Balkan Heritage Trail – 8 Nights / 9 Days

Welcome to Zagreb

• Arrive in Zagreb and transfer to your hotel, where you’ll join the group from Slovenia around lunchtime.
• At approximately 4:00 p.m., begin a panoramic city tour with a local guide to explore the capital’s two hills, the historic upper town, and its modern neighbourhoods.
• Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Zagreb – Banja Luka – Jajce – Sarajevo

• Depart early in the morning for Bosnia, with expected delays due to border formalities.
• Travel through areas marked by the 1990s war as you pass through majority-Serb territories.
• Stop in Banja Luka, capital of Republika Srpska, for sightseeing and free time for lunch.
• Visit Jajce, considered the most beautiful town in Bosnia, to see its mosque, fortress, and famous waterfall (entry included).
• Arrive in Sarajevo by evening and enjoy a stroll through the Ottoman-style old bazaar, known for its traditional shops and oriental vibe.
• Dinner will be included.

Sarajevo – Mostar – Dubrovnik

• Begin with a guided tour of Sarajevo, often called the “Jerusalem of Europe”, known for its mix of mosques, churches, and synagogues.
• Explore the Ottoman-influenced old town, with highlights like a 500-year-old mosque and beautiful public fountain.
• Travel to Mostar and explore its charming historic centre, including the iconic stone bridge that separates Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic quarters.
• Cross into Croatia and continue to Dubrovnik, with possible delays at the border.
• Arrive in Dubrovnik by evening and enjoy dinner.

Dubrovnik

• Join a panoramic city tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide and enjoy breathtaking views from a scenic coastal viewpoint.
• Visit the Franciscan Monastery, home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and the Assumption Cathedral (entrance tickets included).
• Take a short boat trip to Lokrum Island to see the ruins of a Benedictine Monastery and popular Game of Thrones filming locations.
• Return to Dubrovnik and spend the afternoon at leisure.
• Dinner will be included.
• *Note: From November to March, the Lokrum boat service does not operate, and the island visit is omitted. Accommodation may occasionally be in Cavtat.

Dubrovnik – Ston – Split

• Depart Dubrovnik in the morning and enjoy scenic views along the Croatian coast.
• Stop at Ston, known for its long mediaeval defensive wall.
  Cross the sea on the impressive Pelješac Bridge.
  Arrive in Split around midday and enjoy a guided tour of the historic centre.
  Visit the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace and its maze of stone streets overlooking the
  Adriatic.
  Dinner will be included.

Split – Plitvice – Opatija

• Travel inland through hilly landscapes to reach Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Explore the park’s stunning waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and walking trails with included tickets for either a scenic boat or train ride.
• Explore waterfalls, wooden walkways, and forest trails
• Continue your journey north to the coastal town of Opatija, a charming resort known for its relaxed atmosphere.
• Dinner will be included.
• *Note: Due to weather or tourist volume, boat/train service in Plitvice may not always operate.

Opatija – Postojna – Bled – Ljubljana

• Cross into Slovenia with your first stop at Postojna Cave, one of the world’s largest, with part of the tour done by train.
• Continue to the fairytale town of Bled and take a boat ride to its island monastery nestled beneath the castle.
• Arrive in Ljubljana and take a guided walking tour to discover this charming Central European capital.
• Dinner will be included.

Ljubljana – Maribor – Zagreb

• Travel to Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city known for its cathedral and castle with Austrian influences.
• Proceed to Croatia, arriving in Zagreb by around 3:00 p.m.
• *Note: During winter months, the Ljubljana city tour may be moved to the morning before departing for Maribor.

Thursday – Zagreb (Departure)

• Enjoy breakfast before concluding your tour with wonderful memories.