Join acclaimed journalist Paul Davies on a trip through Bosnia and Croatia to learn about this region's turbulent history while enjoying natural beauty, rich culture, and architecture of the region.
Paul Davies recently retired after 35 years working with ITN, was awarded an OBE for his coverage of the conflicts in Bosnia and Croatia in the 1990s and was called as a witness at the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague.
Paul has a unique insight into the harrowing history of the places you'll visit on this trip, including famous Dubrovnik, where he was the only international television journalist who remained during the 1991 siege. He will give eight talks during the tour, which will include real footage of his reports from the time.
Your tour begins in Zagreb, where you'll visit the hauntingly beautiful Mirogoj Cemetery and ride the shortest funicular railway in the world between the Lower Town - Donji grad - and Upper Town - Gornji grad.
From Zagreb you'll travel to Vukovar, the river port city where Croatia was first attacked, and Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina where 8,000 Muslim men and boys were murdered in the largest massacre in Europe since World War II.
Also on the itinerary is Sarajevo, where you'll stay in the very hotel where Paul was based with other journalists while it was being shelled during the siege of Sarajevo, and Dubrovnik, where you'll visit the Museum of the Homeland War and see footage from Paul's original wartime reports.
Additional information
Flights 2-11 October 2024
Departing London Heathrow 08.55 arriving Zagreb 12.25
Returning from Dubrovnik 13.45 arriving London Heathrow 15.35
Alternative flights are available, please call for details. Supplements may apply.
Single supplement
£589
Accommodation
Hotel Dubrovnik, Zagreb
Hotel Lav, Vukovar
Hotel Holiday, Sarajevo
Hotel Mepas, Mostar
Hotel Kompas, Dubrovnik*This information is indicative and subject to change*
Today you'll arrive at Zagreb Airport at lunchtime, where you'll be met by your knowledgeable local guide.
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, where international forces were first based during the conflict and which was bombed erratically over three years.
Your first visit will be to Mirogoj Cemetery - a vast burial ground known for its exquisite gothic architecture. This is the beautiful final resting place of around 300,000 people from a range of religious groups; Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim, Jewish and Protestant graves can be seen here.
After your visit to Mirogoj Cemetery you will check into your hotel located on the city's main square with a buffet dinner later.
After breakfast at your hotel, you'll depart for guided sightseeing of Zagreb.
You'll see Ban Jelacic Square, the Art Pavilion on the Lenuci Horseshoe, a U-shaped system of city squares with parks, and take a ride on the shortest funicular railway in the world, which links the Lower Town and Upper Town.
After disembarking the funicular in the Upper Town you'll see Lotrscak Tower, Strossmayer Boulevard, Stone Gate, St Mark's Church, the Bloody Bridge and Zagreb Cathedral.
After the end of your sightseeing tour you'll have some free time to explore more of the city or simply relax in a local bar or restaurant.
In the mid-afternoon you'll board your coach to Vukovar, where you'll arrive in time for a buffet dinner at your hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel this morning you'll set off on a sightseeing tour of Vukovar.
This river port city was where Croatia was first attacked from the east and which had been one of the most prosperous cities in Croatia prior to the conflict, with a huge manufacturing industry of textiles, shoes and a thriving wine production.
The damage to Vukovar was deemed to be the worst in Europe since World War II and, during 87 days of attack, around 1,800 civilians defended the city against 36,000 mainly Serbian troops.
You'll visit the hospital from where patients both Croatian and Serbian were removed, tortured and killed at Ovcara Farm, a few kilometres away. You'll also visit the memorial cemetery and the shell-damaged Vukovar water tower, one of the most famous symbols of the city.
After the tour you'll have some of the afternoon to explore the city further, perhaps taking in a museum or a river cruise on the Danube, or simply walking along its banks.
You'll depart this morning and drive to Srebrenica in Bosnia.
Srebrenica is the site of the largest massacre since World War II, where 8,000 Muslim men and boys disappeared with some 5,000 bodies found to date.
You'll visit the Srebrenica-Potocari memorial and cemetery, see exhibitions in the former factory where UN forces were supposed to be protecting local people, and hear first-hand accounts from a survivor of the massacre.
After your visit to Srebrenica you'll travel onwards to Sarajevo, where you'll check in at your next hotel, Hotel Holiday, in time for dinner.
