20 Day Best of Balkan Tour 2023

Tour Code: EBT

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Duration:

20 days

Price From:

$7,780

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Summary

Description

This Grand Balkan one-way coach tour starts in Zagreb, and travels to the Balkans most distinct towns, sights and spots in Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia. On the way you will experience the history, culture, and everyday life of different nations and religions living together on the peninsula of Balkans.

Route:

Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria and Serbia

Itinerary

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Depart Sydney or Melbourne to Zagreb, capital of Croatia via Doha on Qatar Airways in the evening and fly overnight.

Flight Details:

QR909 Sydney – Doha 21:10/05:05
QR905 Melbourne – Doha 22:55/05:55 (All flights are subject to change)

Connect your flight in Doha to Zagreb and arrive at 12:15pm. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to Croatian capital Zagreb for a panoramic tour with a bus (King Tomislav Square, Marulic Square, Opera House...). Accommodation at hotel with time to rest and refresh. Free time for leisure in the centre of the city for first impression possible if required.

Flight Details:

QR217 Doha – Zagreb 08:30/13:20 (All flights are subject to change)

Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel

Meal Inclusions: D

Enjoy a Zagreb city tour in the morning including walking tour through Dolac Market and visit to the Cathedral. Scroll around Ban Jelacic Square and take a ride a funicular to St Mark's Square and see Parliament House and Presidential Palace, Stone Gate… Depart from Zagreb and cross the border into Slovenia for an afternoon arrival in Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia. Visit the castle and enjoy a walking tour through old city centre. In the evening, we will arrive at the second biggest Slovenian town Maribor. Included: ride with funicular in Zagreb and entrance to the castle in Ptuj.

Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel

Meal Inclusions: B.D

We first start with a morning city tour through the old centre of Maribor: Franciscan Church, Castle, Slomsek Square, Theatre, University, Main Square with a visit to the old Vine – the oldest in the World. Depart from Maribor and arrive at the famous Carthusian Monastery in Zice (over 800 years old). Start our visit to the ruins of the monastery. Next stop will be in the famous wine region nearby to visiting one of the nearby wine cellars for wine tasting. Continue to the central part of Slovenia and arrive at the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. A dinner with traditional folklore program will follow (Slovenian evening). Included: entrance to the Carthusian Monastery in Zice, visit to the wine cellar with tasting.

Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel.

Meal Inclusions: B.D

In the morning we will walk through the streets of Ljubljana, described by many visitors as the most beautiful capital in the world. Walk along its lively streets, feel the life in the Central Market and in numerous picturesque squares. See the famous Triple Bridge, make a stop at the Dragon Bridge, ascend to the mighty Ljubljana Castle via funicular railway, and visit one of the many pubs along the Ljubljana embankment. In the afternoon, depart to the northwestern part of Slovenia to Lake Bled. Visit Bled, the pearl of the Alps with more than a thousand years of history. Drive and walk along the famous Lake with its island and the castle high above its clear surface. Boat trip to Bled Island in a traditional Pletna boat. Ring the wishing bell and let some of our wishes come true. We will also have a chance to taste a famous dessert – the “Bled cream cake.” Afterwards, return to Ljubljana. Included: return ticket for cable car (funicular) to the Ljubljana castle, boat trip to Bled Island in a traditional Pletna boat, entrance to St. Mary Church on the Bled Island.

Meal Inclusions: B.D

Day trip to Postojna and the Slovenian coast. Visit the World famous Postojna cave on train and with a local guide. Stop at Lipica to admire white Lipicaner horses. Visit the old coastal town of Piran (Tartini Square and St. George Church). Return to Ljubljana. Stay overnight at Ljubljana. Included: entrance fee to the Postojna cave.

Meal Inclusions: B.D

In the morning, depart to the southeast of Slovenia. We will have interesting stop at Castle Otocec. Then cross the border into Croatia and continue to the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Visit the park and admire one of the biggest natural sights in Croatia. Return to the highway and continue to the coastal region of Dalmatia. Included: entrance fee to Plitvice Lakes National Park

Accommodation: Accommodation in Sibenik or nearby.

