Balkan Explorer
Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina Small Group Tour
Tour Overview
Mention the Balkans to anyone and it can conjure up a plethora of images - flashpoint of the First World War, the atrocities of the recent civil war, Tito’s Communist dictatorship. We get to look beyond these clichéd stereotypes on our two-week trip through four stunningly beautiful countries – Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We explore the crossroads of cultures, of Christianity meets Islam in fascinating historical cities such as Sarajevo and Belgrade, as well as some of the best landscapes in Europe at Durmitor and Biogradska Gora. Learn about the recent tragic history of the region in old Mostar and explore the medieval walled city of Kotor. This is a highlight packed tour that delves deep into the culture and history of one of Europe’s most fascinating regions.
Tour Highlights
• Visit the UNESCO sites of Studencia and Sopocani Monasteries
• Discover Biogradska Gora, one of Europe’s last remaining primeval forests
• Explore Dubrovnik, one of Croatia’s most attractive cities
• Visit the UNESCO proected Radimlja necropolis
• Discover the old Ottoman city of Mostar, with its iconic bridge
• Take a stroll around the historic sights of Sarajevo
• Learn about the four-year-long Siege of Sarajevo and visit the ‘Tunnel of Hope’
Tour Rating
To help our travellers choose the right tour for them we have applied a grading system of 1 to 5. Tours with a fitness level of 1 will generally be suitable for all ages and will not be particularly strenuous, whereas tours with a fitness level of 5 are likely to be physically challenging. To find out more please contact our well-travelled team who will often have first-hand experience of the destination.
Fitness
2/5
Unexplored
3/5
Culture
4/5
History
4/5
Wildlife
3/5
Tour Pace
5/5
Map + Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Belgrade, Serbia
On your arrival in Belgrade you will be met and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free time. Overnight Hotel Rex or similar.
Day 2: Belgrade
Today we start with a tour of Belgrade, taking in the temple of St Sava, the parliament buildings and Republic Square, and the Kalemegdan Fortress and the museum of Yogoslav history. Later on we will join up with a cruise on the Danube to see more of the city’s sights, before some free time to explore the city on your own. (Note: cruise is dependent on the weather conditions). Overnight Hotel Rex or similar. (B)
Day 3: Fruska Gora, Sremski Karlovci and Novi Sad
An early morning start as we set off to explore the Fruška Gora National Park, also referred as the “Serbian Athos” and “The Holly Mountain”, due to the 16 Orthodox monasteries from the late 15th and 16th centuries that are situated on its territory. We continue to Sremski Karlovci, a Serbian cultural centre in 18th and 19th centuries. Here we have a city tour and can partake in a wine tasting of local brands with appetizers at the local cellars. We will visit the Petrovaradin Fortress, knows as “The Gibraltar of the Danube” before exploring the historical attractions of Novi Sad, including the iconic clock tower. Overnight Hotel Rex or similar. (B)
Day 4: Danube Valley (300km, approx. 5hrs driving)
This morning we leave Belgrade behind as we travel along the winding valley of the River Danube. We visit the medieval fortress of Golubac, located near the border with Romania. The fortress is situated at the very entrance of the Djerdap Gorge, which is known also as the Iron Gates, on the section where the Danube River is at its widest. We continue to the archaeological site of Lepenski Vir, located in the Đerdap Gorge. It was the centre of one of the most important prehistoric cultures and the remains of religious architecture dating from 6500 to 5500 BC have been found here. Overnight Hotel Djerdap or similar. (B)
Day 5: Rajac Wine Cellars, Felix Romuliana and Vrnjcka Banja (200km, approx. 4hrs driving)
This morning we travel to Rajac wine cellars, located near the village of the same name. It is a unique architectural complex of wine cellars built from the mid eighteenth century. The complex consists of 270 wine cellars and a central square with fountain. We will visit The National Museum in Zaječar before continuing to the ancient Roman complex of palaces and temples, Felix Romuliana. This is one of the most important late Roman sites in Europe. After exploring the site we will head to Vrnjcka Banja and our hotel for the evening. Overnight at Hotel Liders or similar. (B)
Day 6: Studenica and Sopocani-Kolasin Monasteries (350km, approx. 7hrs driving)
Today we visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites- the Studenica and Sopocani Monasteries, which are the largest and wealthiest of Serbia’s Orthodox monasteries. with fine Byzantine paintings; Sopocani is part of Stari Ras, Serbia’s first capital, a cluster of medieval fortifications and churches. Sopocani Monastery, built in 13th century, has frescoes that are considered to be masterpieces of European fresco painting of the time. We cross the border in to Montenegro and stay in the town of Kolašin. Overnight at the Hotel Brile or similar. (B)
Day 7: Biogradska Gora and Durmitor National Park (120km, approx. 3hrs driving)
We continue on to Biogradska Gora, an isolated area of forests and mountains surround nine glacial lakes. This is one of Europe’s last three remaining primeval forests. Our journey continues to the Durdevica Tara Bridge, which at 172 meters above the Tara River, was at the time building was finished, the biggest vehicular concrete arch bridge in Europe. This is a great place to for a photo opportunity before we travel to Durmitor National Park with its breathtaking scenery of mountains, forests, lakes and high pastures. We will visit the Black Lake and, time permitting, take a walk around lake. Overnight Hotel Enigma or similar. (B)
Day 8: Sedlo pass, Ostrog and Cetinje (200km, approx. 5hrs driving)
The Sedlo Pass (1907 m) on the road from Zabljak to Piva Lake is the highest road pass in Montenegro and we will stop here for a photo break with views over the Piva River Canyon. We continue our journey with a visit to the Ostrog monastery, with its chapels set in a sheer rock face and linked by beautifully decorated caves, passages and stairways. There is a visit to Podgorica where we have a few hours of free time before we end our day in Cetinje, an important historical centre dating from the 15th century and the cultural and spiritual heart of Montenegro. Overnight Hotel Sport Inn or similar. (B)
Day 9: Cetinje to Lovcen and Kotor (40km, approx. 2hrs driving)
