Comprehensive Balkans Tour: Travel to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia

Comprehensive Balkans Tour

The Comprehensive Balkans tour is our Historic Villages of the Adriatic and Albania through Serbia Tours Combined.

Our  Comprehensive Balkans small group guided tour takes you through some of the most beautiful old cities of Central and Eastern Europe. It covers the rich cultural heritage of Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbia.

Slovenia

Our tour begins with arrival in Ljubljana and beautiful Lake Bled. We explore Bohinj Valley and the lake Bled villages.

Next, a short  journey to Piran (a medieval pirate town). Here we visit the famous Postojna Caves en-route.

Croatia

The tour then enters Croatia crossing the enchanting Istra Peninsula. During the drive we visit quaint picturesque villages. We continue with a delightful visit to Opatija, the oldest and still one of the most popular of the Croatian resort towns.

Next is the spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park. One must take a walk on the path through the park to truly appreciate its’ beauty! Sixteen lakes, each at different levels, join each other in a series of cascading waterfalls. Surrounded by dense woods, the region (on UNESCO’s List of World Natural Heritage sites), is a natural phenomenon of rare and unique beauty.

We explore Zadar, the ancient capital of Dalmatia and a typical Venetian old town with a variety of architectural styles. Enjoy a guided walk around the old part of Split home to Diocletian’s Palace, one of the most outstanding samples of classical architecture in the world.

A pleasant ferry ride to Hvar Island and after a visit here, another short ferry to Korcula island. Here we can observe traditional life in the beautiful cobble stoned villages of the island.

Another 20 minute ferry ride to Orebić, on the Pelješac Peninsula. We will drive through the charming peninsula, stopping for wine tasting. Onward to the oyster farm for a demo of oyster farming techniques and a marvelous tasting of the freshest oysters ever.

What tour of the Balkans would be complete without the beautiful old walled city at the heart of Dubrovnik! Join the guided walking tour in the morning. In the afternoon, you will enjoy an abundance of independent time to wander and soak up the ambiance.

Bosnia-Herzegovina

We arrive in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and explore historic Sarajevo and magical Mostar.

Montenegro

Continuing along the Adriatic coast to Montenegro, we tour Kotor. Then onward to the old mountain village Njegusi with its well preserved traditional folk architecture. Continue to the beautiful town of Cetinje and the coastal town Budva, one of the oldest inhabited places in the area.

Albania

The Balkans tour continues to Albania’s historical attractions influenced by the Greeks, Romans, Italians and Turks.

Macedonia & Kosovo

Our tour ventures into the scenic, historic and culturally interesting cities of Macedonia  including Ohrid and Skopje. Next we cross the border into Kosovo to visit Prizren and Peja (Pec).

Serbia

Crossing the border to Serbia, the tour visits to Novi Pazar, Mt Zlatabor and culminates in Belgrade.

Our Balkans tour includes visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the best of the museums as well as visits to traditional picturesque villages.

COMPREHENSIVE BALKANS TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
  • Tour ancient fortified cities built on cliffs overlooking the sparkling blue Adriatic Sea
  • Walk through Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia), where sixteen lakes join each other in a series of natural travertine waterfalls.
  • Visit the traditional city of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, reminiscent of the Ottoman Empire
  • Delight in the magical city of Mostar, Bosnia
  • Explore the famed walled city of old Dubrovnik
  • Discover traditional village life
  • Visit the museum cities of Gjirokastra and Berat
  • Marvel at the ancient city of Apollonia
  • Admire the archeological sites of Butrint

View A Detailed Itinerary:

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Manasija Church, Serbia

  • 1
    Slovenia
    Day 1-3: Ljubljana - Bled - Piran

    Our guided tour of Slovenia begins with scenic Lake Bled and Bohinj Valley. We 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.

    A walking tour of historic center of Ljubljana.

    Visit the unique Postojna Cave. The medieval pirate town of Piran is another highlight with its stone buildings, narrow streets and rich cultural heritage.

