Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)

Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)

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9 Days From

$2175

$1088

Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)

9 Days Starting and ending in Sofia, Bulgaria

Visiting: Sofia, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Tirana, Ohrid, Skopje

Tour operator:

Travel Talk Tours

Tour code:

BLB

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

25 - 30

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

From: $2175 $1088 Operator discount: -$1088 -50%

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 9-day journey through the Balkans, exploring the rich history and vibrant cultures of seven countries. This tour offers professional guided experiences in iconic cities like Belgrade, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje. Discover the medieval fortresses of Dubrovnik and Kotor, and enjoy the lively nightlife of Budva. Experience the serene beauty of Ohrid Lake with an optional visit to St. Naum Monastery. Travel in comfort with air-conditioned transport and stay in 4-star hotels, enjoying complimentary Wi-Fi where available. Begin your adventure in Sofia, with an included airport transfer, and conclude back in this vibrant city. With eight breakfasts included, this cultural coach tour promises an unforgettable exploration of the Balkans' essential highlights, both popular and off the beaten path.

Highlights

  • Enjoy professional guided tours in Belgrade, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Ohrid, and Skopje.

  • Swim in the Adriatic and explore the impressive medieval fortresses of Dubrovnik and Kotor.

  • Uncover the stunning natural beauty of Ohrid Lake with an optional trip to the serene St. Naum Monastery.

  • Delve into history and experience the colorful Balkan cultures from one capital to another.

  • Explore the essential highlights of 7 Balkan countries in 9 days.

  • Discover the vibrant nightlife of Budva.

  • Visit the iconic Old Bridge in Mostar and enjoy Turkish coffee in the old town.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Sofia

Location: Sofia

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Vega - 4 Star

Welcome to Sofia! At the airport, keep an eye out for the Travel Talk sign for your transfer to the hotel. At the hotel around 7pm, have an informal welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travellers. After you get all the critical information about the tour, head out for our optional group dinner around 8:15pm and walk the streets of Sofia.

Day 2 : Sofia, Belgrade

Сергей Филиппов
dejan sokolovic

Location: Belgrade

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Abba Hotel - 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a substantial breakfast, hop on the bus and make your way to the Serbian capital, Belgrade. With stunning views over the Danube and Sava rivers by the mighty medieval Belgrade Fortress, head to the heart of the capitol. Starting off at the vibrant pretty shopping street, Knez Mihailova, filled with cafes, shops and charming sites, kick off the walking tour to discover the incredible landmarks Belgrade has in store and their marvellous histories.

Day 3 : Belgrade, Sarajevo

Location: Sarajevo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Ibis Styles – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Next stop Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, the city that has been through it all! It is where the Western and Eastern Roman Empire split and where people of many nations and religions met, lived and warred. You can still see many reminders of the Yugoslav War in bullet holes and cannon marks all around town. Though, still an oriental beauty with a unique twist, and a delight to discover on your walking tour in the old town. The city offers endless delicacies to taste, but the specialty is lamb.

Day 4 : Sarajevo, Mostar,Trebinje

Location: Mostar

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Central Park – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, we drive for the amazing Adriatic shore, but first a stop at Mostar! As you arrive in this dreamland, walk through the Old Town of this Herzegovina pearl, see the iconic highlights Old Bridge – Stari Most, and the old caršija (market). Enjoy your lunch with an amazing view at one of the local venues, discover the old town and make sure to try the delicious Turkish coffee. In the afternoon, we ride to Trebinje for our overnight stay.

Day 5 : Trebinje, Dubrovnik, Trebinje

Location: Dubrovnik

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Central Park – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Get ready for a long day at Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic"! With its well-preserved majestic walls encircling the whole town and its sea of terra-cotta roof tiles, giving life to the "King’s Landing", the whole town is an amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even the drive down to town from the mountain-side is a breakth-taking highlight in itself! We start off with a guided walking tour of the Old Town and marvel at the millennial history of this fairy-like town. Walk atop the mighty walls, discover cute narrow streets, taste delicious seafood or jump off into the crystal-blue waters. In the evening, we return to Trebinje for a good night's rest.

