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Greece, the Balkans & Croatia

14 days |  17 days with Korcula Island & Dubrovnik extension
14 days |  17 days with Korcula Island & Dubrovnik extension
Group size1222 travelers
Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars

19
Physical activity
the kalabaka meteora monasteries in greece
nuns walking in the street in dubrovnik croatia
a stone fountain carving in dubrovnik croatia
tan stone walls of dubrovnik with view of water
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
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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—and that's just what you'll do on this small group Adventure Tour. 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
  • 3 farm-to-table lunches
  • 3 dinners with beer or wine
  • 3 food tastings
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Included highlights

  • Athens market tour
  • Delphi Archaeological Site
  • Meteora monasteries
  • Lake Ohrid
  • Organic apiary visit
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Start planning today

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Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
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 meals: Breakfast, Tasting

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

  • Set off on a guided walking tour of the Plaka District and the markets in the Monastiraki neighborhood.
  • Stop to sample a variety of cheeses and loukoumades, a type of sweet fried dough.
  • See the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion on a walking tour of the Acropolis.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Athens or add an excursion.

Greek Cooking Class & Dinner

From $185 per person

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

From $109 per person

Meteora Region1 night
Day 5: Transfer to the Meteora Region & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast

Travel to the remote village of Kalambaka at the foot of the Pindus Mountains. Then, take a guided walking tour of the Meteora monasteries.

  • Enter two monasteries such as Russanu, St. Stephen’s Monastery, or Varlaam.
  • Hike up to the monasteries to admire views from 1,000-foot-high pinnacle rocks.

This afternoon, meet with local nuns for a chat about the traditions and faith of the Eastern Orthodox Church. You’ll learn more about this branch of Christianity, their lives, and the work they take part in at the monasteries.

Lake Ohrid2 nights
Day 6: Lake Ohrid via Dihovo
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Liquor tasting, Tasting

Pass through the scenic vistas of northern Greece and cross the border into North Macedonia as you make your way to the village of Dihovo.

  • Enjoy an included farm-to-table lunch of local specialities paired with local wine and brandy.
  • Tour the on-site organic apiary to learn about beekeeping and sample organic honey and honeycomb.

Later, continue on to North Macedonia's UNESCO-recognized Lake Ohrid.

Please note: The apiary visit may be replaced with a similar culinary farm experience.

Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Ohrid, Bay of Bones Museum & Saint Naum Monastery
Included meal: Breakfast

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

  • Enter Samuel’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 Bay of Bones Museum and the medieval Monastery of Saint Naum.

  • Step inside the Bay of Bones Museum, a prehistoric settlement located on Lake Ohrid.
  • Sit down for a expert-led talk on local conservation efforts to protect the biodiversity of Lake Ohrid, Europe’s oldest lake.
  • See the resident peacocks that roam the grounds at the Monastery of Saint Naum.
  • Enter the monastery to view its intricate frescoes.
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, stopping along the way to tour an Albanian winery.

  • Visit Uka, an organic winery dedicated to maintaining the production of rare Albanian grapes.
  • Sit down for a lunch featuring locally produced, organic ingredients.

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.

  • Enter Bunk’Art 1, a museum dedicated to the history of Albanian communism built in the nuclear bunker of former dictator Enver Hoxha.
  • Tour the museum with a guide to learn about the daily lives of Albanians during the communist period.
  • See Skanderbeg Square, an eponymous tribute to the Albanian national hero, and the Pyramid of Tirana.
  • Stroll past the 18th-century Et’hem Bey Mosque.
  • Walk to the New Bazaar neighborhood to learn about Tirana’s rebirth post-communism and enjoy free time in the area.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Tirana or add an excursion.

Historic Albania: Krujë

From $135 per person

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 Cetinje, Njegusi & Kotor
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

Join a local guide on a walking tour of Cetinje, Montenegro’s historic capital.

  • Enter King Nichola’s Palace, the residence of Montenegro’s first and only king.
  • View the historic foreign embassies and Alaska Church, which was built in 1450.
  • See the fence made from captured enemy rifle barrels that wraps around the church.

Continue to the village of Njugsi, located on the slopes of Mount Lovcen, and enter a traditional Montenegrin smoke house to sample aged-prosciutto, cheese, and other specialities.

Enjoy stunning views of the Bay of Kotor as you drive down the winding Serpentine Road. Then, explore the scenic town of Kotor 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.
  • Opt to hike up the section of Kotor's UNESCO-listed fortified walls located on the mountain of St. John to enjoy stunning views of the Bay of Kotor.
Dubrovnik2 nights
Day 12: Dubrovnik via Perast & Konavle Valley
Included meals: Breakfast, Liquor tasting, Lunch

Travel 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.

Then, leave Montenegro behind as you make your way to Croatia's Dalmatian coast.

  • Visit an agriturismo in Croatia’s Konavle valley and tour the farm’s vegetable garden.

  • Learn about the over 500 years of family farming traditions in the valley.

  • Enjoy a tasting of traditional liquor and sit down for a lunch featuring products grown on the farm.

    Then, continue on to Dubrovnik.

Please note: Travelers should be prepared to show their passports at the border crossing between Montenegro and Croatia.

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.