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    Croatia
    Day 4-5: Villages of Istria Peninsula

    Visit the beautiful historic villages Motovun, Visnjan, Groznjan, Buje, Porec, Rovinj and Pula; includes the famous Basilica (UNESCO) and streets Cardo & Decumanus Maximus in Porec.We then head to Opatija, the oldest established and still one of the most popular Croatian resorts town, in the best tradition of seaside magnificence.

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    Day 6: Plitvice Lakes National Park

    The tour group enjoys a walk in the gorgeous Plitvice Lakes National Park where sixteen lakes, each at different levels, join each other in a series of cascading waterfalls. Surrounded by dense woods, the region (on UNESCO's List of World Natural Heritage sites) is a natural phenomenon of rare and unique beauty.

  • 4
    Day 7: Historic Villages of the Adriatic Coast

    Next we visit the historic towns of the Adriatic Coast including Zadar, Sibenik, Trogir and Split. Zadar, the ancient capital of Dalmatia and a beautiful example of a Venetian old town; picturesque Sibenik and the medieval architecture of the buildings of Trogir. The old part of the town of Spilt includes a beautiful Roman Palace.

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    Day 8: Hvar & Korcula Islands

    We board a high speed catamaran for the island of Hvar where we have a walking tour through the narrow streets to the 15th Century Franciscan Monastery followed by a visit to the Renaissance Cloister. Visit St Stephen's Cathedral and the Arsenal, a thick-walled fortress overlooking the harbor where Europe's oldest community theater opened in 1612. Enjoy free time to meander. Later we board a ferry for the one hour ride to the island of Korcula.

  • 6
    Korcula-Dubrovnik
    Day 9-10: Korcula-Dubrovnik

    A pleasant walking tour of Old Korcula before boarding a ferry for 20 minute ride to Orebić, on the Pelješac Peninsula. It is a lovely drive through the charming peninsula, stopping for wine tasting. We arrive at the old town of Ston, a quick look and onward to the oyster farm for demo and tasting. A 1.5 hour drive brings us to Dubrovnik. Next day visit to the historic old town of Dubrovnik. Then free time to stroll about this picturesque village.

  • 7
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Day 11-13: Sarajevo & Mostar

    A breathtaking drive from to the small village of Medugorje which in recent times has become an important religious pilgrimage site.

    Continue to Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We explore the charming historic town that takes you instantly back to Ottoman times.

    Next we head to the very magical and historic town of Mostar with its magnificent Ottoman built bridge and quaint narrow streets with cafes overlooking the river.

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    Montenegro
    Day 14-15: Kotor, Njegusi, Budva

    Our historic villages tour continues along the Adriatic coast to Montenegro and the town of Kotor. We 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 beautiful Venetian influenced architecture.

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

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

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    Albania
    Day 16-17: Shkoder - Kruja - Tirana

    Our visit of Albania starts with a tour of Shkoder, the most important town of northern Albania and and the Illyrian capital in the 3rd century BC. Once part of the Venetian empire, Italian influence is evident everywhere in Shkodra.

    Next is a stop in Kruja,the center of the Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Turks under the leadership of Albania's national hero Scanderbeg. We visit the Fortress and the Skanderbeg Museum.

    A full day visit in Tirana including Et'hem Bey Mosque (beautiful and unusual exterior frescoes), the Clock Tower, and the National Historic Museum; the area of Tirana called Blloku ("The Block"), the location of former Communist dictator Enver Hoxha's villa.

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    Day 18: Tirana - Durres - Berat

    Our tour of Albanian cultural sites continues in Durres where we visit the Amphitheatre (built by the Romans in 2nd century AD, one of the largest in the Balkan peninsula) and an excellent Archeological Museum.

    Continuing to Berat, we enjoy the Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site where people continue to live, as well as the Onufi Museum and the beautiful old town district.

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    Day 19: Berat - Apollonia - Vlora-Saranda

    Visit the ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia, founded in 558 BC, before continuing to Vlora where important events in the struggles for Albanian independence took place.

    Then, we will enjoy a pleasant drive along the Albanian Riviera stopping for refreshments at one of the small coastal villages en-route to Saranda.

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    Day 20:Excursion to Butrint

    A day excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint, Albania’s most important archaeological site with ruins that show both Hellenic and Roman origins.

