Best of Balkans
Duration:
9 Days / 8 Nights
Start/Finish:
Sofia / Sofia
£820
April to December
- Explore the essential highlights of 7 Balkan countries in 9 days, staying at comfortable 4-star hotels and travelling on a private modern coach.
- Travel with a local guide throughout your trip to get the best insight and tips, plus enjoy professional guided tours in Belgrade, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Ohrid and Skopje.
- Delve into history and greet the colorful Balkan cultures riding from one capital to another, while frequenting popular hotspots and gems off the beaten track.
- Swim the Adriatic and walk around the impressive medieval fortresses of Dubrovnik and Kotor
- Uncover the stunning natural beauty of Ohrid Lake with an optional trip to the serene St. Naum Monastery.
- No night drives, however we need to cross multiple borders and customs process may take some time depending on how busy it is.
Day 1 : Sofia
Welcome to Sofia ! At the hotel around 7pm, have an informal welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers. After you get all the critical information about the tour, head out for our optional group dinner around 8:15pm and walk the streets of Sofia.
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Accommodation
in Sofia – 4 Star Hotel -
Included Activities
Welcome Meeting -
Optional Activities
Group Dinner
Day 2 : Sofia, Belgrade -
After a substantial breakfast, hop on the bus and make your way to the Serbian capital, Belgrade . With stunning views over the Danube and Sava rivers by the mighty medieval Belgrade Fortress, head to the heart of the capitol. Starting off at the vibrant pretty shopping street, Knez Mihailova, filled with cafes, shops and charming sites, kick off the walking tour to discover the incredible landmarks Belgrade has in store and their marvellous histories.
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Accommodation
in Belgrade – 4 Star Hotel -
Meals Included
Breakfast -
Included Activities
Belgrade City Tour
Day 3 : Belgrade, Sarajevo
Next stop Sarajevo , Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, the city that has been through it all! It is where the Western and Eastern Roman Empire split and where people of many nations and religions met, lived and warred. You can still see many reminders of the Yugoslav War in bullet holes and cannon marks all around town. Though, still an oriental beauty with a unique twist, and a delight to discover on your walking tour in the old town. The city offers endless delicacies to taste, but the specialty is lamb.
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Accommodation
in Sarajevo – 4 Star Hotel -
Meals Included
Breakfast -
Included Activities
Sarajevo City Tour -
Entrance Fees
Catholic Church –
Day 4 : Sarajevo, Mostar,Trebinje
Today, we drive for the amazing Adriatic shore, but first a stop at Mostar! As you arrive in this dreamland, walk through the Old Town of this Herzegovina pearl, see the iconic highlights Old Bridge – Stari Most, and the old čaršija (market). Enjoy your lunch with an amazing view at one of the local venues, discover the old town and make sure to try the delicious Turkish coffee. In the afternoon, we ride to Trebinje for our overnight stay.
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Accommodation
in Trebinje – 4 Star Hotel -
Meals Included
Breakfast -
Included Activities
Mostar City Tour -
Optional Activities
Kravice Waterfalls –
Day 5 : Trebinje, Dubrovnik, Trebinje
Get ready for a long day at Dubrovnik , the “Pearl of the Adriatic”! With its well-preserved majestic walls encircling the whole town and its sea of terra-cotta roof tiles, giving life to the “King’s Landing”, the whole town is an amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even the drive down to town from the mountain-side is a breakth-taking highlight in itself! We start off with a guided walking tour of the Old Town and marvel at the millennial history of this fairy-like town. Walk atop the mighty walls, discover cute narrow streets, taste delicious seafood or jump off into the crystal-blue waters. In the evening, we return to Trebinje for a good night’s rest.