Day 6 : Trebinje, Kotor, Budva

Location: Kotor

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Park – 3 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Next stop Montenegro! Arrive in Kotor after a scenic drive an meet its calming natural beauty and characteristic architecture, a less-crowded version of Dubrovnik with its impressive medieval citadel. Following a walking tour of the old town with your expert local guide and some free time, make your way to the popular touristic hub of the region, Budva. Your guide will take you on a brief walking tour of the vibrant summer town with great food, impressive views and lively nightlife.

Day 7 : Budva, Tirana, Ohrid

Location: Tirana

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Sileks – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Hit the road after breakfast, next stop Albania! A panoramic city tour of Tirana will introduce the best preserved and most beautiful samples of Albanian architecture, and drop us off at the town centre for some free time to discover the bustling Skenderbeg square. In the afternoon, continue towards Ohrid, Macedonia and check-in to your comfy hotel. You can rest up after a long day, or join the optional Balkan night with dinner.

Day 8 : Ohrid, Skopje

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zlatko zlatko
Ivica Jandriček

Location: Ohrid

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Panoramika – 4 Star

Meals Included: Breakfast

Start off the day with a guided city tour of Old Ohrid hosting hundreds of chapels and churches scattered all around. In the afternoon travel to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, for the night.

Day 9 : Skopje, Sofia

Location: Skopje

Meals Included: Breakfast

Prepare to discover the beautiful Skopje with a guided sightseeing tour filled with stunning architecture, grand monuments and unique history. Pose with the famous statue of Alexander the Great or walk through the Macedonian Arc de Triumph. The city has countless landmarks and a vibrant street life with many cafes and bars around. In the afternoon, leave for Sofia, where our trip ends and we say goodbye to our new friends. You can explore the shopping streets, highlights and the nightlife as you wish.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Stay in 4 star hotels throughout the tour.

  • Meals

    Enjoy 8 breakfasts during the tour.

  • Transportation

    Travel in an air-conditioned coach or mini-bus.

  • Airport Transfer(s)

    Arrival airport transfer from Sofia Airport to the hotel on day 1.

  • Tour Guiding

    Services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism.

  • Free Wi-Fi

    Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access where available.

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

    Tipping and gratuities are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included.

  • Meals not stated above

    Meals other than the 8 breakfasts are not included.

  • Items of a personal nature

    Personal expenses are not included.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees to the sights and museums are not included.

  • Optional activities

    Optional activities are not included.

Add Ons

Local Payment: £0

Mode of Transport

Travel in style and comfort with air-conditioned coaches or mini-buses, ensuring a smooth journey between destinations. Enjoy the convenience of an arrival airport transfer from Sofia Airport to your hotel on the first day of the tour.

Accommodation

Stay in comfort at 4-star hotels throughout the tour, including Novotel Sofia, Abba Hotel, Hotel Ibis Styles, Hotel Central Park, Grand Hotel Europa, Hotel Nova Riviera, and Hotel Panoramika, ensuring a relaxing and luxurious experience in each destination.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour provides accommodation in 4-star hotels throughout the journey.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    The tour includes 8 breakfasts as part of the package.

  • What kind of transportation is used during the tour?

    Transportation is provided by an air-conditioned coach or mini-bus.

  • Is airport transfer included in the tour?

    Yes, an arrival airport transfer from Sofia Airport to the hotel is included on day 1.

  • Will there be a tour guide during the trip?

    Yes, the services of experienced Travel Talk local guides licensed by the Ministry of Tourism are included.

  • Is Wi-Fi available during the tour?

    Complimentary hotel Wi-Fi access is available where possible.

  • Are entrance fees to attractions included in the tour price?

    No, entrance fees to sights and museums are not included in the tour price.

  • What optional activities are available during the tour?

