Discover a 15-day cultural circuit through Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, combining iconic UNESCO sites, historic old towns, lakes and fjords with guided visits and scenic drives.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Zagreb: Croatia’s lively capital, with its Austro-Hungarian architecture, cathedral and charming upper town with St. Mark’s church and Ban Jelačić square.
Dubrovnik & the Balkan capitals: from the walled city of Dubrovnik on the Adriatic to Sarajevo, Tirana, Skopje and Belgrade, explore the rich history and cultures of the Western Balkans.
Day 1: ARRIVAL ZAGREB (16km – 0.5hr)
Upon arrival at Zagreb Airport, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel in Zagreb.
Overnight in Zagreb.
Day 2: ZAGREB – BLED – LJUBLJANA (200km – 2hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a city tour of Zagreb, where you will see the National Theatre, Mimara Museum, St. Mark’s Church, the Parliament, Lotrščak Tower, Ban Jelačić Square, and then the Cathedral.
Drive to Bled and have lunch in Bled. Enjoy a tour of Bled, a jewel of Slovenian tourism. Visit the Church of St. Mary and take a short cruise on the lake in a traditional boat. After the visit, depart for Ljubljana.
Overnight in Ljubljana.
Day 3: LJUBLJANA – POSTOJNA – PLITVICE LAKES (280km – 3.5hrs)
After breakfast, visit Ljubljana and depart for Postojna. Visit Postojna and its caves, the most impressive in Europe. After lunch, visit the caves known for their natural beauty. Return to Croatia and continue to Plitvice National Park.
Overnight in the Plitvice region.
Day 4: PLITVICE LAKES – ZADAR – SPLIT OR TROGIR (300km – 3hrs)
In the morning, visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, protected by UNESCO. Walk around the 16 turquoise, crystal-clear lakes connected by beautiful waterfalls. Depart for Zadar, enjoy lunch and free time (around 1 hour) to stroll through the city and see from the outside its most important sights: ancient churches, palaces, squares, and alleys. Then continue to Split, where you will visit the historic city center, including Diocletian’s Palace with its basements and St. Domnius Cathedral.
Overnight in Split or Trogir.
Day 5: SPLIT OR TROGIR – SARAJEVO (228km – 3.5hrs)
Today, you will take a drive to the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo. Upon arrival, lunch will be in a local restaurant offering a traditional “ćevapčići” menu, a local speciality favourite among tourists and locals.
Visit the famous Baščaršija district with its souvenir shops and cafés, the Gazi Husrev-Beg Mosque, the old Orthodox church, and the Latin Bridge — the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife.
Overnight in Sarajevo.
Day 6: SARAJEVO – MOSTAR – DUBROVNIK (230km – 4.5hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Mostar. Discover its famous medieval bridge, destroyed in the 1990s during the war and rebuilt identically. Walk through the bazaar, visit the Turkish House and the mosque. Free time after lunch, then continue to Dubrovnik.
Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Day 7: DUBROVNIK
In the morning, a walking tour of the exceptionally beautiful city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besieged in 1991, it was restored identically, and its buildings reflect various historical influences. Visit the Rector’s Palace and the Dominican Monastery. See also St. Blaise Church and Onofrio’s Fountain. Lunch in the Old Town, then a free afternoon.
Overnight Dubrovnik.
Day 8: DUBROVNIK
Free day and lunch at leisure. You can go on your own to Old Dubrovnik for a walk or shopping.
Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Day 9: DUBROVNIK – KOTOR – CETINJE – PODGORICA (150km – 3hrs)
Departure to the Bay of Kotor, the deepest fjord in the Adriatic, whose town is surrounded by walls with strong Venetian influence from 400 years of rule. Visit St. Tryphon Cathedral. After lunch, drive to Cetinje, the former capital and residence of the Montenegrin princes. Visit the Palace of King Nikola. Continue to Podgorica.
Overnight Podgorica.
Day 10: PODGORICA – SHKODER – TIRANA (150km – 2.5hrs)
Drive to Albania and stop in Shkodër, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Lunch in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon, depart for Tirana. Exterior visits of main landmarks: Skanderbeg Monument, Ethem Bey Mosque, and Presidential Palace. Visit to Bunk'Art Tirana.
Overnight in Tirana.
Day 11: TIRANA – OHRID – SKOPJE (300km – 4.5hrs)
Continue the trip toward Ohrid, Macedonia, a UNESCO-listed town. Lunch in a restaurant serving Macedonian specialties. The city houses the oldest Slavic monastery and 800 Byzantine-style medieval icons. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake and visit the Icon Gallery and Samuel’s Fortress. Continue to Skopje.
Overnight Skoplje.
Day 12: SKOPJE – BELGRADE (435km – 4.30hrs)
Visit to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Exterior visit of its many monuments: the Stone Bridge, Mustapha Pasha Mosque, Kale Fortress, and Bit Pazar market. Departure from Skopje; lunch en route to Belgrade.
Overnight in Belgrade.
Day 13: BELGRADE – NOVI SAD – ILOK – OSIJEK (219km – 3hrs)
Departure for a panoramic city tour and guided walking visit of the city center: Alexander Boulevard, the Parliament, Republic Square, the National Theatre, Terazije Square, traditional Serbian houses, and Saborna Church. Then drive to Novi Sad, formerly called the “Gibraltar of the Danube.” Visit the exterior of Petrovaradin Fortress, dating back to Roman times, overlooking Novi Sad. After the visit, lunch in a local restaurant and continue to Ilok, Croatia, for wine tasting. Then drive to Osijek.
Overnight Osijek.
Day 14: OSIJEK – VUKOVAR – ZAGREB (300km – 2.5hrs)
Visit Osijek, the largest city in Slavonia, on the banks of the Drava River. Its rich history has left many monuments: the co-cathedral, the Capuchin church, and Secession-style buildings inherited from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Drive to Vukovar. After lunch, discover this Baroque city in the heart of Slavonia, completely rebuilt after being the site of a devastating siege during the last Croatian–Serbian war. This “museum city” is the symbol of Croatian resistance, and your guide will recount the history of this tragic war. Drive to Zagreb.
Overnight in Zagreb.
Day 15: ZAGREB DEPARTURE
Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel and free time before your transfer to Zagreb Airport.
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Croatia. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts, or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
