Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

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7 Days From

$2145

$1609

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

7 Days Starting in Zagreb, Croatia and ending in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Visiting: Zagreb, Bled, Ljubljana, Split, Dubrovnik

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Tour code:

1485/WBDI

Specialist Group:

Family/Kids

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 52

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

12-

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $2145 $1609 Operator discount: -$536 -25%

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

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

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 7-day journey through the Western Balkans, exploring the rich cultural tapestry of Croatia and Slovenia. Begin in Zagreb, where you'll discover the historic Upper Town and iconic landmarks like St. Mark's Church. Traverse the stunning Julian Alps to the serene town of Bled, and continue to Ljubljana, Slovenia's vibrant capital. Marvel at the natural beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park, with its cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear lakes. In Split, delve into the ancient secrets of Diocletian's Palace, before savoring the charm of Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Enjoy guided tours, comfortable accommodations, and the option to explore the island of Korcula. This small group adventure promises an unforgettable exploration of the Western Balkans' most enchanting destinations.

Highlights

  • Zagreb - Tour the Croatian capital and see highlights including St Mark's Church and Zagreb Cathedral in the fortified Upper Town.

  • Bled - Admire the stunning alpine scenery of Lake Bled in the Julian Alps and stay in the tranquil town of the same name.

  • Ljubljana - Uncover some of the main attractions in Slovenia's capital city, from the Three Bridges to Robba's Fountain and the open-air market.

  • Plitvice Lakes - Explore the vast underground cave system and admire some of the beautiful lakes and waterfalls within the national park.

  • Split - Learn the secrets of UNESCO-listed Diocletian's Palace and enjoy a drink in one of Split's many charming bars and restaurants.

  • Dubrovnik - Enjoy a free day in Croatia's most famous city, which you can spend exploring the narrow streets or admiring the city walls.

  • Korcula - Join an optional excursion to the island of Korcula, the birthplace of famous explorer Marco Polo.

Places You'll See

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Zagreb

Location: Zagreb

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Dinner

Wednesday. Welcome to Zagreb and the start of your holiday. Included transfer for the airport to your hotel in the city. The remains of the day offer free time for you to head out and explore this beautiful city which marks the crossroad between the Adriatic coast and Central Europe.

Day 2 : Zagreb & Bled

Location: Bled

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: overnight in Bled

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Zagreb - Bled. We start the day with a sightseeing tour of the nation's capital. We will make our way to the fortified Upper Town (the city’s historical centre), passing St Mark’s Church with its stunning multi-coloured tiled roof, the Croatian National Theatre, University and Zagreb Cathedral, with its towering Gothic spires. This afternoon we continue to the beautiful town of Bled in the Julian Alps – famous for its thermal lake. As one of the most picturesque alpine resorts in the world, the beauty of Bled is the stuff of fairytales with a whimsical church and wishing bell set upon an island in the middle of an emerald glacial lake and surrounded by gorgeous snow-capped peaks.

Day 3 : Ljubljana & Plitvice Lakes

Location: Ljubljana

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Bled - Ljubljana - Plitvice. After breakfast we drive to Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital and take part in a guided tour of the old city. We'll see the Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, Robba’s Fountain and visit the colourful open-air central Market, selling beautifully smoked cheeses, meats and fresh fruit and vegetables. Nibble your way around! Later continue onto the Plitvice Lakes region for the afternoon. This 20-km long karst cave system with its web of underground passages, galleries and chambers is the largest karst cave open for visitation in all of Europe. Walk around the wooden promenades this evening and enjoy the magnificent views over the waters with its 16 clear blue lakes that cascade into 92 waterfalls.

Day 4 : Roman Ruins Of Zadar & Split

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Location: Split

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Plitvice - Zadar - Split. Today we make our way to the Dalmatian Coast, to the city of Zadar. Upon arrival we take a guided tour of the 2nd century BC Roman Forum and see the 9th Century pre-Romanesque church of St. Donatus. In the afternoon we continue our journey to Split, where we explore the city including learning the secrets of the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace and its cellars. Spend the evening at leisure discovering the sights and delights of Split.

