From Croatia's postcard-perfect ports to Albania's vibrant Soviet-era cities, this 28-day Balkan adventure delivers the very best of the region. Get ready for a whirlwind of urban excitement, charming village life, and outdoor thrills. Wander through the jaw-dropping beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park, dive into centuries of history from the ancient Necropolis tombstones of Stecak to the legendary Castle of Ali Pasha (yep, the one from The Count of Monte Cristo). This trip is packed with unforgettable moments, and trust us - you'll be talking about it for years to come.
Enjoy the stunning lakes and waterfalls at Plitvice and Krka National Parks, Wander past historic churches and monuments in Split and Dubrovnik, Delve into Bosnia and Herzegovina's history in Mostar and Sarajevo, Be immersed in Albanian culture on a hike to a shepherd outpost, Drive along the spectacular Albanian Riviera and visit the Ali Pasha Castle
Hotels (25 nts), Eco Lodge (2 nts).
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Max 16, avg 12.
Your G for Good Moment: DES?A Women's Centre Visit, Dubrovnik
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Zadar Walking Food Tour, Zadar
Your Foodie Moment: Oyster Farm Food and Wine Experience with Lunch, Uvala Bistrina
Your Foodie Moment: Trebinje Market Tour, Trebinje
Your Local Living Moment: Apiary Visit, Trebinje
Your Local Living Moment: Cheese Making Farm Visit, Trebinje
Your Foodie Moment: Sarajevo Food Tour, Sarajevo
Your Local Living Moment: Hike to a Shepherd Outpost with Lunch, Tragjas
Your Foodie Moment: Gjirokastër Winery Visit and Light Dinner, Gjirokastër. Orientation walks in Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hike in Krka Lakes National Park. Full-day excursion to the islands of Prvic and Zlarin from Šibenik. Walk along the old city wall of Ston. Tvrdoš Monastery Visit and Wine Tasting. Orientation walk in Trebinje. Visit the town of Stolac and the necropolis tombstones. See Kravica and Kocuša Waterfalls. Dinner and wine pairing at a winery in Citluk. Visit the Pocitelj Ottoman stone town. Hike to the Blagaj Fortress. Visit the Dervish Monastery. Guided walking tour of Mostar. Turkish House coffee experience in Mostar. Guided tour of Tito's Bunker. Kotor orientation walk. Boat tour from Kotor to Perast. Budva Old Town walk. Visit Ostrog Monastery. Full-day excursion to Biogradska Gora National Park. Kolašin 4x4 Off-Road Excursion. Orientaion walk of Podgorica. Theth National Park visit. Walking tour of Shkoder. Walking tour of Kruje. Evening orientaion walk of Tirana. Tour of the Durrës archaeological site. Orientation walk of Vlorë. Visit Himare. Entrance to the Ali Pasha Castle. Visit Butrint National Archaeological Park. Walking tour of Gjirokastër. Walking tour of Berat. Farewell Dinner. Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations.
Vlore
Vlore
Vlore (Vlorë / Vlora) is proclaimed a hero city. It is an old city, where important events in the struggle for freedom and independence have taken place. In ancient times the city was known under the name of Aulon. At the beginning it was only a port. Aulon was famous for its olive groves and vineyards. Today, Vlore is Albania's second largest port, a fishing port, and a holiday resort.
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Destination Guide
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Shkoder
Shkoder
This important northern city lies near Lake Scutari in a relatively flat valley about 55 mi/88 km northwest of Tirana and surrounded by majestic mountains. Shkoder has always been the country's most independent and free-thinking city—it was instrumental in bringing down the last Communist leader, even though it was his hometown. The city is also an important center of Albanian Catholicism. Its cathedral, which was turned into a volleyball court during the antireligion campaigns of the 1960s, has been converted back into a cathedral. Shkoder's most impressive site, the Rozafat Fortress (just a short drive to the south of the city), has a spectacular setting on a sheer cliff that is both impregnable and impressive. Near the fortress is the 18th-century Leaden Mosque.
