Explore the Balkans





Old-world charm and enduring cultures deep in the Balkans
Veer off the beaten track 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 medieval Dubrovnik of Game of Thrones fame. 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.
5.0
66 reviewsStart: Budapest, Hungary
End: Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Duration
- 10 days
- Group size
- 1 to 16
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Basix
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- 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
Why you'll love this trip
- Delve into the communist past and progressive present of the Pearl of the Danube - Budapest, a city often underrated by travellers
- Visit Novi Sad on the banks of the Danube River and maybe explore the Petrovaradin Fortress – one of the most important landmarks in the city with a great view over the river. Then, immerse yourself in the edgy street scene of Belgrade's Bohemian Quarter.
- Explore the sobering Tito’s Bunker in Mostar – an underground facility that served as Yugoslavia's ‘Atomic War Command,’ designed to house a skeleton government who would manage the country in the event of nuclear war.
- Admire the restored architecture of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kotor in Montenegro on a climb along the ancient city fortifications. Then, discover the glittering Bay of Kotor in your free time.
- Hit the historic hotspot of Dubrovnik along Croatia’s Dalmatian coastline. With medieval walls, Game of Thrones tours, hidden swimming coves and alleyway restaurants, this is the perfect spot to end your adventure.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Szia! Welcome to Budapest, Hungary's vibrant capital. This city, split into two sides – Buda and Pest – sits right on the banks of the Danube River. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, maybe head out with your fellow travellers for dinner, then take a night walk along the Danube to see the buildings and bridges lit up in lights. Why not keep the night going in one of Budapest's ruin bars tonight, home to eclectic décor and a popular spot for a night out.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Budapest - House of Terror - HUF4000
- Budapest - Hungarian National Museum - HUF2900
- Budapest - Transport and Entry to Statue Park - HUF5000
- Budapest - Central Market - Free
- Budapest - Great Synagogue - HUF13000
- Budapest - Bike Ride - HUF15000
- Budapest - Parliament Tour - HUF13000
- Budapest - Szechenyi Thermal Baths - HUF13500
- Budapest - Hungarian State Opera House Tour - HUF9000
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.
This morning you’ll head to Belgrade – Serbia’s capital and one of the oldest cities in Europe. On the way, stop at Novi Sad on the banks of the Danube River. Head out on an orientation walk of the city with your leader, then take a few hours to explore at your own pace. Maybe head to the Petrovaradin Fortress, one of the most important landmarks in the city, and enjoy the view over the river. There are also some great restaurants and cafes at the fortress where you can stop for lunch or a coffee. Then, continue to your destination – sitting at the junction of the Sava and the Danube, Belgrade is an important intersection between Eastern and Western Europe. Enjoy some free time to explore the city’s wide boulevards and squares, the historic green heart of Kalemegdan Park and Kalemegdan Fortress, which has overlooked the river for centuries. In the evening, head down to Skadarska Street in the bohemian quarter of Skadarlija to sample some authentic local food and enjoy the lively atmosphere in a place where Orthodox churches vie for space next to nightclubs.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Novi Sad – Orientation Walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.
Today is another day to discover Belgrade at your own pace. You might like to take a cruise along the Danube River, passing Kalemegdan Fortress, Pancevo Bridge and Zemun. Otherwise, the local market Zeleni Venac can keep you occupied for hours. Take a stroll through the Nikola Tesla Museum to learn about the life and work of Serbia's greatest inventor or check out the city's Ethnographic or Military museums. If the weather’s warm, you could brave the crowds on Ada Ciganlija beach, where you can swim, take up some water sports or soak up the sun. During summer, Belgrade hosts a variety of musical and cultural events, and the city is abuzz with people and activities.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Belgrade - Danube River Cruise - RSD2000
- Belgrade - Tito’s Mausoleum (House of Flowers) - RSD400
- Belgrade - Nikola Tesla Museum - RSD800
- Belgrade - City Tour with Local Guide - EUR60
- Belgrade - Sveti Sava Church - Free
- Belgrade - Ethnographic Museum - RSD300
- Belgrade - Military Museum - RSD350
- Belgrade - Bike Tour (from) - EUR30
Today’s optional bike tour varies in price based on the number of people who want to participate. Prices listed are a guide only and will depend on group numbers. For smaller groups (1-3 people), expect rates to be higher.
