and beside this gurgling water is the impressive Tekke, a Dervish Monastery. For the energetic, climb to Stepjan Grad, a fortress overlooking the village and enjoy splendid views over the plain below. Drive back to Sarajevo and check-in for overnight stay. (B)

Transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK. (B)