The Balkans Tours & Trip Packages

The Balkans Tours & Trips

176 The Balkans trips. Tours from 91 tour companies. 769 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

176 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Iconic Rivers of Europe - the Rhine, Main & Danube
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Nuremberg, Passau, Romania, Rudesheim, Salzburg, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Canal cruise
  • Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; choice of visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim
  • Guided walk
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
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Iconic Rivers of Europe - the Rhine, Main & Danube with 1 Night in Bucharest and 2 Nights in Transylvania
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Nuremberg, Passau, Romania, Rudesheim, Transylvania, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Canal cruise
  • Choice of Cologne highlights walking tour, or Jewish Heritage walking tour or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Cruise through the scenic Rhine Gorge with breathtaking views of ancient castles, towering cliffs, and the legendary Rock of the Lorelei; choice of visit to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum or cable-car ride to the Niederwald Monument in Rüdesheim
  • Guided walk
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
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The Croatian
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Croatia, Dubrovnik, Ljubljana, Montenegro, Sarajevo, Split, Vienna, Zagreb

Highlights

  • Zagreb: Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit the cathedral
  • Ljubljana: Guided sightseeing, visit the Town Hall’s inner court
  • Postojna: Visit the caves
  • Pula: Guided visit including the Amphitheater and Temple of Augustus
  • Plitvice: Guided walking tour in the national park
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
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The Danube from Romania to Germany
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Passau, Prague, Romania, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevet's Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographic Museum and the Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or a guided sightseeing in Rousse, or a bike with your Adventure Host
  • Guided sightseeing to Baba Vida fortress and see the rock formations in Belogradchik or walk with your Adventure Host
  • : Cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or bike with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubač fortress
  • Choice of guided sightseeing or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
The Danube from Romania to Germany with 1 Night in Bucharest, 2 Nights in Transylvania & 2 Nights in Prague
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Passau, Prague, Romania, Salzburg, Transylvania, Vienna

Highlights

  • Welcome to Bucharest
  • Visit Peles Castle
  • Guided tour of Brasov; guided visit of Dracula's Bran Castle
  • Guided sightseeing in Bucharest; transfer to ship; onboard welcome reception
  • Guided sightseeing, visit the National History and Archaeological Museum in Constanta; wine tasting
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
From Romania to the North Sea
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Bamberg, Belgrade, Belogradchik, Brasov, Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Linz, Nuremberg, Passau, Romania, Rudesheim, Vienna

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of full-day excursion, visit to Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Târnovo and to the Ethnographical Museum and Church of the Nativity in Arbanassi, or guided sightseeing in Rousse, or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided sightseeing to Baba Vida fortress, see the rock formations in Belogradchik or bike with your Adventure Host
  • Scenic cruise through the Iron Gates gorge; choice of visit Lepenski Vir archaeological site or walk with your Adventure Host; visit to Golubač fortress
  • Choice of guided sightseeing or walk with your Adventure Host; onboard lecture
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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Balkan Discovery
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Belgrade, Belogradchik, Bucharest, Budapest, Croatia, Romania

Highlights

  • Onboard welcome reception
  • Choice of beer experience or guided tour in Vukovar; choice of guided tour with wine tasting or guided bike tour in Ilok
  • Choice of highlights of Novi Sad or hike to Petrovaradin Fortress or honey and wine tasting; walk in Novi Sad with your Adventure Host
  • Choice of guided tour or walk with your Adventure Host; on board lecture
  • Choice of visit to Golubač fortress or visit to Lepenski Vir archaeological site; scenic cruise through the Iron Gates Gorge
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"My first Avalon cruise/land tour to Vietnam/Cambodia was the best experience of my 80 plus cruises. We recently took the Avalon Egypt/Jordan cruise/land tour and it was the polar opposite. Most sites were awesome but the tour needed a guide in addition to the Egyptologist, who didn’t look out for the safety/best interests of the guests. I submitted a detailed review of Egypt and Jordan but have not yet heard back."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
A Taste of Croatia
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Corfu , Croatia, Dubrovnik, Montenegro, Split, Zagreb

Highlights

  • CRUISING Seven-night cruise to Korčula
  • Budva
  • Paxos
  • Corfu
  • Sara
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
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176 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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The Balkans Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
769  Reviews
See all The Balkans tour reviews
Excellent
566
Great
163
Average
24
Disappointing
2
Terrible
4
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Wonderful trip

What a fab trip. Great weather, wonderful company, and the gorgeous Dalmatian coast. The ride exceeded our expectations, it was a little tougher than we expected, ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Breathtaking scenery and super smooth cycling!

