London to Albania and the Balkans Rail and Sea Adventure

London to Albania and the Balkans Rail and Sea Adventure

Duration
14 days
Group Size
people
Price
From £4795
Region
Europe
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Overview

Enjoy a unique fully escorted flight-free adventure and travel in comfort and style all the way by first class train and one overnight ferry crossing from London to Albania and the Balkans states of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Discover the highlights of each country and join local guides for sightseeing.

Our journey starts in London from where we head to Paris on the Eurostar. After time for lunch at the Gare de Lyon’s famous Train Bleu restaurant, which opened in 1900 and is decorated in a sumptuous art nouveau style, we take the TGV through the Alps to the Italian city of Turin. The next day we continue our journey south to Bari, located on the Adriatic coast and then head inland to the gorgeous hilltop town of Matera, the setting of the James Bond film, No Time to Die.

We cross the Adriatic by overnight ferry to Albania, where travelling by road, we will visit the UNESCO listed cities of Gjirokastra and Berat before heading to the capital Tirana. After descending into one of the world’s most peculiar contemporary art museums in Tirana – housed in an underground bunker built for the Albanian political elite, we cross the border to neighbouring Montenegro. Here we explore Kotor, a 5th-century World Heritage-listed city set on a secluded bay, with towering peaks surrounding a rocky coastline dotted with waterside towns.

Our adventure continues by road to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the city of Mostar where the Balkans’ most celebrated bridge forms a majestic stone arc between medieval towers. Back on the train we travel onto the capital Sarajevo to learn about its recent history as a city under siege.

The final leg of our journey takes us by road to the Croatian capital Zagreb, where we will join the overnight sleeper for Stuttgart, connecting the next morning with a high-speed ICE train to Paris, and onwards by Eurostar to London. Alternatively, there is the option to extend your stay in Croatia and return to London at your own pace.

Highlights

Included/Excluded

The services of an Undiscovered Destinations’ tour leader
All accommodation
Daily breakfast (B) except on Day 5, plus lunch (L) and dinner (D) where shown in the itinerary
Rail travel based on first class seats for daytime journeys and private sleeping compartments (without an en-suite WC or shower) for one overnight journey
Overnight ferry crossing from Bari to Durres in a private en-suite outside (window) cabin
Guided sightseeing tours as per itinerary, with the services of a private English-speaking guide or driver/guide
Transfers as per itinerary with a private car or minibus
Unless stated otherwise, entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Travel Insurance
Visas – when required
Meals and drinks not stated in the itinerary
Tips (Discretionary)

Tour Ratings

Fitness: 3/5
Unexplored: 3/5
Culture: 3/5
History: 4/5
Wildlife: 2/5
Tour-pace: 4/5
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Map and Tour Itinerary

The “London to Albania and the Balkans – Rail and Sea Adventure” is a 14-day, fully escorted, flight-free journey that combines first-class train travel and an overnight ferry crossing to explore Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. The adventure begins in London, travelling via Paris and Turin to the Italian city of Bari. From Bari, participants take an overnight ferry to Albania, visiting Gjirokastra, Berat, and the capital city, Tirana. The journey continues through Montenegro’s Kotor, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Mostar, and Sarajevo, before concluding in Croatia’s Zagreb. The return leg includes an overnight sleeper train to Stuttgart, connecting to high-speed trains back to London, with an optional extension to stay longer in Croatia.

Itinerary Highlights
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Albania

The tour explores Albania’s UNESCO-listed towns of Gjirokastra and Berat, renowned for their well-preserved Ottoman architecture and stunning landscapes.

Overnight Ferry to Albania

Experience a scenic overnight ferry journey from Bari, Italy, to Albania, offering a relaxing way to begin your adventure across the Balkans.

Montenegro’s Kotor

The picturesque town of Kotor, set against dramatic mountains and the Bay of Kotor, is a highlight for its medieval charm and striking natural beauty.

Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Visit the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge) in Mostar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy the town's historic atmosphere, blending Ottoman and Mediterranean influences.