    Optional activities include a group dinner in Sofia, a visit to Kravice Waterfalls, a Dubrovnik boat trip, and a Balkan night with dinner, among others.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    There are always single travellers on our tours. If you don't mind being roomed with another single traveller of the same gender, then you do not need to pay a single supplement, however, this excludes all of our North American tours where the sharing option for a solo traveller is not available, and the single supplement must be applied if you are travelling alone. The single supplement is for travellers who would like to stay in a private room for the duration of the tour. PLEASE NOTE: The single private option is not always available, especially for sailing tours and camping.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Our tours are suitable for any traveller above 18 years old. The majority of Travel Talkers are from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada or Europe, however we always have travellers from all over the world. What brings them together is a passion for travel, discovering authentic cultures and experiencing unique adventures with like-minded travellers.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    At Travel Talk, we believe that travel is a force for good and show our support through various initiatives and charity organizations, as well as keeping the principals of responsible and sustainable travel at the core of our ethos. These values are engrained in our business culture and the design of our trips just the same. Together with our guests, we strive to make a positive impact on local p

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Over 20 years

Reviews of this operator

Jessie Mae Sia  

My travel talk experience was great and memorable

24-Feb-2021

My travel talk experience was awesome and fantastic. Me and my husband was on their Morocco and Turkey tours in 2019, they operated their tours in a culturally fun manner and the tour guides were very nice and very approachable. It exceeded our expection, we love to come back with them in our future travel. Thank you travel talk you made our 2019 as one of our memorable year!

Trustpilot
Jes Snowden (Google Reviewer)  

The Best of Turkey by...

10-Sep-2024

The Best of Turkey by Land was fantastic! If it’s a “tour” of Turkey you’re seeking, this one is the pick of them all. We travelled to the most spectacular locations, and experienced breathtaking moments and views, in every stop! Our tour guide Mustafa was very knowledgeable and talked us through the history of the land. He was friendly and very patient, considering the hours he puts into his tours. Mus was able to swap the days activities for some days to ensure we were given the best opportunity for photo’s and leas tourists in other locations. Our bus drivers did an amazing job getting us to all locations safely! Thank you Ahmet & Ali, you are superstars… Highlights for us were Gallipoli, Ephesus, Pamukkale, Fethyie and hot air ballooning in Cappadocia. The group consisted of all ages, which worked out to be a good mix. The weather varied between 25 - 36 degrees throughout the trip, so be sure to pack the sunscreen and portable fan. Hotels varied, each one having it’s own idiosyncrasies, but overall very good. Some of the days were extremely long but we got through them.. I’d recommend this tour to anyone that wants a taste of the beautiful land that Turkey is ☺️

Courtney Godden (Google Reviewer)  

First time doing a tour...

28-Jul-2024

First time doing a tour overseas, wow what an amazing experience. Smaller tour group which was awesome, great hotel choices, professional transportation services and saw the best of Turkey in 12 days. Our tour guide Aykut's hospitality was second to none, he went above and beyond for every member of the group. His knowledge of his country's history and culture was outstanding and explained in a memorable way for a lasting memory. Aykut's has extensive experience as a tour guide and it shows in every way, many special tips from living/growing up in Turkey. Aykut's planning meant everything ran smoothly making our only job to turn up with your belongings and enjoy your experience. Thank you again Aykut for going the extra mile, making sure places had gluten free options for me and for all the funny jokes ☺️

elle mcdowell (Google Reviewer)  

We had an amazing time...

10-Jul-2024

We had an amazing time on our 12 day tour of Turkey! Our guide Yild was attentive, always was there to help us make the most of our trip and great fun! Would definitely recommend this tour to others!!

Stephani Ferrari Dalto (Google Reviewer)  

I’m about to finish my...

