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Classic Balkans: Trebinje to Tirana

14 days, Trebinje to Tirana

Map of the route for Classic Balkans: Trebinje to Tirana
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.

Your flight must arrive by or before: Arrive at any time.
Your flight must depart no earlier than: 20:00 on Day 14

Itinerary

Day 1Trebinje

Arrive at any time. After a welcome briefing, set off with your CEO on an evening orientation walk along the river and into the old town. Get your bearings of the area on the way to an optional group dinner.

Trebinje boasts beautiful views of the river and the walled city, and offers various squares, mosques, and intricate archways.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Evening Orientation Walk of Trebinje
Trebinje1h

Take an evening orientation walk with your CEO along the river and onto the old town, The view from across the river of the old walled city is very pretty and serves as a great starting point from the hotel, it's also a great place to be introduced to the history and culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Continue around the wall to the market square to see where you can go in the morning to get some fresh fruits and food, then walk into the old town via the gate off the market square. See the various squares, the mosque and also one of the archways onto the water. In this area there are plenty of cool cafes to choose from for dinner, or to just have some street food.

1

Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow

Dubrovnik to Trebinje Transfer and Winery Visit
Dubrovnik – Trebinje

Set off from Dubrovnik and visit Tvrdos Monastery to sample some local wine before a stop at Hercegovacka Temple for great views of the city. Snap photos at the Arslanagic Bridge before arriving to Trebinje in the late afternoon. Travellers booking this option need to be at the meeting point in Dubrovnik no later than 12pm noon before departing for Trebinje. Anyone flying into Dubrovnik on this same day should arrive no later than 10am in order to arrive at the Dubrovnik meeting point in time for departure.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Hotel Integra (or similar)
Hotel

Day 2Trebinje

Today is all about local flavours, culture and long-standing traditions.. Explore the organic market to sample some options and learn of the local specialties before transferring to a women run apiary and see how they manage the hives. Continue to a farm that has specialized in cheese making for more than 5 generations. Visit the farm and share a delicious farm-to-table lunch with the family. Understanding the local culture is made easier by immersing yourself in the cuisine, and there is no better way than this. The rest of the day is free after returning to Trebinje in the aftenroon.

Your Foodie Moment: Trebinje Market Tour

Explore the local Green (Organic) Market. Begin with the meat and cheese vendors, sample some options and learn of the local specialties. Wander to the outdoor market and try seasonal fruits and vegetables grown from small scale farmers. Then meet with women who gather wile, medicinal plants and prepare traditional teas to cure various ailments.

Your Local Living Moment: Apiary Visit

Climb aboard a private bus and set off to a local, family run apiary. Meet your guide and learn of the 5 generations of women who've built the farm into what it is today. Suit up in protective gear should you wish, and see how they manage the hives. After, discover the honey and related products, learn more about the family history and enjoy the farm.

Your Local Living Moment: Cheese Making Farm Visit

Join our guide at a local farm that has specialized in cheese making over more than 5 generations. Today the farm is moving beyond just sustenance farming and joining the slow food movement to build awareness about organic food production. Here you'll visit the farm to witness the cheese production before enjoying lunch with the family, outside overlooking the farm. Cheese and meat made on site, fruits and vegetables grown on the farm, and homemade bread - it doesn't get more farm to table than that.

Accommodation

Hotel Integra (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 3Trebinje/Čitluk

Head out of Trebinje in the morning by bus for a day of highlights. First, stop in Stolac to see the town centre then visit a UNESCO-listed site with ornamented necropolis tombstones to get a glimpse into how people lived in the Middle Ages. Continue to the spectacular Kravica waterfall and carry on to the lesser-visited Koćuša Waterfall to enjoy the scenery and have time for lunch. Later, travel to the town of Čitluk for the night and cap off the day with dinner at a winery, paired with their locally produced wines.

