Exploring the Balkans: Land of Blood & Honey

Arrive at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport. Transfer to your hotel and get settled in. This evening, meet the group for a welcome dinner.

Hotel: Mama Shelter Hotel, Belgrade, Serbia (Dinner included)

This morning, set out on an exploration of Belgrade. Known as the “white city,” Serbia’s capital has been a critical crossroads for empires—from the Romans and Byzantines to the Ottomans and Austrians. Begin in the Stari Grad (Old Town), where more than 2,000 years of history converge. Stroll Knez Mihailova Street, the city’s central pedestrian boulevard lined with iconic 19th-century architecture.

Continue to Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park, an expansive complex offering sweeping views over the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. Visit Despot’s Gate, Sahat Tower, and the iconic Victor Monument, and hear stories of the people who once took refuge within these fortified walls.

After lunch in a traditional kafana, transition into Skadarlija, Belgrade’s bohemian quarter long associated with artists, writers, and musicians. Enjoy coffee and conversation with a local painter or curator (at a gallery).

Wrap up the day in conversation with a local journalist on the impact of Belgrade’s past conflicts on its present political and socio-economic landscape.

Today, explore the vast and complex history of Yugoslavia, starting with the picturesque red-roofed village of Zemun, part of the Habsburg (Austrian) Monarchy, and now a neighborhood of Belgrade that maintains its unique small-town feel and a spirit of antiquity.

Visit one of the WWII memorials in the area and learn about the formation of Yugoslavia. Then continue to the Museum of Yugoslavia. Trace the Kingdom of Yugoslavia through Socialist Yugoslavia as well as the life of former president, revolutionary, and statesman, Josip Broz Tito. Visit Tito’s grave, housed within the museum complex. Get to see some of the remains from the Nato bombing and hear about the Serbs view on the bombing.

Sit down with a refugee from the Yugoslav wars and hear their first-hand accounts of Serbia’s tumultuous and not-so-distant past.

This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Sarajevo.

Accompanying you throughout the day is your MEJDI guide from Serbia, who will provide historical and regional context as you cross from one part of the former Yugoslavia into another. Upon arrival in Sarajevo, you’ll be joined by a second local guide, offering insight from within Bosnia and Herzegovina—allowing for a truly dual narrative experience that honors the complex, often contrasting perspectives of the region’s past and present.

Begin with a visit to the War Tunnel Museum, a powerful symbol of Sarajevo’s resilience during the 1,425-day siege in the 1990s. Walk through a preserved section of the tunnel and hear personal and community stories from both guides—illuminating how people on opposite sides of the conflict experienced the war.

Next, embark on a food tour with Balkantina, a local culinary storytelling collective. As you taste iconic Bosnian dishes—from ćevapi and somun bread to sweet tufahija—your guides will narrate how war, migration, and empire have shaped Sarajevo’s culinary and cultural identity.

Explore the historic districts of Ottoman Baščaršija and the Austro-Hungarian quarter, where mosques, synagogues, and churches stand just blocks apart. Through the lens of both guides, gain a deeper understanding of the city’s layered memory and its ongoing efforts toward coexistence.

Enjoy a free evening.

This morning, begin with a visit to Sarajevo’s ancient Jewish Cemetery, one of the oldest in Europe and a poignant symbol of the city’s layered history. Perched on the hillside, this site also served as a front line during the siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s.

Following your visit, engage in a conversation with a Jewish community member—a scholar, activist, or descendant of Sarajevo’s once-vibrant Sephardic population. Learn about Jewish life in Bosnia before, during, and after the war, and how the community continues to navigate identity, memory, and resilience in a changing society.

Continue with an exclusive meeting with a survivor of the Serbian–Bosnian war, who will share firsthand reflections on the conflict and how their personal experience has shaped their ongoing work in peacebuilding or civil society.

After lunch, take Sarajevo’s scenic gondola up to Mount Trebević, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views over the city. Walk among the haunting remains of the 1984 Winter Olympics bobsled track—now a graffiti-covered symbol of both Sarajevo’s international past and its war-torn years.

This evening, meet with a local Sufi practitioner for an intimate conversation about Sufi beliefs, practices, and the role of spirituality in everyday life. Learn how this mystical Islamic tradition continues to play a vital role in Bosnia’s cultural and religious mosaic.

Continue exploring Sarajevo today, with a trip to the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the country’s largest and most endowed collection of ancient and natural history. Meet with one of the Museum curators and tour the museum, which houses an impressive collection of Greek pottery and Roman mosaics, as well as its most notable piece, the Sarajevo Haggadah, an illuminated manuscript that contains the illustrated traditional text of the Passover Haggadah, which accompanies the Passover Seder. One of the oldest Sephardic Haggadahs in the world, the piece originated in Barcelona around 1350.

This morning, depart Sarajevo and journey south into the Herzegovina region, following the route along dramatic mountain landscapes and the turquoise Neretva River.

Stop in the town of Konjic for a brief visit to its elegant Ottoman-era stone bridge, which spans the Neretva and has stood as a symbol of unity and connection across centuries. For those interested, there’s an opportunity to visit Tito’s once-secret atomic bunker—a massive underground complex built during the Cold War to shelter Yugoslavia’s leadership in the event of nuclear war.

Continue onward to Mostar, a city known for both its physical beauty and the deep scars left by the Bosnian War. Upon arrival, set out on a guided walk through Mostar’s Old City, with cobblestone streets, Ottoman-era architecture, and artisan shops. Visit a historic mosque, climb the minaret for sweeping views over the red-roofed cityscape and the famous Stari Most bridge, a powerful symbol of both destruction and reconstruction.

This evening, engage in a private conversation with a member of Mostar’s Croat community, offering insight into Croatian identity in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hear their perspective on the city’s divided past and ongoing reconciliation efforts, and reflect on how ethnic, national, and religious identities continue to shape Mostar’s social fabric today.

This morning, transfer to Dubrovnik, one of the most popular destinations on the Mediterranean, and for good reason. A prominent port, the city was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

The walled Old City is well known for its medieval history, brutal siege in the war in the early 90’s, and more recently, the extensive renovation that returned Dubrovnik to its former glory. Today, Dubrovnik has captured the world’s attention as a filming location for the hit television drama, Game of Thrones.

Enjoy a walking tour of the old city, taking in both the history and natural beauty that defines Dubrovnik.

After lunch in Dubrovnik, continue visiting the highlights of the city, and end at the war museum, where you will meet with a renowned international photojournalist who owns the gallery, War Photo LTD, and learn about his work and life.

Cross into Montenegro and travel along the winding Adriatic coastline to the picturesque Bay of Kotor.

Delve into the fortified medieval Old Town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its well-preserved Venetian walls and winding alleyways.

Meet with local artisans who continue centuries-old traditions in silversmithing and mosaic art.

After lunch, embark on a boat tour to the famous island church of Our Lady of the Rocks, steeped in local legend and maritime history. Continue by boat to the stunning Blue Cave, a natural wonder where the sunlight illuminates the sea in glowing shades of turquoise—swimming is optional, depending on sea conditions.

Spend a leisurely day exploring Montenegro’s Adriatic coastline with a visit to the vibrant town of Budva. Known for its historic Old Town encircled by Venetian walls and its sparkling beaches, Budva offers a more relaxed pace and coastal charm.

Check out and transfer to the airport for your flight home.