Grand Tour of Balkans

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: Ljubljana > Lake Bled

Ljubljana airport pickup, transfer to Lake Bled and hotel check in. Lake Bled is one of the most amazing Alpine resorts. Glacier lake nested beneath Julian Alps with only natural island in the middle of it, is simply must do when in Slovenia. Free time in the afternoon.

Optional:

·       Pletna boat ride to the lake island, visit the old fort or, during the summer time, swimming in the lake is must do.

·       Try local “krem-šnita”, a cake literally invented it Bled.

DAY 2: Lake Bled > Vintgar Gorge > Postojna Cave > Predjama Castle > Ljubljana > Lake Bled

·       After delicious breakfast we’ll take easy 10 min ride to Vintgar Gorge, on of the most amazing turquoise green rivers in whole of Slovenia. It amazing canyon, ideal for easy walks will simply blow you away.

·       After nice morning refreshment, we move to Postojna Cave. Postojnska Jama as locals call it, is 20 kilometre enjoyment of amazing galleries and chambers, calcite formations of stalactites and stalagmites, stunning train ride, altogether are making this the largest show-cave in whole of Europe.

·       As soon as we are finished at the Postojna Cave, time to move towards Predjama Castle, situated in the middle of a towering cliff, a mere 9 km from Postojna Cave. Picturesque, magnificent, defiant, mysterious and impregnable, it has been dominating the surrounding area, perched high up in the 123-metre high cliff, for more than 800 years. It is listed among the Guinness World Records as the largest cave castle in the world.

·       Later we move to Ljubljana, and with the locally guided walking tour, explore one of the most green cities in whole of Europe. Prešern square, Ljubljanica river, Triple and Dragon bridge, park Tivoli, Ljubljanski Grad and other major sites of this amazing city are all part of our locally guided walking tour. Later afternoon is reserved for some free time and dinner, before return to Lake Bled.

DAY 3: Lake Bled > Zagreb

After the amazing two days in Slovenia, time to move on. As soon as we finish breakfast at our hotel, we’ll head towards capital of Croatia, and after two and half hours ride, we’ll arrive to city of Zagreb.

At Zagreb we’ll meet local guide and conduct amazing walking tour and learn more about city history. After the tour, time for lunch. After lunch we’ll continue exploring Zagreb’s most important places and continue getting to know this city true nature.

In the afternoon, it free time to explore city on your own before dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: Zagreb > Karlovac > Slunj > Plitvice Lake National Park > Biha?

Slunj is known for its well-preserved mills and the picturesque little waterfalls along the Slunj?ica river, which flows into the river Korana at this place. The Korana river originates at Plitvice Lakes National Park. At Rastoke, similar natural phenomena are occurring as at the Plitvice Lakes. 

Next in line are UNESCO world heritage, amazing Plitvice Lakes, true nature wonder. At Plitvice we will admire nature’s most amazing wonders made of water, limestone, green forest and much much more.

The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls. These geological processes continue today.  

At the park, we’ll walk around, do few boat rides, learn more about the place and most importantly enjoy nature as much as we can.

In the later afternoon we shall depart towards Biha?, where we’ll cross border from Croatia and enter the country of wonderland, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Dinner and relaxed evening walk around Biha?.

DAY 5: Biha? > Una National Park > Jajce > Sarajevo

After breakfast we leave Biha?, where our first stop of the day is Una National Park. Nature area very similar to Plitvice with lots of water, limestone, green and clean. 

We will spent the first part of the day exploring the ecologically protected area of the national Park Una making hikes through the forest and visiting the amazing area of Štrba?ki Buk waterfall. With one of the local families we’ll organise break with the lunch, and should you be interested, this region can be great opportunity to organise Bosnian local specialty with local family 

Later we move towards Jajce. Amazing place as the medieval residence of the Bosnian Kings will blow you away. It is World’s only place with natural waterfall in the city centre and birthplace of Yugoslavia. Idea and life during Yugoslavia will be our most commented topic so it definitely makes sense to visit where it all started. 

Amazing Pliva Lakes and Old Mills are must see when visiting Jajce region. We should arrive to Sarajevo in the later afternoon, when true local Bosnian dinner and free time will be organised.

Day 6: Sarajevo

Morning hours are reserved for Sarajevo walking tour with food tasting, in aim explore the old parts of Sarajevo and city centre.

We’ll visit places like Baš?aršija (old market), famous European Jerusalem temples (Gazi Mosque, Orthodox and Catholic church and Jewish synagogue), Franz Ferdinand assassination spot and many other sites important to understand rich history of Sarajevo. Tour will be followed with recommendations where to eat great Bosnian food (halal if needed), where to eat some sweets, do shopping, and so on. For the lunch we’ll prepare Bosnian most famous dish called ?evapi.

Afternoon hours are reserved for story of Siege of Sarajevo and visit to Tunnel Museum. Modern World longest siege is story of unbelievable desire for survival and ability of ordinary civilians to defend themselves against much stronger enemy.

Tour is enriched with visits to Olympic mountain of Trebevi? for great panoramas and better understanding the story of Siege of Sarajevo. Later afternoon is free to explore city on your own.

DAY 7: Sarajevo > Lukomir Nomad Village > Sarajevo

Lukomir Village hiking or Jeep Safari tour from Sarajevo is great option for any nature lover.

