The Balkan Explorer Tour (Dalmatia Route) is the best choice for travellers looking for a unique experience of the culture, nature, history, traditions, multi-ethnicity, multi-religion, etc., of the northwest Balkans. This tailor-made programme is carefully designed to optimize the most important places in Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia. This tour is a true mosaic of the multicultural world of the Balkans, as the crossroads of all civilizations of Europe and the Mediterranean.
Day 1: Tirana - Shkoder - Podgorica (154 km, 2 h 30 min).
After breakfast, sightseeing tour of the city of Tirana, the capital since 1920. Continue to Shkoder, one of the oldest cities in the Balkans. Visit of the old town, the cathedral, the mosque and the Rozafa castle. Then we continue to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro, where we visit the old town and the most important historical monuments, such as the Doganjska Mosque and the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ. Finally, we drive to Niksic to visit the central freedom square, the Royal Palace and the church of St. Basil. Accommodation in hotel (Garni Atrium 3* or similar) and overnight.
Day 2: Niksic - Mostar (UNESCO) (210 km, 3 h 20 min)
Departure to Niksic, a town surrounded by three lakes and famous for its Niksicko beer. We will visit the Ostrog Monastery and the monumental Saborna Church. We will then cross the border into Bosnia-Herzegovina and walk through the old town of Mostar, situated on the Neretva River and home to the iconic Old Bridge. Souvenirs and local symbols can be found in the city bazaar. Overnight at Hotel Hana 3* or similar.
Day 3: Sarajevo (129 km, 2 h 10 min).
After breakfast we depart for Sarajevo. We visit the source of the Bosnian river in Vrelo Bosne, the Tunnel Museum (the only means of entry and exit during the siege of Sarajevo in the last war), a walking tour of the old town Bascarsija, the Latin Bridge where the Archduke of Austria-Hungary was assassinated, the covered market Brusa Bezistan, the mosque Gazi Husref Bey, the madrasa Gazi Husref Bey Madras and Morica Han built in 1551. Afterwards, we visit the Vijecnica, the Austro-Hungarian town hall, and have lunch in a local restaurant. Accommodation at Astra Hotel 3*, or similar.
Day 4: Travnik - Bihac. (303 km, 3 h 50 min).
Visit the Travnik fortress, tombs and mausoleums, and its museum full of photos, books, paintings, artefacts and numismatic collections. Explore the house-museum of Nobel writer Ivo Andric. Afterwards, stroll through Bihać and discover its unspoilt natural landscapes and rich history. Accommodation at Hotel Rekic 3*, or similar.
Day 5: Plitvicka Jezera (UNESCO) - Zagreb (173 km, 2 h 35 min).
After breakfast, continue to Plitvicka. The Plitviče Lakes National Park is a 295 km² forest reserve in central Croatia, famous for a chain of 16 tiered lakes connected by waterfalls stretching into a limestone canyon. Trails and hiking routes surround and cross the water, and an electric boat connects the 12 upper lakes and 4 lower lakes. Plitvice has been a national park since 1949 and in 1979 was added to the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List. Continue to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, where you will take a walking tour to see the main attractions of the city, including the Green Horseshoe of Zagreb, the Cathedral, the historic Upper Town and the Museum of Broken Relationships.Accommodation at Hotel Emonec 3*, or similar.
Day 6: Ljubljana (138 km, 1 h 50 min).
After breakfast, continue to the charming capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Explore its medieval old town and Roman ruins, admire the bridges and the banks of the Ljubljanica River, and take a funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for breathtaking views of the city and the Alps. Relax in Tivoli Park and the many restaurants and cafes where people of all ages gather. Marvel at the architectural beauty, influenced by the Italian and Viennese styles of centuries past. Overnight at Emonec Hotel 3*, or similar.
Day 7: Bled - Postojna Cave - Rijeka (223 km, 2 h 55 min).