Private Vehicle
Trebinje – Stolac1h30m-2h80km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Stolac Visit and Necropolis Tombstones
Stolac1h30m

Visit the town centre of Stolac and learn about its history before reaching the Necropolis 'stećak' tombstones. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the necropolis consists of hundreds of ornamented tombstones and is part of a large local complex, one of many such sites across Bosnia and Herzegovina which give insights into how people lived in the Middle Ages.

Private Vehicle
Stolac – Kravica1h42km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Kravica Waterfall
Kravica

Take a moment to enjoy the Kravica waterfalls, arguably one of the most beautiful natural sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Surrounded by poplars and figs, this 25 meter high waterfall is a sight to be seen.

Private Vehicle
Kravica – Veljaci45m-1h20km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Koćuša Waterfall
Veljaci1h30m-2h

The Koćuša Waterfall sits near the village of Veljaci on the Trebižat River. Enjoy time to visit this spectacular waterfall, a hidden gem with a restaurant on-site.

Private Vehicle
Veljaci – Čitluk30m24km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Villa and Winecellar Ostojic (or similar)
Agriturismo

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 4Čitluk/Mostar

Immerse yourself in history today by visiting the Pocitelj Ottoman stone town and art colony, taking a short hike to the Blagaj Fortress, and soaking in the natural beauty of the Dervish Monastery, built on cliffs by the water at the mouth of the Buna River. Later, continue to the city of Mostar and set off on a guided walking tour before spending the rest of the evening at leisure.

Private Vehicle
Čitluk – Počitelj30m24km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Počitelj Fortress Visit
Počitelj1h

Explore Pocitelj, an old Ottoman stone town and art colony boasting beautiful views of the surrounding village. Located along the Neretva river, Pocitelj is considered an open-air museum and hold significant architectural and historic value. Artists gather from around the world to be part of the largest operating art colony in southeast Europe.

Private Vehicle
Počitelj – Blagaj30m20km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Blagaj Fortress Hike
Blagaj1h

Hike for approximately 20 minutes to explore the Blagaj Fortress, once hold to the Ruler of the region prior to the Ottoman conquest. The fortress sits atop the mountain, overlooking the Buna River spring below.

Dervish Monastery Visit
Blagaj1h

This Ottoman-era building, built in 1520, is located at the base of an enormous cliff, next to a small waterfall from the Buna river. Take in the stunning blue water that's said to contain mystic properties.

Private Vehicle
Blagaj – Mostar30m20km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Guided Walking Tour of Mostar
Mostar1h30m

Join a local expert guide and set off on a walking tour of the beautiful city of Mostar and it's historic buildings and landmarks. See the iconic old bridge over the Neretva River and wander the narrow alleys lined with shops and market stalls. Visit a 17th century Turkish house and enjoy a coffee while hearing all about the storied history of the city.

Accommodation

Hotel Almira (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 5Mostar/Sarajevo

Transfer from Mostar to Sarajevo today, stopping at Tito's Bunker along the way. Explore the underground complex and learn of the Cold War-era history that made it come to be in the former communist Yugoslavia. Continue to the vibrant city of Sarajevo and be immersed in the local culinary scene on a history and food tour that will serve as a delicious dinner this evening and a great introduction to the city.

Private Vehicle
Mostar – Konjic1h30m70km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Tito's Bunker
Konjic1h30m

Explore the Cold War-era nuclear bunker and military command centre built in the 1950s for Josip Broz Tito, esteemed leader of Yugoslavia. Located near Konjic, the top-secret bunker was designed to be an intricate underground complex providing safety and security.

Private Vehicle
Konjic – Sarajevo1h30m60km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your Foodie Moment: Sarajevo Food Tour

Immerse yourself in the culture by sampling traditional Bosnian flavours. Learn about the rich history while exploring important landmarks, tiny alleys, local restaurants, and hawker markets with a local expert. Discover the city beyond the tourist attractions and fill your belly; what could be better?

Accommodation

Hotel Cosmopolit (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 6Sarajevo

Take advantage of a free day to get the most out of the beautiful city of Sarajevo. Dive into the history and tragic past with countless museums and culturally significant monuments, take a graffiti art tour or just relax and sample local flavours at one of the many cafes.

