The Balkans National Parks Tours & Trip Packages

The Balkans National Parks Tours & Trips

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

44 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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National Parks
Slovenia: Julian Alps to the Adriatic
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • In Velika Planina—a massive mountainside pastureland favored by shepherds for centuries—stop by a local herder’s pine-shingle hut to sample cheeses made from her flock’s milk.
  • Board a traditional pletna boat, and glide across beautiful Lake Bled to the iconic island at its heart, where a 10th-century church is rumored to contain a steeple bell that grants wishes.
  • Walk the otherworldly landscape of Secôvlje Salina Nature Park, home to some of the last traditional salt flats in the Mediterranean region, where workers still use centuries-old techniques to harvest the mineral.

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We were blown away by the beauty of the area of each and every walk we took. We loved waking up each morning excited for the adventure ahead. The people, the food, the hiking gave us respite from the "busyness" of our daily lives. Best trip you can take to feed body and soul!"

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Croatia Island Hopper
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Croatia, Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik, Hvar Island, Korcula Island, Split

Highlights

  • Explore enchanting town of Korcula Island
  • Visit Mljet National Park
  • A typical village party with Croatian delicacies in Kuna
  • Visit a famous beaches in Dalmatia

Themes

Cultural, Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Overland Journeys, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

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11 Night Adriatic & Greek Isles Voyage
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4.1/5 Great
35 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Athens, Dubrovnik, Ephesus, Mykonos, Santorini

Highlights

  • Enjoy the cruise Azamara Journey
  • Explore Greece
  • Explore the marble streets or surrounding countryside of Dubrovnik
  • Visit to Santorini and Mykonos
  • Explore the grand monuments of Ephesus

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We love the Azamara Quest! Very friendly and Great food!"

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Dalmatian Coast Bike Tour
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4.8/5 Excellent
62 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik, Hvar Island, Korcula Island

Highlights

  • Explore the reborn Dalmatian Coast by bike, with breathtaking sapphire sea views
  • Island-hop along the sun-drenched Adriatic and swim in hidden coves
  • Gain insight into Croatia's fascinating history and culture
  • The freshest seafood and local cuisine
  • Dubrovnik, an architectural masterpiece with turrets, spires and tiled roofs

Themes

Cycling & Biking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Until Covid clears, I would steer clear of Backroads. We were partially through their June 2020 Costa Rica tour when a guest tested Covid positive. She and her husband were isolated. The rest of the group were offered wimpy masks. Nobody was offered Covid testing daily and masks were not required of the guests or staff. The guides kept repeating "not in the CDC guidelines." Our group of six decided that the Backroads response was inadequate so returned home mid-excursion. The hotel and food was excellent, but the provided bikes were inadequate. The front derailleurs were poorly adjusted, and most of the riders had the chains come off during the first ride. Hikes or bike rides were conducted in downpours. Disappointed for charging such a premium price."

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Under Sail: Greece to the Dalmatian Coast aboard the Sea Cloud
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4.7/5 Excellent
42 reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Athens, Dubrovnik, Hvar Island, Korcula Island

Highlights

  • Ply the waters of the Aegean, Ionian and Adriatic seas under sail like the ancients
  • Step back in history at four UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the evocative ruins of Olympia, Greece and Albania’s historic city of Butrint
  • Skim across Montenegro’s Gulf of Kotor to our Lady of The Rocks, a tiny islet formed of sunken fishing boats
  • Spend a day among the marble-paved lanes and ramparts of Dubrovnik’s Old Town

Themes

50 plus, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Sailing

What travelers are saying

"UnCruise is an amazing dream!! The crew, the sales team, the office team, all go out of their way to make sure your experience is unforgettable. We were on the August 1, 2020 cruise. Even tho things didn’t go quite the way we planned, UnCruise was unbelievable. We will be back. UnCruise was my first ever cruise. They will be the only company we ever cruise with."

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Dalmatian Coast Walking & Hiking Tour
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4.8/5 Excellent
62 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Croatia, Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik, Hvar Island, Korcula Island, Split

Highlights

  • Explore the reborn Dalmatian Coast, gaining insight into Croatia's history and culture
  • Island-hop and swim in the sun-drenched Adriatic
  • Dubrovnik, an architectural masterpiece with an impressive fortified wall
  • Hike amid olive groves, undulating fields and jagged cliffs with sapphire sea views
  • Indulge in the freshest seafood and local cuisine

Themes

Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"Until Covid clears, I would steer clear of Backroads. We were partially through their June 2020 Costa Rica tour when a guest tested Covid positive. She and her husband were isolated. The rest of the group were offered wimpy masks. Nobody was offered Covid testing daily and masks were not required of the guests or staff. The guides kept repeating "not in the CDC guidelines." Our group of six decided that the Backroads response was inadequate so returned home mid-excursion. The hotel and food was excellent, but the provided bikes were inadequate. The front derailleurs were poorly adjusted, and most of the riders had the chains come off during the first ride. Hikes or bike rides were conducted in downpours. Disappointed for charging such a premium price."

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The Dalmatian Sunshine
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4.8/5 Excellent
25 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb

Highlights

  • See the Dominican Monastery and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy
  • Enjoy the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace
  • See the remnants of Split's Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle and the Cathedral
  • Enjoy the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, the Parliament and the Government Palace

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Religious

What travelers are saying

"I took the most amazing tour across Portugal and Spain through Bestway Tours last year. It was a 10 day tour visiting historic cities across the countries and was blown away by level of service and convenience the team provided. I've learned so much through the knowledgeable tour guides and enjoyed lots of delicious local food. I cannot wait to take another Bestway Tour in the future!"

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Best of the Adriatic in 14 Days Tour
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4.2/5 Great
23 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Diocletian's Palace, Dubrovnik, Hvar Island, Korcula Island, Ljubljana, Plitvice Lakes National park, St. Martin's Cathedral, Zagreb

Highlights

  • Visit the colorful riverside market, the playfully Art Nouveau Dragon Bridge, and the town's lively main square dedicated to Slovenia's greatest poet, France Prešeren.
  • Enjoy the architectural adventures of native born architect Jože Plečnik along the way.
  • The outdoor cafés along the river, and maybe hike up to the castle to enjoy the city view.
  • Visit the Slovenia's Julian Alps brings us to the azure jewel of Lake Bled.
  • Enjoy a local-style lunch together, sampling the tasty prsut (prosciutto), and award-winning wines.
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Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

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National Parks

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

stunning coastline

Excellent leader Alan. Great balance between towns and countryside. Difficult to find anything I would change, perhaps better hotel coffee. not having been before, D...

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

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...

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

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...

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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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