- Transportation in luxury passenger mini-van with extra leg room
- Transfer to Sarajevo hotel from Sarajevo airport (other airports available for extra cost)
- Tirana transfer out on Day 12
- 11 nights hotel accomodation based on double/twin bed occupancy in a 4 or 5 star hotels
- Full time professional English speaking driver/guide while on the tour
- Local Guides in Sarajevo, Konjic Nuclear Bunker, Kolašin, Tirana, Ohrid, Meteora, Berat, Butrint and Gjirokaster
- Orientational guided walk of Mostar, Kotor, Njegoši, Lovčen,Iraklion,...
- All breakfasts, 6 dinners with drinks, 2 lunches with drinks,..
- Entrance fees to Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo, Konjic Nuclear Bunker, Lovčen Njegoš mausoleum, Tirana Archeological Museum, Ohrid St.Sofia Church, Boat ride on Ohrid Lake, Meteora monastery, Butrint Archeological site and Gjirokastra Fortress
- Organization, basic insurance and VAT
Balkan tour BIH, Montenegro, N. Macedonia, Grecce & Albania – 12 days
12 days/ 11nights
The price is based on the number of people in your group.
Description
This Balkan tour takes you to some lesser-known destinations, offering a unique and off-the-beaten-path experience. While many tour operators might not include places like Kolašin in Montenegro, we believe it’s a hidden gem worth exploring. The same goes for some lesser-known spots in Albania. You may not have heard of Butrint and Berat, but we believe in discovering these places before they become crowded tourist hotspots. Starting in the iconic city of Sarajevo, this tour will lead you to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It covers around 1,700 kilometers of stunning landscapes in the western Balkans, spanning five countries, and includes must-visit destinations like Sarajevo, Tirana, Meteora, and many more hidden gems that will leave a lasting impression on your travel memories.
Day 1
SARAJEVO AIRPORT – SARAJEVO
Your Balkan adventure begins in the iconic city of Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Once you arrive at the international airport, your guide will be there to transfer you to your conveniently located Hotel President 4* or a similar option for a two-night stay. In the afternoon, join your guide for an orientation walk through the city center, exploring its main attraction, the Old Bazar Bascarsija, a historic and cultural hub. Kick off your journey with a welcome drink and a delightful welcome dinner. (D)
Day 2
SARAJEVO
Start your day with the in depth tour of Sarajevo with the local guide. Beside all of the main atractions in town, that will include Catolic Cathedral, Orthodox church and the Mosque, located practicaly on the same block, you´ll be taken also to the sad but famous Tunnel of Hope, used by citizens of Sarajevo as a supply and escape route in and out of the city during the siege of Sarajevo in the nineties. You´ll also stand on the spot, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian anarchist Gavrilo Princip.
Your afternoon and evening is free to explore and shop in this unique town. (B)
Day 3
SARAJEVO – KONJIC – MOSTAR – KOTOR
Today, we embark on a journey south with our final destination being Kotor in Montenegro. Along the way, we’ll make two fascinating stops in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Our first stop is the charming town of Konjic, where former Yugoslav dictator Tito had his nuclear shelter built. This shelter, designed to host 350 people and serve as a military command center and shelter, is now a unique exhibition space for modern art. Built between 1953 and 1979 inside a hill, it’s a captivating testament to history.
Our second stop takes us to Mostar, known for its iconic bridge over the Neretva River. This beautiful bridge, a fine example of Islamic architecture from the 16th century, was tragically destroyed during the war in the 1990s. However, it was meticulously rebuilt in 2004 using many of the original stones, and it now looks exactly as it did when first constructed. The Mostar Old Bridge has earned a well-deserved spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
After some leisure time for lunch in Mostar, we’ll continue our journey south, passing through magnificent mountainous scenery as we enter Montenegro. Our day will end on the Adriatic coast in the historic city of Kotor. We’ll check in for one night at Hotel Catarro 4* or a similar accommodation and savor a delightful dinner at a local restaurant. Enjoy the delightful blend of history and natural beauty in Kotor. (B, D)
Day 4
KOTOR – NJEGOŠI – LOVČEN – KOLAŠIN
After a satisfying breakfast, you have the day to explore the charming coastal town of Kotor on your own. Kotor’s rich history, having been part of the Venetian Republic for over 300 years, is still evident in the numerous fortifications and other well-preserved buildings that grace the city. It’s no surprise that Kotor has earned its place on the UNESCO World Heritage list due to its historical significance and architectural beauty. Continuing your journey, you’ll delve deeper into Montenegro’s history. The country was once an independent principality and later a kingdom from 1696 to 1918. Your next adventure will take you to the village that was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty, offering insights into Montenegro’s royal past. You’ll also explore Mount Lovčen, where the mausoleum of Petar Petrovič Njegoš, one of Montenegro’s most famous princes and poets, rests.