Historic Sarajevo

The capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, offers a mix of Eastern and Western cultures, rich with history from the Ottoman Empire to modern-day landmarks.

Dates and Prices

Tours & Dates
Destination Tour Code Start End Trip Status Pricing
Per person
London to Albania - Rail Adventure

ARS/170426 Apr 17, 2026

Friday
Apr 30, 2026

Thursday
Guaranteed £4,795.00

Single Room Supplement: £995.00
Book Now
London to Albania - Rail Adventure

ARS/110926 Sep 11, 2026

Friday
Sep 24, 2026

Thursday
Full £4,795.00

Single Room Supplement: £995.00
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Feedback from our Travellers

Essential Info

Foreign Office Travel Warnings

Before booking your tour, please familiarise yourself with the country specific information provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) – www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. This includes important information such as latest immigration requirements, and details of any travel advisories.

We constantly monitor the advice posted by the FCDO. In particular we will always advise clients of any travel warnings. At the time of writing the there are no warnings for travel to any of the countries visited on this tour.

It should be noted that this information applies to British citizens. Other nationals are asked to check the current position of their respective government.

Visa Information

UK, US, and Australian passport holders do not need a visa for travel in EU states, Albania or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As immigration requirements can change without notice it is essential that you check the latest information with your nearest embassy, consulate, or visa agency. It is important to check the requirements both at the time of booking and again at the time you pay your balance.t the time of writing British, US and Australian nationals do not require a visa for a tourist visit to Romania. For further details please visit the applicable website shown below.

British Nationals – www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice 

US Nationals – travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html 

Australian Nationals – www.smartraveller.gov.au

Other nationals should check the latest requirements with the authorities in their home country, or with the destination’s nearest embassy or consulate.

Passports

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, valid for at least six months after the date of return to your country.

We strongly advise that your passport contains a minimum of two blank pages, as this may be a requirement of the local immigration authorities. In addition, certain countries will stipulate that the two blank pages are opposite each other. If you are unable to meet these requirements, you may be refused boarding by your airline or denied entry by the immigration authorities.

For specific information about the requirements for your destination please check with the country’s embassy or consulate. Alternatively, UK citizens can visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

Vaccinations & Protection

As with travel to most parts of Europe, we strongly recommend that you contact your doctor’s surgery or a specialist travel clinic for up-to-date information, advice, and the necessary vaccinations.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or purchased in your home country can be different in other countries. If you’re travelling with prescription or over-the-counter medicine, read this guidance from NaTHNaC on best practice when travelling with medicines. For further information on the legal status of a specific medicine, you will need to contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country or territory you’re travelling to.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Undiscovered Destinations that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses (including cover for Covid-19 conditions) and emergency repatriation to your home country and be valid for the entire duration of your holiday.

Tour itinerary notes

The itinerary has been carefully planned based on the latest train schedules, but timings can change at short notice, or the days of the week that a particular train normally operates can also change. This will potentially require amending our itinerary and the number of nights that we stay in each city. Before you are asked to accept any changes our experienced travel consultants will of course discuss the options with you. These may well be limited, so it is important that you can be flexible.

Is this trip for you?

This journey will be best suited to experienced travellers and to those who are comfortable in carrying their own luggage unassisted. This is important as trains in Europe do not provide an airline style checked-in baggage service. Each passenger is responsible for their own luggage, which they will keep with them on each leg of the trip. On occasions this will mean storing luggage in the racks provided above the seats. Although the group, a maximum of 12 travellers, will be escorted throughout by a tour leader from Undiscovered Destinations, their role is primarily one of managing the logistics and liaising with the locally based guides who will be responsible for providing guided tours and excursions along the way.

In addition to the need to carry your own luggage on and off the trains, it should be noted that in most locations it will be necessary to walk from the railway station to our hotel and back. Where possible the hotels will be located just a short stroll from the station, but in some cities, it might be a longer walk of 15 minutes or so. Please see the itinerary below for further details and do get in touch before booking if you have any concerns.

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