A Taste of the Balkans

Featuring Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina & Slovenia

April 15 — April 30, 2023

Dubrovnik, Choices on Tour, Kotor, Mostar, Sarajevo, Home-Hosted Dinner, Plitvice Lakes, Impact Moment, Motovun, Rovinj, Truffle Hunt, Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Zagreb

Day-by-Day Itinerary

DAY 1
Overnight Flight

Uncover a region where rocky coastlines and towering mountains meet a complex history and medieval city walls. Explore this unique region, and get a glimpse into generations of traditions while connecting with welcoming locals.

DAY 2
Dubrovnik, Croatia - Tour Begins

Discover the twisting cobblestone streets and burnt-orange rooftops of Dubrovnik, a city rich in history and charm. Meet your fellow travelers and look out over the sparkling Adriatic Sea during dinner, featuring local seafood dishes.

DAY 3
Dubrovnik

Start your day off with a tour of the ancient streets of Dubrovnik, and feel the history and timelessness of the city. Then, personalize the rest of your day because it’s your choice! See the famous city walls, still standing from the Middle Ages -OR- hop into a cable car for incredible views of the entire city from above. The remainder of the day is yours to do as you please.

DAY 4
Dubrovnik - Kotor, Montenegro

Leave Croatia and make your way into Montenegro. Get acquainted with Kotor’s Old Town (UNESCO), taking advantage of some free time to explore. Settle into your historic hotel – an 18th-century building that is part of the original city walls.

DAY 5
Kotor

Start your morning on a private boat and travel to the nearby islet of Our Lady of the Rocks. Visit the church before continuing on to the seaside village of Perast. Return to Kotor – the rest of the day is yours. Perhaps you’ll go on an optional excursion to a family-owned olive grove, where you’ll tour the property before enjoying some local snacks.

DAY 6
Kotor - Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo

Cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina and spend time in Mostar, home to the iconic arched Stari Most Bridge (UNESCO). Explore Mostar with your guide before having lunch in a traditional restaurant in the old part of the city. Continue on to Sarajevo – Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital city where East meets West – and your home for the next 3 nights. Reminiscent of a European Jerusalem, find an ever-evolving conglomeration of religious sects all living in harmony. Perhaps you’ll take an evening stroll with your Tour Manager to get familiar with the area.

DAY 7
Sarajevo

With an expert guide, discover Sarajevo, perhaps most famous as the starting point of WWI. As you make your way along the storied roadways, admire the significant blend of religions and architectural styles. Take advantage of free time before it’s your choice! Uncover the city’s past with a local siege survivor, spending time in the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum before visiting the bobsled track on Trebevic Olympic Mountain -OR- visit Gallery 11/07/95, which documents the city’s 20th-century turmoil through photography.

DAY 8
Sarajevo

Enjoy time on your own today. Consider an optional excursion to Lukomir Highland, where you’ll hike to a remote village and bond with locals over lunch. Or maybe you’ll embark on an optional tour of Tito’s Bunker, exploring the former president’s personal hideout. No matter how you spend the day, connect with locals at a home-hosted dinner. Enjoy regional favorites such as klepe (meat dumplings) and burek (flaky filled pastries). Drink Bosnian coffee as you listen to traditional folk music.

DAY 9
Sarajevo - Plitvice, Croatia

Make your way through Bosnia and into northern Croatia, arriving in Plitvice in the late afternoon. Your hotel supports a Serbian community center where local women produce traditional crafts and bake homemade goods. Experience an Impact Moment when you learn how the local women are keeping the community alive through their traditions and crafts. As the day ends, enjoy an authentic “under the bell” dinner, where lamb and vegetables are slow-roasted under a giant iron bell for hours.

DAY 10
Plitvice Lakes - Motovun

Take in the forested landscape of Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO) with a guide. Walk along the cascading lakes and the free-flowing waterfalls before cruising through the park by boat. Head to the Istrian Peninsula, where rolling hills and vineyard rows meet seaside towns full of Mediterranean cuisine. Settle into the Roxanich Wine and Heritage Hotel, your home for the next 3 nights, nestled at the base of a hilltop village.

DAY 11
Motovun – Rovinj – Motovun

Travel off the beaten path to the fishing village of Rovinj. Uneven cobblestone streets lead into sidewalk cafes, boasting an atmosphere of welcoming locals. After getting acquainted with the humble port town, take advantage of some free time to explore on your own. Return back to Motovun and enjoy dinner in a family owned restaurant.

DAY 12
Motovun

Feel like a local and join a family on their forested property for a truffle-hunting adventure. Follow their friendly dogs on your quest for the coveted mushrooms, then sit down for a tasty truffle-inspired lunch. Head back to town for an evening on your own. Consider joining your Tour Manager on a leisurely walk to the top of the village for views of the surrounding area.

DAY 13
Motovun - Ljubljana, Slovenia

Cross into Slovenia and spend time at Lipica Stud Farm, the famous breed of the Habsburg Empire. Meet purebred Lipizzan horses, dating back to the 16th century, and take a horse-drawn carriage ride to a picnic lunch in the meadows. Arrive in Ljubljana’s city center, your home for the next two nights. Embark on a city tour to acquaint yourself with this incredible city before having a night to explore on your own.

DAY 14
Ljubljana - Bled - Ljubljana

Today, head to the beauty of Lake Bled. Ride in a Pletna Boat to the isle of Bled, visit the secluded and picturesque St. Mary’s Church on the island, and then get a chance to sample delicious kremšnita (cream cake), a local favorite. Return to Ljubljana where the remainder of the day is yours.

DAY 15
Ljubljana - Zagreb, Croatia

This morning, say goodbye to beautiful Slovenia and continue your journey to Zagreb, the storied capital of Croatia. After independently discovering the city, toast to the end of your adventure at a farewell dinner.