Best of Balkans 2026 - 15 Days

From £1,790£119 per day Save 10%

Who is this trip for

Age range

18 - 35

Start / End

  • Dubrovnik
  • Dubrovnik

Physical rating

1/5

Group size

1 - 50

Meals included

18

Highlights

  • 14 Breakfast (B)
  • 4 Dinner (D)
  • Tirana: Take an orientation around the rainbow-coloured Albanian capital with your Contiki gang. Familiarise yourself with the landmarks and best places to grab a coffee.
  • Tirana: Wanna dive into Albania’s past? Then you need visit Bunk’Art – a massive underground bunker turned museum. It was once built to protect leaders from nuclear attacks. And now it tells the story of Albania’s communist era with art, history (and even a few surprises!). Explore eerie tunnels, snap some pics, and experience a slice of Cold War history you won’t find anywhere else.
  • Mostar: See this epic piece of Ottoman architecture, which was destroyed by war in 1993 and then rebuilt.
  • Sarajevo: See the sights of the Bosnian capital and get up to speed on 500 years of history, from the Ottomans to the present day.
  • Belgrade: Ramble around the Serbian capital. It’s brimming with culture and history for you to soak up.
  • Lake Bled: Take it easy with your new besties as you walk around the scenic lake, framed by the Julian Alps.
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park: Turquoise lakes. Sparkling waterfalls. Lush green forests. You’ll never want to leave this little slice of heaven.
  • Dubrovnik: Stroll through the UNESCO-listed old town with a local guide. And play a game of ‘spot the Game of Thrones film set’ as you go.

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Summary

This part of the world is hotter than hot right now, and we aint gonna lie, this trip's name says it all. Sunshine, sunsets, and sights are served up left right and centre, with a nature fix dotted in-between to keep every explorer tuned in. 15-days of life changing experiences are yours for the taking.

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Dubrovnik > Budva > Tirana

    Good morning, 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!). With no time to waste, we'll head straight to our first stop. 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 we head to our next stop. Welcome to the capital city of Albania. This hidden gem has a lot to offer, and we’ve got the entirety of tomorrow to see it all. Join us for an included dinner tonight before heading back to our hotel to get some sleep as our adventure begins...

  • Day 2

    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!

  • Day 3

    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 treat. Tonight, we’ll stroll around the picturesque streets to grab some authentic dinner. Spend the night chilling with your crew and getting some well-deserved rest.

  • Day 4

    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 them all tomorrow. Tonight, you have the option to taste home-made Bosnian cuisine, learn what living like a local is like (plus support their families in turn). A truly wholesome experience!

  • Day 5

    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.

  • Day 6

    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 can go sit on the Hill of Contemplation or stroll along the Sava river, others can see the fortress of Beogradska Tvrđava & enjoy the lively mood of Belgrade by night.

  • Day 7

    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 moving at one of the city's famous ruins bars, that need to be seen to be believed!

  • Day 8

    Budapest

    Morning! You've got an entire day to spend exploring the stunning landscape and architechtural marvel of this city. And finally, to shoo away those hunger pangs, we'll grab some dinner at a local Hungarian spot.

  • Day 9

    Budapest > Ljubljana

    This morning we'll hop onto the coach for a guided tour to explore to what this city has on offer. You'll see Heroes Square, Fisherman's Bastion, as well as the famed chain bridge & the stunning parliament building, before we depart for our next city. After a morning full of awesome ancient architecture, we'll be ready to arrive in Ljubljana. You've got a free evening on your hands. So roam around the city, grab a bite to eat, and rest up for the all the Alpine scenery that awaits us tomorrow.

  • Day 10

    Ljubljana > Lake Bled > Radovljica > Ljubljana

    Ljubljana, you've been lovely. 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 medieval castle reaching out of an islet, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Julian Alps and the turquoise waters of the lake itself, it really is like something out of a Disney movie. Satisfied your soul soaking in all that natural beauty? Now satisfy your hungry tummies with some lunch at this quaint Medieval town. It’s been a long but pleasing day. Tonight, you can choose to join a traditional Slovenian evening. We're talking: a traditional dancing show paired with a spread of authentic dishes. A feast for your mind and tastebuds alike!

  • Day 11

    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.

  • Day 12

    Plitvice National Park > Zadar > 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 then, you can choose to join us for some dinner at a traditional Dalmatian tavern.

  • Day 13

    Split > Ston > Dubrovnik

    Split it's been fantastic, but we have to leave for other Croatian gems further down the coast. Ston is a charming town on the Dalmatian coast, famous for its impressive medieval walls and ancient salt pans. It’s the perfect spot to explore history, sample fresh seafood, and take in the scenic surroundings. A great place to unwind and enjoy the slow pace before heading to your next adventure. 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 with quintessentially Croatian cafes and plenty of clubs; and a mountain meets sea situation will see you falling in love within seconds.

  • Day 14

    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. Tonight over an optional dinner with the crew, spirits will no doubt be high!

  • Day 15

    Dubrovnik

    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?

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    VH Eurostar Tirana Hotel (or similar), Hotel Mostar (or similar), Hotel Grand Sarajevo (or similar), Hotel Sumadija (or similar), 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), Akademis Akademia (or similar)

  • Meals

    Breakfasts: 14, Lunches: 0, Dinners: 4

    Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.

    Vegetarian options available

  • Local Guide

    Guided

    This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.

  • Wifi

    Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.

Dates & Prices

  • May 26

    from £1,790
  • Jun 26

    from £1,790
  • Jul 26

    from £1,848
  • Aug 26

    from £1,790
  • Save 10%
    Sat 23 May 2026 > Sat 6 Jun 2026Guaranteed Departure
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Essential trip information

Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.

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