Bosnia has a long and rich history with many diverse influences. Slavic peoples settled here in the centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire. Bosnia became a kingdom in the 14th century, then passed 400 years as a province of the Ottoman Empire. Austria-Hungary annexed the two provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1908, shortly before the start of World War I. Bosnia became an autonomous republic under the Yugoslav Federation before declaring independence in 1992. We’ll spend two days infascinating Sarajevo and meet its the wonderful people.
Croatia has a spectacular 1100 mile long coastline on the Adriatic Sea with 1246 islands. We will begin our explorations in the south at Dubrovnik, a one-time Mediterranean sea power called the Pearl of the Adriatic. On the way to charming maritime Orebić and the medieval island of Korčula we’ll have an oyster farm boat ride with lunch and wines on board. The Roman emperor Diocletian constructed an enormous 30,000 square meter palace at Split in the early 4th century. Our local guide will take us through these remarkably well preserved ruins. Our morning walk along the trails of the splendid Plitvice Lakes National Park will display the wonder of a thousand waterfalls. The Istrian Peninsula in the far north will charm with sparkling wines and three nights in lovely Rovinj.
Read what our travelers say about our Croatia and Bosnia small group tour!
Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a meeting point of East and West, multi-cultural and multi religious. It’s a colorful town full of coffee houses, restaurants and shops, a gracious and congenial people that defy expectations.
Afternoon welcome meeting at Hotel President followed by an orientation walk through the historic district and welcome dinner.
Day 2
During the Bosnian war of independence Sarajevo was blockaded for three and a half years (1991-1995) the longest siege of a capital city in modern history.
Morning guided visit of the old town followed by a trip to the Tunnel of Hope, a half-mile underground passage constructed during the siege that was the only link to the outside world and a conduit for people, food, medical supplies and weapons.
Afternoon and evening on your own
Day 3
Mostar is the main city of the southern part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, on the banks of the Neretva river. Under the Ottoman Empire, Mostar became an important trading hub, where Jews, Christians and Muslims traded and lived side by side. The result was that Mostar became a melting pot of cultures and nationalities.
The centerpiece of Mostar is the Old Bridge, commissioned by the Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century. Destroyed during the war in 1993 the bridge was rebuilt using the original materials and reopened in 2004.
Time for lunch on your own at one of the many riverside restaurants after which we’ll cross the border into Croatia and transfer to fabulous Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, where we’ll spend two nights at the Hotel Dubrovnik Palace.
Included dinner inside the walled city.
Day 4
The magnificent Republic of Dubrovnik (also called Ragusa) was founded in the 7th century by Greco-Roman refugees. Initially subject to Byzantium, the city was later under Venetian control. Then it effectively became an independent city-state under the kingdom of Hungary and later the Ottoman Empire. It was one of the most powerful economic centers in the Adriatic.
Dubrovnik’s magnificent walls were constructed from the 12th to the 17th centuries. Our morning begins with a walk along these walls, followed by a local guide tour of the city and a visit to the Rector’s Palace.
Evening on your own.
Day 5
Departure for the village of Ston. The Great Wall of Croatia, the longest fortress system in Europe, was built from the 15th to the 17th centuries to protect its (still functioning) salt flats, a precious commodity in those times. The wall is 5 km long, has 3 forts, 7 bastions and 41 towers and for those willing we’ll walk the walls that encompass the town.
Boat excursion on the bay of Mali Ston where we’ll visit an oyster farm, harvest some oysters and enjoy them as an antipasto to our included lunch and wines on board.
Transfer to lovely Orebić on the Pelješac Peninsula waterfront where we’ll stay two nights at the Hotel Indijan.
Evening on your own to wander this small seaside village and enjoy dining at one of the boutique restaurants.
Day 6
We’ll begin this morning with a short ferry ride will take us to Korčula, one of the best preserved medieval towns of the Mediterranean.It’s long past includes Illyrians, Greeks, Romans and Venetians. After our guided tour you’ll have time to explore the narrow lanes and visit the house of Marco Polo.