18-Oct-2024

I’m about to finish my Essential Turkey trip with Travel Talk (October 12th- for 10 days) and had an amazing experience! Our guide Mustafa was fantastic. He took care of every little detail and made sure everyone in our group (42 people, a great mix of ages) was happy and well looked after. I traveled with my mom, and this trip was the perfect way to get a quick, but comprehensive, view of what Turkey has to offer. This was my second time with Travel Talk, and I would definitely choose them again for future adventures!

Samantha Treadwell (Google Reviewer)  

Such an UNREAL EXPERIENCE! I...

13-Aug-2024

Such an UNREAL EXPERIENCE! I cannot recommend the best of Turkey by Gulet for 12 day tour enough. On this tour we were able to see all parts of turkey from the coast line to the major cities and immerse ourselves in the culture and history! Mustafa is the best tour guide who priorities experiences, learning and safety of all tour participants (he also doubles as a comedian so ensures many laughs are had). From sailing on the Mediterranean Sea, experiencing the best food and culture in Istanbul, to paragliding over Pamukkale springs, and finally ticking off the bucket list moment of hot air ballooning over Cappadocia, this has been a trip not to forget. I cannot recommend this tour enough and would encourage anyone going to turkey to book this trip with Travel Talk!

Steph Burnettt (Google Reviewer)  

Thank you Mustafa & Travel...

06-Oct-2024

Thank you Mustafa & Travel Talk for an extraordinary 10 day trip of Turkey. A beautiful country indeed. We had a great time visiting all the sites. Mustafa’s sense of humour and abundance of knowledge made it all the more enjoyable. Definitely recommend this tour.

Victoria McCullough (Google Reviewer)  

I did the travel talk...

26-Aug-2024

I did the travel talk turkey tour with mus. He's an awesome guide full of local knowledge. There had been wild fires at Gallipoli so rearranged our itinerary to allow us a chance to visit which we did! I spent 3 days on the gulet and was a great way to relax. Would highly recommend the tour as a way to visit turkey and would do it again.

Leigh Anaru (Google Reviewer)  

Just finished the 10 day...

30-Apr-2024

Just finished the 10 day ANZAC tour in Türkiye. Wow what an experience! The tour although busy was jam packed with amazing experiences made all the more richer by our highly knowledgable and very funny guide Aykut. The bus was full of 44 Aussies and Kiwis which would've been no easy feat to control. Aykut and our drivers Naci and Sevki were kind and patient making our long drives enjoyable. Gallipoli was a bucket list of mine, and what a beautiful humbling experience it was, especially the following day tour of the cemeteries. Other than that highlight, the early morning hot air balloon and all the other sites the Kapadokya offers was pretty special too. I will be using Travel Talk again. 5 stars!

Bec Wood (Google Reviewer)  

We did the 11 Day...

26-Apr-2024

We did the 11 Day Anzac Tour of Turkey. It. Was. Phenomenal. My husband and I absolutely love Turkey and were excited to explore the country. Highlights were definitely the Hot Air Balloons in Cappadocia and the privilege of attending the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove. A bucket list item ticked off. This was my second Travel Talk in 2024 and I would absolutely do another one in the future. The tour was organised and our guide, Mustafa, was fantastic.

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Tuesday - Wednesday

Dec 17, 2024 - Dec 25, 2024
$2175 $1088

Operator discount: -$1088

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Dec 24, 2024 - Jan 01, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

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May 24, 2025 - Jun 01, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

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May 31, 2025 - Jun 08, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Thursday - Friday

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Operator discount: -$1198

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Operator discount: -$1198

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Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 06, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Aug 02, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 17, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

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Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Thursday - Friday

Sep 18, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025
$2395 $1198

Operator discount: -$1198

Thursday - Friday

Sep 25, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
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Operator discount: -$1198

Thursday - Friday

Oct 02, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025
$2395 $1198

Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025
$2395 $1198

Operator discount: -$1198

Saturday - Sunday

Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025
$2395 $1198

Operator discount: -$1198

Prices last published on 20-Nov-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Travel Talk Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 61 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Travel Talk Tours requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel talk tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 85% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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