Things to do in

Medjugorje

You’ll have the choice of departing from Trogir or Split on this full-day trip to the historical city of Mostar and the religious pilgrimage site of Medjugorje. In Mostar, your local tour guide will provide an introduction to the history of this city known as a window to the Orient. You’ll visit the old Bazaar, and admire the picturesque shops and workshops. See the city’s main mosque and then enjoy a walk across the famous 16th-century Turkish bridge, after which the town was named. You’ll have free time for shopping and the opportunity to taste authentic Bosnian specialties. Your second and final destination is the famous pilgrimage center in Medjugorje. For pilgrims and those who are looking for something spiritual there is a holy mass held, along with a visit to Apparition Mountain, where it is believed that the Virgin Mary made her first appearance to local children in 1981. Enjot seeing the sights of Medjugorje and take some free time for lunch, or opt to walk to the hill of apparition.

Depart Dubrovnik and, as you make your way along the Adriatic Coast, stop for a short break in Bosnia’s only coastal town: Neum. This is a great opportunity to pick up a souvenir or 2, or just relax in one of the cafes with a traditional coffee. Continue along the picturesque route to Pocitelj, where you will enjoy a walking tour of the heritage site and take in the striking landmarks including the hilltop fort and the Haji-Ali Mosque. The world-famous town of Mostar is the final stop on this Bosnia and Herzegovina tour. Known as a meeting point of different cultures and religions, the history here is varied. Stroll across the spectacular white-stone bridge and explore the blend of Moorish, Christian, and Muslim monuments that make up the town’s unique way of life.

Medjugorje has become one of the most popular pilgrimage sites for Catholics in the world and has turned into Europe’s third most important apparition site, where each year more than 1 million people visit. Whether you’re making a pilgrimage or you are just curious, a visit to Medjugorja is a memorable one. When you arrive to Međugorje this tour takes you to Apparition Hill where in 1981 six children claimed that they had been visited by the Virgin Mary. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Afterwards, take some free time here to explore the town of Međugorje and even attend a church service. The messages attributed to Our Lady of Medjugorje have a strong following among Catholics worldwide. In the late afternoon you return back to your hotel. Your host can surprise you with some additional places to visit in Bosnia and Herzegovina or Croatia, you can agree with them on this depending on how much time you have.

After departure from Dubrovnik you will take a short break on the Dubrovnik bridge for some scenic photography of the town. Continue along the Adriatic coast while learning about the various sites that you encounter along your route. When the tour reaches the town of Neum you can take a break for shopping and morning coffee. The tour then proceeds through a picturesque delta of the River Neretva to the small town of Pocitelj. In Pocitelj you will have an opportunity for sightseeing and free time. Pocitelj is a beautiful cultural and historical site featuring structures from the 15th century. The tour will then proceed to Mostar. Through the centuries Mostar became the meeting point of various cultures and religions. During your sightseeing you will witness the imprint left by this varied history. Besides the Old Bridge, the symbol of the town, you have the chance to visit the Mosque of Mostar, a Turkish house, and many other monuments in the town. In the afternoon, following sightseeing and free time, you will return to Dubrovnik.

Međugorje is a unique place in the modern world. Since 1981, it has become a popular site of religious pilgrimage due to reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary to 6 local Catholics. It is believed that the Virgin Mary appeared to a group of children in 1981. Due to these apparitions, this simple village parish has become a gathering place for a multitude of pilgrims from around the world and one of the biggest prayer centers anywhere. Innumerable witnesses attest that they have found faith and peace in Medjugorje. On this excursion you will have the opportunity to visit Apparition Hill and attend mass at the local parish church. Our Lady of Medjugorje has a strong following among Catholics worldwide. The town has become one of the most popular pilgrimage sites for Catholics in the world and has turned into the 3rd-most important apparition site in Europe, visited annually by more than 1 million people. It has been estimated that 30 million pilgrims have come to Medjugorje since the apparitions were first report in 1981. Many pilgrims have reported experiencing visual phenomena such as the sun changing color or spinning in the sky. The Medjugorje apparitions have not been approved by officials of the Catholic Church.

