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Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)

Handpicked adventures loved by our team
TourRadar Curated
9 days
Start and end in Sofia
4.8
140 traveler reviews
From
$3,357
-40%
NZ $2,014
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Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Guided in English
Group Size 4 - 40
Age range 18 to 59
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Cross seven countries off your bucket list
  • Travel from the Danube to the Adriatic Sea
  • Take a dip in Dubrovnik's crystal clear waters

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1 Sofia
  2. Day 2 Sofia, Belgrade
  3. Day 3 Belgrade, Sarajevo
  4. Day 4 Sarajevo, Mostar,Trebinje
  5. Day 5 Trebinje, Dubrovnik, Trebinje
  6. Day 6 Trebinje, Kotor, Shkoder
  7. Day 7 Shkoder, Tirana, Ohrid
  8. Day 8 Ohrid, Skopje
  9. Day 9 Skopje, Sofia
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Customer Photos

Operated by

Travel Talk

Number of tours

158

Age Range

18 to 60 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

100%

At Travel Talk, we have one focus and that is simply to make your trip the...

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Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Guide
    Excellent
    4.9
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.8
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.5
  • Food
    Excellent
    4.5
  • 4.7
  • Most Recent
  • Most Popular
  • Highest First
  • Lowest First
  • RB
    · June 7th, 2025
    If you like being in the bus this tour is for you… long driving to reach each country. It’s okay since it’s the cheapest way to travel and be able to see 5 countries in 9 days … less to see and not enough time to explore. It’s ok cuz accommodation and breakfast is included. Maybe next time enjoy each country at a time especially Montenegro which is beautiful.
    Show more
    Travel Talk commented on this review
    Hi Rowena, thank you for your honest feedback! Our Best of Balkans tour is designed to give you the opportunity to experience multiple countries within a limited timeframe, striking a balance between travel and sightseeing. We appreciate your suggestion... Show more
    Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 1
    Trip date: May 2025
  • Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) reviewer 2
    · May 19th, 2025
    Balkans 9 Day Tour, started 8th May, 2025 This tour is incredible value for money, so many incredible places visited. Bojan (our guide) was funny, friendly and helpful. I was very lucky with the group on the tour, many great like minded people. Personal highlights, Bosnia (all of it!) and Kotor in Montenegro. It's an area I had not visited before but will definitely be back. Can only thank Bojan, the group and Travel Talk for such a great experience. It's a fast paced tour, get your outfit for tomorrow ready and be almost packed to go the night before to take the stress out of early starts. Additional experiences were well worth it, Balkan Meal wasn't great as I don't eat meat but still fun watching the dancing and chatting to everyone. I'd happily do it all again. If you want to visit Kosovo you can on the last night from Skopje but need to organise it yourself. Happy to pass on details of this if interested.
    Show more
    Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 1Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 2Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 3Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 4
    Trip date: May 2025
  • DL
    · May 9th, 2025
    great tour company comparing to travel agency optional tours.
    Show more
    Travel Talk commented on this review
    Hi Diana, thanks for the kind words and for joining us on the Best of Balkans tour! We're so happy to hear you had a great experience and appreciated the value of our inclusions compared to traditional travel agency optional tours. It was a pleasure... Show more
    Trip date: July 2024
  • Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) reviewer 4
    · May 2nd, 2025
    Simon and Paro were amazing, but the itinerary was quite lackluster compared to other tours I have done. It was ok, but I have done 14 tours in the last 18 months and I couldn't believe the amount of free time. Would be perfect for people that just want to visit new places and eat and shop,
    Show more
    Travel Talk commented on this review
    Hi Patti, thank you for sharing your feedback! We're so glad to hear that Simon and Paro were amazing and made a positive impact on your experience. We also appreciate your thoughts on the itinerary. The amount of free time is designed to give... Show more
    Trip date: April 2025
  • AM
    · January 3rd, 2025