Day 5 : Split

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Location: Dubrovnik

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Split - Dubrovnik. Leaving Split we drive south along the Dalmatian coastline, crossing the Neum Corridor of Bosnia and Herzegovnia (see info related to Neum Corridor border crossing procedures in our Trip Notes) to Dubrovnik - the Jewel in the nation's crown. We tour the UNESCO listed old city with its towering fortress wall and enter the Dubrovnik Cathedral, built in Roman Baroque architectural style.

Day 6 : Dubrovnik

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Location: Dubrovnik

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is yours to spend at leisure in Dubrovnik or you can join in optional excursions to the island of Korcula. If you choose to go to Korcula there will be a stop in one of the well-known wine cellars of the Peljesac peninsula to sample local wine on the way back.

Day 7 : Dubrovnik

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Location: Dubrovnik

Meals Included: Breakfast

Tuesday. Today your tour of Croatia comes to an end. After breakfast and hotel check-out a departure transfer will take you to Dubrovnik airport.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    4 star

  • Breakfast daily and 6 hotel dinners

    Enjoy daily breakfast and six dinners at the hotels during your stay.

  • 6 nights 3 star hotels

    Stay in comfortable 3-star hotels for six nights.

  • Guided sightseeing of Zagreb, Ljubljana, Plitvice lakes, Split and Dubrovnik

    Experience guided tours in Zagreb, Ljubljana, Plitvice Lakes, Split, and Dubrovnik with commentary in English and possibly one other language.

  • Escorted by an English speaking Croatian Tour Leader

    Travel with an English-speaking Croatian tour leader throughout the trip.

  • Specialist local guides at some sites

    Benefit from the expertise of specialist local guides at select sites.

  • Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and departure transfer on day 7

    Enjoy convenient airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour.

  • Entrance fees to Plitvice lakes, Diocletian’s Palace in Split and the Cathedral in Dubrovnik

    Entrance fees to Plitvice Lakes, Diocletian’s Palace in Split, and the Cathedral in Dubrovnik are included.

  • All relevant transport and transfers and transportation in private A/C vehicles

    Travel in comfort with all relevant transport and transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles.

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visas

    International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.

  • Entrance fees to sites other than those listed

    Entrance fees to sites not listed in the inclusions are not covered.

  • Tip for your tour leader

    Tips for the tour leader are not included.

    It is recommended to allow EUR 3–5 per day, per traveller.

Age Policy

12 yrs or above (there is no discount for kids - this is an adult program) 

Accommodation

Experience comfort and style at the elegant Hotel Astoria in Zagreb, the centrally located Hotel Lev in Ljubljana, the nature-embraced Jezero Hotel in Plitvice Lakes, the modern Hotel Corner in Split, and the luxurious Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik, each offering a range of amenities and convenient locations.

Mode of Transport

Enjoy private air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout the tour, including airport transfers on arrival and departure days, ensuring a comfortable and seamless travel experience between destinations such as Zagreb, Ljubljana, Plitvice Lakes, Split, and Dubrovnik.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes stays in 3-star hotels such as Hotel Astoria in Zagreb, Hotel Lev in Ljubljana, Jezero Hotel in Plitvice Lakes, Hotel Corner in Split, and Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik in Dubrovnik. These hotels offer modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, fitness centers, and restaurants.

  • Are airport transfers included in the tour package?

    Yes, the tour includes an airport arrival transfer on day 1 and a departure transfer on day 7.

  • Is there a tour guide provided throughout the trip?

    Yes, the tour is escorted by an English-speaking Croatian Tour Leader, and specialist local guides are provided at some sites.

  • What meals are included in the tour?

    The tour includes breakfast daily and 6 hotel dinners.

  • Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour cost?

    Entrance fees to Plitvice Lakes, Diocletian’s Palace in Split, and the Cathedral in Dubrovnik are included in the tour cost.

  • What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

    All relevant transport and transfers are provided, with transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles.

  • Is there an optional excursion available during the tour?

