Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)

Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)

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9 Days From

$2175

$1196

Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)

9 Days Starting and ending in Sofia

Visiting: Sofia, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Trebinje, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Budva, Kotor, Tirana, Ohrid, Skopje

Tour operator:

Travel Talk Tours

Tour code:

BLB

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

13 - 35

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

18-59

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural, History

Activities:

Shopping, Walking

From: $2175 $1196 Operator discount: -$979 -45%

NB: Prices correct on 16-Sep-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on this unforgettable tour of the best of the Balkans. Kicking off at the Bulgarian capital, make your way through Belgrade and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Besiege the walls of Dubrovnik before jumping into the sapphire waters of the Adriatic. Dry off on the way to spectacular Montenegro whilst passing the outstanding mountain backdrop. Welcome the spectacular coastline together with the warm lively people. Uncover the unspoken natural beauty and impressive history of a marvellous region on this Balkans tour.



Highlights

  • Enjoy professional guided tours in Belgrade, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Ohrid and Skopje.

  • Delve into history and greet the colourful Balkan cultures riding from one capital to another, while frequenting popular hotspots and gems off the beaten track.

  • Swim the Adriatic and walk around the impressive medieval fortresses of Dubrovnik and Kotor, and meet the vibrant nightlife of Budva.

  • Uncover the stunning natural beauty of Ohrid Lake with an optional trip to the serene St. Naum Monastery.

  • Explore the essential highlights of 7 Balkan countries in 9 days.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Sofia

Location: Sofia

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Vega – 4 Star

Welcome to Sofia! At the airport, keep an eye out for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. At the hotel around 7pm, have an informal welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers. After you get all the critical information about the tour, head out for our optional group dinner around 8:15pm and walk the streets of Sofia.



Day 2 : Sofia, Belgrade

Location: Sofia, Belgrade

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Abba Hotel – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a substantial breakfast, hop on the bus and make your way to the Serbian capital, Belgrade. With stunning views over the Danube and Sava rivers by the mighty medieval Belgrade Fortress, head to the heart of the capitol. Starting off at the vibrant pretty shopping street, Knez Mihailova, filled with cafes, shops and charming sites, kick off the walking tour to discover the incredible landmarks Belgrade has in store and their marvellous histories.



Day 3 : Belgrade, Sarajevo

Location: Sarajevo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Ibis Styles – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Next stop Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, the city that has been through it all! It is where the Western and Eastern Roman Empire split and where people of many nations and religions met, lived and warred. You can still see many reminders of the Yugoslav War in bullet holes and cannon marks all around town. Though, still an oriental beauty with a unique twist, and a delight to discover on your walking tour in the old town. The city offers endless delicacies to taste, but the specialty is lamb.



Day 4 : Sarajevo, Mostar,Trebinje

Location: Trebinje, Mostar

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Central Park – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, we drive for the amazing Adriatic shore, but first a stop at Mostar! As you arrive in this dreamland, walk through the Old Town of this Herzegovina pearl, see the iconic highlights Old Bridge – Stari Most, and the old čaršija (market). Enjoy your lunch with an amazing view at one of the local venues, discover the old town and make sure to try the delicious Turkish coffee. In the afternoon, we ride to Trebinje for our overnight stay.

Day 5 : Trebinje, Dubrovnik, Trebinje

Location: Trebinje, Dubrovnik

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Central Park – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Get ready for a long day at Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic”! With its well-preserved majestic walls encircling the whole town and its sea of terra-cotta roof tiles, giving life to the “King’s Landing”, the whole town is an amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even the drive down to town from the mountain-side is a breakth-taking highlight in itself! We start off with a guided walking tour of the Old Town and marvel at the millennial history of this fairy-like town. Walk atop the mighty walls, discover cute narrow streets, taste delicious seafood or jump off into the crystal-blue waters. In the evening, we return to Trebinje for a good night’s rest.



Day 6 : Trebinje, Kotor, Budva

Location: Budva, Kotor

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Park – 3 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Next stop Montenegro! Arrive in Kotor after a scenic drive an meet its calming natural beauty and characteristic architecture, a less-crowded version of Dubrovnik with its impressive medieval citadel. Following a walking tour of the old town with your expert local guide and some free time, make your way to the popular touristic hub of the region, Budva. Your guide will take you on a brief walking tour of the vibrant summer town with great food, impressive views and lively nightlife.



Day 7 : Budva, Tirana, Ohrid

Location: Tirana, Ohrid

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Sileks – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hit the road after breakfast, next stop Albania! A panoramic city tour of Tirana will introduce the best preserved and most beautiful samples of Albanian architecture, and drop us off at the town centre for some free time to discover the bustling Skenderbeg square. In the afternoon, continue towards Ohrid, Macedonia and check-in to your comfy hotel. You can rest up after a long day, or join the optional Balkan night with dinner.



