Montenegro/Croatia/Bosnia-Herzegovina/Serbia/Slovenia
Best of the Balkans: From Medieval Fortresses to the Majestic Adriatic Sea
Program No. 15878RJ
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Best of the Balkans: From Medieval Fortresses to the Majestic Adriatic Sea
Best of the Balkans: From Medieval Fortresses to the Majestic Adriatic Sea
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Participant Reviews
Based on 49 Reviews
SHOWING
This was an incredible trip to a beautiful, historically significant, and culturally rich part of the world. Over 17 days, our group explored five out of the six republics that once made up Yugoslavia. We visited major cities and traveled along the stunning Dalmatian coast, as well as through the mountainous regions of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia. We gained valuable insights into the recent history of the area, particularly the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the 1990s and the tragic siege of Sarajevo. In Split, Croatia, we toured the ruins of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s early 4th-century palace. This trip offered excellent lessons in the history of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Western Ottoman Empire, the Slavic migrations to the Balkans, and the origins of World War I. It also provided a glimpse into the contemporary lives and attitudes of Montenegrins, Croats, Bosnians, Serbs, and Slovenes, many of whom we had the opportunity to meet and interact with.
Our primary tour guide, Jana Stepic, was superb. She meticulously managed the schedule and ensured that all tour activities, transportation, and meals were taken care of. Her enthusiasm, humor, and genuine concern for the well-being of the tour members made her an invaluable leader. We were very fortunate to have such an outstanding guide. Additionally, the local experts at each intermediate destination were outstanding. They were knowledgeable about the history and culture of their respective areas, delivered well-prepared informative presentations, and effectively answered our questions.
In conclusion, the “Best of the Balkans” tour exceeded our expectations. We highly recommend it to anyone interested in the history and culture of this region and its significant role in European and global politics.
— Review left January 10, 2026
Excellent in all ways. Our guide was well informed, articulate and full of funny jokes to keep us engaged! He was particularly helpful when several members of our group encountered health issues...
— Review left November 20, 2025
This program provides an opportunity to learn the fascinating history of a particularly beautiful part of the world. You'll have a deeper understanding of the concept East meets West after learning about the culture, geography and religion of these lovely countries.
— Review left October 28, 2025
This was a trip of a lifetime. Lots of walking and a packed schedule of activities! But with some unscheduled time every day. Our guide not only propelled us admirably, she with good humor continually lifted our spirits over this long trip that included some heavy war-torn subject matter. We overate on local specialties. This tour goes to places off the beaten path with local expert guides, several of whom were local professors, who are not accessible to non-Road Scholar groups. The "Scholar" nomenclature is no joke. We bypassed queues at museums and restaurants, and enjoyed comfortable, mostly luxury, hotel accommodations. Highly recommend this trip if you like learning about history, meeting new and interesting people, reflecting on world affairs, and trying new cuisines.
— Review left October 26, 2025
An excellent trip to a beautiful region. Well organized and managed. Our outstanding group leader Srdjan Boskovic and highly skillful driver Ivan, greatly contributed to its success.
— Review left October 25, 2025
Our trip thrpugh exciting cultural interactions with diverse peoples emphacized their fascinating histories effects on their present lives.
I got much more from this journey than a previous trip to too few countries with concentrating on only touristy destinations.
— Review left October 15, 2025
Excellent Program! I not only learned a lot about the Balkans, its history and conflicts, but also enjoyed beautiful cities and people.
— Review left October 8, 2025
This was our first Road Scholar trip. As we have reported earlier to Road Scholar this trip was a true disappointment. We were left alone to explore 60-70 percent of the time not accompanied by a local guide nor by tour manager. It was conducted largely like a independent tour, but we had paid tour led prices. There were at least two sites listed on program that the tour manager did not take us to.
Most of meals that were covered by the tour price were luke-warm hotel buffet dinners. We felt ripped off.
Since we were first-timers, we asked our fellow travelers if the quality of this trip met their expectations. 80 percent had been on previous Road Scholar trips and they all said this trip quality in terms of guided tour and food was much, much below their expectations compared to what they have experienced in their prior trips. Some have had gone to 10-20 Road Scholar trips. I guess we were simply very unlucky.
We hope our next trip with Road Scholar will be a better experience for everyone.
