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The Jerusalem of Europe
Join Filippo Piluso (@fill_pill), environmental communicator and stand-up comedian for a journey on foot through Sarajevo and its surroundings to delve into the meaning of the European dream.From the legacy of bratstvo i jedinstvo - “brotherhood and unity” - torn apart by the wars of the 1990s, to today’s Yugonostalgia: this is a journey to understand the famous saying,“six republics, five nations, four languages, three religions, two alphabets, and one Tito.”
HIGHLIGHTS
- History cannot be forgotten
Sarajevo is the symbolic city of the conflicts of the 1990s. We’ll explore it to better understand what happened. Walking through its streets, you’ll see how memory, pain, and resilience shape the city’s identity. Museums, murals, and bullet-scarred buildings will tell us stories that no textbook ever could. - A step towards sustainability
Sarajevo is not only a crossroads of cultures and history - it’s also a city embraced by nature. From urban parks to hidden trails, we’ll explore the green lungs of Bosnia’s capital. We'll hike to the Skakavac waterfall and reach the summit of Mount Trebević: two destinations that reveal the wild side of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through mountain paths and panoramic landscapes, we’ll experience the beauty of “earning the view” with our own two feet.
TRIP PURPOSE
This journey is a tribute to slowness, simplicity, and the beauty of discovering the world at your own pace. Walking becomes an act of resistance and a moment of reflection.
Before the bloody war between Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1995, Sarajevo was known for its spirit of brotherhood and coexistence among different cultures and religions. It was a city where,
"ethnicities mingled, where the rabbi would dine with the imam, and then everyone would go hunting with the Orthodox priests in the mountains. Sarajevo was a European Jerusalem."
As Paolo Rumiz writes, the “Balkan Line” - which also includes Ukraine - is a borderland where Russia, Asia, and Europe meet: a kind of “European periphery” where one can still glimpse what the European dream truly means. Here, Slavic, Jewish, Germanic, and Latin identities coexist, and “it’s normal to visit a neighbor who speaks a different language than yours, or to see representatives of different faiths sharing a vodka together. Today, Europe is more of a dream for those who don’t have it than for those who’ve been comfortably living in it for centuries.”
From waterfalls to mountain peaks, and into the heart of Sarajevo, we’ll explore what it means to travel sustainably - physically, socially, and environmentally - in search of a more authentic and human connection with the places we walk through.
This trip has been designed based on the following principles:
- Environmental and Social Education
- Sustainable Mobility
- Culture and Politics
What's included
- Food: 4 breakfast.
- Accomodation: 4 nights in hostel / 2–3 star hotel.
- Tour & Activities: Guided city tour of Sarajevo and 3 day trips (Skakavac Waterfall, Mount Trebević, and Orlovača Cave).
- Transportation: All local transportation (public transport and cable car rides).
- Other: Support from an ORMA coordinator throughout the entire trip.
- Insurance: Medical and baggage insurance.
What's not included
- Food: All meals except breakfast.
- Accomodation: Any applicable tourist taxes are not included.
- Transporation: Transportation to and from Sarajevo and transfer to and from the airport to the city centre.
- Other: Trip cancellation insurance.
- Anything not specified under "What's included".
Payment Terms
30% down payment at the time of booking and the remaining 70% due 30 days prior to departure.
If the booking is made within 30 days of departure, the full amount is due at checkout.
Bank transfers or credit cards can be used to make payments.
However, if the trip status is marked as "Confirmed" or "Last tickets", there's no need to worry - it means the minimum number of participants has already been met.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – A City at Human Pace
Arrival in Sarajevo around lunchtime or early afternoon. After settling in, we’ll kick things off with a guided city walk that will introduce us to the unique mix of cultures, religions, and architectural styles that make Sarajevo one of the most fascinating cities in the Balkans. But this isn’t just a history tour - our guide will also point out how Sarajevo is rethinking green spaces, public mobility, and urban sustainability in a post-conflict context.
Day 2 – The Waterfall at the End of the Trail
We’ll leave the city for a trek to Skakavac Waterfall, about 30 km round trip. After a short drive to the trailhead, we’ll begin our walk through forests and meadows to reach one of the tallest and most beautiful waterfalls in the region. The sound of water hitting the rocks will be our reward - and our reminder of why we walk: to feel the land beneath our feet and the power of nature up close. Bring your own packed lunch - we’ll find the perfect picnic spot along the trail.
Day 3 – Cable Cars and Mountain Paths
Today we hike Mount Trebević, once a frontline during the war and now a peaceful escape for Sarajevo’s citizens. We’ll take the newly restored Trebević cable car - destroyed during the war and rebuilt as a symbol of recovery - hen continue our walk up the mountain. The views over Sarajevo are breathtaking, and the atmosphere is perfect for a group picnic (again, bring your own lunch!). Expect meaningful conversations, maybe some wild blueberries, and a few surprises.
Day 4 – Beneath the Surface
We’ll head underground to explore the Orlovača Cave, about 40 km from Sarajevo. With its stunning stalactites, prehistoric bear bones, and echoes of ancient geology, this is a whole new dimension of natural beauty. It’s also a chance to cool down after three days of hiking and reflect on what lies beneath the surface - both of the Earth and of the places we visit. In the afternoon, visit the city and its surroundings.
Day 5 – Until the Next Step
Our last morning together. You’ll have time for a relaxed, unguided stroll through the city or maybe one last coffee in Baščaršija before saying goodbye.
Filippo Piluso, aka Fill Pill, is an environmental communicator, stand-up comedian, and musician. He humorously describes himself as "seriously joking." He combines serious topics with a light, comedic tone, addressing various issues related to sustainability and nature.He holds a degree in Law with a specialization in International Environmental and Maritime Law, and a Master's in Sustainability and Energy Resource Management. Filippo has worked in ocean conservation for NGOs and international associations, managed renewable energy development projects in Africa, and served as a sustainability consultant for businesses. He is also the vice-president and co-founder of an advocacy group for environmental communicators.
Booking Info
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