A Taste of the Balkans featuring Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina & Slovenia - 2023
Overview
Highlights
- Follow friendly dogs on a quest for coveted mushrooms, followed with a tasty truffle-inspired lunch.
- Enjoy locally caught seafood in Dubrovnik.
- Feel like a local and taste regional specialties during a home-hosted meal in Sarajevo.
- Explore Sarajevo’s wartime history – with either a siege survivor or a visit to Gallery 11/07/95.
- Meet the famous Lipizzan horses and take a carriage ride to a picnic lunch in the meadows.
- Impact Moment: Visit a Serbian community center, and learn how the local women are keeping the community alive through their traditions and crafts.
- Experience Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO) by foot and by boat.
- Admire tranquil Lake Bled.
- Take a private boat to Our Lady of the Rocks and the coastal Kotor.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Itinerary
Uncover a region where rocky coastlines and towering mountains meet a complex history and medieval city walls. Explore this unique region, and get a glimpse into generations of traditions while connecting with welcoming locals.
Discover the twisting cobblestone streets and burnt-orange rooftops of Dubrovnik, a city rich in history and charm. Meet your fellow travelers and look out over the sparkling Adriatic Sea during dinner, featuring local seafood dishes.
Start your day off with a tour of the ancient streets of Dubrovnik, and feel the history and timelessness of the city. Then, personalize the rest of your day because it’s your choice! See the famous city walls, still standing from the Middle Ages -OR- hop into a cable car for incredible views of the entire city from above. The remainder of the day is yours to do as you please.
Leave Croatia and make your way into Montenegro. Begin your journey on a private boat and head to the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks. Visit the church before continuing on to the old town of Kotor (UNESCO). Settle into your historic hotel – an 18th-century building th...
Today is at your leisure to explore Kotor. Perhaps you’ll go on an optional excursion to Njegusi, a quiet and peaceful village located on the slope of Mount Lovcen about 900 meters above sea level. Learn about the tradition of prosciutto and homemade cheeses famously produced here and sample these specialties.
Cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina and spend time in Mostar, home to the iconic arched Stari Most Bridge (UNESCO). Explore Mostar with your guide before having lunch in a traditional restaurant in the old part of the city. Continue on to Sarajevo – Bosnia and Herzegovi...
With an expert guide, discover Sarajevo, perhaps most famous as the starting point of WWI. As you make your way along the storied roadways, admire the significant blend of religions and architectural styles. Take advantage of free time before it’s your choice! Uncover...
Enjoy time on your own today. Consider an optional excursion to Lukomir Highland, where you’ll hike to a remote village and bond with locals over lunch. Or maybe you’ll embark on an optional tour of Tito’s Bunker, exploring the former president’s personal hideout. No ...
Make your way through Bosnia and into northern Croatia, arriving in Plitvice in the late afternoon. Your hotel supports a Serbian community center where local women produce traditional crafts and bake homemade goods. Experience an Impact Moment when you learn how the ...
Take in the forested landscape of Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO) with a guide. Walk along the cascading lakes and the free-flowing waterfalls before cruising through the park by boat. Head to the Istrian Peninsula, where rolling hills and vineyard rows meet sea...
Travel off the beaten path to the fishing village of Rovinj.* Uneven cobblestone streets lead into sidewalk cafes, boasting an atmosphere of welcoming locals. After getting acquainted with the humble port town, take advantage of some free time to explore on your own. Return back to Motovun and enjoy dinner in a family-owned restaurant.
Feel like a local and join a family on their forested property for a truffle-hunting adventure. Follow their friendly dogs on your quest for the coveted mushrooms, then sit down for a tasty truffle-inspired lunch. Head back to town for an evening on your own. Consider joining your Tour Manager on a leisurely walk to the top of the village for views of the surrounding area.
Cross into Slovenia and spend time at Lipica Stud Farm, the famous breed of the Habsburg Empire. Meet purebred Lipizzan horses, dating back to the 16th century, and take a horse-drawn carriage ride to a picnic lunch in the meadows. Arrive in Ljubljana’s city center, y...
Today, head to the beauty of Lake Bled. Ride in a Pletna Boat to the isle of Bled, visit the secluded and picturesque St. Mary’s Church on the island, and then get a chance to sample delicious kremšnita (cream cake), a local favorite. Return to Ljubljana where the remainder of the day is yours.
This morning, say goodbye to beautiful Slovenia and continue your journey to Zagreb, the storied capital of Croatia. After discovering the city with your local guide, toast to the end of your adventure at a farewell dinner.
Wish Croatia goodbye as you depart for home.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Collette.
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.
Collette Reviews & Ratings
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Tour Operator
True adventures go beyond incredible destinations or inclusive packages. Collette delivers a sense of possibility across all seven continents.
Since 1918, we have been sharing our love of travel. Today our worldwide travel collection features comprehensive land tours, river cruises, rail journeys, small group tours, family trips, garden holidays and more. With Collette, wake each morning on tour with a new experience in front of you, and when your head hits the pillow, you will know it has been an amazing day. Best of all - we seamlessly handle the details. All you have to do is enjoy the adventure.
Everyone at Collette believes travel is vital to a life well-lived and our executive team sets the tone. Drawing on a diverse set of skills that includes operations, sales, information technology, law and financial planning, they work across three offices to bring you the best experience possible.
Go Guided:
There are so many benefits to letting someone else take on all the details that come with having The Perfect Trip. See why more and more travelers choose to Go Guided — and why they never go back.
5 Reasons to Go Guided:
Go Tour Managers!
On Day 1 of your trip, you’ll meet a friendly person who sure does know a lot about your tour and the destinations you’re visiting. This highly skilled professional is your tour manage and from the moment you meet this key player on your tour, you’ll know you’re in good hands. With their rich travel backgrounds, as well as their useful information about language, currency, and all things local, you can relax and enjoy the ride.