— Review left July 30, 2025
This has been one of the best Road Scholar trips I have been on (I've participated in 22 different trips). These countries were so fascinating, beautiful scenery, lovely cities and good food. So much history of these places, former country of Yugoslavia. Our tour leader, Bashkim, was FANTASTIC. He was very knowledgeable about each country -- history, culture, politics. And he was kind person who took extra good care of all of us--including managing various diet restrictions in local restaurants. I highly recommend folks visiting The Balkans.
— Review left June 26, 2025
This program lived up to what was advertised to be. Our guide was exceptional in every way and added tremendously to the enjoyment of the trip. We had a great bus driver who was truly an “artist “ a maneuvering the bus through lots of traffic plus a round about of 4 lanes of very busy city traffic with cars coming from everywhere!! He was a joy!! It was a terrific trip and we highly recommend it.
— Review left June 8, 2025
The trip began stressfully, with KLM, the airline Road Scholar booked me through, cancelled our San Fran to Amsterdam flight the evening before takeoff, and gave no help through their suggested on-line venue. It was a Saturday evening, and RS itself was relatively unhelpful via their travel assistance #.A representative there couldn't come up with a reasonable alternative and finally suggested I book it myself and submit a claim, which is in process. (Between Road Scholar and the travel insurance< I have subsequently received a full refund, HR 7/12/25).
The airline booking issue aside, the tour was excellent, although strenuous in the travel involved and in the general walking around.. We enjoyed every part of it: every stop was well planned an executed. The hotels were satisfactory to us - we would happily have booked them ourselves. There were some long bus rides but the bus was new, very comfortable, and the driver Damir, was a great person and obviously an expert driver. The scenery was great. Additionally, our tour leader, Bashkim, was exceptionally knowledgeable about every facet of the Balkans, geography, history, politics and more, and gave illuminating talks along the way: absolutely great.
Kotor was a surprise jewel, the magnificent bay was beautiful and the walled old city was fascinating. Dubrovnik, with its magnificent ancient wall and intact old city was a highlight of the trip. Diocletian's palace in Split was definitely worth a visit. Sarajevo was one of my favorites mainly due to its nice old quarter and its history. Belgrade, at the junction of the Sava and Danube was interesting: a highlight was our visit to the Tesla museum. Novi Sad was very pretty with a nice old quarter: main issue there was the practical unavailability of public toilets. Zagreb was beautiful: I logged 23,000 steps there one day, just walking around. Ljubljana in Slovenia was also fun to tour, very lovely. At this point we were ready to come home. 5 stars all the way. HR
— Review left June 8, 2025
It was a long but rather short trip because we only touched edge of the places. After returning I have watched few documentary about Yugoslavia history and recent war in Bosnia. It brought tears by watching it. I feel like to go back to Bosnia the beautiful country travel deeper to feel the history. I had a wonderful time with the group and thanks to the great guide and driver took us on a safe road trip.
— Review left June 7, 2025
This was a fascinating subject in an area about which I knew very little. It opened my eyes to different worlds and experiences with amazing leaders and teachers and really interesting participants. The group was open to new experiences and there was practically no complaining about accommodations, activities or food.
— Review left June 7, 2025
This is a fine introduction to the Balkans for those unfamiliar with the area. It covers a lot of territory, and makes you want to return to many of the places. This is a good tour to learn history, and experience natural beauty.
— Review left June 5, 2025
The Balkans is an area I never understood until I attended this program. I came away with a much deeper appreciation of the complicated history of this area as well as the warmth and resilience of its people.
— Review left May 29, 2025
Best of the Balkans provided me an outstanding first group travel experience; not having to handle all trip details such as flights, hotels, meals, and itinerary reduced my work load prior to and during the trip to very little. Itinerary was excellent and provided appropriate free time. Tour guide was excellent. Highly recommended!
— Review left May 24, 2025
This was a wonderful and informative program! I knew very little about the Balkans before this trip, and I learned so much! Big kudos go to our leader, Bashkim, who was not just excellent, but rather extraordinary! His knowledge was encyclopedic, and his caring for every one of us was evident every day. I can't wait to go on another RoadScholar trip!
— Review left November 20, 2024
One of the best tours my husband and I have taken. The tour director really made the trip extra special in so many ways! It merits a 5 out of a 5!
— Review left November 6, 2024
Best of the Balkans was a perfectly enjoyable learning experience. It helped me clarify my understanding of centuries of conflicting powers in the region, especially in the late 20th century to the present.
— Review left October 31, 2024
Great first-time experience with Road Scholar and will definitely try them again. Thank you Bashkim and Kresho!
