Journeys: Discover Montenegro and Bosnia

  • thumbnail image_journeysdiscovermontenegroandbosnia
  • thumbnail map_journeysdiscovermontenegroandbosnia

Duration: 9 days

Begins: Dubrovnik

Ends: Sarajevo

Trip Code: ECDNG

From

£2,149 per person

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    From the mountain peaks of the Dinaric Alps to the sparkling shores of the Adriatic, the Western Balkans are a feast for the senses. Cruise to the legendary islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, wander botanical gardens bursting with life, and explore the flavours of the region through food tours, cheese making, and honey tasting. Along the way, uncover centuries-old stories carved into ancient necropolises and meet the passionate locals keeping traditions alive. This is the Western Balkans — vibrant, resilient, and unforgettable.
    Is this tour for me?
    Travel Style
    National Geographic Journeys
    Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
    Service Level
    Upgraded
    Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
    Physical Rating
    3 - Average
    Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
    Trip Type
    Small Group
    Age requirement
    12+
    All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
    What's Included
    • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Dabovic Winery, Nudo
    • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Siege of Sarajevo Tour, Sarajevo
    • Your Welcome Moment: Arrival Day and Morning Welcome Meeting
    • Your Foodie Moment: Green Market Tour, Trebinje
    • Your Foodie Moment: Apiary Visit, Trebinje
    • Your Foodie Moment: Cheese Making Farm and Lunch, Trebinje
    • Your Foodie Moment: Sarajevo Food Tour, Sarajevo
    • Boat cruise to Our Lady of the Rocks, Kotor orientation walk, Winery tour and tasting, Hercegovačka Gračanica Temple views, UNESCO Necropolis tomb stone visit, Stari Most visit, All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

    Allow USD280-365 for meals not included.

    Itinerary Notes

    There are new Health & Safety Protocols for National Geographic Journeys tours. Please see here for full details and up-to-date requirements as they may change.

    Day 1 : Dubrovnik

    Arrive at any time. Please make your own way to the joining hotel.

    Arrival Day and Morning Welcome Meeting

    Today, the adventure begins. Be sure to arrive in time to meet your group. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your trip.

    Orientation Walk Dubrovnik

    Dubrovnik 0h30m 1km

    Enjoy a CEO-led orientation walk around Dubrovnik and get to know this Croatian city.

    Day 2 : Dubrovnik/Kotor

    Cross the border to Montenegro to the stunning bayside town of Perast. Enjoy a boat cruise to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks. In the National Geographic article “How to plan your pilgrimage to Montenegro‘s sacred spaces“ writer Kimberley J. Graham writes that the church is adorned with more than 2,500 silver plaques donated by sailors who credit the Madonna for their safe return from the sea. Explore the church and treasury before transferring back to Perast for a short walk to the old town and free time to wander the narrow streets and admire the abandoned baroque palaces. Continue onward and soak up the sparkling Bay of Kotor, designated a World Heritage Site for its terraced waterfront landscape and medieval architecture.

    Private Vehicle

    Dubrovnik - Kotor 3h - 4h

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle to Kotor via Perast.

    Boat tour Kotor Bay & Perast

    Kotor 1h

    Journey by boat through the stunning Bay of Kotor to a man-made island home to the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks, built atop sunken ships and stones. The 17th-century church acts as a treasure trove of Baroque art and silver, amongst a dramatic landscape of rugged mountains plunging into the Adriatic.

    Free time:

    Perast 0h30m - 0h27m

    Take time with your CEO to explore Perast's old town, known for Baroque palaces and churches that line the waterfront.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 3 : Kotor

    Join your tour leader on a walk to the local market this morning, then enjoy a free day to explore. Discover the Mediterranean spirit of Kotor, surrounded by fortifications built by the Republic of Venice. Consider hiking up the medieval steps of the fortress for panoramic views of the city and harbour. Or opt to experience mud therapy at a local spa to test the natural healing properties of the area’s sand. Choose to visit the Risan Roman mosaics, go sea kayaking or if relaxing is more your style, the beaches of Herceg Novi offer a great escape.

