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(885)
The best tour you can do in Sarajevo! I would recommend it 100%. Best experience ever.
I had a phenomenal time with Mak. His tour was so insightful and I learnt so much over a short period of time. Would recommend to anyone wanting to visit Sarajevo.
Sarajevo (and Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole) is one of the best travel destinations out there, a true hidden gem. It says a lot that this tour was the highlight of our entire trip. Don’t let the photos on the website fool you; while they may look somber, the tour itself is anything but sad. It was truly an honor to be guided by the extraordinary Adnan. He carries history with such care, placing everything in its proper context. What struck us most is that it never feels rehearsed, like a story told a hundred times before. It feels like he’s telling it to you, in that moment, with a look of remembrance that makes you feel deeply connected to both history and his own story. He is genuine, a real character, and his storytelling has weight : it makes you think, humbles you, and comes with just the right touch of humor. The depth of detail he shares pulls you completely into the story, and you quickly realize you’re in the presence of someone strong, sharp, and deeply thoughtful, yet calm and passionate. If you have the chance to take this tour, do not miss it. Without hesitation, we would do it again.
We learned so much about the heartbreaking history of Sarajevo. The story is incredibly complex and emotional, but it was explained so clearly and thoughtfully. It gave us a much deeper understanding of what happened and the people affected by it. I would highly recommend this experience to everyone.
This was easily one of the best city tours I've done. I can't recommend it enough! It's interesting, educational, very moving but also fun! Mak, thank you for being an amazing guide and for sharing your personal story. Sarajevo is a special city
I'm always a bit wary before booking guided tours, you never know if you'll get someone reading off a script or someone who actually brings the place to life. This one turned out to be the best guided tour I've ever taken. It struck the perfect balance. Our guide, Mak, was incredibly knowledgeable. He gave us all the information we needed to really understand both the history and the current situation in the country. Even with so much heavy history to cover, it never felt overwhelming, he kept it engaging and genuinely interesting from start to finish. Highly recommend this tour if you want to actually understand Sarajevo, not just walk past its landmarks.
Mak was an incredible guide who unfortunately had first hand experience with the war but this made the tour extremely real and interesting. Would highly recommend to get a feel for the area’s history.
This was an incredible tour. Mak is not just incredibly knowledgeable, he is a wonderful and kind guide. His personal stories put such a more profound meaning and impact on the history and areas we went to today. This was one of the best tours I have been on, truly a remarkable experience.
A superb 4 hours learning about the siege of Sarajevo with the most personal and informative guide Mak. He was superb and gave us such incredible details of his own personal experiences of the siege and history of the beautiful city. We loved the tour and would recommend it strongly. Leighton & Mags, Dublin Ireland.
An extremely interesting tour, albeit dramatic in its content. There is no better source to tell the story of the tragedy of the siege suffered by Sarajevo than those who lived it firsthand. Our very talented and friendly guide Edj (I hope I remember his name correctly) was extremely engaging and available to answer our numerous questions. Highly recommended!