Travel through the countryside to Sarajevo this morning. The journey is long, so sit back and enjoy the scenery (and grab a window seat if you can!). Sarajevo is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s small but vibrant capital. The city often draws comparisons with Istanbul as a place that mixes east and west – dotted with minarets, mosques, bazaars and the aroma of coffee. When you arrive, maybe head on an optional guided tour to gain insight into the history and culture of the city and explore Bascarsija – Sarajevo's old bazaar. Tonight, maybe grab some of the local speciality – bosanski cevapi (local grilled and spiced meats).
- Pension (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Sarajevo - Burek Snack in Bascarsija
Your travel time today will be approximately 7.5 hours.
Enjoy a free day in and around Sarajevo today. You can take an optional day trip out to the thermal springs and green parks of Ilidza – the source of the Bosna River. You might prefer to discover local history with a visit to the History Museum, the Sarajevo War Tunnels and Sniper Alley, or learn about the tragedies faced by the city's Jews at the Jewish Museum. Maybe get cultural with a stroll through the Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or return to Bascarsija and get lost in the mosques, caravanserais and stone-vaulted bazaars while snacking on burek. The Pivnica HS brewery and restaurant is a good place to sample local award-winning beer and spend the night with your travel crew.
- Pension (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library - BAM10
- Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque - BAM3
- Sarajevo - Svrzo's House - BAM3
- Sarajevo - Brusa Bezistan - BAM3
- Sarajevo - Despica House - BAM3
- Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum - BAM5
- Sarajevo - City Tour with Local Guide - BAM90
- Sarajevo - Jewish Museum - BAM5
- Sarajevo - Ilidza Park and Springs - BAM15
- Sarajevo - War Tunnel - BAM10
- Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM8
This morning, travel to Mostar. On the way, stop at Tito's Bunker, named after the late leader of the communist country, for a 1.5-hour tour with a local guide. This underground facility served as Yugoslavia's ‘Atomic War Command,’ designed to house a skeleton government of 350 people who would manage the country in the event of nuclear war. Continue to Mostar – thanks to the river Neretva, this city was able to develop in the barren landscape of Herzegovina. When you arrive, maybe head to the famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), first built by the Ottomans in 1565 – it was the great architect Mimar Hajrudin who succeeded with the impossible mission to cross the Neretva River with a single span stone bridge. If you’re lucky, you might see the famous brave members of Mostar’s diving club hurl themselves into the icy waters below.
- Hotel (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Mostar - Stari Most
- Konjic - Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (Tito’s Bunker) tour
- Mostar - Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque & Minaret - BAM15
- Mostar - Old Bridge Museum - BAM10
- Mostar - War Photo Exhibition - BAM6
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
This morning after breakfast, you’ll travel to Kotor. This fifth-century UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is set on a secluded bay, with towering peaks surrounding a rocky coastline dotted with waterside towns. When you arrive, explore Europe’s most southerly fjord, Boka Kotorska (Bay of Kotor) and Kotor town, with a free afternoon. Maybe check out the 12th-century Cathedral of St Tryphun, the South Gates of Kotor (the Gurdich Gate) and the Armoury Square (Trg od Oruzija).
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Today is another free day to get lost in the crooked alleyways of Kotor. Maybe check out the boutiques and cafes or climb the hills behind the city to visit Kotor's ruined fortification walls. A 1.5-hour hike up the stone steps, past churches, gates and bastions to the Fortress of Sveti Ivan at the top, rewards you with magnificent views across the town and the Bay of Kotor. Tonight, maybe hang out in a lookout spot and take in the lights – the city walls are lit up in the evening here to provide a unique night-time perspective.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- 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
Leave Montenegro by bus this morning, riding along the beautiful southern coast of Croatia to Dubrovnik. When you arrive, the day is free for you to explore this medieval city at your own pace. There is so much to see and do here, so ask your leader if you’re stuck for ideas. You might like to take a boat trip to nearby Lokrum Island, where you’ll find the French-built Fort Royal Castle, a monastery and a botanical garden that dates back to when the Austrian archduke Maximilian had his holiday home on the island. Tonight, maybe find a secluded beach spot to watch the sunset or enjoy a harbourside meal with the group for dinner.
- Hostel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
- Dubrovnik - Church of St. Blaise - Free
- Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR69
- 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
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours (subject to border formalities).
