Fall Social Justice Tour – The Balkans
The Balkan states of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina are relatively unknown to most Americans. The Croatian Dalmatian coast is famous throughout Europe for its scenic beaches and the translucent waters which rival the Caribbean. The Bosnian mountains can compete in majestic beauty with the Colorado Rockies. The Bosnian capital of Sarajevo explodes with music, jazz clubs, theatres, bookstores, concerts, art galleries and a large college age student population, many of whom speak excellent English and enjoy meeting Americans. Interesting architecture, thousands of years of history, wonderful people, and a lively arts scene combined with natural beauty make this a trip of a lifetime.
The Social Justice portion of the tour will expose students to war, peace and the capacity for reconciliation. While in the Balkans we will explore Croatia and Bosnia. It is important to note that the Balkan states have been at peace more than a decade, and the region is safe for international travel. The Spring Hill College Italy Center director has traveled, lived, studied and produced two documentary films in the region during the past 15 years.
By way of lectures by academics, activists and church leaders, combined with site visits to communities in conflict, students will learn about peace building in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Hungary. Upon arrival in Croatia, the group will spend the night on an organic farm that produces wine. Lectures will introduce students to the past, present and future of the Balkans. The journey then moves into war-torn parts of Croatia, a Catholic nation that in order to enter the family of the European Union needs to reintegrate Serbian Orthodox and Muslim citizens who fled in recent wars. Moving across southeastern Europe, students will meet with U.S. diplomats working to rebuild Bosnia after one of the 20th century’s most devastating wars. The group will meet with the women survivors from the Srebrenica community, which lost 7,400 men and boys in a six-day ethnic cleansing while United Nations soldiers turned their backs.
Day 1 Departure to the Balkans
• Early afternoon departure for Ancona, Italy where the group will board an over-night boat for Croatia. Students will sleep in sleeping bags on the covered deck (indoors) of the Blue Line Ferry Boat. All are required to bring a sleeping bag to Europe or purchase one upon arrival.
Day 2 Weekend Family home stays in Imotski, Croatia
• Early arrival in Split, Croatia. The group will visit Diocletian’s Palace and the historic district which dates back to the fourth century.
• Lunch in Split followed by mid afternoon departure for Imotski. Transport by Bus.
• Late afternoon arrival in Imotski, Croatia.
• Early Evening: Lecture followed by community meal
“Perspectives on Conflict Resolution Following the Balkan Wars”
Domagoj Nikolic, former Chief of Mission for the American Refugee Committee for Serbia and Montenegro. During the Croatian war he served as a logistics officer transporting food and supplies for the United Nations. Following the war, thousands of Serbs, Croats, and Muslims were returned to their homes thanks to his leadership while at the American Refugee Committee.
Day 3 Imotski, Croatia
• Tour: Imotski Lake District to include a short hike
• Evening: A traditional Croatian meal will be served at the Nikolic home.
Tourist Site: The area surrounding Imotski is known for its scenic beauty, deep lakes, natural forests and the archeological (largely unexcavated) sites of the Illyrians. The Illyrians, an Indo-European people, began migrating into the region around 1000 BC. Although Greeks set up trading posts on the eastern Adriatic coast in the 6th century BC, their influence was kept in check by the warlike Illyrians.
Day 4 Mostar, Bosnia-Herzogovinia
• Monday morning departure for the City of Mostar, Bosnia
• Late morning discussion led by Aida Omanovic. Ms. Omanovic has worked for various international relief agencies since 1994.
• Afternoon: Free time to explore Mostar
• Evening: Dinner next to the historic Ottoman Bridge
Why Mostar? Mostar was the most heavily shelled city, in all of Southeastern Europe, during the wars that followed the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. The suffering in Mostar was horrific from 1992 to 1995. Initially a Serbian force shelled the city from the eastern hills killing thousands and forcing even more from their homes. Croats and Muslims combined to expel the Serbs but shortly afterwards became adversaries. The Croat forces took over the western bank expelling Muslims and the city became divided along the river. To this day the City remains primarily ethnically divided between Catholics and Muslims.
Day 5 Late morning arrival in Sarajevo
• Free to explore Sarajevo
Tourist Site: In Sarajevo, Muslim minarets are now predominant in a town where Muslims, Jews, Orthodox Christians and Catholics once lived in harmony. Alluring Baš?aršija (Old Town) is a mix in with cafés, artisan shops, and trendy bars. The New York Times recently listed Sarajevo as one of the 20 most up and coming cities in the world for music and art. Tourists are astonished that a nation that has suffered so much produce has produces a city with such vitality? In the 1990s this was a city and people on the edge of annihilation, but today it has become a favorite traveler destination.
Day 6 Sarajevo
• Morning (optional): Visit to the War Tunnel Museum. During the siege of Sarajevo the only exit out of the city was through a hand-dug tunnel that stretched under the airport. The tunnel save thousands of lives and helped the Bosnian Muslim forces to recapture their city.
• Afternoon: Free to explore Sarajevo
Day 7 Srebrenica Visit — Sarajevo
• In July of 1995 the worst massacre since World War II took place at the United Nations Headquarters near Srebrenica. In six days 8,300+ men and boys were massacred while the United Nations and the world community failed to respond. Students will visit Srebrenica and meet with survivors of the massacre.
Day 8 Afternoon arrival on Croatian Coast
• Mid-Morning – departure for Croatian Coast
Tourist Site: Croatia, specifically the Dalmatian Coast, is consistently rated as one of the world’s most scenic destinations (Lonely Planet Guide, National Geographic, & Nature Magazine). The coast consists of 1185 islands with pristine waters. Days 8,9, and 10 of the Opening Tour are set aside for exploring the Adriatic seaside on the dramatic coast. Croatia is relatively unknown among Americans but is widely viewed by Europeans as the continent’s number one beach destination.
Days 9 & 10 Croatian Coast, Makarska
• Free to enjoy the beaches and of Dalmatia
• Sunday evening departure by ferry boat back to Italy.
Day 11 Return to Bologna
Day 12 Classes Begin in Bologna
Please Note: Students will be required to pay for meals while traveling by ferry boat to and from the Balkans and will also is asked to pay for their lunches while in Croatia and Bosnia. Breakfast will be provided at some of the hotels. Students should estimate that they will need an additional $150 for out of pocket expenses during the Orientation Tour.
