Bosnia Tour

First walk through Sarajevo

We meet at the Turkish Airlines counter in the international terminal of Istanbul Airport, 3 hours before the flight. After passport control and check-in we board Turkish Airlines scheduled flight TK1021, departing at 14:50 for Sarajevo. We land at 14:40 local time and drive to the city centre in our waiting vehicle.

Sarajevo, the capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is one of the key centres of the Balkans. It stands where the Roman Catholic west, the Orthodox east and the Ottoman south meet, and Muslims, Christians of several denominations and Jews have lived side by side here for centuries. That mix shows in the architecture: one corner feels like Central Europe, while a few streets away Ottoman or socialist modernist influences take over.

Our walking tour takes in Vijecnica, built as the city hall in the Austro-Hungarian era and now the national library, Inat Kuca with its curious story, the Bosna River, the Ottoman-era Latin Bridge and the spot where the assassination that sparked World War 1 took place. We then move on to Bascarsija, the historic centre, with its cobbled Ottoman lanes, traditional bazaar and historic mosques; here you may hear the call to prayer while passing a church or synagogue. Highlights include the Bascarsija Sebil and Pigeon Square, the clock tower, the Sacred Heart Cathedral and Morica Han, the only Ottoman inn to survive.

We end at the Eternal Flame (Vjecna Vatra), dedicated to the soldiers and civilians who died liberating Sarajevo in World War 2. The memorial is made of tiles inscribed in the colours of the former Yugoslav flag (blue, white and red), with a copper bowl in the shape of a laurel wreath holding a flame that always burns. After the tour, free time. At the time given by our guide we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

From Pocitelj to Mostar

After breakfast we set out on the Bosnian Heritage (Pocitelj, Blagaj and Mostar) tour. Our first stop is Pocitelj, known as the Turkish Village, where the whole historic fabric has been preserved; we see its 16th century Ottoman buildings and Pocitelj Fortress.

Next is Blagaj, a historic town where the Blagaj Tekke, built as a dervish lodge in the Ottoman period, sits on the Buna River beneath high cliffs. During free time on the riverbank you can have lunch.

A short drive brings us to Mostar, set around the Neretva River. Our walking tour starts at the Mostar Bridge, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture and the symbol of the city. Destroyed in the fighting at the end of 1992, it was rebuilt in 2004 with major support from the Republic of Turkey. The Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque is also on our route. After the tour, free time. At the time given by our guide we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Travnik, City of Viziers

After breakfast we set out for Travnik. Known as the "City of Viziers" because so many Ottoman viziers came from here, the town stands out for its historic fabric, narrow Ottoman-era streets, fountains and stone houses. On our tour we see the Suleymaniye Mosque (Colourful Mosque) and Travnik Fortress, important to both Ottoman and Bosnian history. After the tour, free time. At the time given by our guide we transfer to our hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Homeward day

After breakfast at the hotel, free time. At the time set by our guide we transfer to the airport. After check-in we board Turkish Airlines flight TK1022, departing at 15.30 for Istanbul. We arrive at 19.30 local time, and our tour ends.