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Soak up the classic beauty of the Western Balkans, from the canals of Venice to the Croatian coast.
The Western Balkans are that rarest of European finds: an idyllic landscape covered in wildflowers, conifers, Roman ruins and sleepy little hamlets, but with hardly a tourist in sight. We’ll start this 22-day journey among the waterways and canals of Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, then make our way south-east along the Dalmatian coast, stopping in at the old Roman city of Split, doing a little island-hopping in Lastovo and Korcula islands, and moving on through Sarajevo, Belgrade and Novi Sad. This is a chance to see the Western Balkans before the boom – with scenery like this it won’t be long until the tourist hordes begin to take notice.
- Start
- Venice, Italy
- Finish
- Belgrade, Serbia
- Destinations
- Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia
- Style
- Peregrine
- Code
- PESCC
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 4 reviews
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Looking for trips in 2022?
Why you'll love this trip
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Arrive in style! Your airport arrival transfer in Venice is by private water taxi. Glide into the centre of Venice by boat to gain an appropriate sense of perspective of this unique city from the water… don’t forget to keep your camera handy!
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Learn the local trade with an immersive fishing experience on Lastovo Island. Head out with a local fisherman and his crew, helping to bring in the days catch. Enjoy the fishy fruits of your labour with a seafood lunch freshly prepared on board
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As well as the long time favourite Dubrovnik, you'll experience one of Europe's most interesting (and safe) cities of the moment – Sarajevo. The Tunnel Museum is an astounding illumination of Bosnia and Herzegovina's war history, displaying a piece of the very tunnel used during the Siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s
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Under the guidance of knowledgable locals, you'll visit some of the region's most beautiful cathedrals, monasteries, palaces, Ottoman mosques and UNESCO-protected townscapes
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The smaller, lesser-known destinations on this trip are some of the best. The crystalline beauty of towns like Mostar and Blagaj is the stuff of fairytales
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Montenegro may be a tiny country, but its charms can hardly be overstated. Take a day trip to this land of pristine beaches, mountain peaks and old-world villages
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Visit the Srebrenica Memorial Center. The Centre honours the thousands who died in the infamous Srebrenica Genocide of 1995. The local guide who has lived through the horrors of war will answer any question you might have
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Visit the Zivanovic family’s honey museum and winery in Sremski Karlovci. Their old house has been converted into museum full of beekeeping memorabilia and the have had a wine cellar here for 300 years. You’ll try Bermet dessert wine which is a speciality of the region. Reports suggest it was drunk at the emperor's court in Vienna and was even served on the Titanic. This family are said to have kept the original recipe.
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Truffles are a glamourous-sounding local produce in Istria. Enjoy a truffle tasting combined with local speciality dishes such as fuži (Istrian pasta), fritaja (Croatian omelette) or our producer’s somewhat exotic truffle ice cream! Your sommelier will pair your tasting with suitable Istrian wines to try.
Is this trip right for you?
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Summer temperatures can reach 40°C or higher in some areas, so it's important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
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As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same gender. While this is a great opportunity to chat with like-minded travellers, you can purchase a single room supplement (where available) if you'd prefer not to share. Note that many hotels in Europe don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
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A visit to the Srebrenica Memorial Centre can be an emotional experience. If you would rather not visit the centre please just let your leader know.
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You will visit a number of religious buildings which require a level of modesty. You will need to bring clothes that cover the shoulders and trousers/shorts or skirts that go to knee. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.