Free Time
Sarajevo Full Day

Set out to explore this historic city at your own pace. You may choose to take the funicular up to the old bobsled track or visit the Museum of the Assassination of Franz Ferdinand.

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Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow

National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo1h-2h
10-30BAM per person

Founded in 1888, the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is one of the oldest cultural and scientific institutions in the country.

Times of Misfortune Tour & Tunnel Museum
Sarajevo
54BAM per person

Walk in the footsteps of Sarajevans who endured the Siege (1992-1995). Visit many historical sights including a stunning viewpoint over the city, a cemetery were the defenders of Sarajevo are buried, and Sniper Ally. Learn about the Siege and absorb interesting stories about daily life.

Gallery 11/07/95
Sarajevo1h-2h
12-15BAM per person

This gallery space aims to preserve the memory on Srebrenica tragedy and 8372 persons who tragically lost their lives during the genocide through photography, video and interactive documentary.

Sarajevo Graffiti Art Tour
Sarajevo

Meet up with a guide and certified local artists to learn all about Sarajevo street art and then get hands-on and spray-paint yourself on the 1984 Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh track. Learn all about spray painting and gain insights about Sarajevo's history through concepts of art.

Accommodation

Hotel Cosmopolit (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 7Sarajevo/Kotor

Depart from Sarajevo after breakfast for the drive into Montenegro with a stop at Bileća to stretch the legs and have a bite to eat. Arrive to Kotor in the afternoon and check into the hotel. In the evening, set off with your CEO on an orientation walk of Kotor's old town. Get your bearings of the area on the way to an optional group dinner.

Private Vehicle
Sarajevo – Kotor

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Kotor Old Town Orientation Walk
Kotor1h

Kotor is a fortified town on Montenegro’s Adriatic coast, in a bay near the limestone cliffs of Mt. Lovćen. Characterized by winding streets and squares, its medieval old town has several Romanesque churches, including Kotor Cathedral. It's also home to the Maritime Museum, which explores local seafaring history. Sveti Đorđe, one of 2 tiny islands off the ancient town of Perast, features a centuries-old church.

Accommodation

Hotel Splendido Kotor (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 8Kotor

Hop on a boat from Kotor's port area and set off on a scenic ride in the Bay of Kotor, seeing a number of small islands and historical sites before arriving to the town of Perast. Spend some time exploring and wandering Perast's old town before returning to Kotor around midday. The rest of the day is free for individual exploration or for optional activities like museum visits or sea kayaking.

Kotor Boat Tour
Kotor2h-2h30m

Set off from Kotor’s historic centre for a scenic boat ride past St. Mateus Church and the Temple of Our Lady to the artificial island known as Our Lady of the Rock. Afterwards, spend free time in Perast to admire the old town sights. Visit the 15th-century Our Lady of the Rock at your own pace Sightsee, dine, and shop in Perast’s historic center independently before returning to Kotor.

Free Time
Kotor Afternoon

Enjoy a free afternoon in Kotor to continue exploring.

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Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow

Kotor Maritime Museum
Kotor
4EUR per person

At the Maritime Museum, explore the history, culture and living artifacts that connect modern Kotor with its centuries-old naval traditions. Learn about the Boka Marines, a fraternity of sailors and navigators who helped shipbuilding flourish in the Balkans.

Sea Kayaking
Kotor
20EUR per person

Head out by sea kayak to fully appreciate this gorgeous area. Start just outside the Old Town walls and explore the coast. Stop at a beach bar for a break or a swim.

Kotor City Exploration
Kotor15m-30m
Free

Take some time to explore this picturesque town surrounded by a walled fortress built by the Republic of Venice. Kotor has a Mediterranean feel to it and the bay offers a stunning backdrop for photographs.

