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Trip	Discover the Balkans by G Adventures 5 \| Excellent 42348 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Reserve	The Balkans by The Vacation Project 5 \| Excellent 8 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Customize

Duration	12 days	10 days
Price From	$ 3,799	$ 2,475
Price Per Day	$ 317	$ 248
Highlights	Visit the stunning plitvice lakes national park Explore the ancient town of mostar and the stari most (old bridge) Take a tour of the "tunnel of life" in sarajevo Spend a couple days on the bay of kotor	Visit hidden swimming coves, local restaurants and unique towns Work with, the Mine Detection Dog Center Truly see all sides of the Balkans
Trip Style	Small group tour	Small group tour
Lodging Level	Premium	Standard
Physical Level	2- Easy	2- Easy
Travel Themes	Cultural	Nature & Wildlife Local Immersion & Homestays Sailing National Parks High Adventure Volunteering & Community Service Transformative
Countries Visited	Croatia Montenegro Bosnia and Herzegovina	Croatia Adriatic Sea Montenegro
Cities and Attractions	Croatia Dalmatian Coast Diocletian's Palace Dubrovnik Kotor Montenegro Mosta Plitvice Lakes National park Sarajevo Split Zagreb	Dubrovnik Sarajevo
Flights & Transport	Ground transport included	Ground transport included
Activities	Culture History Photography	Adventure & Adrenaline Culture Historic sightseeing Nature Relaxing Retreat Sailing Swimming Volunteering & Community Service
Meals Included	11 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner	N/A
Description	On the crossroads between East and West, the Balkan Peninsula dazzles with less-discovered gems. Enjoy a fascinating introduction to the stunning Dalmatian coast of Croatia, the dramatic history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the lush waterways of Montenegro, discovering an array of UNESCO World Heritage sites and natural treasures along the way.	1. YOU'LL BE PART OF THE VACATION PROJECT x Sailing Collective's EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH This trip is extremely exciting for us at THE VACATION PROJECT because we're partnering with the amazing Sailing Collective to make it happen! The Sailing Collective are sailing vacation specialists. They have been organizing group sailing adventures around the world for years, and they will be organizing the sailing portion of our itinerary. The Sailing Collective makes sure that each journey is carefully curated to show you hidden swimming coves, local restaurants and unique towns. This means they will be sure to show you the Croatia BEYOND your Instagram feed, as well as the incredible, less discovered coast of Montenegro. So grab you swim trunks and sunscreen, and snag a spot on the boat! 2. YOU WILL BE WORKING WITH AN INCREDIBLE NGO... AND DID WE MENTION THERE ARE DOGS?! Land mine contamination in Bosnia and Herzegovina is a serious after effect of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina which raged from 1992 until 1995. All combatants laid landmines during the war and as a result Bosnia and Herzegovina has one of the most severe land mine problems in the world. The NGO we will be working with, the Mine Detection Dog Center, works to train dogs for a variety of reasons, including mine detection. In this trip, you will not be getting close to mines, but rather you will be helping to repair and clean up the facilities where the dogs live and are trained. 3. YOU WILL HAVE AN AMAZING LOCAL GUIDE TO SHOW YOU THE WAY On this trip, you will have an awesome local guide - Silvije. Silvije is born and bred in Bosnia, and has lived through the country's tumultuous history. On this trip, you'll truly see all sides of the Balkans - from the incredible coastlines, hidden coves and islands, dreamy summer night social scenes... but also you'll learn about the complicated history of this region and the after-effects of the wars. 4. WE'RE TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT TVP is all about bringing value to your vacation. So in addition to including all transportation and lodging, we're picking up the tab for every breakfast, lunch and dinner on the service portion of your trip. Plus, along with our friends at the Sailing Collective, we're including the majority of your meals during the days we sail. Not to mention all of those pesky fees that come with sailing a brand new boat from port to port. Oh, and you know...having somebody that knows how to drive the thing. So just bring some cash to cover your miscellaneous expenses, and enjoy. As the classic song goes; "Don't you worry bout' a thingggg"!

Itinerary: Discover the Balkans

Day 1 Zagreb

Arrive at any time.

Please make your own way to the joining hotel. Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and has a very charming old city, complete with cobblestone streets and medieval buildings. Be sure to sample some of the delicious local food and drink. There are also a number of museums to explore focusing on art, history, and archaeology. After the meeting, opt to head out for a meal in a local restaurant to get to know your CEO and travelling companions.

Hotel check-in time is approximately 3:00pm. If you'd like to explore this city, consider booking a night or two of accommodations before the tour begins.

Day 2 Zagreb/Plitvice Lakes National Park

Enjoy an excursion to Plitviče Lakes National Park. Take in the splendor of its karst formations, gem-like pools, and cascading waterfalls on a guided walk along boardwalks, and learn about the diverse wildlife and unique bird population of this World Heritage site. For dinner this evening, savor a traditional peka, a Dalmatian dish of vegetables, herbs, and meat baked over hot coals.

