The Balkans Tour: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Albania

Historic Villages of the Adriatic Tour

The Balkans tour, including Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Albania, travels through some of the most beautiful old cities of the Balkans covering the rich cultural heritage of the Adriatic Coast. The tour ends in Tirana, Albania.

Our journey begins with arrival in in Ljubljana, Slovenia with a stay at beautiful Lake Bled. We visit the amazing Postojna Cave, a network of 20 kilometres of passages, galleries and chambers. It is the largest cave in the “classic karst” and the most visited show cave in Europe with more than 31 million visitors in the last 188 years.

This outstanding tour of the Balkans continues as we cross the Istra Peninsula with visits to several old towns including Porec (a 2nd Century BC Roman encampment) and the Italian-speaking fishing village Rovinj. In Croatia the tour visits the spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park; Zadar, the ancient capital of Dalmatia and a typical Venetian old town with a variety of architectural styles, Šibenik and Trogir, two of the loveliest towns on the Dalmatian coast, where several hundred inlets spread out to the open blue sea; and Split home to Diocletian’s Palace, one of the most outstanding samples of classical architecture in the world.

A short ferry ride takes us to the fascinating Island of Hvar and smaller island of Korcula. Next is a visit to the old walled city at the heart of Dubrovnik. The tour of the Balkans continues with a drive to Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and magical Mostar.

Traveling along the coast to Montenegro, we enjoy visits to Kotor, the old mountain village Njegusi and Budva. The tour culminates as we cross the border into Shkoder, Albania, the Illyrian capital in the 3rd Century BC and arrive in Tirana, the capital of Albania.

BALKANS ADRIATIC TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
  • Tour ancient fortified cities overlooking the sparkling blue Adriatic Sea
  • Travel the exquisite Dalmatian Coast
  • Walk in Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia), where sixteen lakes join each other in a series of natural travertine waterfalls.
  • Enjoy the classical architecture of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s palace in Split (Croatia)
  • Visit the magical city of Mostar in Bosnia and Sarajevo, reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire
  • Explore the wonderful walled city of old Dubrovnik (Croatia)
Option to join only Slovenia & Croatia portion, 11 days.

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Stunning Walled City of Dubrovnik (Old town Dubrovnik)

  • 1
    Day 1-3: Meet in Ljubljana, Slovenia

    In Ljubljana, our guided tour begins with scenic Lake Bled. Tour members visit the castle on the cliff above the town of Bled as well as the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary on the island in the middle of the lake. Also included are a visit to the old village of Lake Bohinj and a walking tour of historic center of Ljubljana. The medieval pirate town of Piran is another highlight with its stone buildings, narrow streets and rich cultural heritage.

  • 2
    Day 4-6: Villages of Croatia

    Drive across the Istra Peninsula to Opatija visiting villages enroute. The tour group visits the gorgeous Plitvice Lakes National Park. Members will also enjoy meandering in Zadar, the ancient capital of Dalmatia and a beautiful example of a Venetian old town. Cherish picturesque Šibenik and the medieval architecture of the buidlings of Trogir.

  • 3
    Day 7-8: Split & Islands Hvar-Korcula, Croatia

    Guided tour around the old part of the town of Spilt which includes a beautiful Roman Palace followed by an excursion to the island of Hvar, continuing to the very small island of Korcula for overnight.

  • 4
    Day 9-10 Dubrovnik, Croatia

    A delightful day exploring the wine country of the Peljesac Peninsula ending with arrival in Dubrovnik. A walking tour of the old walled heart of Dubrovnik which includes plenty of free time to explore.

  • 5
    Day 11-12: Sarajevo-Mostar-Bosnia-Herzegovina

    We enjoy a breathtaking drive to the small village of Medjugorje, an important religious pilgrimage site. Continue to the historic town of Mostar with its magnificent Ottoman built bridge and then a city tour of Sarajevo, known as the social and cultural center of Bosnia and Hezegovina.

  • 6
    Day 13-15: Kotor-Budva, Montenegro

    Our historic Adriatic tour continues along the Adriatic coast to Montenegro and the town of Kotor. We will enjoy a marvelous drive around beautiful Boka Kotorska Bay, passing old fishing villages, churches, monasteries, marinas and beaches. Walking tour of the Kotor UNESCO World Heritage Site with its beautitiful Venetian influenced architecture.

    Visit the old Njegusi village (birth place of the poet Njegoš) and Cetinje the town often seen as the birthplace of Montenegrin culture and a past capital of Montenegro.

    Finally, enjoy the coastal Budva, known since Illyrian times, with gorgeous old-world architecture, narrow streets and stone buildings placed around the main cathedral.

  • 7
    Day 16-17: Albania - Depart

    Our tour of the Historic Villages of the Adriatic crosses the border into Albania and stops in Shkoder, the most important town of northern Albania. We then visit the traditional town of Kruja before arrival in Tirana, capital of Albania.

    From here tour members can either head home or continue with us on our Albania-Macedonia-Kosovo-Serbia Tour.

  • Trip Length

    ADRIATIC TOUR - TRIP LENGTH
    18-day trip begins in Ljubljana, Slovenia and ends in Tirana, Albania
    11-day trip begins in Ljubljana, Slovenia and ends in Dubrovnik, Croatia

  • Dates

    Historic Adriatic: August 28-September 14, 2023; May 13-30 & September 2-19, 2024
    Slovenia & Croatia: August 28-September 7, 2023; May 13-23 & September 2-12, 2024

  • Land Cost

    Historic Adriatic, 18 Days: 2023
    May: $5785 based on a minimum of 4 people, Single room $955
    Sep: $6100 based on a minimum of 4 people, Single room $1145

    Slovenia & Croatia, 11 days: 2023
    May: $4365 based on a minimum of 4 people, Single room $650
    Sep: $4560 based on a minimum of 4 people, Single room $1055

    Prices 2024 TBA

  • Accommodations

    4/5 star and boutique hotels in historic centers.

  • Group Size

    6-12 guests

  • Included Meals

    All breakfasts, 3 lunch, 2 dinner (full tour Historic Adriatic)

  • Duration

    18 Days

  • Reading List

    Suggested Reading
    International Travel News Review:
    Albania Tour Review - ITN
    International Travel News Review:
    Balkans Tour Review - ITN

  • Trip Preparations

    Balkans Adriatic Trip preparations

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Slovenian Tourist Information Center (STIC), Krekov trg, Slovenia

Croatia

Croatia Holidays, Ulica Kralja Tomislava, Crikvenica, Croatia

Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Montenegro Airlines - Office, Beogradska, Podgorica, Montenegro

Albania Tourism Group, Rruga e Durrësit, Tirana, Albania

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