Montenegro/Croatia/Bosnia-Herzegovina/Serbia/Slovenia

Best of the Balkans: From Medieval Fortresses to the Majestic Adriatic Sea

Program No. 15878RJ
Discover the rich cultural and social history of the Balkans, a place of ancient trade routes, architecture, breath-taking scenery and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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At a Glance

Journey through five nations of the former Yugoslavia, crossing the dramatic Dinaric Alps, discovering ancient palaces and marveling at the sun-dappled water of the Adriatic Sea. Learn about the complex ancient and recent history of these resilient countries at medieval UNESCO World Heritage Sites and in bustling capital cities. Immerse yourself in the Balkans' renowned scenic splendor, admiring the lush countryside on boat excursions and discovering picture-perfect Lake Bled, Slovenia's most photographed site.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking through city streets; cobblestones and many stairs.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Montenegro, Dubrovnik, Split, and more.
  • Enjoy a boat excursion on the captivating Adriatic Sea.
  • Discover Lake Bled, a scene right out of a storybook with a romantic hilltop castle.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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17 days
16 nights
33 meals
15 B 8 L 10 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Herceg Novi
D
Palmon Bay Hotel & Spa

Activity note: Check-in available from 2:00 PM.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room, enjoy a Welcome Dinner. Unless otherwise noted, dinners on this program are typically a three-course set menu. Please note that water is included in the program cost at all meals.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
3
Herceg Novi Bay, Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi
B,L
Palmon Bay Hotel & Spa

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 2 hours of walking. Please note that Herceg Novi is known as the “city of stairs”, so there will be a lot of steps with and without railings. The boat ride in the Adriatic Bay of Herceg Novi will be approximately 3 hours long with one stop to get on in the afternoon.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, the daily breakfast will offer a buffet with breads, cheeses, cold-cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea and water.

Morning: Enjoy an expert-led boat excursion on the Adriatic in Herceg Novi Bay. View an Austrian-built fortress on a small island, the Blue Cave, and then stop in Rose, one of the oldest settlements in the region, for a short stroll.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Herceg Novi, enjoy a light lunch of local fare. Unless otherwise noted, lunches on this program are typically a two-course set menu.

Afternoon: Our Group Leader will lead us on an expert-led walk of Herceg Novi. Founded in 1382, this medieval town was formerly known as Castel Nuovo, or “new castle” in Italian, because of its many fortresses. Walk through the winding streets, the Forte Mare, and the port of the city alongside your group, and then enjoy some free time to independently explore on your own. After returning to the hotel, we will listen to a lecture on the history and present-day life of Montenegro.

Dinner: On your own. This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to explore local fare. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Kotor and Kotor Bay
Herceg Novi
B,D
Palmon Bay Hotel & Spa

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: Begin the morning with a panoramic drive through Herceg Novi, where we will see some of the small coastal towns and islands off the Bay of Kotor. These sites are internationally recognized as some of Montenegro’s most iconic cultural treasures. We will then head towards the small town of Perast. Despite its current small population of 400 people, palaces from the Renaissance and Baroque eras attest to this town’s history as a favored vacation spot for Venetian and Russian nobles. Home to one of the best maritime schools in the 18th century, this town was also has a strong seafaring heritage. After exploring Perast, we will take a short motor boat ride into the bay to an artificial island known as Our Lady of the Rocks. According to legend, two sailors passing by this part of the bay in 1452 encountered the image of Madonna and the Child upon a rock. Since then, generations of seamen have pledged their faith to the saint by laying a rock on the bay after each successful voyage. Over time, an islet emerged from the sea, upon which a small chapel was erected. Such was its fame that the chapel was gifted masterful paintings and thousands of silver plates. After some time to explore the island, we will return to shore once again via motor boat.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: We will board the motorcoach once again and head to explore Kotor’s Old Town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its exceptional architecture and stunning natural setting. Founded by the Romans, and traded back and forth between empires for centuries, Kotor was an important center of commerce and the arts. See some of the town’s famous sites, such as its Venetian city walls and the local Maritime Museum, during a short walking excursion before having time on your own to explore Kotor independently.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
5
Dubrovnik, Free Time
Dubrovnik
B,D
Grand Hotel Park

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking, plus any additional walking done during your free time in Dubrovnik. The drive from Herceg Novi to Dubrovnik is approximately 2 hours long and includes a border crossing, so please have your passports ready.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: After breakfast, we will board a motorcoach and journey towards Dubrovnik. We will take an excursion of Dubrovnik’s Old Town on foot, passing by the Onofrio Fountain, Saint Blaise’s Church, the Franciscan Monastery and the famous Rector’s Palace. you will learn about the history of Dubrovnik Republic, its diplomacy in politics affairs, trade and the beauty of remarkable architecture reflecting its historical glory and freedom.

Lunch: On your own in Old town.

