South Balkans: Bays & Bazaars 2027-28

Welcome to adventure: arrive at tonight’s hotel, say hey to your new roomie if you’re travelling solo and sharing, and meet the people you’re spending the next 16 days with. Hungry? Dinner’s on us so you can concentrate on a spontaneous game of two truths and a lie with the group

Morning walks: a local guide whisks you though the sun-drenched streets of Dubrovnik on a journey packed with ancient history, personal anecdotes and the echoing shouts of ‘shame!’. 

Moving on to Mostar: famous for its Stari Most (Old Bridge), a curved bridge that has people bungee jumping towards the water below, Mostar is your step into an epic fantasy book. Get to know this city on your own terms and visit the traditional baklava shop for a sweet treat! 

Relaxing mornings: the first few hours of the day are yours to explore more of Mostar at your own pace. Sit beside the river, soaking up the morning sun before it gets too hot. Temperatures in Mostar soar in peak summer. 

Midday discoveries: find your Trip Leader in the hustle and bustle of the Old Bazaar for a walk through the labyrinth of craft shops as locals barter over prized possessions. Sample local specialties such as burek, ćevapi, and baklava en route. Don’t forget to go back for any souvenirs that snag your interest! 

Afternoon departures: next stop, Bosnia & Herzegovina’s capital. Arrive before the sun sets beyond the distant mountains and stroll beside the river with your friends, finding a platter or two to share in one of the local restaurants. 

Sarajevo’s past: breakfast is the only solid plan today before you’re let loose on the city’s streets. If you want more history, there’s an optional deep dive into the siege of Sarajevo on the cards. Follow a local guide past key sites – gaining insider knowledge about the fall of Yugoslavia and the longest siege to occur in modern warfare.  

Evening chill: tomorrow's a big drive day as we cross the border into Montenegro. We suggest grabbing a quick dinner and an early night so you’re feeling fresh for the journey ahead (but that’s just us...). 

Shotgun the window seat: today’s journey will be 100% worth it for that first glimpse of the breathtaking Bay of Kotor. Cue: dramatic mountains, bright blue waters and a string of tiny coastal towns that appear trapped in time.   

Visit Kotor: do you want to stay grounded or fly high this afternoon? The choice is yours with an optional cable car experience that gives you views from the cloudless sky. After, head to the Old Town for a walking tour, followed by some free time to explore more. 

Budva’s next: the evening’s yours to get to know Budva in your own way. Snake through cobbled streets. Stroll along the beach as the sun sets. Then have your first taste of local dishes at dinner! 

Sun, sea and stone streets: after breakfast, set off to explore Budva on a walking tour with your Trip Leader. Its Old Town, perched on a tiny peninsula, is a maze of sunlit squares, medieval walls and hidden courtyards. 

The rest of the day is yours: pump your arms on an optional kayak tour of Sveti Nikola Island (Hawaii Island), an Adriatic escape just off the coast of Budva. Or settle yourself into a local coffee shop with your book or journal.  

Glassy waters and Skadar serenity: after breakfast, it’s off to Virpazar, the gateway to mighty Lake Skadar – one of Europe’s largest freshwater lakes. Hop on a boat and drift past mountains and wetlands, keeping your eyes peeled for waterbirds and letting the stillness of the landscape do the rest. 

Myths and legends: continue north to Shkodra and explore the legendary Rozafa Castle, perched above rivers with panoramic views. Crumbling walls, sweeping views and a legend or two – this castle doesn’t do ordinary. After, why not try some tave krapi – a local dish made with carp from Lake Shkodra. 

Fjords and ferries: gobble a packed breakfast before hopping aboard the Komani Lake ferry for one of the Balkans’ most jaw-dropping rides. Glide past emerald waters, towering cliffs and fjord-like gorges that feel almost otherworldly – the views are so cinematic, you’ll forget the bumpy road to get there.  

