Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)
Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)
Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)
9 Days Starting and ending in Sofia, Bulgaria
Visiting: Sofia, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Tirana, Ohrid, Skopje
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BLB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
25 - 30
Age range:
0-0
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 9-day journey through the Balkans, exploring the rich history and vibrant cultures of seven countries. This tour offers professional guided experiences in iconic cities like Belgrade, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje. Discover the medieval fortresses of Dubrovnik and Kotor, and enjoy the lively nightlife of Budva. Experience the serene beauty of Ohrid Lake with an optional visit to St. Naum Monastery. Travel in comfort with air-conditioned transport and stay in 4-star hotels, enjoying complimentary Wi-Fi where available. Begin your adventure in Sofia, with an included airport transfer, and conclude back in this vibrant city. With eight breakfasts included, this cultural coach tour promises an unforgettable exploration of the Balkans' essential highlights, both popular and off the beaten path.
Highlights
Itinerary
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: 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: 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 caršija (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: 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: 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
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: 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: 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
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Accommodation
Stay in 4 star hotels throughout the tour.
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Meals
Enjoy 8 breakfasts during the tour.
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Transportation
Travel in an air-conditioned coach or mini-bus.
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Airport Transfer(s)
Arrival airport transfer from Sofia Airport to the hotel on day 1.
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Tour Guiding
Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism.
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Free Wi-Fi
Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access where available.
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
Tipping and gratuities are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Meals not stated above
Meals other than the 8 breakfasts are not included.
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Items of a personal nature
Personal expenses are not included.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to the sights and museums are not included.
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Optional activities
Optional activities are not included.
Add Ons
Local Payment: £0
Mode of Transport
Travel in style and comfort with air-conditioned coaches or mini-buses, ensuring a smooth journey between destinations. Enjoy the convenience of an arrival airport transfer from Sofia Airport to your hotel on the first day of the tour.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at 4-star hotels throughout the tour, including Novotel Sofia, Abba Hotel, Hotel Ibis Styles, Hotel Central Park, Grand Hotel Europa, Hotel Nova Riviera, and Hotel Panoramika, ensuring a relaxing and luxurious experience in each destination.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides accommodation in 4-star hotels throughout the journey.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes 8 breakfasts as part of the package.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
Transportation is provided by an air-conditioned coach or mini-bus.
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Is airport transfer included in the tour?
Yes, an arrival airport transfer from Sofia Airport to the hotel is included on day 1.
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Will there be a tour guide during the trip?
Yes, the services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism are included.
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Is Wi-Fi available during the tour?
Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access is available where possible.
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Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour price?
No, entrance fees to sights and museums are not included in the tour price.
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What optional activities are available during the tour?
Optional activities include a group dinner in Sofia, a visit to Kravice Waterfalls, a Dubrovnik boat trip, and a Balkan night with dinner, among others.
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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.
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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.
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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
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 20 years
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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.
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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.
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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.