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Explore and understand the true nature of Balkans by visiting Europe’s most uncharted pearls – Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania. Delve into the world of amazingly flawless nature, diverse cultures and complex history puzzles and visit 5 Balkan countries in only 16 days at your own pace.
The 16D15N Balkan package is one of the most convenient way to explore what the fascinating ex Yugoslavian countries have to offer.
In order to optimise time and budget, please keep in mind this is a shared tour, with no more than maximum 8 travellers per tour. It is based on private 3* and 4* accommodation in Lake Bled > Zagreb > Bihać > Sarajevo > Mostar > Split > Dubrovnik > Kotor > Tirana.
Private trip is possible on request.
Logistics
Ljubljana airport pickup, transfer to Lake Bled and hotel check in. Lake Bled is one of the most amazing Alpine resorts. Glacier lake nested beneath Julian Alps with only natural island in the middle of it, is simply must do when in Slovenia. Free time in the afternoon.
Optional:
After delicious breakfast we’ll take easy 10 min ride to Vintgar Gorge, on of the most amazing turquoise green rivers in whole of Slovenia. It amazing canyon, ideal for easy walks will simply blow you away.
After nice morning refreshment, we move to Postojna Cave. Postojnska Jama as locals call it, is 20 kilometre enjoyment of amazing galleries and chambers, calcite formations of stalactites and stalagmites, stunning train ride, altogether are making this the largest show-cave in whole of Europe.
As soon as we are finished at the Postojna Cave, time to move towards Predjama Castle, situated in the middle of a towering cliff, a mere 9 km from Postojna Cave. Picturesque, magnificent, defiant, mysterious and impregnable, it has been dominating the surrounding area, perched high up in the 123-metre high cliff, for more than 800 years. It is listed among the Guinness World Records as the largest cave castle in the world.
Later we move to Ljubljana, and with the locally guided walking tour, explore one of the most green cities in whole of Europe. Prešern square, Ljubljanica river, Triple and Dragon bridge, park Tivoli, Ljubljanski Grad and other major sites of this amazing city are all part of our locally guided walking tour. Later afternoon is reserved for some free time and dinner, before return to Lake Bled.
After the amazing two days in Slovenia, time to move on. As soon as we finish breakfast at our hotel, we’ll head towards capital of Croatia, and after two and half hours ride, we’ll arrive to city of Zagreb.
At Zagreb we’ll meet local guide and conduct amazing walking tour and learn more about city history. After the tour, time for lunch. After lunch we’ll continue exploring Zagreb’s most important places and continue getting to know this city true nature.
In the afternoon, it free time to explore city on your own before dinner and overnight.
Optional:
Morning hours are reserved for Sarajevo walking tour with food tasting, in aim explore the old parts of Sarajevo and city centre.
We’ll visit places like Baščaršija (old market), famous European Jerusalem temples (Gazi Mosque, Orthodox and Catholic church and Jewish synagogue), Franz Ferdinand assassination spot and many other sites important to understand rich history of Sarajevo. Tour will be followed with recommendations where to eat great Bosnian food (halal if needed), where to eat some sweets, do shopping, and so on. For the lunch we’ll prepare Bosnian most famous dish called Ćevapi.
Afternoon hours are reserved for story of Siege of Sarajevo and visit to Tunnel Museum. Modern World longest siege is story of unbelievable desire for survival and ability of ordinary civilians to defend themselves against much stronger enemy.
Tour is enriched with visits to Olympic mountain of Trebević for great panoramas and better understanding the story of Siege of Sarajevo. Later afternoon is free to explore city on your own.
Lukomir Village hiking or Jeep Safari tour from Sarajevo is great option for any nature lover.
This tour offer variety of options, and can be conducted for those who are on low, medium or even high fitness level so please do not simply run away from this activity as this ca be really highlight of your time in Balkans.
In the morning visit Konjic and explore its stunning Old Bridge looming over Neretva river and its old town.