After breakfast, you will visit the majestic Bled Castle, situated on a 139-metre high cliff overlooking the lake and the Alps. Then, you will continue to the Postojna Cave, the largest and most beautiful cave of the classical Karst. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Trsat Fort in Rijeka, which dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries. This fort dominates the whole city and offers a breathtaking panoramic view. Accommodation at the hotel (Continental 3*, or similar) and overnight.
Day 8: Opatija - Zadar (220 km, 3 h 33 min).
After breakfast, continue to Opatija, a beautiful Croatian town located on the Istrian peninsula. Among its many attractions are the Villa Angiolina, the church of St. James, the Juraj Sporer art pavilion and many picturesque parks. We will then continue to Zadar along the coastal road to enjoy the fascinating scenery of the Dalmatian Riviera. Once in Zadar, we will take a city tour to show you the full spectrum of monuments and hidden corners, taking you more than 3000 years into the past. Accommodation in hotel (Marinko 3*, or similar) and overnight.
Day 9: Šibenik - Trogir (UNESCO) (147 km, 1 h 51 min)
Continue to Šibenik, a historic town with a romantic Mediterranean atmosphere. St. Jacob's Cathedral is its most famous building. Then, we travel to Trogir, a well-preserved small town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through its streets to admire the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the famous Romanesque Radovan Gate, the palaces of noble families and the Benedictine monastery. Accommodation in hotel (Trogir 3*, or similar) and overnight.
Day 10: Split (UNESCO) (28 km, 0 h 40 min).
After breakfast we continue to Split, a city on the Dalmatian coast of Croatia known for its beaches and the fortified complex of the Roman Emperor Diocletian from the 4th century. The walk through Split includes the old town (Town Hall, promenade, fish market...) and the Roman part of the city (Diocletian's Palace). The cathedral locally known as St. Duje's Church was built in the Middle Ages by reusing materials from the ancient mausoleum. The ruins of the palace can be found all over the city. Accommodation in hotel (As Hotel 3*, or similar) and overnight.
Day 11: Makarska - Dubrovnik (UNESCO) (230 km, 2 h 55 min).
Continue to Dubrovnik. The walking tour takes you through the Old Town via the Onofrio Fountain and Prijeko Street to the Old Harbour, the key to Dubrovnik's commercial and maritime success. On the way, you will visit the Franciscan and Dominican church of St. Saviour and see wine producing vineyards believed to be over 100 years old. Accommodation in hotel (Petka 3*, or similar) and overnight.
Day 12: Perast - Kotor (UNESCO) (93 km, 1 h 50 min).
After breakfast, drive to Kotor via Perast. In the old town, we will visit the most important historical monuments and buildings, such as the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, Beskuca Palace, the Main Square, the Maritime Museum, the Church of St. Nicholas, the Blessed Ozana Church and the North Gate. We will see the city walls, which are the main attraction and thanks to which Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Accommodation at Hotel Marija 3* (or similar) and overnight.
Day 13: Budva (UNESCO) - Ulcinj (88 km, 1 h 45 min).
Departure to Budva (UNESCO). Visit to the tourist capital of Montenegro to enjoy the perfect combination of wonderful beaches and the history of ancient cultural and religious monuments. Visit to the old town, Sveti Trojica Church, Stanjevici Monastery. Continuation to Ulcinj, an ethnic Albanian majority enclave and popular tourist destination. Visit to Ulcinj Castle, well preserved old town and local history museum in Ulcinj. Accommodation in hotel (Vila e Balshajve 3*, or similar) and overnight.
Day 14: Lezhe - Tirana (180 km, 2 h 35 min).
After breakfast, we will depart for Albania, stopping in Lezha, an ancient Illyrian city founded more than 1000 years B.C. We will visit the Mausoleum of Skanderbeg, Albanian national hero. Continue to Tirana, the capital of Albania, where we will visit Skanderbeg Square, the Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the oldest buildings in Tirana and the Archaeological Museum, among other sites. Overnight at your hotel in Tirana.