In the 19th century Orebić was renowned for shipbuilding and boasted 90 large sailing ships of its own that plied the world’s oceans. Optional afternoon visit to the Maritime Museum.
Early evening visit to a local Pelješac winery for a taste of their Plavac Mali wines and enjoy an included dinner.
Croatia offers one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, 3,900 miles in all with 1,234 islands.
Mid morning stop in the sunny coastal town of Makarska where we’ll explore its picturesque harbor.
Transfer to the city of Split on the Adriatic Sea. We’ll be staying two nights at Hotel Luxe, just a few minutes walk to the historic district.
Included dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.
Day 8
Diocletian was emperor of Rome from 284 – 305 AD. The only emperor to voluntarily abdicate, he had constructed a massive retirement palace covering 10 acres in his homeland of Dalmatia. Having survived centuries of refugees and squatters, core elements of the palace are still prominent today, including all of the ground floor rooms and corridors. We’ll begin the day with a fascinating guided tour of the palace and the historic center of Split.
Evening free to have an aperitif or dinner inside the splendidly illuminated remains of Diocletian’s Palace.
Day 9
Zadar is one of the Adriatic’s most interesting historical (and beautiful) towns, dating back some 3,000 years. Lying on a peninsula, it rose to prominence in Antiquity with a seafaring and merchant people known as Liburnians and then as a Roman province from the time of Augustus. After the Fall power changed hands numerous times over 1600 years with the longest periods of domination by Byzantines, Venetians and Austrians. The urban grid of Zadar was laid out by the Romans but its aspect remains decidedly medieval. Our local guide will illuminate all and you’ll have time for your own explorations afterwards.
Transfer to the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s most popular attraction, where we’ll be staying just outside the National Park at the Hotel Degenija. Included dinner.
Day 10
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a phenomenon of Karst hydrography comprised of beautiful lakes, magnificent waterfalls, caves, virgin forests of beech and fir and hosting numerous species of orchids, butterflies, birds and bats as well as bears, boar, wolves and owls.
Our visit will include a train ride to the upper lakes, an hour and a half walk down to the middle lakes, a boat ride across the biggest lake, lunch, then another walk to the lower lakes and the Great Waterfall which tumbles down 256 feet into the Sastavci Hollow.
Rovinj, on the Istrian Peninsula, has a lovely waterfront setting, a charming old town with cobblestone streets and an attractive marina. We’ll spend our last three nights on tour here at the Grand Hotel Park. Included dinner.
Day 11
Morning free in Rovinj.
The historical highlight of Poreč, the 6th Century Basilica of Euphrasius, beautifully ornamented with Byzantine mosaics, is the first stop on our afternoon guided visit today.
Late afternoon we will have an ample taste of Istrian wines shared by a local vintner. Dinner on your own in Rovinj.
Day 12
Pula‘s scenic location is at the southern end of the Istrian peninsula. The abundance of ancient Roman architecture, the main feature being the well-preserved and dominating Roman amphitheater right in the middle of the city, set against a sparkling sea makes a spectacular backdrop for our final day excursion.
Afternoon free in Rovinj. Farewell dinner in the historic center.
Day 13
09:00 transfer to Trieste city center. Trieste and Pula airports on request.
All breakfasts, 7 dinners and 1 lunch, beverages included
All activities and admissions listed in Highlights
Full time professional tour manager
Drop-off Pula airport; Trieste airport, city center & train station
All activities and admissions listed under Highlights
Highlights
City walking tours with local guides in: Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Korčula, Split, Zadar, Poreč and Pula
War Tunnel Museum Sarajevo
Turkish House Mostar
Dubrovnik Walls Walk
Rector’s Palace Museum Dubrovnik
The Great Wall of Croatia at Ston
Mali Ston Oyster Boat Trip
Korčula visit
Dinner at a Pelješac winery
Diocletian’s Palace Split
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Basilica Euphrasian Poreč
Istrian winery visit
Amphitheater in Pula
Getting there
Tour begins: Sarajevo
Transfers from Sarajevo Airport
Tour ends: Poreč
09:00 transfer to Trieste airport and city center
Pula airport on request
How to get there: Book a multi-city ticket into Sarajevo and out from Pula or Trieste
Pre tour: We recommend arriving one day early. You will be met by our driver at the airport and transferred to the first hotel on tour.