With no activities planned for today, you are free to depart at any time. If you’d like to stay longer and explore more of what this gorgeous historical city has to offer, just speak to your booking agent.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
7 breakfasts
Public bus, Private vehicle
Hotel (6 nights), Pension (2 nights), Hostel (1 night)
- Novi Sad – Orientation Walk
- Sarajevo - Burek Snack in Bascarsija
- Mostar - Stari Most
- Konjic - Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (Tito’s Bunker) tour
- Budapest - House of Terror - HUF4000
- Budapest - Hungarian National Museum - HUF2900
- Budapest - Transport and Entry to Statue Park - HUF5000
- Budapest - Central Market - Free
- Budapest - Great Synagogue - HUF13000
- Budapest - Bike Ride - HUF15000
- Budapest - Parliament Tour - HUF13000
- Budapest - Szechenyi Thermal Baths - HUF13500
- Budapest - Hungarian State Opera House Tour - HUF9000
- Belgrade - Danube River Cruise - RSD2000
- Belgrade - Tito’s Mausoleum (House of Flowers) - RSD400
- Belgrade - Nikola Tesla Museum - RSD800
- Belgrade - City Tour with Local Guide - EUR60
- Belgrade - Sveti Sava Church - Free
- Belgrade - Ethnographic Museum - RSD300
- Belgrade - Military Museum - RSD350
- Belgrade - Bike Tour (from) - EUR30
- Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library - BAM10
- Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque - BAM3
- Sarajevo - Svrzo's House - BAM3
- Sarajevo - Brusa Bezistan - BAM3
- Sarajevo - Despica House - BAM3
- Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum - BAM5
- Sarajevo - City Tour with Local Guide - BAM90
- Sarajevo - Jewish Museum - BAM5
- Sarajevo - Ilidza Park and Springs - BAM15
- Sarajevo - War Tunnel - BAM10
- Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM8
- Mostar - Koski Mehmed Pasa Mosque & Minaret - BAM15
- Mostar - Old Bridge Museum - BAM10
- Mostar - War Photo Exhibition - BAM6
- 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 - EUR69
- 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
This trip generates 20 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- Please keep your luggage as small and light as possible. You'll be travelling on public transport where storage space is limited. You'll need to be able to lift your luggage into storage racks, walk across cobblestone streets with it and carry it up and down stairs.
- As this trip only has limited time in Budapest, we highly recommend staying a few extra days before your tour to enjoy all this amazing destination has to offer.
- 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.
- Accommodation on this trip is basic. Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be small, especially compared to American or Australian standards, and in some cases bathroom facilities will be shared rather than ensuite. Some hotels contain stairs only, with no elevators.
- Summer temperatures can be very high in many regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s essential to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. 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 for that season.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Baross City Hotel
Baross ter 15
Budapest
HUNGARY
Phone: +36 14613010
Description
Only 50 metres from Keleti Railway Station, Baross offers modern accommodation in a period building with an inner courtyard. Keleti Underground (line M2 and M4) as well as tram and bus stops provide direct links to the Danube River banks and the city's main sights.
Spacious guestrooms come with air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs with satellite channels. All rooms include a private bathroom with a bath or shower, and most overlook the quiet courtyard.
Baross City is less than a 10-minute walk from the popular Heroes’ Square and City Park. It is also adjacent to the local bus n.7 stop, which provides transport to Buda. WiFi access is free and a bicycle rack on the ground floor is available.
Instructions
If you have pre booked an arrival transfer, your transfer driver will be waiting at the currency exchange office after baggage claim, holding a board with the Intrepid Logo or your name on it. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +36 302 801 219.
If arriving by train: Keleti train station is just one minute walk to the hotel.
If arriving by plane: Take the bus number 100E to Kálvin tér (it takes about 35-40 minutes). At Kálvin tér, change to Metro number 4 (green line) towards Keleti pályaudvar (Eastern Railway Station) and ride it until the last stop. From there it is just a minute walk to the hotel. Total travel time is approximately 1 hour. You will need two separate tickets, one for the bus and one for the metro. Make sure you validate your ticket as ticket checks on the metro are common. If in doubt about which ticket type to choose at the vending machine you can also buy your ticket at the tourist information desk in the airport's arrival hall.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is not available on this trip.
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.
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