Experience local culture and communities respectfully

• Everyday life, privacy and religious customs deserve respect.
• Photography is not taken for granted everywhere.
• Cultural heritage needs protection.
• Local businesses can be part of a thoughtful travel plan.
• Stereotypes get in the way of genuine encounters.

Old towns, villages, markets and religious sites are part of everyday life. Traveling in Eastern Europe or Central Asia means encountering different languages, social customs and rhythms of life. Respect begins with not treating private spaces as a backdrop and taking guidance from hosts or local institutions seriously.

Photograph people only with their consent; in prayer rooms, put your camera away during prayers. The Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo is one example of a religious building still in active use: its daily schedule is shaped by five prayer times. Give worshippers space and remain quiet during services. Follow the community’s guidance on clothing, access and photography.

Accommodation, dining, guided tours and crafts connect a trip with everyday life at your destination. When choosing accommodation, consider its location, how to get there and the specific services described; accommodation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia can be browsed by destination. Local guides and workshops are a good fit when prices and services are clearly stated. In heavily visited places, choosing suitable visiting times also takes residents’ routes and everyday lives into account.

Respectful encounters are as much a part of travel as consideration for landscapes and resources. A visit is less disruptive when residents can go about their daily lives without avoidable interruptions. Sustainable travel means considering residents alongside protecting nature and the climate. Both are integral to a responsible holiday in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

A cultural visit might include a museum, old town, memorial site or religious building. Visits focused on culture and history can take different forms: museums and exhibitions preserve collections, while monasteries and religious buildings may also be places of worship. In quiet areas, follow access instructions and respect the course of religious observances.

A conversation, a market visit or a guided tour can make everyday life at your destination easier to understand when hosts and visitors respect their respective roles. Photograph people only with their consent, keep private spaces private and accept a no. Food and local specialties and markets, cafés and everyday food culture offer opportunities to discover local cuisine and goods.

Historic buildings and collections need protection so they can remain accessible in the future. Rules about touching, flash photography, bags, distances and routes are therefore part of the visit. When visiting historical sites and memorials, personal reflection and dignity matter more than packing in a crowded sightseeing schedule. On busy days, an earlier visit, a longer stay or a less crowded site may be the better choice.

Responsible travel choices and environmental protection go hand in hand: routes, waste, water use and traffic affect historic sites and residential neighborhoods. The rules of each institution or community apply during your visit; individual encounters reflect personal experiences, not an entire population.

Since when have people prayed at the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque in Sarajevo?

The mosque has been used as a place of prayer since it was built in 1530/31. Prayer has therefore been part of its history for almost five centuries.