I knew from the description that it would be a fast paced trip and that we would sleep in a different place each night and that’s exactly what I wanted = an overview so I could see whether I wanted to go back anywhere. If you’re like me, who enjoys going out for dinner and drinks each night, you would be very tired at the end of trip. However, many chose to stay in and go to bed and I believe for them the trip was not tiring, even for the older ones. Morning starts are reasonable - we left at 8am each day. Simon was a fabulous tour guide and the local guides were all wonderful. Do take small euro bills = you definitely need them. (also take coins for toilet stops). Definitely have a revolut, or similar, card. The optional activities, whilst nice,, are highly, highly over-priced, shame on the travel specialist! One thing I missed, was more. recommendations to authentic local food with local prices. All in all, a fabulous trip and I’m so glad I did it. I will use this agency again for their professionalism.
Join us on this fascinating Balkan Discovery to witness the living history as well as unparalleled natural beauty. Share a cup of tea with the lively and passionate people; fall in awe against the magnificent mountain range and crystal mirror-like lakes; meanwhile soak in the massive history that shaped the future of Europe. This Balkans tour takes you through all the highlights from palaces of the Tsars in Sofia and charming Belgrade to the pearl of Adriatic, Dubrovnik, to the pretty Montenegrin villages and Albanian towns, via the heart of stunning Macedonia.
Join on a discovery of the iconic cities and impressive highlights of the Balkans. Get to discover Sofia, Skopje, Belgrade, Sarajevo and Tirana. Roam the ever-popular and lively Croatian coast while craving the calming serenity and charm of Albania and Montenegro. Chase Alexander the Great from Macedonia to Greece and uncover the mysteries of floating monasteries of Meteora. Meet the Oracle of Delhi before climbing up to the Acropolis to get a panoramic view of a capital of ancient world, Athens. Above all, touch shoulders with countless Balkan civilizations as you witness their beautiful interaction and create lifelong travel memories.
Discover a fascinating region of stunning natural beauty and diverse cultural heritage in exquisite comfort and style.
Uncover the top highlights of the Balkans throughout 7 beautiful countries including Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia & Hercegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia. Learn about the countless struggles which have shaped the Balkan ‘powder keg’ in history. Soak in gorgeous monuments and impressive cities as well as spectacular nature. Embrace the colourful cultures and delicious local cuisine while uncovering all the must-see sights from each country.
Danilo our Tour Director is one of the very best. This is my 13th Trafalgar your and I can say that Dani was the perfect blend of fun, smart, organized and energetic. Slobodan our bus driver was amazing. They both are now legends for me!
The tour was comprehensive and covered a lot of ground. Seven countries! Great agenda and inclusions. Our Be Our Guest excursion to the Winery and our farewell dinner on our last night are two of the best inclusions I have experienced in my many tours.
I will continue to travel with Trafalgar. I believe as a tour company you offer fair prices, nice hotels, variety of experiences, and enjoyable itinerary.
Kafu the guide made all the right choices. He was instrumental in moving things along. Fantastique group on the tour. When Kafu didn't know something he said so. His energy remained high throughout the trip. Lots of sights and sounds and tastes. It filled the mouth and the eyes and the ears and the nose. And, most important, it filled the head.
Excellent tour. Guide Elena was outstanding and driver Zoki was excellent. Learned so much about the region and history of Ancient Macedonia.
The hotel in Skopje, Hotel Centar, was ok but its location was in the middle of several construction sites which was not great.
There were several long drives during the tour but due to the distances covered understandable. Was disappointed with Kratovo although the pipes, herb making and lunch were good.
All in all a great trip
The Budapest to IstanbulTour through less visited countries in Europe was great! Romania was a highlight with beautiful scenery and great character. The opportunity to travel through more remote/ countryside destinations throughout Hungary Romania Bulgaria was wonderful. It would be difficult to do this trip by yourself.
A great trip I would highly recommend to those interested in this style of travel, made all the more enjoyable thanks to the skill & dedication of our wonderful tour leader!
Meet the colourful cultures and people of the marvellous Balkans.
Adventure through the ‘Powder Keg’ of Europe in exquisite style over 12 days and 7 countries. Soak in the incredible natural beauty and unparalleled cultural diversity of the stunning Balkans. From the vibrant streets of Sofia and Belgrade to the serenity of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania, while witnessing the gorgeous shift of the landscape. Connect with the authentic culture while discovering medieval ramparts, quaint villages and unforgettable highlights on the Best of Balkans.
Discover the treasures of the Balkans and Transylvania on this immersive 19 day adventure packed with the perfect mix of charm, culture, history, architecture and scenery. Go back in time to a world of Saxon villages and hilltop citadels in Transylvania as you delve into the myths and legends of Dracula. Bathe in the turquoise waters of the sun-drenched Adriatic coast. Witness the incredible ancient ruins of Athens. Experience the quirky and historical capital cities of Sofia, Skopje, Tirana and Belgrade. Uncover the hidden gems and wonders of Transylvania and the Balkans on this ultimate adventure!
This is the 10th Explore holiday, we have covered places like Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Vietnam, Cambodia, Cuba, India and this just covers 5 holidays.
These are not for everyone, as some are very full on, but the two Balkan trips were easy, although some of this group had not read the itinerary properly and this was a bit too much for them!
The Cuba and South America were what I call, sanitised back packing, as sleeping out in the open and you can have very early starts, around 4 am and late finishes.
However, you really see the place and interact with the local people. This is why we love Explore tours.
If you want total comfort and not really interact, then Saga or like is for you, as you do have to rough it on some trips.
One trip in particular was India, two days going up the Ganges on a wooded raft, inches from the water and sleeping on the bank at night with the snakes and wild dogs, just an amazing experience, and you know you are alive!
Another was in the jungle of Cuba, no tent, just under the stars, but I did get attacked by the smallest ants in the night, but still a fantastic experience, one I won’t forget!
Our tour guides have all been very good, but on this trip, Constantin went beyond the norm.
The only criticism on this trip was no local experts and Constantin had to do it all, which makes it very difficult for him to become an expert in every area, town etc.
Uncover the astounding natural and cultural treasures of the Balkans on an 11-day premium adventure.
Embark on an exquisite journey from Sofia, covering all the highlights of a fascinating region through 7 countries. Embrace the unique culture of each sight visited from Belgrade to Sarajevo, Mostar, Tirana and Skopje, whilst soaking in the gorgeous nature. Discover the incredible medieval towns of Dubrovnik and Kotor, as well as wonderful hidden gems along the path.
Explore the Baroque churches of Budapest and haunted castles of Transylvania on this 18-day journey across Eastern Europe. Learn about the failed Turkish invasion of Eger and take a guided wine cellar tour in the Valley of the Beautiful Women. Discover the medieval churches of Brasov, dine with a local family on an overnight homestay in Viscri and visit Bucharest's 12-storey Palace of Parliament. Compare age-old places of worship in Sofia, breathe in crisp alpine air on a hike in the Pirin Mountains and meander back in time in the Old Town of Plovdiv.
Florin PredaTravel Expert in Bulgaria, Hungary & Romania
