- Transportation in luxury passenger mini-van with extra leg room
- Transfer to Zagreb hotel from Zagreb/Trieste/Ljubljana/Venice airport (other airports available for extra cost)
- Dubrovnik or Tivat airport 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 Zagreb,Belgrade, Sofia, Plovdiv, Skopje, Ohrid and Tirana
- Orientational guided walk of Kumrovec, Njegoši, Lovčen,...
- All breakfasts, 6 dinners with drinks, 1 lunch with drinks,..
- Entrance fees to Kumrovec Open-Air museum, Ex-Yu Museum in Belgrade, Rila Monastery, Ohrid St.Sofia, Tirana Archeological Museum, Kruja Fortress and Njegoš Mausoleum
- Organization, basic insurance and VAT
Balkan tour Croatia, Serbia, Bolgaria, N. Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro – 12 days
12 days/ 11 nights
The price is based on the number of people in your group.
Description
This Balkans tour is a journey through five countries: Croatia, Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro, with visits to their capital cities: Zagreb, Belgrade, Sofia, Skopje, and Tirana. It explores the significant locations associated with former Yugoslav president Tito, uncovers the hidden gems of Bulgaria, and returns to the former Yugoslavia, focusing on North Macedonia. The tour offers a blend of stunning mountains and lakes reminiscent of the Alps, along with a rich tapestry of Orthodox churches and mosques. You’ll encounter Venetian architectural influences, medieval remnants of Ottoman rule, and evidence of ancient Greek and Roman appreciation for this region. The journey also showcases the Adriatic coastline and culminates in the breathtaking Bay of Kotor, near Dubrovnik, giving you the option to extend your Adriatic experience in one of the charming coastal towns.
Day 1
ZAGREB AIRPORT – ZAGREB
Upon your arrival at Zagreb Airport, your guide will be there to welcome you and provide a convenient transfer to Hotel Palace 4* or a similar centrally located accommodation where you will be staying for the next two nights. After you’ve settled in, take some time to unwind and recharge after your long flight.
Later in the afternoon, you’ll have the opportunity to join your guide for an orientation walk through the historic center of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. This will be followed by a delightful welcome dinner, allowing you to savor your first tastes of local cuisine and get acquainted with the city. (D)
Day 2
ZAGREB – KUMROVEC – ZAGREB
Explore more of this fascinating town in the morning. Your guided walking tour will lead you to Zagreb Gradac, the upper town, and the castle area, which is now the political center of both the city and the entire country. Afterward, head to Dolac, a lively market area in the lesser town. As you wander through the stalls, you’ll have the chance to discover and sample some typical local products. Your guide will be ready with suggestions for a delicious lunch.
In the afternoon, embark on a journey to Kumrovec, the birthplace of the former Yugoslav president, Tito. Here, you’ll visit an ethnographical open-air museum in this typical village situated on the Croatian-Slovenian border. You’ll learn about the communist history of both countries while enjoying some free time for shopping and a leisurely stroll around the village.
For dinner, you have the freedom to choose where you’d like to dine this evening. Enjoy the local cuisine or explore the culinary scene in Zagreb at your own pace.(B)
Day 3
ZAGREB – BELGRADE
This morning, you’ll head east, following the path of the first highway constructed in former Yugoslavia. In the early afternoon, you’ll arrive in Belgrade, where you’ll join a local guide for a city tour. This tour will encompass a visit to the former Citadel, known as Kalemegdan, as well as St. Sava Orthodox church, Tito’s grave, the ex-Yugoslavia museum, and other significant landmarks.
Your lodging for one night, the centrally located Hotel Moskva 5* or a similar option, provides easy access to the city’s attractions and amenities.
To round out your short visit to the Serbian capital, you’ll enjoy a fabulous dinner in the lively bohemian quarter of Skadarlija. This offers you a taste of Belgrade’s vibrant culinary and cultural scene. (B, D)
Day 4
BELGRADE – SOFIA
Today’s journey takes you from one capital city to another. Your destination is Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, where you’ll spend two nights. After a comfortable ride on Serbian and Bulgarian highways, you’ll arrive in Sofia early in the afternoon. You’ll be accommodated at the centrally located Rosslyn Thracia Hotel Sofia 4* or a similar option.
In the afternoon, you’ll embark on a guided tour of Sofia with a knowledgeable local guide. This tour will introduce you to the city’s historical and contemporary landmarks, providing insights into its rich past and vibrant present. As you stroll along Vitosha Boulevard, you’ll have the opportunity to sample Bulgarian street food and browse for souvenirs.
To conclude your day, your guide will accompany you to a local restaurant for dinner, allowing you to savor some delicious Bulgarian cuisine and immerse yourself in the local culture. (B, D)
Day 5
SOFIA – PLOVDIV - SOFIA
Following breakfast, your journey continues as you head further east to explore Plovdiv, a city of great historical significance. Known as Philipopolis in the west, it was founded by King Philip of Macedonia in the 4th century B.C. Plovdiv played a crucial role in this region and contributed to the history and formation of the Bulgarian nation.
With the guidance of a local expert, you’ll delve into Plovdiv’s illustrious past. You’ll have the chance to witness ancient Greek and Roman ruins, as well as the beautifully preserved and renovated old town, which retains its Ottoman architectural charm.