Depart from Dubrovnik and set off for Mostar situated on the Neretva River. Admire 2 parts of the city connected by the Old Bridge that was built by the Ottomans in the 16th-century and is considered one of the most famous pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans. Discover how, in fact, Mostar itself got its name after the bridge keepers (mostari) who guarded the Old Bridge in the medieval ages. The Old Bridge stood for 427 years until it was destroyed in 1993 during the Yugoslav Wars. It was reconstructed by the year 2004 using the same stones. Next, stop at one of the greatest natural landmarks in the area, the Kravica Waterfall, located only 40 km from Mostar. This waterfalls has a high discharge in winter and spring, and at low discharge during the rest of the year, making it a great picnic and camping area. Finally, travel southwest of Mostar to Europe's third most important apparition site, where each year more than 1 million people visit, the Međugorje Sanctuary. Learn about how Međugorje literally means "between mountains". After reports of apparitions of The Virgin Mary to 6 local children, Međugorje became a popular Catholic pilgrimage site. People are very proud of their sanctuary, and community. At the end of the tour, return to Dubrovnik where you will be dropped off at your hotel.

On day one, visit the world-famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), Mostar's indisputable visual focus. Its pale stone arch magnificently throws back the golden glow of the sunset or the tasteful night-time floodlighting. Explore Mostar, which is situated on the Neretva River and is the fifth-largest city in the country. On the way back, visit Medjugorje, a town located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, around 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Mostar and close to the border with Croatia. The Trebižat river is the perfect setting for a relaxing boat ride in a traditional wooden boat. You'll admire beautiful natural surroundings and hear about old customs and traditions while having a drink. After an overnight stay, you will enjoy a culinary tour. Begin in the fields where you can pick organically grown crops and be part of the cooking experience. Menus vary from traditional pies where you roll your own dough to the acclaimed iron dome Peka roast. All this food is complimented by rich side dishes, salads, and homemade brandies and wines.

Take advantage of convenient private transfers from Dubrovnik to Medjugorje. Ride in the air-conditioned comfort of Mercedes Vito or Renault Master Executive vans as you watch the beautiful scenery of island views and the Adriatic coastline go by. Transfers are available year-round by safe and reliable, tourism-authorized drivers. Your professional English-speaking driver will meet you in front of your hotel or private accommodation in Dubrovnik at the pre-arranged pick-up time, holding a sign with your name on it. From there you can sit back and relax as you are transported in a comfortable air-conditioned car or van to Medjugorje.

Day 1: • Mostar to Medjugorje on the Trebižat River • Boat ride with Lunch The world-famous Stari Most, meaning 'old bridge,' is Mostar's indisputable visual focus. Its pale stone arch magnificently captures the golden glow of sunset or the tasteful evening floodlighting. The bridge's swooping stone arch was originally built between 1557 and 1566 on the orders of Suleyman the Magnificent. The Trebižat river is therefore the perfect setting for a relaxing boat ride in a traditional wooden boat. You'll see nature's best from the banks, hear about the old customs and traditions, all while having a drink. The pristine aquifer waters of the Trebizat River is home to brown trout and crabs, and during the summer months you're more than welcome to go for a swim. After the ride, enjoy a local lunch with many homemade delicacies. • The boat ride season runs from April 1 to November 1 Day 2:  • Hands on culinary tour Dating from the Roman times, the Ljubuski field has been a rich bread basket for the region. As a special treat, join a local family on a hands on culinary tour, which starts at the fields where you can pick the organically grown crops, and later take part in the cooking experience. Menus vary from traditional pies, for which you can roll your own dough, to the acclaimed iron dome Peka roast. All this food is complimented with rich side dishes, salads, and homemade brandies and wines.