Most Inspirational Moment
I picked this trip because I thought it sounded really interesting, and it was. To be honest I'd only really heard of Sarajevo and Mostar before I went, and that was because of the war, but there's so much more to the countries than this recent conflict, the scars of which can still be seen in those cities. We saw some beautiful towns, scenery, mosques and museums. Swimming in the waterfall pool at Kravica was definitely a highlight, it's pretty cold but when will you ever get the chance to do that again?! Watching the brave/crazy guys jumping from the bridge in Mostar is something to behold! The lunches with the local families in Lukomir and Zabljak were also a highlight and something you don't get on many holidays. Plus the food was delicious. We also had some amazing thunderstorms in the mountains, which made us feel less guilty about spending our free afternoon watching Andy Murray win Wimbledon! Oh and it's fun to get the local buses and trams in Sarajevo and Dubrovnik.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Anaid was great. He always seemed to have things under control - if there were any organisational problems I didn't see them. This is definitely the right job for him, he's very chatty and outgoing, and knowledgeable about the countries' current conditions, and recent and older history. It was also very moving and interesting to hear about his and his family's experiences during the recent Balkan Wars. Our driver Suleyman was great, getting the minibus safely up and down some twisty mountain roads.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take euros from the start. If you arrive, as we did, on the flight that gets in at lunchtime you are likely to go to a restaurant in Bosnia for lunch before departing for Kotor; this restaurant we went to takes euros. You can spend euros in some parts of Bosnia as well as Montenegro, apart from in Sarajevo where it's banned. For the walks, you can do them in good trainers, boots aren't really needed. And take a cagool - see thunderstorms comment! Also do take a water bottle - the tap water is drinkable. We got into Dubrovnik at about 4pm on the Saturday and a couple of us went off straight away to walk round the walls and old town before dinner, as the walls closed at 7.30pm. I'd definitely recommend that as there's not much time in the morning before you have to leave for the airport. You spend two nights everywhere except Sarajevo (3) and Dubrovnik (1) so there's time to settle and the hotels are good, especially the Hotel Bristol in Sarajevo!