Balkans Discovery: Mostar and Sarajevo, Bosnia
Day Six: Morning in Mostar and a Family Dinner in Sarajevo
Waking up in Mostar, the first order of business was checking our Contiki group out of our hotel and heading straight back into the Old Town.
Seeing the city lit up at night was pure magic, but seeing it under the bright morning sun was a whole different experience. The way the light hits the turquoise Neretva River rushing beneath the historic stone arch of the Stari Most is absolutely breathtaking.
As a fully functioning adult, I naturally decided that the best way to kick off the morning was with a refreshing scoop of pineapple gelato. Fuelled by sugar, I hit the local artisan stalls for some souvenir shopping.
I always make sure to collect a fridge magnet from every single destination I visit, but on this particular morning, I also found myself hunting for a hat—I was in dire need of some proper Mediterranean sun protection!
Gelato, art stalls and the view from our lunch spot (May 2026)
For lunch, we snagged a table at Ćevabdžinica Košćela, which offers absolutely stunning views of the surrounding stone architecture.
We ordered traditional ćevapi, a beloved Balkan staple consisting of small, grilled minced-meat sausages tucked inside a pillowy, flatbread called somun, served with a generous side of raw, diced onions. It was simple, savory, and incredibly filling fuel before we had to track back to the bus.
Driving to Sarajevo
The drive from Mostar through the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina toward Sarajevo is easily one of the most scenic routes of the trip. The highway weaves through towering cliffs, lush green valleys, and incredibly winding mountain passes.
Looking out the window of the coach, the dramatic landscape felt strikingly similar to driving through the Canadian Rockies, a beautiful, rugged surprise that kept everyone staring out the windows.
Bosnian views on the drive to Sarajevo (May 2026)
When we finally arrived in Sarajevo, we didn't waste a single moment. Our first stop was the historic Sarajevo War Tunnel (also known as the Tunnel of Hope).
We were guided through the site by Enes, an incredibly engaging local guide who helped us navigate the profoundly moving, heavy history of the city. During the Bosnian War in the early 1990s, Sarajevo endured the longest city siege in modern warfare history, lasting nearly four years.
Cut off from food, electricity, and medical supplies, the citizens dug a 340-metre underground tunnel beneath the airport runway to connect the besieged city with Bosnian-held territory on the outside.
Walking through a preserved section of that cramped, low-ceilinged tunnel gave us a visceral glimpse into the sheer resilience, bravery, and survival instinct of the people who lived through it.
Walking through the Sarajevo War Tunnel (May 2026)
Shaken but deeply educated, we headed over to check into the Hotel Grand Sarajevo to freshen up before what would become one of the most meaningful activities of the entire trip.
Making Connections: A Make Travel Matter Experience
Tonight was our Dine with Locals evening, which is part of Contiki’s Make Travel Matter initiative. These experiences are carefully chosen, sustainable travel experiences designed to positively impact the local communities, preserve cultural heritage, and encourage deep, authentic cross-cultural understanding.
Our massive group was split into smaller, intimate numbers and welcomed directly into the private homes of local Bosnian families who had personally lived through the realities of the war.
Our hosts treated us to an unbelievable, home-cooked traditional Bosnian feast: flaky, golden, cheesy burek, perfectly seasoned dolma, rich, sweet baklava, and local wine.
But the true highlight wasn't the food—it was the conversation. Sitting around their living room table, they open-heartedly shared their lived experiences of what life was like during the height of Yugoslavia, the terrifying realities of surviving the war, and what their lives look like today.
Our group dinner with a local Bosnian family (May 2026)
It was an incredibly profound, eye-opening experience to connect so deeply with locals in their own personal space. Hearing history told not by a textbook, but by the people who actually lived it, is something I will carry with me forever. I left that dinner wishing more travellers knew these kinds of immersive experiences existed.
We wrapped up the emotional day by heading back to the hotel for a quiet, relaxed night in, resting up before a full day dedicated to exploring every corner of Sarajevo tomorrow!
Next up on the blog: Diving deeper into the culture, markets, and history of Sarajevo!
