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Explore the heart and soul of the Balkans on this immersive 15-day journey through vibrant capitals, UNESCO-listed treasures and breathtaking natural landscapes. Along the way, discover medieval old towns, baroque coastal villages, dramatic canyons, emerald rivers and Adriatic shores, as well as ancient bridges, monasteries and living bazaars. Experience authentic local life through traditional cuisine, wine regions and colourful cityscapes, balanced with relaxed moments by lakes, mountains and the sea. This journey captures the diversity, beauty and enduring spirit of the Balkans.
DAY 1 Sofia
Welcome to the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia! You will meet you driver in the arrivals hall of the airport, who will then transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or start exploring this fascinating city.
Stay at the Central Sofia (4 star), Hotel COOP (4 star), Abrazo Sofia (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: -
Day 2 Sofia
After breakfast, enjoy a full-day guided tour of Sofia. Explore the city’s most notable landmarks, including the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Church of Saint Nicholas the Miracle- Maker, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, the Church of Saint George, the Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue, the National Palace of Culture, and the Largo, a prime example of Socialist Classicism architecture. Learn about the city’s rich history, from Byzantine and Ottoman influences to the modern era. After the tour, enjoy your free time in Bulgarian capital, exploring museums, churches or Gradina Park, or simply relax in your hotel.
Stay at the Central Sofia (4 star), Hotel COOP (4 star), Abrazo Sofia (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3 Sofia – Rila Monastery – Skopje
After breakfast, depart Sofia and travel to the Rila Mountains to visit the largest and most renowned monastery in Bulgaria — the Rila Monastery. Perched beneath Bulgaria’s highest peak, Musala, and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its serene atmosphere and authentic charm, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the country’s cultural and historical heritage. Following, enjoy time in leisure, or take an optional wine tasting of Noth Macedonia’s finest wines from the Vardar River Valley. This evening, arrive into Skopje, and enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
Stay at the Hotel Queens (4 star), Ibis Skopje City Centre (4 star), City Park (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4 Skopje
Start your morning, with a city tour of Skopje, stroll through the Old Bazaar, the largest preserved bazaar in the Balkans, and cross the Stone Bridge near the Archaeological Museum towards Macedonia Square, featuring the “Warrior on a Horse” monument. In the modern part of the city, visit Porta Macedonia, the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, the Art Bridge, and statues of prominent North Macedonian figures.
Following the tour, continue to the nearby Matka Canyon, known for its striking lake nestled among rugged cliffs and lush forests. Here, take a boat ride on the clear turquoise waters and enjoy stunning views of the canyon’s dramatic landscape. Afterwards, we drive back to Skopje, where you’ll have the evening to relax or explore the city at your own pace.
Stay at the Hotel Queens (4 star), Ibis Skopje City Centre (4 star), City Park (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5 Skopje – Tirana
This morning, drive southwest towards the shores of Lake Ohrid, the cradle of Slavic literacy and a UNESCO Cultural & Natural World Heritage Site. Discover the town’s historic churches and monasteries and enjoy its extraordinary natural beauty.
Drive to Tirana, the capital city of Albania as well as its largest city. During the sightseeing tour, you will be introduced to the architecture of the Mussolini period and see the city's most important landmarks, including the Et'hem Bey Mosque, the National Museum of History, the Clock Tower and the Presidential Palace. As you stroll through the central part of the city, you can enjoy the many murals and works of art painted on the buildings by various artists and understand why Tirana is known as ''the city of colourful buildings''.
Stay at the ART Tirana (4 star), Hotel Senator (4 star), Hotel Opera (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6 Tirana
After breakfast head to Durres, a vibrant coastal city with rich historical roots and a lively promenade. History resonates in the streets, as the sea breeze and lively promenades invite you to embrace the local ambience. This brief but memorable visit will leave you with a true taste of Albania’s coastal soul.
Continue to Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the pride of Albanian architecture. This authentic town – often called the “town of a thousand windows” – beautifully blends Eastern and Western cultures, and tells the story of diverse traditions and civilisations that once thrived here. Here you can chose to join an optional wine tasting, or may choose to spend your afternoon at leisure.
As you return to your Tirana hotel, enjoy a leisurely evening and take a moment to reflect on the unforgettable memories created today.
Stay at the ART Tirana (4 star), Hotel Senator (4 star), Hotel Opera (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7 Tirana – Budva
Bid farewell to Albania and continue to Old Bar, nestled at the foot of Mount Rumija, where centuries-old stone walls and winding cobbled streets tell the stories of Montenegro’s past. Enjoy a leisurely walk through this open-air museum, where we recommend you savour a coffee or indulge in a traditional dessert at one of the local cafes.
Our final stop of the day is Budva, Montenegro’s top tourist destination. Arrive at your hotel and settle in, then enjoy some free time to explore.
Stay at the Hotel Moskva (4 star), Hotel Bracera (4 star), Kadmo by Aycon (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 Budva
Our first stop will be at the town of Perast, a charming baroque-style settlement nestled in the heart of the bay. From Perast, you have the opportunity to discover a quiet wonder of the Boka Bay, the picturesque island of Our Lady of the Rocks. This manmade island is home to a church with valuable paintings by local artists, silver votive tablets, and a famous sacred tapestry. As you explore, you'll uncover the rich history and legends that make this small island a cultural treasure in the heart of the bay.