Highlight of the day is visit to Tito’s Bunker. Located 900 feet (270 m) underground, town of Konjic, the 26-year project was only completed in 1979, the year before Tito died, and it was built at a cost equivalent to just under £3 billion ($4.6 billion).
At Jablanica learn about greatest WW2 on ex-Yugoslavian soil and make a lunch stop at Jablanica. Again we talk about roasted lamb 🙂
Later of the day, we will also visit to Blagaj, where we are going to visit Blagaj Tekke (Dervish house) and Buna River Spring. Nobody in this World passing through area of central Herzegovina can not miss the Europe’s most powerful river spring, one of the oldest Dervish houses in our country.
In the afternoon we arrive to Mostar. Hotel check-in and Mostar walking tour. Free evening.
In the morning visit Počitelj. Počitelj is originally medieval, but present day Ottoman time built village, nested in the hills above stunning Neretva river and is place of definite peace. Local mosque, fort and stunning views are guarantee of the good fun.
Later admire the south-east European greatest Catholic pilgrimage of Medjugorje, and climb the apparition hill.
For true wine lovers, region of Herzegovina offers amazing wine tasting opportunities and this activity will be organised on request.
At our next stop we will visit amazing area of Kravice Waterfalls, where during summer time we prefer to have a swim. We call them small Niagara. Why, you better come and see for yourself.
In the later afternoon we are arriving to Split, and as soon as we check into our hotel we are ready to have some seafood dinner and easily explore amazing Diocletian palace and Splitska Riva (pedestrian area).
The morning is reserved for the city walking tour in beautiful Split, where we will learn a lot about this, largest Dalmatian city, the second largest city of Croatia. After the city walking tour, we will have a lunch break, and have the opportunity to try some of the most delicious specialties of this region. UNESCO protected Diocletian Palace is true gem of this town and its main pedestrian area of famous “Splitska Riva” will make enjoy this day to maximum.
The afternoon is reserved for the visit to Trogir, which is situated 25 km north of Split. The Old Town of Trogir is on list of UNESCO world cultural heritage. This charming small city is definitely a great destination to visit for a half day visit from Split.
Free evening in Split.
In the early morning depart Split and on the way to Dubrovnik enjoy the beautiful coastline of Adriatic sea. Visit Ston, and climb the amazing walls of Ston.
These walls are a series of defensive stone walls, that have surrounded and protected the maritime city – state of Dubrovnik (Ragusa).
For oyster lovers Ston is truly paradise on earth, so we recommend delicious lunch here. It can be organised as lunch only, or full time oyster learning experience, as region of Ston is Makkah of the Croatian oyster world.
Arrival to Dubrovnik is in the afternoon, with hotel check-in and free time in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Balkans. On this full day in Dubrovnik, in the morning we will do Dubrovnik city tour, followed with the free time in Dubrovnik on your own. We will recommend some nice places for lunch and leisure activities too.
Optional:
Drive alongside Adriatic coast, will take us to our first stop will be Perast, a baroque town in the municipality of Kotor with its two stunning islands: Sveti Djordje and Gospa od Škrpjela.
The mid-day is reserved for walking tour in Kotor. Small city, with old part of town, which is surrounded by fortress walls. It is one of the most beautiful places in Montenegro, with impressive medieval architecture, and cultural monuments.
Our journey continues towards Budva, one of the Oldest cities of Montenegro. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Old part of the town, and have some relaxed time there.
Last stop of the day is island of Sveti Stefan. Once island, today connected with mainland by narrow isthmus Sveti Stefan is now a 5-star franchise hotel of the international group of Aman Resorts.
In the evening, check-in our hotel at Kotor and free evening.
As soon as we leave Kotor, first stop of the day will be visit to Skadar Lake National Park with an organised lake cruise. Lake Skadar is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, having 270 bird species, among which are some of the last pelicans in Europe, what makes it great birdwatching destination.
Later we pass the border to Albania and on the way to Tirana we will visit Kruje.
