Our phone lines are open from 09:00 - 14:00
Our phone lines are open from 09:00 - 14:00
Western Balkan Explorer – Blue Route
| Cultural Tours | Europe
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the western Balkans, exploring the diverse landscapes and rich cultures of Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania. This fully escorted tour highlights UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Mostar, while also uncovering hidden gems such as Perast, Ulcinj, and Počitelj.
Marvel at the stunning Venetian architecture in coastal towns, the beautiful Ottoman-era mosques and bazaars, and the majestic medieval castles that dot the region. Experience the breathtaking natural beauty of Durmitor National Park, Black Lake, and the iconic Tara Canyon Bridge.
Visit vibrant capitals like Sarajevo, Podgorica, and Tirana, each reflecting a unique blend of cultures shaped by centuries of history. With expertly planned itineraries, comfortable accommodations, and immersive guided tours, this journey offers the perfect combination of cultural discovery, scenic landscapes, and authentic experiences across four captivating Balkan countries.
What We Love
- Historic Capitals
- Discover Hidden Gems
- 6 UNESCO Heritage Sites
- Four Balkan Countries Experience
- Balanced Pace Tour
Holiday Types ByDesign
Leanne
Reservations Manager
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Rachael
Reservations
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Hayley
Reservations
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Charlotte
Senior Reservations
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Amanda
Reservations
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
At a Glance
Duration:
9 Nights
Tour Type:
Escorted Coach Tour
Star Rating:
3* & 4* Throughout The Itinerary
Board Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Departures:
2026
March 04, 11, 18, 25
April 01, 08, 15, 22, 29
May 06, 13, 20, 27
June 03, 10
July 15
September 02, 09, 16, 23, 30
October 14, 28
November 04
Start / Finish:
Tirana – Tirana
Excursions Included:
- Castle of Ulcinj
- Kotor Old Town
- Perast Island
- Dubrovnik Old Town
- Tito’s Bunker, Bosnia
- Tunnel of Sarajevo
- Zablak National Park
- Kolasin National Park
- Old Town Montenegro
- Shkoder Rozafa Castle
- Ura Mesit Briedge
Optional Excursions:
- Game of Thrones & Dubrovnik Walls Walking Tour
- Kravica Waterfall Tour
- Boat Tour in Virpazar Skadar Lake National Park
- Albanian Night with Folk Show
Gallery
More Information
What's Included
Exclusions
Other
Why we like it
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Tirana
Arrive in Tirana International Airport. Transfer to the city and enjoy the day at leisure. Overnight in Tirana.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 2 | Ulcinj - Bar
After breakfast, depart for Ulcinj in Montenegro, a jewel of the country’s “south coast” region. Though still relatively undiscovered by international tourism, Ulcinj is increasingly popular among visitors drawn to its charm. Visit the Castle of Ulcinj, where the old town perches dramatically on a hilltop overlooking the Adriatic. This medieval fortress settlement is beautifully preserved, offering winding streets, stone houses, and stunning views. Continue and overnight in Bar.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 3 | Bar – Kotor – Perast – Budva
This morning’s journey heads to Kotor, one of Montenegro’s most celebrated coastal cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Town, rich in Venetian influence from centuries of rule by the Republic of Venice (1420–1797). Highlights include the Clock Tower, the 12th-century Cathedral of St. Tryphon, the Roman-era Church of St. Luke, and the 17th-century Prince’s Palace. Continue to Perast, a tiny baroque town often likened to a fragment of Venice on the Adriatic. With 16 churches and 17 grand palazzi, its heritage is remarkable for such a small settlement. Visit Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial islet crowned by a 17th-century church and museum, and view St. George, the natural island with its Benedictine monastery. After lunch, travel onward to Budva, famed for its medieval walled Old Town, Sveti Trojica Church, and Stanjevići Monastery. Overnight in Budva.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 4 | Budva – Dubrovnik – Medjugorje
After breakfast, travel along the Adriatic coast to Dubrovnik, Croatia’s “Pearl of the Adriatic.” A guided city tour reveals this UNESCO-listed treasure, including the Cathedral, Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery with its historic pharmacy, the Clock Tower, Orlando’s Column, and Sponza Palace. In the afternoon, continue inland to Medjugorje, a renowned pilgrimage site. Overnight in Medjugorje.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 5 | Medjugorje – Počitelj – Blagaj – Mostar
Depart Medjugorje after breakfast and travel first to Počitelj, a historic hillside settlement of Ottoman origin, then to Blagaj, where the Buna River springs dramatically from beneath a cliff. Visit the 16th-century Tekija (Dervish Monastery), one of Bosnia’s most iconic landmarks. Lunch will be enjoyed by the river. Continue to Mostar, with a guided walking tour of this UNESCO-listed city. See the renowned Old Bridge, a masterpiece of Ottoman architecture, and visit the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, Karadjoz Bey Mosque, and the charming Ottoman Old Town. Overnight in Mostar.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 6 | Mostar – Tito’s Bunker – Sarajevo
After breakfast, travel to Konjic to visit Tito’s Bunker, a Cold War-era nuclear shelter and secret command centre built to protect Yugoslavia’s leader and inner circle. Continue to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A guided tour includes Vrelo Bosne (the source of the Bosna River), the Ottoman old town of Baščaršija, and the Latin Bridge, site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination in 1914. Visit the Brusa Bezistan market, Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque and Madrasa, Morica Han caravanserai, and the Austro-Hungarian Town Hall (Vijećnica). Overnight in Sarajevo.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 7 | Sarajevo – Foča – Durmitor National Park – Žabljak
Today’s journey crosses back into Montenegro, with a break along the Drina River near Foča. Continue to Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site formed by glaciers and traversed by rivers and underground streams. The park is home to the Tara River Canyon, Europe’s deepest gorge, as well as dense pine forests and glacial lakes. Visit Black Lake, the largest and most famous of the park’s 18 glacial lakes. Surrounded by mountain peaks and alpine forests, it offers superb hiking and panoramic views. Overnight in Žabljak.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 8 | Žabljak – Kolašin National Park – Podgorica
After breakfast, depart for Kolašin with a stop at the Djurdjevića Tara Bridge. Rising 172 meters above the Tara River, this striking 1940s concrete arch bridge was once the largest of its kind in Europe and remains one of Montenegro’s most admired landmarks. Arrive in Kolašin for a lakeside walk and a lunch break before continuing to Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital. A city tour highlights Doganjska Mosque (15th century), Skaline, Republic Square, St. George Church (11th century), the Millennium Bridge, Russian Bridge, Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, Roman Square, King Nikola’s Castle (19th century), and the 17th-century Clock Tower. Overnight in Podgorica.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 9 | Podgorica – Shkodra – Tirana
After breakfast, depart for Shkodra in northern Albania. This historic city offers stunning views of the Albanian Alps to the north and Shkodra Lake to the south. Visit the Old Bazaar, Cathedral, Mosque, and the hilltop Castle of Rozafa, where panoramic views stretch across rivers, valleys, and mountains. Continue to Tirana for the final night.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 10 | Depart Tirana
After breakfast, transfer to Tirana International Airport for departure.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Make an Enquiry