Following this enriching experience, we’ll embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque Durmitor mountains, arriving in the mountain resort town of Kolašin. You’ll check in to Hotel Bjanca 4* or a similar accommodation. Enjoy the serene mountain landscapes and the comfort of your hotel for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 5
KOLAŠIN
Today, we embark on a full-day excursion into the heart of Montenegro’s majestic mountains, venturing to the renowned canyon of the Tara River, which is second in grandeur only to the famous Grand Canyon in the USA. Here, you’ll be treated to the iconic view of the bridge spanning the river, and for the adventurous, there’s an opportunity to experience one of the most breathtaking zip lines in all of Europe.
Our journey will then lead us to the captivating Durmitor Mountain region, where we’ll visit the famed Black Lake near the town of Žabjak. This pristine natural wonder will leave you in awe of its beauty. As the day draws to a close, we’ll return to our hotel in Kolašin, allowing you some leisure time to unwind and soak in the serene atmosphere of this charming mountain town. (B, D)
Day 6
KOLAŠIN – SHKODER – TIRANA
Today, we have a journey of approximately 230 kilometers ahead of us, as we head southward. Our route takes us past the Montenegrin capital, Podgorica, before we cross the border into Albania. Albania, once a country isolated under a strict communist regime, has transformed into a vibrant and lively nation, swiftly emerging from years of oppression.
Our first stop on this leg of the journey will be Shkodër, a historically significant town situated on the picturesque Shkodër Lake. We’l take some time to explore this charming locale, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and then continue our drive to Tirana, the capital city of Albania, where we’ll stay for one night. Your accommodation at Hotel International 5* or similar will be centrally located for your convenience. (B)
Day 7
TIRANA – OHRID
Starting from our centrally located hotel in Tirana, we’ll embark on a guided walking tour that explores the historic heart of the city. This tour will take us to the renowned Skanderbeg Square and the Archaeological Museum. Continuing our journey, we’ll proceed to Mother Teresa Square, passing by significant landmarks such as the Parliament building and the Presidential Residence of Albania.
Following the guided tour, you’ll have some free time for lunch. Afterward, we’ll leave Tirana behind and embark on a scenic drive through the picturesque countryside, offering splendid vistas of the surrounding mountains. These breathtaking views help illuminate the significance of the name “Land of the Eagles,” as it’s affectionately known by the Albanians.
Our route will take us through the city of Elbasan, celebrated for its medieval castle. We’ll continue the drive towards the border of the Republic of Macedonia, where we’ll be treated to the splendid sight of Lake Ohrid, another gem of the Balkans. Upon crossing the border, we’ll reach the town of Ohrid. Here, we’ll check into our accommodations at the waterfront Hotel Royal View 4* or similar, where we’ll stay for two nights. (B)
Day 8
OHRID
Following breakfast, we will convene with our local expert guide in Ohrid. Our tour of Ohrid begins with a visit to the Roman Amphitheater, which was originally constructed for gladiatorial combat. We’ll also explore some of Ohrid’s 365 churches, which reveal the rich historical and religious heritage of the city. Ohrid holds special significance as it was the location where the disciples of Saints Cyril and Methodius established the world’s first Slavic university.
Our tour concludes with a delightful lunch at a waterfront restaurant, after which we’ll enjoy a private boat ride back to our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be free for you to explore at your own leisure. (B, L)
Day 9
OHRID – BITOLA – METEORA
We’ll begin our day with an early departure from Ohrid, embarking on a picturesque drive to the historic town of Bitola. Here, we’ll make a brief stop to explore the town’s rich heritage. Just outside Bitola, we’ll find one of Northern Macedonia’s most important archaeological sites: the ancient town of Heraklea Lyncestis, founded by Philip the Macedon in the 4th century B.C. The site’s layers reveal centuries of influence from various civilizations, including Greek, Roman, and Byzantine.