After the short boat ride, continue towards Kotor, an old Mediterranean town that dates back to the 12th and 14th centuries. A walking tour will allow you to explore this UNESCO site, including the churches of Saint Nicholas and Saint Luke, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon and other cultural moments. You will have free time to continue wandering around the old town. Return to Budva for free time to explore and enjoy this modern Mediterranean town.
Stay at the Hotel Moskva (4 star), Hotel Bracera (4 star), Kadmo by Aycon (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9 Budva – Trebinje
Check-out from your hotel in Budva and drive towards Dubrovnik, known as the ''Pearl of the Adriatic'', and take a walking tour of its iconic sights, including Stradun, the main street, Placa Square, Pile Gate, the Rector's Palace, and more. Explore the City Walls and the picturesque city port, uncovering hidden gems along the way.
After, continue to Trebinje, known for its picturesque Arslanagica Bridge and a leisurely walk through the old town’s narrow streets. Conclude your day at Poet’s Square before checking in to your hotel and spending the remainder of your day at leisure.
Stay at the Hotel Central Park (4 star), Sesto Senso (4 star), Hotel Platani (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 10 Trebinje – Sarajevo
After breakfast and hotel check out, explore Trebinje's local market before continuing your journey to explore more of Bosnia & Herzegovina. Journey to Mostar and enjoy a walking tour visiting the iconic Old Bridge, a UNESCO landmark, Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, the Crooked Bridge, and the old tanner’s quarter, Tabhana.
Enjoy free time by the Neretva River for lunch with a breathtaking view of the bridge. Depart from Mostar and embark on a scenic drive to Sarajevo, passing through picturesque landscapes and charming towns along the way. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax before exploring the city.
Stay at the Old Town Hotel (4 star), Hotel Colors Inn (4 star), Movenpick Sarajevo (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11 Sarajevo
Start your day with a guided tour of Sarajevo, then immerse yourself in Sarajevo’s rich cultural and historical treasures, engaging all your senses— sight, sound, and taste—for an unforgettable experience that captures the true spirit of the city. This afternoon, continue exploring Sarajevo at your own pace, or take an optional food tour and try some of the city’s best cuisine.
Stay at the Old Town Hotel (4 star), Hotel Colors Inn (4 star), Movenpick Sarajevo (4 stars) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12 Sarajevo – Zlatibor Mountain
After check-out, continue to Visegrad, with a visit to Andricgrad (or Stone-Town) built by Kusturica on the emerald Drina River, featuring cultural facilities and the UNESCO-protected bridge.
This morning, enjoy time in leisure, or take the optional trip on the Sargan Eight Railroad, an authentic, retro ‘nostalgia’ train along the narrow-gauge heritage railway to experience the charm of the mountains.
This afternoon, continue to the ethno village Drvengrad (Wooden-Town), built by renowned film director Emir Kusturica. This village features natural wood constructions, the Mecavnik Hotel, galleries, shops, a cinema, and a church, hosting the Kustendorf Film and Music Festival since 2008.
Check-in to your hotel in Zlatibor Mountain, home to Serbia’s first royal resort, and enjoy a leisurely walk through the picturesque town centre, followed by a delightful dinner of traditional Serbian cuisine typical to the region.
Stay at: Hotel Palisad (4 stars), Hotel Mona Plaza (4 star), Hotel Buket (4 Star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 13 Zlatibor Mountain – Belgrade
This morning, check-out from Zlatibor Mountain and continue your journey northwards, towards the heart of Serbia. Enroute, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Oplenac, a place where royals are laid to rest and history comes to life. Here, embark on an optional wine experience through the Sumadija region.
After this exquisite wine experience, continue to Belgrade. Check-in to your hotel and enjoy free time to rest or explore the city at your leisure.
Stay at: Royal Inn Hotel (4 star), Mercure Belgrade Excelsior (4 star), Central Point Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 14 Belgrade
On your final full day in Serbia, you will embark on a walking and driving tour around Belgrade, starting at Knez Mihailova Street, the city’s bustling pedestrian zone, filled with shops, cafes, and historic buildings.
Having started the day like a true local, we will walk through the historical Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park and be amazed by the view of the mighty Sava and Danube rivers. Crossing Branko’s Bridge into New Belgrade, our panorama tour begins. You’ll experience the bold Brutalism architecture and see the emerging Belgrade Waterfront, a symbol of the city’s modern transformation. Continuing the journey, you’ll gain insight into Serbia’s past, from its 19th-century struggle for independence to its turbulent 1990s. We’ll stop for a visit and devote time to the impressive Temple of Saint Sava, the symbol of the city and the fourth-largest Orthodox temple in the world, adorned with stunning mosaics.
Our tour concludes in the lively heart of Serbia’s bustling capital - The Republic Square, having offered you an insight into both the city’s and the country’s diverse culture, heritage, and history.
Stay at: Royal Inn Hotel (4 star), Mercure Belgrade Excelsior (4 star), Central Point Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 15 Belgrade
Following breakfast and hotel check out, your tour ends with a transfer to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast

Sightseeing tours:
Entrance Fees:
| The Best of Hidden Balkans | ||
|---|---|---|
Twin/Double Single | ||
| 25 Feb 2026 - 15 Dec 2026 | $11,310 $19,460 | |
| Price per adult in Australian Dollars (AUD) |
This independent tour departs daily between the above dates.











