Balkans Encompassed

Welcome to Budapest! Hungary's stylish capital is known as the 'City of Spas' for its abundance of natural thermal springs. With a host of historical sights, buzzing nightlife and unique attractions, Budapest is a favourite for many travellers visiting ...

Serbia's cultural centre, Novi Sad, is overlooked by the magnificent Petrovaradin Fortress. Built during the 18th century, the fortress was repeatedly attacked but never taken by an enemy. These days Novi Sad is a quaint and welcoming city and travellers are bl...

This morning you will have a guided tour of the Petrovaradin Fortress. Explore the hidden alleys, old rooms and viewpoints, and learn all about the military history of Serbia. After lunch we will board a local bus and have a short journey to our next destinatio...

Today is free to enjoy Belgrade. Explore the fortress and grounds, wander the flower filled cobbled streets of Skadarlija and check out the Church of St Sava; the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans. Don't forget to pop into a local bar for a taste of the fa...

Today we will move onto one of the newest countries in the world; the small yet fascinating country of Kosovo. En route, we will stop in the unique Serbian town of Djavolja Varos. More commonly known as Devil's Town, this natural phenomenon got its name from th...

With a full free day in Pristina why not head out of the city and visit the charming town of Prizren? Considered Kosovo's best kept secret, Prizren has a stunning location along the river with a mountainous backdrop. The city is easy to explore on foot and a sh...

Before heading to Skopje we enjoy a visit to Matka Canyon. Cruise down the river admiring the large rock walls towering beside the water. Keep an eye out for the fascinating caves that are found within the canyon.

In Skopje, Macedonia's capital, you can e...

Today we travel on to the gorgeous lake side town of Ohrid, perched on the border of Macedonia and Albania. This unassuming, picturesque settlement has been the setting of thousands of years of human history and the ancient churches, fortress walls, bazaars and...

Make the most of this escape from the cities and hop on a boat and sail 29km to the beautiful Monastery of Saint Naum, an orthodox church which dates back to the year 905. It is said that St Naum himself is buried in the church. The surrounding lakeside area is...

Today we head to Tirana, the trendy capital and largest city of Albania, which has transformed from a grey, dismal ex-communist city, isolated by the regime until the 1990s, to a colourful capital buzzing with life.

While the city has a long history, you ...

On the way to Kotor we stop off at the small town of Kruja. Built on a mountainside, you can discover the old town and explore Kruja Castle where we include entry to the Skanderbeg Museum located inside. Skanderbeg was a war hero of Albania, helping defeat the ...

This morning you will have a guided tour of Kotor Old Town around mid morning. Learn about the local history and beautiful architecture that fills the town. Before the tour, we suggest you get up early and climb the fortress walls for some of the most amazing v...

We enjoy a beautiful drive through the fjords to reach our next destination of Dubrovnik, stopping on the way at a charming winery in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Here you will enjoy a local wine tasting and have the chance to pick up some delicious, well ...

Today you are free to soak up the culture and beauty of Dubrovnik. From simply exploring the alleys and streets of the Old Town, wandering the waterfront or enjoying various water based activities, there is a little something for everyone!

Founded in the ...

Crossing the border into the 'heart-shaped land' of Bosnia and Herzegovina we visit the capital Sarajevo, a fascinating mixture of western and eastern cultures. Known as the 'Jerusalem of Europe', the city was once famous for its religious diversity, with peopl...

Today you are free to enjoy Sarajevo in your own time. You could explore the cobbled streets, mosques and Oriental style shops of the Old Town, visit the Bosnian Historical Museum to learn about the siege of Sarajevo and discover the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum, the...

Famous for its outstanding natural beauty and charismatic vibe, Mostar is situated on the Neretva river and is the fifth-largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The city is particularly famous for its beautiful single span bridge, Stari Most, which collap...

On the way to Croatia, we stop off at the Kravice waterfalls, located on the Trebiat river in Bosnia and Herzegovina. A popular spot for nature lovers, swimmers and photography buffs alike, you will have time to enjoy the area before heading to Hvar Island. Boa...

Today you are free to enjoy the stunning island of Hvar. For a unique experience, take a boat trip to the glistening blue cave near the island of Vis. The stunning play of sunlight reflects on the white bottom of the cave, creating a glimmering blue light which...

Leaving the crystal blue waters of Hvar behind, we then take the ferry and arrive late morning at the coastal city of Split, built around the remains of the Diocletian Palace which we will visit on an included tour. The palace dates back to the Roman era. Wande...

Continuing our diverse journey through Croatia, our next stop is to explore Plitvice National Park, a beautiful reserve featuring 16 spectacular blue lakes surrounded by forest and a highlight of any holiday to Croatia!

The lakes are linked by natural dam...

You will have this morning to continue taking in the beauty of the Plitvice Lakes, so we highly recommend getting up when the park opens to beat the crowds! After lunch we will then make our way to the next destination of Zagreb where you will have a free after...

Crossing into Slovenia, we stay in Bled, a magical little town about an hour and a half from Ljubljana, set near an emerald green lake. Perched on a cliff high above the lake is the Bled Castle, dramatically framed by the snowcapped peaks of the Julian Alps. Da...

A walk around Lake Bled (about 6 kilometres) shouldn't take more than an hour or two, including a short climb to a viewing point. The most romantic way to enjoy it is to hire a boat and row over to the island in the middle of the lake or for the non-rowers of t...

Next we visit the capital Ljubljana. Arriving late morning, we will drop our luggage at the hotel and then head out on a guided city tour. Learn about the history, architecture and legends of Slovenia, as you admire the highlights such as Robba Fountain, Congre...

In your free time you may enjoy a visit to the botanical gardens, Dragon bridge, Tivoli Park, Ljubljana city museum, Ljubljana castle (Ljubljanski Grad) on Castle Hill and the viewing tower in the castle courtyard for views across the Old Town. When you need to...

Taking the train through eastern Slovenia into Hungary, you can admire the countryside and watch the world go by. We will arrive into Budapest in the early evening. Hungary's stylish capital is known as the 'City of Spas' for its abundance of natural thermal sp...