ROSES OF SARAJEVO (Official War + City tour) -Story of a Survivor
Description
‘Roses of Sarajevo’ is a small-group tour that hosted STING in 2022! A number one ranked tour in Sarajevo! Recommended by Sting, Cass Pennant, KAYAK and 100% of travelers. The official war + olympic + city tour of Sarajevo, presented ONLY by the tour guides that survived the siege. Some used the Tunnel of Hope to escape, or last convoys trying to exit Sarajevo, or were refugees in their own city during the war. A life experience! Today, they are healing wounds to bring color from darkness. The Tunnel of Hope nowadays is the most touristic and symbolic place of Sarajevo, where you need to get presentation from staff that experienced it 20+ years ago. It’s the place that ended the 20th century! Our transports are SUV and MPV cars with safe drivers. Take a chance and get the best-sold war book from our tour guide, in the Tunnel of Hope souvenir shop. Our specialty is our STAFF! The only agency with all registered, certified, licensed and war-experienced tour guides.
Tour Options
Itinerary
1. 20+ monuments will be explained and seen while driving to the Tunnel of Hope Museum (Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav monuments) 2. War house (Kolar family) 3.Watch an on-going movie for 17 mins 44 sec 4. Minefields 5. '92-'95 Sarajevo War Museum 6. War room and War journal spot 7. Walk through the Tunnel of Hope 8. Free time 10-15 minutes
1. Brief explanation of Sarajevo’s Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral. 2. Sarajevo ‘Little Yugoslavia’ name.
1. Briefly informed about the largest Rose of Sarajevo in the whole city of Sarajevo. 2. 1994. and 1995. number of victims.
1. Introduction of Yugoslavia. 2. The monument of the liberation of Sarajevo in WWII.
1. The guests will be able to see the 'European's most complicated institution' - The Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2. Brief presentation of current political system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
1. We will pass through the main and deadliest Sniper Alley of Sarajevo, but also introduce you with the story of the war-journalist hotel and place that was used for the exchange of soldiers during the siege of Sarajevo, the Holiday Inn hotel in Sarajevo.
1. Pass by the National Museum on the Austro-Hungarian part of Sarajevo. 2. Brief explanation of 'Sarajevo Haghada' book.
1. Showing the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the main sniper-alley spot of Sarajevo's '92/'95 siege.
1. Satellite Hill. 2. The core defensive zone and strategy of Bosnian army.
1. The middle-part area of Sarajevo - mostly affected during the siege of Sarajevo. 2. Sniper bullet holes on the buildings. 3. Three Yellow towers with grenades leftovers. 4. Providing the UN's official statistics of grenades shots from Trebevic mountain during almost 4 years of the siege.
1. The 1984 Olympic village of Sarajevo. 2. Communist-Yugoslavian part and architecture of Sarajevo.
1. Brief explanation of the ex. local-war journal institution of 'Oslobodenje' - the Liberation Journal
1. Visiting the survival path and Free Bosnian territory.
The Survivor was born on one of the main frontlines of the siege and will take you to that street. There, he will briefly give details of his childhood and how it was to grow up before, during and after the war in this region.
Brief explanation of current War Murals in East Sarajevo city.
1. Showing, guiding and explaining the city of East Sarajevo, located in second entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the ‘Republika Srpska’ (RS) entity. We will understand the core differences between the two entities and ethnic diversity of the country.
1. Trebević Mountain (Panorama) 2. I and II sniper zones
1. On the way to the sniper zones, you will be introduced with the ‘Bosnian Disneyland’ facility called ‘SunnyLand’, a previous 1992/1995 sniper zone
1. The famous 1984 Sarajevo Olympic Bob-sleigh truck, including the best photo spot on the track
Let’s explore a hilly neighborhood of Sarajevo (mahala) and experience the unique lifestyle of its society.
Best viewpoint of the Sarajevo Sniper alley!
