Itinerary
- Day 1
Ljubljana
You'll arrive in Ljubljana and head straight into exploring the capital. Grab coffee by the river to start, then make your way to the Dragon Bridge. After that, you'll walk up to the castle for views across the city. Spend time wandering the old town, checking out street art and local shops, then end the evening at a floating bar on the Ljubljanica River.
Optional Activities
- Funicular ride to Ljubljana Castle with glass walls and views
- Coffee at Cafetino by the river
- Photo with Dragon Bridge stone dragons
- Castle overview visit with views of red roofs, narrow alleyways and Alps
- Drift through old town discovering stores and street art
- Eggs Benedict at Ek Bistro
- Visit Metelkova former barracks area with art and alternative vibes
- Sundowner at Makalonca floating bar on the Ljubljanica
Landmarks Dragon Bridge Ljubljana Castle Metelkova Cafetino Ek Bistro - Day 2
Ljubljana to Škocjan Caves
Pick up your VW campervan and drive toward Croatia. You'll stop at Škocjan Caves to see the underground passages and gorges. Later, you'll settle in at a beachfront campground where the sound of morning waves becomes your alarm.
Included Activities
- VW T4 campervan pickup and orientation
Optional Activities
- Škocjan Caves exploration with underground caves and gorges
Landmarks Škocjan Caves - Day 3
Island of Krk
Wake to the turquoise Adriatic and explore Krk island. You'll stroll through Vrbnik's narrow streets and find Europe's narrowest passageway. By boat, head to Golden Beach for swimming and snorkeling. Dinner comes at a traditional konoba where you'll try fresh local fish with žlahtina wine.
Optional Activities
- Walk through Vrbnik narrow streets
- Visit Europe's narrowest passageway
- Boat trip to Golden Beach
- Cliff jumping at Golden Beach
- Snorkeling at Golden Beach
- Traditional konoba dinner with fresh fish and žlahtina wine
Landmarks Vrbnik Golden Beach - Day 4
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Drive through Croatia's interior to reach Plitvice Lakes. You'll walk wooden pathways past 16 emerald lakes with cascading waterfalls. The Veliki Slap waterfall and dense forests surround you as you spend the day exploring this pristine landscape.
Optional Activities
- Plitvice Lakes National Park exploration with wooden walkways
- Viewing Veliki Slap waterfall
Landmarks Plitvice Lakes National Park Veliki Slap - Day 5
Una National Park, Bosnia
Cross into Bosnia and head to Una National Park to see the blue river. You'll visit the powerful Štrbački Buk waterfall, then discover Mlinčići with its old watermills and cascades. Camp by the river later and fall asleep under the stars.
Optional Activities
- Una National Park exploration
- Štrbački Buk waterfall viewing
Landmarks Una National Park Štrbački Buk Mlinčići - Day 6
Srebrenik Castle, Northern Bosnia
Drive through northern Bosnia with forest and hill scenery all around. You'll climb to Srebrenik Castle perched on a rock with views stretching over forests and fields. Settle at a countryside campground as the day winds down.
Optional Activities
- Srebrenik Castle climb and exploration
Landmarks Srebrenik Castle - Day 7
Fruška Gora National Park and Danube, Serbia
Drive through northern Serbia into Fruška Gora National Park where hidden monasteries sit among forests and hills. By sunset you'll reach the golden Danube River and park with a view. Watch boats drift past as daylight fades.
Optional Activities
- Fruška Gora National Park exploration
- Monastery visits
Landmarks Fruška Gora National Park Danube River - Day 8
Resava Cave and Jelašnička Klisura, Serbia
Visit Resava Cave to see the stalactites and magical lighting inside. After that, you'll explore Jelašnička Klisura canyon with wild rock formations and hiking trails. Park the van at sunset and take time to soak in the landscape around you.
Optional Activities
- Resava Cave exploration with stalactites and lighting
- Jelašnička Klisura canyon exploration and hiking trails
Landmarks Resava Cave Jelašnička Klisura - Day 9
Matka Canyon, North Macedonia
Cross into North Macedonia and reach Matka Canyon with steep rock faces and emerald green water. You'll kayak through narrow gorges past caves and see wildlife. Dinner features traditional Macedonian tav čevglav and homemade bread.
Optional Activities
- Matka Canyon kayaking through narrow gorge
- Cave exploration in Matka Canyon
- Traditional Macedonian meal with tavčevglav
Landmarks Matka Canyon - Day 10
Lake Ohrid and St. John of Kaneo, North Macedonia
Drive through Sharri and Mavrovo National Parks taking in mountain views. You'll stop at Lake Mavrovo to see the half-submerged monastery, then continue to Lake Ohrid. Visit the Church of St. John of Kaneo which sits dramatically on the water.
Optional Activities
- Lake Mavrovo stop and monastery viewing
- Church of St. John of Kaneo visit
Landmarks Sharri National Park Mavrovo National Park Lake Mavrovo Lake Ohrid Church of St. John of Kaneo - Day 11
Lake Ohrid and St. Naum Monastery
Stay at Lake Ohrid for a relaxation day. You'll kayak across glass-smooth water where fish jump nearby. Visit St. Naum Monastery on the lake with peacocks on the grounds, and row a boat through the emerald green springs.