Accommodation

Hotel Splendido Kotor (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 9Kotor/Žabljak

Travel south from Kotor to the coastal seaport town of Budva. Visit the old town on a walk with your CEO then continue inland to visit the striking Ostrog Monasteray, perched high on a mountain cliff face, offering great views from the top. After lunch, drive towards Zabljak, a serene natural haven with diverse terrain and forest shade - our stop for the night.

Private Vehicle
Bogetići – Žabljak2h-2h30m110km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Private Vehicle
Budva – Bogetići1h30m-2h107km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Private Vehicle
Kotor – Budva45m23km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Ostrog Monastery Visit
Bogetići30m

The 17th century Ostrog Monastery and pilgrimage site that was rebuilt in the 1920s and dedicated to Saint Basil of Ostrog. Strikingly located high up against the cliff face, you'll visit the Lower Ostrog Monastery, and admire the views of Montenegrian countryside, the mountains and the cliff Monastery.

Budva Old Town Walk
Budva1h-1h30m

Join your CEO for a walk in the old town of Budva: Stone walls built by the Venetians surround the narrow streets of the medieval old town (Stari Grad). This historic district is home to a seaside citadel and religious sites such as the Church of Santa Maria in Punta, established in the 9th century.

Accommodation

Enigma Hotel (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 10Žabljak/Kolašin

Head out after breakfast and drive to a hidden gem of natural beauty in Montenegro, Biogradska Gora National Park. Spend most of the day in the park, walking with the CEO around the lake and taking in the pristine forest and mountain scenery. After lunch in the park enjoy a bit of free time to rent a boat, a bike or a kayak to further explore the area. In the late afternoon, drive to the nearby town of Kolasin for the night, with an included dinner at our accommodation.

Private Vehicle
Žabljak – Nacionalni Park Biogradska Gora2h-2h30m100km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Biogradska Gora National Park Visit
Nacionalni Park Biogradska Gora5h

Set off with the CEO on a walk around Biogradska Gora National Park: Walk around the Beiogradsko lake to discover this pearl of European natural heritage. Today almost the only European rainforest, was for a long time under the protection of rulers of these areas, and the National Park Biogradska Gora people say that not a single tree has been cut in it. Today, this natural reservation preserves dozens of plant and hundreds of animal species, which can only be found in this place in all of Europe. Biogradska Gora was proclaimed National Park in 1952.

Private Vehicle
Nacionalni Park Biogradska Gora – Kolašin45m-1h25km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel Serdar (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Dinner

Day 11Kolašin/Podgorica

Get picked up at the hotel in the morning by 4x4 vehicles for an unforgettable adventure. Head off-road and explore Montenegro's incredibly beautiful back country while traversing rugged terrain through mountains and forest. After lunch, take a bus south to the capital city of Podgorica and set off on a a walking exploration of the old town, once a medieval stronghold. Enjoy an optional final dinner out with the group in the old town or near the hotel.

Kolašin 4x4 Off-Road Excursion
Kolašin4h

Be immersed in Montenegro's landscapes on a 4x4 excursion into the back-country. Head off-road in 4x4 vehicles to traverse the mountains, rivers and forests while exploring some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Stop at various viewpoints along the way for photos before returning to Kolašin around midday.

Private Vehicle
Kolašin – Podgorica1h30m60km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Podgorica Old Town Orientation Walk
Podgorica1h

The Old Town of Podgorica was a medieval stronghold. Near Ribnica and the bridge lies the old fortress built by the Turks in the 15th century, originally named Stari Grad, which Marko Miljanov wrote about in his book ” The Examples of Humanity and Bravery”. Although much of the structure has succumbed to time, the ruins offer a poignant reminder of Podgorica’s medieval heritage and the city’s strategic importance throughout the centuries.Throughout history and various upheavals, the fortress has borne many names, such as Ribnica, Birziminijum, Nemanja’s city, and Podgorica fortress. Visitors to Stari Grad can explore the ruins and imagine the fortress in its heyday. Today, it offers a unique backdrop for cultural events and a serene spot for visitors to reflect on the layers of history that define Podgorica.