Continuing our journey, we’ll cross the border and arrive in the scenic town of Meteora. Our accommodation for the night will be at Hotel Dellas Boutique 4* or a similar establishment. In the afternoon, we’ll have the opportunity to visit one of the most famous “hanging” monasteries perched atop the sandstone cliffs above Meteora. This unique location is renowned for its appearance in a James Bond movie. We’ll wrap up the day with dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 10
METEORA – BUTRINT – GJIROKASTER
Our journey today will treat you to the breathtaking mountainous landscapes of the Balkans as we make our way towards the stunning Adriatic coast. From there, we’ll follow the coastline northward and reenter Albania. Our first stop will be the archaeological site of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. This place has hosted many notable figures from antiquity, including Emperor Hadrian.
After an insightful tour guided by a local expert, we’ll continue our northward journey, heading inland to the UNESCO heritage town of Gjirokaster, where we will stay for one night. Your accommodation at Hotel Argjiro 4* or a similar establishment is centrally located for your convenience. (B)
Day 11
GJIROKASTER – BERAT – TIRANA
After a morning orientation walk in Gjirokaster, we’ll continue our journey north through the picturesque Albanian hills, eventually arriving in Berat. This well-preserved town hails from the Ottoman era, and our local guide will accompany us on a comprehensive tour of its historic streets. You’ll also have the opportunity to do some last-minute souvenir shopping.
Following lunch, we’ll continue our route to Tirana for our final evening together. We’ll conclude the tour with a vibrant farewell dinner. (B, D)
- Shop at Sarajevo Old Bazzar Baščaršija
- Tunnel of Hope visit
- Walk across Mostar Old bridge
- Konjic Nuclear Bunker tour
- Kotor bay scenic ride
- Lovčen Mountain Njegoš Mausoleum view point
- Durmitor Mountain and Tara Canyon tour
- Shoder lake photo stop
- Tirana Archeological Museum tour
- Ohrid UNESCO Old town tour and boat ride
- Iraklion Ancient ruins photo stop
- Meteora Monastery visit
- Butrint UNESCO tour with local guide
- Gjirokastra UNESCO town Otoman arhitecture
- Berat UNESCO town of windows
Balkan Tour begins: Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Transfer from Sarajevo airport on Day 1
Other airports on request.
Balkan Tour ends: Tirana, Albania
Transfer to Tirana airport on Day 12
Other airports on request.
testimonials
Central Balkan tour Croatia, BIH & Serbia – 9 days - October 2018
I know you know Blaz is a great tour guide but we want you to know that we think he is a top notch. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and time with them. Thanks again. Robinson, USA
Robinson, USA
Croatia tour – 9 days - September 2021
Great 2 week private tour We had a great 2 week private tour that went from Slovenia to Greece. We had specific requirements for dates and and one person had to leave the tour earlier than everyone else so Andrej tailored parts of 2 itineraries to work for us. This required a lot of back-and-forth and he was always very responsive. Add this to the fact that he had to keep up with the Covid policies of 6 countries and make sure we could get our covid tests before coming back home. He did a great job and all went smoothly. Our tour manager Blaz drove the van, filled us in on the background of all the countries in colloquial English, told entertaining stories, made sure we always had a decent bathroom when we needed one and took us to several places not on the itinerary that we would never have found ourselves. He was totally on top of every detail and we always felt totally secure, even in countries where we might have otherwise been uneasy. Our tour included about half our meals and the food was really good for all of them. In one very remote place where the plan had been to eat in the hotel for 2 nights due to lack of other options, the food had gone down hill since the last time they were there. When we mentioned that we were less than happy with the meal, Blaz managed to find us another place for the 2nd night that totally met our expectations. All our hotels were extremely well-located. We could just walk right out the door and be in the heart of the nicest part of town. They were all 4-star, as promised, though it turns out that different countries have their own rating system and there were some that would not have been 4 stars by American standards. Still, even the ones that were not quite as polished were clean and otherwise perfectly adequate. All in all, it was a fabulous trip and I would highly recommend Solvenia 4 Seasons to anyone.