Spend a free afternoon in Dubrovnik or add an excursion.

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

Scenic Dubrovnik Coast Cruise & Lunch

From $125 per person

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 Korcula Island & Dubrovnik
The Croatian Coast is all about hidden gems. We’re talking charming Old Town's, seaside vineyards, and some of the world’s prettiest beaches. Extend your adventure on the Balkan Peninsula to see beauties like this on Korcula Island. (As a bonus, stop in Ston for even more adventure.)
Korcula Island 2 nights
Day 14: Ferry to Korcula, sightseeing tour & wine tasting
Included meals: Breakfast, Wine tasting, Dinner

Head to the Peljesac peninsula and board a ferry in the town of Orebic. You’ll travel to Korcula, a stunning island on Croatia’s Dalmatian coastline.

This afternoon, enjoy free time for lunch before setting off on a guided tour of Korcula’s Old Town.

  • Stroll through the walled area, known as little Dubrovnik.
  • Visit the city’s 15th-century, Venetian-style cathedral.
  • Walk along the town’s fortifications as you learn how the city’s government became the first in the world to ban slavery.

Visit a family-run vineyard and learn about the island’s longstanding winemaking history this evening.

  • Try indigenous wines like Grk, a rare grape planted only on Korcula island.
  • Sit down for an included dinner.
Day 15: Free day on Korcula Island
Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day on Korcula island or add an excursion.

Korcula Archipelago Kayaking

From $149 per person

Dubrovnik1 night
Day 16: Dubrovnik via Ston
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting

Board a ferry in Korcula and travel back to the town of Orebic. Then, continue on to the eastern end of the Peljesac peninsula to visit the city of Ston.

  • View the city walls, which stretch for almost five miles and are some of the longest in Europe.
  • Visit a traditional oyster farm to learn how locals have sustainably harvested oysters and mussels in Ston for centuries.
  • Enjoy an oyster tasting.

Travel to Dubrovnik and raise a glass as you toast to your trip with a farewell drink this evening.

Flight Home
Day 17: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Show full itinerary
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Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars

Overall rating 4.5 out of 5

Based on 19 authentic traveler reviews
Sort by

    5 out of 5 stars

    Wonderful tour!!!!
    10/7/23 by 1st-time traveler Andrea Suzanne

    This was such an amazing trip! We had a fantastic group of fellow travelers and the absolute BEST Tour Director, Nikola! Nikola grew up in the former Yugoslavia and had so much information to share about this fascinating region, from ancient history to personal anecdotes, some hilarious and some qui...

    Read more +
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/21/23

    Delighted to hear about your amazing trip experien...

    Read more +

    5 out of 5 stars

    Too short of a trip
    10/7/23 by 3rd-time traveler Fabianita F

    This trip is awesome. Starting from Greece, we had our fill of ancient history, legends and fascinating views. Although I wasn’t thrilled with the hotel breakfasts in the Balkans the farm tours are excellent. I can’t complain about the hotel accommodations except the Metropol Lake Resort being so ...

    Read more +
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/16/23

    Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We're so so...

    Read more +

    5 out of 5 stars

    The Balkans, WOW, who knew?
    10/7/23 by 1st-time traveler Evonne

    While I’ve traveled Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia years ago, I learned so much more about the Balkans during this trip. Nikola made the Balkan history come alive. Very passionate about his heritage as well as his Balkan Brothers. Nikola is both personable and knowledgeable. He’s equally informed and ...

    Read more +
    EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 11/14/23

    We are so delighted to hear you were able to be fu...

    Read more +
    Show more reviews

    Traveler photos

    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.
    Airotel Stratos Vassilikos
    Airotel Stratos Vassilikos

    This stylish hotel is located downtown Athens near the Megaro Mousikis metro station. Guests enjoy an on-site restaurant, fitness center, and hammam s...

    Read more +
    Amalia Hotel Delphi
    Amalia Hotel Delphi

    This modern hotel is located at the foot of Mount Parnassus in Delphi. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, beautiful views, and manicured gardens. Nearby, ...

    Read more +
    Amalia Hotel Kalambaka
    Amalia Hotel Kalambaka

    This classical hotel is located in Kalambaka. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, balconies, and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find Tríkala, Megálou Metéorou, and...

    Read more +
    Hotel Bellevue
    Hotel Bellevue

    This lakeside resort is located in Ohrid, North Macedonia on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Guests enjoy the aperitif bar, courts for various sports, and p...

    Read more +
    Rogner Hotel Tirana
    Rogner Hotel Tirana

    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...

    Read more +
    Hotel Bracera
    Hotel Bracera

    This modern hotel is located in Budva on the Montenegrin coast. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, on-site restaurant, and wellness center with a hammam. Ne...

    Read more +
    Hotel Lapad
    Hotel Lapad

    This tucked away hotel is located in Dubrovnik's Gruz Harbor. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, garden, and on-site restaurant. Nearby you’ll find Uvala ...

    Read more +
    Hotel Liburna
    Hotel Liburna

    This seaside hotel is located on Korčula Island, Croatia. Guests enjoy the terrace with views of Korčula’s Old Town, open-air aperitif bar, and easy a...

    Read more +

    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

    FAQ

    Print FAQ

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