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EXPLORE bosnia-herzegovina

SARAJEVO | SREBRENICA | TRAVNIK | JAJCE | MOSTAR | BLAGAJ | DUBROVNIK

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May 24 - June 3, 2023 • 9 Nights

Bosnia-Herzegovina has a complex, multi-layered history. The Ottoman era gives today’s Bosnia much of its cultural and religious character. With the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, the Bosnian genocide ensued. The inspiring resilience of Bosnian Muslims against Serbian aggression reminds us of the dangers of ultra-nationalism and the need to uphold pluralism and coexistence. We will visit a number of important sites in Sarajevo, from the historic center with shops and cafes, to the location of the flashpoint for World War I, to the tunnel that provided a lifeline when the city was besieged from 1992-96. Day trips will include the memorial near Srebrenica, unique vistas including waterfalls, rivers and lakes, and ancient ruins that reveal a fascinating history. We will encounter the remarkable people, appreciate the local cuisines and handicrafts, and be enchanted by the stunning natural beauty of this region.

faculty guide

Dr. Ingrid Mattson

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Dr. Ingrid Mattson is a Muslim religious leader, a professor of Islamic Studies, and an interfaith activist. She is the London and Windsor Community Chair in Islamic Studies at Huron University College at the University of Western Ontario in Canada, and is a visiting faculty member at Bayan Islamic Graduate School. Dr. Mattson earned a PhD from the University of Chicago in 1999. From 1998 to 2012 she was Professor of Islamic Studies at Hartford Seminary in CT where she developed and directed the first accredited graduate program for Muslim chaplains in America, and served as Director of the Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations. Mattson is a former president of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). She is the author of The Story of The Qur'an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life (Wiley-Blackwell, 2013). She is a director and founder of the Hurma Project, which is committed to upholding the sacred inviolability of each person by elucidating the special responsibilities of those holding power and authority and by educating those who are vulnerable about their God-given dignity and rights.

ITINERARY IN bosnia-herzegovina

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Bayan has been offering faculty-led tours to world heritage destinations since 2017, with previous tours to Southern Spain, Malaysia & Singapore, Uzbekistan and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Tours to new destinations are being planned to satisfy the interests of our community of fellow travelers. 

 

WHY JOIN A BAYAN TOUR?

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Tours offered by Bayan cater to the diverse interests and needs of families, while offering an exceptional educational and cultural program. Each tour is led by one or more faculty members who provide daily background lectures and insights about the historical and contemporary contexts. Local guides are utilized as well at various points in time. The itinerary is crafted by experienced personnel to maximize your enjoyment and satisfaction. While the scheduled program is robust, ample time is provided to explore on your own, shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs, and enjoy some leisure activities. Bayan’s tour group size is generally kept to 20-30 participants.

TOUR information

 

pricing - land package only

All pricing is double-occupancy, airfare is not included.

 

Adult                                      $ 2,495

Additional Adult                   $ 2,295

Minor (8-17)                          $ 1,995

Single Supplement              $.  400

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PACKAGE INCLUSIONS

  • Airport transfers on May 25 and June 3

  • 9 nights hotel (4*)

  • Ground transportation by private A/C coach

  • All entrance fees for sites

  • Daily breakfast + lunch or dinner (2 meals/day)

  • Gratuities for group transport, meals, activities

  • Daily commentary/discussions with faculty guide(s)

  • English speaking local guide(s)

 

EXCLUSIONS

  • International airfare to Bosnia (budget about $1,300 round-trip per person from US gateways) and applicable baggage fees

  • Travel insurance

  • Tourist visa if required (US and EU citizens do not need a visa)

  • Additional meals/beverages

  • Porterage (hotel luggage assistance)

  • Personal items

  • Incidental charges (telephone bill, mini bar, room service, laundry, etc.)

  • Covid-19 testing costs (if required for entry or return to country of origin)

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international travel arrangements

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Arriving to Bosnia (Sarajevo)

Numerous airlines provide service to Bosnia, with Turkish Airlines being a preferred carrier. Participants should book “multi-city” flights arriving in Sarajevo (SJJ) and arrive on Thursday, May 25. The tour program officially begins at 3:00pm on that day with a group orientation meeting in the hotel, an evening walk around the city center, mosque visit / prayer, and group dinner. For travelers from the US, this would mean departing from your city of origin on Wednesday, May 24. You can plan your travel to add extra days in transit before reaching Sarajevo.

 

Departing from Croatia (Dubrovnik)

The tour concludes on Saturday, June 3 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Depending on your departure time on that day, you can continue sightseeing or plan to head to the airport. Your outgoing flight can be back to Sarajevo, Istanbul (recommended), or any other destination of your choice. You may also consider spending more time in Croatia after the conclusion of the tour, and plan your flights, local transportation and additional hotel accommodations accordingly.

 

Booking Your Flights

Once you’ve paid your deposit to Bayan Tours, you should book your flights as soon as possible to try and obtain well-priced airfare with suitable flight timings and layovers. You can use your own travel agent, check airline websites, or use other booking sites to select the flight legs that are best for you. We recommend that you choose routes with layovers of not less than 90 minutes. 

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hotels

  • Sarajevo: Courtyard by Marriott - 4*  (4 nights)

  • Mostar: Eden Hotel & Spa - 4*  (3 nights)

  • Dubrovnik: Grand Hotel Park - 4*  (2 nights)

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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

 

Sarajevo

  • Historical center and old bazaar

  • Alija Izetbegovic Museum, Svrzo House, City Hall

  • Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque (Jumah prayer)

  • Emperor's Mosque (Careva)

  • National Museum, Jewish Museum

  • Kovači Cemetery

  • Trebević mountain / Cable Car

  • Tunnel of Hope

  • Vrelo Bosne (spring of the river Bosna)

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Srebrenica

  • Potočari memorial

 

Travnik / Jajce

  • Kraljeva Sutjeska Monastery

  • Sultan Mehmed El Fatih Mosque

  • Travnik fortress

  • Sulejmanija Mosque (colored mosque)

  • Pliva Waterfall / Mlincici water mills

  • Temple of Mithras​

 

Blagaj

  • Blagaj Tekke (Dervish House)

  • Stecci tombs at Radimlja

 

Mostar

  • Stari Most (famous restored bridge)

  • Turkish House

  • Karadjoz-Bey Mosque

  • Walled town of Počitelj

  • Kravica Cascade Waterfall

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Dubrovnik (Croatia)

  • Old town including Luza Square

  • Lovrijenac Fortress and medieval city walls

  • Central Mosque (Jumah prayer)

  • Žičara Dubrovnik Cable Car

  • Stradun shopping area

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