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Destination Guide
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Podgorica
Podgorica
Podgorica, Montenegro, is the capital city as well as a modern metropolis and business center. It is also known for its imports; shopping for Italian goods is a common activity. Interesting sites in Podgorica include the 16th-century Church of St. George, the 18th-century clock tower, two Roman-era bridges that cross the Ribnica River, the sixth-century Osmanagic's Mosque and numerous monuments. It is also home to many cultural institutions, including the National Theatre of Montenegro, the City Theatre and the Public Institution Museum and Galleries. South of the city is Skadar Lake, the largest lake in the Balkans and a national park. Northwest of Podgorica, between Danilovgrad and Niksic, you can visit the ancient Ostrog Monastery built into the rocks. Niksic, which has a Byzantine church and a ruined Turkish fortress, is also an interesting town to visit. Besides cultural attractions, it is home to the Onogost brewery, which has been brewing its Niksicko beer since 1896. The railroad route northeast from Podgorica to Kolasin passes through the magnificent canyon of Moraca (and a number of tunnels, as well). Kolasin is a popular skiing spot and has a few cultural sites to see, including the Moraca Monastery, famous for its frescoes.
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Destination Guide
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Kolasin
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Zabljak
Zabljak
At 4,757 ft/1,475 m above sea level, Zabljak, Montenegro, located 98 mi/158 km north of Podgorica, is the town with the highest altitude in the Balkans. It is also located near the Durmitor National Park, where hiking, mountaineering and other outdoor sports are readily available. Crno Lake, the second-largest mountain lake in Montenegro, is also nearby and provides numerous water-related activities. Zabljak is primarily a winter-sports center, with skiing a popular pastime there. However, the town is also home to some interesting cultural sites, including three monasteries.
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Destination Guide
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Mostar
Mostar
Mostar is a small historic town in southwestern Bosnia, surrounded on three sides by rugged mountains. Mostar is Bosnia's most famous and popular destination, mainly because of its impressive Ottoman-era historic district and famous Ottoman-built arched stone bridge over the Neretva River gorge. Although quite small, Mostar is the capital of the Herzegovina district. Since Mostar lies on the trading route between the Adriatic Sea and mineral-rich Bosnian lands, the site was occupied for many centuries prior to Ottoman rule of the region. However, it was the Ottoman Turks who established the present-day town when taking control of the region in 1468. They began building many Ottoman-style buildings, Turkish-style mosques and large private mansions for wealthy citizens. Their most-acclaimed architectural structure is the arched stone bridge, Stari Most, built in 1566. Like nearly every town and city in Bosnia, Mostar was badly damaged by the 1990s regional wars. Many historic mansions and buildings, private homes and all of Mostar's bridges were completely destroyed. A major incident in Mostar took place in 1993, when Bosnian Croats began a 10-month siege of the Muslim quarter of the city, rendering its landmark, stone-arch bridge, Stari Most, and mosques to rubble. Fortunately, Mostar has been able to rebuild, in great part thanks to various international organizations and governments contributions. The reconstruction of Stari Most (the Old Bridge) has been completed and it is well worth a visit. On the other hand, many large buildings have been left in states of destruction, complete with bullet and grenade holes, providing a stark reminder of the devastation. Rebuilding of the city continues, and tourists are warmly welcomed. The annual bridge jumping competition from Stari Most into the Neretva River below is famous throughout the regions. Having taken place for more than four centuries, this competition attracts both swimmers and spectators from all over Europe.
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Destination Guide
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Citluk
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Trebinje
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Makarska
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Plitvice National Park
Plitvice National Park
The natural attributes of Plitvice Lakes National Park, uniqueness and sensibility of that phenomenon, deserve full attention of visitors. Its natural diversity and harmony of shapes and colours in any of the seasons are enough to make any visitor amazed by the beauty. UNESCO has declared it with all rights as the World's natural inheritance.
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Destination Guide
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Berat
Berat
Berat is a well preserved historic center in south-central Albania, displaying rare examples of architectural character typical of the Ottoman period. The town features a castle built in the 13th century, several mosques from the early 1400s, a bazaar and two churches from the same period. This ancient city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is an ideal city to tour for those interested in history.