    All I can say is that I’m glad I booked this tour to see the Best of the Balkans. Boyan our tour leader was great and so was our driver aka ‘Barry White’. They both made the tour much more enjoyable. It's fast-paced for sure however this was the perfect taster for the Balkans and we got to see the best in each city. The highlights were walking 'The Walls' in Dubrovnik, all of Sarajevo, and Kotor, the food everywhere was awesome. Lastly, all the Churches and Mosques were just beautiful. The biggest surprise was Albania and Macedonia, I didn't know what to expect and was struck by the beauty.
    Show more
    Travel Talk commented on this review
    Hi Andres, thank you so much for your amazing review! We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed the Best of the Balkans tour and that Boyan and our driver made the experience even more memorable. It’s great to know that you were able to experience the... Show more
    Trip date: November 2024
  • AH
    · October 23rd, 2024
    Whirlwind itinerary that some older people may have struggled with. We had to leave the hotels by 8am and many hours in the coach before reaching out next destination, usually at around 7pm. Gives you a great flavour of all the Balkans countries however and the other people on our trip were great! Mainly Americans and Australians. The tour guide Dusan was amazing - hard working, humorous and so enthusiastic about the different towns and cities we visited. Excellent value for money all round and generally good hotels. The one in Trebinje left a little to be desired however I really cannot fault the trip for what we paid. Kris was also an excellent, safe driver which as a nervous passenger, I really appreciated.
    Show more
    Travel Talk commented on this review
    Hi Alison, thank you for sharing your experience on the tour! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the vibrant flavor of the Balkans and that you had a great time with your fellow travelers. It’s wonderful to know that Dusan's hard work, enthusiasm, and humor... Show more
    Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 1Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 2Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 3Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 4Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 5Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) customer review photo 6
    Trip date: October 2024
  • JJ
    · October 1st, 2024
    Really enjoyable tour of the Balkans . It was incredibly well organizing, and the guide Simon was incredibly knowledgeable and looked after the group really well. No
    Show more
    Travel Talk commented on this review
    Hi Jodie, thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed your tour of the Balkans. Simon truly has a talent for guiding and ensuring everyone has a great time. We appreciate your kind words about the organization and... Show more
    Trip date: September 2024
  • Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) reviewer 8
    · September 8th, 2024
    The tour met/exceeded expectations that have been set in its elevator pitch. Bojan, with his Serbian sense oh humor, has been an amazing guide.
    Show more
    Travel Talk commented on this review
    Hi Niloy, thank you for your kind review! We’re so glad to hear that you had a wonderful time on your tour through the Balkans, experiencing all of the amazing things it has to offer. We will be sure to pass your feedback onto your guide as we know they... Show more
    Trip date: August 2024
  • FF
    · September 5th, 2024
    Itinerary was fantastic. There is no way one can see all these beautiful places over 9 days without an experience tour. The guide (Bojan) was very pleasant, helpful, caring, and fun. Local guides were very knowledgeable and passionate about their work. Accommodations were not the best, but you have to realize where you are traveling and be considerate of their very turbulent recent history.
    Show more
    Travel Talk commented on this review
    Hi Forough, thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you loved the itinerary and enjoyed the beautiful places we visited. It’s great to know that Bojan and the local guides made your experience enjoyable with their care and... Show more
    Trip date: August 2024
  • JC
    · August 30th, 2024
    Embarked on this trip with no expectations and was pleasantly surprised by how lovely the people were and how affected these countries were by communism. Our guide, Simon, was passionate and so knowledgeable of the region. Our driver, Sacha, was an amazing driver. He kept us safe even in the crazy Albania.
    Show more
    Travel Talk commented on this review
    Hi Jennifer, thank you for your kind review! We’re so glad to hear that you had a wonderful time on your tour through the Balkans, experiencing all of the amazing things it has to offer. We will be sure to pass your feedback onto the whole team involved... Show more
    Trip date: August 2024

