Map of Premium Split to Belgrade including Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia

From coastal delights to historic highlights, explore all the Balkans have to offer

Discover the beauty and history of the Balkans on 16-day tour that travels from Split in Croatia through Bosnia and Herzegovina and onto the lively nightlife of Belgrade in Serbia, an exuberant European city on the up. Along the way you’ll soak in scenic beaches, learn fishing practices from the locals on remote Lastovo island, sample excellent Balkans wines, learn about the war years in Sarajevo, stop by the famed Old Bridge of Mostar and discover Tara National Park’s spectacular scenery on foot and riding the rails on a historic steam train. Bursting with culinary delights and cultural wonders, the Balkans will Suprise you with its diversity of experiences.


Start
Split, Croatia
Finish
Belgrade, Serbia
Destinations
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia
Style
Premium
Theme
Explorer
Code
ZMPFC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

premium accommodation

Our best accommodation and highest level of service.

premium experiences

Unusual, exceptional and authentic on-trip experiences.

premium knowledge

Led by our most experienced and highest rated local leaders.

  • Follow a local guide through Diocletian's Palace in Split, where narrow cobblestone streets are lined with pre-Romanesque churches, Gothic chapels and museums.

  • Immerse yourself in local culture during 2 exclusive Feature Stays. Head out with a fisherman from Lastovo Island, helping to bring in the daily catch and enjoying an on-board lunch of the freshest seafood imaginable and stay at an Ethno Village created by a famed Serbian film maker.

  • Wake up to incredible views of the Adriatic and a picturesque bay from the comfort of your exquisite Feature Stay guesthouse on the unspoiled Lastovo Island.

  • Take a scenic steam train ride through Tara National Park’s forests and mountains on a historic railway that forms part of the famous Ciro trail connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea, a Premium Exclusive Experience.

  • Relish the best of Croatian cuisine as you dine out in Split and Dubrovnik, eat freshly caught fish at sea, sample locally produced wine and enjoy dinner overlooking the Adriatic.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Croatia’s coast is very hilly and mountainous, which means lots of steps are an inherent feature of the landscape. Also, stone streets become very slippery when wet, so good walking shoes are recommended.

  • Summer temperatures can be extreme in Croatia (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.

