13 Day Balkan Grand Discovery Tour: Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia & Slovenia

Arrive in Bucharest and enjoy some free time to get acquainted with Romania’s vibrant capital (for arrivals until 15.00pm)

Begin your exploration with a visit to the Village Museum, a fascinating open-air collection of nearly 300 traditional houses, farmsteads, and cultural artifacts that showcase the authentic rural life of Romanian peasant communities from various regions.

Stroll through the leafy paths as you discover wooden churches, charming cottages, and centuries-old craftsmanship preserved in their original form.

After the museum visit, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing or wandering through Bucharest’s eclectic neighborhoods, admiring the mix of historical, communist-era, and modern architecture that gives the city its unique character.

End your day with a pleasant evening in the city, soaking in the atmosphere of Romania’s cultural capital.Overnight in Bucharest.

Begin the day with a short walking tour of Bucharest’s city center, admiring its blend of historical, communist-era, and modern architecture before departing Romania.

Continue your journey across the border to Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria’s medieval capital with over 7,000 years of history. Spend half a day exploring Veliko Turnovo, including a guided visit to the Old

Bazaar and Tsarevets Fortress (architectural and museum reserve, entrance fee only), where the stone walls, imposing gates, and commanding towers reveal the city’s once-strategic power. Enjoy an included lunch in the town before resuming your trip toward Sofia.

Arrive in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, for check-in at your hotel, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.

Begin your morning with a 1.5-hour panoramic walking and driving tour of Sofia (no entrances), passing by the city’s most important landmarks, including the Archaeological Museum, National Art Gallery, Russian Church, Military Club, Parliament Square, Tsar Liberator Monument, Sofia University, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and St. Sophia Church. After the city tour, depart Sofia for the Rila Monastery, located about 2 hours away in the scenic Rila Mountains.

At Rila Monastery(guided tour included), allowing time to explore the complex, appreciate its frescoes and architecture, walk the surrounding grounds, and enjoy a local lunch nearby.

In the afternoon, continue your journey toward Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, with an approximate 4-hour drive through picturesque mountain and valley landscapes. Arrive in Skopje in the evening for check-in and overnight.

Start the day with a guided city tour of Skopje, exploring the highlights of North Macedonia’s capital. Visit the Stone Bridge, the Macedonia Square with its grand monuments, the Old Bazaar, the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, and enjoy views of the Kale Fortress overlooking the city.

Balkans.” Upon arrival, enjoy a guided city tour of Ohrid, visiting its charming old town, lakeside promenade, and key landmarks such as St. Sophia Church, Ancient Theatre of Plaoshnik,

and Saint John at Kaneo perched above the lake.

Enjoy a traditional lunch in Ohrid with beautiful lake views before settling into your hotel for a relaxing.Overnight stay in Ohrid.

Depart Ohrid in the morning and cross into Albania, heading toward its lively capital, Tirana, beautifully set between Mount Dajti and the coastal lowlands.

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Tirana, exploring its main highlights: Skanderbeg Square, the Sahati Clock Tower, Et’hem Bey Mosque, the National Library, and the exterior of

the National Historic Museum, all reflecting the city’s blend of Ottoman, Italian, and communist-era influences, BunkART 2 museum.

After the city tour, enjoy a delicious lunch in Tirana, sampling local Albanian cuisine.

In the afternoon, continue your journey through scenic mountain and coastal landscapes toward Budva, one of Montenegro’s most famous Adriatic towns known for its beaches and medieval old town. Arrive in Budva in the early evening for check-in and overnight.

Start your day in Budva with a 1-hour guided walking tour of the old town, exploring its narrow streets, historic churches, and charming seaside promenade.

After the morning tour, depart for Kotor, a scenic drive along the Adriatic coast. Spend approximately 3 hours in Kotor, self visit in UNESCO-listed old town, stroll along the medieval streets, and enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant. Take in the stunning views of the Bay of Kotor and admire the town’s impressive fortifications.

In the afternoon, continue your journey toward Dubrovnik, Croatia, with a transfer along the beautiful coastal route. Arrive in Dubrovnik in the evening for check-in and overnight stay.

Begin your day with a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik, exploring the Old Town, city walls, Stradun street, and historic landmarks that make this “Pearl of the Adriatic” so iconic. After the tour, depart for Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, enjoying the scenic drive along the Adriatic coast and through the mountains.

In Mostar, spend time visiting the famous Old Bridge (Stari Most), the Old Bazaar, and the picturesque streets of the historic town. Enjoy a lunch at a local restaurant, sampling traditional Bosnian cuisine.

After lunch, continue the journey toward Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a scenic drive through the mountains.

Arrive in Sarajevo in the evening for check-in and overnight stay.

Start the day with a guided tour of Sarajevo, exploring its rich history and cultural diversity. Visit the Baščaršija Old Bazaar, the Latin Bridge where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, and other key landmarks that showcase the city’s Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and modern influences.

After the city tour, depart for Bihać, enjoying a scenic drive through Bosnia and Herzegovina’s beautiful landscapes.Arrive in Bihać in the afternoon or early evening for check-in and overnight stay.

Start the day with a short sightseeing tour of Bihać, exploring its charming old town, riverfront, and historic landmarks that reflect the city’s rich heritage.

After the tour, depart for Plitvice National Park, one of Croatia’s most stunning natural treasures, famous for its cascading lakes and waterfalls.

Spend a few hours walking the park’s trails, taking in the lakes, waterfalls, and lush greenery, and enjoying the natural beauty.

In the late afternoon, continue your journey to Rijeka for check-in and overnight stay.

Depart Rijeka in the morning and drive north toward Slovenia (approx. 1.5–2 hours), enjoying scenic views along the way. Arrive at Postojna Cave, Slovenia’s most famous natural attraction. Enjoy a guided tour through the spectacular underground world by electric train and on foot, discovering impressive stalactites, stalagmites, and vast chambers.

Optional: short stop at Predjama Castle, dramatically built into a cliff (photo stop or visit,)(21 EUR/pp)

Afternoon continue to Ljubljana and lunch break.(approx. 1 hour). Upon arrival, enjoy free time or a short orientation walk in the charming old town: Prešeren Square ,Triple Bridge, Ljubljanica River promenade and visit on the mighty castle, that stands proudly on this the cliff.

Tour ends with drop-off at the hotel in Ljubljana or the city center.

Depart Ljubljana in the morning and drive toward the Julian Alps, enjoying Slovenia’s beautiful alpine scenery on the way (approx. 1–1.5 hours).

Arrive at Lake Bled, one of the most iconic destinations in Slovenia. Enjoy free time to walk along the lake promenade, or complete with one of optional tours:

Bled Island(6-12 EUR) and Bled Castle(18 EUR), or optionally visit the castle or take a traditional pletna boat ride to the island(23 EUR) .

Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant overlooking Lake Bled or in the town center, with time to taste local specialties such as the famous Bled cream cake (kremšnita).

After lunch, continue the journey toward Zagreb (approx. 2–2.5 hours). Sit back and relax while driving through scenic countryside and crossing into Croatia.

Overnight in Zagreb.

Time to bid farewell to these exciting destinations and bring home wonderful memories of Yugoslavia! Departure to Zagreb Airport for final flight home back.