Compare Zagreb to Athens: Adriatic & Ancient Capitals by G Adventures vs The Grand Balkan by Indus Travels

Day 1 Zagreb

Welcome to Croatia’s capital – where river meets mountain and old meets new. Arrive at any time and for your first night out, head to one of Zagreb’s many trendy bars or beer halls with your CEO and group for drinks and a good time.

If you'd like to explore this city, consider booking a night or two of pre-accommodation.

Day 2 Zagreb/Plitvice Lakes National Park

Explore Zagreb on an orientation walk before transferring to Plitvice for the night.

Day 3 Plitvice Lakes National Park/Split

Explore the terraced lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails of Plitvice Lakes National Park, then travel to Split for an orientation walk upon arrival. Tonight, enjoy a Big Night Out with the group!

Entrance to the park is included.

Day 4 Split

Enjoy a guided walk of Diocletian's Palace. The rest of the day is free, opt to visit the famous Zlatni Rat beach on Bol, head to Trogir or the ancient ruined city of Solin, or experience the nightlife once the sun goes down.

Day 5 Hvar/Split

Take a morning ferry to Hvar. Upon arrival, opt to enjoy the beach, visit the Hvar Fortress, or enjoy an island-hopping boat cruise that stops at secluded coves around the Pakleni Islands. Return to Split in the evening.

Day 6 Split/Dubrovnik

Travel to Dubrovnik. Enjoy an optional night on the town with the group.

For great atmosphere with good music, check out the East/West Beach Club. It's one of the best nighttime party spots and attracts a good crowd during the day as well.

Day 7 Dubrovnik

Enjoy a free day for exploration.

Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.

Day 8 Dubrovnik/Kotor

Cross the border into Montenegro and go hiking or visit Lake Skadar.

Day 9 Kotor

Take the day to explore the city of Kotor or the beaches of Herceg Novi. Opt to take a day trip to the beautiful nearby village of Perast.

Please note that we use a mixed sex dormitory in Kotor.

Day 10 Kotor/Tirana

Check out all that the capital of Albania has to offer on an included orientation walk.

Be sure to check out the lively nightlife here.

Day 11 Tirana/Saranda

Travel through the Albanian countryside to coastal Saranda, stopping along the way to explore towns and local sights. Stop for lunch in the historic centre of Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and opt to visit the Gjirokastër Fortress. Arrive early to Saranda with plenty of time to enjoy the Ionian Sea.

The exact stops along the drive depend on the day and weather. Depending on traffic and arrival/departure times to Saranda, groups may opt to stop by Albania's largest archaeological site from the Greek era, which includes a large Roman amphitheatre and a Byzantine basilica.

Day 12 Saranda/Corfu

Take a late afternoon ferry across the border to the island of Corfu. Enjoy an orientation walk in the old town of Kerkyra, then enjoy free time to hit the beach and the clubs in the evening.

Day 13 Corfu

Free time to hit the beach and the clubs. Opt to explore the island by horseback, visit some of the older churches and historic buildings found on the island, or relax on one of its many beautiful beaches.

Day 14 Corfu/Athens

Hop on a morning flight to Athens, then take a free afternoon to explore Greece's capital city. Tonight, enjoy a Big Night Out with the group!

Spend the day in one of the most renowned ancient capitals of the world. Wander around the open-air museum that is the historic centre. Sample mouthwatering greek food such as Saganaki (fried cheese), or Spanakopita (spinach pie). Opt to visit the Acropolis site, the new Acropolis Museum, the Roman agora and the National Archaeological Museum.

Please note that passenger luggage (up to 15kgs/33lbs per passenger) is included on this flight.

Day 15 Athens

Depart at any time.

Please note that there are many things to do in and around Athens. Booking extra accommodation after your tour is recommended to take in the sites as this tour only spends one night in the city.

On arrival at Zagreb Airport today you will be transferred to your hotel, where you will meet your tour guide and enjoy your first dinner in Croatia. Zagreb is a city rich with gorgeous greenery, famous for its parks and well preserved natural environment.  