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Accommodation
in Trebinje – 4 Star Hotel -
Meals Included
Breakfast -
Included Activities
Dubrovnik City Tour -
Optional Activities
Dubrovnik Boat Trip – -
Entrance Fees
Dubronvnik City Walls –
Day 6 : Trebinje, Kotor, Shkoder
Next stop Montenegro! Arrive in Kotor after a scenic drive an meet its calming natural beauty and characteristic architecture, a less-crowded version of Dubrovnik with its impressive medieval citadel. Following a walking tour of the old town with your expert local guide and some free time. Departure to Albania, which is our final destination for the day. Shkoder is one of the most authentic cities in Albania. Walking tour through the centre. Overnight in Shkoder.
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Accommodation
in Shkoder – 5 Star Hotel -
Meals Included
Breakfast -
Included Activities
Kotor City Tour
Shkoder Walking Tour
Day 7 : Shkoder, Tirana, Ohrid
Hit the road after breakfast! A panoramic city tour of Tirana will introduce the best preserved and most beautiful samples of Albanian architecture, and drop us off at the town centre for some free time to discover the bustling Skenderbeg square. In the afternoon, continue towards Ohrid , Macedonia and check-in to your comfy hotel. You can rest up after a long day, or join the optional Balkan night with dinner.
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Accommodation
in Ohrid – 4 Star Hotel -
Meals Included
Breakfast -
Included Activities
Panoramic Tour of Tirana
Ohrid Walking Tour -
Optional Activities
Balkan Night with Dinner –
Day 8 : Ohrid, Skopje
Start off the day with a guided city tour of Old Ohrid hosting hundreds of chapels and churches scattered all around. In the afternoon travel to Skopje , the capital of Macedonia, for the night.
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Accommodation
in Skopje – 4 Star Hotel -
Meals Included
Breakfast -
Included Activities
Ohrid City Tour -
Optional Activities
St. Naum Tour –
Day 9 : Skopje, Sofia
Prepare to discover the beautiful Skopje with a guided sightseeing tour filled with stunning architecture, grand monuments and unique history. Pose with the famous statue of Alexander the Great or walk through the Macedonian Arc de Triumph. The city has countless landmarks and a vibrant street life with many cafes and bars around. In the afternoon, leave for Sofia, where our trip ends and we say goodbye to our new friends. You can explore the shopping streets, highlights and the nightlife as you wish.
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Meals Included
Breakfast -
Included Activities
Skopje City Tour
4 star hotels
Sat 8 Mar 2025 - Sun 16 Mar 2025 £820
Sat 22 Mar 2025 - Sun 30 Mar 2025 £820
Sat 29 Mar 2025 -
Sun 6 Apr 2025 £738
Sat 5 Apr 2025 - Sun 13 Apr 2025 £738
Sat 12 Apr 2025 - Sun 20 Apr 2025 £820
Sat 19 Apr 2025 - Sun 27 Apr 2025 £738
Sat 26 Apr 2025 - Sun 4 May 2025 £820
Thu 1 May 2025 - Fri 9 May 2025 £820
Sat 3 May 2025 - Sun 11 May 2025 £820
Thu 8 May 2025 - Fri 16 May 2025 £738
Sat 10 May 2025 - Sun 18 May 2025 £820
Thu 15 May 2025 - Fri 23 May 2025 £820
Sat 17 May 2025 -
Sun 25 May 2025 £738
Thu 22 May 2025 - Fri 30 May 2025 £820
Sat 24 May 2025 - Sun 1 Jun 2025 £820
Thu 29 May 2025 - Fri 6 Jun 2025 £820
Sat 31 May 2025 - Sun 8 Jun 2025 £820
Thu 5 Jun 2025 -
Fri 13 Jun 2025 £820
Accommodation
4 star hotels
Meals
8 breakfasts
Transportation
Air-conditioned coach or mini-bus
Airport Transfer(s)
Arrival airport transfer from Sofia Airport to the hotel on day 1
Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access ( where available )
Sightseeing
Knez Mihailova
Danube
Belgrade Fortress
Mostar Bridge
Mostar Old Town
Dubrovnik Old Town
Kotor
Skenderbeg square
Any flights not mentioned above
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not stated above
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips and gestures
- Entrance fees to the sights and museums
- Optional activities
- Other services not stated in the itinerary