Suggestions: Make a one or two night stay in Trieste post tour.
Day 1 — Sarajevo, Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine, Bosna i Hercegovina
Day 2 — Sarajevo Tunnel Museum, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Day 3 — Mostar, Federacija Bosne i Hercegovine, Bosna i Hercegovina
Day 4 — Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 5 — Ston, Croatia
Day 6 — Orebić, Croatia
Day 7 — Makarska, Croatia
Day 8 — Split, Croatia
Day 9 — Zadar, Croatia
Day 10 — Plitvice Lakes National Park, Plitvička Jezera, Croatia
Day 10 — Rovinj, Croatia
Day 11 — Poreč, Croatia
Day 12 — Pula, Croatia
Activity level
Most of the walking on this tour is not difficult but you will find some of it to be uphill. Be prepared to spend a few hours a day on your feet. Age is not important as long as you are reasonably fit and a good walker. Our tours are not suited for anyone who has problems with knees, back, heart or obesity.
The 5 hour visit to Plitvice Lakes is in two parts: the Upper Lakes walk is relatively easy but the Lower Lakes requires walking up 200 steps. Those electing not to walk the second part can exit the park and wait at the nearby hotel restaurant.
If you have questions about this please ask.
1. PRICES, DEPOSITS, PAYMENTS, REFUNDS
Prices shown are per person, double occupancy, in euro.
The deposit is 800 euro per room.
Balance payments are due 70 days prior to tour start.
Deposits and balance payments are accepted by Visa and Master Card or by bank wire. After your deposit has been received we will send you an invoice with the due date and amount for the balance of payment. Should you fail to make final payment by the date specified on your invoice, we reserve the right to cancel your booking without refund.
Cancellations and refunds: in the unlikely event that we would cancel your tour, you would be entitled to a 100% refund within 2 weeks after the tour’s cancellation.
If you cancel your tour reservation:
Deposits
1. are 50% refundable up until 180 days prior to tour start date.
2. are 100 % non-refundable less than 180 days prior to tour start date.
Balance payments
3. are 98% refundable 70 days or more prior to tour start date.
4. are 48% refundable 70 to 31 days prior to tour start date.
5. 30 days or less prior to tour start date: no refund.
Physician documented emergency medical reasons or police documented cases of accident, flood, fire or crime are required for refunds.
We do not provide refunds for: non-medical personal problems; air carrier delays or cancellations; inability to obtain passports; business problems or emergencies; etc.
2. TRAVEL PROTECTION
Covid-19 Policy: All tour members including tour managers and drivers must be fully vaccinated.
We strongly recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more.
For information on available plans or to enroll, go to insuremytrip.com
It is not possible for Amber Road Tours to provide protection coverage of any sort and you agree to buy insurance or travel at your own risk.
3. INCLUDED
Transfers from Sarajevo International Airport to Hotel Europe
All ground transportation Days 2-12. Day 13 transfers to Pula airport, Trieste airport and city center.
12 nights 4 and 5 star hotel accommodations: all breakfasts, 8 dinners & 1 lunch.
Admissions to all sites visited as a group, as listed in bold on the tour itinerary.
4. NOT INCLUDED
Air transportation, all meals not listed above, room service, phone calls, etc.
5. ARRIVALS
If you are visiting Europe only for the 12 days of our tour you will want to book a multi-city ticket into Sarajevo and out from Pula or Trieste. Transfers will be scheduled after we receive the arrival times of all the tour participants. Your tour manager will be expecting you in the hotel lobby for a welcome meeting at 4pm prior to our introductory orientation tour of the city.
6. Departures
The Day 13 morning departure transfers from our hotel in Rovinj to Trieste city center will be by coach at 9am (takes 2 hours). Very early morning transfers to Trieste airport and Pula airport will be by taxi. We recommend a night or two post tour in Trieste, one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.