Meal Inclusions: B.D

After breakfast drive to Krka National Park, named after the Krka River that it encloses, is a beautiful park of breathtaking scenery. Enjoy a walking tour over the wooden path to see stunning waterfalls. Our next stop will be at the open air museum Etnoland Dalmati. Visit to the museum to learn about local traditions. A typical Croatian lunch with wine included will follow. In the afternoon visit the old town centre of Sibenik with its famous St. James Cathedral (listed under UNESCO World Heritage). Return to hotel. Included: entrance fee to Krka National Park, entrance fee to the open air museum Etnoland Dalmati with lunch included, entrance fee to St. James cathedral in Sibenik

Meal Inclusions: B.L.D

After breakfast continue to drive along the coast to the medieval town of Trogir and stop to admire the old town centre and some time for leisure. In the afternoon, arrive at Omis and enjoy a boat tour through Cetina River Gorge – a natural sight. Continue onto the famous Makarska Riviera coast with accommodation in Makarska or nearby. Included: boat trip through Cetina River Gorge

Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel.

Meal Inclusions: B.D

In the morning, depart from Makarska and cross the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will visit Medjugorje – very well-known pilgrimage place for Christians – and stop for a visit to the sanctuary. Continue to medieval part of Mostar and see famous bridge over Neretva River. A walking tour through this city with its oriental spirit will follow. In the afternoon, return to Croatia through a very scenic valley by the Neretva River and travel along the Dalmatian coast to Dubrovnik - pearl of the Adriatic and protected by UNESCO World Heritage. As a museum city and at the same time a live stage, it represents a perfect cross between the past and the present. Enjoy a first panoramic tour.

Meal Inclusions: B.D

After breakfast visit the old town centre of Dubrovnik- Stradun, Onofrio's Fountain, Franciscan Monastery, which contains one the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and Dubrovnik Cathedral. Walk around the town walls and enjoy a free time for leisure in the afternoon in Dubrovnik (optional tour with cable car to Srd Hill - the best view of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area).

Accommodation: Accommodation at a hotel near Dubrovnik

Meal Inclusions: B.D

Depart from Dubrovnik and cross the border into Montenegro and travel along Boka Kotorska bay to Kotor – medieval town under UNESCO protection. Stop for a visit. Afternoon arrival at Budva – one of the most famous seaside resort in Montenegro. We will have a short walking tour through the old town centre with accommodation in Budva or nearby.

Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel in Budva or nearby

Meal Inclusions: B.D

After breakfast drive along the coast of Montenegro and stop near the famous Sveti Stefan. Cross the border into Albania and travel through Shodra to Kruja, the old Albanian capital. Visit the Skenderbeg Fortress and Museum. Included: entrance fee to the Skenderbeg Fortress and Museum in Kruja

Accommodation: Accommodation in Tirana or Durres at a 4* hotel

Meal Inclusions: B.D

In the morning, enjoy a city tour of the Albanian Capital Tirana: Skenderbeg Square, watch tower, opera house, National Library, and Etem Beg Mosque. We will also visit the National Museum. Afterwards, travel through Elbasan to the Macedonian border. Arrive at Ohrid Lake and stay overnight in Ohrid city. Included: entrance fee to the National Museum in Tirana.

Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel

Meal Inclusions: B.D

In the morning, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour in Ohrid Old City Town which is listed under UNESCO World Heritage. Enjoy the local architecture: St. Sofia Church, Roman Amphitheatre, Samoil's Fortress, market place "carsija." Travel to the northern part of Macedonia and in the afternoon arrive at the capital city of Skopje and enjoy a sightseeing tour including a visit to Fortress Kale, stone bridge, St. Spas Orthodox Church, the mosque and famous market place "carsija." Included: entrance fees to St. Sofia Church and Samoil's Fortress in Ohrid and entrance fees to the fortress in Skopje

Accommodation: Accommodation in Skopje at a 4* hotel

Meal Inclusions: B.D

After breakfast, leave Skopje for the east and cross the border into Bulgaria. Travel through the Bulgarian countryside and visit one of Bulgaria's most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites. Stop to visit Rila Monastery, the biggest and most frequented religious and tourist site in Bulgaria. Arrive at the Bulgarian capital Sofia in the late afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a folklore show with dinner. Included: entrance fee to the Rila Monastery

Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel in Sofia

Meal Inclusions: B.D

After breakfast we will enjoy city tour of Sofia which includes sites like St. Sofia Church, Cathedral of Aleksander Nevski, Parliament, University, Russian Monument Square. Depart from Sofia and cross border to Serbia. Travel north passing Nis. Later we will arrive at Serbian capital: Belgrade. A typical dinner with local musicians will be organised at Skadarlija – part of the old town with bohemian atmosphere.

Accommodation: Accommodation at a 4* hotel

Meal Inclusions: B.D

After breakfast city tour of Belgrade will follow: Market Place, University, Parliament, Nikola Pasic Square Republica Square, Knez Mihajlova street, Kalemegdan – old fortress of Belgrade. We will also visit the unfinished Orthodox church of St. Sava. After that, enjoy a boat tour on either Sava or Danube River, depending on the river conditions. Enjoy dinner with music in one of the floating restaurants on the river. Included: boat trip on Sava or Danube river.

