About Bosnia-Herzegovina

The natural environment

Bosnia is a land of great beauty-one of the last unspoilt wildernesses in Europe. This fact alone is reason enough to visit the country.  Come here to get away from it all and just relax. The stunning mountain landscapes, forests, rivers and lakes will be a welcome escape !

From Bosnia’s many rivers and fertile land comes its wonderful food. Everything is natural and organic.  After tasting the local meat, fruits, cheeses and honey, you will understand the difference.

The culture and people

Bosnia is located in the heart of Europe and for thousands of years was at the crossroads of many civilizations and cultures. Each left their mark behind – and this can be seen in the language, customs, religions and culture. Enjoy Turkish coffee or kebabs. Admire the Austro Hungarian architecture. Stroll in a street with a mosque, church and synagogue side by side.

The Bosnian people are friendly and welcoming. Their famous tolerance is shown by the different communities and religions living together for centuries. Here a man’s wealth is based on his friendships – so don’t be surprised if a stranger invites you to his house for coffee or when a host treats you like a long lost relative.

Wars and conflicts

Bosnia-Herzegovina was for centuries a frontier land that the armies of great empires fought over.  This country has seen Roman rulers, the arrival of the Ottomans and annexation by the Austro Hungarian empire and the fateful events that led to the start of World War 1. The people of Bosnia Herzegovina also had to endure occupation by the facist German army in World War 2, immediately followed by suppression under the communist regime of Yugoslavia.

Generations of Bosnians have bravely defended their country against invaders, and you can learn about these past wars.

More recently, the world witnessed the break-up of Yugoslavia, leading to the Bosnian War which started in 1992, when the Serbian state and militias attacked and tried to divide this multicultural country along ethnic lines using extreme violence and acts of genocide against the people of Bosnia.

This was the most devastating conflict in Europe since World War 2, raging here from 1992-1995 and the main victims were innocent civilans. The agression launched by Serbia led to more than 200,000 deaths  over the four years. Cities, towns and neighbourhoods were besieged by the Serbian army. Shelled by artillery, shot by snipers and starved, many familes were wiped out or torn apart and almost half of Bosnia’s population  of 4.5 million people were made refugees.

During our tours you will meet Bosnians of different generations who will tell you about their moving experiences of life during this war. The ordinary people’s heroic resistance and struggle for survival during those desperate times is a tragic story that must be heard for our future generations.