Itinerary

Welcome to Croatia! Your adventure begins today with your arrival in Split. Located right on the Adriatic coast, Croatia’s second-largest city combines stunning architecture with a timeless soul. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel where you’ll meet your local leader and small group for a 6pm welcome meeting. If you arrive early, you might like to visit the Mestrovic gallery, which displays the remarkable work of one of Croatia’s greatest sculptors. After the meeting tonight, get to know your fellow travellers and group leader over dinner at one of Split’s excellent restaurants. Prepare for a culinary adventure as this is a country that takes good food and drink seriously. Perhaps try some brudet, a rustic seafood stew, or some rozata, a creamy custard pudding.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Luxe or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Split - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. An arrival transfer from Split Airport is included in the price of this trip. Please advise your booking agent of your flight details at the time of booking.
This morning meet with a local guide who is an expert on the area and embark on a sightseeing tour of Split. Your guide will provide profound insight as you discover a living textbook on history and architecture. Dating back 1800 years, the city began as a monumental imperial residence for the retirement of the Roman emperor Diocletian. This ancient fortress still makes up half of Split’s old town, and today is an intriguing warren of narrow cobblestone streets where pre-Romanesque churches exist alongside Gothic chapels and a multitude of museums. Stop by the statue of Grgur Ninski and learn how this tenth-century bishop once opposed the pope and introduced the Croatian language into his services. The evening is free for further explorations. Perhaps dive deeper into Split’s booming gastronomy scene - your leader will know some great spots to grab a bite to eat.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Luxe or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Split - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Split - Diocletian's Palace Visit
Optional Activities
  • Split - Fish Market - Free
  • Split - Marjan Hill Hike - Free
  • Split – Highlights of Split Urban Adventure - EUR50
  • Split - City Museum - EUR4
  • Split - Ivan Mestrovic Gallery - EUR12
  • Split - St Domnius Cathedral and Tower - EUR10
  • Split - Ethnographic Museum - EUR3
  • Split - Diocletian's Palace Cellars - EUR7
  • Split - Archaeological Museum - EUR8
  • Split - Gallery of Fine Arts - EUR5
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Enjoy a relaxing morning in Split before boarding an afternoon catamaran to Croatia’s most remote island - Lastovo. This little piece of paradise is home to your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights. The protected island nature park remains free from the effects of mainstream tourism and has retained its local flair. Without the infrastructure that caters to mass tourism, and with a dwindling population for the same reason, your leader will introduce you to scenes of traditional Adriatic island life as it once was. As a bonus, our sustainable tourism here supports the locals who have decided to remain. Arrive at your guesthouse and let the peaceful nature of Lastovo Island wash over you as the Adriatic Sea gently laps at your doorstep. Views from your spacious room look like they’re straight off a postcard, with charming houses fringing the glittering turquoise bay. This evening, take in the view over a wonderful included dinner with your group.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse Augusta Insula (feature stay) or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today's total travel time is approximately 3 hours.
Today you will immerse yourself in island life and learn an important local trade as you rise early and take to the seas with a local fisherman, his wife and his crew. Help them to bring in the day’s catch, usually a selection of scorpion fish, mackerel, sardine and bream, then enjoy the fruits of your labour with a delicious seafood lunch prepared on board - it doesn’t get more fresh than that! The captain will discuss their self-sustaining lifestyle and provide unrivalled insight into daily rituals, leaving you with an unforgettable impression of life on this remote island. Return to land and enjoy the rest of the day as you see fit. Perhaps unroll your beach towel and enjoy a few horizontal hours, or explore the peace and quiet of the stone waterfront and tiny port of this slice of heaven lost in time.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse Augusta Insula (feature stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Lastovo Island - Fishing Trip with Local Fisherman with Seafood Lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
It’s time to bid farewell to Lastovo, but keep your watch set to island time. Transfer back to the port of Ubli, where you will board the mid-morning ferry bound for the delightful island of Korcula. Disembark and transfer to Korcula Town. On the way, stop in Blato to visit Ethno House Barilo, an ethnographic museum that will give you an intimate look at life on this island. Arrive in Korcula Town for an orientation walk and wind through endearing red-roofed houses huddled closely on marble streets. Your leader will give you a glimpse into the past as you stroll streets lined with Renaissance and Gothic architecture. Enjoy a free evening in this stunning seaside town. Perhaps continue your explorations of the Old Town, taking in the stocky Revelin Tower and impressive defensive walls before stopping for dinner in one of the island’s many restaurants.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Port 9 or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Korcula Island - Korcula Old Town Orientation Walk
  • Korcula – Blato Ethno House Barilo
Optional Activities
  • Korcula - Traditional Moreska Dance Performance - EUR18
  • Korcula – Hop on hop off boat - EUR20
  • Korcula - Wine tasting at local winery - EUR20
  • Korcula – City Museum - EUR6
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total travel time is approximately 1.5 hours. Please note that during shoulder season (May and October) the ferry schedule is limited to one ferry per day. If you are travelling on one of our departures during these months the group's departure today is very early in the morning.
Today begin the journey to Dubrovnik, making some interesting stops along the way. Take a short ferry ride from Korcula to the Peljesac Peninsula. The star of this region is its wine, which you’ll experience first-hand during a visit to a lovely cooperative of family wineries. Sample some of the local drops, along with light cheese and smoked ham. Visit the on-site museum to learn more about wine production in this region. Next, visit the town of Ston, known for some of the world’s most delectable oysters, and enjoy time to explore or partake in an optional lunch. Continue on to Dubrovnik where your leader will explain the city’s history as you explore Stari Grad, the tightly packed Old Town. Restored to its former glory since the damages of the 1991 conflicts, Dubrovnik surprises at every turn, and the best way to experience the city’s soul it is to walk its streets. Stop in time to enjoy the sunset views from the famous city walls.
Accommodation
  • Grand Hotel Park or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dubrovnik - City Walls
  • Peljesac - Museum of Viticulture and Winemaking Putnikovic
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today's total driving time is approximately 3 hours.
The day is free for you to explore at leisure. Dubrovnik offers a wealth of experiences to cater to every taste, so be sure to ask your leader for some suggestions. Perhaps visit the historical Rector's Palace to marvel at the ornate Venetian-Gothic architecture, or sip a beer on the terrace of one of Dubrovnik’s teetering cliff bars. In the evening meet join your leader and group for a final dinner. Head to a splendid restaurant just outside the city. Indulge in a range of classic Croatian dishes made with generations-old recipes before raising your glass to the end of an adventure.
Accommodation
  • Grand Hotel Park or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport & entry to sites)
Optional Activities
  • Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
  • Dubrovnik - Franciscan Monastery - EUR4
  • Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace - EUR13
  • Dubrovnik - War Photography Museum - EUR10
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence - EUR4
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car - EUR27
  • Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip - EUR27
  • Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR69