Accommodation

Hotel Kerber (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 12Podgorica/Shkodër

Depart Podgorica and cross into Albania, reaching the beautiful natural scenery of Theth National Park. Explore the area with your CEO, walking through meadows full of wildflowers surrounded by mountain peaks, and marvel at the 25m high Grunasi Waterfall, cascading from a limestone cliff. In the afternoon continue to the city of Shkodër and check into the hotel, with the rest of the evening free to relax.

Private Vehicle
Podgorica – Theth3h92km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Theth National Park Visit
Theth2h

Visit Theth National Park with your CEO. Situated at the end of a winding mountain road, Theth is home to just a few houses surrounded by looming mountain peaks and meadows full of wildflowers. Just 45 minutes from Theth village is the beautiful Grunasi Waterfall, a huge 25-meter-high cascade that falls from a dramatic limestone cliff. It’s a 45-minute walk each way that crosses rocky paths and follows along the mountain river before heading up into the woods. As you go, discover wonderful views out across the mountain peaks—this is nature at its finest!

Private Vehicle
Theth – Shkodër2h77km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Hotel Treva (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 13Shkodër

Set off this morning on a guided walking tour of Shkodër to see some of the main sights and to learn a bit about the city's history. Starting from the Ottoman-era Mesi bridge, walk to the old town and take in the panoramic views from Rozafa castle. Shkodër's cultural heritage is on full display through its historic architecture and monuments. The rest of the day is free to explore, visit museums or relax at a cafe or at the hotel.

Free Time
Shkodër

Sett off and explore Shkodër on your own this afternoon

Guided Walking Tour of Shkodër
Shkodër1h-1h30m

Take a guided walking tour of the old town of Shkodër. Start with the Rozafa castle and then the Mesi bridge, then go into the old town to explore. The viewpoint from Rozafa castle gives you plenty of photos opportunities, with stunning views of Albania’s "Accursed Mountains". The city’s rich cultural heritage can be seen through its traditional architecture, monuments, and museums which tell stories from different eras of Albanian history. From ancient Illyrian settlements to Ottoman occupations and Italian rule during World War II – each period has left its mark on the cityscape of Shkodër for visitors to explore today.

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Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow

Site of Memory and Memorial Museum
Shkodër

This museum commemorates the victims of the communist regime in Shkodër; A visit starts with some general information about communism persecution in Shkodër, with a permanent exhibition of objects and documents of the time and ends in the original pre-trial holdings cells where prisoners were kept and tortured until their initial trial appearance. The museum's mission is to create a collective memory of recent past, to educate the new generation who should become aware of the past mistakes and never repeat them again.

Venice Art Mask Factory
Shkodër
3EUR per person

The Venice Art Mask Factory mask show features the most extensive and unique collection of Venetian luxury baroque hand crafted masks in paper mache and ceramic.

Accommodation

Hotel Treva (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast

Day 14Shkodër/Tirana

Travel south from Shkodër this morning and stop in the small mountain town of Kruje. Explore the city on foot learn a bit about its fascinating history and significance since Roman times. After time for lunch, continue driving south to the city of Tirana, Albania's capital, where the tour ends on arrival at approximately 5pm.

Please do not book onward travel from Tirana before 8pm.

Private Vehicle
Shkodër – Krujë2h85km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Kruje Entrance Fees
Krujë1h30m

Set off on a walking tour of Kruje with your CEO. Krujë is more than just a small mountain village in Albania – it holds historical importance for various reasons. Back in the day, around the Roman era, the area was home to the so-called Albani. This ancient Balkan tribe turned the area into one of the more important cities of that time. Later, during the Middle Ages, it became the first capital of the Albanian state. However, the village is best known as the hometown of national hero Skanderbeg, a military commander who fought off Ottoman forces for 25 whole years before his death in 1468. Check the Old Bazaar and the Castle of Kruja.

Private Vehicle
Krujë – Tirana1h40km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Classic Balkans: Trebinje to Tirana

| 14 days - Trebinje to Tirana - from $2999 USD