24/07/2019
Excursion
Mostar
Sited in the flower and wine-growing valley of Neretva river, Mostar is one of the biggest tourist centers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The charm of the Old town, especially the part around Neretva, will enchant you in one place for several hours while enjoying a traditionally served Turkish coffee and listening to the sounds. Our famous writer and Nobel Prize winner, Ivo Andric, tried to describe unusual light of this ancient town by saying: „When you spend a night in Mostar, it is not the sound that awakes you, but the light. I could never have enough of it”. Famous worldwide, a main attraction and symbol of the city of Mostar is the Old Bridge that dates back to the Ottoman period. The bridge was built in 1566, by the Ottoman architect Mimar Hayrudin. When arriving at the Old Bridge you will enjoy a memorable view of the Neretva River and the surrounding antiquities.
After driving through the cities of Hercegovina (Ljubinje, Stolac and Capljina), around 11:00 we arrive in Medjugorje, sacred place located in western Bosnia, 25 kilometers southwest of Mostar. It has become famous as a pilgrimage site due to a series of apparitions of the Virgin Mary. Since 1981, in this small, peaceful town, the Blessed Virgin Mary, human mother of Jesus Christ, has been appearing in supernatural apparition and giving messages to the world. Aproximately 50 million people of all faiths, from all over the world, have visited Medjugorje and have left spiritually strengthened and renewed. Many bring back stories of miracles in the form of healings (of mind, body and spirit) and supernatural visual signs. With a local guide we will visit marvelous church of Saint Jacob with a wonderful open theatre, as well as “Podbrdo”, place where Virgin Mary left lots of her messages and where we can see her monument.
Arriving in Mostar around 14:00, we plan to visit the Old Bridge, Curved Bridge, Kalebija and Hercegusa Tower. The Mehmed Beg Karadzoz Mosque, the only one in Mostar which is preserved in its original color and wall decoration, represents the masterpiece of Ottoman architecture. We end our walking tour through the old town by visiting Kujundziluk, an old Mostar market with artisan and souvenir shops, a place where colors, art, East and West, modern and traditional meet up and harmonically coexist.
After sightseeing, we'll make one-hour lunch break in a local restaurant (1 h).
Return to Herceg Novi is planned for 20:00.
The price includes:
-transportation in air-conditioned vehicles (high tourist class)
-English-speaking guide service
-lunch
-insurance
65€