In the afternoon, you’ll return to Sofia, where you can enjoy a free evening at your leisure. (B)
Day 6
SOFIA – RILA MONASTERY – SKOPJE
Our journey continues on Bulgarian soil, taking us southward today. Our first destination is the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dating back to the 10th century, the Rila Monastery has always held a central role as a cultural, religious, and spiritual hub for Bulgarian national identity and the Orthodox Church. This iconic site welcomes nearly a million visitors each year and stands out as a top attraction in this part of Europe.
After our visit to the monastery, we’ll head west, crossing into Northern Macedonia and reaching its capital city, Skopje, where we’ll stay for one night at Alexander Square Boutique Hotel 4* or a similar accommodation. For dinner tonight, we’ll savor the flavors of typical Macedonian cuisine in a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 7
SKOPJE – MATKA CANYON – OHRID
This morning, we’ll explore the enchanting Matka Canyon. Located just a few kilometers from Skopje, this area immerses you in pristine natural beauty within the National Park of the Treska River.
Following our visit to Matka Canyon, we’ll continue our journey toward Ohrid, a town and lake that share the same name and represent one of Northern Macedonia’s most prominent attractions. Ohrid is often referred to as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans.” We’ll check in for a two-night stay at the centrally located waterfront Hotel Royal View 4* or a similar accommodation. Tonight, you’ll have the opportunity to explore local restaurants in this charming town. (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 - ELBASAN - TIRANA
Today, we bid farewell to Northern Macedonia and venture into a new country on our tour—Albania. Albania, once shrouded in mystery due to decades of communist rule, has now opened its doors to the world, and its vibrant spirit is undeniable as its people embrace newfound freedom.
To reach the Albanian capital, Tirana, we’ll journey through picturesque mountain passes that offer breathtaking scenery along the way. Upon arrival in Tirana, our local guide will lead us on a walking tour of the city, and we’ll visit the Archaeological Museum to delve into Albania’s rich history.
Afterward, we’ll check in at our centrally located Hotel International, a 5-star accommodation or a similar hotel. In the evening, you’ll savor a delightful dinner in a local restaurant and have the chance to discover the surprisingly high quality of Albanian wines. (B, D)
Day 10
TIRANA - KRUJE - SKADAR - KOTOR
This morning, our journey takes us to Kruje, the medieval capital of Albania and the birthplace of Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania. Kruje is a charming town with picturesque scenery and excellent shopping opportunities for local souvenirs. After an early lunch in Kruje, we’ll continue our journey north, passing through Skadar, a border town situated near the lake of the same name.
Our route will then lead us to the stunning Adriatic coastline, where we’ll be treated to breathtaking coastal views. We’ll proceed along the coast until we reach the picturesque town of Kotor, where we’ll check in for two nights at Hotel Cattaro, a 4-star accommodation or a similar hotel. Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Kotor and make the most of your stay in this beautiful coastal town. (B)
Day 11
KOTOR – NJEGOŠI – LOVČEN – KOTOR
Our journey continues with a visit to Montenegro’s rich historical heritage. We’ll explore the village that was the ancestral home of Montenegro’s ruling dynasty, as well as Mount Lovčen, where the mausoleum of Petar Petrovič Njegoš, one of Montenegro’s most renowned princes and poets, is located. To reach these culturally significant sites, we’ll navigate steep country roads, offering picturesque views of the surrounding landscapes.
In the afternoon, we’ll return to Kotor to immerse ourselves in the unique charm of this coastal town. Kotor’s history includes a period under Venetian Republic rule, leaving behind numerous fortifications and historic buildings. This rich history has earned Kotor a well-deserved place on UNESCO’s World Heritage site list.
In the evening, savor a delightful farewell dinner at a local restaurant, marking the conclusion of our journey through this captivating region. (B, D)
Day 12
KOTOR - TIVAT - DUBROVNIK AIRPORT
It’s time to bid farewell to your Balkan adventure. Your guide will provide transportation to Tivat or Dubrovnik airport according to your preferred schedule. If you’d like to extend your stay and explore more of the enchanting Dubrovnik, we’ll gladly take you to your chosen hotel. (B)
- Visit Zagreb central farmers market
- Visit Kumrovec, former Yugoslav president´s Tito's birthplace and enter his birth house
- Visit Belgrade bohemian district Skadarlija
- Bulgarian capital Sofia stroll
- Roman Ruins of Plovdiv
- Experience Rila Monastery mosaics
- Matka Canyon Boat ride
- Ohrid Old town Architecture
- Tirana Archeological Museum
- Kruje Fortress photo stop
- Kotor bay scenerry
- Lovčen Mountain Mausoleum
Balkan tour begins: Zagreb, Croatia
Transfer from Ljubljana, Trieste, Zagreb or Venice airport on Day 1
Other airports on request.
Balkan tour ends: Kotor, Montenegro
Transfer to Dubrovnik or Tivat airport on Day 12
testimonials
Balkan delight 6 countries – 13 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 island hopping – 11 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 – 5 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
Balkan tour BIH, Montenegro, N. Macedonia, Grecce & Albania – 12 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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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.
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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.
