Bosnia

Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed at the airport by a Rahhalah representative who will transfer you to your hotel next to the ski slopes (a 45-minutes’ drive). You will enjoy the day at your leisure, maybe even prepare the gear you will need for next day’s first skiing lesson, and you will all meet again for a delicious welcome dinner during which you will have the opportunity to taste some local traditional cuisine. Accommodation: Hotel Bjelasnica, Bjelasnica Ski resort or similar.

After breakfast, you will head to the ski slopes for your first skiing lesson. There, with the help of a professional ski instructor, you will practice for 3-4 hours in the morning (ski rentals not included). Note that it usually takes approximately 6 hours to learn the basic skiing skills and feel confident on the snow before progressing to a recreational standard. As such, after two days, you should be able to fully enjoy the various learning routes available at the ski center. You will spend the afternoon at your leisure, maybe practicing the skills you learnt in the morning, driving a snowmobile, sledging or simply enjoying the wellness center of your Hotel, with its swimming pool and sauna. Accommodation: Hotel Bjelasnica, Bjelasnica Ski resort or similar.

Once more, after breakfast, you will continue with your skiing lesson for 3-4 hours. By lunchtime, you should already feel comfortable and confident to explore some of the available slopes (ski rentals not included). You will spend the afternoon at your leisure, skiing, or engaging in any of the available (optional) activities. Accommodation: Hotel Bjelasnica, Bjelasnica Ski resort or similar.

After breakfast, you will head to Umoljani Village on the other side of the Olympic slopes of Bjelasnica (a 45-minute drive), where you will be introduced to snowshoeing: the traditional way of moving through fresh snow. Snowshoeing has been around for thousands of years. Obviously, the art of snowshoeing has become more sophisticated over time, and today it is a winter sport. From the early wood-frame to the aluminum-frame models, snowshoeing has gained quite a following throughout the world. Starting at the traditional, Bosnian village of Umoljani, you will trek to the watermills that have been used for centuries to grind wheat into flour. You will hug the ridge until Rakitnica Canyon, and after a 45-minute easy uphill through thick snow, you will reach the Cascades of Studeni Potok. There, at certain times of the year, the stream falls with numerous cascades into Rakitnica River, more than 300 meters below. Following the stream up, you will reach Studeno Polje (Field) and the serpentine formations of Studeni Potok(Stream), from where you will enjoy a magnificent view of Obalj and the long flat valley of Studeno Polje (Fields). After a short break, you will take a circular way back to the summer village of Gradina and descend to a mountain chalet for a well-deserved, homemade lunch. In the afternoon, you will be transferred back to the hotel at the Ski Resort. Accommodation: Hotel Bjelasnica, Bjelasnica Ski resort or similar.

In the morning, you will be transferred to Mostar (approx. 2 hours), where you will spend the day exploring this beautiful Herzegovinian city. Mostar was founded in the 15th century, and its architecture is a delightful combination of Turkish ingenuity and Herzegovinian and Dalmatian artistry. The town was famously split during the conflict of the early1990s, the war scars remaining visible to this day. However, Mostar has regained its cosmopolitan flair, and you will most certainly have fun exploring its warm and bustling corners. During the day, you will also visit “Okusi Hercegovinu” (the farmers’ cooperative)for an opportunity to try local traditional products such as jams and homemade juices, and check the different types of local handicrafts. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city on your own. Accommodation: Hotel Kapetanovina, Mostar or similar.

In the morning, you will head to Sarajevo (approx. 2 hours), where you will spend the day exploring the city, including the place called European Jerusalem and the point where East and West meet. Sarajevo is one of the most oriental and culturally diverse cities in Europe and spent over 400 years under Turkish governorship until the Austro-Hungarians arrived in the late 19th century. Forty years later, the empire collapsed when Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated here, hastening the outbreak of the First World War. The late twentieth century saw Sarajevo host the Winter Olympics in 1984, and the long siege of the city during the recent Balkan conflict. The 2.5-hour Sarajevo Walking Tour around the old historical and cultural center will help you piece together the city’s complex and fascinating history. In the afternoon, you will ride the cable car for some stunning views of Sarajevo andthe nearby mountains from above. You will also take a short walk to the bobsled track that was used in the 1984Winter Olympics, before returning to the city. A farewell dinner will be organized at a traditional Bosnian restaurant in the heart of the Old town. Accommodation: Hotel President, Sarajevo or similar.

After breakfast, and depending on your departure details, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.