Overview Itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Greece, the Balkans & Croatia

with Croatian Coast extension

Duration: 14 or 16 days
Group size: 15-30
Reviews: 7

Soak up local traditions amidst stunning mountains and coasts.

Full of rich history, fascinating culture, and stunning landscapes, the Balkan Peninsula is a region waiting to be explored. From the Greek capital and picturesque shores of Lake Ohrid to the timeless traditions of Albania and Croatia’s epic coastal beauty, you’ll discover the diversity of these Adriatic nations and what makes each unique.

Your tour package includes

12 nights in handpicked hotels
12 breakfasts
1 lunch
4 dinners with beer or wine
1 wine tasting

Included highlights

Athens
Delphi
Meteora Monasteries
Lake Ohrid
Saint Naum Monastery

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Athens today.

Athens2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Athens

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Greece! Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

A local guide introduces you to the highlights of this bustling ancient capital, home to the world's first democracy.

Pass by the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, and the Arch of Hadrian
View the sixth-century Temple of Zeus
See the classically inspired Old Royal Palace, home of the Hellenic Parliament, and drive through the Plaka district
Set off on a walking tour around the ancient Acropolis, site of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion

Enjoy a free afternoon in Athens or add an excursion.

Cape Sounion

Excursion (additional cost)

Delphi Region1 night

Day 4: Transfer to Delphi & sightseeing tour

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel to the mountainous Delphi region for a guided tour of the legendary home of the mystical oracle. You’ll visit the Temple of Apollo where according to legend, the gods once communicated with mortals.

Spend a free evening in Delphi or add an excursion.

Arachova Village & Greek Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Meteora Region1 night

Day 5: Transfer to the Meteora Region & sightseeing tour

Included meal: Breakfast

Today, travel to the remote village of Kalambaka at the foot of the Pindus Mountains.

Discover Meteora's stunning architecture: Pinnacle Monastery and St. Stephen's Monastery, two Byzantine structures perched atop 1,000-foot-high pinnacle rocks.

Lake Ohrid2 nights

Day 6: Transfer to Lake Ohrid

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Pass through the scenic vistas of northern Greece and Albania as you make your way to North Macedonia's UNESCO-recognized Lake Ohrid.

Later this evening, sit down for an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Ohrid & Saint Naum Monastery

Included meal: Breakfast

Take in all that the charming lakeside city of Ohrid has to offer on a guided tour.

Enter Samuil’s Fortress and walk along its historic 4th-century walls
See the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, built in the Hellenistic style
Walk up to the cliff-top Church of Saint John at Kaneo for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains
Pass by the Church of Saint Sophia and enter the National Workshop for a paper-making demonstration
Board a boat and enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Ohrid

Then, spend the afternoon exploring the medieval Monastery of Saint Naum.

See the resident peacocks that roam the grounds
Enter the monastery to view its intricate frescoes
Stop at the Bay of Bones Museum, a prehistoric settlement located on Lake Ohrid

Tirana2 nights

Day 8: Transfer to Tirana & winery tour

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Wine tasting

Cross the border into Albania as you make your way to Tirana. Stop along the way to tour an Albanian winery, where you'll sit down for lunch and a wine tasting. Then, continue on to Tirana.

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Tirana

Included meal: Breakfast

Get to know the Albanian capital today on a guided tour.

Take in Mother Teresa Square, the second largest plaza in Tirana
Make your way down the Boulevard of National Martyrs to Skanderbeg Square, an eponymous tribute to the Albanian national hero
See the Palace of Congresses, Post Blloku, the pyramid, and the 18th-century Et’hem Bey Mosque
Enter the National Historical Museum of Albania

Enjoy a free afternoon in Tirana or add an excursion.

Historic Albania: Krujë

Excursion (additional cost)

Budva2 nights

Day 10: Budva via Shkodra & Lake Skadar

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Continue on to Budva, making stops along the way.

Stop in Shkodra, a small city situated at the foot of the Albanian Alps, to step inside the hilltop Rozafa Castle
Travel through the Lake Skadar region of Montenegro to the town of Virpazar, where you'll embark on a scenic boat ride
Continue along the Montenegro coast to Budva, paying a visit to the charming peninsula village of Sveti Stefan en route

Sit down for an included dinner at a local restaurant this evening.

Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Kotor & Perast

Included meal: Breakfast

Located in a secluded bay on the Adriatic coast, Kotor is known for its Venetian-era fortifications. Today, you’ll explore this scenic town on a walking tour.

Pass through the UNESCO-recognized medieval old town to view the ancient city walls and Cathedral of Saint Tryphon
See the old clock tower and Orthodox Church

In the afternoon, transfer along the Bay of Kotor to the Venetian town of Perast. Here, you’ll embark on a boat trip out to the man-made islets of Saint George and Our Lady of the Rocks.

Dubrovnik2 nights

Day 12: Transfer to Dubrovnik

Included meal: Breakfast

Leave Montenegro behind as you transfer to Dubrovnik today, catching one last glimpse of the beautiful Bay of Kotor as you go.

Enjoy a free evening in Dubrovnik or add an excursion.

Scenic Dubrovnik Coast Cruise & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik

Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Set on a peninsula on the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik’s massive walls have served as the city’s calling card for centuries. Today, you’ll take a guided tour.

Stroll through the UNESCO-protected old town
Pay a visit to the 13th-century Franciscan monastery, which boasts the most extensive library in the region
View the Rector’s Palace and the city’s ornate cathedral

Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner.

Flight Home

Day 14: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to continue exploring Croatia.

Extension to Croatian Coast

The Croatian Coast is all about hidden gems. We’re talking UNESCO-listed palaces, seaside cafes, and some of the world’s prettiest beaches. Extend your adventure on the Balkan Peninsula to see beauties like this in Split. (As a bonus, stop in Mostar for even more adventure.)

Split2 nights

Day 14: Split via Mostar

Included meal: Breakfast

Say goodbye to Dubrovnik today as you make your way to Split, stopping en route in the Bosnian city of Mostar for a guided tour.

Walk across the UNESCO-recognized Stari Most, a 16th-century Ottoman bridge
Step inside the Karagöz Bey Mosque, the largest in the region
Enter a preserved Turkish house to see what local life was like over 100 years ago

Day 15: Sightseeing tour of Split

Included meal: Breakfast

Today, enjoy a guided tour of Split, a coastal city that seamlessly combines tradition and modernity.

Examine sculptures, drawings, and paintings at the Ivan Mestrovic Museum
Enter Diocletian’s Palace, an enormous third-century complex and UNESCO World Heritage site
View monuments to the city’s varied cultural influences, including Gothic churches, Renaissance palaces, Venetian fortifications, and an Egyptian sphinx

Enjoy a free afternoon to explore Split on your own or add an excursion.

Tonight, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Adriatic Trogir

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 16: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.4 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

10/04/2019 by 5th time traveler David M.

Had a fantastic time on this tour. Great weather (high 70's and 80's everyday), hotels, food and fellow travellers. Best part was the Adriatic Sea Coast in Croatia and Lake Orchid in Montenegro. Dubrovnik and Split were so beautiful. Only suggestion is to spend more time (including a Hotel...

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Great trip

10/04/2019 by 12th time traveler Anonymous

Very nice trip. Interesting sights Weather was perfect, with one day where it rained. Tour guide, Milan Radojicic, was great and knew quite a bit of history of all countries we visited.

Inconsistency Poor central office communication

06/03/2019 by 9th time traveler Mary C.

Inconsistency in accommodations from satisfactory to poor. Told at central office that everything was taken care of for back-to-back - and it wasn't. Difficult to get definitive answers fro central office. Changeable and late hotel information. Personable tour guide who rarely posted or followed a s...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 06/03/2019

Dear Mary, Thank you for leaving us a review of yo...

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05/14/2019 by 20th time traveler Maria J.

This tour was superb! Bo, our tour director was excellent! I learned so much about the history of Yugoslavia, while at the same time, enjoying what has now become the independent countries that used to be part of it. Except for one incident in one of the hotels, our accommodations were very good. We...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 05/14/2019

Dear Maria, Go Ahead always strives to create unfo...

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Serbia to Croatia

05/14/2019 by 3rd time traveler Deborah L.

