Sabbatical & Experiential Travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro

Holidays & Sabbaticals to Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro – In a Nutshell

Still relatively untouched by tourism, Bosnia-Herzegovina is as authentic and charming as they come, with oodles of natural beauty thrown in for good measure. Karst scenery sits side by side with forested mountains and bright green rivers, lakes and waterfalls, and the countryside is dotted with charming stone towns where eastern and western cultures collide, creating a fascinating mix. While its recent history is chequered with the violence of war in the 1990s, this divided country invites visitors with open arms and leaves a lasting impression of warmth.

Montenegro may be small but it certainly packs a punch. Its mountainous interior is hemmed in by the turquoise waters of the Adriatic lapping at its shores, which are laden with beautiful churches, limestone cliffs and medieval stone villages. Like neighbouring Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro sits on the border of east and west, making it culturally fascinating. Ornate Catholic churches sit alongside the impressive spinnerets of Muslim mosques and mosaic tiled Roman villas, while years under communist rule have also left their mark. It’s still easy to find a quiet and untouched corner of this charming country, and one where you’ll likely be spoiled with a riot of colours and incredible forest and mountain scenery.

How to Get to Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro

Fly into Sarajevo International Airport in, 10 km from the centre of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s capital. Flights from the UK take around 3 hours. From the US, most flights take between 3-15 hours and require a stopover.

Drive across the border from Bosnia-Herzegovina into Montenegro. Alternatively, Montenegro is a 2-hour flight from most European capitals. There are two international airports – Podgorica and Tivat. Alternatively, you could fly into Dubrovnik airport in Croatia, which is just 20 minutes from the Montenegrin border. From major US cities, flights take around 15 hours with 1 stop.

When & Weather – Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro

The climate varies from a temperate in the northern Pannonian lowlands along the Sava River and in the foothill zone, to an alpine climate in the mountain regions, and a Mediterranean climate in the coastal and lowland areas of the Herzegovina region in the south and southeast.

The best time to visit Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro is late spring or early autumn since the weather is more welcoming with a lesser chance of rain.

Who will Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro appeal to?

This unique destination with fascinating history and untouched, pristine nature, is well suited to:

Culture vultures
Active travellers
Nature lovers
Families
Adventure seekers
Gastronomy lovers

Accommodation

Bosnia-Herzegovina’s capital, Sarajevo, offers a few good 5* hotels and in other parts of the country, family-run, boutique gems can be found.

Montenegro offers a wide range of different accommodation options. Choose from luxury hotels & resorts to boutique hotels and luxury 5* lodging & Villas. Aman and One&Only are just some of the famous names with luxurious hotels in Montenegro.

Off The Beaten Path

In Bosnia-Herzegovina:

Climb, hike and enjoy natural rock slides in Rakitnica canyon
Step out into the fresh mountain air and discover the peaks of Prenj, one of the most beautiful Bosnian mountain regions
Raft on wild waters along the Neretva river – a perfect way to experience Bosnia-Herzegovnia’s untouched nature
Enjoy the thrills of mountan biking in the scenic Bjelašnica mountains

In Montenegro:

Cycle through the wild beauty of Montenegro and its historic trails
Discover the idyllic Bay of Kotor, National park Lovčen and Lake Skadar – a massive lake featuring islands and beautiful native animals
Enjoy rafting, tubing, kayaking, and the unbelievable Tara River Canyon

Wildlife

The dense forests of Bosnia-Herzegovina are a natural habitat for several small mammals such as weasels, wild rabbits, squirrels, badgers and polecats.

Visit the marshlands of Hutovo Blato, a nature reserve in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where you can enjoy fantastic birding.

You can find over three hundred animal species in Montenegro’s virgin forest, including some that are rare elsewhere. Apart from wolves, bears, chamois, doe, marten and lynx you can find otter, griffon vulture, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, hawk, tufted duck; Apollo butterfly, rocky moles and the alpine shrew mouse. There are also significant species of amphibians, snakes and lizards, and the triton-alpine newt.

Birdwatchers can observe an array of rare wetland birds congregating around Lake Skadar and near Ulcinj in Montenegro.

Experiences you shouldn’t miss:

In Bosnia-Herzegovina:

Stroll through Mostar’s Old Town and admire its famous old bridge
Enjoy kayaking at Kravice Waterfalls
Visit Bascarsija – the old town center of Sarajevo and The Sarajevo Tunnel
Hike through Bjelašnica mountain range and visit its charming villages

In Montenegro:

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kotor bay and the old town of Kotor
Discover abundant nature in the National Parks of Lovćen and Durmitor
Enjoy relaxing boat trips on Lake Skadar and Bay of Kotor
Visit the fortified island village of Sveti Stefan
Enjoy exhilarating rafting on the Tara River
Taste delicious local delicacies such as Burek and Smoked Prosciuttio

Giving back

Charities available on request.

Start Planning

Our experienced team will guide you through a number of ideas based on how you would like to experience Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro.

No matter how long you wish to travel, we’ll guide you through the planning process to ensure a trip is carefully pieced together to suit your interests, pace of travel and budget.