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As this is a combination of 3 trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in Split and in Dubrovnik.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Hotel Kosher House Giardino dei Melograni or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Complimentary Water Taxi Arrival Transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Meet your leader and group, and have your essential details such as passport number and insurance details ready for collection. If you're going to be late, please inform hotel reception. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. As this trip leaves Venice tomorrow, it's recommended to arrive early to make the most of your time here.Accommodation
- Hotel Kompas or Hotel Lovec or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Postojna Caves
- Ljubljana Sightseeing with Local Guide
- Ljubljana Castle and Funicular
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
The constant temperature in the caves ranges from 8 to 10° C, so be sure to pack a jacket.Accommodation
- Hotel Kompas or Hotel Lovec or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Pletna Boat Trip on Lake Bled
- Cable Car to Mt Vogel
- Day Trip to Bohinj
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Hotel Galija or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Truffle and Wine Tasting in Motovun
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Ethno House Plitvice Selo or similar (Feature Stay) (1 night)
Included Activities
- Pula Roman Amphitheatre
- Guided Tour of Pula
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel Kolovare or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Zadar Sightseeing Tour
- Zadar Sunset Drink
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Kolovare or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Luxe or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
For some this trip will come to an end upon arrival. As this is a combination trip the composition of your group and your leader may change in Split. There will be another group meeting this evening where you will be able to meet the new members of the group. This is followed by dinner in a local restaurant.Accommodation
- Hotel Luxe or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Guided Walk of Split
- Diocletian's Palace
- Day Trip to Trogir by Boat
- Trogir Sightseeing with Local Guide & Visit to Trogir Cathedral
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Guesthouse Augusta Insula or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Guesthouse Augusta Insula or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Fishing Trip with Local Fisherman with Seafood Lunch
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Accommodation
- Hotel Marko Polo, Hotel Villa Liburna, Hotel Port 9 or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Visit to the Town of Blato
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that during shoulder season (May and October) the ferry schedule is limited to one ferry per day. If you are travelling on one of our departures during these months the group's departure today is very early in the morning.Accommodation
- Hotel Uvala or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Dubrovnik City Walls
- Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport and entry to sites)
- Matusko Winery Tour and Tasting
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Uvala or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Boat Tour to Lokrum Island
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel Uvala or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Special Information
For some this trip will come to an end this morning. As this is a combination trip the composition of your group and your leader may change in Dubrovnik. There will be another group meeting this evening where you will be able to meet the new members of the group. After the meeting head out for a group dinner at a traditional restaurant.Accommodation
- Hotel Uvala or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kotor Sightseeing with Local Guide
- St Tryphon's Cathedral
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that the drive from Dubrovnik to Kotor should take about 2 hours one-way, but can be longer if there is a lot of traffic at the border crossing entering or leaving Montenegro. Please have your passport handy.Accommodation
- Hotel Festival or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Blagaj Teke Monastery
- Guided Tour in Mostar with a Local Guide & Craftsman Visit
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel Festival or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Sarajevo Sightseeing with Local Guide
- War Tunnel Museum
- Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Royal Inn Belgrade or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Srebrenica Memorial Centre with Local Guide
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Special Information
A visit to the Srebrenica Memorial Centre can be an emotional experience. If you would rather not visit the centre just let your leader know.Accommodation
- Hotel Royal Inn Belgrade or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Guided Tour Belgrade
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Royal Inn Belgrade or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Petrovaradin Fortress
- Wine & Honey Tasting in Sremski Karlovci
- Novo Hopovo Monastery
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Meals
21 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinnersTransport
Private vehicle, FerryAccommodation
Comfortable hotel (16 nights), Feature stay In Plitvice, on Lastovo Island and in Belgrade (5 nights)Included Activities
- Complimentary Water Taxi Arrival Transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport
- Postojna Caves
- Ljubljana Sightseeing with Local Guide
- Ljubljana Castle and Funicular
- Pletna Boat Trip on Lake Bled
- Cable Car to Mt Vogel
- Day Trip to Bohinj
- Truffle and Wine Tasting in Motovun
- Pula Roman Amphitheatre
- Guided Tour of Pula
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Zadar Sightseeing Tour
- Zadar Sunset Drink
- Guided Walk of Split
- Diocletian's Palace
- Day Trip to Trogir by Boat
- Trogir Sightseeing with Local Guide & Visit to Trogir Cathedral
- Fishing Trip with Local Fisherman with Seafood Lunch
- Visit to the Town of Blato
- Dubrovnik City Walls
- Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport and entry to sites)
- Matusko Winery Tour and Tasting
- Boat Tour to Lokrum Island
- Kotor Sightseeing with Local Guide
- St Tryphon's Cathedral
- Blagaj Teke Monastery
- Guided Tour in Mostar with a Local Guide & Craftsman Visit
- Sarajevo Sightseeing with Local Guide
- War Tunnel Museum
- Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque
- Srebrenica Memorial Centre with Local Guide
- Guided Tour Belgrade
- Petrovaradin Fortress
- Wine & Honey Tasting in Sremski Karlovci
- Novo Hopovo Monastery
Dates & availability - 2021 season
Trip departures are unavailable.
There are currently no scheduled departures on our Dalmatia & Western Balkan Discovery trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.
Jump to a departure month
Important notes
FITNESS LEVEL
This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
ARRIVAL TRANSFER
An arrival transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport (only) to the start point hotel by water taxi is included in the price of the trip. Please advise your travel agent of your flight times at the time of booking.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Please note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.
COMBINATION TRIP
As this is a combination of 3 trips, your leader and the composition of your group may change in Split and in Dubrovnik.

Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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