ACTIVE TOURS
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Authentic Croatian experience

Step into the magic world of rich culture, turbulent history and delicious food on this unique tour of Balkan countries. Our experienced and professional local driver/guides will help you explore Balkan superb cuisine, interesting traditions and fascinating history and culture.

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* Note: This tour can be extended to 17, 19 or more days. Starting/ending city can be modified according to your preference. All our tours can be customized according to your wishes and preferences (number of days, sites, accommodation, etc.)

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Itinerary:

 

Day 1, ZAGREB - Arrival. Overnight in Zagreb (Croatia).

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Welcome to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia and one of the oldest central European cities. Your guide will meet you at Zagreb Airport and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in to your hotel your guide will take you for a city walking tour and reveal you the secrets of the oldest medieval parts of Upper town and show you beautiful parks and squares of Lower town. In the evening we invite you for a welcome dinner in a typical Croatian restaurant in city center.

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Day 2, ZAGREB – PLITVICE LAKES - SPLIT. Overnight in Split (Croatia).

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After breakfast our journey today takes you to the most famous natural wonder of Croatia and this part of Europe – Plitvice Lakes national park. On the way we'll stop in Rastoke miller village, unique example of traditional 17th century village architecture which once had more than 50 water mills built on a breathtaking waterfalls. Just 25 min further south we we'll start a comfortable hike along the sixteen beautiful and crystal-clear lakes with numerous cascades and waterfalls. After few hours of easy walk we are are making our way to Zadar a city built from Roman Iadera and a city of exceptional history and rich cultural heritage. Once we arrive in Zadar we will take a walk along its ancient streets and Roman Forum to its most famous modern monuments: Sea Organ and Greetings to the Sun. In the evening we arrive to Split where we stay for the night.

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Day 3, SPLIT – KRAVICE WATERFALLS – SARAJEVO. Overnight in Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina).

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This morning your guide will take you for a walk through the „most beautiful city in the world“, how Split if often called by its citizens. You’ll visit the Diocletian Palace in the heart of Split, built as a residential palace in 3rd century AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian and a priceless monument included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage.  Around noon time we are leaving Split and after an hour drive we enter our neighboring country Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are driving through Herzegovina region passing Mostar on the way to our final destination today - Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, often called „little Istanbul“ as it was the place where worlds collided for centuries. Upon our arrival and check in we will take a walk in the city center visiting: Baščaršija, Gazi-Husrev Beg Mosque, Latin bridge and many more. You will learn about Ottoman days when city was founded, turbulent period under Habsburgs and difficult days at the end of 20th century. Once upon a time winter Olympics host from 1984. Sarajevo still enchants it's guests with known outgiving atmosphere and true charm. In the evening join us for dinner in Bosnian restaurant.

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Day 4, SARAJEVO - MOSTAR – DUBROVNIK. Overnight in Dubrovnik (Croatia).

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Today we are leaving Sarajevo and after two hours drive we arrive to Mostar, the 3rd biggest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UNESCO world heritage site. We take this opportunity to walk in the city center in order to visit it's famous Old bridge which connects western (Croatian) and eastern (Muslim) side of Neretva river. In the afternoon our tour takes us back to Croatia where we pay the visit the bay of Ston and it’s famous city fortifications dating from 14th century. Ston is also known for growing famous Oysters and mussels which are known as local aphrodisiac. In the evening we check in in our hotel in one of the oldest towns on Mediterranean, Dubrovnik.

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Day 5, DUBROVNIK – KOTOR – BUDVA. Overnight in Budva (Montenegro).

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After breakfast we reserve time for exploring and enjoying in our Pearl of Adriatic – the old town Dubrovnik. The great George Bernard Shaw wrote: „Those who seek paradise on Earth must come to Dubrovnik" and he was as many others overjoyed by the beauty and rich history of this old town under the UNESCO protection. Its glorious walls, with their fortresses and bastions, offer a unique walk with view of the magical Elafiti islands. From the Onofrio fountain to the City bell tower, along its main street, Stradun and in many other small cobblestone streets, every step in this town will be an experience par excellence. After noon we continue the tour crossing to our southern neighbor, Montenegro, driving through scenic and dramatic Bay of Kotor. We'll pay the visit to Perast islet and learn about it's legend before stoping in town of Kotor. Kotor is one more UNESCO world heritage site and a true open air museum with its rich history. Later in the afternoon we reach Budva, exploring practically the whole coast of Montenegro. On our way we pass next to most famous Montenegran island/resort Sveti Stefan. Dinner is in local tavern in Budva.

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Day 6, BUDVA – SKADAR LAKE – TIRANA. Overnight in Tirana (Albania).

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Today we are leaving Montenegro and as soon as we enter Albania we stop to pay visit to Skadar lake, the largest lake in Southern Europe and one of the most beautiful national parks this region has to offer. We pay special attention to Rosafa fortress in Skadar, one of the sites with the most captivating legends in the region related to its history and making before continuing towards country’s capital, Tirana. Upon arrival and check in to your hotel we take you to discover Tirana with some of the most famous monuments like: historical city centre, Skenderbeg statue, Et’Hem bey mosque, Clock tower, Italian building. After city center walk we invite you for a well-deserved dinner in Albanian restaurant.

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Day 7, TIRANA – DURRES -  OHRID LAKE – OHRID. Overnight in Ohrid (Macedonia).

