The Great Balkan Experience 2023

Welcome to Croatia’s capital! Meet with your Tour Director to get all the information about the tour.

Start your day with a guided walking tour of historical capital Zagreb composed of ‘Gornji Grad’ and ‘Kaptol’, showing you medieval urban complex of churches, palaces, museums, galleries and government buildings, popular sightseeing spots of the city. Free afternoon to enjoy and further discover the city on your own. (B)

Check out from the hotel and travel to Serbia. On the way, stop and visit Novi Sad for lunch and short city tour. Pass by famous Petrovaradin Fortress on the Danube River, The Name of Mary Church, the architectural beauties of Liberty Square, Zmaj Jovina Street, Orthodox Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace. In the late afternoon arrival to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Free time to explore the city and overnight. (B, L)

Discover the Serbian capital with a sightseeing tour in the morning. The tour will guide you through elite city district Dedinje. You will take the road through the famous markets such as the Republic Square with the Parliament, Terazije and Slavija, along the main streets of Belgrade, Kneza Mihaila and finish on the Kalemegdan Fortress, from where you can admire wonderful views of the city and the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Free time in Belgrade in the afternoon. (B)

Optional: Cruise on Danube River

Departure from the hotel in the morning and drive to Skopje. On your way you will stop in Niš, one of the oldest cities in the Balkans and Europe, which has from ancient times been considered a gateway between the East and West. After turbulent history, Niš became one of the most important industrial centres in Serbia, a centre of electronics and mechanical engineering, textile and tobacco industry. Arrival to Skopje in the late afternoon. Accommodation and free time. (B, L)

Enjoy the North Macedonian capital Skopje in the morning and begin with sightseeing of the stone bridge, the Church of St Spas, Kale Fortress, a mosque and others. You will also walk through the picturesque old bazaar and enjoy the atmosphere. In the afternoon drive to stunning Lake Ohrid. Accommodation by the lake and free time. (B, L)

The town of Ohrid was also known as the town of 365 churches (one for each day of the year) and was considered as second Jerusalem. Even with only 70 churches left, UNESCO listed it under its World Heritage Site as one of the oldest and most complete architectural ensembles in the south-eastern part of Europe. After the sightseeing tour, continue to Albania to visit its capital Tirana, also Albania’s largest city. It is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate and numbers of beautiful churches and lush parks. You will visit the Et’hem Bey Mosque, Clock Tower, the Palace of Culture and the monument to 'Mother Albania'. (B, L)

Drive to Montenegro. On the way stop to visit and admire Lake Skadar National Park, the last habitat of pelicans and the largest bird preservation park in Europe. In the afternoon reach Podgorica. Short, guided walk through city centre will reveal colourful history of the city through Starodoganjska Mosque, Republic Square, Millennium Bridge, Vysotsky Monument, Cathedral of Resurrection of Christ, King Nikola’s Castle and tower clock from the 17th century. Accommodation and free time to further discover the capital on your own. (B, L)

Optional: Wine Tasting, Lipa Cave visit

From the capital back to Adriatic, with morning coffee in Budva. Later on, continue to Kotor, which is located along one of Montenegro’s most beautiful bays and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Final stop before crossing back to Croatia, will be a small hidden pearl, Perast. The town has experienced the biggest boom in the 18th century and most of the monuments originate from that time: the building of ship owners and sea captains, a baroque palace Bujovića which is now County Museum, Maritime School building. In the late afternoon drive to Dubrovnik, Croatian “Pearl of the Adriatic”. (B, L)

Dubrovnik is a unique jewel of the Adriatic Coast and is one of the most iconic cities in the world. The city-state of Dubrovnik was one of the most important merchant towns in the entire Adriatic region. Walk along the medieval wall that surrounds the old town centre and discover its ancient secret. Passing Pile Gate, Franciscan Monastery, visiting Rectors’ Palace, and discovering magnificent wall will amaze you. The afternoon will be free for exploring the city on your own or join an optional tour to the Island of Lokrum, famous for its Fort Royale, Botanical Gardens and monastery. (B)

Today travel to Bosnia & Herzegovina. Your first stop will be monument from Ottoman times, the famous city of Mostar. Stroll around its old town and medieval streets, admire the young guys jumping from famous Old Bridge to cold Neretva River. In the afternoon drive to Sarajevo, Bosnian capital. Rest of the day at leisure. (B, L)

Start with sightseeing some of the city’s main attractions, Baščaršija, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, City Hall, the Princip's Bridge. View three different religious buildings, the Catholic church, the synagogue and the mosque. Continue sightseeing with a visit to Ilidža. There’s also time for some traditional Bosnian meatballs, meat patties, sweet tufahija, and maybe some entertainment in the city. (B)

In the morning drive back to Adriatic Coast to visit Split, the capital city of Dalmatia. The old town centre with its Roman Diocletian Palace is part of UNESCO World Heritage and is the most compelling ancient Roman monument in Croatia. Upon arrival, lunch and then afternoon exploring the centre with a city tour that will take you to the Palace, Cathedral, Golden Gate and to the famous promenade - Split Riva. Rest of the day is free to leisurely enjoy the city on your own. (B, L)

Say goodbye to the seaside and head on to discovering hinterland of Croatia. You will visit one of the most beautiful sites of nature in all of Europe. Plitvice Lakes National Park comprises of 16 terrace lakes, all interconnected by waterfalls, and kilometres of wooden bridges and forest paths. This amazing part of Croatia is also on UNESCO World Heritage list. In the afternoon free time to enjoy the pristine nature. Return to Zagreb and in the evening join your group for a Farewell Dinner where you will talk about most memorable moments of the tour and plan for new ones. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel and free time until departure transfer to Zagreb Airport. (B)