Stone streets and fortress panoramas: roll into Prizren and dive headfirst into its layered history with your Trip Leader. Stroll past Ottoman mosques, Orthodox churches and the old stone bridge, then climb up to the fortress for skyline views – a striking reminder of a city shaped by centuries of culture, conquest and undeniable charm. 

Into North Macedonia: update that country tracking app on your phone as soon as you cross the border – between naps, snacks and gazing out of the window, of course. 

Walks through Old Town: in Ohrid, your Trip Leader’s got the route and the facts for a walking tour, including St. Bogorodica Perivlepta Church, a Byzantine beauty bursting with frescoes. Worked up a small sweat? A traditional ice cream will cool you down. 

Morning magic: start your morning exploring more of Ohrid’s cobbled streets, popping into churches, monuments and the Icon Gallery to marvel at Orthodox masterpieces.  

Bites, boats and breathtaking views: in the afternoon, opt to hop on a boat for a short cruise across Ohrid Lake – terracotta rooftops, ancient churches and tree-lined shores reflecting on the calm water serve up a view that’s almost too beautiful to believe on this UNESCO-listed gem. 

Back in Albania: after lounging on a coach for a few hours, get some steps in on a wander around Berat with your Trip Leader. Some spots you might tick off: Mangalem Quarter, Berat Castle and Gorica Bridge.  

Ride and glide: there’s an optional activity to hop onto an e-Bike for a tour that’ll help you explore more of the UNESCO World Heritage town packed with Ottoman-era houses, cobbled lanes and mismatch stone walls. With a local lunch thrown in too, it’s a win-win – in our opinion, of course.  

Dinner together: put your bank app away, this one’s on us. A taste of what’s to come? Hearty dishes, comfort food and rich flavours.  

Step into a story: head south to the UNESCO-listed Stone City of Gjirokastra to meet a local guide for a group wander through its limestone streets – past slate-roofed houses, lively bazaars and quirky shops. Climb to Gjirokastra Castle for sweeping valley views and mingle with locals to catch the rhythm of life in this mountain town. 

A lunch you can brag about: roll your sleeves up for a hands-on granny’s cooking class to learn how to make traditional Albanian dishes, before making your way to the Albanian Riviera. Along the coastal route, watch southern Albania’s landscapes unfold as the Ionian Sea sparkles on the horizon – a tasty, sun-soaked afternoon you won’t forget in a hurry. 

Pick your pace: lounge by the Ionian, opt to hop on a boat tour or drink in the coastal views from your hotel terrace. Craving a deeper dive into the sights? Hop on a boat to discover the turquoise coves of Kakome, Qefali and Krorez – secret beaches included. 

Golden-hour finale: in the late afternoon, why not sip something sweet as the sun dips, turning the sea into molten gold – a cinematic finale to wrap up the day on Albania’s southern coast. 

A riviera road trip: hit the road for one final dose of Albania’s coastal drama. Sparkling waters on one side, lush mountains on the other – great for daydreaming. Pause at Porto Palermo Castle to stretch your legs and soak in the bay views before continuing north, making a pitstop in Vlore en route to Tirana. 

Tungjatjeta, Tirana: your Trip Leader unlocks this captivating capital’s secrets during a walking tour. Prepare for industrial landscapes, lush gardens, art galleries and churches galore. Then, compare menus on a stroll past restaurants until you and your friends’ tastebuds agree.  

City wanders: conquer your fear of heights and climb the Clock Tower for incredible views of the entire city. Or pick up a byrek (flaky, filled pastry) to go and take it easy with a lazy day spent sprawled out by the lake in Grand Park. 

Final group eats: one last dinner together, so make it one to remember! Swap your favourite stories, the jokes that nobody outside of the group would understand and cheers to an adventure packed with memories. 

Last bites and next adventures: enjoy your final Albanian coffee, wander Tirana’s streets and pause to soak up the city’s pulse one last time. Grab a quirky keepsake and start scheming your next escapade – Albania might just have left you hungry for more.