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia – the undisputed jewel of the Dalmatian Coast. On arrival, you will be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, you may like to head out and explore Dubrovnik’s old town which is surrounded entirely by city walls and easily covered on foot. Although Dubrovnik experienced devastation during the war in the early 1990s, the restored old town remains as charming as ever. There are many monuments to explore in the city proper, including the 15th century Rector's Palace, monasteries with cloistered gardens, and fine baroque churches with copper domes. After your welcome meeting this evening, join your leader and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant showcasing Croatia’s traditional cuisine.
Accommodation
  • Grand Hotel Park or similar (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR69
  • Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
  • Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport & entry to sites) - EUR35
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence - EUR4
  • Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip - EUR27
  • Dubrovnik - War Photography Museum - EUR10
  • Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace - EUR13
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car - EUR27
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.
After breakfast, drive from your hotel to the Konavle region south of Dubrovnik. The region is known as the Golden Valley of Dubrovnik as it has the most fertile grounds in the area and is filled with vineyards and fruit trees. Visit the small town of Cavtat with its beautiful architecture, ancient history and pebble beaches. After exploring the town, you’ll head further into the Konavle region for a traditional ‘peka’ lunch featuring lamb and other meats cooked under an iron bell. No meal in this region is complete without a glass of Croatian wine, so toast your hearty meal with a glass of Grk or Plavac Mali local wine. On your return to Dubrovnik, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy your way, perhaps with a walk around the city walls or a swim in the sparkling Adriatic Sea.
Accommodation
  • Grand Hotel Park or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dubrovnik - Cavtat Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
Today you’ll cross the border and travel into Bosnia & Herzegovina, stopping at several beautiful destinations in the Herzegovina region along the way. Your first stop is Trebinje where you’ll join your leader for a walking tour that takes in the compact Old Town and its pretty market square, followed by a stop at an Orthodox monastery to taste the famous Tvrdos wine. After you’ve quenched your thirst, your trip continues to Stolac where you may like to join your leader for a walk to visit the old medieval fortress high on the hill. After you’ve explored the sights of Stolac, you’ll arrive in Mostar in an hour. Here you’ll join an expert local guide for a guided tour around town that reveals why there is such a strong connection between the locals and coffee.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Eden or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Mostar - Guided Tour with Coffee Experience
  • Stolac - Town Visit
  • Trebinje - Tvrdos Monastery Wine Tasting
  • Trebinje - Walking Tour
Optional Activities
  • Mostar - Old Bridge Museum - EUR5
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 6 hours.
Leave Mostar and travel towards Sarajevo, but not without a stop at Konjic where you’ll discover one of the best-kept secrets in former Yugoslavia, Tito's nuclear bunker. The military bunker was built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and hundreds of his top military personnel and has only recently opened to the public. Go back in time on a guided tour of the bunker and learn about Yugoslav history and how life used to be in not-so-distant past. After touring the bunker, continue to Sarajevo and settle into your hotel before heading out to explore the city with an expert local guide. Tonight you may like to join your group for dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Festival or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Konjic - Tito`s Bunker Tour
  • Sarajevo - Walking Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.
Today is yours to explore your way. Taste your way through the market stalls of Bascarsija, visit one of the museums dedicated to the Yugoslav war or perhaps take a cable car up Trebevic mountain to enjoy magnificent views over the city. You’ll finish the day with a memorable home-cooked meal shared with your hosts Mustafa and Mersiha who proudly claim their kitchen has the best view over Sarajevo. Your night begins learning how Bosnian pita is made before a hearty meal of sogan dolma (stuffed onions) and dolam (stuffed paprika). Of course, you’ll get to try the freshly made pita too.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Festival or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sarajevo - Cooking Demo and Home-made Dinner
Optional Activities
  • Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM8
  • Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum - BAM10
  • Sarajevo - War Tunnel - BAM10
  • Sarajevo - Trebević Mountain Cable Car - BAM20
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Today you’ll travel onwards to Serbia with a stop in the small town of Višegrad where a magnificent 16th-century bridge dominates the horizon and provided the inspiration for the Nobel Prize winning literary work, The Bridge on the Drina. From Višegrad, you’ll cross the border into Serbia and continue your journey to Tara National Park. Widely regarded as one of the most spectacular destinations in the country, Tara National Park is home to the world’s third largest river canyon and filled with forested slopes and dramatic ravines. Tonight you’ll bed down in Mećavnik in your Feature Stay, a traditional village that Serbian film director Emir Kusturica built for his film Life Is a Miracle. Explore the village before joining your group for a traditional dinner to celebrate your first night in Serbia.
Accommodation
  • Mecavik Drvengrad (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Višegrad - Town Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is 6.5 hours.
This morning you'll take an easy two hour hike through Tara National Park followed by a scenic steam train ride through the park’s forest and mountains. This section of the railway is part of the famous Ciro trail that connects Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea. Rattle along the tracks as the narrow gauge engine and historic carriages takes you through the jaw dropping scenery, with four stops along the way so passengers can take photos of the incredible views. After spending a half day exploring Tara National Park on foot and riding the rails, settle back for the four hour drive to Belgrade where you’ll check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening after a long day of travel.
Accommodation
  • Royal Inn Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tara National Park - Hike
  • Tara National Park - Steam Train
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Today’s total driving time is 4 hours.
Start your day with a guided walking tour and discover all that Belgrade has to offer including Republic Square, Knez Mihailova Street which is lined with historic buildings and Kalemegdan Park and the Belgrade Fortress where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. Immerse yourself in the town’s rich history and perhaps ask your local guide for suggestions on where to experience the best night life in the Balkans as Belgrade is known for its party scene. This afternoon is yours to explore your way, perhaps with a visit to the city market or Nikola Tesla Museum or by catching a trolleybus to Zemun - a bohemian, village like neighbourhood that’s known for its cafes and fish restaurants along the riverside promenade. This evening, join your group for a traditional dinner in the bohemian Skadarska quarter to celebrate the penultimate night of your trip.
Accommodation
  • Royal Inn Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Belgrade - Walking Tour
Optional Activities
  • Belgrade - House of Flowers - RSD400
  • Belgrade - Saint Sava Temple - Free
  • Belgrade - Nikola Tesla Museum - RSD800
  • Belgrade - Military Museum - RSD350
  • Belgrade - Ethnographic Museum - RSD300
  • Belgrade - Danube River Cruise - RSD800
  • Belgrade - National Museum - RSD300
  • Belgrade - Belgrade Fortress - Free
  • Belgrade - Museum of Yugoslav History - RSD400
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
After breakfast, your Balkans adventure comes to an end. If you would like to extend your stay, we would be happy to arrange additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

