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Days
8
Price from
$2,585USD
Map of Highlights of the Western Balkans including Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia

Discover the best of Eastern Europe through Dubrovnik, Sarajevo and Belgrade

Croatia has been a hot travel destination for a while now, but Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia are really beginning to emerge as exciting places to experience. This itinerary combines the best of them; a colourful tapestry of cultures, landscapes and traditions.

Start
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Finish
Belgrade, Serbia
Destinations
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia
Style
Peregrine
Code
PEHC
Physical rating
Traveller’s rating
6 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • As well as the long time favourite Dubrovnik, you'll experience one of Europe's most interesting (and safe) cities of the moment – Sarajevo.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Is this trip right for you?

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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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UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kotor

Itinerary
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This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2018 - 07 October 2018

Arrive in Dubrovnik, one of Croatia's most bewitching seaside cities. There are no activities planned before this evening's group meeting, so you may arrive at any time. If you arrive early, perhaps take a stroll through the charming Old Town, or simply enjoy the city's lively outdoor cafe culture. After the meeting head out for a group dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Lero or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
An airport arrival transfer is included in the price of the trip. Please advise your travel agent of your flight details at the time of booking. 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.

Set out from Dubrovnik on a day excursion to the stunning country of Montenegro. Montenegro occupies a thin strip of the Adriatic coast and is a land of beautiful sandy and pebbled beaches, dramatic mountain peaks and delightful old villages. Your excursion will take you to Europe's most southerly fjord, Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor), one of the most beautiful bays of the region. On the way, pass through the small and picturesque towns of Risan and Perast, situated on the banks of the bay, before arriving at the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Kotor, where you will embark on a sightseeing tour with a local guide. Visit the Cathedral of St. Tryphun, which dates back to the 8th century (according to the annals of Constantine Porfirogenet, the Byzantine czar), the South Gates of Kotor (the "Gurdich Gate"), and the square "Trg od oruzija" (The Armory Square). Return to Dubrovnik in the afternoon.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Lero 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.

Depart Dubrovnik this morning and travel to the peaceful town of Blagaj, our first stop in Bosnia (approximately 2.5 hours). Blagaj is the location of the turquoise Buna River spring, where you’ll visit a historical tekija (Dervish monastery). After lunch there is a short drive to Mostar (approximately 30 minutes), a town situated in a beautiful valley in the high mountains of Herzegovina. Here you will explore the must-see Cejvan Cehaj Mosque, which was built in 1552. Thanks to the river Neretva, Mostar was able to develop as a city in the barren landscape of Herzegovina. Neretva's size turned Mostar into a trading centre of the region very early on. The most famous feature of the city is its bridge. Stari Most ('Old Bridge'), which was built by the Ottomans in 1565. It was the great architect Mimar Hajrudin who had succeeded with the impossible mission to cross the Neretva River with a single span stone bridge. In the late afternoon you will drive to Bosnia's capital, Sarajevo (approximately 2.5 hours). Enjoy a dinner in a local restaurant.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Opal Home or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Blagaj Teke Monastery
  • Guided Tour in Mostar with a Local Guide
  • Cejvan Cehaj Mosque Mostar
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Explore Sarajevo this morning with a walking tour of the city. You will visit the famous Baščaršija, the old Turkish quarter, home to one of the most interesting market centres in the country. Sarajevo is one of the few cities in the world that features an Orthodox church, a Catholic church and a mosque (the famous Begova Džamija) all within close proximity. You will be visiting all three buildings on your tour. This city may well be one of the highlights of your trip. It has emerged from the brink of ruin in the 1990s to become one of the most interesting capital cities of Europe. After your exploration of the city, there will be free time for lunch before you depart for the Tunnel Museum in the suburb of Ilidža. The tunnel was dug underneath the airport runway and was used to smuggle provisions into the city during the siege. The rest of the afternoon ids free for you to explore this exciting city.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Opal Home or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sarajevo Sightseeing with Local Guide
  • War Tunnel Museum
  • Gazi Husrev Beg Mosque
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

After breakfast transfer from Sarajevo for Srebrenica (approximately 2.5 hours). Explore the narrow streets and learn about the town's tragic past on a guided tour, including a visit to 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. Take time to reflect on the experience over lunch at a local restaurant before travelling to Beograd, the Serbian capital more commonly known as Belgrade (approximately 3.5 hours). The 'White City' is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Sitting at the confluence of two major rivers, the Sava and the Danube, it’s an important intersection between Eastern and Western Europe. Here you’ll experience an energetic mix of progressive flamboyance and conservative customs.
Accommodation
  • Design Hotel Mr President or Prime Hotel 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.

After breakfast take part in a guided sightseeing tour of Belgrade to give you some familiarity with the area and local amenities. Then you'll have the rest of the day free to explore the city. Perhaps begin with a wander around the city’s wide boulevards and squares, and the historic and green heart of Kalemegdan Park. The park is home to Kalemegdan Fortress, which has overlooked the Danube River here for centuries. In the evening, head down to Skadarska Street in the bohemian quarter of Skadarlija to sample some authentic local food and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Accommodation
  • Design Hotel Mr President or Prime Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Guided Tour Belgrade
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Embark on a day trip to Serbia's second-largest city, Novi Sad (approximately 1.5 hours). Experience Novi Sad's fascinating blend of traditional culture and Austro-Hungarian architecture on a sightseeing tour. Visit the city’s fortress of Petrovaradin, which sits right on the Danube and contains a museum of historic artefacts from the region. In the afternoon, head out of town to visit a local vineyard in Sremski Karlovci (approximately 30 minutes) and see the workings of a family-run wine making business. Visit the Zivanovic family’s honey museum and winery. 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. Return to Belgrade in the evening for a final dinner with your group.
Accommodation
  • Design Hotel Mr President or Prime Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Petrovaradin Fortress
  • Wine & Honey Tasting in Sremski Karlovci
  • Novo Hopovo Monastery
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Your trip ends after breakfast this morning in Belgrade. Those wanting to extend their stay can arrange additional nights' accommodation at the time of booking. If you have some spare time before departing, the markets near the Hram Svetog Save (St Sava Church) and Pijaca Venac will keep you occupied for hours.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (7 nights)

Included Activities

  • Kotor Sightseeing with Local Guide
  • St Tryphon's Cathedral
  • Blagaj Teke Monastery
  • Guided Tour in Mostar with a Local Guide
  • Cejvan Cehaj Mosque Mostar
  • 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

Reviews

Our Highlights of the Western Balkans trips score an average of 4.5 out of 5 based on 6 reviews in the last year.

Highlights of the Western Balkans, May 2018

Sandra Crees

Review submitted 25 Jun 2018

Highlights of the Western Balkans, September 2017

Claire Neal

Review submitted 12 Oct 2017

Dates & availability

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Important notes

LEVEL OF FITNESS
This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.

ARRIVAL TRANSFER
An arrival transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to the start point hotel 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.

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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