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Balkans Uncovered: Zagreb to Pristina

35 days Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo

About the trip

What happens when you take 35 days, a group of like-minded travellers, and a local CEO eager to share their favourite hidden gems? You get an adventure like no other. Journey deep into the Balkans, where history and legend intertwine against a backdrop of ancient architecture and jaw-dropping landscapes. Meet local families, hear stories passed down through generations, and experience life in this incredible region firsthand. Sip regional wines perfected over centuries, savour unexpected culinary delights, and hike through some of the most breathtaking wilderness the Balkans has to offer. This is more than a trip — it’s a deep dive into a world you’ll never want to leave.

Balkans Uncovered: Zagreb to Pristina

Tour Details

What's Included

What's Included Your G for Good Moment: DES?A Women's Centre Visit, Dubrovnik Your Welcome Moment: Welcome...

Accommodations

Accommodations

Hotels (34 nts)

Meals

Meals

34 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 6 dinners
Allow USD620-810 for meals not included.

Transportation

Transportation

Boat, private vehicle, 4x4, walking.

Staff & Experts

Staff & experts

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Itinerary

Day 1

Zagreb: Arrive at any time. After a welcome briefing, set off with your CEO on a orientation walk to get your bearings of the area and to see some of the street graffiti art on the way to an optional group dinner.

Day 6

Makarska: Enjoy a full free day to take advantage of the many optional activities available in and around Makarska. Perhaps take a ferry to the island of Bra? to explore on your own, take a tuk tuk tour, go zip-lining in the nearby town of Tucepi or just relax on the local beach.

Day 7

Makarska/Dubrovnik: Set off from Makarska along the coast and make a stop at a small bay called Uvala Bistrina to lean all about the local oyster farming and to sample some fresh ones and with wine and lunch from local ingredients. Take some free time to wander the town of Ston and to walk along the massive and historic Ston City wall which rewards those who climb it incredible views of the town and the surrounding mountains. Continue driving in the afternoon to Croatia's capital city, Dubrovnik and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 10

Trebinje: Today is all about local flavours, culture and long-standing traditions.. Explore the organic market to sample some options and learn of the local specialties before transferring to a women run apiary and see how they manage the hives. Continue to a farm that has specialized in cheese making for more than 5 generations. Visit the farm and share a delicious farm-to-table lunch with the family. Understanding the local culture is made easier by immersing yourself in the cuisine, and there is no better way than this. The rest of the day is free after returning to Trebinje in the aftenroon.

Day 12

?itluk/Mostar: Immerse yourself in history today by visiting the Pocitelj Ottoman stone town and art colony, taking a short hike to the Blagaj Fortress, and soaking in the natural beauty of the Dervish Monastery, built on cliffs by the water at the mouth of the Buna River. Later, continue to the city of Mostar and set off on a guided walking tour before spending the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 13

Mostar/Sarajevo: Transfer from Mostar to Sarajevo today, stopping at Tito's Bunker along the way. Explore the underground complex and learn of the Cold War-era history that made it come to be in the former communist Yugoslavia. Continue to the vibrant city of Sarajevo and be immersed in the local culinary scene on a history and food tour that will serve as a delicious dinner this evening and a great introduction to the city.

Day 14

Sarajevo: Take advantage of a free day to get the most out of the beautiful city of Sarajevo. Dive into the history and tragic past with countless museums and culturally significant monuments, take a graffiti art tour or just relax and sample local flavours at one of the many cafes.

Day 15

Sarajevo/Kotor: Depart from Sarajevo after breakfast for the drive into Montenegro with a stop at Bile?a to stretch the legs and have a bite to eat. Arrive to Kotor in the afternoon and check into the hotel. In the evening, set off with your CEO on an orientation walk of Kotor's old town. Get your bearings of the area on the way to an optional group dinner.

Day 16

Kotor: Hop on a boat from Kotor's port area and set off on a scenic ride in the Bay of Kotor, seeing a number of small islands and historical sites before arriving to the town of Perast. Spend some time exploring and wandering Perast's old town before returning to Kotor around midday. The rest of the day is free for individual exploration or for optional activities like museum visits or sea kayaking.

Day 20

Podgorica/Shkod?r: Depart Podgorica and cross into Albania, reaching the beautiful natural scenery of Theth National Park. Explore the area with your CEO, walking through meadows full of wildflowers surrounded by mountain peaks, and marvel at the 25m high Grunasi Waterfall, cascading from a limestone cliff. In the afternoon continue to the city of Shkod?r and check into the hotel, with the rest of the evening free to relax.

Day 21

Shkod?r: Set off this morning on a guided walking tour of Shkod?r to see some of the main sights and to learn a bit about the city's history. Starting from the Ottoman-era Mesi bridge, walk to the old town and take in the panoramic views from Rozafa castle. Shkod?r's cultural heritage is on full display through its historic architecture and monuments. The rest of the day is free to explore, visit museums or relax at a cafe or at the hotel.

