Let us take you on a ride and show you some unique destinations around the world! In our new series, Destination Spotlight, we’ll highlight some amazing locations and show you exactly why they deserve a spot on your travel list!

Let’s spotlight Sarajevo, Bosnia!

Things we love about Sarajevo:

It has a fascinating Jewish history
Sarajevo’s Jewish community dates back to 1565, when Sephardic Jews arrived after fleeing Spain. Under Ottoman rule, the predominantly Muslim city welcomed them warmly, and by 1577 had established a vibrant Jewish quarter – El Cortijo, “the courtyard” – with its own synagogue near the main market. Today, synagogues, cathedrals, and mosques stand side by side, reflecting the coexistence that earned Sarajevo its nickname: The Jerusalem of Europe.

Its bazaar feels frozen in time
Sip strong Bosnian coffee, shop for hand-crafted copper goods, and snack on delicious ćevapi from stalls that have perfected their recipes over generations while exploring the Baščaršija market the heart of old Sarajevo.

There’s a powerful and moving recent history
From the spot where WWI began to stories of resilience during the 1990s siege, Sarajevo shares its history with honesty, warmth, and unforgettable stories. Bosnia was part of the former Yugoslovia for most of the 20th century. Sites like the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum and the “Sarajevo Roses” offer meaningful insight into the city’s strength and fight for independence.

The cable cars and mountain views
Hop on the Trebević cable car for a quick glide to panoramic views and the famous Olympic bobsled track – now a colorful open-air graffiti gallery. Unlike many capitals, Sarajevo sits in a lush valley surrounded by green mountains.

The hospitality wins everyone over
Bosnians are famously warm and welcoming. Add in hearty comfort food, local handicrafts, and a relaxed culture, and it’s easy to see why travelers rank it among their favorite destinations.

Amazing Journeys will be visiting Sarajevo in 2026 on our Exploring the Balkans: Albania, Montenegro & Bosnia tours! We are offering two departures with the exact same itinerary, so if you want to see what Sarajevo (and other incredible destinations) is all about, click here to register:

June 4-14, 2026
Click here for June trip details

May 28 – June 7, 2026
Click here for May trip details

We are lucky to have the opportunity to go to amazing destinations as part of our job, but get asked all the time, “where do you want to go next”?  Just like you, we each have our own personal bucket list that we keep adding to.  So what is at the top of each of our lists?

Malori: Antelope Canyon, Arizona. Those who know me know I love to be outdoors and I love to hike.  I get inspired by nature and the visual beauty of Antelope Canyon makes me want to jump right in and explore!

Courtesy of the Arizona Office of Tourism

Erin:  There are so many places I want to go, but I really want to go to Peru.  I would love to push myself to do the Inca Trail, ending the 4 day hike with the incredible views of Machu Picchu!

Michele: I can’t wait to go to the Canadian Rockies.  I love the majestic beauty and being able to be surrounded by nature. The colors are just amazing and you get different scenery at every turn.

Stacey: I’d love to spend more time in Thailand. I can’t get over all of the gorgeous wats (temples)!  Combine that with green countryside, a plethora of beautiful Buddhas and delicious food, I’d love to immerse myself into the culture and country of Thailand.

We want to know what’s at the top of your bucket list, too!  We may already be planning a trip there for you to get excited about and we are always open to your suggestions to plan upcoming adventures!

When one thinks of a vacation paradise, the mind tends to conjure up images of a beach in Aruba or a sunset in Hawaii.  A real paradise is something that doesn’t exist in the tangible world; rather it is a meaning that humans give to something that brings peace, tranquility, serenity and beauty to their lives.  Alaska is, by that definition, the quintessential paradise of the highest extremes. By winter, the cold and ice and landscape combine to create images that can’t be described in words alone.  By summer, the adventures, wildlife and seasonal brevity lure people in for 3 months to catch a glimpse of its majesty.

Alaska as a destination is an adventure of the mind, body and soul.  Each season in Alaska is an unusual, profound, memorable and unpredictable experience in its own right.  There is no wrong time to visit Alaska.  Just ask a native.  Just ask yours truly who has been there in the summer, spring and yes, even the winter.  Just ask anyone with a true sense of adventure who has chosen to go where so few have gone…when so few have gone.

Alaska is a blessed place and one where you need go…..and go again, if you’ve already been.  If you haven’t been, go. Go this summer! (Come with Amazing Journeys!! https://amazingjourneys.net/trip/cruise-alaska-2013) If you have been, you really do need to go again; you’ve only seen “the tip of the iceberg” and there’s SO much more to see and do.  There are many many bucket list experiences that you can indulge in – white water rafting down a glacial river, bear watching along a fishing stream, hiking on a glacier via helicopter, biking an a national forest….and so much more.  And that’s in the summer!   In the winter you can go snowshoeing in a national park, dogsledding in the wilderness, Auroroa Borealis (Northern Lights) gazing in all its glory, party with the locals during the Iditarod festivities….and you get to meet some of the most interesting people in all the world.

Above all else, the experiences and memories that an Alaskan journey leaves behind is a place on the planet that touches your soul.  Between the bucket list checklist and the unpredictable wildlife and deeply rooted culture and the vast uncharted landscape…..you know that you have been in a paradise of unparallelled proportions.  Alaska is Mother Nature’s Showcase.   Come! or…Come back again!