12-Day Adriatic & Balkans Escorted Tour: Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro & Albania

DAY 1 | Sunday – Depart for Slovenia

Begin your unforgettable Balkan adventure as you depart for Slovenia. Relax on your flight and get ready for 12 days of stunning landscapes, cultural treasures, and historic towns.

DAY 2 | Monday – Arrive in Ljubljana, Transfer to Bled

Arrive in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital, then transfer to your hotel in the picturesque resort town of Bled. Spend the afternoon at leisure soaking in the serene Alpine atmosphere. The day concludes with an orientation meeting at 6:30 PM and dinner at your hotel.

Overnight: Bled | Meals: Dinner

DAY 3 | Tuesday – Explore Bled & Optional Postojna Cave or Radovljica Dinner

Discover the resort town of Bled, nestled amidst the Julian Alps. Travel along the lake shores and ascend to Bled Castle, perched dramatically on a cliff with sweeping views of the lake below.

Optional activities:

• Postojna Cave Tour: Explore a vast underground world of stalactites and stalagmites via a specially designed electric-lit cave train.

• Radovljica Dinner: Enjoy traditional Slovenian cuisine and wine in a charming medieval town.

Spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace.

Overnight: Bled | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 | Wednesday – Ljubljana Walking Tour & Transfer to Opatija

Depart Bled and drive to Ljubljana for a guided walking tour of the old city center, highlighting its Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture. See the open-air market, Three Bridges Square, Town Hall, and Robba Fountain.

Continue to Opatija, Croatia, a historic seaside resort known for its scenic coastline and Austro-Hungarian charm. Dinner is included at your hotel.

Overnight: Opatija | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5 | Thursday – Leisure in Opatija or Optional Istrian Peninsula Tour

Spend the day at leisure in Opatija, enjoying its beautiful beaches, promenades, and cultural heritage.

Optional: Full Day Istrian Peninsula Tour: Explore the ancient Roman port of Pula and the charming town of Rovinj, famous for its colorful harbor and cobblestone streets. Return to Opatija for a relaxing evening and dinner at your leisure.

Overnight: Opatija | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6 | Friday – Pakovo Selo, Krka National Park & Split

Depart Opatija and travel along the dramatic Adriatic coastline. Stop at the quaint Dalmatian village of Pakovo Selo for a light lunch, then continue to Krka National Park. Admire the Skradinski Buk waterfalls and turquoise lakes in this lush natural wonder.

Continue to Split, a UNESCO-protected seaside town, and check into your hotel. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Split | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 | Saturday – Split Walking Tour & Transfer to Dubrovnik

Explore Split’s Old Town on foot, featuring:

• Diocletian’s Palace (4th century)

• Roman Peristyle

• Cathedral of St. Domnius

• Temple of Jupiter, guarded by a headless black sphinx

After free time to explore independently, travel along the coast to Dubrovnik, the famed “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Dinner is included at your hotel.

Overnight: Dubrovnik | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8 | Sunday – Dubrovnik City Tour & Optional Silk Wonder and Old Mills

Experience Dubrovnik’s 800-year-old Old Town with a guided walking tour. Highlights include:

• Rector’s Palace, a Gothic-Renaissance masterpiece

• Sponza Palace, preserved in original form

• City Bell Tower & Orlando Tower

• Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries, home to one of Europe’s oldest functioning pharmacies

Optional afternoon activities:

• Silk Wonder & Old Mills Tour: Learn silk production and traditional milling techniques.

• Traditional Croatian Dinner

Overnight: Dubrovnik | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9 | Monday – Montenegro & Bay of Kotor

Cross into Montenegro and discover the stunning Bay of Kotor, the longest and deepest fjord in Southern Europe. Take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks Church near Perast, then explore Kotor’s medieval Old Town. See the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, Maritime Museum, and historic palaces. Continue to Budva-Becici for dinner and overnight.

Overnight: Budva-Becici | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10 | Tuesday – Shkodra & Tirana, Albania

Travel to Tirana, Albania, stopping in Shkodra, one of Albania’s oldest cultural centers on the shores of Shkodra Lake.

In Tirana, enjoy a guided city tour:

• Skanderbeg Square

• Et’hem Bey Mosque

• Palace of Culture

• Bunk’Art 2 Museum, an ex-nuclear bunker offering insight into Albania’s Cold War history

The afternoon is free for independent exploration.

Overnight: Tirana | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11 | Wednesday – Leisure in Tirana or Optional Kruje Tour

Spend the day at leisure or choose the Kruje Tour, exploring the old bazaar and Ethnographic Museum, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.

Bid farewell to your Tour Manager over dinner.

Overnight: Tirana | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12 | Thursday – Depart Albania

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home, taking with you memories of a rich cultural journey across Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Highlights

• Explore Bled Castle perched atop a cliff overlooking Lake Bled

• Discover seaside Opatija with its Austro-Hungarian elegance

• Experience Krka National Park and the cascading Karst waterfalls

• Walk Split’s cobbled streets and marvel at Diocletian’s Palace

• Tour Dubrovnik Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Sail through Bay of Kotor and explore Montenegro’s medieval treasures

• Visit Bunk’Art 2 Museum in Tirana for Cold War insights

Package Includes

• Round-trip flights: New York ↔ Ljubljana, Tirana ↔ New York

• 10 nights accommodation in 4-5 star hotels

• 17 meals: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners

• Air-conditioned motor coach, guided sightseeing, entrance fees

• Services of English-speaking tour manager & local guides

• Hotel porterage, taxes, and service charges

• Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring

Optional transfers available for land-only bookings or alternative flight dates.

Why Choose This Tour?

Perfect for travelers seeking a blend of natural beauty, historic architecture, and cultural immersion. From Alpine lakes to Adriatic coastlines, medieval towns to UNESCO World Heritage sites, this journey offers the ultimate Balkan experience.