Classic Balkans: Bosnia & Herzegovina to Albania
- Trip code: 4M9X003
- Dauer: 20
- Stil: Classic
Get ready for a 20-day adventure through the Balkans, where every stop adds a new layer to what makes this region so special. Collect three new passport stamps while wandering through an ancient Ottoman stone town and an inspiring art colony, off-roading in Montenegro by 4x4, and stepping into history at the legendary Castle of Ali Pasha from The Count of Monte Cristo. Feast on a farm-to-table meal that’ll have your taste buds doing a happy dance, and bond with locals and fellow adventurers alike. This is the kind of trip that makes memories you'll be talking about for years.
Übersicht
Checklist
Conservative Dress:
• Modest clothing that covers knees and shoulders (Long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)
• Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)
Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)
Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket
Health & Safety:
• Hand sanitizer (required)
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear
Meals Included
19 Frühstück, 4 Mittagessen, 5 Abendessen
Meal Budget
Plane USD335-435 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein
Optional Activities
Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik to Trebinje Transfer and Winery Visit
Sarajevo
- Nationalmuseum von Bosnien und Herzegowina (10-30BAM pro Person)
- "Zeiten des Unglücks" Tour & Tunnel-Museum (54BAM pro Person)
- Gallery 11/07/95 (12-15BAM pro Person)
- Sarajevo Graffiti Art Tour
Kotor
- Museum Maritimun in Kotor (4EUR pro Person)
- Seekajakfahren (20EUR pro Person)
- Besichtigung der Stadt Kotor (Gratis)
Shkodër
- Site of Memory and Memorial Museum
- Venice Art Mask Factory (3EUR pro Person)
Start / Finish
Trebinje nach Tirana
What's Included
Dein Welcome-Moment: Anreise und Begrüßungstreffen
Dein Foodie-Moment: Trebinje Market Tour, Trebinje
Dein Local-Living-Moment: Apiary Visit, Trebinje
Dein Local-Living-Moment: Cheese Making Farm Visit, Trebinje
Dein Foodie-Moment: Sarajevo Food Tour, Sarajevo
Dein Local-Living-Moment: Hike to a Shepherd Outpost with Lunch, Tragjas
Dein Foodie-Moment: Gjirokastër Winery Visit and Light Dinner, Gjirokastër. Orientation walk in Trebinje. Visit the town of Stolac and the necropolis tombstones. See Kravica and Koćuša Waterfalls. Dinner and wine pairing at a winery in Čitluk. Visit the Pocitelj Ottoman stone town. Hike to the Blagaj Fortress. Visit the Dervish Monastery. Guided walking tour of Mostar. Kotor orientation walk. Boat tour from Kotor to Perast. Budva Old Town walk. Visit Ostrog Monastery. Full-day excursion to Biogradska Gora National Park. Kolašin 4x4 Off-Road Excursion. Orientaion walk of Podgorica. Theth National Park visit. Walking tour of Shkoder. Walking tour of Kruje. Evening orientaion walk of Tirana. Tour of the Durrës archaeological site. Orientation walk of Vlorë. Visit Himare. Entrance to the Ali Pasha Castle. Visit Butrint National Archaeological Park. Walking tour of Gjirokastër. Walking tour of Berat. Farewell Dinner. Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations
Accommodation
Hotels (17 nts), Eco Lodge (2 nts)
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides
Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12
Highlights
Visit a 5th generation women run apiary and local farm for farm-to-table dining experience, See the spectacular Kravica and Koćuša Waterfalls, Delve into Bosnia and Herzegovina's history in Mostar and Sarajevo, Set off on a boat tour of the Bay of Kotor and visit the old town of Perast, Spend 2 nights at eco-lodges in the mountains of Montenegro, Be immersed in Albanian culture on a hike to a shepherd outpost, Drive along the spectacular Albanian Riviera and visit the Ali Pasha Castle
Transport
Private vehicle, boat, walking
Introduction
Get ready for a 20-day adventure through the Balkans, where every stop adds a new layer to what makes this region so special. Collect three new passport stamps while wandering through an ancient Ottoman stone town and an inspiring art colony, off-roading in Montenegro by 4x4, and stepping into history at the legendary Castle of Ali Pasha from The Count of Monte Cristo. Feast on a farm-to-table meal that’ll have your taste buds doing a happy dance, and bond with locals and fellow adventurers alike. This is the kind of trip that makes memories you'll be talking about for years
Internationale Flüge