This morning we visit the former palace of King Nikola, now Montenegro’s National Museum in Cetinje before we set off to Kotor. On the way we will stop for a visit at the Lovcen National Park and view the mausoleum of Peter II Petrovic Njegos. Our journey today ends in Kotor (or Prcanj a few kilometres from the city), where we will have a walking tour to discover the old city, the Cathedral of St Tryphon and the fortress of Saint Ivan. Overnight Hotel Maria or similar. (B)
Day 10: Kotor and Dubrovnik (Croatia) – Trebinje (Bosnia & Herzegovina) (150km, approx. 4hrs driving)
After breakfast we will take a cruise around some of the islands in Kotor bay. (Note: Subject to weather conditions). We then cross the border in to Croatia and head to Dubrovnik, which is one of the most attractive cities in the region. Here we will take a walking tour with a local guide and visit the Dominican Monastery. We leave Dubrovnik and head to our stopover for the evening, Trebinje, just over the border in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Overnight at Platani Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 11: Trebinje, Radimlja, Kravica Waterfall, Blagaj Tekija and Mostar (60km, approx. 1.5hrs driving)
Today we will start with a morning sightseeing tour of Trebinje before travelling to the necropolis on Radimlja. This is the best-known site of the medieval tomb stones in the country and is among the most valuable monuments of the medieval period in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our next stop is Kravica Waterfall and the village of Blagaj Tekija, a Dervish monastery outside Mostar that is nearly 600 years old. Situated at the base of a cliff, next to the source of the river Buna, it’s a unique and picturesque series of buildings. The last stop of the day is Mostar, where we check in at our hotel for the evening. Overnight Hotel Rivero or similar. (B)
Day 12: Konjic and Sarajevo (70km, approx. 2hrs driving)
We leave Mostar this morning to head to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo. On the way we will stop off at Konjic. The city is one of the oldest permanent settlements in Bosnia, dating back almost 4000 years and is set in a beautiful wooded area that is popular with outdoor sports enthusiast and walkers. Our journey continues to Sarajevo where we will take a tour through the old oriental part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital city, with its beautiful architecture, sweet shops and cafes. We visit the Latin Bridge, site of the start of World War I and where you can spot various markings on the pavements which are ‘mini-memorials’ to the sniper victims of the recent war. We also visit the tunnel museum, a section of the tunnel that was the only way of accessing the city during the siege of 1992-1995. Later there is free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight Hotel Saraj or similar. (B)
Day 13: Sarajevo
We will visit the River Bosna and have free time today to explore Sarajevo at your own pace. Overnight Hotel Saraj or similar. (B)
Day 14: Visegrad and Belgrade (350km, approx. 6hrs driving)
We leave Sarajevo and stop to visit the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, the historic bridge in Višegrad widely known from book “The Bridge on the Drina”, the best-known novel of Serbian writer and winner of the Nobel prize, Ivo Andrić. It was built in 1577 by the Ottoman court architect Mimar Sinan on the order of the Grand Vizier Mehmed Paša Sokolović. From Visegrad we take the road via the Tara Mountain and the Drina River valley (with photo stops) back to Belgrade. Overnight Hotel Rex or similar. (B)
Day 15: Depart Belgrade
At a suitable time, you will be collected from the hotel and transferred to the airport for your onward flight (B)
Tour Inclusions
Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Feedback from our Travellers
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 present there are no warnings against travel to the parts of Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina that we visit on this tour. Please feel free to contact us should you have any specific concerns or would like to know in detail what measures are being taken to ensure visits remain trouble free and without incident.
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
At the time of writing British, US and Australian nationals do not require a visa for a tourist visit to Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 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.
Should you require any documentation to support a visa application, such as a letter of invitation, upon request this will be provided by Undiscovered Destinations after receipt of your balance payment.
As it is the travellers’ responsibility to ensure that they meet all entry requirements it is essential that you check the rules and any other conditions at the time of booking and again when making your balance payment. In addition, we would strongly advise that you make a final check around two weeks before your arrival. This is important as requirements can change at short notice. Undiscovered Destinations, when possible, will provide guidance about entry rules, but in the first instance please contact the relevant authorities, including the applicable embassy or consulate for assistance.
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 Eastern 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. For a visit of less than one month you maybe advised to have one or more of the following: Diphtheria and Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Meningitis.
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’ll 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.
Local Conditions
When travelling to our destinations, many of which are underdeveloped and untouristed by mainstream tourism, a good deal of patience and a sense of humour is an important attribute. This will help you to cope with problems such as ageing or poor infrastructure and when maintenance may not be as high as we would always like.
The choice of appropriate accommodation in some towns and cities (particularly the smaller places) can be limited, and standards of both service and maintenance can be less than polished. Guides and other service providers in some of our destinations do not always have the decades of collective practice and experience that their counterparts in more developed countries can draw upon. Although we will always try and resolve any issues as quickly as possible, on occasions there may be some shortcomings which no matter how hard we try will be unavoidable.
Essential Info