    Kotor Market Walk

    Kotor 1km

    Join your CEO for a market walk this morning to explore regional specialties and artisan products.

    Free time:

    Kotor Full day

    The day is yours to do as much or as little as you choose.

    Optional Activities - Day 3

    Kotor Maritime Museum

    Kotor 1h

    At the Maritime Museum, explore the history, culture and living artifacts that connect modern Kotor with its centuries-old naval traditions. Learn about the Boka Marines, a fraternity of sailors and navigators who helped shipbuilding flourish in the Balkans.

    Kotor City Exploration

    Kotor 0h15m - 0h30m

    Take some time to explore this picturesque town surrounded by a walled fortress built by the Republic of Venice. Kotor has a Mediterranean feel to it and the bay offers a stunning backdrop for photographs.

    Sea Kayaking

    Kotor 2h30m

    Head out by sea kayak to fully appreciate this gorgeous area. Start just outside the Old Town walls and explore the coast. Stop at a beach bar for a break or a swim.

    Sveti Ivan Fortress Hike

    Kotor

    Hike up the medieval steps to Sveti Ivan Fortress and be rewarded with an incredible panoramic view of the Old City, harbour and Bay of Boka Kotorska. This hike takes about an hour and is moderately challenging, but a highlight when visiting the area. Climb up just before sunset for the best experience.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 4 : Kotor/Trebinje

    Set off to the Kovacevic Family Botanical Garden this morning; home to a diverse collection of approximately 127 species of trees, shrubs, and various other flora – the first protected natural monument of its kind. Walk the grounds before transferring to the Dabovic Winery for a tour and tasting. Whet your palate with sips of wine and brandy paired with local specialties to truly immerse yourself in the local Montenegro culture before crossing the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina, en route to Trebinje. Upon arrival, visit the Hercegovačka Gračanica Temple for spectacular views of the city.

    Private Vehicle

    Kotor - Grahovo 1h 50km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Kovacevic Family Botanical Garden Walk

    Grahovo 0h45m 1km

    Explore the meticulously tended paths that reveal a remarkable collection of native and foreign plants, a testament to one family's decades-long dedication to preserving the land's botanical heritage.

    Private Vehicle

    Grahovo - Nudo 0h30m 15km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Dabovic Winery

    Nudo 0h30m 1km

    Step into the warm embrace of the Dabović family, who welcome you with a taste of their Montenegrin hospitality—freshly baked pastries and honey. Tour the cellar where you'll learn the secrets behind their revered wine and brandy production, then the experience culminates with a tasting paired with a curated spread of local delicacies that reflect the soul of the region.

    Private Vehicle

    Nudo - Trebinje 0h30m 24km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Hercegovačka Gračanica Temple

    Trebinje

    From its perch high above Trebinje, the Hercegovačka Gračanica Monastery offers a stunning view of the city and the Trebišnjica River. Enjoy the scenery from this elevated vantage point.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 5 : Trebinje

    Today is an indulgence of local flavours, regional specialties. Begin with a tour of the local Green Market; take in the colourful stalls and sample the fragrant fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses. Next, head to a female-operated apiary to learn about all things honey and the history of this 5-generation-run farm. After, continue to another local farm specializing in the art of cheese making. Learn about cheese production, sample the products and join the family for an authentic farm-to-table lunch.Head back to Trebinje for an evening on your own.

    Green Market Tour

    Trebinje 1h30m 1km

    Explore the local organic market where you'll meet cheese and meat vendors and try their specialties. Then, move to the outdoor stalls to taste seasonal fruits and vegetables from small farms. You'll also meet local women who collect wild medicinal plants and make traditional teas.

    Apiary Visit

    Trebinje 2h

    Climb aboard a private bus and set off to a local, family run apiary. Meet your guide and learn of the 5 generations of women who've built the farm into what it is today. Suit up in protective gear should you wish, and see how they manage the hives. After, discover the honey and related products, learn more about the family history and enjoy the farm.

