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11-Nights Discover the Balkans - National Geographic Journeys from $3,799
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1532835
Journeys: Discover the Balkans
On the crossroads between East and West, the Balkan Peninsula dazzles with less-discovered gems. Enjoy a fascinating introduction to the stunning Dalmatian coast of Croatia, the dramatic history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the lush waterways of Montenegro, discovering an array of UNESCO World Heritage sites and natural treasures along the way.
Highlights
Visit the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park, Explore the ancient town of Mostar and the Stari Most (Old Bridge), Take a tour of the "Tunnel of Life" in Sarajevo, Spend a couple days on the Bay of Kotor.
Accommodation
Hotels (11 nts).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, Avg 10.
Meals Included
11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
What's Included
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Siege of Sarajevo Tour, Sarajevo
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Agroturizam Experience, Dubrovnik
Your G for Good Moment: DES?A Women's Centre Visit, Dubrovnik
Local Life: Traditional Peka Dinner, Zagreb. Plitvice Lakes National Park walk. Traditional peka dinner. Split orientation walk around Diocletian's Palace. Excursion to Mostar visiting the Stari Most (Old Bridge). Kotor orientation walk. Dubrovnik city wall walk. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
11 nights from $3,799 per person
G Adventures: Journeys: Discover the Balkans
Day 1: Zagreb
Arrive at any time.
Please make your own way to the joining hotel.Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and has a very charming old city, complete with cobblestone streets and medieval buildings. Be sure to sample some of the delicious local food and drink. There are also a number of museums to explore focusing on art, history, and archaeology.After the meeting, opt to head out for a meal in a local restaurant to get to know your CEO and travelling companions.
Day 2: Zagreb/Plitvice Lakes National Park
Enjoy an excursion to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Take in the splendor of its karst formations, gem-like pools, and cascading waterfalls on a guided walk along boardwalks, and learn about the diverse wildlife and unique bird population of this World Heritage site. For dinner this evening, savor a traditional peka, a Dalmatian dish of vegetables, herbs, and meat baked over hot coals.
Entrance to the park is included and there are many opportunities for walking and relaxing in one of Croatia's most famed wonders.
Day 3: Plitvice Lakes National Park/Split
Begin our exploration of the sparkling Adriatic coast in Split. In the early evening, take a guided walk around the dazzling Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built of luminous white stone imported from the nearby island of Brac, this imposing palace dates to the third century A.D.
Day 4: Split
Spend a day at your leisure to explore the lively seaside town of Split, which was once a major Byzantine city. Step through the Golden Gate and into the historic old town, situated within the old palace walls. Sample Croatian delicacies at the local market, opt to ascend to Marjan’s peak for breathtaking views of the city, or consider joining an optional tour of one of the world’s oldest cathedrals, a colonnaded octagon built in the early fourth century.
Opt to visit the local market and gobble up some Croatian delicacies. For a little more activity, visit Marjan's peak, with gorgeous views over the city, or hit up some of the hiking and biking trails in the area.
Day 5: Split/Sarajevo
Enjoy a scenic drive across the border to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stroll around the ancient town and pay a visit to the famed Stari Most (Old Bridge), considered a symbol of the city’s resilience. This reconstructed Ottoman-style bridge was first built in the 17th century—and then meticulously rebuilt after its destruction during the Bosnian War. Later, continue to Sarajevo for the evening.
Day 6: Sarajevo
Learn about the four-year-long Siege of Sarajevo from a local expert who lived through this devastating period. Gain more insights at the Tunnel of Hope and War Tunnel Museum, and view bunkers, minefields, and trenches at Trebevic Mountain, the site of several battles. After, experience the city’s resurgence at a market and during lunch at a local spot.
Day 7: Sarajevo
Enjoy a free day to explore the capital at your leisure. Discover the cobblestone streets of its alluring Old Town, noting the architecture of its diverse places of worship, and ponder history at the arched Latin Bridge, the famed site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination—the fateful event that triggered World War I.
Walk around the cobblestone streets of the Old Town (Stari Grad) while taking in the architecture of diverse places of worship. This is also a great place to shop and visit markets. The Latin Bridge is worth a visit as it played an important role in the history of this area. This is the site where the Archduke of the Austro Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated, leading to the beginning of World War I.
Day 8: Sarajevo/Kotor
Cross over the border to Montenegro and soak up two days on the sparkling Bay of Kotor, designated a World Heritage site for its terraced waterfront landscape and medieval architecture. Opt to visit the one time capital of Risan, home to well-preserved Roman mosaics, take a leisurely stroll in the quaint seaside town of Perast and the islands, or set out by sea kayak to explore the spectacular bay.
Continue to Montenegro and travel to the Bay of Kotor, a region that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Day 9: Kotor
Enjoy a free day to explore. Discover the Mediterranean spirit of Kotor, surrounded by fortifications built by the Republic of Venice. Consider hiking up the medieval steps of the fortress for panoramic views of the city and harbour. Or opt to experience mud therapy at a local spa to test the natural healing properties of the area’s sand.
Opt to visit the Risan Roman mosaics and take a leisurely stroll in Perast and the islands, or go sea kayaking. If relaxing is more your style, the beaches of Herceg Novi offer a great escape. There are also local mud therapy spas nearby to test the natural healing properties of the area's sand.
Day 10: Kotor/Dubrovnik
Visit a family-run agrotourism villa surrounded by Mediterranean gardens and sweeping views of the Adriatic. Join our local host on a spirited walk around the picturesque grounds, pick fresh fruits and vegetables in the gardens, and watch a baking demonstration. Then sit down together to share a traditional lunch of local ham, cheeses, and wine. Continue to Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” and walk the medieval city walls. Head to the Old City and meet locals preserving traditional foods and handicrafts through the women-run nonprofit, DEŠA, founded in the early 1990s during the Croatian War of Independence.
Cross into Croatia and travel to Dubrovnik, known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Set on the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik has been an important maritime town in the region for centuries. Surrounded by medieval walls, it is rich in history and is a beautiful city to explore, filled with stunning architecture, museums, and fountains.
Day 11: Dubrovnik
Enjoy a free day in Dubrovnik, which once rivaled Venice as a maritime power. Explore its World Heritage–designated Old City, where distinctive red roofs make for spectacular photos. Order the catch of the day at a seaside café, or consider setting out on a boat trip to one of the nearby islands.
Day 12: Dubrovnik
Depart at any time.
We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this lively city has to offer.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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