— Review left October 24, 2024
Road Scholar provides an experience that is the right blend of lectures, guided tours and free time. Our guide was very knwledgeable and enjoyable. The food, acomodations and pace of travel were great!
— Review left October 23, 2024
I learned so much about this part of the world. All my life I have heard references to the area that was once Yugoslavia. I came away with a greatly expanded understanding of the history and current way of life. There was some extended driving on a couple days which was necessary to reach certain areas. However, the beauty of this area was spectacular. Mountains, pretty villages, beautiful rivers and ocean.
— Review left October 23, 2024
The Balkans are breathtakingly beautiful and provide important and amazing lessons in history. Best of the Balkans: From Medieval Fortresses to the Majestic Adriatic Sea Is a well organized and presented introduction to both the area and the history. Highly recommended!
— Review left October 10, 2024
There’s only one way to understand the complex history of the former Yugoslavia and that is to experience it first-hand. Thanks to informative lectures, site visits, and a very capable guide, my goal in visiting this beautiful part of the world has been accomplished.
— Review left October 10, 2024
This trip was fantastic! We stayed in great hotels, had an amazing bus and bus driver, and Petra was such a great tour guide! The educational part of the tour was great for the most part, although some of the local guides went on way too long. Being in Bosnia and seeing the destruction from the war was emotionally taxing, but I am glad that I am now informed about what happened. I am in awe of their resilience. The only downfall of this trip was the food. No one seemed to understand that a vegetarian dish should actually contain vegetables. Instead I was given pasta, risotto, and tons of cheese. The last dinner we had as a group had a fantastic vegetarian meal. This lack of healthy vegetarian food gives me pause as to whether or not I would do another trip with Road Scholar.
— Review left October 7, 2024
An extraordinary educational experience in this historic cultural and political crossroads of significant international import. I had wanted to come to the Balkans to better understand all these facets for myself, and directly experiencing the Slavic culture under the guidance of our expert group leader Srdjan Boskovic met my expectations in every way.
— Review left June 12, 2024
Our tour of the Balkan countries was very informative with breathtaking sights and historical buldings and cities. I learned much from guides that I did not know prior to this trip about the past and modern hstory.
— Review left May 29, 2024
This was a wonderful trip! Our guide was fantastic!! Beautiful country!
I couldn't have enjoyed it more!!
— Review left May 29, 2024
Just returned home for The Best of the Balkans trip with Road Scholar. It was an amazing and memorable experience. Beautiful scenery, exciting cities, historical sites, wonderful lectures and local guides, great local food, just the right amount of free time, amazing group leader, and great fellow travelers. Left with amazing memories and beautiful pictures to help me remember my wonderful experience.
— Review left May 26, 2024
Evan was the greatest bus driver. His navigation skills were amazing and the bus was always clean
— Review left May 13, 2024
This was a great trip and I learned a lot about the area comprised of 6 of the nations of the former Yugoslavia. The program was Keep the Pace and it was active. Lots of hotel changes and walking over some uneven surfaces. A bit unnerving in the rain but we all managed. Our leader, Srdjan was very knowledgable and our driver Ivan was a lovely, humble individual who was very helpful.
— Review left May 9, 2024
Traveling through the Balkans was beautiful and thought provoking. I knew little of its history before the trip, but with our exceptional guide, Srdjan, and the many guest lecturers, I have gained a new understanding of this part of the world. From sea to mountains, each city we visited was filled with picture perfect scenes of medieval forts and churches, stunning architecture, and immersion into city life.
— Review left October 18, 2023
Fantastic program! Our Group Leader Alan was exceptional; he possessed a wealth of knowledge about the Balkans and was personable too. Marco, the bus driver, carried us safely to every destination and became a daily fixture in our program. The participants came from varied backgrounds yet we became a cohesive group. The highlights of every country visited are memorable.
— Review left October 8, 2023
If you never try Road Scholar program, you should do so. RS travel included more educational information than general pleasure travel you experience. I felt like I went back to school to learn, but yet not overwhelming by the amount of information presented.
— Review left September 27, 2023
Loved learning further about the history of this important part of the world.
Lovely scenery in particular Dubrovnik to Split
— Review left May 3, 2023
This Road Scholar adventure is top notch from beginning to end. Incredible natural beauty, a rich & complex history, and many wonderful adventures.