Day 8 : Ohrid, Skopje

Location: Skopje, Ohrid

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Panoramika – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Start off the day with a guided city tour of Old Ohrid hosting hundreds of chapels and churches scattered all around. In the afternoon travel to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, for the night.



Day 9 : Skopje, Sofia

Location: Sofia, Skopje

Meals Included: Breakfast

Prepare to discover the beautiful Skopje with a guided sightseeing tour filled with stunning architecture, grand monuments and unique history. Pose with the famous statue of Alexander the Great or walk through the Macedonian Arc de Triumph. The city has countless landmarks and a vibrant street life with many cafes and bars around. In the afternoon, leave for Sofia, where our trip ends, and we say goodbye to our new friends. You can explore the shopping streets, highlights and the nightlife as you wish.



What's Included

  • Transportation

    Air-conditioned coach or mini-bus

  • Meals

    8 breakfasts

  • Airport Transfer

    From Sofia Airport to the hotel on Day 1

  • Accommodation

    4 star hotels

  • Tour Guiding

    Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licenced by the Ministry of Tourism

  • Free Wi-Fi

    Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access ( where available )

  • Airport Transfer(s)

    Arrival airport transfer from Sofia Airport to the hotel on day 1

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • Travel Insurance

  • Meals not stated above

  • Items of a personal nature

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees to the sights and museums

  • Optional activities

Add Ons

Local Payment: £0

Check out our Q&As

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    No

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes, on day of arrival

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes, children age 18 and above are allowed

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    No

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Over 20 years

Reviews of this operator

Jessie Mae Sia  

My travel talk experience was great and memorable

24-Feb-2021

My travel talk experience was awesome and fantastic. Me and my husband was on their Morocco and Turkey tours in 2019, they operated their tours in a culturally fun manner and the tour guides were very nice and very approachable. It exceeded our expection, we love to come back with them in our future travel. Thank you travel talk you made our 2019 as one of our memorable year!

Trustpilot
Jes Snowden (Google Reviewer)  

The Best of Turkey by...

10-Sep-2024

The Best of Turkey by Land was fantastic! If it’s a “tour” of Turkey you’re seeking, this one is the pick of them all. We travelled to the most spectacular locations, and experienced breathtaking moments and views, in every stop! Our tour guide Mustafa was very knowledgeable and talked us through the history of the land. He was friendly and very patient, considering the hours he puts into his tours. Mus was able to swap the days activities for some days to ensure we were given the best opportunity for photo’s and leas tourists in other locations. Our bus drivers did an amazing job getting us to all locations safely! Thank you Ahmet & Ali, you are superstars… Highlights for us were Gallipoli, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethyie and hot air ballooning in Cappadocia. The group consisted of all ages, which worked out to be a good mix. The weather varied between 25 - 36 degrees throughout the trip, so be sure to pack the sunscreen and portable fan. Hotels varied, each one having it’s own idiosyncrasies, but overall very good. Some of the days were extremely long but we got through them.. I’d recommend this tour to anyone that wants a taste of the beautiful land that Turkey is ☺️

Courtney Godden (Google Reviewer)  

First time doing a tour...

28-Jul-2024

First time doing a tour overseas, wow what an amazing experience. Smaller tour group which was awesome, great hotel choices, professional transportation services and saw the best of Turkey in 12 days. Our tour guide Aykut's hospitality was second to none, he went above and beyond for every member of the group. His knowledge of his country's history and culture was outstanding and explained in a memorable way for a lasting memory. Aykut's has extensive experience as a tour guide and it shows in every way, many special tips from living/growing up in Turkey. Aykut's planning meant everything ran smoothly making our only job to turn up with your belongings and enjoy your experience. Thank you again Aykut for going the extra mile, making sure places had gluten free options for me and for all the funny jokes ☺️

elle mcdowell (Google Reviewer)  

We had an amazing time...

10-Jul-2024

We had an amazing time on our 12 day tour of Turkey! Our guide Yild was attentive, always was there to help us make the most of our trip and great fun! Would definitely recommend this tour to others!!

Samantha Treadwell (Google Reviewer)  

Such an UNREAL EXPERIENCE! I...

13-Aug-2024

Such an UNREAL EXPERIENCE! I cannot recommend the best of Turkey by Gulet for 12 day tour enough. On this tour we were able to see all parts of turkey from the coast line to the major cities and immerse ourselves in the culture and history! Mustafa is the best tour guide who priorities experiences, learning and safety of all tour participants (he also doubles as a comedian so ensures many laughs are had). From sailing on the Mediterranean Sea, experiencing the best food and culture in Istanbul, to paragliding over Pamukkale springs, and finally ticking off the bucket list moment of hot air ballooning over Cappadocia, this has been a trip not to forget. I cannot recommend this tour enough and would encourage anyone going to turkey to book this trip with Travel Talk!

