21 Day Best of Balkan Tour 2025
Tour Code: EBT
ON SALE
Duration:
21 days
Price From:
$8,890
Single Supplement: $1,450
Pay only $400 per person to secure your tour today.
Book Now Customize Tour

Summary

Description

This Grand Balkan one-way coach tour starts in Zagreb, and travels to the Balkans most distinct towns, sights and spots in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia. On the way you will experience the history, culture, and everyday life of different nations and religions living together on the peninsula of Balkans.

Route:

Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia.

Itinerary

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Depart Sydney or Melbourne to Zagreb, capital of Croatia via Dubai on Emirates Airways in the evening and fly overnight.
Flight Details:
  1. EK413 12 Apr. Sydney – Dubai 21:10/05:40 (13 Apr.)
  2. EK407 12 Apr. Melbourne – Dubai 21:15/05:15 (13 Apr.)
Connect your flight in Dubai to Zagreb and arrive in the afternoon. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Croatian capital Zagreb for a panoramic tour with a bus (King Tomislav Square, Marulic Square, Opera House...). Accommodation at hotel with time to rest and refresh. Free time for leisure in the centre of the city for first impression possible if required. Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Flight Details:
  1. EK2012 13 Apr. Dubai – Zagreb 09:20/13:30
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Meal Inclusions: D
Enjoy a Zagreb city tour in the morning including walking tour through Dolac Market and visit to the Cathedral. Scroll around Ban Jelacic Square and take a ride a funicular to St Mark's Square and see Parliament House and Presidential Palace, Stone Gate… Depart from Zagreb and cross the border into Slovenia for an afternoon arrival in Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia. Visit the castle and enjoy a walking tour through old city centre. In the evening, we will arrive at the second biggest Slovenian town Maribor. Accommodation at a 4* hotel Included: ride with funicular in Zagreb and entrance to the castle in Ptuj.
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Meal Inclusions: B.D
We first start with a morning city tour through the old centre of Maribor: Franciscan Church, Castle, Slomsek Square, Theatre, University, Main Square with a visit to the old Vine – the oldest in the World. Depart from Maribor and arrive at the famous Carthusian Monastery in Zice (over 800 years old). Start our visit to the ruins of the monastery. Next stop will be in the famous wine region nearby to visiting one of the nearby wine cellars for wine tasting. Continue to the central part of Slovenia and arrive at the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. A dinner with traditional folklore program will follow (Slovenian evening). Accommodation at a 4* hotel. Included: entrance to the Carthusian Monastery in Zice, visit to the wine cellar with tasting.
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel.
Meal Inclusions: B.D
In the morning we will walk through the streets of Ljubljana, described by many visitors as the most beautiful capital in the world. Walk along its lively streets, feel the life in the Central Market and in numerous picturesque squares. See the famous Triple Bridge, make a stop at the Dragon Bridge, ascend to the mighty Ljubljana Castle via funicular railway, and visit one of the many pubs along the Ljubljana embankment. In the afternoon, depart to the northwestern part of Slovenia to Lake Bled. Visit Bled, the pearl of the Alps with more than a thousand years of history. Drive and walk along the famous Lake with its island and the castle high above its clear surface. Boat trip to Bled Island in a traditional Pletna boat. Ring the wishing bell and let some of our wishes come true. We will also have a chance to taste a famous dessert – the “Bled cream cake.” Afterwards, return to Ljubljana. Included: return ticket for cable car (funicular) to the Ljubljana castle, boat trip to Bled Island in a traditional Pletna boat, entrance to St. Mary Church on the Bled Island.
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel in Skopje.
Meal Inclusions: B.D
Day trip to Postojna and the Slovenian coast. Visit the World famous Postojna cave on train and with a local guide. Stop at Lipica to admire white Lipicaner horses. Visit the old coastal town of Piran (Tartini Square and St. George Church). Return to Ljubljana. Stay overnight at Ljubljana. Included: entrance fee to the Postojna cave.
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Meal Inclusions: B.D
In the morning, depart to the southeast of Slovenia. We will have interesting stop at Castle Otocec. Then cross the border into Croatia and continue to the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Visit the park and admire one of the biggest natural sights in Croatia. Return to the highway and continue to the coastal region of Dalmatia. Accommodation in Sibenik or nearby. Accommodation at a 4* hotel. Included: entrance fee to Plitvice Lakes National Park
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Meal Inclusions: B.D
After breakfast drive to Krka National Park, named after the Krka River that it encloses, is a beautiful park of breathtaking scenery. Enjoy a walking tour over the wooden path to see stunning waterfalls. Our next stop will be at the open air museum Etnoland Dalmati. Visit to the museum to learn about local traditions. A typical Croatian lunch with wine included will follow. In the afternoon visit the old town centre of Sibenik with its famous St. James Cathedral (listed under UNESCO World Heritage). Return to hotel. Included: entrance fee to Krka National Park, entrance fee to the open air museum Etnoland Dalmati with lunch included, entrance fee to St. James cathedral in Sibenik
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel in Budva or nearby.
Meal Inclusions: B.L.D