Kate G., USA
Slovenia and Croatia tour – 10 days - May 2023
Hi Andrej I would like to express my appreciation for the way we were looked after on our trip. Stefan was fantastic and no praise is great enough for him. Although it was unfortunate that we were on our own, it did mean we could deviate from the original tour program in Sarajevo and Dubrovnik and see things we did not see on our first trip. I must add that the walking and climbing of steps did take its toll on our legs, we survived, but I don't think we could keep up with a younger bunch. Once again, thank you for a fantastic trip. Best wishes!
Alastair&Jen, SA
Slovenia tour – 11 days - May 2023
Trip of Lifetime - Slovenia, Croatia, Italy I highly recommend Slovenia 4 Seasons who planned and carried out a wonderful trip for two couples, traveling in Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. Andrej, the owner, was always easy to contact and extremely responsive from initial inquiry to finalizing all the details. Andrej had many good suggestions set forth in his different package tours, yet was flexible to accommodate our travel interests. It is truly a customized, personalized travel experience. And, S4S goes to many other countries as well. We traveled in a very comfortable van with our own tour guide, Blaz, during the first 10 days of our trip. Blaz was very personable, knowledgable about all the sites we visited, and always concerned for our wishes and well-being. In each city we visited, Andrej and Blaz arranged for local guides to show us the highlights so that we saw things we surely would have missed otherwise. Each local guide provided an unbelievable amount of information about the people, customs, and history of each town. The hotels along the way were all well situated, well equipped, and with friendly staff. Most of the hotels were luxurious. Our trip typically included breakfast every morning at the hotels and we had several dinners along the way with Blaz. We started in Ljubljana, Slovenia and traveled over the space of ten days all the way to Dubrovnik at the southern end of Croatia. Each day was well planned to include a walking tour and plenty of time to be on your own. After Slovenia and Croatia, we went to Trieste, Italy where we again stayed in a wonderful hotel and enjoyed the local sites. Andrej then took us over to Venice, Italy for a fabulous day trip. We then ended our trip with a few days in Munich, staying at Louis Hotel. We found the city and the hotel to be absolutely fantastic. Andrej arranged our transfers to and from airports, which were all done as professionally as the entire trip. There are too many good things to say about Andrej and Balz along with the amazing places we saw and friendly people we met along the way to put everything into one review. For any who have concerns, English was spoken by nearly everybody we encountered, you felt quite safe everywhere and at all times of the day and night, and you were treated as a welcome guest everywhere. For a trip of a lifetime, you should book with them, right away.
Jim E., Florida, USA
Croatia tour – 9 days - September 2023
The best possible tour of the Balkans We have travelled a lot but the 15 day tour of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro that Andrej organised for us was exceptional. Everything from choice of hotels, driver/guide, everything seen, food and wines, local guides and total ambience of the trip was more than anybody could ever expect. We began the trip with minimal knowledge of the countries we visited but, by the end of the comprehensive input from all the guides, we are leaving with some considerable knowledge of this complicated and exciting region. Slovenia4Seasons should be the first choice of anybody intending to visit the Balkans and beyond.
David C., AUS
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Why travel with us?
Explore the world with the utmost comfort and flexibility on a private tour, offering eight compelling reasons to choose this personalized travel experience:
1. Private Travel, Unforgettable Experience: Tailored tours providing a unique blend of major attractions and off-the-beaten-path gems for an unforgettable journey.
2. All-Inclusive Experience: No optional excursions or hidden extras – everything you need is included in the tour package.
3. Best Value Private Tours: Offering the best value compared to the competition, ensuring you get the most out of your travel investment.
4. Prime Old Town Hotels: Stay in the best hotels strategically located in the heart of old towns, providing convenience and immersion in local culture.
5. Authentic Family-Run Restaurants: Dine in the finest family-run restaurants, enjoying à la carte menus with inclusive drinks such as wine, beer, soft drinks, and water with meals.
6. Exceptional Tour Guides: Knowledgeable and engaging guides enhance your travel experience with insights into local history, culture, and attractions.
7. Leisurely Pace: No need for early wake-up calls; enjoy a relaxed pace, with the average day starting at 9 am.
8. Flexible Airport Transfers: Choose your arrival airport with flexibility in mind, as we provide convenient transfers to and from nearby airports to your hotel. Travel comfortably and confidently with a private tour experience.