7. LUGGAGE
You are allowed one suitcase and one carry-on bag. If you exceed this limit there may not be space in the coach to transport your excess luggage and it will be at your own expense to have it transported throughout the tour. We suggest that you bring a daypack for carrying water, guide books, jacket, rain gear, etc.
Porterage for one bag per person is included, your carry-on bag is yours to wheel or carry.
8. WALKING ON TOUR
Most of the walking on this tour is not difficult but you will find some of it to be uphill. Be prepared to spend a few hours a day on your feet. Age is not important as long as you are reasonably fit and a good walker. Our tours are not suited for anyone who has problems with knees, back, heart or obesity.The 5 hour visit to Plitvice Lakes is in two parts: the Upper Lakes walk is relatively easy but the Lower Lakes requires walking up 200 steps. Those electing not to walk the second part can exit the park and wait at the nearby hotel restaurant. If you have questions about this please ask.
9. TRASPORTATION
Transfers are by sedan or maxi-van taxi.
Days 2 – 12 by air-conditioned coach.
10. HOTELS
Are located in quiet locations within historic districts or a short distance outside the city walls. European hotel rooms are generally smaller than those in the U.S., and have one king or queen bed or two twin beds, with private bath.
11. SINGLE TRAVELERS
We have space available for two or three singles on each of our tours. They are provided with single-use double rooms. The additional single room supplement cost can be find on the Calendar page of our website.
12. PRICES
For our recommended tours and dates, as listed in our web site, are guaranteed for groups of six or more participants.
For groups with fewer than six participants, a supplemental charge may be applied when the estimated total cost of operating the tour exceeds the revenues paid.
We do not sell optional excursions or take you on shopping expeditions. Your additional expenses will be for non-included meals, moderate tipping where appropriate, and personal sightseeing or shopping.
13. NO SMOKING / NO CELL PHONES
We have a no smoking policy on all tour buses, at group meals and at all sites visited. The same policy applies to the use of cellular phones.
14. EASY TRAVELERS
For the enjoyment of all our guests on tour we ask those who choose to travel with Amber Road Tours to be congenial, lighthearted and to take small issues in stride. Should you have any issues please address them to your tour manager – he or she is your Amber Road Tours’ representative during your time on tour. Once your tour is finished you will be emailed a link to our website where you can leave comments about your experiences and suggestions about how we can improve our services.
15. LIMIT OF LIABILITY
No responsibility is accepted for any loss, expense, accident, injury, or damage to any person or property due to the actions or omissions of any person, or any cause, including but not limited to acts of God, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, defects in machinery, breakdown of equipment, weather, pandemic, quarantine, or other causes beyond our control.
16. COVID-19 PROTOCOLS
Our Covid-19 protocols are designed to protect the health, safety and well being of our tour group members. Should a traveler display symptoms of Covid-19 he or she must take a rapid antigen test. In the unfortunate event of a positive result they must immediately leave the tour, at their own expense. Should there be a lag time between diagnosis and departure, client must remain in isolation and have no further contact with the group. Amber Road Tours will assist them in getting to their next destination. Spouse or travel companion must also be tested. If the result is negative, he or she may continue on tour.
Amber Road Tours follows the protocols and regulations of the countries where we travel. In the absence of clear guidelines, CDC protocols regarding positive travelers will be used.
It is essential for tour participants to purchase Covid-19 protected travel insurance to cover eventual expenses and reimbursement for lost tour days.
17. MEMBERSHIP ON TOUR
Amber Road Tours reserves the right to accept, reject, or not retain any person as a tour participant whose condition or general deportment impedes the operation of the tour or, in the opinion of the tour manager, affects the rights and enjoyment of other guests. A guest not retained on tour shall have no cause for complaint or refund, and shall bear any and all extra expenses that ensue.
18. TOUR CHANGES
All information on this website is, to the best of our knowledge, correct. However, we reserve the right to make changes in accommodations, visits, and itineraries at any time should it become necessary or desirable. Delays or itinerary changes caused by strikes, bad weather, traffic, or other unforeseen circumstances are beyond our control and we are not obliged to pay guests compensation.
