A Taste of the Balkans

Explore a different way of life and spend the day in an authentic Bosnian village. It all starts with a scenic drive through the highlands of Bosnia, where you can gaze out the window and admire sprawling greenery and soaring peaks. Then, strap on your hiking shoes because the rest of the journey to the remote village takes place on foot. After working up your appetite during a light hiking trip, enjoy lunch in a traditional Bosnian villager’s home. Spend some more time connecting with the locals before you set out once more to explore a picturesque canyon tucked among the mountain ranges. Conclude your day with a return hiking trip and a relaxing drive back to your hotel.

Spend your morning touring the nuclear bunker of former Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito. Nicknamed “Tito’s Bunker,” this underground military command center was built to protect the Yugoslavian president and up to 350 members of his inner circle. During your tour, you can explore historical relics and meander through a wide collection of rooms, from residential areas to places dedicated to strategic planning. Uncover this underground fortress, once a secret to the world.

Travel up the winding road from Kotor towards Mount Lovcen, taking in magnificent views of the Bay of Kotor (the Boka) and mountains along the way. Stop in Njegusi, a quiet and peaceful village located on the slope of Mount Lovcen, about 900 meters above sea level. Learn about the tradition of prosciutto and homemade cheeses famously produced here and sample these specialties. Then continue through the mountain range until reaching the Adriatic coastline, with photo stops along the way including views of Sveti Stefan (Saint Stephen’s Island), once an islet fishing village, now luxury resort. Throughout the day, you can imagine yourself in scenes from the Bond film, Casino Royale, as you venture through Montenegro.

Depart Zagreb and head into the beautiful Croatian countryside of Zagorje known for its picturesque, gentle hills full of green forests, vineyards and cultivated fields. Begin by visiting historic Kumrovec, the birthplace of Josip Broz Tito, lifetime president of the former Yugoslavia. A visit to the ethno village there is like stepping back in time as you stroll the small houses of the beautiful “Old Village.” Continue on to the delightful little town of Samobor, well-known as a foodie favorite. After a short tour, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant which ends with the famous Samoborske-Kremsnite, a Croatian delicacy of cake with custard cream. You will also sample Bermet, the aromatic, sweet and bitter wine made according to a centuries old secret recipe that is perhaps the most authentic Croatian drink.