Croatia: Cultural Crossroads

Arrive into Zagreb International Airport (ZAG) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel, settle in, and join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Walk the bustling streets of Zagreb and enjoy the view from the old city on the hilltop. Dine with the group to get your first taste of the region’s delicious cuisine.

Start your day early with a drive to see the emerald water of Plitvice Lakes National Park. After a traditional lunch to warm up, continue to Zadar, a beautiful ancient Roman city set along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Sample food of the Dalmatian coast and enjoy an evening stroll through a historic Roman forum dating to the first century.

Take a walking tour of Zadar, a city that dates back 3,000 years. Enjoy the crisp salty air and admire the sound of the Sea Organ, music created by the movement of the Adriatic. After lunch, stop for a short visit to Sibenik on the drive to Split. Walk the streets of this small sleepy town, and see where the famous HBO series “Game of Thrones” was filmed. Finish the day as you watch the sunset over the Adriatic on the drive into the breathtaking port city of Split.

Learn about Split’s history through the ages and see the influences of the Romans, Venetians, Austrians, and communists that once ruled this small coastal town. Wander its historic markets where people buy fresh seafood and dine on handmade pasta and risottos. Hike to the top of the Marjan Hill for a panoramic view of the city and harbor. Join your group for a mid-trip discussion where you’ll begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.

Complete your tour of the Adriatic Coast as you head to the ancient city and the former republic of Dubrovnik, a stunningly-intact walled city. The UNESCO World Heritage site is most famous for appearing as Kings Landing in “Game of Thrones.” Tour its century-old streets of what was once the world’s most powerful maritime trading empires. Take a short drive across the border to Mostar for your first taste and sights of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Get to know Mostar and visit sites that bear witness to the turbulent cultural history of the Balkans. Mostar is a beautiful city with bridges and valleys, and it’s hard to imagine the recent wars until you hear about them from community members. Learn about traditional life, participate in a coffee workshop, and hear our local staff share their personal histories and visions for the future.

Optional Activities/Seasonal Activities: Kayaking in Trebizat River or white-water rafting along the Neretva (weather and season permitting, late April – late September).

Drive to Sarajevo, the capital and business hub of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Take a walking tour of one of the most culturally-diverse towns in the world, where East meets West and the major religions of the world are represented just blocks apart. Take a cable car to the top of Trebevic mountain to get panoramic views of the city. Visit the bazaars of Bascarsija to sample dishes influenced by the Ottoman Empire and shop for souvenirs in its cobblestone alleys.

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Sarajevo and leave for your flight back home. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.