— Review left May 3, 2023
Certainly the “Best of the Balkans” with sunny coastlines, impressive mountains, and everything in between. Delightful and charming cities! But the bonus is a fascinating look at the former Yugoslavia and how the countries have transitioned to independent republics. I grew up hearing about all of the conflicts in this region, but didn’t fully understand the how and the why. A great group and a great group leader, Alan!
— Review left October 28, 2022
I can not praise Road Scholars enough. Just took my first Road Scholar's trip, 16 days in the former Balkans, and was blown away. I just showed up with a suitcase and pretty much everything was planned for me. Mercedes tour bus with an excellent driver, 4 star hotels, extremely knowledgeavble tour guide that made everything run seamlessly, excellent local experts, amazing scenary. In addition, the optional travel service providers are excellent. Top to bottom, way to go!
— Review left October 20, 2022
This tour of the Balkans demonstrated how stereotyping the Other, in this case, by religious affiliation, results in disaster. Many of the Balkan states problems are grounded in centuries old beliefs which have been exploited by governing bodies - Ottomans, Local nobles and the AustroHungarian government. The results have been devastating for the governed. The individual citizens we met were courteous, affable and willingly shared their culture but the results of their history were always in view.
— Review left October 5, 2022
Most people know so little about this region: the conquests; the movement of large populations (ethnic groups and religions); and the Balkan wars which have left such a mark, both emotionally and physically. Each country has its own unique story. And each country has pride in their history. I enjoyed this trip very much. The accommodations were excellent (no need to worry about that). The food ranged from excellent to good. The coast is exquisite and the mountains are majestic. This is an important trip to take. You will learn a lot. Not to forget our wonderful Guide Sinisa. He made our trip a delight.
Sheryl Oliver
— Review left October 1, 2022
outstanding program with excellent balance of places visited. Well organized. Excellent value too. Would recommend to anyone seeking insight and knowledge into this complex history and region.
— Review left October 1, 2022
Our trip to the Balkans was a great way to learn about a part of the world with which I was less familiar. Hearing differing points of view on the policial history and current situation helped with understanding and growth.
— Review left May 20, 2022
Excelente trip, enjoyed from day one to the last day!
— Review left November 6, 2021
Another excellent Road Scholar program in the books!
— Review left October 27, 2021
Due to Covid, we seriously debated canceling our trip. The confusing requirements between the airlines and countries were daunting! I’m so glad we persisted. Everyone was required to wear masks at the airports and on flights. Our vaccinated group dropped from 22 to 11, so there was plenty of space for social distancing on the bus. Hotels and restaurants also took precautions. Crowds were down in populated areas and we returned home, Covid free.
If you are looking for a well-rounded experience, diverse cultures, and topography and want to time travel through the centuries, I highly recommend this adventure! Srdjan Boskovic, our personable guide/host, knows the history of this area inside and out. Each of the local guides is just as passionate and knowledgeable about their areas. Covid restrictions and weather limited some activities, nevertheless, our guides offered us a full experience. The food choices were basic. Poultry, pork, beef and fish prepared in the local custom with spices, potatoes and vegetables. We spent a lot of time on the bus between destinations. The diverse scenery never gets tiresome. We traveled along the seacoast, through rugged mountains and fertile plains. Srdjan kept our interest with anecdotes and tales from the history of the area. He also generously shared local sweets he picked up during our breaks along the way. The cities we visited are time capsules, spanning centuries of architectural and historic treasures. The program is correctly rated as “keeping the pace”. Wear sturdy shoes for walking on cobblestone streets and stone steps. Your feet will thank you!! The only complaint — the trip ended too quickly.
— Review left October 24, 2021
This trip is a very solid experience from beginning to end. It is well paced, but it is a steady pace. Occasionally, if a member became tired, they simply took an afternoon off, and the rest of us were happy to share our experiences with them at the evening meal. Our whole group was exceptionally congenial and supportive.
— Review left October 28, 2019
Fascinating part of the world!!
— Review left October 27, 2019
It is one of the best Road Scholar trips I have taken where you enjoy the fresh clean air, surrounded by nature, centuries old history and the beautiful cultures .
Our guide, Srdjan Boskovic, was excellent! He was very passionate about his country and its history. Learned a lot from him.
— Review left June 14, 2019
Each country we visited has been shaped by its early history more recent socialist history and the current over governance but they all had so much to show and share with us.You will come away from this trip with a different attitude about these countries. Each guide had a distinct outlook on his/her city or part of the country It was well directed by Klemon our leader. It was a positive experience all round
— Review left May 16, 2019