    Yes, there is an optional excursion to the island of Korcula, the birthplace of famous explorer Marco Polo.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Lois Greene  

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

27-Sep-2024

Eva was a great our guide. She went out of her way to insure that everybody had a wonderful experience. She is well informed, kind and compassionate with a great sense of humour.

Marjorie Velleman  

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

15-May-2024

Enjoyed every moment!

Diana (TL)  

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

08-Nov-2024

Blanche was a wonderful guide. She was knowledgeable, patient, kind, organised and a great communicator. Fabulous tour for a taste of the Balkans. Our bus driver was also very helpful and a safe driver.

Janet Beedle  

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

09-May-2024

The guide was friendly, knowledgeable and a great problem solver. The guides provided for each city were very friendly and knowledgeable. On the Go Tours arranged for multiple city tour guides based on the language spoken. So French speaking people had a French speaking tour guide, English speaking people had an English speaking tour guide, etc. There was adequate time for people to go off and do their own thing once the guided tour was over in each city.

Erryn Morris  

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

05-Sep-2024

Great tour & tour guide. Blanche was our tour guide in Croatia. She was fantastic always letting us know what was happening always telling us about the history of the region we were in at the time. Could not fault her she was brilliant. The tour itself was really good & went to some fantastic spots & was well planned out. The last hotel ‘The Valamar’ was a great hotel to finish the tour at. It was a great hotel to relax after the tour if you wanted to.

Andy Allen  

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

14-May-2024

The tour was very enjoyable and interesting and as for your Tour Guide Blanša she was exceptional, professional and a joy to have with us. As Sales Director for a National Touring Company in Australia, we in the industry can sometimes be a little critical as we find it hard to remove the work hat, however I joined this tour for a holiday with my wife and did not divulge my background until much later in the tour.. Blansa was nothing short of fabulous in organizing all aspects of the tour and group. A very engaging person with a great personality.! A rare breed. Cannot fault any aspect of your tour - well done!

John Botham  

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

17-May-2024

Blanche was an excellent guide - knowledgeable, competent, organized and concerned for the welfare of the group. Hotel Lev Ljubljana offered a set menu – a sort of Ragout, with no greens or vegetables. In the morning, two of their three lifts were broken and our whole bus was delayed by half an hour while one of our suitcases, which had been inexplicably removed, was tracked down (through CCTV), located, and eventually brought down in the lift – total chaos! The room in Hotel Lev had a poorly designed bathroom, with a glass cubicle for a shower and a cramped space by the curtained-off wash basin. At the Hotel Corner in Split, from the 3 choices for dinner we we chose ‘Grilled steak and grilled vegetables’. The ‘steak’ was like hard rubber (inedible), served with soggy over-boiled non-descript vegetables. The dinner and breakfast buffet in the Best Western in Zagreb was good, and the dinner and breakfast buffet in the Valamar Argosy in Dubrovnik was excellent. The Argosy was a lovely hotel to spend our ‘free day’. All local guides were good, especially Elvis in Dubrovnik, and the itinerary and sights seen were great.

Richard Dyason  

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

31-May-2024

Not having read the fine print I was unaware of the size of the group, 47, far too big for my preference. Tour guide was excellent as was itinary though the length of free time at the end of the various walking tours was too long, most people were back waiting for the bus almost an hour before departure time. Food at the lunch time stops was generally good but the hotel evening meals were average at the start of the trip and gradually got worse, Corner Hotel and Lachroma food was so over cooked as to be almost inevitable. Transport to airport (own used for earlier arrival day) was excellent Generally enjoyable with interesting people from Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Trevor Newborn  

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

02-Sep-2016

Excellent guide interesting and knowledgeable Loved the tour and the driver was fantastic we felt very safe Overall we really liked it

Victoria Peacock  

Western Balkans Discovery - 7 days

28-Jul-2016

I enjoyed the tour as it was fast-paced and included some destinations I was keen to visit. I like the half-board aspect although that may not be for everyone and did mean that the food we ate wasn't necessarily traditional/local in origin. It may be worth making that clearer in the trip notes, namely that the included dinners are at the hotels rather than at a restaurant of our choosing. The guide was enthusiastic and friendly.

Read all 11 reviews

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD 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 on the go tours charges.

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

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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