Guide

Services of your Expat tour leader, who will be on hand with advice and tips to ensure that you get the most from your trip

Meals

15 breakfasts, 8 dinners *Vegetarian options available for all meals on request *Option to exclude pork and/or beef *Jain and Kosher are not available for this tour.

Others

18 Experiences! Explore Athens, Greece’s ancient capital city Enjoy a welcome dinner in Athens Explore the ancient ruins of Delphi Visit Meteora; see the formation of Eastern Orthodox monasteries Guided tour of Ohrid Walking tour of Tirana Explore Budva and Kotor in Montenegro Guided walking tour of Dubrovnik Visit Mostar; a medieval Balkan town Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park Guided walking tour of Ljubljana See the best-loved sights in Budapest on a driving tour Guided Walking tour of Belgrade Visit Tinkers Alley and enjoy a lunch stop in Niš Enjoy a walking and driving tour of Sofia Discover Thessaloniki; a greek port city Visit Kamena Vourla; a scenic coastal Greek city Farewell dinner in Athens All taxes and fees Free Expat Explore tour souvenir – a memorable gift of your once in a lifetime trip

Transport

Modern air conditioned coach with reclining seats, TV for showing DVDs and toilet Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days) Please note the coach buses are not wheelchair accessible.

Accommodation

15 nights' accommodation in twin rooms with private en-suite facilities Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room We use a variety of hotels in each of the destinations on this tour, hotels are selected closer to departure. Once booked, a confirmed list of hotels will be sent to you along with your Tour Leader announcement, 3-5 days prior to departure.

Not included:

Others

Arrival and departure airport transfers are not included in the tour cost. Please contact us for a link to Welcome Pickups Pre and post-tour accommodation is not included in the tour cost. Please contact us for a link to booking.com. Single supplement (Optional). Please contact our Travel Experts for a quote. Tipping.

Flights

You will be responsible for booking your own international and/or domestic flights. We additionally recommend you do not book your airfare until your place on the tour is confirmed. Please make sure to check the times that your tour will start and end before booking your flights.

Optional

Optional excursions are not included in the tour cost. All optional excursions are booked on tour and paid in cash to your tour leader, unless stated otherwise. Please note, certain optional excursions are subject to availability and could change as a result. Some optional excursions need to be pre-booked, please contact us to find out more

Insurance

When you sign up for an Expat Explore tour, you are required to secure adequate travel insurance cover for the duration of your trip. If you cannot provide Expat Explore with proof of adequate travel insurance prior to the start of your tour, you will not be permitted to embark on day one. The requirements include the following coverage: Trip Interruption Trip Delay Medical Expenses Quarantine Expenses and Emergency Evacuation/Repatriation The insurance must also cover medical costs and a medically imposed quarantine if the insured or someone the insured has come into contact with, tests positive for COVID-19. Before you book your tour, you're welcome to obtain a quote with Tour Radar's insurance partner, Cover Genius.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Of Tour In Athens
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Of Tour In Athens

Welcome to Athens! Meet up with your tour leader and tour group at the hotel in the morning. An overview of the upcoming itinerary will be given. Then, enjoy an orientation tour of Greece’s capital city and explore some of the incredible sights that this ancient city is known for. See top attractions like the Academy, National Library, Greek parliament, Panathinaikos marble stadium, Hadrian’s Arch, and the temple of Olympian Zeus. Tonight, get your first taste of Greek cuisine with an included welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2 Day 2: Delphi - Meteora - Kalabaka
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Delphi - Meteora - Kalabaka

Travel north through the Greek mainland, stopping off in Delphi along the way. In antiquity, Delphi was considered the “omphalos” (navel) of the earth. Admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, see the Treasury of the Athenians, and visit the museum of Delphi. Arrive in Meteora this afternoon. This dramatic series of rock formations is home to a large complex of Eastern Orthodox monasteries. Explore St. Stephen's Monastery, founded in 1400 by St. Antoninus Cantacuzene, which is now a nunnery. Peruse the 18th-century main cathedral and take in the views of Kalambaka. Catch a glimpse of the Holy Trinity Monastery perched atop a single rock formation before departing. Stay over in the nearby town of Kalambaka this evening.
Day 3 Day 3: Kalabaka - Ohrid
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Kalabaka - Ohrid

