Name: Sarajevo Winter Break ❄️
Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Halal Travel Guide

Email address verified

41 reviews

Duration: 5 days

Group size: 4 - 12

Sarajevo Winter Break ❄️

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Halal Travel Guide

Email address verified

41 reviews

Duration: 5 days

Group size: 4 - 12

We're releasing this ✨brand new✨ itinerary in time for the scenic winter season in Sarajevo, where the mountains surrounding the city become snow havens.

If you're feeling a little burnt out and need a change of scenery, but don't have time to plan an itinerary or get people together, then this trip is just what you've been looking for.

Join us on this quick 4-day city break where you'll spend 4 nights in our 4* hotel in the heart of Sarajevo, only a few minute's walk from the Bascarsija.

We've designed the itinerary so that you have the perfect mix of city life and scenery; homemade food and fine dining; adventure and rest.

Highlights

- Authentic Ottoman dining experience

- Cable car ride

- Home-made lunch in the mountains

- Guided Day trip to the mountains with the option to go sledding

- Explore Islam in Europe in the Bascarsija
- Sledding and snow activities (weather dependent)

- Day trip to Mostar

Come solo or bring a friend, but hurry, spaces are limited!

We recommend direct flights between London-Luton Airport to Sarajevo with WizzAir. The flight schedule is:

Sundays - Departs Luton Airport at 06:20 am, lands in Sarajevo at 09:55 am
Thursdays - Departs Sarajevo at 10:30 am.

Flights are currently from under £200.

For our guests travelling from outside the UK, depending on where you are, Turkish Airlines and Austrian Airways both offer good connections with Sarajevo. Get in touch if you are not sure about which flights to book.

Please do not book flights without speaking to a member of our team first who will confirm if your flight schedule is suitable.

Departure 1: Sunday 17th- Thursday 21st December 2023

Departure 2: Sunday 21st- Thursday 25th January 2024
Departure 3: Sunday 11th - Thursday 15th February 2024 (Half Term)

ARRIVAL TRANSFER: On Sunday from 10:00 am - 11:00 am

DEPARTURE TRANSFER: On Thursday at 10:30 am.

Arrival/Departure Airport: Sarajevo (SJJ)

These transfer windows have been planned to align with the direct flights from London - Sarajevo. We welcome guests from all nationalities and countries to join the trip and can arrange separate airport transfers where necessary, for an additional fee.

Please familiarise yourself with the Ts&Cs below. It's very important that you have read these before booking your flights, to give yourself the best preparation and protection.

1. A £60 deposit is required to confirm your booking. The deposit is non-transferable and non-refundable.

2. Full payment is required no later than 8 weeks before your trip departure.

3. Once you have made your full payment it is non-refundable and non-transferable. You may sell your space to somebody else should you find you are no longer able to travel.

4. Cancellations less than 10 weeks before trip departure are liable to incur costs. Should you anticipate challenges travelling, please give us as much notice as possible.

5. We strongly recommend you buy travel insurance as soon as making your booking, to protect yourself in case unforeseen circumstances arise and you are no longer able to travel. This should include medical cover and cancellation protection in the event of covid, flight cancellations, illness etc.

6. Entry requirements: It is incumbent upon each traveller to familiarise themselves with the entry requirements to the country they are visiting. This includes visas and covid testing status.

7. The itinerary is a suggested outline of the route we will take and the activities that we'll experience. We will keep it flexible and make changes in the event the weather, or road conditions mean we need to adjust our plans. The same goes for our activity coordinators - in the event they are unwell or unable to attend due to a private emergency, don't worry; we'll arrange a suitable alternative.

8. All guests are screened following booking. Should you not pass the screening process, your deposit will be refunded.

9. You will receive details of the accommodations you'll be hosted at in your welcome pack, after booking. We expect you to research the accommodations in advance so that you know what to expect on the trip, particularly if you are opting for a shared room.

10. Once you are on the trip, there are no refunds, partial refunds or credit refunds.

11. Should your flight be cancelled, it is incumbent upon you to book a suitable alternative. If you do not attend the trip this will be classed as a no-show, and no refunds will be given. (This is where your travel insurance recommended in clause 5 will come in handy!).

4 Nights in 4* Hotel
You'll be hosted at the 4* Diamond Rain hotel
Airport transfers
Airport pick-up and drop off according to the London-Sarajevo WizzAir flights is included. Airport transfers outside of this schedule incurs an extra cost.
3 Lunches
Including our exclusive Ottoman fine-dining experience
Ottoman farewell meal
Enjoy our unique farewell meal on your final evening with us in the heart of the Old Town
Local Group leader
Our local Bosnian host will support your throughout the trip
Private minibus
You'll be in escorted by our driver in our private minibus
Cable Car ticket
Experience the famous Sarajevo cable car and enjoy stunning birds-eye views of the mountains and city
Sledding
Hit the slopes (weather permitting) and get your adrenaline pumping today!
4 Breakfasts

+3 Extra nights

£300

Extend your stay in Sarajevo at the 4* Courtyard by Marriott hotel located in the city centre.

