Premium Balkans

Intrepid Travel · 8 days

4.5

3 Reviews

Duration

8 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Discover the beauty and history of the Balkans on an eight-day Premium adventure that travels from Croatia through Bosnia and Herzegovina to Belgrade.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (1), Dinner (4)
Accommodation: Comfortable Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 nights)

Highlights

Stay near the old Ottoman quarter in Sarajevo at a boutique Feature Stay hotel inspired by traditional Bosnian homes shaped for the Balkan mountain climate.
Take a scenic steam train ride through Tara National Park’s forests and mountains on a historic railway that forms part of the famous Ciro trail connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea – a Signature Experience.
Visit some of the most historically significant cities in the Balkans, including Mostar, Sarejevo and Belgrade, and learn from the locals through home-cooked meals, artisan demos and guided historic tours.
Visit one of the best-kept secrets in former Yugoslavia – Tito’s nuclear bunker, which was built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and his top military advisors.
Savour a farewell dinner at Salon 1905, where early 20th-century Baroque and Art Nouveau details frame a seasonally inspired, multicourse menu by a Belgrade-born chef.

Trip Details

Duration

8 days

Transportation

Private vehicle, Steam Train, Boat, Gondola

Guide Language

English

Starts

Dubrovnik, Bosnia And Herzegovina

Finishes

Belgrade, Bosnia And Herzegovina

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Dubrovnik

Dobro dosli! Welcome to Croatia! When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins at 6 pm with a welcome meeting with your leader and group. If you arrive early, you might like to head out and explore Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town, surrounded entirely by city walls and easily covered on foot. Although Dubrovnik experienced devastation during the war in the early 1990s, the restored Old Town remains one of the most picturesque places in the world, surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. Maybe take a self-paced stroll through town to discover the 15th-century Rector’s Palace and the stunning Baroque churches. After your meeting, join your leader and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant showcasing Croatia’s traditional cuisine.

Included Activities:

Dubrovnik - Welcome Dinner

Optional Activities:

Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace (13 EUR)
Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence (4 EUR)
Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
Dubrovnik - War Photography Museum (10 EUR)
Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car (from) (30 EUR)
Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure (109 EUR)
Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip (30 EUR)
Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport & entry to sites) (35 EUR)

Accommodation:

Hotel Kompas or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Mostar

Today, you’ll cross the border and travel into Bosnia and Herzegovina, stopping at several scenic destinations along the way. Your first stop is Trebinje, where you’ll join your leader for a walk around the compact Old Town and its market square, followed by a stop at an Orthodox monastery to taste the renowned Tvrdos wine. After, head to Mostar – a picturesque town home to numerous stone millhouses and cobbled streets. The star attraction is the world-famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), which spans the Neretva River and connects the two sides of the city. Find a spot for lunch and then get to know the town in the company of an expert local guide – including why the locals have such a strong connection to coffee. Pop into a traditional coppersmith workshop and meet the owner here who makes jewellery. You’ll learn about the process, then make something of your own to take home – the perfect souvenir!

Included Activities:

Trebinje - Tvrdos Monastery Wine Tasting
Mostar - Guided Tour with Coffee Experience
Mostar - Coppersmith Workshop Visit

Optional Activities:

Mostar - Old Bridge Museum (5 EUR)

Accommodation:

MM Residence Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Sarajevo

Leave Mostar this morning and make your way toward Sarajevo, stopping in Konjic along the way. Here, you’ll discover one of the best-kept secrets of former Yugoslavia – Tito’s nuclear bunker. Built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and his top military personnel, this military bunker has only recently opened to the public. Step back in time on a guided tour of the bunker and learn about Yugoslav history and what life was like in the not-so-distant past. After exploring the bunker, continue to Sarajevo and settle into your hotel, your Feature Stay. Well located near the old Ottoman quarter and vibrant bazaars, this boutique hotel is inspired by traditional Bosnian bosanska kuka homes, built with local stone, timber and adobe to blend in with the mountainous Balkan climate.

Included Activities:

Konjic - Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (Tito’s Bunker) tour
Konjic - Orientaton Walk

Accommodation:

Hotel Baskuca (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Sarajevo

Head out on a city tour through Sarajevo with a local guide this morning to get to know your surroundings and learn more about this historical city. With some free time to explore at your own pace after, you might taste your way through the market stalls of Bascarsija, visit one of the museums dedicated to the Yugoslav War or take a cable car up Trebevic Mountain for views of the city. Wrap up the day with a cooking lesson in a charming Austro-Hungarian building. You’ll learn how to make Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most beloved dish – pita – including how to hand-roll and coil the dough to create the distinctive shape. After, enjoy a hearty traditional meal of sogan dolma, stuffed paprika) and, of course, your freshly made pita, too!