Meal Inclusions: B.D

After breakfast we will be transferred to Belgrade airport for our flight to Doha at 12:25pm. We will arrive at Doha in the evening. Upon arrival, connect our Qatar flight to Sydney or Melbourne and fly overnight.

Flight Details:

QR232 Belgrade (BEG) – Doha 12:25/18:25
QR908 Doha – Sydney 21:30/18:40 (Next day)
QR904 Doha – Melbourne 20:40/17:10 (Next day)
(All flights are subject to change)

We will arrive in Sydney or Melbourne in the afternoon. Our unforgettable Balkan tour ends.

Inclusions

Economy class airfare Sydney/Melbourne – Doha – Zagreb//Belgrade – Doha – Sydney/Melbourne on Qatar Airways with airport tax and fuel surcharge;
Seventeen-night accommodation on double/twin shared basic in nice 4 star hotels with buffet breakfasts (accommodation near Dubrovnik will be on Bosnian side).
Seventeen dinners and one lunch, mostly at hotel restaurants, some dinners (as mentioned in the itinerary) will be organized with program in the local restaurants;
Transportation with modern air-conditioned bus according to the itinerary;
All highway tolls and road taxes and parking fees according to the itinerary;
Sightseeing with entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary;
Step on local English-speaking guides in some places;
English speaking guide for complete duration of the trip;
Gratuities to guide and drivers ($170 per person for the whole trip).

Exclusions

Travel insurance;
Beverage at meals;
Meals such as lunches not mentioned in the itinerary;
Other entrance fees not mentioned in the itinerary;
Personal expenses.

Dates & Prices

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Departure Date

Return Date

Price

Sat

20 May 2023

Fri

09 Jun 2023

$7,780

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Reviews

Average Rating:

Based on 2 reviews from ADT clients.

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by Sandra Frank

December 17, 2021

20 Day Best of Balkan Tour 2023

Highly recommend this tour

We returned from the above tour late last night - flight delay out of Doha.

I had a wonderful time and Dejan, our guide was excellent - and so knowledgeable.

I took 3,555 photos - that is AFTER culling and sent off over 2,000 with my 73 pages of notes in about 90 emails - sent daily when Wi-Fi allowed.

In Belgrade I did a casual survey that you may be interested in.
From my notes:
I had done a rough survey one morning at breakfast asking a few questions. All but one (Eric, the negative German) said that the trip exceeded expectations, and was excellent value for money.

We were blessed with fine weather and it was quite warm until we arrived into Belgrade, then the winter clothes came out.

I will highly recommend this trip to anyone.

Thanks again

Sandra Frank

by Anh Hien Tran

December 17, 2021

20 Day Best of Balkan Tour 2023

Very Good Organized Tour To Balkan

Itinerary
It was a marvelous itinerary with a full on program. Great daily activities from morning till late evenings. The phrase “waste of time” or “Discontented complaint” were definitely not being mentioned in this trip.

Tour Guide:
Mr. Dejan and our coach captains once again did an excellent job by touring us around. Their caring and willing to provide individual guidance had contributed to a part of a successful tour. During this trip, we had only one minor incidence that one of the members’ purse was stolen and lost about $1.500 Euro. However, Dejan helped her to report to the local police and hopefully she could claim one part of the stolen value back through her travel insurance. In brief, a good tour guide with a helpful coach captain could make everything different.

Hotels:
Most of the hotels provided excellent breakfast and comfortable accommodation.

Food:
A good mixture of buffet and proper dinners with entertainments. We were all over eating and put on weight. However, without lunch is always a good idea because we could extend our visiting times to buildings and other scenic spots. I would like to suggest that our following trips should be more or less like this. If lunch is un-avoidable, then I will suggest our overseas agency to prepare picnic lunch.

Scenic Spots:
This tour provided a mixture of city tour and sightseeing. It provided a combination of visiting old towns and national parks, fortresses etc. There were lots to be seen around all seven countries. I personally preferred Slovenia, Croatia and some coastal towns such as Dubrovnik and Montenegro. Other cities were also great and worth visiting.

Water:
A bottle of water per day was great and it saved us a lot of time to purchase and store up our own water.

Coach:
We had two excellent coach captains (Father & son) who were very friendly and caring. The coach captain worked co-operatively with our tour guide. Together they provided wonderful services and warm interpersonal skills.