This hotel, once called Holiday Inn, is where Paul Davies was based with other international press and filed television reporters during the siege of Sarajevo in 1992-95. The hotel became an iconic landmark and symbol of survival during the siege.
This morning you'll depart on another informative sightseeing tour to the Sarajevo Tunnel, built as a lifeline to transport supplies during the 1992-1995 siege.
After the tunnel visit, you'll do some sightseeing in downtown Sarajevo, with highlights including the Latin Bridge, Bascarsija (the Ottoman quarter), Gazi Huzrevbey Mosque, and the place of assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand which sparked World War I.
You'll have free time for the rest of the day, to explore some more of the city and to find lunch and dinner in local restaurants. Your tour manager will be happy to offer you some suggestions for traditional Bosnian eateries.
This morning, following a final breakfast at your Sarajevo hotel, you'll set off on a drive to Mostar.
On arrival in Mostar you'll see the city's famous sights, including the Ottoman bridge, which was destroyed during the conflict and later rebuilt, reopening in 2004. Mostar means bridge keeper, an important job when the bridge was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an exemplary piece of Islamic architecture in the Balkans.
In the evening you'll enjoy a buffet dinner with the group at your hotel.
After breakfast a coach will be available to take people to downtown Mostar so you can spend some more time exploring before our departure later this morning.
You'll enjoy an incredibly scenic drive to Metkovic, along the Neretva Valley, with opportunities for photo stops along the way. On arrival in Metkovic you'll enjoy a wonderfully traditional local lunch, with local specialities including frogs legs and eels from the Neretva River (vegetarian alternative available).
Also on the itinerary today is a visit to the Narona Roman ruins. Once a thriving Roman market town, the ancient settlement of Narona is now partially preserved beneath the impressive Narona Archaeological Museum.
You'll then continue your drive to Dubrovnik, crossing the magnificent Peljesac bridge across the Adriatic sea which opened in July 2022, and making a short stop at the famous walls of Ston on the Peljesac peninsula.
After the drive and sightseeing you'll have a buffet dinner this evening at Hotel Kompas in Lapad Bay, Dubrovnik.
Today begins with a sightseeing tour in Dubrovnik's Old Town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site suffered heavy shelling during the siege of Dubrovnik between October 1991 and May 1992. 11,000 buildings were damaged, 194 military personnel and 88 civilians were killed while 16,000 people became refugees, forced to live in hotels for future years.
You'll take a walking tour of the Old Town's historic sights, including a cable car ride up to Mount Srdj and a visit to the Museum of the Homeland War housed in the Napoleonic fortress. Paul Davies and his crew filmed the attack on Dubrovnik during the darkest days of December 1991 and some of his reports are shown at the museum.
After your sightseeing tour you'll take a short boat trip to the island of Lokrum, where you'll visit the island's wonderful botanical gardens, built in the ruins of Benedictine monastery.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to spend as you wish, perhaps taking a walk of the city's ramparts before finding a local spot for dinner. Your tour manager will provide recommendations.
Today will be free for you to explore more of Dubrovnik at your own pace, or to simply relax at the hotel.
There will be the chance to join an optional tour to Cavtat by boat, with your tour manager. This town is exceptionally pretty and boasts a stylish waterfront that is said to resemble St Tropez. During the conflict, Cavtat was occupied by attacking forces for ten months.
This evening, enjoy a delicious three-course farewell dinner with your group at the five star Hotel More, a few minutes walk along the seaside promenade from your hotel.
After breakfast it's time to check out of the hotel and enjoy a final stroll by the Adriatic before a late morning transfer to the airport for your flight home.
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* From price is FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY, per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £589. Deposit £500pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Not suitable for those with mobility issues. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Sunvil International Sales Limited. To redeem your exclusive subscriber offer, visit telegraph.co.uk/tt-extra. Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.
* From price is FOR ALL OTHER READERS, per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £589. Deposit £500pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Not suitable for those with mobility issues. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Sunvil International Sales Limited. To redeem your exclusive subscriber offer, visit telegraph.co.uk/tt-extra. Calls are made at local rates. All tours featured are operated by the partner specified, a company wholly independent of Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd. Please refer to the Data Protection Notice in today's Personal Column or telegraph.co.uk/privacypolicy.