Join our epic Grand Balkans Tour starting in Zagreb, Croatia’s lively capital. You’ll then set off to the country’s majestic Plitvice Lakes National Park, filled with lush greenery and surrounded by stunning aquamarine waters. Split is next, where you can wander through the old city and the majestic Diocletian Palace, before journeying to the iconic medieval walled city of Dubrovnik. Stroll through the cobblestone streets of UNESCO-listed Ohrid, marvel at the ancient cities of Delphi and Kalambaka, and finish in the cosmopolitan city of Athens.
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You can request to book this tour privately, travelling only with people you know.
DAY 1: WELCOME TO CROATIA
Welcome to Croatia! On arrival at Zagreb airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure until you gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner. Meals: D
Accommodation at the Hotel Sheraton, Zagreb, or similar
DAY 2: ZAGREB SIGHTSEEING
This morning, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, Parliament, and Government Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the winding streets of the old town or take an optional excursion to see the countryside. Meals: B
Accommodation at the Hotel Sheraton, Zagreb, or similar
DAY 3: ZAGREB > LJUBLJANA & BLED, SLOVENIA
After breakfast head towards Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. See the most significant sights of the old city center on a walking tour. Highlights include the picturesque open-air Central Market, the Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba's Fountain. Then, continue to Bled. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Rikli Balance Hotel, Bled, or similar
DAY 4: BLED SIGHTSEEING
An Alpine Lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19th century. Since then, a small town of hotels, villas, and restaurants has developed around the lake, turning Bled into a lively, all-seasons resort. A sightseeing tour features the charming town and the lakeshore and visits the imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion by visiting the small island in the middle of the lake, browsing through the shops and boutiques, or simply relaxing and enjoying the enchanting scenery. Meals: B
Accommodation at the Rikli Balance Hotel, Bled, or similar
DAY 5: BLED > POSTOJNA > OPATIJA > PLITVICE, CROATIA
The journey continues to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward, continue to the coast, and have a stop in Opatija. Enjoy the walking tour of this fashionable resort in the 19th century, dotted with Habsburg-era villas. After some free time, continue towards Plitvice Lakes. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Jezero Hotel, Plitvice, or similar
DAY 6: PLITVICE > SPLIT
After breakfast, have your camera ready as you take a walking tour around the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of sixteen terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. After the tour, head to Split. Overnight in Split. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Atrium Hotel, Split, or similar
DAY 7: SPLIT SIGHTSEEING & OPTIONAL HVAR ISLAND
In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Then see the remnants of Split's Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle, and the Cathedral. The rest of the day is at leisure to stroll through the beautiful streets of Split, enjoy the beach or join us on an optional excursion to the hot spots of the rich and famous – Island of Hvar. Meals: B
Accommodation at the Atrium Hotel, Split, or similar
DAY 8: SPLIT TO DUBROVNIK
After breakfast travel to Dubrovnik. Upon arrival, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Meals; B, D
Accommodation at the Hotel Lacroma, Dubrovnik, or similar
DAY 9: DUBROVNIK SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Old Dubrovnik visit the Rector's Palace and see the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando's Column, Sponza Palace, the Dominican Monastery, and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. Because of the narrow and historic roads in Dubrovnik, walking is the primary way of getting around. Walking shoes are strongly recommended. The rest of the day is free or join an optional excursion home-hosted Dubelj with dinner. Meals: B
Accommodation at the Hotel Lacroma, Dubrovnik, or similar
DAY 10: DUBROVNIK TO TIVAT, MONTENEGRO
After breakfast, continue to Tivat. On the way, you will see Kotor Bay, the only South European fiord. Walking tour of town Kotor. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Hotel Palma, Tivat, or similar
DAY 11: TIVAT TO TIRANA, ALBANIA
After breakfast, we leave Tivat and drive via Budva and Bar towards the town of Shkodra, nowadays a major Albanian cultural center. Shkodra was the center of the Illyrian tribe Labeat and was taken by the Romans in the year 168 B.C. We will see the Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city. Continue drive to Tirana. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Hotel Colosseo, Tirana, or similar
DAY 12: TIRANA
On a morning sightseeing tour, see Sheshi Skenderbej (Skanderbeg Square) the Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, and the statue of G.K. Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero; the Palace of Culture, built with Soviet assistance, and the National History Museum with a mosaic on its façade portraying Albanian history. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own, shop, or simply just relax. Meals: B
Accommodation at the Hotel Colosseo, Tirana, or similar
DAY 13: TIRANA TO OHRID, REPUBLIC of NORTH MACEDONIA
The lakeside resort of Ohrid is an important cultural and spiritual center, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Enjoy a sightseeing tour that will take you strolling through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Hotel Granit, Ohrid, or similar
DAY 14: OHRID TO KALAMBAKA, GREECE
After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes of Meteora, known as “the rocks that fell from the sky”, where monks built their rock–top monasteries far away from civilization. Out of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s cells, only four are now active. The most important is Megalo of Great Meteoro, of peculiar architecture with its tall and intricate dome, twelve sides, and fine frescoes. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Grand Meteora, Kalambaka, or similar
DAY 15: KALAMBAKA TO ATHENS
Your first stop is Delphi, where the famous Oracle once foretold the destiny of men. The temple of Apollo in which the Oracle functioned, was built in the 6th century B.C. Also see the Sacred Way, the Stadium, and the Castilian Fountain, where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation for consulting the Oracle. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, which contains an impressive collection of finds from the site, including the beautiful “Bronze Charioteer”, before continuing to Athens. Meals: B
Accommodation at the Stanley or Titania, Athens, or similar
DAY 16: ATHENS SIGHTSEEING
See the highlights of Athens this morning on a sightseeing tour. This cosmopolitan and bustling capital city is set amid reminders of a long and glorious past, graceful temples, centuries-old monasteries, and ornate Byzantine churches. Visit the immortal Acropolis, the Parthenon, said to be the most perfectly proportioned building of all time, Also, see the Erectheion with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis lies the Ancient Agora and the Theaters of Dionysus and Herodes Atticus. Your afternoon and evening are free. Join us for Farewell Taverna Dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis. Meals: B, D
Accommodation at the Stanley or Titania, Athens, or similar
DAY 17: ATHENS DEPARTURE
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Meals: B