Best of Balkans (Start Budapest)

15 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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USTOA

Group Tour
Hit up an incredible 7 countries in just one trip and take in the best sights the Balkans has to offer. Whether it's exploring the beautiful city of Dubrovnik, partying until the early hours in Belgrade or strolling around the historic sights Sarajevo has to offer, this trip has something for everyone.
26%
$3,258
From$2,413
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

What's this trip about?

    Hit up an incredible 7 countries in just one trip and take in the best sights the Balkans has to offer. Whether it's exploring the beautiful city of Dubrovnik, partying until the early hours in Belgrade or strolling around the historic sights Sarajevo has to offer, this trip has something for everyone.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeGroup - max of 40 people
Age range18 to 35 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBudapest
End CityBudapest

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Hungary
  • Albania
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Croatia
  • Montenegro
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia

Activities

  • Culture

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Budapest

Good evening, travellers! Hope you’re ready for an exciting ride across the beautiful Balkans. Today, you’ll exchange hellos with your Trip Manager (and your new crew too!). To celebrate, we’ll feast on a delicious welcome dinner and watch the sun set over this historical city.

Ibis Budapest City South Hotel (or similar)

Dinner

Day 2: Budapest > Ljubljana

This morning we'll set out along the cobbled streets of Budapest for a guided walking tour to explore what this city has on offer. You'll see St Stephen's Basilica, as well as the famed chain bridge & the stunning parliament building. And then we’ll hop onto the c...

Day 3: Ljubljana > Lake Bled > Radovljica > Ljubljana

Ljubljana, thank you for the perfect dose of Balkan tradition. But we’ll be back in a while. Because today, something even more exciting is on the agenda. You've probably seen pictures of Lake Bled, but nothing will prepare you for the real thing. With its fairytale ...

Day 4: Ljubljana > Plitvice National Park

Next up is something altogether drop dead gorgeous....A strong introduction to Croatia is on the cards today with cascading teal forest pools at Plitvice Lakes. Why this place is not famous world over as one of the prettiest places in Europe, we have no idea.

Hotel Big House Plitvika Jezera (or similar)

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Plitvice National Park > Split

Morning, explorers! Fill up on your included breakfast. It’s time to hit the road again…Welcome to the sea-side heaven of Split. With the oh-so-inviting aquamarine waters on our side, we’ll check into our stay. You’ve got some time to explore this beautiful city. And ...

Day 6: Split > Dubrovnik

Split it's been fantastic, but we have to leave for other Croatian gems further down the coast. The drive along the Dalmatian coastline to Dubrovnik is a sightseeing must do all on its own. On arrival in the city you'll be greeted by limestone walls; an Old Town fill...

Day 7: Dubrovnik

The city of Dubrovnik is so much more than just a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Game of Thrones location - not that either of those claims to fame are even mildly mediocre. After you've been guided around the city with intricate detail with our local guide you'll b...

Day 8: Dubrovnik > Budva > Tirana

Now that we've done all things Dubrovnik, we'll coast our way to Albania via the dramatic Adriatic Coastline. We’ll stop by Montenegro's seaside beauty of Budva. You have the option to grab some lunch at a sea-view restaurant, or spend some time on the beach, before ...

Day 9: Tirana

Time to wake up! Grab your breakfast and join us for a walking tour of Tirana, guided by a local guide. And the rest of the day is all yours to spend in this beautiful city, and one of the many museums will defo pique your interest!

VH Eurostar Tirana Hotel (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 10: Tirana > Mostar

Tirana, you’ve been great. But we’ve got another awe-inspiring destination waiting for us. Hello Mostar! We’re officially in Bosnia & Herzegovina, ready to bask in all of its historical glory. Beautiful rivers, iconic bridges, brick-red roofs - it’s gonna be a tr...

Day 11: Mostar > Sarajevo

Ready? This morning, we’re visiting the legendary Mostar Bridge that arches right over the silent blue river. (And it makes for a perfect backdrop for your Insta photo dump!) The historical streets of Sarajevo have a story or two to tell. And we’ll be listening to th...