Private airport transfer to SJJ

£35

Day 1: Arrival
Day 1: Arrival
Welcome to Sarajevo!
You'll be greeted at the airport by our local HTG rep who'll take you to our private bus, where you can sit back and relax. Since you've taken an early flight we'll take you straight to lunch at a local halal restaurant, where you can also get to know your fellow guests. You'll enjoy lunch the way the locals do, inside the Bascarsija, the bustling heart of the Old City.

Once you've had lunch you'll no doubt want some time to explore this fascinating part of the city, so enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Now is also a great time to exchange cash for some local Bosnian Marks.

You'll also notice that the Bascarsija has a couple of old Ottoman-style mosques, the most famous of which is the Gazi Husrev Beg Dzamija. Make sure you make a stop here - it's a tranquil haven.

Afterwards, we'll take you to your hotel where you can check in, get comfortable and relax. We've chosen a centrally-located hotel so that the local cafes, restaurants and shops are all within walking distance for you to explore at your own leisure.

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Day 2: Mt Bjelasnica
Day 2: Mt Bjelasnica
Enjoy Sarajevo's mountain scenery
Get your warmest coat and most comfortable boots - today you'll be exploring the mountains surrounding Sarajevo 🏔️.

If there's snow, we'll take you sledding on Mount Bjelasnica (pictured) where you can unleash your inner child and enjoy the simple joy of playing in the snow.

If there isn't snow, don't worry - Mt Bjelasnica is simply stunning regardless of the season. From here you can enjoy scenic walks and panoramic views that will take your breath away.

We'll then invite you to experience a home-made lunch in the mountains at Sabici Bjelasnica restaurant, before dropping you off back to the hotel for some free time.

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Day 3: Visit Mostar!
Day 3: Visit Mostar!
Enjoy a day trip to Herzegovina's jade-green gem
A trip to Bosnia wouldn't be complete without visiting Mostar, where centuries of Islamic heritage make this city a living museum.

And in true HTG style, you'll travel to Mostar in one of the most scenic road trips you'll ever experience. We might even make a stop or two to soak up the scenery :)

Once in Mostar, we'll take you on a walking tour of the Old Town to give you some more information about the significance of this city. Sultan Sulayman himself is said to have greatly valued Mostar, and it was he who commissioned the building of the famous bridge, Stari Most.

You'll have some free time to explore at your own pace before we take you for lunch in Blagaj Dervish House, which sits directly upon the source of the river Buna. Enjoy the peace and tranquillity here where you'll also be able to make your prayers, before beginning the journey back to Sarajevo.

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Day 4: Free Day
Day 4: Free Day
Holiday at your own pace today
Today you can have a lie-in or wake up early for breakfast and head out to explore the city. Suggested activities:

- Cable car ride into the mountains: Your hotel is located within walking distance of the famous Sarajevo cable car, which offers beautiful panoramic views of the city. From here you can also enjoy a visit to Sunnyland adventure park or walk through beautiful pine trails.
- Book yourself a spa treatment or massage: There are a few ladies-only spas. Enquire with us for more information.
- Visit Sarajevo SCC: This is Sarajevo's newest shopping mall
- Explore the Bascarsija

This evening you're invited back into the Bascarsija for our exclusive Ottoman fine dining experience! Your group leader will confirm the time and location for you via the group WhatsApp.

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Day 5: Return home
Day 5: Return home
Come again soon!
This morning we'll take you to Sarajevo International Airport to catch your return flight home.

Want to stay longer? Check out our optional extras to extend your stay in Bosnia with us.
Read more

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome to Sarajevo!

You'll be greeted at the airport by our local HTG rep who'll take you to our private bus, where you can sit back and relax. Since you've taken an early flight we'll take you straight to lunch at a local halal restaurant, where you can also get to know your fellow guests. You'll enjoy lunch the way the locals do, inside the Bascarsija, the bustling heart of the Old City.

Once you've had lunch you'll no doubt want some time to explore this fascinating part of the city, so enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace. Now is also a great time to exchange cash for some local Bosnian Marks.

You'll also notice that the Bascarsija has a couple of old Ottoman-style mosques, the most famous of which is the Gazi Husrev Beg Dzamija. Make sure you make a stop here - it's a tranquil haven.