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This morning we leave Tirana and we pay visit to Durres, Albanian port know as home of one of the oldest roman amphitheaters in Europe. Long time forgotten it was discovered again in 1966 and become an instant magnet for visitors. Later we continue our drive to Ohrid in Macedonia and on the way we'll stop at the St. John of Kaneo church.  It's position on a rocky overhang provides excellent views over Lake Ohrid and Ohrid itself, listed by UNESCO as natural and cultural world heritage sites. We’ll also visit Samuel’s fortress, in the old town of Ohrid. It was known as the capital of the first Bulgarian kingdom during car Samuel reign.

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Day 8, OHRID - SKOPJE. Overnight in Skopje (Macedonia).

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After breakfast we leave Ohrid and drive across Macedonia to its capital – Skopje. This is a place where you can feel two thousand years of history of Oriental and Western cultures. Skopje has many historical monuments including the Kale Fortress dating back to the 6th century and the Daud Paša Amam, a 15th century bathhouse now converted into the city art gallery. You can also see the Mustafa-pasha's mosque, the 16th century Clock Tower and Stone Bridge over the Vardar River. In the evening we are going for a must when in Skopje, Macedonian dinner.

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Day 9, SKOPJE – SOFIA. Overnight in Sofia (Bulgaria).

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This morning we are leaving Skopje and driving along the countryside of Macedonia and Bulgaria. Crossing to Bulgaria our first stop will be Rila monastery, the most famous Unesco site in Bulgaria. Rila was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. Our next stop is capital of Bulgaria – Sofia. After we arrive to Sofia, you'll have a chance to relax in the city center area.

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Day 10 EXPLORING SOFIA and surroundings. Overnight in Sofia (Bulgaria).

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Today we are exploring Sofia. This city offers a wealth of cultural entertainment, including Byzantine churches, museums full of ancient archaeological treasures, towering monuments and numerous mineral baths adjacent to the magnificent Mount Vitosha. Laid back and cosmopolitan, Sofia offers a thriving and diverse street life, including open-air cafés, busy markets such as the famous Ladies’ Market, rattling trams all adding to the ambience. At the foothills of Mount Vitosha about 8 kilometers from the city center you can visit the 900 year-old Boyana Church, considered among the masterpieces of medieval European painting, which features murals and frescoes dating back to 1259 AD, medieval architecture and monumental art. As the locals would say: Sofia is a place always growing but never aging...In the evening join us for Bulgarian dinner.

 

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Day 11 SOFIA - BELGRADE (Serbia). Overnight in Belgrade (Serbia).

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We are leaving Sofia after breakfast and driving towards border with Serbia and continuing further north Serbian capital Belgrade. Once the biggest city in Ex-Yugoslavia and it's capital for 73 years today is a real center of Balkan culture. Located on the intersection of the Danube and the Sava river, with almost 2 mil. people Belgrade (White city) found itself at the intersection of Western and Oriental Europe. Upon you check in we invite you for a short stroll in the city center before dinner time.

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Day 12 EXPLORING BELGRADE. Overnight in Belgrade (Serbia).

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After breakfast we'll go for a scenic drive through Belgrade boulevards before we go for a city walking tour which includes some of the main city attractions: Belgrade fortress, Kalemegdan park, Sv. Sava church, Knez Mihailova street, Nikola Tesla Museum, there are all some of city attractions not to be missed. People in Belgrade live 24/7 and they love their famous „Splavs“ - bars and restaurants on permanently moored boats along the banks of the Danube and Sava river. Music is to be found everywhere and food is something Serbs are truly proud of. Do not hesitate, try it.

 

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Day 13 BELGRADE - BUDAPEST. Overnight in Budapest (Hungary).

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Today we are leaving Belgrade and heading up north towards Hungary. We will first pay visit to Novi Sad , third biggest Serbian city known after it's elegant architecture and rich history. Afterwords we are leaving for Budapest where we arrive in late afternoon. Budapest was once biggest rival of Vienna in great Austro-Hungarian monarchy and it one of most beautiful European cities. We suggest that you relax yourself in an evening walk through the center of Budapest and enjoy your evening in one of many cafes and restaurants.

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Day 14 EXPLORING BUDAPEST. Overnight in Budapest (Hungary).

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After breakfast we are taking you on an eye-opening city tour of Budapest. Buda castle, Hero's square, Fisherman's bastion, Jewish quarter, Chain bridge and many more attractions attract people from all over the world, witnessing about rich history of Budapest which was one of the wealthiest European cities rivaling with Vienna and Prag. In the evening try one of many traditional Hungarian restaurants or take a breathtaking river cruise on Danube river.

 

Day 15 BUDAPEST - DEPARTURE

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Today is the last day of our tour. Your guide will drive you to Budapest airport where you are expecting your flight back home. We wish you a safe journey and we hope that you will always gladly remember Tour of Balkans and have great memories of these days spent with us. Goodbye!

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Highlights: Zagreb, Plitvice lakes, Split, Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Skadar lake, Tirana, Ohrid lake, Skopje, Sofia, Belgrade, Budapest

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Price: from 2700EUR for 5-8 people, 3200EUR for 3-4 people, 4100EUR for 2 people

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Inclusions:

• 15 days with 14 overnight stays in 4* hotels with breakfast included

• Airport transfers

• Comfortable AC van transportation with all costs included (fuel, toll, parking, ferry, VAT)

• Services of the professional and experienced English speaking driver/tour guide for the whole tour

• Sightseeing in every destination listed in the itinerary

• Entrance tickets for all major sights according to the itinerary

• 7 traditional meals (lunch or dinner)