14 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Ferry, Private vehicle, Train

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (12 nights), Feature Stay (3 nights)

Included activities

  • Split - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
  • Split - Walking Tour with Local Guide
  • Split - Diocletian's Palace Visit
  • Lastovo Island - Fishing Trip with Local Fisherman with Seafood Lunch
  • Korcula Island - Korcula Old Town Orientation Walk
  • Korcula – Blato Ethno House Barilo
  • Dubrovnik - City Walls
  • Peljesac - Museum of Viticulture and Winemaking Putnikovic
  • Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport & entry to sites)
  • Dubrovnik - Cavtat Tour
  • Mostar - Guided Tour with Coffee Experience
  • Stolac - Town Visit
  • Trebinje - Tvrdos Monastery Wine Tasting
  • Trebinje - Walking Tour
  • Konjic - Tito`s Bunker Tour
  • Sarajevo - Walking Tour
  • Sarajevo - Cooking Demo and Home-made Dinner
  • Višegrad - Town Visit
  • Tara National Park - Hike
  • Tara National Park - Steam Train
  • Belgrade - Walking Tour

Premium Inclusions

  • Arrival airport transfer
  • Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
  • Luggage transfer
  • Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
  • 24/7 on-ground support

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Premium Split to Belgrade trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. 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. There are a limited number of single supplements available per trip departure. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
3. Travel is always an adventure and, as destinations reopen, there are a few challenges as everyone gets back up to speed and adjusts to the new normal. Our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.

Essential trip information

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