Afterwards, we'll take you to your hotel where you can check in, get comfortable and relax. We've chosen a centrally-located hotel so that the local cafes, restaurants and shops are all within walking distance for you to explore at your own leisure.

Halal Travel Guide

41 reviews

Halal Travel Guide is making it easier for you to enjoy unique travel experiences designed by travel experts and local guides. Our partnerships produce more than individually crafted trips designed with Muslims in mind. Together with our homegrown travel experts, we’re breaking down barriers and building connections that make life better. Our Values ✨Excellent Service 🤝 Building cross-cultural bridges 💚 Hosting you with love 🌙 Travelling to seek knowledge 🌿 Being Mindful, Intentional & Responsible

The country, its people, and the culture were truly amazing, and our tour guides and group were wonderful. However, the itinerary felt quite overwhelming and rushed. Some of the advertised activities didn’t quite live up to expectations, which was disappointing. Additionally, the hotels across all cities were poorly maintained, with several broken amenities and significant sewage issues. While two of our group members were able to switch rooms due to similar problems, we were unfortunately told that this option wasn’t available to us. Overall, we enjoyed the trip, but these issues cast a shadow on the experience. Given the price we paid, we had hoped for a higher standard.

By Yasser P for The Golden Age: Adventure in Uzbekistan 7D/6N on Sep 24, 2024

The trip was good overall and the group was lovely. The tour guides particularly Houmouyoun and Ruxshana were brilliant, informative and very helpful. The hotels were excellent and very clean as were the coaches. However, the tour itself was a bit disappointing. 1. We didn't get to see Chorsu bazaar as it was planned for the first day when everyone had landed. There were too many activities planned on this day, which is not ideal when the group arrive jet-lagged from international flights. Instead, the tour should start late afternoon with one or two activities planned. 2. Visiting the Imam al-Bukhari mausoleum was advertised on the website and final itinerary but you failed to mention it was under renovation since the pandemic. We only saw some scaffolding from the bus, which was very disappointing. There was no disclaimer on your site or the final booking voucher to say that it is currently closed to visitors. There could have been an alternative activity planned like Ulugh Beg's observatory. 3. The 'masterclasses' and experiences advertised were very misleading. 30 minutes of pottery painting and writing on paper is not an experience. These should be advertised as short activities or visits. We did not get to learn anything about Islamic calligraphy or be actively involved in pottery making. While having our pots glazed and getting our names written were nice touches, these do not constitute as full experiences or workshops. 4. The tour was very fast-paced with not enough time to soak in the history and culture of each sight. It felt more like a whistle-stop tour than a 'golden adventure'. I think more time should be spent in Samarkand as we saw three major sights in a single day, which is a lot of walking (especially for elderly) and not enough time to appreciate all the monuments. 5. We were advised to purchase an e-sim using your code but there was no signal available anywhere. This affected everyone's phone so it was definitely the lack of signal. Had we known this, we could have purchased a physical sim in Uzbekistan, which was significantly cheaper. This is key information that people need to know, especially if you are spending $7 on an e-sim that is unusable. Overall, the logistics of the trip (transfers, hotel etc) was well-organised but the itinerary was not. Some elements were incredibly misleading and there was little time to enjoy the sights. There is a lot of history and information to digest so it would be better to have more time for this. More time should be spent in Samarkand and the experiences should be changed to actual classes where you can get involved and learn something new (not just passively watch and take pictures). We missed out on two of the activities planned in the itinerary and the classes were not proper experiences, which was disappointing considering the price of the tour.

By Humayra P for The Golden Age: Adventure in Uzbekistan 7D/6N on Sep 15, 2024

I had the most amazing trip with HTG, the team went above and beyond to make this trip fun, educational and memorable. A big shout out to the Malaysian team especially Zahran, who was a wonderful lead. The hotel locations and restaurants recommendations were excellent choices. I could not recommend HTG more for this trip!

By Aklima K for A Golden Voyage: Singapore & Malaysia 2024 on Aug 19, 2024

I had an amazing time alhemdulilah. I met such wonderful people who had amazing stories to tell. As a college student I think that it is such an important place to visit especially for young adults and I know it will be one of the most impactful trips that I have taken in my lifetime. I learned so much about my ummah away from the west and with what is happening in Palestine, learning about Bosnia helped me learn about the history but also gave me hope that we will see a free Palestine inshallah. The trip was planned really well, it had the perfect balance of sightseeing and fun activities balanced with learning about the history of Bosnia. Brother Sami Hamdi and Sister Soumaya, were amazing as well as our tour guide Sister Selma, by the end you felt like they were family. They were always open to listen and were very accommodating and welcoming. I will definitely be using Halal Travel Guide again in the future inshallah.