10 Days | Old-world charm and enduring cultures, deep in the Balkans





Veer off the usual route and discover some of Central Europe’s up-and-coming hotspots on this ten-day adventure. Starting off in cultured and cosmopolitan Budapest, travel to the Serbian capital of Belgrade for a taste of a city on the rise. Learn about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s war years in Sarajevo, stop by the famed Old Bridge of Mostar and finish things up in wonderful Dubrovnik. Melding the past with the present and the raw with the cultivated, this Balkans adventure gives you the power to see Central Europe your way, with a local leader on hand to steer you in the right direction.
Trip overview

- Start
- Budapest, Hungary
- Finish
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary
- 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
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- ZMRC
- Enjoy plenty of free time at your own pace to discover the communist past and progressive present of Budapest – the Pearl of the Danube.
- Immerse yourself in the edgy street scene of Belgrade's Bohemian Quarter, then dance the night away in one of Europe’s nightlife hotspots with your crew of likeminded adventurers.
- Visit Mostar’s famous Old Bridge and – if you’re lucky – witness a traditional bridge jumper hurl themselves into the icy waters below.
- Admire the restored architecture of World Heritage-listed Kotor in Montenegro on a climb along the ancient city fortifications.
- Wind up along Croatia’s Dalmatian coastline in the historic hotspot of Dubrovnik. With walls to scale and beaches to laze on, why not consider extending your stay a day or two here?
- This trip is made for travellers who value their independence but also want the benefit of a local guide and a group of like-minded travellers. The itinerary has a mix of included activities and free time when your leader will offer suggestions. Please budget spending money for optional activities you want to partake in.
- As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, single travellers will share a room with other travellers of the same gender. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it! Also, 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 compared to American or Australian standards, and in most cases bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite. Please note that a single supplement is not available on this trip.
- Summer temperatures can be very high 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 keep in mind that many European hotel rooms are not equipped with air-conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
5 breakfasts
Train, Public bus, Private vehicle, Metro, Taxi
Hotel (6 nights), Pension (2 nights), Hostel (1 night)
- Sarajevo - Burek Snack in Bascarsija
- Mostar - Stari Most
- Budapest - Parliament Tour - HUF10000
- Budapest - Szechenyi Thermal Baths (starting from) - HUF9400
- Budapest - Hungarian State Opera House Tour - HUF7000
- Budapest - Transport and Entry to Statue Park - HUF5000
- Budapest - House of Terror - HUF4000
- Budapest - Hungarian National Museum - HUF2900
- Budapest - Bike Ride - HUF6000
- Budapest - Great Synagogue - HUF9000
- Budapest - Central Market - Free
- Belgrade - Ethnographic Museum - RSD300
- Belgrade - Military Museum - RSD350
- Belgrade - City Tour with Local Guide - EUR60
- Belgrade - Sveti Sava Church - Free
- Belgrade - Tito’s Mausoleum (House of Flowers) - RSD400
- Belgrade - Nikola Tesla Museum - RSD800
- Belgrade - Danube River Cruise - RSD800
- Sarajevo - Jewish Museum - BAM3
- Sarajevo - City Tour with Local Guide - BAM90
- Sarajevo - Ilidza Park and Springs - BAM15
- Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM8
- Sarajevo - Svrzo's House - BAM3
- Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque - BAM3
- Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library - BAM10
- Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum - BAM10
- Sarajevo - Despica House - BAM3
- Sarajevo - Brusa Bezistan - BAM3
- Sarajevo - War Tunnel - BAM10
- Mostar - War Photo Exhibition - BAM6
- Mostar - Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque & Minaret - BAM15
- Mostar - Old Bridge Museum - BAM10
- Kotor - Cruise on Kotor Fjord - EUR40
- Kotor - St. Tryphon’s Cathedral - EUR4
- Budva - Day Trip (by public bus) - EUR6
- Kotor - Fortress - EUR3
- Kotor - Maritime Museum - EUR5
- Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
- Dubrovnik - Church of St. Blaise - Free
- Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR99
- Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car - EUR27
- Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence - EUR4
- Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace - EUR13
- Dubrovnik - War Photography Museum - EUR10
- Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip - EUR27
- Dubrovnik - Franciscan Monastery - EUR4
- Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport & entry to sites) - EUR35
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is NOT available on this trip.
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