Victoria McCullough (Google Reviewer)  

I did the travel talk...

26-Aug-2024

I did the travel talk turkey tour with mus. He's an awesome guide full of local knowledge. There had been wild fires at Gallipoli so rearranged our itinerary to allow us a chance to visit which we did! I spent 3 days on the gulet and was a great way to relax. Would highly recommend the tour as a way to visit turkey and would do it again.

Leigh Anaru (Google Reviewer)  

Just finished the 10 day...

30-Apr-2024

Just finished the 10 day ANZAC tour in Türkiye. Wow what an experience! The tour although busy was jam packed with amazing experiences made all the more richer by our highly knowledgable and very funny guide Aykut. The bus was full of 44 Aussies and Kiwis which would've been no easy feat to control. Aykut and our drivers Naci and Sevki were kind and patient making our long drives enjoyable. Gallipoli was a bucket list of mine, and what a beautiful humbling experience it was, especially the following day tour of the cemeteries. Other than that highlight, the early morning hot air balloon and all the other sites the Kapadokya offers was pretty special too. I will be using Travel Talk again. 5 stars!

Bec Wood (Google Reviewer)  

We did the 11 Day...

26-Apr-2024

We did the 11 Day Anzac Tour of Turkey. It. Was. Phenomenal. My husband and I absolutely love Turkey and were excited to explore the country. Highlights were definitely the Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia and the privilege of attending the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove. A bucket list item ticked off. This was my second Travel Talk in 2024 and I would absolutely do another one in the future. The tour was organised and our guide, Mustafa, was fantastic.

Scarlett Lily  

One of the best holidays I’ve had

25-Feb-2021

We went on a tour of the Balkans and it was above our expectations. Bojan was the best tour leader gave us so much information about the places we were visiting but also a great laugh! The tour ran so smoothly and was the perfect way to see the area in a little amount of time. It was one of the best holidays I have been on, I loved every minute of it and I can’t wait to book another tour with travel talk. They are great value for money!

Trustpilot
James Wilkins (Google Reviewer)  

Just completed the exotic Morocco...

29-Oct-2023

Just completed the exotic Morocco tour with our excellent guide Abdul! He was one of the best tour guides I have met, he brought so much energy and knowledge on the tour and could not imagine doing the tour without him. The tour itself was so diverse, seeing so many different landscapes. It has been one of the best trips I have done. Would highly recommend!

1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Sunday

Nov 02, 2024 - Nov 10, 2024
$2175 $1196

Operator discount: -$979

Saturday - Sunday

Nov 09, 2024 - Nov 17, 2024
$2175 $1196

Operator discount: -$979

Saturday - Sunday

Nov 16, 2024 - Nov 24, 2024
$2175 $1196

Operator discount: -$979

Tuesday - Wednesday

Dec 17, 2024 - Dec 25, 2024
$2175 $1196

Operator discount: -$979

Tuesday - Wednesday

Dec 24, 2024 - Jan 01, 2025
$2175 $1196

Operator discount: -$979

Saturday - Sunday

Mar 08, 2025 - Mar 16, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Mar 22, 2025 - Mar 30, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Mar 29, 2025 - Apr 06, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Apr 05, 2025 - Apr 13, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Apr 12, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Apr 19, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Apr 26, 2025 - May 04, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

May 01, 2025 - May 09, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

May 03, 2025 - May 11, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

May 08, 2025 - May 16, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

May 10, 2025 - May 18, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

May 15, 2025 - May 23, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

May 17, 2025 - May 25, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

May 22, 2025 - May 30, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

May 24, 2025 - Jun 01, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

May 29, 2025 - Jun 06, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

May 31, 2025 - Jun 08, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

Jun 05, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Jun 07, 2025 - Jun 15, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

Jun 12, 2025 - Jun 20, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 22, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

Jun 19, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Jun 21, 2025 - Jun 29, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

Jun 26, 2025 - Jul 04, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 06, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Jul 26, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Aug 02, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 17, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Aug 30, 2025 - Sep 07, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

Sep 04, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

Sep 11, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

Sep 18, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

Sep 25, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 05, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Thursday - Friday

Oct 02, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Oct 25, 2025 - Nov 02, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Nov 01, 2025 - Nov 09, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Nov 08, 2025 - Nov 16, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Saturday - Sunday

Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 23, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Tuesday - Wednesday

Dec 16, 2025 - Dec 24, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Tuesday - Wednesday

Dec 23, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025
$2395 $1317

Operator discount: -$1078

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel talk tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.