Dates & Availability

9 days
Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels)
From Sofia to Sofia

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From
$3,357
-40%
NZ $2,014
Find this price
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $240 now + easy payments of $223 Learn More

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • T

    Terry

    Asked on May 13th, 2025

    Is this tour also available for 64 years old Male?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten May 2025

      Yes, absolutely – this tour is available for a 64-year-old male. Let us know if you'd like help with the booking or have any other questions!

    • T

      Terry

      TravelerWritten May 2025

      I just wanted to confirm, as on the tour information age is mentioned as 18 to 59.

    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten May 2025

      The age range of 18 to 59 mentioned on the tour page is simply a guideline based on the average age of our travelers. It is not a strict restriction, and we welcome travelers of all ages as long as they are fit and comfortable with the pace of the tour.

    • T

      Terry

      TravelerWritten May 2025

      Would that be okay, or when is the tour expected to finish?

    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten May 2025

      This tour unfortunately concludes around 6:00 PM. If the 18:30 flight is your only suitable option, you may choose to leave the tour a bit earlier than the rest of the group to make it in time for your flight.

    • T

      Terry

      TravelerWritten May 2025

      Will a Schengen visa be sufficient for this tour? I noticed that only 8 breakfasts are included—could you please confirm if other meals are also provided? Will there be one tour operator throughout the trip, or will it change at different points?

    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten May 2025

      We do not have up-to-date information on visa requirements. Please consult the official embassy or consulate of each country included in the tour to confirm if your Schengen visa will be sufficient. Yes, only 8 breakfasts are included. Other meals are not provided. There will be a different tour guide for each region of the trip.

    • T
      6 more answers
  • J

    Joseph

    Asked on May 12th, 2025

    Would you be able to make an exception for him to join this trip? would that be possible?

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten May 2025

      While we typically have age guidelines for our tours, we're happy to make an exception for him to join. He's welcome to participate and will be accommodated in a shared twin room with another male solo traveler.

  • C

    Colleen

    Asked on April 28th, 2025

    The brochure doesn't say how many nights accommodation, is the 9th night in Sofia included on 6th July?

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten April 2025

      The itinerary is for 9 days, which includes 8 nights of accommodation. Therefore, the 9th night in Sofia on July 6th is not included.

    • C

      Colleen

      TravelerWritten April 2025

      When you click on accommodation, instead of saying how many nights it says 4 stars. Can you give us a quote on 1 more shared night in Sofia please?

    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten April 2025

      Unfortunately, we do not provide accommodation on a per-night basis. If you wish to add an extra night at the end of the tour in the same hotel, you'll need to contact the hotel directly to arrange the booking.

    • C

      Colleen

      TravelerWritten April 2025

      What is the hotel's name, address, or website please?

    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten April 2025

      The hotel in Sofia is Novotel Sofia, Address: 115 N, м. Кър, Boulevard "Tsarigradsko shose" Blvd, 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria

    • C
      4 more answers
  • S

    Shirley

    Asked on April 20th, 2025

    would you be able to tell me how much driving is involved with each day of this tour?

    Tour Details
    Transport
    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten April 2025

      Driving Time Estimates Per Day: Day 1: Belgrade - No long-distance driving. Only airport transfer (approx. 20–30 mins from airport to hotel). Day 2: Belgrade - No long-distance driving. Full day exploring Belgrade with a city tour on foot and optional panoramic tour in the evening. Day 3: Belgrade → Sarajevo - Approx. 6.5–7.5 hours driving. Includes time for breaks and border crossing. Day 4: Sarajevo → Mostar → Trebinje - Approx. 5–6 hours driving total. Sarajevo to Mostar: ~2.5 hours. Mostar to Trebinje: ~2.5–3 hours. Day 5: Trebinje → Dubrovnik → Trebinje (Day trip) - Approx. 3–3.5 hours total. Trebinje to Dubrovnik: ~1.5 hours each way (plus border crossing delays). Day 6: Trebinje → Kotor → Shkoder - Approx. 5.5–6.5 hours total. Trebinje to Kotor: ~2 hours. Kotor to Shkoder: ~3.5–4.5 hours (scenic mountain roads + border). Day 7: Shkoder → Tirana → Ohrid - Approx. 6–7 hours total. Shkoder to Tirana: ~2 hours. Tirana to Ohrid: ~4.5–5 hours (border crossing into North Macedonia). Day 8: Ohrid → Skopje - Approx. 3–3.5 hours. Day 9: Skopje → Sofia - Approx. 4–5 hours (Depending on the wait at the North Macedonia-Bulgaria border)

    • S

      Shirley

      TravelerWritten April 2025

      can we fly out from Sofia on the same evening the tour ends, what time would we arrive in Sofia on day 9?

    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten April 2025

      You can fly out from Sofia on the same evening the tour ends. The 9-day tour finishes around 6:00 PM on Day 9 in front of the Novotel Sofia Hotel, so any flights departing later in the evening should work just fine.

    • S
      2 more answers
  • C

    Cynthia

    Asked on April 16th, 2025

    Is the upper age range of 59 a suggestion or a hard upper limit?

    Age Range
    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten April 2025

      The upper age range listed (e.g., 18–59) is a guideline, not a strict limit. It's intended to reflect the typical age range of travelers who join the tour. That said, we regularly welcome travelers over 59 who are young at heart, active, and ready for adventure! If you're fit, mobile, and comfortable with the tour pace and style, you're more than welcome to join.