Afternoon: Free Time. Enjoy some time to explore Dubrovnik on your own. In your free time you can explore Dubrovnik City Walls and take funicular to Mountain Srd for a magnificent view to the Old Town. Late afternoon we will check in and settle into our rooms before dinner.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
6
Cetina Valley, Mestrovic Gallery
Solin
B,L,D
Hotel President Solin

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking and standing for long periods of time. There are over 60 steps leading to the main house of the Mestrovic Gallery, as well as some additional steps to reach the upper floors of the museum. The drive from Dubrovnik to Omis is approximately 3.5 hours long, it is then an additional 1 hour to Split.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: We will check-out of our hotel and make our way to Omis, Croatia. The coach with travel along the beautiful seafront, where we will enjoy a stunning view of picturesque islands and rich Mediterranean vegetation. We will get an opportunity to enjoy this view further upon our arrival towards Omis, where we will enjoy the views of Cetina river.

Lunch: En route, in local restaurant.

Afternoon: Board the coach once again as we make our way to Split. Upon arrival, we will take an expert-led excursion of the Mestrovic Gallery, situated in the villa where sculptor Ivan Mestrovic used to live. Known as the greatest 20th century sculptor in Croatia, Mestrovic's works can be found all over the world. On display at the gallery are bronze, marble and wood sculptures, along with drawings, architectural plans and family furniture.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
7
Split, Free Time
Solin
B,L
Hotel President Solin

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: After breakfast we will enjoy an expert-led lecture as an introduction to Split. After the lecture, we will head out on an expert-led field trip of the city of Split. We will begin at Diocletian’s Palace, a palace and fortress built by Roman Emperor Diocletian shortly after abdicating his throne at the turn of the 4th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, this palace is considered one of the most significant monuments of the Roman Era. It’s remain lie on what is considered the old town of Split, and after our visit, we will continue our exploration of the old town by visiting the Peristyle, the Cathedral, and some of the majestic statues of Ivan Mestrovic – the greatest Croatian sculptor of the 20th century.

Lunch: In the hotel dining room.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in the city of Split.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
8
Mostar, Free Time
Sarajevo
B,D
Hotel President Sarajevo

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking. Please be careful when crossing the Old Bridge at Mostar, as the stone work makes it very smooth and slippery to walk on. The drive from Split to Mostar is approximately 3 hours, it is then an additional 2 hours to Sarajevo. Please note that this day includes a border crossing, so be sure to have your passports ready.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: We will check-out of our hotel and begin our journey towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will begin our visit with an exploration of Mostar, the largest city in Herzegovina and the fifth-largest in the country. Mostar is located on the Neretva River and is named after the bridge keepers, or “mostari”, who guarded the old bridge, or “stari most”, from invaders during medieval times. The Old Bridge was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, and is considered one of the most exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans. Unfortunately, the original bridge collapsed due to shelling during the Bosnian War in 1993, but was reconstructed to its original design in 2004 and deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mostar is known for its multicultural architectural features, including examples of pre-Ottoman, eastern Ottoman, Mediterranean and western European architecture styles.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Enjoy some free time to explore more of Mostar. Afterwards, we will board the coach once again and make our way to Sarajevo, where we will check-in to our new hotel.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
9
Sarajevo, Free Time
Sarajevo
B,D
Hotel President Sarajevo

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: Today we will begin our exploration of Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On a field trip that will be part on bus and part on foot, we will explore various parts of the city including the old Ottoman neighborhood of Bascarsija, the Austro-Hungarian architecture alongside the river, and the former Jewish quarter of the city. We will also take a visit to the Latin Bridge, where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914 and whose murder sparked the beginning of World War I. As we venture further into the Old Town, we will also take a visit to the “war tunnel”, also known as the Tunnel of Hope, which connected the city of Sarajevo to an area controlled by the United Nations during the Bosnian War. This tunnel was built by the Bosnian Army in 1993 and made it possible for both supplies to make their way into the city, and for people to get out.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. Before dinner, enjoy a lecture on the history and present day of Bosnia-Herzegovina at the hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
10
Panoramic Sceneries of Bosnia and Serbia
Belgrade
B,L,D
HOTEL ENVOY

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 1 hour of walking. The drive from Sarajevo to Belgrade is approximately 6 hours long and includes a border crossing, so please have your passports ready.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: Today we travel to Belgrade. During this journey, we will see impressive Bosnian undiscovered mountains. Entering Serbia, we will continue towards Belgrade and arrive early afternoon.

Lunch: Lunch en-route.

