How was your Explore Tour Leader?

 

"Danijela was very welcoming, patient and excellent English. 

The Serbian drivers were amazing, feeling felt safe and relaxed through every journey with them.  I would have preferred a little more commentary from them as generally every journey was in silence. "

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

 

 

"Bring ear plugs as the hotel in Sarajevo echos. Warm jacket for the evenings. Sunscreen and a hat for during the day and some light clothing as Croatia was very warm and a good pair of walking shoes or boots as there are lots of cobbles. Do research for Sarajevo as you have plenty of time there."

Do you have anything else to add?

 

 

"Totally disappointed by the transport, two 15 seater vans. Those sat in the middle couldn't see anything out of the windows. With half the group in the other van with the tour leader, those in the other van didn't get to hear value pieces of information. 

The walking tour of Sarajevo should be done on the day of the arrival so that the following day is free, in which we could have joined external companies on tours out of the city

I was the only person under 45, which although I didn't really have a problem with I felt Explore should have perhaps divulged this information. "

 

 

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Our tour leader was warm, welcoming, extremely knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. Although explaining the recent history of this region was clearly an emotional experience, she managed to explain a lot about how the region had developed over the centuries and help us understand in some measure the conflicts of the 1990s. Her recommendations for our free time were excellent and she really made the group gel and enjoy the whole experience.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take Euros rather than sterling as a currency that can be used in many places. Cash points are easy to find pretty much everywhere on the trip which is a great help. There were more opportunities to swim than I had realised so I could have taken a towel with me more often.  Do try all the local foods and drinks as they are spectacular. Take grippy shoes as the fortified cities have slippy streets. Do walk the walls at Dubrovnik and try to walk  up to the Fortress at Kotor as both are really worth it.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Bilinja was good, very knowledgeable and helpful.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

"Read the guide books before you go - then listen carefully to the explanations given by local guides. Only then will you begin to understand the complexities of life the Balkans."

Do you have anything else to add?

"The last day travelling via Trebinje was a bit  of a waste of time,  very little to see or do.
Suggestion:  Why not run the tour in reverse, starting with the 1st night in Trebinje,  then Mostar,  Sarajevo. This way,  we could have had a  extra night in Zabliak -  there's lots to do there,  I've been before."

An excellent, well thought out holiday, especially as this was the first year the holiday has been run. With any escorted trip, the guide makes the holiday. This one was no exception. B was excellent, very helpful, patient, and on top of it all had a good sense of humour. The tour visits four countries in 12 days, but manages to do justice to all of them.  The accommodation in Serbia was a special surprise. One was an open air museum with buildings built as in previous centuries, but with all mod cons. The other was a former film set, with accommodation and restaurants. (Have you ever seen a stretched Trabant?!) Both places were unusual, but excellent.  

Remember to take Euros to exchange for Serbian Dinars. In Serbia we go to out of the way places, where Sterling is not accepted.  Overall, an outstanding holiday. Well done Explore. (YD -14th August 2011)

This trip into the Balkans was a series of contrasts. Croatia is already an established tourist destination. Montenegro, is the most beautiful country for outdoor activities with mountains, lakes, monasteries. The walk around the Black Lake was one of the highlights of my trip. Serbia, we only cut through a corner visiting a museum of traditional wooden houses and riding on a preserved railway which snaked its way up a steep hillside to a plateau town above. Judging Serbia by this little slice would be like coming to England but only visiting the Lake District, but what I saw I liked and it inspired me to plan a weekend in Belgrade to see more of the country. Bosnia showed us the contrasting historic cities of Sarajeveo with its Turkish and Austrian parts sandwiched together, and Mostar, a little oriental town on the edge of Europe with the iconic bridge restored after its destruction during the Balkan war. The cities are so very different from each other, both photogenic and interesting. Plus of course, we visited the legendary Bridge over the River Drina, and then ended the trip in the sleepy little town of Trebinje  just over the border from Dubrovnic, where we saw how ordinary people go about their daily lives. Beyond Croatia the tourist infrastructure is mostly geared up for local/internal tourism, but everywhere we went the people were welcoming, the food was fresh and plentiful, and there was some excellent beer! Visiting the Balkans was a fascinating entry into a region about which I had heard much but in reality knew little. (YD - 22nd May 2011)

Tracing a large circle from Dubrovnik Airport this tour took the first group of Explorians to uncharted Explore territory.  Leaving the small crowded Old City of Dubrovnik behind we travelled to Montenegro where a day traversing Kotor Bay by our privately chartered motorboat proved interesting and relaxing though the climb up to Kotor Old Town Fort proved challenging for some of the Group. The following morning two gleaming minibuses with smiling drivers arrived to carry us on our further travels. Lake Skadar provided viewings of cormorants, egrets and a grebe chick hitching a ride onmum's back! This was a journey of contrasts as we stayed high in a mountain village walking to the picturesque black Lake; the Mokpa Ropa railway ride rivalled the Rocky Mountaineer for views; magnificent bridges spanned rivers and we visited monastries, churches and mosques. City walking tours of Sarajevo and Mostar explained history in olden and not so olden times.  Accomodation included night in a forest hut and a stay on the filmset used to make 'The Miracle of Life'. The tour leader, Sunisha proved an excellent guide/interpreter and at our final dinner both drivers stood and said how much they had enjoyed our trip too! A highly recommended tour in unspoilt and stunning countryside. Thanks to Ace Adventure Tours of Serbia who work with Explore on this tour. Tip: be prepared for a lot of stairs with few handrails and do bring a torch. (YD - 23rd May 2011)