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    Day 21: Saranda-Gjirokastra

    We drive to Gjirokastra, a museum city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. There we visit the pre-Ottoman citadel that houses a fascinating weapons exhibit.We shall overnight in one of th characteristic houses of Gjirokastra with original wood and stone work.

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    Day 22: Gjirokastra - Korca

    Breathtaking mountain scenery can be enjoyed on the way to Korca where our tour visits the National Museum of Medieval Arts.

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    Macedonia
    Day 23: Korca - Voskopoja – Pogradec - Ohrid

    A short drive brings us to fascinating Voskopoja which was once one of the most important towns in the European part of the Ottoman empire. We continue to Pogradec on the southern shore of lake Ohrid and then pass through the quaint village of Tushemisht, close to Macedonian border.

    Our guided tour group will then travel into Macedonia to the beautiful city of Ohrid on the shores of Lake Ohrid.

  • 16
    Day 24: Ohrid

    We shall enjoy a full day exploring the beautiful and fascinating town of Ohrid on foot. Situated on the shores of Lake Ohrid at 695m above sea level, the town is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe. There is much to see here and its all very exciting!

    We begin our tour around the old town-museum of Ohrid, (UNESCO site) also known as "City of 365 Churches." We will stroll along the old narrow streets where, at every 100 meters, you will come across significant historical sights. Out of endless number of monuments and churches, we will visit the most important ones.

  • 17
    Day 25-26: Ohrid - St. Jovan Bigorski - Skopje

    A scenic drive through the mountains and villages, following along the border with Albania, will take us to the Monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski (famous for its beautiful wood carved iconostasis) before reaching Skopje with its 6th century fortress and 15th century stone bridge.

    A walking tour of Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.

  • 18
    Kosovo
    Day 27: Skopje - Prizen - Pec (Peja)

    Crossing the border into Kosovo, a walking tour of the town of Prizren where we visit its' archaeological heritage including the old Turkish Bath, Stone Bridge, Fortress and other remarkable architectural features.

    We continue to Pec, also called Peja. In Pec we visit two magnificent monastery complexes both are living places of learning and worship. Monastery Visoki Decani, UNESCO, is a 13th century church in Romanesque-Gothic style. Monks have been living here continuously since the 14th century.

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    Serbia
    Day 28: Pec (Peja) - Novi Pazar - Kopaonik

    This morning on our way to the Serbian border, we stop to visit the second monastery complex--the Patriarchate of Pec. The complex has four churches built between 1220 and 1330. The Patriarchate of Pec plays a major role in the church and state history of Serbia. There are currently about 25 nuns living here who returned to the Patriarchate in 1957.

    Afterwards, a scenic drive takes us to Novi Pazar, capital of the southern area of Serbia called Sandzak with its Turkish-style Old town, before visiting the UNESCO Sopocani Monastery. We continue to Kopaonik for overnight.

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    Day 29: Monastery Studenica - Mount Zlatibor

    Start the day with a visit to the UNESCO Monastery Studenica, considered the crowning achievement of medieval culture and art in Serbia. The tour group then journeys onward to ascend Mount Zlatibor National Park with its beautiful Golden Pines for an overnight stay.

  • 21
    Day 30-32: Belgrade

    We drive through central Serbia, to Belgrade, the capital with sightseeing en-route, stopping in the towns of Oplenac and Topola.

    Belgrade has been the Serbian capital for 6 centuries and the two days here are filled with culture and history: a walking tour of architectural masterpieces and monuments, The Fortress of Kalemegdan, ancient Roman remains, The Eastern Ward, Ethological Museum, Kaleniceva Pijaca (largest market in Belgrade), the royal compound, New Belgrade and much more.

  • 22
    Day 33: departure

Sarandë, Albania

Gjirokastra, Albania

Korçë, Albania

Korca macedonia

Skopje kosaovo

Novi Pazar serbia

Monastery Studenica serbia

Belgrade

Lake Ohrid

Ohrid, Macedonia (FYROM)

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Península balcánica

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Kotor Varoš, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Albania

Tirana, Albania

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