After breakfast continue to drive along the coast to the medieval town of Trogir and stop to admire the old town centre and some time for leisure. In the afternoon, arrive at Omis and enjoy a boat tour through Cetina River Gorge – a natural sight. Continue onto the famous Makarska Riviera coast with accommodation in Makarska or nearby. Accommodation at a 4* hotel. Included: boat trip through Cetina River Gorge
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel near Dubrovnik.
Meal Inclusions: B.D
In the morning, depart from Makarska and cross the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will visit Medjugorje – very well-known pilgrimage place for Christians – and stop for a visit to the sanctuary. Continue to medieval part of Mostar and see famous bridge over Neretva River. A walking tour through this city with its oriental spirit will follow. In the afternoon, return to Croatia through a very scenic valley by the Neretva River and travel along the Dalmatian coast to Dubrovnik - pearl of the Adriatic and protected by UNESCO World Heritage. As a museum city and at the same time a live stage, it represents a perfect cross between the past and the present. Enjoy a first panoramic tour. Accommodation at a 4* hotel near Dubrovnik.
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Meal Inclusions: B.D
After breakfast visit the old town centre of Dubrovnik- Stradun, Onofrio's Fountain, Franciscan Monastery, which contains one the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and Dubrovnik Cathedral. Walk around the town walls and enjoy a free time for leisure in the afternoon in Dubrovnik (optional tour with cable car to Srd Hill - the best view of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area). Accommodation at a hotel near Dubrovnik. Included: entrance fee to the Franciscan monastery with pharmacy and ascend to the town walls in Dubrovnik.
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel. in Makarska or nearby
Meal Inclusions: B.D
Depart from Dubrovnik and cross the border into Montenegro and travel along Boka Kotorska bay to Kotor – medieval town under UNESCO protection. Stop for a visit. Afternoon arrival at Budva – one of the most famous seaside resort in Montenegro. We will have a short walking tour through the old town centre with accommodation in Budva or nearby. Accommodation at a 4* hotel.
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel in Sibenik or nearby
Meal Inclusions: B.D
After breakfast drive along the coast of Montenegro and stop near the famous Sveti Stefan. Cross the border into Albania and travel through Shodra to Kruja, the old Albanian capital. Visit the Skenderbeg Fortress and Museum. Accommodation in Tirana or Durres at a 4* hotel Included: entrance fee to the Skenderbeg Fortress and Museum in Kruja
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Meal Inclusions: B.D
In the morning, enjoy a city tour of the Albanian Capital Tirana: Skenderbeg Square, watch tower, opera house, National Library, Etem Beg Mosque. We will also visit the National Museum. Afterwards, travel through Elbasan to the Macedonian border. Arrive at Ohrid Lake and stay overnight in Ohrid city. Accommodation at a 4* hotel. Included: entrance fee to the National Museum in Tirana.
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel.
Meal Inclusions: B.D
In the morning, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour in Ohrid Old City Town which is listed under UNESCO World Heritage. Enjoy the local architecture, St. Sofia Church, Roman Amphitheatre, Samoil's Fortress, market place "carsija." Travel to the northern part of Macedonia and in the afternoon arrive at the capital city of Skopje and enjoy a sightseeing tour including a visit to Fortress Kale, stone bridge, St. Spas Orthodox Church, the mosque and famous market place "carsija." Accommodation in Skopje at a 4* hotel. Included: entrance fees to St. Sofia Church and Samoil's Fortress in Ohrid and entrance fees to the fortress in Skopje
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Meal Inclusions: B.D
After breakfast, leave Skopje for the east and cross the border into Bulgaria. Travel through the Bulgarian countryside and visit one of Bulgaria's most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites. Stop to visit Rila Monastery, the biggest and most frequented religious and tourist site in Bulgaria. Arrive at the Bulgarian capital Sofia in the late afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a folklore show with dinner. Accommodation at a 4* hotel in Sofia. Included: entrance fee to the Rila Monastery
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Meal Inclusions: B.D
After breakfast we will enjoy city tour of Sofia which includes sites like St. Sofia Church, Cathedral of Aleksander Nevski, Parliament, University, Russian Monument Square. Depart from Sofia and cross border to Serbia. Travel north passing Nis. Later we will arrive at Serbian capital: Belgrade. A typical dinner with local musicians will be organised at Skadarlija – part of the old town with bohemian atmosphere. Accommodation at a 4* hotel.
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Meal Inclusions: B.D
After breakfast city tour of Belgrade will follow: Market Place, University, Parliament, Nikola Pasic Square Republica Square, Knez Mihajlova street, Kalemegdan – old fortress of Belgrade. We will also visit the unfinished Orthodox church of St. Sava. After that, enjoy a boat tour on either Sava or Danube River, depending on the river conditions. Enjoy dinner with music in one of the floating restaurants on the river. Included: boat trip on Sava or Danube river.
Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel
Meal Inclusions: B.D
In the morning, we are at leisure to explore Belgrade on our own. We will be transferred to Belgrade airport for our flight to Dubai in the evening. We will fly overnight.
Flight Details:
  1. EK2295 30 Apr. Belgrade (BEG) – Dubai 23:55/07:05 (01 May)
Meal Inclusions: B
Upon arrival, connect our Emirates flight to Sydney or Melbourne.
Flight Details:
  1. EK412 01 May Dubai – Sydney 10:15/06:05 (Next day)
  2. EK406 01 May Dubai – Melbourne 10:05/05:30 (Next day)
We will arrive in Sydney or Melbourne in the morning. Our unforgettable Balkan tour ends.