This morning, travel onwards to North Macedonia and the undiscovered jewel of Ohrid. A UNESCO World Heritage Site on the shores of Lake Ohrid, this city is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe and is notable for once having had 365 churches, one for each day of the year. Explore the Old Town on a guided tour and see famous sights, including the Church of St. John at Kaneo, which is situated on a cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid. To finish off the day, enjoy an included dinner this evening.
Day 4 Day 4: Ohrid - Tirana
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Ohrid - Tirana

This morning, depart North Macedonia and journey to its Balkan neighbour Albania, driving into the capital city, Tirana. In a story typical of many cities in this part of Europe, Tirana has undergone a remarkable transformation, shaking off communism to become a vibrant, fun city. Enjoy an introduction to the city on a walking tour. Discover Tirana; from the buildings painted in bright colours to the architecture influenced by the Ottomans, Italians and, of course, communism, this city is a fascinating destination to explore and learn about!
Day 5 Day 5: Budva - Kotor - Dubrovnik
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Budva - Kotor - Dubrovnik

Heading north, bid farewell to Albania and travel through Montenegro. Today’s first stop is the picturesque coastal town of Budva, known for its well-preserved medieval walled city, with free time to explore. Next, it’s time to make a comfort stop at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Kotor. The old port of Kotor is surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period as well as magnificent fjord-like cliffs - it is a picturesque Mediterranean landscape! Later, the tour continues onwards to Croatia. On arrival in Dubrovnik, your tour leader will take you to the entrance gate to the Old Town. Enjoy a free evening to explore Dubrovnik.
Day 6 Day 6: Dubrovnik
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Dubrovnik

This morning, join a local guide for a walking tour of the Old Town to see the Franciscan Monastery, the City Walls and more. The rest of the day is free to explore Dubrovnik's incredible history! Want the best views of the ‘old town’ and islands? Catch the cable car to the top of Mount Srd and enjoy! It is highly recommended for a scenic sunset photo or two. Visit one of the city’s many museums; the Maritime Museum is one of the most popular, or maybe just browse the shops, including the traditional jewellery shops where you can find unique handmade silver or gold jewellery. The Game of Thrones walking tour is another popular optional excursion!
Day 7 Day 7: Mostar - Northern Croatia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Mostar - Northern Croatia

Today, a true Balkan gem is on the itinerary. Hop aboard the coach and cross the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina - a Balkan country filled with rich history and culture, which is also home to beautiful towns and scenic landscapes! Arrive in Mostar, a historic Balkan town. This enchanting town has been rejuvenated following the tumultuous years of the Bosnian War. Its most famous site is Stari Most Bridge which is an icon of the city. Enjoy free time to explore Mostar’s numerous religious buildings and see the Roman and Ottoman influences before travelling back to Northern Croatia this evening.
Day 8 Day 8: Plitvice Lakes - Ljubljana
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Plitvice Lakes - Ljubljana

The tour continues today with a mix of sublime scenery and the stunning Slovenian capital! Begin with a visit to one of the most picturesque natural landscapes in the whole of Europe. The Plitvice Lakes National Park is known internationally for its cascading waterfalls and dynamic landscape. Take a tour of the reserve, stroll along the boardwalks and marvel at the incredible natural scenery of Croatia’s largest national park. Next, travel onwards to the pint-sized city of Ljubljana in Slovenia. Join a local guide on a walking tour of this fairytale city. Later, choose to join the Slovenian evening optional excursion for a fun night of live music, singing and dancing with a three-course meal.
Day 9 Day 9: Ljubljana - Budapest
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Ljubljana - Budapest

Today it’s time to travel into Hungary and head for the capital. Budapest is cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe! Straddling the historic Danube River, Budapest is well-preserved and boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites - its incredible architecture and natural geothermal springs are definite highlights of this famous Eastern European city! Arrive and enjoy a driving tour of the city with a local guide to see top sights such as the Castle District and the Hungarian Parliament buildings. Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight and toast to the first night in Budapest!
Day 10 Day 10: Budapest: Free Day
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Budapest: Free Day

With traces of the past evident in the interesting and unusual details found across the city, today is your chance to get up close and personal with Budapest! Look out for remnants of the conflicts of WWII and the uprising of 1956, try Hungarian cuisine (there is so much more to it than just goulash!), sample world-renowned wines or soak your weary rambler’s bones in one of the city’s famous bath-houses. Budapest has been known for its thermal spas since Roman times, with some 123 thermal and 400 mineral springs from 14 different sources located in the city! Tonight, why not enjoy a mesmerising view of Budapest during an optional dinner cruise on the Danube? It’s sure to be an unforgettable night!
Day 11 Day 11: Budapest - Belgrade
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Budapest - Belgrade