Optional Activities
- Kayaking on Lake Ohrid
- St. Naum Monastery visit
- Emerald springs exploration by rowing boat
Landmarks Lake Ohrid St. Naum Monastery - Day 12
Albania and Durrës
Leave Lake Ohrid and drive through Albania past Shebenik National Park toward the coast. You'll experience Tirana's vibrant chaos, then reach Durrës on the Mediterranean. Camp on the beach or cliff with Adriatic views.
Optional Activities
- Shebenik National Park viewing
Landmarks Shebenik National Park Tirana Durrës - Day 13
Durrës Amphitheater and Gjenerali Beach
Start with a swim in the warm Adriatic. You'll then explore Durrës' bustling streets where markets and local life happen around you. Check out the ancient 2000-year-old amphitheater, then head to secluded Gjenerali Beach for swimming and relaxation.
Optional Activities
- Swim in Adriatic Sea
- Durrës street and market exploration
- Durrës Amphitheater visit
- Gjenerali Beach relaxation and swimming
Landmarks Durrës Amphitheater Gjenerali Beach - Day 14
Shkodra and Lake Shkodra, Albania
Drive to Shkodra, a lively city with street art and small cafés throughout. You'll climb Rozafa Castle for panoramic views over the city, lake, and distant Montenegro mountains. Camp by the lake and kayak through clear waters where pelicans and birds pass by.
Optional Activities
- Rozafa Castle climb and exploration
- Lake Shkodra kayaking
Landmarks Shkodra Rozafa Castle Lake Shkodra - Day 15
Montenegrin Coast and Budva
Drive along the spectacular Adriatic coast with mountain villages on slopes and beaches tucked between rocks. You'll pass the island of Sveti Stefan, then reach Budva with its cobblestone old town, beach clubs, and a harbor lined with yachts.
Optional Activities
- Velika Plaža beach stop
- Hidden bay exploration
- Sveti Stefan island viewing
Landmarks Velika Plaža Sveti Stefan Budva - Day 16
Budva Beach or Lovćen National Park
You'll choose between relaxation or adventure. Take a ferry to Hawaii Beach on Sveti Nikola island for fine sand and turquoise water, or head to Lovćen National Park. If you go there, you'll climb to 1,600 meters above sea level then ascend 461 steps to the highest mausoleum in Europe.
Optional Activities
- Ferry to Hawaii Beach on Sveti Nikola island
- Hawaii Beach swimming and relaxation
- Lovćen National Park exploration
- Njegoš Mausoleum climb with 461 steps
Landmarks Hawaii Beach Sveti Nikola island Lovćen National Park Njegoš Mausoleum - Day 17
Bay of Kotor and Dubrovnik, Croatia
Drive around the Bay of Kotor where mountains drop into water. You'll stop at Perast to see Venetian architecture and waterfront cafés. Then cross into Croatia and reach Dubrovnik to explore the old town walls and white limestone alleyways.
Optional Activities
- Perast stop and exploration
- Dubrovnik old town walk through Pile Gate
- Dubrovnik city wall walk
Landmarks Bay of Kotor Perast Dubrovnik Old Town Pile Gate Dubrovnik City Walls - Day 18
Kravica Waterfalls and Blagaj, Bosnia
Cross back into Bosnia and visit Kravica waterfalls cascading 25 meters into an emerald pool for swimming. You'll head to Blagaj to see the Sufi monastery on a rock with the powerful Buna spring next to it. Relax with Turkish coffee by the water.
Optional Activities
- Kravica waterfalls swimming and exploration
Landmarks Kravica Waterfalls Blagaj Blagaj Sufi Monastery Buna Spring - Day 19
Mostar
Take a day trip to Mostar where Orient and Balkans blend together uniquely. You'll see the famous Stari Most bridge, then climb the Koski Mehmed Pasha Minaret for views of the bridge and city. Watch professional bridge jumpers plunge 20 meters into the Neretva.
Optional Activities
- Mostar old town exploration
- Stari Most bridge viewing
- Koski Mehmed Pasha Minaret climb
Landmarks Mostar Stari Most Koski Mehmed Pasha Minaret - Day 20
Split, Croatia
Return to Croatia and reach Split to explore Diocletian's Palace, an ancient labyrinth with cafés between columns and shops within old walls. You'll stroll the Riva promenade with palm trees and yachts, then climb Marjan hill for views of Split and the Adriatic.
Optional Activities
- Diocletian's Palace exploration
Landmarks Diocletian's Palace Riva Promenade Marjan Hill - Day 21
Split to Home
Say goodbye to your VW campervan after 21 days through 7 countries. You'll head to the airport for your return flight, reflecting on mountain passes, pristine beaches, hidden waterfalls, and the open road behind you.
Included Activities
- VW T4 campervan return