Day 22

Shkod?r/Tirana: Travel south from Shkod?r this morning and stop in the small mountain town of Kruje. Explore the city on foot learn a bit about its fascinating history and significance since Roman times. After time for lunch, continue driving south to the city of Tirana, Albania's capital, and check into the hotel for the evening.

Day 23

Tirana/Vlor?: Drive east from Tirana this morning to the coast, and to the ancient Roman remains of Durr?s, dating back more than 3000 years. Explore the fascinating site with your CEO and see the massive amphitheatre which could hold up to 20,000 people. In the afternoon, continue south to the city of Vlor? and set off on an exploration walk of the old town to see the Muradie Mosque and other striking historical landmarks. The rest of the evening is free to relax and find a spot to watch the sunset over the Adriatic sea.

Day 24

Vlor?: Be immersed in Albanian culture today on a hike to a shepherd outpost in the mountains. Start walking from the community of Tragjas, heading up the mountain to meet the local shepherds who will share their time with us. Learn about their traditional life in the mountains and enjoy a delicious typical lunch before hiking back down to the bus for the trip back to Vlor?. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city or to relax.

Day 25

Vlor?/Gjirokast?r: Drive along the spectacular Albanian Riviera today to Gjirokast?r with a number of stops and highlights along the way. First, visit the small beach town of Himar? and have a bit of time for lunch. Continue to Ksamil and visit the beautiful and historic castle of Ali Pasha, dramatically perched on the edge of a peninsula jutting out into the sea. Next visit the ruins of city of Butrint, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site that was once an ancient Greek city. Arrive to Gjirokast?r in the evening and check into the hotel.

Day 26

Gjirokast?r: Set off after breakfast with your CEO to explore the old city of Gjirokast?r. Pass by some of the historic sites like the obelisk and the imposing Girokastra Castle then take some free time to continue exploring and to find some lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to a local winery to tour the vineyard with one of the local experts and to taste their wines with a light dinner, accompanied by traditional Albanian polyphonic singing, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The rest of the evening is free after returning to the hotel.

Day 27

Gjirokast?r/Berat: Drive north today to the riverside city of Berat, known for its white Ottoman houses. In the afternoon, set off on a walking tour with your CEO to explore. Visit the castle, the remains of a sprawling 13th century fortress as well as the traditional low neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica. The remainder of the day is free to continue exploring before regrouping in the evening for a traditional Albanian meal and farewell dinner.

Day 28

Berat/Tirana: Leave Berat after breakfast for the drive back to Tirana, arriving around midday. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening free to explore the city or to relax, then head out for an optional dinner in the evening with any new members who may be joining the group.

Day 29

Tirana/Ohrid: Cross the border into North Macedonia and travel to the beautiful city of Ohrid, referred to as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans" due to its 365 churches with one for each day of the year. Take some free time to find lunch in one of the bazaars and then take a short boat cruise to admire the city's highlights and the surrounding scenery. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring or to relax.

Day 30

Ohrid: Set off with your CEO this morning on an walking exploration of Ohrid. Discover the old town with it's iconic landmarks and historic architecture then wander through the local bazaar. Later, join a chef to learn about local delicious specialties that will serve as a light lunch lunch before visiting the Roman amphitheatre. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to continue exploring or to relax at the hotel before an optional dinner out in the evening.

Day 31

Ohrid/Skopje: Wave goodbye to Ohrid this morning as you depart for Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Stop in Bitola for a pleasant walk along the pedestrian street called Shirok Sokak before travelling onward to wine region. Sample the local flavours before ending in the capital. Later, set off on foot with your CEO to see some of the city's striking architecture followed by a walk up to the Castle of Kale to revel in the city views. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring or to relax.

Day 32

Skopje/Prizren: Enjoy a relaxed morning before driving across the border into Kosovo and to the city of Prizren. Set off with your CEO on an orientation walk through town along the Bistrica river, crossing the iconic old stone bridge and onto the cobble-stoned Shadervan square. The rest of the afternoon is free before re-grouping in the evening for a walk up to the town fortress for beautiful sunset views of the town, river and valley.

Day 33

Prizren: Enjoy a free day in Prinzen to explore the city, take a wine tasting excursion or to relax. Perhaps join your CEO for a morning visit to the filigree shops to browse the textiles and shops or head out on a leisurely hike along the Bistrica River to see the local shepherds.

Day 34

Prizren/Pristina: Enjoy a relaxed morning in Prizren before journeying onward to Pristina, the bustling commerce hub and capital of Kosovo. Explore the city's highlights with your CEO on a walking exploration and get immersed in its rich history before taking the rest of the day free for individual exploration or to relax at a cafe. Head out in the evening for an optional final dinner out with the group.

Day 35

Pristina: Depart at any time.

$7,955
per person

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