Go Culture!
Visiting a destination gives you a taste of the local culture. But imagine actually becoming part of that culture. Staying overnight in an Irish castle like Old-World royalty…feeling the cool waters of the Great Barrier Reef envelop you as you snorkel in its turquoise paradise…or rolling dough with an Italian chef to make the perfect pizza. It’s not just about all the iconic spots that will make for the best photos, it’s about diving into another world that makes for the best memories.
Go Product Team!
Our product experts are probably on the road right now — scoping out the best of our worldwide destinations. They go, take it all in, and find the moments they love best. Those are the moments they create for you. Those experiences and sights comprise each itinerary and make each one extra-special. Best of all, you don’t have to plan a thing. You just need to choose which itinerary best suits you.
Go Social!
Travel is social by nature. Guided travel is extra social. Meet a cast of characters: your fellow travelers, tour manager, driver, local guides and more. The social aspect of guided travel is one of the best parts! Many travelers on our tours have forged lasting friendships. Think of all the wonderful people waiting to meet you out in the world.
Go Worry-Free!
Your peace of mind is the most important thing to us. And that starts with our roundtrip home to airport sedan service. Forget taxis, airport fees, or public transportation. We will get you there...and back. And if for any reason you need to cancel your tour, you can do so — right up until the day before departure — and receive a full refund (thanks to our travel protection plan).
There are many ways to experience the world:
Among Collette’s worldwide collection of tours we offer a variety of guided travel choices. No matter where (or how) you want to go, Collette can take you there.
Small Groups, Big Experiences
From vibrant cities to remote villages, immerse yourself in other worlds. As part of a small group, enjoy accommodations chosen to capture the spirit of the destination, savor spectacular local cuisine, and take the time to explore on your own. Along the way Explorations sets the stage for the unexpected moments that make travel so special. With just 12-24 passengers, these are the personal adventures that today’s cultural explorers dream about.
Amazing Family Moments Included
Collette's Family tours bring travelers of all ages together to experience the world’s greatest destinations. There’s no better classroom than the world, no better education than taking a walk through history. Today’s parents — and grandparents — want to share the riches of travel with their children and grandchildren. Each tour in our family line is specially crafted with the best local experiences, iconic must-see's, family-oriented hotels and immersive cultural activities. Children ages 14 and under enjoy substantially discounted rates.
Collette's Cancel for Any Reason Travel Protection Plan
The Traveling Well Experience
Our Commitment to Your Well-being and Enjoyment
There’s no denying that life and travel will likely look a little different for the foreseeable future, which is why we worked with our partners all over the world to create enhanced protective measures for our guests. These measures are intended to help safeguard guests’ health and well-being, while allowing for an enjoyable travel experience.
From flexible booking to more open space on the coach and much more – all aspects of travel have been considered. This is The Traveling Well Experience.
- Travel Protection Plan – cancel for any reason up until 24 hours before departure, plus provides numerous on-tour protections
- More Physical Space – on the coach, in restaurants, and more
- Wellness Protocols – for partners like motor coach operators, hotels, restaurants, and airlines
- Enhanced Tour Manager Training – our tour managers are destination experts and highly equipped to handle a variety of unexpected situations – including illnesses and emergencies
Before Your Tour
Cancel for Any Reason Waiver
Our Travel Protection Plan financially protects you in the event you need to cancel or move your trip to a different date. Learn more here
Pre-Tour Health Screenings
We will ask all travellers to complete a wellness declaration form before joining their tour.
Private Sedan Service
Your ride to and from the airport will be stocked with fresh water for every pickup and all surfaces will be disinfected daily and after every passenger.
Air Travel
Specific details will vary by airline, but standard operations typically include flight attendants wearing masks, sanitizing all surfaces between flights and physical distancing. For links to major airlines, head to the bottom of the page, or visit your airline’s website for specific information.
On Your Tour
Smaller Groups
Tours will operate with a number of empty seats to allow guests to space out for a more comfortable experience.
Your Tour Manager
We have employed new and enhanced hygiene & physical distancing protocols for tour managers. They are local experts and highly trained to handle a variety of unexpected situations — including illnesses and emergencies. They are also available 24/7 for guests throughout the tour should any situation arise.
Use of Face Coverings
Face coverings will be included with your pre-tour documents and will be required throughout many experiences on tour including the motor coach and air travel.
Motor Coach
All surfaces will be sanitized often, including regular cleaning of high-touch areas with disinfecting wipes. Hand sanitizer will be available at all times and drivers will wear protective gear when appropriate.
On-Tour Experiences
We work closely with our local partners to ensure adequate physical distancing during meals, experiences, and sightseeing. Guests may be rotated in smaller sub-groups when necessary.
On-Tour Insurance Coverages
When you purchase our Travel Protection Plan, you’ll have access to telehealth services should you need it, plus you’re covered on tour for emergency assistance, baggage loss, trip interruption, medical expenses, and more. Learn more here
Self-Screening
We will ask all travellers to monitor their health throughout their tour, with protocols in place in the event someone becomes ill.
Hotels
Specific protocols will vary from destination to destination, hotel to hotel. Overall, rooms and areas like restaurants, fitness centres, etc. will be deep-cleaned regularly, with rooms disinfected thoroughly between guests. High-traffic areas like lobbies and elevators will be cleaned hourly.
After Your Tour
Post-Tour Survey
After you get home, you’ll be able to share your opinions of your tour experience, allowing us to constantly improve for the benefit of future guests.
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What's excluded
- The land price does not include air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end-of-trip gratuities for your Tour Manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship waitstaff, and any incidental charges.
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