Biking vaction in Bosnia & Montenegro

Planet

Group size:
As a cycling vacation, this trip has very limited detrimental impact upon the environment, residents and communities in the regions we visit. Use of the bikes allows us to cover fairly large distances, while offering very little adverse impact, like pollution and threat to wildlife. Cycling also allows for easy access to the local population, shops and restaurants, which facilitates cultural exploration. Our bikes are hired and maintained locally, and the addition of cycling to our programme in the Balkans opens up further opportunities for leaders or cycling specialists keen to move into tourism.

Activity:
UK office: It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.

People

Accommodation & meals:
Through our local partners we source good quality smaller hotels that fit with our itinerary, often in areas that do not have huge amounts of tourism. These are typically family-run and enjoying the benefits of increased visitor numbers through internal and international tourism. The meals on this trip are a key part of the cultural experience. Most lunches are provided during the rides, and usually take place in remote areas, making use of local producers, such as that provided by a local bee keeper. The towns we stay in are mainly off the regular tourist routes, and outside the larger cities. Restaurants in these towns and villages are small and family-run, offering traditional Bosnian dishes.

Community:
Our journey through this part of the Balkans includes several visits to cultural sites and activities. Many of the cycle routes on the itinerary cross areas famous for their produce. In each case we include a stop to visit a local producer and taste their wares. These include a wine tasting in Dracevo, a visit and lunch at a bee farm, tasting of local cheese and ham in Njegusi and a visit and tasting at an olive farm on the Lustica Peninsula. All money spent here goes directly to supporting and maintaining these very traditional industries, many of who are discovering tourism as a way to supplement their income.