Day 6: Budapest - Along Danube - Osijek (Croatia) - Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

River Danube, known to history as one of the long-standing frontiers of the Roman Empire, originates in the Swarzwald (Black Forest), Germany and flows eastward nearly 3000 km passing through four European capitals before reaching the Black Sea. It is a natural border between Croatia - Serbia and Romania - Bulgaria. The Danube has always been an important transport route, and by opening the Rhine – Main – Danube Canal the river finally connected Black Sea with the industrial centres in Western Europe all the way to Rotterdam.

On its way the Danube forms and shapes a variety of scenic, today protected areas. One such is the Danube – Drava National Park, just before crossing into Croatia and the next is in Croatia the Kopački Rit National Park.

Sarajevo is located on the banks of river Miljacka in the Sarajevo valley and is surrounded by Dinaric Alps. It is renown for the coexistence of traditional religious diversity (Islam, Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Judaism) through centuries.

The heart and soul of Sarajevo is Baščarsija (central market), the striking reminder of its Ottoman past. Each street in the Bascarcija is dedicated to another craft, the most intersting being the traditional metalwork, jewellery, and pottery shops.

Sarajevo has attracted international attention several times through history: In 1914 it was the site of an assassination that triggered the WW I. In 1984 it was the host city of Winter Olympics and more recently Sarajevo underwent the longest siege in modern military history. Reasons for this conflict go back to WW II. During the siege a tunnel was built linking the besieged city to the free zone beyond the airport, thus forming a supply line.