Once upon a time capital of the first autonomous Albanian state, home place of Albanian National hero Skenderbeg, place of the most preserved old marketplace in Albania, nested on the mountain, Kruje is offering great panorama sights, lots of interesting history and much more.
Lunch overlooking the Adriatic sea and amazing Ishëm River plain, while in the back is stunning Mount Krujë. Visit to Skenderbeg museum and free time for shopping in the old market is must have.
We move towards Tirana, where we arrive in afternoon. First we’ll check into our hotel and are ready for evening Tirana easy walk and dinner, but this time local Albanian cuisine. Albanian food is something very much unique and trying some of the best local delicacies is a must.
Get ready to explore the city 2400 years old, Berat – UNESCO World Heritage site.
In the morning visit the Berat castle and the Onufri museum. After lunch visit the lower, medieval time Berat neighbourhoods, and locations such as: King’s Mosque, Halveti Teqe and Caravan Saraj.
We will arrange stop for locally prepared lunch and after free time, return to Tirana. Free time in Tirana in the evening.
Free time in Tirana until airport transfer for your departure.
If you are leaving from elsewhere, please inform us so we can make necessary arrangements if needed.
What Do I Need to Bring?
Single Supplement
Full Board
Most memorable Balkans tour!
Ema from Funky Tours helped put together a special 8-day itinerary for my friends and I. She and other Funky ladies welcomed us with an deliciously amazing dinner on the first night in Sarajevo!
We had tours of countless memorable places in Bosnia, Croatia and Montenegro and through it all, our guide Taib was especially dedicated and professional! He had valuable firsthand experiences and personal opinions which were really unique and thought-provoking to share. His historical knowledge was extensive and he often had additional stories and personal anecdotes that were interesting. Our driver, Faris has great driving skills and he was confident and safe whilst navigating lots of mountainous, rocky and slippery areas!
Meals were always delicious in the tour, we were learning lots on local cuisine! The hotels picked were often charming and comfy, and well located.
My friends and I loved taking scenery and landscape shots and both Taib and Faris were always obliging to bring us to great view points, or stop when there were particular gorgeous scenery. They even helped us chase the sunset at times which was much appreciated by my friends!
I would heartily recommend this tour, company and our guide/driver to everyone! The Balkans’ history and culture should be much better appreciated and understood by all. #IloveBosnia
Could not have been better
We spent over two weeks with these wonderful people traveling through the Balkans. We had 6 of their regular guides over the span of our trip, plus multiple city guides in other locales. I don’t think it is possible to have had a better time. We loved every person we met through SFT, the itinerary was great, the trip planning leading up to the arrival was excellent (many e-mails back and forth and a lot of patience from them as there was a ton of changing and modifying). We did BiH, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia and Serbia.
Bosnia is so beautiful, and Sarajevo is the ultimate gem of the region, but the guides made it so easy to love everything, have a blast every day and truly enjoy the trip. This was my first time using a tour company; I wanted to relax and not worry about driving or other logistics (to take a REAL vacation with no hassle), and it was money well spent. Each guide had a different perspective and a completely different personality.
While I feel I could easily go back and do everything myself next time, I plan to use them again next summer with another friend. The local perspectives and ease involved in hiring this company to deal with logistics and transportation is totally worth the cost, and you spend a lot of time laughing and learning with awesome people.
I’ve traveled all over the world, and my time with SFT has been my favorite trip yet. I would have been happy to lose my passport and stay with them forever 😉 I’ve been home two days and I miss them already!
A dream team
We (family of 7) visited Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Split & Plitvice in June 2017 & spent 15 days. This is our first time experience with Funky & are totally happy with their service. Skender’s (founder) team – Adnan (Driver) & Emina (English guide) are adorable and attentive to all our needs. The itinerary was nicely planned and well executed. Hotels (3*) are centrally located & the home stay apartment in Plitvice is a must-try. We had chance to buy home made cherry wine & fig jam, which was lovely. Overall, a very satisfactory experience & we will use Funky again when we travel to Eastern Europe again.