Check-in-Zeiten und Freigepäck/Einschränkungen können je nach Fluggesellschaft variieren und sich jederzeit ändern. Für die aktuellsten Informationen zu deinem Flug wende dich bitte an deine Fluggesellschaft. Wir empfehlen Online-Check-in, um mögliche Verzögerungen am Flughafen zu vermeiden
Minimum Age
Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre
Itinerary
Day 1 Trebinje
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
Day 2 Trebinje
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
Day 3 Trebinje/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
Day 4 Čitluk/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
Day 5 Mostar/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
Day 6 Sarajevo
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
Day 7 Sarajevo/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
Day 8 Kotor
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
Day 9 Kotor/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
Day 10 Žabljak/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
Day 11 Kolašin/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
Day 12 Podgorica/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
Day 13 Shkodër
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
Day 14 Shkodër/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, and check into the hotel for the evening
Day 15 Tirana/Vlorë
Drive east from Tirana this morning to the coast, and to the ancient Roman remains of Durrës, dating back more than 3000 years. Explore the fascinating site with your CEO and see the massive amphitheatre which could hold up to 20,000 people. In the afternoon, continue south to the city of Vlorë and set off on an exploration walk of the old town to see the Muradie Mosque and other striking historical landmarks. The rest of the evening is free to relax and find a spot to watch the sunset over the Adriatic sea
Day 16 Vlorë
Be immersed in Albanian culture today on a hike to a shepherd outpost in the mountains. Start walking from the community of Tragjas, heading up the mountain to meet the local shepherds who will share their time with us. Learn about their traditional life in the mountains and enjoy a delicious typical lunch before hiking back down to the bus for the trip back to Vlorë. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city or to relax
Day 17 Vlorë/Gjirokastër
Drive along the spectacular Albanian Riviera today to Gjirokastër with a number of stops and highlights along the way. First, visit the small beach town of Himarë and have a bit of time for lunch. Continue to Ksamil and visit the beautiful and historic castle of Ali Pasha, dramatically perched on the edge of a peninsula jutting out into the sea. Next visit the ruins of city of Butrint, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site that was once an ancient Greek city. Arrive to Gjirokastër in the evening and check into the hotel
Day 18 Gjirokastër
Set off after breakfast with your CEO to explore the old city of Gjirokastër. Pass by some of the historic sites like the obelisk and the imposing Girokastra Castle then take some free time to continue exploring and to find some lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to a local winery to tour the vineyard with one of the local experts and to taste their wines with a light dinner. The rest of the evening is free after returning to the hotel
Day 19 Gjirokastër/Berat
Drive north today to the riverside city of Berat, known for its white Ottoman houses. In the afternoon, set off on a walking tour with your CEO to explore. Visit the castle, the remains of a sprawling 13th century fortress as well as the traditional low neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica. The remainder of the day is free to continue exploring before regrouping in the evening for a traditional Albanian meal and farewell dinner
Day 20 Berat/Tirana
Leave Berat after breakfast for the drive back to Tirana, where the tour ends on arrival at approximately 11am
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 Trebinje
Trebinje boasts beautiful views of the river and the walled city, and offers various squares, mosques, and intricate archways.
Day 2 Trebinje
Day 3 Trebinje/Čitluk
Day 4 Čitluk/Mostar
Day 5 Mostar/Sarajevo
Day 6 Sarajevo
Day 7 Sarajevo/Kotor
Day 8 Kotor
Day 9 Kotor/Žabljak
Day 10 Žabljak/Kolašin
Day 11 Kolašin/Podgorica
Day 12 Podgorica/Shkodër
Day 13 Shkodër
Day 14 Shkodër/Tirana
Day 15 Tirana/Vlorë
Day 16 Vlorë
Day 17 Vlorë/Gjirokastër
Day 18 Gjirokastër
Day 19 Gjirokastër/Berat
Day 20 Berat/Tirana
Please do not book onward travel from Tirana before 2pm
