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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Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Sep 15 - Oct 1, 2024
Starting at
5,109Sep 22 - Oct 8, 2024
Starting at
5,109Sep 29 - Oct 15, 2024
Starting at
5,099Oct 6 - Oct 22, 2024
Starting at
5,099Oct 13 - Oct 29, 2024
Starting at
5,099Sep 14 - Sep 30, 2025
Starting at
5,429Sep 21 - Oct 7, 2025
Starting at
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17 days
16 nights
33 meals
15B 8L 10D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
2
Arrive, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Herceg Novi
3
Herceg Novi Bay, Herceg Novi
Herceg Novi
4
Kotor and Kotor Bay
Herceg Novi
5
Dubrovnik, Free Time
Dubrovnik
7
Split, Free Time
Solin
8
Mostar, Free Time
Sarajevo
9
Sarajevo, Free Time
Sarajevo
11
Belgrade, Free Time
Belgrade
12
Novi Sad, Srijemski Karlovci
Novi Sad
13
Ilok, Lipizzan Stud Farm
Zagreb
14
Zagreb, Free Time
Zagreb
15
Lake Bled
Ljubljana
16
Ljubljana, Free Time
Ljubljana
17
Program Concludes
In Flight
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
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.
Suggested Reading List
(18 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Best of the Balkans: From Medieval Fortresses to the Majestic Adriatic Sea
Program Number: 15878
The Balkans in World History
A professor at Northwestern University, Wachtel focuses on the traditions and contributions of overlapping cultures in this lively short history.
Spies of the Balkans
A master storyteller, Furst places senior police official Costa Zannis at the center of this taut World War II thriller, his eleventh. The action (and there is plenty) plays out against a backdrop of the Nazi occupation of Salonika.
Zagreb, A Cultural History
An illuminating account of the tumultuous but vibrant history of Croatia's capital, with a strong focus on the art and architecture of the city.
How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed
These short essays capture the absurdity, struggle and day-to-day reality of being a woman in Yugoslavia under communism. Drakulic is an award-winning Croatian journalist and novelist.
The Balkans: Nationalism, War, and the Great Powers, 1804-2011
Longtime central European correspondent for the BBC based in Vienna, Glenny (The Fall of Yugoslavia) poignantly challenges the role of the Great Powers in this survey, newly revised and updated to cover developments in the region through 2011.
Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Macedonia Map
A handy, folded regional travel map (at a scale of 1:1,000,0000), covering former Yugoslavia.
The Balkans, A Short History
With eloquence and clarity, Mazower addresses issues of geography, nationalism and nation in this indispensable survey.
The Bridge on the Drina
These linked stories by the Nobel Prize-winning author capture the history and complexity of Christian and Muslim relations during Ottoman occupation. Hewn of stone, the bridge dividing the town of Visegrad was Andric's inspiration.
Black Lamb and Grey Falcon: A Journey Through Yugoslavia
First published in 1941, this monumental work explores the complex history of Yugoslavia, its heroes, politics and culture. It's a big, challenging book -- some call it the best ever written on the Balkans.
Lonely Planet Southeastern Europe
A compact, practical guide to the region from Slovenia and Croatia, to Bosnia & Hercegovina, Serbia & Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania, as well as Romania, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey.
Eastern Europe!
An entertaining history of the region from its stint as an outpost of Rome through the formation of states, Medieval splendor, Ottoman incursions, wars, the Soviet period and the fall of Yugoslavia. Jankowski divulges, in an epilogue, the recipe for Mrs. Jankowska's Homemade Pierogis.
The Balkans, From Constantinople to Communism
Hupchick looks at European, Orthodox Christian and Muslim influences in the Balkans from early kingdoms through the 1990s in this important survey.
Bury Me Standing
This marvelous portrait of the Roma, also known as the Gypsies, offers insight into their music, foods, religions and folk traditions and also examines their influential but complex relationship with Eastern Europe.
A Traveller's History of Croatia
Curtis untangles with alacrity the complex history of this nation at the crossroads of Europe.
Realm of the Black Mountain, A History of Montenegro
An authoritative history of Montenegro from prehistory through independence in 2006.
Yugoslavia, Death of a Nation
Called "one of the finest volumes to come out of the war" by the New York Times, this book combines eyewitness reports, political commentary and documentary photographs to elucidate the origins and aftermath of the breakup of Yugoslavia.
Palgrave Concise Historical Atlas of the Balkans
The changing borders and complex history of the Balkans are clearly and concisely shown through 50 double-page maps and accompanying essays, organized chronologically.
Balkan Ghosts, A Journey through History
Kaplan interweaves history, art and culture with his travels through Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Romania and Greece in this regional portrait.
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