It really was as described on the label - fabulously clear seas teeming with fish, gorgeous vistas of islands, vines and historic villages, with hidden gems of fre...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Just brilliant!

We had a wonderful time cycling the Dalmation Coast. The scenery was amazing, the group were all lovely, our tour leader Marijo was fantastic and the food was grea...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Cycling the Dalmation Coast

The Croatia coast line is an excellent place for cycling from the Istria peninsula up north all the way to the southern city of Dubrovnik. While this trip only cov...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Amazing scenery & lots of laughs

We have recently returned from our first cycling holiday with Exodus and whilst I don't usually do reviews this time I felt compelled to write to say how impressed...

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The Balkans Tour Selection Trips

  • There are several ways to tour the Balkans – overland, river cruises, and small-ship coastal cruises
  • The Balkans is a large and varied region that warrants multiple tours to see in depth
  • Greece and Croatia have the most highly developed tourist facilities in the region
  • Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Bosnia-Hercegovina are among the lesser traveled Balkan states
  • English is not as commonly spoken in much of the Balkans as in other parts of Europe, arguing for taking guided tours with interpreters
  • Keep close watch on conditions in Istanbul, Turkey, an extraordinary destination recently beset by violence

Additional details

What Countries are Included in the Balkans

There is some disagreement over the exact countries that are included in the Balkans, but traditionally this region of Europe includes Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Slovenia. Additionally, parts of northern Greece and southern Turkey are also typically included as part of the Balkans.

What is Balkan Weather Like?

It honestly depends on the country. The Balkans cover over 250,000 square miles of Southeastern Europe with each of the countries having their own distinct landscape that dictates the weather.

However, the countries on the Adriatic Sea coast (Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania) have a typical Mediterranean climate on the coast and a cooler climate in the mountains. These countries are warmer throughout the year than Slovenia or Bulgaria which are landlocked and have more temperate climates.

An important thing to remember is that the Balkans have some of the roughest terrain in all of Europe. The Dinaric Alps, Carpathian Mountains, Balkan Mountains and other ridges stretch across this region causing the central Balkan countries to have a four-season climate. These mountains are also why the Balkans are a perfect time to visit during winter since many of the mountains receive heavy snowfall.

Who Will Enjoy the Balkans

Those wishing to get off the beaten path in Europe will enjoy visiting the Balkans. Since much of this region was under Communist rule and going through rebuilding, most of these countries are new to travelers. However, lesser known cities such as Skopje and Mostar are growing in popularity because of their uniqueness and smaller tourist scene than Western Europe.

History lovers will enjoy visiting the Balkans because of the unique cultural makeup of this region. The Venetian, Roman, Ottoman, and Hungarian Empires have all left their distinct influences on this region’s food, architecture, and cultural makeup. There are plenty of castles and old towns for any history enthusiast to get lost in.

Professional and amateur photographers will not be able to get enough of the Balkans. With towering mountains, aquamarine waters, and stunning cliff sides, the Balkans have some of the best untouched landscapes just waiting to be photographed.

The Balkans are also the ideal location for outdoor enthusiasts. There are many Balkan tour itineraries specializing in hiking and biking through the mountains of the Balkans. Also, there are tours that combine both the landscape of the Balkans with the metropolitan areas, allowing you to see all sides of the Balkans.

Do I Need Different Currencies when Traveling the Balkans?

Yes, you will need different currencies for the Balkans. Each of the Balkan countries have their own national currency, except Montenegro and Slovenia who both use the Euro.

You can exchange money before you leave for each of the countries. However, all of the countries have ATMs that you can use, but be forewarned, your bank may charge an international fee. There are also offices in the major cities, train stations, and airports where you can exchange your money.

If you are looking to exchange money from countries that are not near each other, like Bulgaria and Croatia, you will not be able to change the currencies. Also there are a few currencies, like Albanian Lek, you won’t be able to exchange outside of the country.

What Languages are Spoken in the Balkans?

The people of the Balkans speak a few different languages. You will hear Greek, a version of the Romance languages, a combination of Russian and Polish, and Albanian. But, some of the countries do have a similar language.

If you are traveling through Serbia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Croatia you will find a common language. While some of the words may be different, the general language is very similar.

Balkan Tour Lengths

Most Balkan tours last between 8-18 days. The length of the tour depends on the theme and region of the Balkans you are visiting.

If you are focusing on just the food of the Balkans or the Western Balkans, than the tour will be around 10 days. If you wish to see all of the Balkans, you will need at least 15 days because the area is so large.

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