Overnight in Zagreb 

Morning city tour of Zagreb, including the fortified Upper Town, city's historical centre, St Mark's Church with its multicolored roof, the Cathedral, the Croatian National Theatre and the University. Free time, then departure towards Slovenia. Explore Lake Bled and it’s montanious environs and stunning topography. Continue to Ljubljana.

Overnight in Ljubljana

Morning city tour of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia and a home to one of the oldest Philharmonics in the world; Explore the baroque town buildings and stroll beside majestic Ljubljana River. Departure for Plitvice and then tour the Plitvice Lakes National Park on the UNESCO’s List of World Natural Heritage. Sixteen lakes, each at a different level, are connected in a series of cascading waterfalls. Surrounded by dense wood, Plitvice Lakes are a natural phenomenon of a rare and unique beauty. Dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight in Plitvice

Morning departure for Trogir, where we visit the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. Continuation to Split; city tour of Split, including the Diocletian’s Palace on the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage with the Peristyle, the Jupiter's Temple and the Cathedral.

Overnight in Split

After breakfast, departure for Dubrovnik, via Bosnia & Herzegovina. Short stop in Mostar, recently included in the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage with its elegant Bridge, Old Bazaar, the Mosque and a typical Turkish house. Continuation to Dubrovnik. Afternoon city tour Sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik, included on the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage. You will visit the Franciscan Monastery with Europe's third oldest pharmacy, the Rector's Palace and the Cathedral. 

Overnight in Dubrovnik

Today you have a free day in Dubrovnik to enjoy at your leisure, followed by dinner this evening in this beautiful city.

Overnight in Dubrovnik 

Departure for Tirana; we drive inland to Budva known for its Old City encircled by walls from the Venetian period. Continuation to Shkodra, once the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom (3rd century B.C.).

Morning sightseeing tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania, including Skender Bey Square, the Mosque of Ethem Bey, and a visit to the National Museum representing the flow of Albanian history, also housing the finds from archeological sites across the country. Afternoon departure for Ohrid, driving via Elbasan and crossing the Macedonian border at Cafasan.

Overnight in Ohrid

Full day in the lakeside resort of Ohrid, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site. Through the activity of St. Clement and St. Naum of Ohrid, the first pan-Slavic University in Europe, the famous “Ohrid Literary School”, was founded here. Morning sightseeing tour includes the Church of St. Sofia (11th century), the most eminent mediaeval monument in Macedonia with magnificent Byzantine fresco paintings and St. Clement Church with its icon of Annunciation. Afternoon short drive to St. Naum Monastery, built on the shores of Ohrid Lake in 900 A.D. and dedicated to the Slavic missionary and educator St. Naum of Ohrid. Return to hotel.

Overnight in Ohrid

Morning departure for Skopje. Sightseeing tour of Skopje, including the Kale Fortress, Church of the Holy Savior with its iconostas, one of the finest samples of traditional walnut woodcarving, Old Bazaar and Stone Bridge. We drive to the slopes of the Vodno Mountain where we visit the Monastery of St. Panteleimon with its 12th century iconostas and frescoes ranking among the highest achievements of Byzantine art of this period.

Overnight in Skopje

Morning departure for Kolašin, driving via Pe and Berane and along the impressive Moraa River Canyon. Afternoon arrival at Kolašin, the town spreading on the left bank of the river Tara, situated at the altitude of 954m. The whole area is surrounded by the thick pine forest of the Bjelasica Mountain and is a popular skiing and air spa resort.

Overnight in Kolašin

Morning departure for Cetinje where we visit King Nikola’s Museum, once the residence of the Montenegrin King Nikola I Petrovi. Continuation to Kotor, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site, where we visit its Romanesque Cathedral dedicated to St Triphon, the city’s patron saint. We continue to Dubrovnik, driving along the picturesque Bay of Kotor.

Overnight in Dubrovnik

Breakfast followed by departure transfer to Dubrovnik Airport.