    Cheese Making Farm and Lunch

    Trebinje 3h

    Join our guide at a local farm that has specialized in cheese making over more than 5 generations. Today the farm is moving beyond just sustenance farming and joining the slow food movement to build awareness about organic food production. Here you'll visit the farm to witness the cheese production before enjoying lunch with the family, outside overlooking the farm. Cheese and meat made on site, fruits and vegetables grown on the farm, and homemade bread - it doesn't get more farm to table than that.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 6 : Trebinje/Buna

    Set off for ancient Stolac–one of the oldest cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Visit the town centre and stop at the UNESCO-listed medieval Necropolis tombstones of Stecaka. Continue onward to Blagaj for a short orientation walk around town, then enjoy a free afternoon. Perhaps hike to the Blagaj Fortress or if you’re looking for something a little different, visit the Dervish Monastery.

    Private Vehicle

    Trebinje - Stolac 1h30m - 2h 80km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Stolac Visit

    Stolac 1h

    Visit Stolac's town centre and witness the "divided school," which reflects the town's unique history. Next, visit the Necropolis tomb stones of Stecaka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These medieval tombstones are a significant part of Bosnia and Herzegovina's cultural heritage.

    Private Vehicle

    Stolac - Buna 0h45m 30km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Free time:

    Buna Afternoon

    Enjoy a free afternoon in Buna. Hike to the Blagaj Fortress or visit the Dervish Monastery to experience the local culture.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 7 : Buna/Sarajevo

    Enjoy a scenic drive to Mostar for a stroll around the ancient town and pay a visit to the famed Stari Most (Old Bridge), considered a symbol of the city’s resilience. This reconstructed Ottoman-style bridge was first built in the 17th century and then meticulously rebuilt after its destruction during the Bosnian War. Later, continue to impressive Sarajevo, a city steeped in history and culture. Head out for an evening food tour, exploring tiny alleys, local restaurants and markets and indulge in delicious Bosnian flavours.

    Private Vehicle

    Buna - Mostar 0h15m - 0h30m 13km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Stari Most (Old Bridge) Visit

    Mostar 1h - 2h

    Visit the city's symbol; a beautiful, reconstructed Ottoman-style bridge. The bridge was constructed in the 1600s and was meticulously rebuilt after its destruction during the war. It's a reminder of the tenacity of the Bosnians and is a gorgeous sight to behold. Wait at the bottom for daredevils to dive into the icy river below.

    Private Vehicle

    Mostar - Sarajevo 2h30m 125km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Sarajevo Food Tour

    Sarajevo 4h - 5h

    Immerse yourself in the culture by sampling traditional Bosnian flavours. Learn about the rich history while exploring important landmarks, tiny alleys, local restaurants, and hawker markets with a local expert. Discover the city beyond the tourist attractions and fill your belly; what could be better?

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 8 : Sarajevo

    Learn about the four-year-long Siege of Sarajevo from a local expert who lived through this devastating period. Gain more insights at the Tunnel of Hope and War Tunnel Museum, and view bunkers, minefields, and trenches at Trebević Mountain, the site of several battles. After, take advantage of some free time to experience the site on your own before an optional farewell dinner.

    Siege of Sarajevo Tour

    Sarajevo

    At nearly four years (1992-96) the Siege of Sarajevo is the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare. Learn about this devastating period from a local expert who lived through the Bosnian War and is willing to share personal stories of this time. Visit the Tunnel of Hope and War Tunnel Museum, and gain perspective on what it was like to live in a 20th century city under siege. Then visit Trebević Mountain, the site of several battles, to view bunkers, minefields, and trenches. One of the most interesting parts about this experience is the opportunity it gives viewers to learn how a city and its people can move beyond serious conflict and once more find peace living together.

    Free time:

    Sarajevo Afternoon

    Explore this fascinating city at your own pace.

    Optional Activities - Day 8

    Latin Bridge Visit

    Sarajevo

    The Latin Bridge is worth a visit as it is a direct link to history. This is the sight where the Archduke of the Austro Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated, leading to the beginning of World War I.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    Day 9 : Sarajevo

    Depart at any time.

    Departure Day

    Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

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