Say goodbye to Budapest as the tour continues onwards to Belgrade in Serbia. Make a comfort stop in Novi Sad before arriving in Serbia’s capital city and embarking on a walking tour with a local guide. Look forward to seeing the city’s highlights including Republic Square, the Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress. Serbia is nestled in the heart of the Balkans and Belgrade is the vibrant city at the centre of it all. The city is located where the Sava and Danube rivers meet and it is an exciting mix of history, culture, grit and character! Tonight, enjoy an included dinner with the group.
Day 12 Day 12: Niš - Sofia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Niš - Sofia

See more of Serbia this morning. Today’s first destination is Niš. Enjoy a lunch stop in this historic city in south-eastern Serbia that was ruled by the Turks from the 14th to the 19th century. Visit the quaint cobbled streets of Tinkers Alley (Kazandžijsko Sokače). This nostalgic alley in Niš is the last preserved portion of the craftsman quarter from the age of the Ottomans. Afterwards, travel onwards to Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city. Get to know the main sights on a driving and walking tour of Sofia - this is a perfect introduction to this bustling Bulgarian capital city! Enjoy an included dinner with the group tonight.
Day 13 Day 13: Sofia: Free Day
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Sofia: Free Day

Enjoy a free day to explore Sofia! A young and vibrant city, the capital of Bulgaria offers a mesmerising east-meets-west atmosphere against a backdrop of contrasting communist and contemporary architecture. There’s a partially exposed 1,800-year-old Roman city to discover, plenty of green spaces to relax in and a variety of churches and mosques to explore. Alternatively, the optional excursion to Rila Monastery is highly recommended today. This ancient Eastern Orthodox monastery features striking architecture, important historical relics and beautiful frescoes and is surrounded by the stunning Rila Monastery Nature Park. Don’t miss out on one of Bulgaria’s top cultural sights!
Day 14 Day 14: Sofia - Thessaloniki
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Sofia - Thessaloniki

After two weeks spent encountering the magic of the Balkans, today the tour heads back to Greece! In the afternoon, arrive in the northern port city of Thessaloniki and embark on an orientation tour of the historic centre. Its compact size makes it a delightfully walkable city! The orientation tour wraps up at the Thessaloniki waterfront, close to the famous White Tower. Here, there are plenty of restaurants and bars. Make the most of a free evening tonight - why not choose a spot and enjoy an evening of delicious Greek food and lively nightlife?
Day 15 Day 15: Thessaloniki - Athens
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Thessaloniki - Athens

Buckle up once again and head south through the Greek countryside. Today the tour returns to Athens. Along the way, enjoy a stop in Kamena Vourla which is located on the south coast of the Malian Gulf. Here, find a local spot to grab lunch in this scenic destination. Next, it’s time to get back on the road. Arrive in Athens later today. Check into the hotel in Athens before enjoying a farewell group dinner. It’s officially the last night of the tour which means it's the perfect opportunity to reminisce about an incredible time spent exploring the Balkans and make a few more memories before the tour ends tomorrow.
Day 16 Day 16: End Of Tour In Athens
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 16: End Of Tour In Athens

After breakfast, this 16-day Balkan extravaganza concludes. The time has come to say your goodbyes to your fellow travellers. We hope you have enjoyed your tour with Expat Explore!

+13

16 days tour

Balkan Explorer - 16 Days

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Balkan Explorer - 16 Days

Day 1: Start Of Tour In Athens

Day 2: Delphi - Meteora - Kalabaka

Day 3: Kalabaka - Ohrid

Day 4: Ohrid - Tirana

Day 5: Budva - Kotor - Dubrovnik

Day 6: Dubrovnik

Day 7: Mostar - Northern Croatia

Day 8: Plitvice Lakes - Ljubljana

Day 9: Ljubljana - Budapest

Day 10: Budapest: Free Day

Day 11: Budapest - Belgrade

Day 12: Niš - Sofia

Day 13: Sofia: Free Day

Day 14: Sofia - Thessaloniki

Day 15: Thessaloniki - Athens

Day 16: End Of Tour In Athens

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