  • S

    Stuart

    Asked on April 16th, 2025

    I am 73 I am mobile-ie I am able to walk freely and don't need assistance to get on or off a bus as I am up and down the stairs in my house all day. I do all my own housework, shopping and gardening as I grow an organic food garden in my backyard. I don't need nor take any medication. Unless you are running a marathon, is there a reason why I can't manage this Tour. What is the most strenuous part of this Tour.

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten April 2025

      You are absolutely welcome to join the tour. The age guideline is there as a general reference, but what truly matters is your overall health, mobility, and enthusiasm for travel. This tour does not involve any highly strenuous activities. While there may be some walking tours and occasional stairs or uneven surfaces, it sounds like you are more than capable of managing these comfortably.

  • A

    Ashley

    Asked on April 14th, 2025

    Can I join your trip "Best of Balkans"? I am 71 years old but very fit.

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten April 2025

      You're welcome to join. We recommend booking a single supplement to ensure your comfort throughout the trip, especially since shared accommodations are not guaranteed to be age-matched.

    • A

      Ashley

      TravelerWritten April 2025

      Is transfer to the airport included on the last 9th day of the tour? What are the costs of optional tours and entry to sights? What is the weather in the Balkans in June (5-13 June)?

    • A

      Ashley

      TravelerWritten April 2025

      What are the requirements for the mentioned countries on the tour for entry with an American passport, do i need a visa?

    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten April 2025

      Airport transfer is only on Day 1 of the tour. Optional Activities Costs: Kravice Waterfalls - EUR 30, Dubrovnik Boat Trip - EUR 40, Balkan Night with Dinner - EUR 35, St. Naum Tour - EUR 25. Weather in the Balkans (June 5-13): warm and pleasant, daytime temperatures 22°C to 28°C. Recommend checking official government travel advice for visa requirements.

    • A
      A
      3 more answers
  • T

    Tanya

    Asked on April 11th, 2025

    I am 62 yrs old, but am active and have travelled to 101 countries (so far). Hope I can get an exception to join this trip.

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten April 2025

      You are absolutely welcome to join the tour. We'd be delighted to have such an experienced and well-travelled adventurer on board!

  • A

    Anthony

    Asked on March 17th, 2025

    Is there a time I need to arrive by on 6/28? I would need to fly out on 7/5. Is there a time we will be back and done? Is this tour offerred only in english?

    Flights / Transfers
    Tour Details
    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten March 2025

      On day 1 of the tour, passengers are expected to meet in the hotel lobby at 7 PM, so you can arrive anytime before that. The tour starts on Saturday, June 28, 2025, and ends on Sunday, July 6, 2025. All of our tours are conducted in English only, so you'll be able to enjoy the tour without any language barriers.

    • A

      Anthony

      TravelerWritten March 2025

      On Sunday 7/6 what time does the tour end? One of my options is a morning flight which I am not sure if it is feasible. Alternatively if I decided to fly out 7/7 would I be able to add on an extra night at where we stay 7/6?

    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten March 2025

      On the last day of the tour, Sunday, 6th July, the tour concludes at 6 PM. As you will be traveling from Skopje and finishing in Sofia, the tour will conclude in front of your initial hotel (Novotel Sofia) where you first stayed at the beginning of the tour. If you decide to fly out on 7th July and need an extra night at the hotel, you will need to reach out to the hotel directly.

    • A
      2 more answers
  • R

    Ruth

    Asked on March 14th, 2025

    how much is airline ticket

    Flights / Transfers
    • Travel TalkOperatorWritten March 2025

      Airfare is not included in our tours unless the flights are a part of the tour itinerary, passengers are required to book their flights to and from the destination separately.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Travel Talk with your enquiry, they usually respond within 1 day.

Good to Know

Tour ID: 125893

  • Currencies
    L
    Lek
    Albania
    KM
    Convertible Mark
    Bosnia
    лв.
    Bulgarian Lev
    Bulgaria
    kn
    Kuna
    Croatia
    ден
    Denar
    Macedonia
    Euro
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

    Type C
    Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro
    Type E
    Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro
    Type F
    Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Albania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an infected area for Albania. Ideally 10 days before travel.
    • Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Albania and Croatia. Ideally 6 months before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Bosnia and Bulgaria. Ideally 3 months before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before August 21st, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 21st, 2025, a minimum payment of $240 is required to confirm your booking with Travel Talk. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Travel Talk will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Travel Talk" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.