Compare Highlights of the Balkans by Direct Traveller vs Balkan Kaleidoscope - 8 Balkan Countries in 14 Days by Penguin Travel

Day 1: Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Accommodation: Overnight Dubrovnik 3-star stay at Valamar Club Dubrovnik

Welcome to Dubrovnik. Upon your arrival, you'll be welcomed at the airport or port. In the afternoon, head out on a guided walk along the city walls, enjoying views of the sparkling Adriatic Ocean. You'll also visit Big Onofrio's Fountain, built by the European architect Onofrio della Cava in the 15th century to supply water to the city, 13th-century Franciscan monastery and the Sponza and Rector's Palaces. At the end of your journey, perhaps you'd prefer to simply unwind on a beach.

Day 2: Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight Dubrovnik 3-star stay at Valamar Club Dubrovnik

Today is a free day in Dubrovnik. You might like to check out the city's War Photography Museum, or even take a boat trip to nearby Lokrum Island or chill out on beach. Enjoy the evening, every alley was full with restaurants, cafes, and bars, and they were all filling up.

Day 3: Dubrovnik - Mostar - Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight Sarajevo 4-star stay at  Hotel Hollywood

Today depart for Sarajevo via Mostar, a town situated in a beautiful valley in the high mountains of Herzegovina. The city was the most heavily bombed settlement in Bosnia during the war, but it has since been rebuilt and now features on UNESCO's World Heritage list. On the way we visit the famous Stari Most Bridge, built by the Ottomans in 1565 - it was the great architect Mimar Hajrudin who succeeded with the impossible mission to cross the Neretva River with a single span stone bridge. Afterwards, we drive to Sarajevo .Which is Bosnia and Herzegovina's small but vibrant capital. Twenty years after the end of a devastating war, Sarajevo is slowly asserting itself as one of Europe's most beautiful and interesting cities. The city mixes east and west - dotted with minarets, mosques, bazaars and the aroma of coffee like Istanbul. In the evening, perhaps enjoy a simple but delicious meal in Bascarsija, Sarajevo's old bazaar and you must try the local speciality of bosanski cevapi (grilled minced meat mixed with mild spices).

Day 4: Sarajevo - Novi Sad (Serbia)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight Novi Sad 4-star stay at  Hotel Master

This morning, after breakfast, depart for Novi Sad, is mostly a baroque town with a Central European atmosphere. The old town center is lined up with beautiful 200 year old houses, out-doors cafes, shops and ice-cream parlors, as well as beautiful places of worship - the ornate Serbian Orthodox church, the tall Catholic Cathedral or the Jewish synagogue (no longer in actual use). Afternoon, walking tour of Novi Sad.

Day 5: Novi Sad - Belgrade (Serbia)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight Belgrade 3-star stay at  Tulip Inn Putnik

Today, we depart from Novi Sade and drive to Belgrade, upon our arrival, we will visit the city's wide boulevards and squares, and the historic and green heart of Kalemegdan Park. The park is home to Kelmegdan Fortress, which has overlooked the Danube River here for centuries. In the evening, head down to Skadarska Street in the bohemian quarter of Skadarlija to sample some authentic local food and enjoy the lively atmosphere, in a place where Orthodox churches vie for space next to fashionable nightclubs.

Day 6: Belgrade - Nis - Sofia (Bulgaria)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight Sofia 3-star stay at  Hotel Sofia Plaza

Departure for Sofia via Nis, the third largest city in Serbia. After a sightseeing in Nis, proceed to Sofia with arrival in the afternoon. The afternoon will be for gentle walking tour of the center, where you will learn about the National Library, Sofia University, The Parliament, The St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral, the National Theatre, St. Sofia Church, Sofia's oldest building - St George Rotunda (from the 3rd century), The houses of the Council of Ministers, presidency and the former communist party headquarters, the ruins of the ancient city of Serdika (dating from the 5th-6th century), the National Palace of Culture, the main shopping streets of Sofia.

Day 7: Sofia (Bulgaria)

After breakfast, our tour concludes with a transfer to Sofia airport

1 Sofia

Arrival in Sofia and transfer to your hotel. Free time to explore the Bulgarian capital.

2 Sofia – Kruševac – Studenica (Serbia)

Departure by a company bus to Serbia. Our first stop is in the old capital - the town of Kruševac. Then we will visit Studenica - the most important monastery of medieval Serbia. Overnight in a hotel next to the monastery. (370 km)

3 Studenica – Visegrad – Sarajevo (Serbia/Bosnia and Herzegovina).

Today we head to Bosnia and Herzigovina. After crossing the border we will see the famous bridge of Mehmed Pasha near Visegrad, praised in the novel "The Bridge on the Drina" of the Nobel laureate - Ivo Andrich. Then we will continue to Sarajevo. Overnight in the town of Sarajevo. (340 km)

4 Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

A walking tour through the center of the Bosnian capital - Sarajevo, whose mosques and old Turkish bazaar with shops and cafes still keep the traditional oriental atmosphere of the region. Free time. Overnight.

5 Sarajevo – Mostar – Trebinje – Dubrovnik (Bosnia and Herzegovina/Croatia).

Mostar is famous for its old houses and the old bridge, a symbol of peaceful coexistence of different cultural and religious communities in the Balkans. On our way to the border we will stop at Radimlja to see the unic stecci – grave stones from XV century. Arrive in Dubrovnik in the evening. (280 km)

6 Dubrovnik (Croatia).

A walking tour in the historic part of the town - the Pile Gate and Stradun Street, the Franciscan Monastery, the Dominican church, the Sponza Palace, Rector's Palace, "St. Blaise" cathedral. Free time. Overnight.

7 Dubrovnik – Herzeg Novi – Kotor (Croatia/Montenegro).

Our tour of the Balkan countries continues with Montenegro. After crossing the border we will visit the old town of Herzeg Novi and then head off to the famous Kotor Bay with the old towns of Perast and Kotor. A walking tour in Kotor – fortress walls, St. Luka square, Beskuća Palace, St. Trifon’s cathedral. Overnight. (90 km)

8 Kotor – Pec (Montenegro/Kosovo).

In the morning we will start with driving up the scenic road above the Kotor Bay, admiring some breathtaking views towards the Adriatic Sea. Then continue to the border with Kosovo. Overnight in the vivid town of Pec. (300 km)

9 Pec – Prizren (Kosovo).

In the morning we will visit Visoki Decani Monastery still guarded by KFOR. Then continue to the town of Prizren. Walking tour in the center of the town - Sinan pasha mosque, Our lady of Ljevis, the old stone bridge. Overnight. (80 km)

10 Prizren – Tirana (Kosovo/Albania).

Drive to the capital of Albania. Walking tour in the afternoon - Skanderbeg square, Tanner's bridge, the rezidence of Enver Hoxha. Free time. Overnight. (180 km)

11 Tirana – Ohrid (Albania/Macedonia).

We continue to Macedonia. We will spend the afternoon strolling along the shore of Ohrid lake and roaming the narrow streets of Ohrid, where we will see Samuil’s fortress, the churches St. John Kaneo and St. Pantaleimon. Overnight. (130 km)

12 Ohrid - Skopje (Macedonia).

Admire the natural beauty of Matka Canyon. Afternoon walking tour in the capital of Macedonia. Visit Old Bazaar and explorer the architecture and curious and controversial statues around Macedonia Square. (170 km)

13 Skopje – Sofia (Macedonia/Bulgaria).

Departure to Bulgaria’s capital – Sofia. Free time in the city. (250 km)

14 Departure.

Transfer to the airport for departure.