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Destination Guide
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Gjirokaster
Gjirokaster
Like Berat, Gjirokaster is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was also spared from communist-style building projects. The city's second name—the City of Stairs—refers to Gjirokaster's mountainous terrain and the stairs you have to climb to visit its impressive, fortress-style buildings. The main attractions are the magnificent, snowcapped mountains that surround the city, which is 90 mi/145 km southeast of Tirana. Be sure to visit the 11th-century citadel, which has a stunning view of the countryside, as well as the interesting National Museum of Weapons that displays Albanian-made arms from ancient through modern times. The citadel was also a prison—you can read the records of the inmates. Gjirokaster is the birthplace of dictator Enver Hoxha and author Ismail Kadare.
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Destination Guide
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Tirana
Tirana
Tirana (pronounced: Tih-rana) is the capital and the largest city (1991 est. pop. 300,000) of Albania. It is the administrative, cultural, economic, and industrial center of the Republic of Albania.
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Destination Guide
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Kotor
Kotor
Take a step back in time and visit the old town of Kotor, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean. The asymmetric structure of the narrow streets and squares, combined with the awesome monuments of medieval architecture, contributed to Kotor being placed on UNESCO’s “World’s natural and cultural inheritance” list. From ancient fortification systems surrounding the city to 12th century cathedrals, Kotor is a dream come true for those who revel in history. Entrance to town from the Gurdic spring, consists of 3 separate gates, built from the 13th, 16th and 18th centuries. The Cathedral of St. Tryphon is one of the most visited and impressive churches in the city. According to some texts, the original church was erected in the 8th century and rebuilt in 1166. Two earthquakes, one in 1667 and one in 1979 seriously damaged the cathedral and it continues to be restored to this day. The city is breathtaking in every respect and only a visit will truly reveal all it has to offer.
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Destination Guide
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Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo is one of the most historically interesting cities in Europe. It is the place where the Western & Eastern Roman Empire split; where the people of the Eastern Orthodox east, the Ottoman south and the Roman Catholic west, met, lived and warred. It has been both an example of historical turbulence and the clash of civilizations, as well as a beacon of hope for peace and tolerance through multi-cultural integration.
Today the city has physically recovered from most of the war damage caused by the Yugoslav Wars of the early nineties. Sarajevo is a cosmopolitan European capital with a unique Eastern twist that is a delight to visit. The people are very friendly, be they Bosniak, Serb, or Croat. There is very little crime, not nearly as many tourists as on the Dalmatian coast and a wealth of architecture (not to mention history) to see.
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Destination Guide
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Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Classed as a world heritage treasure by UNESCO, Dubrovnik is a place of ancient streets lined with stone palaces, Venetian-style buildings and bell towers. The city is enclosed by stone walls, and the highlight is a leisurely walk atop these massive walls for a great view of the city and the sea. Entering Dubrovnik, you are greeted by an impressive pedestrian promenade, the Placa, which extends before you all the way to the clock tower at the other end of town. The Orlando Tower here is a favorite meeting place. Just inside the city walls near the Pile Gate is the Franciscan Monastery housing the third-oldest functioning pharmacy in Europe, operating since 1391. For a fantastic panorama of the city, take a cable car ride to the summit of the 1,340-foot Mount Srdj.
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Destination Guide
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Sibenik
Sibenik
This attractive coastal city shows traces of its fascinating history, having been under Venetian, Byzantine, Bosnian, Austrian, Italian and Hungarian rule over the centuries. The old town centers on Poljana Square, which is surrounded by old patrician houses and palaces. Be sure to visit City Hall and the baroque-style Church of St. Lawrence. The pearl of the city is the Cathedral of St. Jacob, which was built by Juraj Dalmatinac in the 15th century. It's been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unusual construction and ornamentation. Fortresses that once were used in defense of the city are now attractive spots with beautiful views. There's also a museum in what once was an elaborate palace. Popular day trips out of Sibenik include the magnificent Krka River National Park and the Kornati Islands National Park.
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Destination Guide
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Zagreb
Zagreb
Croatia's capital and largest city, Zagreb also was the cultural capital of the former Yugoslavia. The city boasts many museums, art galleries, orchestras and folk festivals. Today, outdoor cafes are full, dance clubs pump music into the night air and art festivals are as popular as they were before the war. Zagreb has several reminders of the Austro-Hungarian period, particularly the decorated facades and the deep yellow color of old government buildings.
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