Balkan Adventure

15 Days | Travel across historic Eastern Europe from Hungary to Croatia

4.8 out of 5 based on 49 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
AUD $3,771
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Welcome to the Balkans - where East meets West and new merges almost seamlessly with old. Over the centuries people have travelled to this region of Eastern Europe for its fertile soil, natural resources and healing waters. This enchanting land, which has remained virtually untouched by tourism, boasts rich tradition, vibrant culture and mouth-watering cuisine. With historical attractions in Budapest, nightlife in Belgrade, Sarajevo's beautiful old town, Montenegro's Durmitor National Park and lively Dubrovnik, this adventure tour is delightfully different.

Trip overview

Map of Balkan Adventure including Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro and Serbia
Start
Budapest, Hungary
Finish
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Serbia, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
WMSK
This trip generates 25.55 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Cross the Chain Bridge in Budapest and take the funicular up to Buda Castle for beautiful views over Pest.
  • Sip the famous Croatian Traminac Premium wine at a wine tasting at a 15th century family-run vineyard in quaint Ilok.
  • Wander through Belgrade’s Bohemian quarter and grand 19th-century boulevards, before launching yourself into its animated nightlife.
  • Witness Mostar's famous bridge divers hurl themselves from the stones of a bridge that has spanned the river here for centuries and visit Tito's bunker, one of the best kept secret in former Yugoslavia.
  • Sarajevo is one of the most scenically located cities in Europe. See the sights on a guided walking tour and learn about its recent history as a city under siege.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season. Please note that only some of our hotels and none of the public trains and buses in this region have air-conditioning.
  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially by American or Australian standards. Please also note that some of the accommodation used on this trip offer shared bathrooms rather than en-suite facilities.
  • If you have more time to explore the region you may want to check out our trip 'Vienna to Dubrovnik' (trip code AMSNC), starting in Austria's capital, and taking in the highlights of the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, before heading down the Balkan Peninsula. Most departure dates are designed to create these perfect combos.
  • Physical rating
  • This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Some trips may have individual inclusions that may be of a higher physical rating compared to the overall rating of the trip. Please read the day-to-day itinerary carefully to find out more details on each day's activities, and whether they are suitable for you. Activities can be opted out of if you don't want to participate.
  • EXPLORING EUROPEAN CITIES
  • One of the pleasures of travelling in Europe is the ease at which cities can be explored on foot. Your leader will take you on frequent orientation walks, and you will be able to further explore in your own time. We recommend you pack comfortable walking shoes for this trip. Many of our customers are surprised at how much they end up walking, however this is entirely up to you, and public transport to take you back to our accommodation is never far away.
  • On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight between 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Balkan Adventure including Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Montenegro and Serbia

Inclusions

Meals

14 breakfasts

Transport

Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Taxi, Tram

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights), Hostel (1 night), Pension (3 nights)

Activities
  • Vukovar - Orientation Walk & Guided Hospital Visit
  • Ilok - Winery Visit & Wine Tasting
  • Belgrade - City Tour with Local Guide
  • Sarajevo - City Tour with Local Guide
  • Mostar - Day Trip
  • Konjic - Tito's Bunker Tour
  • Durmitor National Park
  • Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport & entry to sites)
Add on activities
  • Budapest - Bike Ride - HUF6000
  • Budapest - Great Synagogue - HUF9000
  • Budapest - House of Terror - HUF4000
  • Budapest - Hungarian National Museum - HUF2900
  • Budapest - Hungarian State Opera House Tour - HUF7000
  • Budapest - Parliament Tour - HUF10000
  • Budapest - Pub Crawl (starting from) - HUF9000
  • Budapest - Szechenyi Thermal Baths (starting from) - HUF9400
  • Budapest - Transport and Entry to Statue Park - HUF5000
  • Budapest - Danube Boat Trip - EUR15
  • Osijek - Day Trip to Kopački Rit Nature Park, Belje Winery and Etno-Village Karanac (including lunch) - EUR100
  • Osijek - Museum of Slavonia - EUR3
  • Osijek - Archaeological Museum - EUR2
  • Osijek - Bike Hire - EUR10
  • Novi Sad - Petrovaradin Fortress - Free
  • Novi Sad - Museum of Vojvodina - RSD200
  • Novi Sad - City Museum - RSD500
  • Novi Sad - Synagogue - Free
  • Belgrade - Military Museum - RSD350
  • Belgrade - Ethnographic Museum - RSD300
  • Belgrade - Sveti Sava Church - Free
  • Belgrade - St. Mark's Church - Free
  • Belgrade - Museum of Contemporary Art - Free
  • Belgrade - Nikola Tesla Museum - RSD800
  • Belgrade - Museum of Yugoslav History - RSD400
  • Belgrade - House of Flowers - RSD400
  • Mostar - Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque & Minaret - BAM15
  • Mostar - War Photo Exhibition - BAM6
  • Mostar - Old Bridge Museum - EUR5
  • Sarajevo - Svrzo's House - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM8
  • Sarajevo - Gallery 11/07/95 - Free
  • Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library - BAM10
  • Sarajevo - Jewish Museum - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Ilidza Park and Springs - BAM15
  • Sarajevo - Despica House - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Brusa Bezistan - BAM3
  • Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum - BAM10
  • Sarajevo - War Tunnel - BAM10
  • Kotor - Cruise on Kotor Fjord - EUR40
  • Kotor - Maritime Museum - EUR5
  • Kotor - St. Tryphon’s Cathedral - EUR4
  • Kotor - Fortress - EUR3
  • Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence - EUR4
  • Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace - EUR13
  • Dubrovnik - War Photography Museum - EUR10
  • Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR69
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car - EUR27
  • Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip - EUR27
  • Dubrovnik - Franciscan Monastery - EUR4

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A Single Supplement is bookable on this trip, excluding day 12&13. Availability is limited due to small properties that we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 49 reviews submitted.
While we try our best to display all reviews, removal may be due to the following: privacy concerns, profanity/inappropriate content or it is unrelated to this trip. We welcome honest feedback and will directly respond to negative reviews.

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Rosemary · Traveled August 2023
If you would like to learn about this fascinating region do not hesitate to book this trip. Growing up with the tensions in this area made me feel I needed to get a grasp on this period of history and this tour certainly delivered. Our guide Robert was super passionate and delivered what is such a complex history in a compassionate and respectful way. Would 100% recommend this tour if you have a keen interest in the region! Its also such a beautiful place to visit without the tourists as yet!
Review submitted 01 Sep 2023

Melinda · Traveled August 2023
Fantastic itinerary, indescribable scenery. I now have a greater understanding of the area and people. This was due to our fantastic leader Dora who is so knowledgeable, providing information in a respectful and thought provoking manner. She also had the best restaurant bookings and food recommendations and always approachable to answer questions.
Review submitted 20 Aug 2023

Sunali · Traveled August 2023
A well organized, adventurous and a perfect way to experience the Balkans. Intrepid really made the two weeks of galavanting so easy. Our tour guide Dora was spectacular and I will highly recommend this tour.
Review submitted 20 Aug 2023

Gina · Traveled August 2023
Fabulous trip through the fascinating Balkans. I loved each city and learnt so much about the history. Our wonderful tour leader, Dora, had amazing knowledge about every place we visited.
Review submitted 20 Aug 2023

Leigh · Traveled August 2023
If you are considering this tour. Do it! The landscapes, the history, the food, the people are all incredible and if you're lucky you'll have Dora as your leader. I loved every single minute.
Review submitted 21 Aug 2023
Balkan Adventure
From
AUD $3,771