Included Activities:

Sarajevo – Guided City Tour
Sarajevo – Pita Cooking Class

Optional Activities:

Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum (5 BAM)
Sarajevo - Trebević Mountain Cable Car (20 BAM)
Sarajevo - War Tunnel (10 BAM)
Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina (8 BAM)

Accommodation:

Hotel Baskuca (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Zlatibor

Today, travel to Serbia, with a stop in the small town of Visegrad. Here, a 16th-century bridge that inspired the Nobel Prize-winning literary work The Bridge on the Drina dominates the horizon. From Visegrad, you’ll head to Drina Canyon for a warm welcome to Serbia – a boat tour with a local food tasting. After your scenic lunch, you’ll board a steam train in Mokra Gora National Park for a scenic ride through forests and mountains. Served by one the last operational steam trains in Europe, this stretch of historic railway is part of the renowned Ciro trail, connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea.

Included Activities:

Drina Canyon - Boat Tour
Visegrad - Orientation Walk
Mokra Gora National Park - Steam Train

Accommodation:

Mona Plaza Zlatibor or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Zlatibor

Hop on board the longest gondola ride in the world today – the Gold Gondola, spanning 9000 m (29,530 ft) in length. Take in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes before exploring the area on foot. After your ride, drive through the winding roads toward Sirogojno village, known as one of the most beautiful villages in the country and declared as a Cultural Monument of Exceptional Importance in Serbia. Recharge with a lunch break before a special experience in the village meeting local artisans. Check out their pottery, blacksmiths and coopers workshops, and basket weaving, then visit the Knitters Museum, where all products are still traditionally handmade. This is your chance to buy meaningful souvenirs and support the locals in the community.

Included Activities:

Sirogojno - Village Visit and Artisan Demonstrations.
Zlatibor - Panoramic Gondola Ride

Accommodation:

Mona Plaza Zlatibor or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Belgrade

Leave Zlatibor behind today and head to Belgrade. When you get to arrive, kick off your visit with a walking tour to discover the best of the city, from Republic Square and Knez Mihailova Street to Kalemegam Park and the Belgrade Fortress, where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. Then, peel back a layer and discover some lesser-known sights, including the Roman Well, World War II Military Bunkers, Roman Lapidarium and Old Wine Cellar. This afternoon is free, so you might like to visit the city market or catch a trolleybus to Zemun – a Bohemian neighbourhood known for its cafes along the riverside promenade. Tonight, join your group for an exceptional farewell dinner. Set within the iconic Salon 1905 – a masterpiece of Baroque and Art Nouveau influence – your multicourse meal is cooked by a native Belgrade chef who infuses his Serbian cuisine with local seasonal ingredients. Tuck in, then toast the end of your adventure.

Included Activities:

Belgrade - Walking Tour

Optional Activities:

Belgrade - Saint Sava Temple - Free
Belgrade - Nikola Tesla Museum - Cash only (800 RSD)
Belgrade - Ethnographic Museum (300 RSD)
Belgrade - Military Museum (350 RSD)
Belgrade - National Museum (300 RSD)
Belgrade - Danube River Cruise (2000 RSD)
Belgrade - Belgrade Fortress - Free
Belgrade - Museum of Yugoslav History (600 RSD)
Belgrade - House of Flowers (500 RSD)

Accommodation:

Hotel Mona Plaza (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Belgrade

After breakfast, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $6,430

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 8 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Discover the beauty and history of the Balkans on an eight-day Premium adventure that travels from Croatia through Bosnia and Herzegovina to Belgrade.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 30 Apr 2027

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

Jeff

Traveled, July 2023

07/18/2023

A good mix of activities, interesting historical sites, great food, and excellent guides and drivers. The hike and train ride at Tara National Park were wonderful.

4.5

Mary

Traveled, July 2023

07/19/2023

Go, if only for your eyes: this trip has got eye-opening history, eye-popping scenery, and eye-catching cultural diversity. The visit to a beautiful private home in Sarajevo for a cooking lesson and dinner and conversation was itself worth a trip across the Atlantic.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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