Trip Length
12 Days
Trip Starts
Zagreb
Trip Finishes
Dubrovnik
Budget
Affordable
Max. Group Size
16
Pace
Leisurely
Trip Style
National Geographic Journeys
Trip Code
ECWNG
Overview
Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on G Adventures 12 Day Discover the Balkans. On the crossroads between East and West, the Balkan Peninsula dazzles with less-discovered gems. Enjoy a fascinating introduction to the stunning Dalmatian coast of Croatia, the dramatic history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the lush waterways of Montenegro, discovering an array of UNESCO World Heritage sites and natural treasures along the way.
Itinerary
Please make your own way to the joining hotel. Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and has a very charming old city, complete with cobblestone streets and medieval buildings. Be sure to sample some of the delicious local food and drink. There are also a number of museums to explore focusing on art, history, and archaeology. After the meeting, opt to head out for a meal in a local restaurant to get to know your CEO and travelling companions. Stay: Best Western Premier Hotel Astoria
Entrance to the park is included and there are many opportunities for walking and relaxing in one of Croatia's most famed wonders. Stay: Big House Hotel Plitvička Jezera (B/D)
Begin our exploration of the sparkling Adriatic coast in Split. In the early evening, take a guided walk around the dazzling Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built of luminous white stone imported from the nearby island of Brac, this imposing palace dates to the third century A.D. Stay: Hotel Corner (B)
Opt to visit the local market and gobble up some Croatian delicacies. For a little more activity, visit Marjan's peak, with gorgeous views over the city, or hit up some of the hiking and biking trails in the area. Stay: Hotel Corner (B)
Enjoy a scenic drive across the border to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stroll around the ancient town and pay a visit to the famed Stari Most (Old Bridge), considered a symbol of the city’s resilience. This reconstructed Ottoman-style bridge was first built in the 17th century—and then meticulously rebuilt after its destruction during the Bosnian War. Later, continue to Sarajevo for the evening. Stay: Astra Old Town (B)
Learn about the four-year-long Siege of Sarajevo from a local expert who lived through this devastating period. Gain more insights at the Tunnel of Hope and War Tunnel Museum, and view bunkers, minefields, and trenches at Trebević Mountain, the site of several battles. After, experience the city’s resurgence at a market and during lunch at a local spot. Stay: Astra Old Town (B/L)
Walk around the cobblestone streets of the Old Town (Stari Grad) while taking in the architecture of diverse places of worship. This is also a great place to shop and visit markets. The Latin Bridge is worth a visit as it played an important role in the history of this area. This is the site where the Archduke of the Austro Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated, leading to the beginning of World War I. Stay: Astra Old Town (B)
Continue to Montenegro and travel to the Bay of Kotor, a region that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Stay: Hotel Porto In (B)
Opt to visit the Risan Roman mosaics and take a leisurely stroll in Perast and the islands, or go sea kayaking. If relaxing is more your style, the beaches of Herceg Novi offer a great escape. There are also local mud therapy spas nearby to test the natural healing properties of the area's sand. Stay: Hotel Porto In (B)
Cross into Croatia and travel to Dubrovnik, known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Set on the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik has been an important maritime town in the region for centuries. Surrounded by medieval walls, it is rich in history and is a beautiful city to explore, filled with stunning architecture, museums, and fountains. Stay: Hotel Adria Dubrovnik (B/L)
Enjoy a free day in Dubrovnik, which once rivaled Venice as a maritime power. Explore its World Heritage–designated Old City, where distinctive red roofs make for spectacular photos. Order the catch of the day at a seaside café, or consider setting out on a boat trip to one of the nearby islands. Stay: Hotel Adria Dubrovnik (B)
We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this lively city has to offer. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Visit the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park.
- Explore the ancient town of Mostar and the Stari Most (Old Bridge).
- Take a tour of the "Tunnel of Life" in Sarajevo.
- Spend a couple days on the Bay of Kotor.
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Siege of Sarajevo Tour, Sarajevo
- Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Agroturizam Experience, Dubrovnik
- Your G for Good Moment: DEŠA Women's Centre Visit, Dubrovnik Local Life: Traditional Peka Dinner, Zagreb
- Plitviče Lakes National Park walk
- Traditional peka dinner
- Split orientation walk around Diocletian's Palace
- Excursion to Mostar visiting the Stari Most (Old Bridge)
- Kotor orientation walk
- Dubrovnik city wall walk
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
- Hotels (11 Nights)
- On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels or pensions (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations.
- Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
- 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
- Private minivan, walking, bus, boat
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Discover the Balkans' Reviews
5.0
5 Star
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1 Star
We really enjoyed this tour (our second with G Adventures). Our tour leader (Summer) - called a CEO, short for Chief Experience Officer by G Adventures was fantastic and put in the extra leg work to find those special experiences throughout the tour. This one was a National Geographic Tour which provides a better class of accommodation together with longer in each location which gave us the ability to actually look around at our leisure without being herded from spot to spot.
We allowed additional time in Zagreb before the tour commenced which gave us time to look around this area and also take a day trip into Slovenia. This tour included a visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park but unfortunately due to exceptionally heavy rainfall we were unable to experience the boardwalks but the waterfalls were really roaring. The history of this area was amazing with the last war a very recent memory to many with numerous signs of damage still evident. We ended the tour in Dubrovnik where we added two additional days staying in the old town which we enjoyed. Accommodation would have been rated as excellent except the starting and finishing hotels were a little tired and appear to have been changed at the last minute.
We allowed additional time in Zagreb before the tour commenced which gave us time to look around this area and also take a day trip into Slovenia. This tour included a visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park but unfortunately due to exceptionally heavy rainfall we were unable to experience the boardwalks but the waterfalls were really roaring. The history of this area was amazing with the last war a very recent memory to many with numerous signs of damage still evident. We ended the tour in Dubrovnik where we added two additional days staying in the old town which we enjoyed. Accommodation would have been rated as excellent except the starting and finishing hotels were a little tired and appear to have been changed at the last minute.
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Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures.
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