Best of Balkans (Start Budapest)

16 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
preferred

USTOA

Group Tour
Short on time? This is the trip for you. Hit up an incredible 6 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.

Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Local walking orientation in Dubrovnik
    • See the fortified city and the Old Port
    • Goulash Cooking Demonstration
    • Locally guided tour of Budapest

What's this trip about?

    Short on time? This is the trip for you. Hit up an incredible 6 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 sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBudapest
End CityBudapest

Travel Themes

  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

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

Attractions

  • Belgrade
  • Budapest
  • Croatia
  • Dubrovnik
  • Ljubljana
  • Sarajevo
  • Split

Activities

  • Homestays & Cultural Immersion

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrive Budapest

You've touched down, now it's time to check in and prepare for your Europe trip that starts tomorrow.

Day 2: Budapest to Ljubljana

This morning meet up with your Trip Manager - meet the squad and then we'll be ready for the road to Ljubljana, a name you'll be able to pronounce by the time we're leaving for Croatia.Although you might find nods to neighbouring countries within Slovenian culture, a ...

Day 3: Ljubljana to Plitvice Lakes

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.

Day 4: Plitvice to Zadar

We'll hit the road and head south for Zadar.Croatia, we can't get enough. So it's good that we have a couple more days to get to know you better. Arriving in Zadar will see us greeted with Roman ruins, and seaside vibes, so find a local restaurant, ask for the catch o...

Day 5: Zadar to Split

Today there's still exploring to be done and sights to see.Tonight it's best get outside, grab a delicious dinner and & a few hours on the dance floor. The nightlife here goes off, and your Trip Manager knows all the best places to head, so go on, get out there and make this a night to remember.

Day 6: Split

What better place to get acquainted with your new squad then here on the coast of Croatia. Spend a free day roaming around or flop in your hotel room before we crack on with the rest of our day!

Day 7: Split to 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 filled...

Day 8: 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 be armed with the knowledge to pick out a waterside rock bar where you can swim and indulge 'til your heart's content.

Day 9: Dubrovnik to Budva via Kotor

Now that we've done all things Dubrovnik, we'll coast our way to Montenegro via the dramatic Adriatic Coastline.All good journeys are broken up by fjords, steep mountain landscapes & a trot in a town that meets old and new. Our journey between Dubrovnik and Budva ...

Day 10: Budva

Just what does one do with a whole day free to explore the 2,500 year old town of Budva? Well - you could start with a dip in the dreamy Adriatic Sea, continue with coffee in a café draped in vines down a narrow cobbled stone road, finish with the Church of St. Ivan, and eat some milk-soaked lamb and buttered polenta along the way. That should get you started.

Day 11: Budva to Sarajevo via Mostar

The time has come to farewell our ocean hangs in exchange for rivers, countrysides and captivating culture, which means a sad goodbye to beautiful Budva.Mostar is home to the world's cutest bridge. According to us. But still - we've seen a lot of bridges. You'll have ...

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 before leaving you to lighten the mood with an evening of bars and nightlife, should you so choose.

Day 13: Sarajevo to 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 c...

Day 14: Belgrade to Budapest

Leaving Belgrade behind, today we're onto beautiful Budapest.Fast becoming one of the hottest destinations in Europe, Budapest is on our beeline. Despite having all day tomorrow to get cosy with this city, we'll get stuck into it today checking out the likes of the ro...

Day 15: Budapest

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. We'll see St Stephen's Basilica, a grand neo-Classical Roman Catholic affair named after the first King of Hungary, and the largest churc...

Day 16: Depart 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 in Latin America?

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
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $2,635
Price per day$165
Last Updated: 0/19/2022

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Contiki.

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
Excellent
3,096
Great
475
Average
137
Disappointing
41
Terrible
53
Write a Review

Other Contiki Reviews

R

Reginald Ramirez

Mar 2024

Written on

Delhi to Kathmandu Quest

The Trip itself is meant to be an add on to Eternal India. The Taj Mahal is an add on so don't be surprised. Overall, the trip itself is fun when the people you go o...

R

Reginald Ramirez

Mar 2024

Written on

Travel to see culture like no other

Staff was great. From tour manager, Jelly, to the local guides. All knowledgable and great!

K

Kate Foster

Mar 2024

Written on

Anonymous

Contiki took care everything so well! We went from amazing experiences to amazing experience, and everything went incredibly smoothly. We did things we would never h...

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

Contiki

preferred
View Profile

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.

Associations

Why Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

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
  • Discover culinary delights you didn't even know existed as you sample the best of Eastern European cuisine. In addition to breakfast every day, you'll be treated to 6 dinners in our favourite local spots. Think hearty meals in Bosnia and tasty stew in Hungary.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Trip ID
contiki-BBBBN14

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save
Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >