Balkan Adventure

15 Days | Travel across scenic Eastern Europe from historic Hungary to crescent-shaped Croatia

4.9 out of 5 based on 56 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
EUR €2,087
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Welcome to the Balkans, where the East meets the West and the new merges seamlessly with the old. Over the centuries, people have travelled to 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 medieval Dubrovnik, this trip is delightfully different. Hike through stunning natural gems, drive through ever-changing scenery, hit up the nightlife after feasting on local favourites and even discover a family-run vineyard in Ilok from the 15th century.

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, Montenegro, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
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 26 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 – known as the Pearl of the Danube – and take the funicular up to Buda Castle for beautiful views over Pest.
  • After exploring the 15th-century family-run vineyard, sip the famous Croatian Traminac Premium wine at an included wine tasting in quaint Ilok – this wine was served at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II!
  • Wander through Belgrade’s Bohemian quarter and grand 19th-century boulevards before launching into its animated nightlife. Then, take a day trip to the artists’ haven of Zemun.
  • Witness Mostar's famous bridge divers hurl themselves from the stones of a bridge that has spanned the river for centuries and visit Tito's bunker – one of the best-kept secrets in former Yugoslavia.
  • See the sights on a guided walking tour of scenic Sarajevo and learn about its recent history as a city under siege. Then, take a long drive to the stunning Durmitor National Park.
  • 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?
  • Don’t let the heat put you off travelling in summer! It can get hot (over 40°C), so it’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please note that only some of the hotels and none of the public trains and buses in this region have air-conditioning.
  • Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds and rooms can be small by American or Australian standards. Some of the accommodation used on this trip have shared bathrooms.
  • If you have more time to explore the region, you may want to check out our trip 'Vienna to Dubrovnik' (trip code AMSNC). Most departure dates are designed to create these perfect combos.
  • There are some long walks and short hikes on this trip, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended. Please read the day-to-day itinerary carefully to find out more details on each day's activities. Activities can be opted out of if you want to refrain from participating.
  • 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’ll be able to explore further in your own time. We recommend you pack comfortable walking shoes for this trip.
  • 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

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 - Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (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 - EUR99
  • 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

4.9 out of 5 based on 56 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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Richard · Traveled October 2023
As a Canadian of Eastern European heritage, I am always disappointed about how little our media covers the Balkans and other far Eastern Europe. This trip filled in many gaps, a real eye opener, the Balkans are wonderful!
Review submitted 25 Oct 2023

Lee · Traveled September 2023
Very good trip, highly recommend it, learned a great deal about the Balkan countries, and very enjoyable.
Review submitted 11 Oct 2023

Debra · Traveled September 2023
This was our first Intrepid trip and we loved it! It was a great mixture of history and historical places, and beautiful landscapes. Our tour leader Franjo was absolutely amazing: warm, humorous and incredibly well organised. Highly recommended.
Review submitted 11 Oct 2023

Raymond · Traveled September 2023
What an experience! Our amazing guide Frano led us through an epic adventure across the Balkans. The natural beauty of the regions contrasted with the complex history and iconic cities. From pensions in walled towns to the top of soaring mountains every day was a new experience.
Review submitted 11 Oct 2023

Melanie · Traveled September 2023
Wow this trip is an incredible mix of jaw dropping scenery, heart-wrenching local stories, incredible historical buildings and architecture and really tasty food. Ivana our guide was incredible - so organised, approachable and loved the cheesy jokes. We were very lucky to have a great group and we all thoroughly enjoyed the trip. This trip was a real eye opener for me, coming from Australia and not hearing all the stories about the war. Plus with Ivana's outstanding knowledge of local history I just learned so much. Can't recommend this trip enough and I will be telling all my friends and relatives to visit the area.
Review submitted 08 Oct 2023
Balkan Adventure
From
EUR €2,087