Entrance to the park is included and there are many opportunities for walking and relaxing in one of Croatia's most famed wonders.

Day 3 Plitvice Lakes National Park/Split

Begin our exploration of the sparkling Adriatic coast in Split. In the early evening, take a guided walk around the dazzling Roman ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built of luminous white stone imported from the nearby island of Brac, this imposing palace dates to the third century A.D.

Day 4 Split

Spend a day at your leisure to explore the lively seaside town of Split, which was once a major Byzantine city. Step through the Golden Gate and into the historic old town, situated within the old palace walls. Sample Croatian delicacies at the local market, opt to ascend to Marjan’s peak for breathtaking views of the city, or consider joining an optional tour of one of the world’s oldest cathedrals, a colonnaded octagon built in the early fourth century.

Opt to visit the local market and gobble up some Croatian delicacies. For a little more activity, visit Marjan's peak, with gorgeous views over the city, or hit up some of the hiking and biking trails in the area.

Day 5 Split/Sarajevo

Enjoy a scenic drive across the border to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Stroll around the ancient town and pay a visit to the famed Stari Most (Old Bridge), considered a symbol of the city’s resilience. This reconstructed Ottoman-style bridge was first built in the 17th century—and then meticulously rebuilt after its destruction during the Bosnian War. Later, continue to Sarajevo for the evening.

Day 6 Sarajevo

Learn about the four-year-long Siege of Sarajevo from a local expert who lived through this devastating period. Gain more insights at the Tunnel of Hope and War Tunnel Museum, and view bunkers, minefields, and trenches at Trebević Mountain, the site of several battles. After, experience the city’s resurgence at a market and during lunch at a local spot.

Day 7 Sarajevo

Enjoy a free day to explore the capital at your leisure. Discover the cobblestone streets of its alluring Old Town, noting the architecture of its diverse places of worship, and ponder history at the arched Latin Bridge, the famed site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination—the fateful event that triggered World War I.

Walk around the cobblestone streets of the Old Town (Stari Grad) while taking in the architecture of diverse places of worship. This is also a great place to shop and visit markets. The Latin Bridge is worth a visit as it played an important role in the history of this area. This is the site where the Archduke of the Austro Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated, leading to the beginning of World War I.

Day 8 Sarajevo/Kotor

Cross over the border to Montenegro and soak up two days on the sparkling Bay of Kotor, designated a World Heritage site for its terraced waterfront landscape and medieval architecture. Opt to visit the one time capital of Risan, home to well-preserved Roman mosaics, take a leisurely stroll in the quaint seaside town of Perast and the islands, or set out by sea kayak to explore the spectacular bay.

Continue to Montenegro and travel to the Bay of Kotor, a region that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 9 Kotor

Enjoy a free day to explore. Discover the Mediterranean spirit of Kotor, surrounded by fortifications built by the Republic of Venice. Consider hiking up the medieval steps of the fortress for panoramic views of the city and harbour. Or opt to experience mud therapy at a local spa to test the natural healing properties of the area’s sand.

Opt to visit the Risan Roman mosaics and take a leisurely stroll in Perast and the islands, or go sea kayaking. If relaxing is more your style, the beaches of Herceg Novi offer a great escape. There are also local mud therapy spas nearby to test the natural healing properties of the area's sand.

Day 10 Kotor/Dubrovnik

Visit a family-run agrotourism villa surrounded by Mediterranean gardens and sweeping views of the Adriatic. Join our local host on a spirited walk around the picturesque grounds, pick fresh fruits and vegetables in the gardens, and watch a baking demonstration. Then sit down together to share a traditional lunch of local ham, cheeses, and wine. Continue to Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” and walk the medieval city walls. Head to the Old City and meet locals preserving traditional foods and handicrafts through the women-run nonprofit, DEŠA, founded in the early 1990s during the Croatian War of Independence.

Cross into Croatia and travel to Dubrovnik, known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Set on the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik has been an important maritime town in the region for centuries. Surrounded by medieval walls, it is rich in history and is a beautiful city to explore, filled with stunning architecture, museums, and fountains.

Day 11 Dubrovnik

Enjoy a free day in Dubrovnik, which once rivaled Venice as a maritime power. Explore its World Heritage–designated Old City, where distinctive red roofs make for spectacular photos. Order the catch of the day at a seaside café, or consider setting out on a boat trip to one of the nearby islands.

Day 12 Dubrovnik

Depart at any time.

We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this lively city has to offer.

Itinerary: The Balkans

Day 1: August 12, 2018

Plan to arrive into Dubrovnik/Cilipi Airport in Croatia either the evening before or morning of to board your home for the next week! You will be spending the next week with The Sailing Collective on a Jeanneau 54 model boat. You will meet your Sailing Collective x TVP crew and sail to Cavtat.