Inclusions

1. Economy class airfare Sydney/Melbourne – Dubai – Zagreb//Belgrade – Dubai – Sydney/Melbourne on Emirates Airways with airport tax and fuel surcharge;
2. Seventeen-night accommodation on double/twin shared basic in nice 4-star hotels with buffet breakfasts (accommodation near Dubrovnik will be on Bosnian side).
3. Seventeen dinners and one lunch, mostly at hotel restaurants, some dinners (as mentioned in the itinerary) will be organized with program in the local restaurants;
4. Transportation with modern air-conditioned bus according to the itinerary;
5. All highway tolls and road taxes and parking fees according to the itinerary;
6. Sightseeing with entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary;
7. Step on local English-speaking guides in some places;
8. English speaking guide for complete duration of the trip;
9. Gratuities to guide and drivers ($170 per person for the whole trip).

Exclusions

1. Travel insurance;
2. Beverage at meals;
3. Meals such as lunches not mentioned in the itinerary;
4. Other entrance fees not mentioned in the itinerary;
5. Personal expenses.

Dates & Prices

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Departure Date
Return Date
Price
Sat
12 Apr 2025
Fri
02 May 2025
$8,890
Book Now

Reviews

Average Rating:
Based on 2 reviews from ADT clients.
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by Michael Broomhall
October 6, 2023
21 Day Best of Balkan Tour 2025

Best of Balkan Tour

Hi Allan, I returned last night from my Balkan Tour. This email is to let you know that the tour was fantastic. We were very lucky with unexpectedly wonderful weather. The tour was great value and the group of people were fun to be with. However one of the highlights was our guide – Dejan. He remembered me from the Baltic tour I had done with him. His knowledge is just incredible and his kind caring nature made everyone at ease. Pretty impressive for a qualified lawyer. The coach driver, Victor, was also a wonderful driver and a fun person – he had been a police officer! Thanks again for the great trip. Cheers Michael

by Sandiefran
September 13, 2018
21 Day Best of Balkan Tour 2025

Best of Balkan Tour

There were 11 of us on this tour - 9 Aussies and 2 from NZ. We were met at the airport by Dejan, our Slovenian guide for the trip - he was excellent. Good sense of humour and really nothing was too much trouble. We had a 34 seater bus - very comfortable, driven first by the owner of the bus company and then by his son. Both very good drivers. All the hotels were better than I had expected for the price - except for one that even Booking.com had listed as 4* but really was just about 2.5*. ADT will not be using that one again. As well as breakfast, all evening meals were included - usually three courses, occasionally with wine. We always had a salad of sorts but rearely green vegetables - that was really the only thing I missed. We covered seven different countries on the tour, Starting in Zagreb and finishing in Belgrade. While there were many currency changes, we all got by with Euros and in Croatia using Kuna. Euros were quite widely accepted in other countries, and I always got Euros back in change. My 28 degree Mastercard came in handy when I didn't want to use Euros. I did a quick "survey" towards the end of the tour and everyone said that the tour definitely lived up to expectations and in many ways exceeded it. Also it was top value for money. I travelled single and only on one occasion did I have a cramped hotel room - in Maribor I even had a suite - stunning. We were blessed with fine, hot weather, except at the very end of the tour - rather exceptional for September. It was a fabulous trip and I can highly recommend it to anyone who is looking at touring this area of Europe. Date of experience: September 2018

ON SALE
Duration:
21 days
Price From:
$8,890
Single Supplement: $1,450
Tour Route: Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia.
Pay only $400 per person to secure your tour today.
Book Now Customize Tour