I have been on 2 tours with Go Ahead and have learned and seen so much! I highly recommend anyone who is interested in not only seeing new places but learning an enormous amount of history on every country and city visited. The tour guides are very educated on the history, religion, political and a...

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Hotels, flights & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Hotel Belevue

This unique hotel is located on Lake Ohrid. Guests enjoy an open-air terrace with breathtaking view of the lake and an outdoor pool. Nearby, you’ll fi...

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Rogner Hotel

This polished hotel is located in the Tirana city center. Guests enjoy a pool, restaurant, and fitness center. Nearby, you'll find Rinia Park, Nationa...

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Hotel Bracera

This modern hotel is located in Budva on the Montenegrin coast. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a spa, and wellness center. Nearby, you’ll find the city cent...

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Tirena Hotel

This contemporary hotel is located in the Babin Kuk neighborhood. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and a poolside snack bar. Nearby, you’ll...

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Atrium Hotel

This modern hotel is located in Split. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and indoor pool. Nearby, you'll find Archaeological Museum Split, the...

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Queen's Astoria Design Hotel

This elegant hotel is located downtown. Guests enjoy a gym, sauna, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll find Belgrade Central Station, Kalemegdan Fortress, ...

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Best Western Hotel Turist

This contemporary hotel is located in Skopje city center. Guests enjoy free WiFi, a restaurant, and guest laundry. Nearby, you'll find The Stone Bridg...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

Local weather

Athens, Greece

Weather averages

Today
High 49°F Low 42°F

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Weather averages

Today
High 51°F Low 47°F

Kotor, Montenegro

Weather averages

Today
High 39°F Low 33°F

Split, Croatia

Weather averages

Today
High 49°F Low 35°F

Budva, Montenegro

Weather averages

Today
High 51°F Low 44°F

Tirana, Albania

Weather averages

Today
High 53°F Low 44°F

FAQ

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Passport & visa requirements

This tour visits Greece, Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Croatia (plus Bosnia & Herzegovina on the tour extension). In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 2 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails, with some steep hills.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times as well as getting in and out of boats.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Athens and depart from Dubrovnik (or Split on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tourswill meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Cuisine of the Balkans varies greatly by region. Greece's warm climate ensures a constant supply of fresh, high-quality fruits andvegetables. Salads served with aromatic olive oil, feta cheese, and oregano are plentiful. Grilled fish and meat are integral to Greek cuisine, as well as squid and octopus. Don't miss the spinach and cheese pies called spanikopita.
Foods in Albania are primarily composed of meat and vegetables. In the Tirana region, the coastal climate allows for fresh fruits, poultry, and fish from the Adriatic Sea such as sole, flounder, and perch.
Traditional Macedonian cuisine includes a combination of Balkan and Mediterranean classics made up of fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and grilled meats.
Food in Montenegro offers a variety of flavors. Potatoes, cabbage, ham, and sausage might make you feel at home but you may want to try something new such as bakrdan (a porridge of cornmeal, potato, and cheese) or the tasty ćevapi kebab (a grilled meat patty).
In Croatia, you may like to try traditional Balkan dishes, such as duvec(vegetables and meat), moussaka(eggplant and minced meat), sarma(minced meat and rice), and raznjici(grilled veal or pork). Thirsty? Almost every region of the country produces its own varieties of wine, each of which are quite delicious.

Electricity & air conditioning

Greece, Albania, Macedonia,Montenegro, and Croatia (plus Bosnia & Herzegovina on the tour extension) all operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C or F plus with two small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
The majority of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply. In more remote locations, internet access may be limited and is not guaranteed.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and seven hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Croatia (plus Bosnia & Herzegovina on the tour extension) are one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and six hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 6pm in Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Croatia (plus Bosnia & Herzegovina on the tour extension) and 7pm in Greece.

Currency

You will use the euro in Greece, the Albanian lek in Albania, the Macedonian denar in Macedonia, the euro in Montenegro, and the Croatian kuna in Croatia. (On the tour extension, you will also use Bosnian convertible mark in Bosnia & Herzegovina.)
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.

Dates & prices

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20202021

Starts

Ends

Price

Availability

2020