Transport

Includes arrival transfer

Meals

1 Lunch Included in: ETARA 10 dinner included in: ZAGREB, Sarajevo, DUBROVNIK, DUBROVNIK, Tirana, Ohrid, Kalabaka, SANDANSKY, PLOVDIV, BUCHAREST

Others

Ticket admission: Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo, Kravice Waterfall , Franciscan Monastery and Cathedral in Dubrovnik; , Monastery in Meteora Valley , Rila Monastery , Roman Amphitheater, The Ancient Botica and The Armenian House in Plovdiv , Thracian Tomb Replica in Kazalnak , Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi , Basarbovski Monastery City tour in: ZAGREB, Sarajevo, DUBROVNIK, Tirana, SOFIA, PLOVDIV, BUCHAREST

Guide

English speaking tour in: ZAGREB, Sarajevo, DUBROVNIK, Tirana, SOFIA, PLOVDIV, BUCHAREST Please note also that your tour guide might be changed once or several times during the tour. On some tours, according to the number of passengers, the service may be provided in bilingual (usually in English and Spanish), either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader for smaller groups explaining in both languages.

Accommodation

ZAGREB : ANTUNOVIC or MOVENPICK ZAGREB or GRAND HOTEL ZAGREB Sarajevo : IBIS STYLES SARAJEVO or NOVOTEL SARAJEVO BRISTOL or GRAND HOTEL PARK DUBROVNIK : LERO or ROYAL NEPTUN or HILTON GARDEN INN TIRANA Ohrid : METROPOL LAKE RESORT or AMALIA KALAMBACA or KOSTA FAMISSI SANDANSKY : PIRIN PARK HOTEL or INTERHOTEL SANDANSKI or ASTORIA GRAND PLOVDIV : IMPERIAL or BOLYARSKI MERIDIAN or PANORAMA VELIKO TARNOVO : GURKO or MERCURE BUCAREST CITY CENTER We know how important hotels are on your trip. The hotels have been selected taking into consideration quality, price and location. They are located in the cities we visit, most of them not in the city center but all of them with easy access to public transportation nearby. Our accommodation is not based on luxury hotels. Please keep in mind that standards, bed sizes and room dimensions can vary between hotels of the same class in different locations. All rooms are equipped with private bathroom and TV. Some of them also offer a mini-bar, safe box, and hair dryer. Many hotels, mainly in North Europe, do not have air conditioning or local legislation establishes limited dates of use.

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

Flights are not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Zagreb
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Zagreb

Arrival in Zagreb. We’ll be ready to transfer you to your hotel. Our guide will join us with the group from Slovenia around lunchtime. In the afternoon, at around 04:00 p.m. (time may vary), we’ll embark on a panoramic tour with a local guide (included), giving us the opportunity to admire the city´s two hills, the upper town, and the new neighborhoods of Croatia’s capital. Dinner will be included.
Day 2 Day 2: Zagreb, Banja Luka, Jajce, Sarajevo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Zagreb, Banja Luka, Jajce, Sarajevo

We’ll depart early in the morning to travel to Bosnia. Border formalities may take some time. As we drive through certain areas, we’ll be reminded of the tragic war of the 1990s. Our journey will take us through the majority-Serb territory of Bosnia, with our first stop in Banja Luka. Here, you’ll have time to explore the capital of the autonomous entity of Republika Srpska, the second largest city in Bosnia after Sarajevo, known for its fortress and Orthodox cathedral. There will be time for lunch. We’ll then continue to Jajce, arguably the most beautiful town in Bosnia, celebrated for its cultural diversity, mosque, fortress, and impressive waterfall (admission included). After some time to explore, we’ll proceed to Sarajevo, arriving in the evening. You’ll have the opportunity to stroll through the historic center and visit the charming Bazaar, an old Ottoman market renowned for its architecture, oriental ambiance, and traditional shops. Dinner will be included.
Day 3 Day 3: Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik

In the morning, we’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour in Sarajevo, a captivating city known as the "Jerusalem of Europe" due to its coexistence of several religions. Mosques, churches, and synagogues showcase its rich religious diversity. We’ll explore the old town´s strong Ottoman influence, highlighted by a magnificent mosque over 500 years old and a beautiful fountain. After our visit, we’ll continue through an area of stunning beauty to Mostar, with its enchanting historic center and iconic stone bridge that separates the Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic communities. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll through the city. We’ll then proceed to Croatia, where border procedures may take a while. We’ll arrive in Dubrovnik at the end of the day. Dinner will be included.
Day 4 Day 4: Dubrovnik
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Dubrovnik

We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide in the morning. We will undoubtedly be in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, perched on a cliff, surrounded by walls and kissed by the Adriatic Sea. Its intact historic center is a jewel of world architectural heritage. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a stunning view of the city from a scenic viewpoint along the road. The tour includes tickets to the Franciscan Monastery, home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and the Assumption Cathedral. We’ll also take a boat trip to Lokrum, a small island just 15 minutes away that is home to the ruins of an eleventh-century Benedictine monastery, a popular setting for the series Game of Thrones. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner will be included.Note: On some occasions, accommodation may be in Cavtat, a coastal town near Dubrovnik. From November to March, there is no boat service to Lokrum, so we will not visit the island during these months.
Day 5 Day 5: Dubrovnik, Kotor, Budva, Tirana
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Dubrovnik, Kotor, Budva, Tirana

