The Balkans

The delicate patchwork quilt that pulls in the seams of Eastern Europe forms the Balkans; the perfect place for curious travellers seeking an eclectic mix of culture, beauty and adventure in one of Europe's least visited regions.

Intro

The highly mountainous terrain will appeal to the most intrepid trekker, while the Ottoman Empire’s 500-year dominance over the region will satisfy those who want to peel back the historical layers of the Balkans' modernising image.

With its variety of languages, customs, landscapes and cities to explore, the Balkans will reward you with all that you want from your travel experience - and more.

Albania - Bosnia - Kosovo - North Macedonia - Montenegro - Serbia

Why travel with us ?

Despite sitting on the fringes of Europe, most of the Balkans sees fewer visitors than many further flung destinations that people typically consider to be off-the-beaten-track. Nonetheless it boasts many charms as well as a fascinating history, both ancient and recent. We know the region well and work with the best local guides and so we will be happy to advise you so you fulfil your trip requirements.

We offer itineraries that cover each country in depth - Serbia, Macedonia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania - some are available as group or private tours, others on a private-only basis. We also offer a range of multi-country small group tours including our Balkan Odyssey (15 days covering Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Bosnia), Balkan Explorer (20 days covering all 6 countries) and the Archaeology of the Balkans (covering key archaeology sites in Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro over 19 days).

For tailormade tours we can offer anything available on our group tours but also more individualised options. Browse our tailormade options in this region to see how you might customise your tour or call us and tell us what you are looking for and one of our travel specialists will be happy to accommodate.

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Balkans Presentation

The Balkans, or former Yugoslavia (apart from Albania), to most of us! Having been through years of war and turbulent times in the 80s and 90s, the Balkan nations now stand out strong and independent, each with its own cultural, linguistic and historical identity. These appeal to the most intrepid traveller and would satisfy those who want to peel back the historical layers of each country’s modernising image. Join expert Robert Dee, on a journey through the Balkans as we experience local cultures, delicious food & wine and some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Europe.

WATCH PRESENTATION >>

Serbia

Once in the news for the wrong reasons, Serbia sees little in the way of tourists despite a plethora of exciting places to visit – from cosmopolitan, easy-going Belgrade to its spectacular Orthodox monasteries, from the beautiful landscapes of Devil’s Town to the rustic wine cellar village at Rajac. Its stunning hiking trails, delicious cuisine and quirky festivals make Serbia an ideal place for a unique trip.

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Albania

Ignite your curiosity and visit this little explored land, basking quietly on the turquoise shores of the Mediterranean. Known for its notorious and bizarre recent history, Albania has now drawn open its iron curtain, revealing itself to be one of Europe’s last hidden beauties. Travel through fragrant and floral countryside and past sleepy stone-crafted villages. Hike the legendary Albanian Alps mountain range, watching flights of endemic birds soar through their icy heights. Walk across isolated coastal towns, untouched by mass tourism and decorated with the crumbling structures of Greek, Roman and Ottoman empires past. Discover ancient cultural legacies that still exist today, and come to understand why Albania became Lord Byron’s favourite inspirational retreat.

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Bosnia

Bosnia offers a wide range of culture and adventure. Go rafting in the river Drina near to the Montenegrin border, or hiking or even skiing at Bjelašnica, and visit traditional villages, Bogomil tombstones, mountain huts, watermills, canyons, and waterfalls. The river Vrbas canyon is famous for rafting and kayaking but is also excellent for hiking, walking, camping and fishing. Visit the imposing Ottoman town of Travnik and the beautiful waterfalls of nearby Jajce, and explore the UNESCO heritage site of Počitelj. Finally make up your own mind about the origins of Visoko’s controversial pyramids.

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North Macedonia

Buffeted by Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman influences and dotted with beautiful lakes, threaded together by a network of rivers, North Macedonia (as it has been recently renamed) is a country with a wide variety of attractions. National parks such as Mavrovo, Yassen, Galicica and Pelister offer hiking, fishing, scuba-diving, horse-riding, paragliding, climbing, skiing, kayaking and mountain biking. Cavers will be enthralled by Vrelo, the world's deepest underwater cave and Peshna, a virtually unexplored cave system. Baskerfest in June brings acrobats, magicians, mimes, jugglers, clowns, musicians and puppeteers to the streets of Skopje, and Strumica carnival is like a Macedonian Mardi Gras with music dance and colourful masks. Bovin Winery in Negotino offers a chance to sample award-winning reds and whites and for those with an archaeological interest, Kokino, a megalithic observatory that is 3,800 years old, but only discovered in 2001, is certainly worth a visit. Bird lovers should visit Demir Kapija, an ornithological reserve, home to many rare species of birds and endemic plants.

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Montenegro

Montenegro is most famous for its natural geographic endowments – stunning mountain landscapes and a beautiful Adriatic coastline. This make the country ideal for hiking. Durmitor and Biogradska Gora are the most popular parks for hiking in serene and unspoilt nature. Tara River, in Europe’s deepest Canyon, is excellent for rafting and kayaking. Canyoning, sailing and biking are also options. Bareboat and skippered speedboats can also be chartered to discover the beautiful coastline and kitesurfing, windsurfing, and catamaran sailing can be arranged as well. Skadar Lake boasts excellent birdwatching, and the Piva region is worth a visit for its canyon, lakes and wildlife. Finally,Ostrog monastery, a dramatic structure built into a cliff-face, is famous for beautiful frescoes and cave churches.

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Kosovo

Kosovo is a small but fascinating country with a proud heritage. Meet the wood-craftsmen of Gjakova and admire their famous cradles; visit Prizren fortress, an ancient structure that has been a place for defence and refuge since prehistoric times, and hike to the beautiful Mirushë and Black Stone Falls. August sees Dokufest, an International Documentary and Short Film Festival as well as the Rugova Traditional Games, with a series of time-honoured but almost forgotten sports and customs not unlike Scotland's Highland Games including wrestling, stone-throwing, tug-of-war, and tree-climbing competitions. In November Pristina hosts its prestigious Jazz Festival. Goleshi Peak is a great place for paragliding, and Restelicë Valley is a great spot for walkers, bird-lovers and wildlife.

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The Balkans

The Balkans

Intro

Why travel with us ?

Balkans Presentation

Featured Group Tours

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Serbia

Albania

Bosnia

North Macedonia

Montenegro

Kosovo

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Featured Themes

Archaeology

Wildlife

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FEATURED DESTINATIONS AND THEMES

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