Afternoon: Upon arrival to Belgrade, we will make a visit to the Nikola Tesla Musuem. Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electricity supply system. This museum is dedicated to honoring and displaying the life and works of Tesla, and includes more than 160,000 original documents and 1,000 technical exhibits of his work. After our visit, we will head to our new hotel for check-in.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
11
Belgrade, Free Time
Belgrade
B,D
HOTEL ENVOY

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: Today we will explore the city of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and former capital of Yugoslavia. Belgrade is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas of Europe, and was first founded at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, where the now historic Kalemegdan Fortress lies. This fortress was built around the 3rd century BC by the Celtic tribe of Scordisci, and used to encompass the whole city (then called “Singidunum”) within its walls. During our field trip we will learn how this city rapidly expanded and grew, and was influenced by a multitude of cultures and architectural styles in later centuries. Among some of the sites seen today will be the main pedestrian street of Knez Mihailova, featuring a series of buildings and mansions of the 1800s, the Church of Saint Sava, the largest Orthodox church in Serbia modelled after the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul, and the “House of Flowers”, the memorial center of former Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito.

Lunch: Lunch on your own.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Belgrade on your own.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
12
Novi Sad, Srijemski Karlovci
Novi Sad
B,L
Hotel Centar

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 4 hours of walking. The drive from Belgrade to Novi Sad is approximately 1.5 hours.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: Today we will head towards northern Serbia. We will pass by Srijemski Karlovci and magnificent forth Petrovaradin to reach town of Novi Sad. We will begin with a walking exploration of the city of Novi Sad. Founded in 1694 by merchant Serbs and quickly becoming an important trading, manufacturing and cultural center, Novi Sad has earned the nickname of “Serbian Athens”. It is today the second largest city in all of Serbia, and is a key industrial and financial center in the country.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will have expert-led lecture and learn about the past and present history of the region of Vojvodina, an area on the border of the Ottoman Empire and the Western World. You will have some free time to explore town on your own.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
13
Ilok, Lipizzan Stud Farm
Zagreb
B,L
Hotel Dubrovnik Zagreb

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 1 hour of walking. The drive from Novi Sad to Zagreb is approximately 4.5 hours and includes a border crossing, so please have your passports ready.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: After breakfast we will head towards Ilok, a town situated on the very border of Croatia and Serbia. This town is known for its long history of winemaking, and we will get the exciting opportunity to visit wine cellars that have been part of this town’s history for more than 200 years. During our visit we will explore wine cellars, learn about Ilok’s history and enjoy a tasting of local wines.

Lunch: Lunch in local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch we will make our way to the State Lipizzan Stud Farm, where you can see and learn about this unique breed of riding horse developed during the 16th century in the Habsburg Empire. In this farm, housing hundreds of horses, explore the relationship between horse and man in the building of European history. After our visit, we will board our coach once again and continue towards Zagreb. We will check-in to our new hotel and enjoy some time to relax into our rooms before dinnertime.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
14
Zagreb, Free Time
Zagreb
B,L
Hotel Dubrovnik Zagreb

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 2 hours of walking.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: This morning we will have an Expert-led lecture - region overview you have visited on your program. After lecture we will explore the historic city of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Enjoy a walking excursion from the Upper Town to the lively main square of the city, Ban Jelacic Square. This square is named after city’s founder, Count Josip Jelacic, after he formerly unified the neighboring settlements of Kaptol and Gradec into a single city in 1850. Among some of the sites we will see during our excursion are the Cathedral and Saint Marks Church.

Lunch: In local restaurant.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Zagreb on your own.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
15
Lake Bled
Ljubljana
B,L,D
City Hotel Ljubljana

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 2 hours of walking. The drive from Zagreb to Bled is approximately 3 hours, it is then another 1 hour to Ljubljana. Please note that this day includes a border crossing, so be sure to have your passports ready.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: We will check-out of our hotel and begin our journey towards Ljubljana, Slovenia. On our way, we will visit Lake Bled, one of the prettiest Alpine resort, known for its natural beauty, crystal clear lake water, magnificent castle over the lake on the rock overviewing the Julian Alps. In the middle of the lake admire the small island with the church. We will visit the Old castle, the most photographed site in Slovenia.

Lunch: We will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, enjoy your free time admiring the lake and natural beauty before we make our way to Ljubljana. Upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel and have a lecture by a local expert on the topic of Slovenia.

Dinner: In the hotel dining room.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
16
Ljubljana, Free Time
Ljubljana
B,D
City Hotel Ljubljana

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to 2 hours of walking.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: We will begin our morning with an expert-led excursion of Ljubljana on foot. Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia, and one of the smallest capital cities in all of Europe. This city derives its name from the Ljubljanica River, which divides the city into two halves and provides an attractive and intimate boardwalk for visitors. The riverside area by the Old Town also includes many restaurants and coffee shops, making it a popular destination for locals and foreigners alike. Ljubljana’s unique character is heavily marked by the design of famous Slovene architect, Joze Plecnik, whose influence can be seen throughout the city.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Ljubljana on your own. We suggest to take a cable care to discover Ljubljana Castle and admire the view of the city from above.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
17
Program Concludes
In Flight
B

Activity note: Check-out by 11:00 AM.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.






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