Day 12: Sarajevo

The only way to uncover the town of Sarajevo is with the wisdom shared on a guided walking tour. We'll help you tap into history & understand the magnitude of our destination. And then to lighten the mood, we’ll head to a local tavern for a delicious dinner and gags with friends.

Hotel Hollywood Sarajevo (or similar)

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13: Sarajevo > Belgrade

Rise up, roamers! We're departing for the town of Belgrade to continue our epic frolic through the Balkans. Another border crossing is on the agenda as we wave our way into Serbia en route to Belgrade. Medieval meets modern in this bustling, pure white city. Zen folk...

Day 14: Belgrade > Budapest

Leaving Belgrade behind, today we're onto beautiful Budapest. Fast becoming one of the hottest destinations in Europe, Budapest is on our beeline. You'll have the option to take a cruise and make the most of your evening. Later, you'll no doubt want to keep things mo...

Day 15: Budapest

That's a wrap! Our love affair with the Balkans has sadly come to an end! But perhaps we can get the squad back together for a reunion trip?

Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,413
Price per day$161
Last Updated: 11/1/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Room (Shared)
Single Room
Availability
17 May 2025
31 May 2025
$2,413
$3,219
24 May 2025
07 Jun 2025
$2,413
$3,219
31 May 2025
14 Jun 2025
$2,413
$3,219
07 Jun 2025
21 Jun 2025
$2,413
$3,219
14 Jun 2025
28 Jun 2025
$2,413
$3,219
21 Jun 2025
05 Jul 2025
$2,496
$3,302
28 Jun 2025
12 Jul 2025
$2,496
$3,302
05 Jul 2025
19 Jul 2025
$2,496
$3,302
12 Jul 2025
26 Jul 2025
$2,496
$3,302
19 Jul 2025
02 Aug 2025
$2,496
$3,302

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Contiki Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
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Tour Operator

Contiki

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We’re firm believers that life’s greatest experiences are made better by the people you share them with. That’s why Contiki invented group travel for young people in 1962 and we’ve spent the past 53 years perfecting it. You’ll explore amazing destinations with a group of 18-35 year olds from around the world who share your passion for adventure, good times and creating memories that define what it is to be young, wild and free.

No two travellers are the same and we know that, which is why we offer eight unique ways to explore the world. We have a number of options to choose from to create a vacation that’s perfect for you, from budget to accommodation style.

We're all about exploring the world with like-minded people, which is why we only run trips for 18-35 year olds, to celebrate being young, spirited and curious. You can expect to join a group of 18-53 awesome people from around the world on our Europe, Australia, North America and New Zealand trips, and in Asia and Latin America it's all about small group adventures with up to 25 travellers. Don't worry if you're not traveling as a couple or with a friend from home – though there are plenty of pairs, 50% of our travellers set off solo, meaning you'll have a ton of opportunities to make new friends.

With over 270 trips around the world and plenty of departure dates to work into your schedule, you'll never be short of options on where to go for your next great adventure.

About the company:
Contiki are the world leaders in social youth travel. We’ve been providing amazing travel experiences for young travellers, from 18-35 years old, since 1962. Imagine how good you would be at something if you had been doing it for more than 60 years?

Everything about Contiki is deeply rooted in our core values ‘Make Every Moment Count’ and ‘We’re about people’. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk and live by our brand philosophy of ‘Travel.Together.’ which means to travel with one another, the destinations we visit, the cultures we enjoy and the environment, too.

Why we love this operator
Their trips create life-long memories for young people setting off to discover the world.
What they’re known for
Social travel for 18-35 year olds around the world.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Ibis Budapest City South Hotel (or similar) Ibis Styles Ljubljana Centre (or similar) Hotel Big House Plitvika Jezera (or similar) Hotel Split Inn (or similar) Hotel Petka Dubrovnik (or similar) VH Premier AS Tirana Hotel (or similar) VH Eurostar Tirana Hotel (or similar) A conveniently located Hotel Hotel Hollywood Sarajevo (or similar) Kopernikus Hotel Prag Belgrade (or similar),
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
  • 4 Dinner (D)
  • 14 Breakfast (B)
Age Requirements
18 to 35 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
contiki-BBBBMA20

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