Explore the Balkans with a private guide/driver. The tour covers 7 countries – 6 of them known as ex-Yugoslavia and their neighbour Albania. The region that went through turbulent times is waiting for you to be discovered. Definitely a tour not to miss!
Meet and greet with the private local guide at Zagreb airport and start of private Grand Balkan tour with a drive to the hotel in Zagreb. Later we visit the old town with its market, cathedral, and many beautiful parks and galleries. Overnight in Zagreb.
After breakfast, we continue to Bosnia & Herzegovina. Our first stop is Jajce which used to be the capital of the medieval Bosnian state. We go and see one of the World’s most beautiful waterfalls, the famous Pliva Waterfalls. Next, we visit Jajce Citadel (Fortress), the Mithraic Temple, Medvjed Kula, the Tower of St. Luke, the famous Catacombs – the underground church and Mosque of Esma Sultanija. In the evening we drive to Sarajevo for an overnight.
In the morning we explore the old streets of Sarajevo. Due to its long and rich history of religious and cultural variety, Sarajevo was sometimes called the “Jerusalem of Europe”. Visit of Bascarsija district where East meets West and drive in the suburbs to visit the “Tunel of life” that saved the city during the siege in the 1990s. In the evening we continue to Beograd for an overnight.
We start the day with a tour of Belgrade. Visit the old fortress- Kalemegdan, Knez Mihajlova Street, the Cathedral, and drive to one of the largest churches in the world St. Sava. Finish the day in Dedinje where we visit the tomb of Yugoslav president Tito. Overnight in Belgrade.
From Belgrade, we continue to Skopje. Sightseeing of the old town with its famous stone bridge, fort Kale and Railway clock. Overnight in Skopje.
In the morning we continue to Lake Ohrid which is half Albanian, half Macedonian. There used to be 365 churches around Ohid in the past. Stop at St. Naum, just across the border to admire the beautiful monastery. Overnight in Ohrid.
After breakfast we head towards Tirana, the capital city of Albania. Upon arrival, sightseeing of the town and some free time. Overnight in Tirana.
We leave Tirana and continue to Kruje, a small town perched high on a mountain facing the Adriatic Sea and the Western plain of Albania. Walk through the bazaar and visit the Skenderbegs Fort, today the National museum of Albania. Later we continue to Budva, the most famous coastal site in Montenegro. Overnight in Budva.
From Budva, we drive to Kotor to visit the beautiful bay of Kotor and the old town that goes by the same name and is one of the highlights of the Grand Balkan Tour, with a scenic location at the end of the bay and protected by massive city walls. In the evening we continue to the Pearl of Adriatic, Dubrovnik.
Full day to explore the most famous Croatian town of Dubrovnik with its mighty defensive walls along the coast. On the tour, you will walk through the old town on Stradun Street (Pjaca) along Onofrio`s fountain, Franciscan monastery, and towards the old harbour, past St. Blaise church, Rectors palace, and cathedral. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
After breakfast, we continue to Mostar with its Turkish-style old town and famous bridge. Walk on alleys that form a bazaar and are full of shops and market stalls and the Old Bridge Museum. A narrow staircase leads to the terrace of Koski Mehmed-Pasha Mosque for panoramic city views and in Turkish house you can see typical architecture of medieval Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the evening drive to Split for an overnight.
In the morning we experience the “Roman way of life” with the impressive Diocletian’s Palace in Split. Then we continue our tour and make a stop in Zadar. Drive towards the Plitvice Lakes for an overnight.
After breakfast visit a UNESCO site, Plitvice Lakes, visited by more than a million tourists each year, famous for its 16 lakes and 92 waterfalls. You will hike through it with our private guide. We continue to Slovenia and drive to Postojna to visit the No. 1 attraction in Slovenia, the 21km long Postojna cave system. Overnight in Ljubljana.
In the morning drive towards Bled – the pearl of the Julian Alps. Sightseeing of the castle and the island and free time to relax in unique beauty. Continue to another Alpine lake, Bohinj beautifully settled in the heart of Julian Alps. In the evening return to Ljubljana for an overnight.
Transfer to the Ljubljana airport and end of the Grand Balkan Tour and end of our services.
Our guide and driver Helena, was exceptional in her knowledge of history, culture, politics, nature and gastronomy. How their small country is adjusting to the new way of life after the split of Yugoslavia.