This tour offer variety of options, and can be conducted for those who are on low, medium or even high fitness level so please do not simply run away from this activity as this ca be really highlight of your time in Balkans.

DAY 8: Sarajevo > Konjic > Tito’s Bunker > Jablanica > Blagaj > Mostar

In the morning visit Konjic and explore its stunning Old Bridge looming over Neretva river and its old town.

Highlight of the day is visit to Tito’s Bunker. Located 900 feet (270 m) underground, town of Konjic, the 26-year project was only completed in 1979, the year before Tito died, and it was built at a cost equivalent to just under £3 billion ($4.6 billion).

At Jablanica learn about greatest WW2 on ex-Yugoslavian soil and make a lunch stop at Jablanica. Again we talk about roasted lamb ????

Later of the day, we will also visit to Blagaj, where we are going to visit Blagaj Tekke (Dervish house) and Buna River Spring. Nobody in this World passing through area of central Herzegovina can not miss the Europe’s most powerful river spring, one of the oldest Dervish houses in our country.

In the afternoon we arrive to Mostar. Hotel check-in and Mostar walking tour. Free evening.

DAY 9: Mostar > Po?itelj > Medjugorje > Kravice Waterfalls > Split

In the morning visit Po?itelj. Po?itelj is originally medieval, but present day Ottoman time built village, nested in the hills above stunning Neretva river and is place of definite peace. Local mosque, fort and stunning views are guarantee of the good fun.

Later admire the south-east European greatest Catholic pilgrimage of Medjugorje, and climb the apparition hill.

For true wine lovers, region of Herzegovina offers amazing wine tasting opportunities and this activity will be organised on request.

At our next stop we will visit amazing area of Kravice Waterfalls, where during summer time we prefer to have a swim. We call them small Niagara. Why, you better come and see for yourself.

In the later afternoon we are arriving to Split, and as soon as we check into our hotel we are ready to have some seafood dinner and easily explore amazing Diocletian palace and Splitska Riva (pedestrian area).

DAY 10: Split and Trogir

The morning is reserved for the city walking tour in beautiful Split, where we will learn a lot about this, largest Dalmatian city, the second largest city of Croatia. After the city walking tour, we will have a lunch break, and have the opportunity to try some of the most delicious specialties of this region. UNESCO protected Diocletian Palace is true gem of this town and its main pedestrian area of famous “Splitska Riva” will make enjoy this day to maximum.

The afternoon is reserved for the visit to Trogir, which is situated 25 km north of Split. The Old Town of Trogir is on list of UNESCO world cultural heritage. This charming small city is definitely a great destination to visit for a half day visit from Split.

Free evening in Split.

DAY 11: Split > Ston > Dubrovnik

In the early morning depart Split and on the way to Dubrovnik enjoy the beautiful coastline of Adriatic sea. Visit Ston, and climb the amazing walls of Ston.

These walls are a series of defensive stone walls, that have surrounded and protected the maritime city – state of Dubrovnik (Ragusa).

For oyster lovers Ston is truly paradise on earth, so we recommend delicious lunch here. It can be organised as lunch only, or full time oyster learning experience, as region of Ston is Makkah of the Croatian oyster world.

Arrival to Dubrovnik is in the afternoon, with hotel check-in and free time in Dubrovnik.

DAY 12: Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Balkans. On this full day in Dubrovnik, in the morning we will do Dubrovnik city tour, followed with the free time in Dubrovnik on your own. We will recommend some nice places for lunch and leisure activities too.

Optional:

·       In the afternoon we recommend you consider to take walk along the Dubrovnik walls, take a cable car ride to Srdj hill, take island boat ride and enjoy the walks at Lokrum or find good beach and enjoy the Adriatic sea.

·       Game of Thrones is popular walking tour of Dubrovnik too.

DAY 13: Dubrovnik > Perast > Kotor > Budva & Sveti Stefan > Kotor

Drive alongside Adriatic coast, will take us to our first stop will be Perast, a baroque town in the municipality of Kotor with its two stunning islands: Sveti Djordje and Gospa od Škrpjela.

The mid-day is reserved for walking tour in Kotor. Small city, with old part of town, which is surrounded by fortress walls. It is one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro, with impressive medieval architecture, and cultural monuments. 

Our journey continues towards Budva, one of the Oldest cities of Montenegro. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Old part of the town, and have some relaxed time there.

Last stop of the day is island of Sveti Stefan. Once island, today connected with mainland by narrow isthmus Sveti Stefan is now a 5-star franchise hotel of the international group of Aman Resorts.

In the evening, check-in our hotel at Kotor and free evening.

DAY 14: Kotor > Skadar Lake Cruise > Kruja (Albania) > Tirana

As soon as we leave Kotor, first stop of the day will be visit to Skadar Lake National Park with an organised lake cruise. Lake Skadar is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, having 270 bird species, among which are some of the last pelicans in Europe, what makes it great birdwatching destination. 

Later we pass the border to Albania and on the way to Tirana we will visit Kruje.

Once upon a time capital of the first autonomous Albanian state, home place of Albanian National hero Skenderbeg, place of the most preserved old marketplace in Albania, nested on the mountain, Kruje is offering great panorama sights, lots of interesting history and much more.