The Balkans Real Food Adventure

9 Days | Experience the cuisine, culture and warm hospitality of the Balkans

4.8 out of 5 based on 17 reviews submitted.
Food
From
CHF  2,200

Treat your palate to the culinary highlights of the Balkans on this nine-day foodie adventure. Dine on homemade meals and share stories with your hosts in North Macedonia, meet the makers behind famous Njegusi smoked hams in Montenegro and sample the charcuterie of Croatia. Take guided walks in Prizren and Skopje, exploring the cities where Balkan cuisine comes to life, and have ample free time to discover local markets and bazaars. With an expert local guide providing all the restaurant recommendations you could ask for, your Balkans adventure will not leave you hungry!

Trip overview

Map of The Balkans Real Food Adventure including Croatia, Macedonia, Republic Of, Montenegro and Kosovo
Start
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Finish
Skopje, North Macedonia (Macedonia)
Theme
Food
Destinations
Croatia, North Macedonia (Macedonia), Kosovo, Montenegro
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 12
Trip code
ZKZM
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Experience an authentic taste of the Balkans and a look at local life when you dine in family homes in Ohrid, Lake Prespa and Dihovo.
  • Take in a cooking demonstration in the village of Dolno Dupeni, then get a fresh taste of homemade North Macedonian cuisine.
  • See behind the scenes of local produce when you visit a centuries-old smokehouse, an olive mill, an apple farm and meet a local beekeeper for a honey tasting.
  • Explore the stunning landscapes and charming cities of the region, discovering the legendary Rozafa Fortress and going on guided tours of Prizren and Skopje.
  • Try the most iconic foods of Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo, including smoked and barbecued meats, cheese, honey, apples and locally produced wine.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Humana Zagreb. Donations help provide job opportunities and education programs in sustainable fashion and textiles for people with disabilities.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The cuisine of the Balkans includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to the Balkans which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.
  • Summer temperatures can reach 40C/105F or higher in some areas, so 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.
  • This region is very hilly and mountainous and stairs are commonplace. You will have to be able to easily lift your luggage and carry it up and down stairs and inclines, so packing light is recommended. The cobblestone streets become very slippery when wet. Some people may find the region's topography very demanding.

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

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

Itinerary

Map of The Balkans Real Food Adventure including Croatia, Macedonia, Republic Of, Montenegro and Kosovo

Inclusions

Meals

4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights)

Activities
  • Lustica - Olive oil farm visit
  • Njegusi - Smokehouse visit & tasting
  • Shkoder - Rozafa Fortress visit
  • Prizren - Leader-led city tour
  • Pristina - Serbian barbecue lunch
  • Pristina - Gracanica Monastery visit
  • Debar - St Jovan Bigorski Monastery visit
  • Kuratica - Home-cooked dinner
  • Prespa - Agriturismo visit & tasting
  • Prespa - Home-cooking demonstration
  • Dihovo - Home-cooked lunch
  • Dihovo - Beekeeper farm visit
  • Tikves - Wine tasting
  • Stobi - Stobi archaeological site
  • Skopje - Leader-led walking tour with traditional sweets
Optional activities
  • Ohrid - St Naum Monastery & Trpejca - EUR80
  • Ohrid - City tour and cruise - Minimum 2 passengers - EUR50
  • Bitola - Heraclea Lyncestis - EUR25

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
2. While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.

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 17 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Steve · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 07 Oct 2024

Karen · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 08 Oct 2024

Paul · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 07 Oct 2024

Jesus · Traveled September 2024
Review submitted 01 Oct 2024

ROY · Traveled June 2024
Review submitted 03 Jul 2024
The Balkans Real Food Adventure
From
CHF  2,200