1. Visiting 16th century old monuments 2. Sarajevo 'European Jerusalem' presentation 3. Monument for WWII Jewish victims 4. Jewish Synagogue
1. Visiting the left side of Vrbanja bridge named the 'Sarajevo Siege First Victim Bridge' side. 2. The first shot building from the start of Sarajevo War. 3. Visiting the right side of Vrbanja bridge named 'Sarajevo Romeo and Juliet bridge' side - A love war story
1. Frontline 1992/1995 2. 1984 Olympic hall 'Skenderija'
Presenting the most beautiful part of Sarajevo, the Austro-Hungarian Neo-gothic architecture style of Sarajevo.
Introducing our guests with the life of Ashkenazi Jewish society in Sarajevo and showing the Ashkenazi Synagogue.
Brief explanation of a super interesting story at At Mejdan Park.
1. Latin Bridge (Assassination spot of Franz Ferdinand - WWI) 2. Hotel Saray
1. Introducing the story of one of the most symbolic institution in Sarajevo, the City Hall (National Library), burnt 2 times during the history
1. Best Panorama and sunset spot of Sarajevo 2. Presentation of Ottoman history
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please note, that one Guide have a maximum 8 person
Reviews(856)
Personal and gripping introduction to the siege of Sarajevo. Driving around the city with Mack and hearing his story was a great way to bring 1990s Bosnia to life for us and our four kids (17-23). Mack was knowledgeable and entertaining, and took time to engage with our group.
I truly believe this tour is an absolute must when visiting Sarajevo. I highly recommend taking it at the very beginning of your stay, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of Sarajevo and Bosnia. I have never experienced such an outstanding guided tour—we were completely captivated from start to finish. This was all thanks to our incredible guide, Mac, who, with great courage and clarity, guided us through the history of Sarajevo, Bosnia, and his own personal story. The tour was informative, deeply moving, and incredibly educational. I cannot thank Mac enough for sharing his experiences with us. Summarizing a city’s history is no easy task, but in Sarajevo’s case, it truly takes someone who has lived through it to tell the story in such a powerful way. Don’t hesitate—book this tour!
Roses of Sarajevo is an outstanding experience and one of the highlights of our visit. Mak is an incredibly knowledgeable and professional guide who brings the history to life. What made the tour especially memorable were the personal stories and experiences he shared, which added a meaningful and authentic perspective you won't find in a guidebook. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Sarajevo. It's informative, moving and exceptionally well led.
We were unsure what tour to go with and with limited time in Sarajevo we really wanted to learn about the recent past. We both felt incredibly grateful to the local guide Mac sharing his experience and his knowledge. It truly is impressive the amount of information and how he shares this. Also being shown multiple sides of Sarajevo and the current state of affairs was very insightful. Geniuinely reccommend this, and we will be forever thankful for this journey.
It far exceeded my expectations. A must for anyone who wants to not only see Sarajevo, but also understand it and the tragic history behind it. The tour guide was very smart, friendly, and had a strong, clear voice. He showed us the most beautiful and tragic sides of Sarajevo and told us about his personal history in the Battle of Sarajevo.
Amazing experience, I learned a lot about the history and culture. It was really eye opening hearing someone’s lived experiences during the war.
This was an incredibly informative and interesting tour! Mak was an amazing guide and he demonstrated immense grace and thoughtfulness in sharing his personal stories and country’s history. Learned so much about Yugoslavia, the Bosnian War, and how the country is today. Must-do for anyone visiting Sarajevo!
This tour is one of the best guided tours we have ever had. Our guide, Mak, had a lot of knowledge about the history of Sarajevo, and his family’s experiences gave a personal touch to the tour.
An afternoon full of history and real testimonies of a war so close to us in time and space but which deep down we know little about or have forgotten. Mak is a passionate and competent guide who knows how to entertain and move people.
Wow Mac is a wonderful human being, He shares his life and story with you. He has so much knowledge and explains the break up of Yugoslavia the war of Sarajevo and lots more. a ambassador for Bosnia. Keep up the good work. If there is one tour you do in Sarajevo this has to be the one.