We’ll set off early for Montenegro. After completing border procedures, we’ll enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and the Bay of Kotor. We’ll take a ferry across the bay to Kotor, where you’ll have time to explore this beautiful walled town with its strong Venetian influence. Next, we’ll stop in Budva, a charming walled village surrounded by the sea, for lunch. Then we’ll travel to Albania. After customs procedures, we’ll go to the capital, Tirana, where you’ll have some free time to explore. Dinner will be included.
Day 6 Day 6: Tirana, Struga, Ohrid
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Tirana, Struga, Ohrid

Today, we’ll embark on a panoramic tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania, visiting its mosques, the Clock Tower, and the ministries. Around midday, we’ll head inland, passing through Albania’s tall mountain scenery and little villages. Enjoy the beautiful countryside around Lake Ohrid, which forms the border with Macedonia. We’ll continue to the Republic of Macedonia (border procedures) and stop for lunch in Struga, a picturesque town on the lake´s shores. We’ll then proceed to Ohrid, a city rich in Ottoman influence and a designated World Heritage Site. You’ll have time to explore the Plaosnik Monastery, or the ancient university founded in the ninth century. Dinner will be included.
Day 7 Day 7: Ohrid, Kastoria, Kalabaka
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Ohrid, Kastoria, Kalabaka

Today, we’ll travel through Macedonia to Greece, passing through Bitola, a historic city known as the “City of Consuls”. We’ll undergo border procedures when entering Greece, whose northern region boasts strong Slavic and Ottoman influences and rugged terrain. Our journey will continue to Kastoria, the city of the 100 churches, renowned for its medieval streets and delightful lakeside restaurants. In the afternoon, we’ll head to Kalabaka. Here, we’ll visit the Meteora, an awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you’ll have the chance to visit one of its most famous monasteries (admission included). Dinner will be included.
Day 8 Day 8: Kalabaka, Thessaloniki, Melnik, Sandansky
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Kalabaka, Thessaloniki, Melnik, Sandansky

We’ll journey through northern Greece, taking in the beautiful mountain scenery as we head towards the Aegean Sea. Our first stop will be in Thessaloniki, where we’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch in Greece’s second-largest city. Afterward, we’ll continue into Bulgaria, crossing the border into the region of Bulgarian Macedonia. Here, we’ll visit Melnik, a picturesque museum town nestled among stunning landscapes and renowned for its wine production. We’ll conclude our day in Sandanski, a charming spa town known as the birthplace of Spartacus where we’ll stay for the night. Dinner will be included.
Day 9 Day 9: Sandansky, Rila, Sofia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Sandansky, Rila, Sofia

We’ll visit the stunning Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its fortress-like appearance and beautiful forest surroundings. We’ll then continue to Sofia, arriving by late morning. After lunch, we’ll take a guided tour of Bulgaria’s capital, where we’ll see the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, the Mosque, and the city´s squares and avenues, showcasing Stalinist architecture. You’ll have free time afterward to explore the city at your leisure.
Day 10 Day 10: Sofia, Bachkovo, Plovdiv
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Sofia, Bachkovo, Plovdiv

In the morning, we’ll head to Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria’s second most significant monastery, established in the eleventh century. With its three churches, this monastery offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere. We’ll then proceed to Plovdiv, where lunch is included before going on a tour of this city, one of the oldest in Europe. Our tour includes admission to the Roman Amphitheatre, the Old Pharmacy, and the Armenian House.
Day 11 Day 11: Plovdiv, Kazanlak, Shipka, Etar, Arbanassi, Veliko Tarnovo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Plovdiv, Kazanlak, Shipka, Etar, Arbanassi, Veliko Tarnovo

Today’s journey will take us through the stunning landscapes of the Balkan Mountains. In the Rose Valley, we’ll visit Kazanlak, where admission is included to see the replica of the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll also learn about the local production of rose-based products. Amidst the mountains, we’ll stop at the Shipka Memorial Church, a memorial to the Russo-Turkish War. We’ll then explore Etara, a charming village and ethnographic museum. After lunch (included), we’ll travel to Arbanasi, an ancient trading city known for its fortress-like houses, where we’ll visit the Nativity Church (admission included). Our day will end in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s former capital, renowned for its picturesque medieval center beside its canyon. Note: Occasionally, the visit to Arbanasi may take place on Sunday morning.
Day 12 Day 12: Veliko Tarnovo, Basarbovo, Bucharest
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Veliko Tarnovo, Basarbovo, Bucharest

We’ll travel to Romania, stopping along the way to visit the Basarbovski Monastery, a pilgrimage site carved into the rock. We’ll then cross the border and the Danube, arriving in Bucharest around 1:00 p.m. Lunch will be included. In the afternoon, we’ll take a panoramic tour of the city, exploring the historic center and the impressive Palace of Parliament. You’ll have free time afterward to explore on your own.
Day 13 Day 13: Bucharest
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Bucharest

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

+10

13 days tour

Balkan Dreams

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Balkan Dreams

Day 1: Zagreb

Day 2: Zagreb, Banja Luka, Jajce, Sarajevo

Day 3: Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik

Day 4: Dubrovnik

Day 5: Dubrovnik, Kotor, Budva, Tirana

Day 6: Tirana, Struga, Ohrid

Day 7: Ohrid, Kastoria, Kalabaka

Day 8: Kalabaka, Thessaloniki, Melnik, Sandansky

Day 9: Sandansky, Rila, Sofia

Day 10: Sofia, Bachkovo, Plovdiv

Day 11: Plovdiv, Kazanlak, Shipka, Etar, Arbanassi, Veliko Tarnovo

Day 12: Veliko Tarnovo, Basarbovo, Bucharest

Day 13: Bucharest

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania