Classic Balkans: Ljubljana to Sarajevo

Main Destination Croatia from $5,039.10 USD 21 Days Tour

Hit the road from Ljubljana to Sarajevo with a crew of like-minded adventurers and dive into the best that Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina have to offer. Take scenic walks through lush national parks with jaw-dropping lakes and waterfalls, explore historic landmarks that tell centuries of stories, and savour every bite of the local gastronomy. From stunning nature to rich culture, this 21-day journey across three incredible countries will leave you with endless memories and a heart full of adventure.

Travel Style

Classic

Service Level

Standard

Physical Grading

2 - Light

What's Included

Your G for Good Moment: Maritimo Recycling, Dubrovnik
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Foodie Moment: Ljubljana Food Walking Tour, Ljubljana
Your Foodie Moment: Zadar Walking Food Tour, Zadar
Your Foodie Moment: Oyster Farm Food and Wine Experience with Lunch, Uvala Bistrina
Your Foodie Moment: Trebinje Market Tour, Trebinje
Your Foodie Moment: Cheese Making Farm and Lunch, Trebinje
Your Foodie Moment: Apiary Visit, Trebinje
Your Foodie Moment: Sarajevo Food Tour, Sarajevo. Orientation walk in Ljubljana. Visit the resort city of Piran. Orientation walk of Portorož. Day trip and visit to Trieste with coffee tasting. Wine tasting with lunch in the Brda region of Slovenia. Explore the Postojna Caves with a local guide. Visit Lake Bled with a short walk. Orientation walks in Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik. Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hike in Krka Lakes National Park. Full-day excursion to the islands of Prvic and Zlarin from Šibenik. Walk along the old city wall of Ston. Tvrdoš Monastery Visit and Wine Tasting. Orientation walk in Trebinje. Visit the town of Stolac and the necropolis tombstones. See Kravica and Koćuša Waterfalls. Dinner and wine pairing at a winery in Čitluk. Visit the Pocitelj Ottoman stone town. Hike to the Blagaj Fortress. Visit the Dervish Monastery. Guided walking tour of Mostar. Transport to/from all included activities and between all destinations.

What are the main highlights of this trip?

Eat your way through Ljubljana on a food walking tour, Take in the natural beauty on a walk along Lake Bled, Enjoy the stunning lakes and waterfalls at Plitvice and Krka National Parks, Wander past historic churches and monuments in Split and Dubrovnik, See the spectacular Kravica and Koćuša Waterfalls, Be immersed in Bosnia and Herzegovina's history in Mostar and Sarajevo

How large will the group be?

Max 16, avg 12.

What meals are included in this trip?

20 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

What are the modes of transportation on my trip?

Public Bus, private vehicle, mini-train, ferry, walking.

Is there an extra cost for travelling solo?

We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Where will we stay during the trip?

Hotels (20 nts).

Itinerary

Day 1

Ljubljana

Arrive at any time. After a welcome briefing, set off with your CEO on a short orientation walk to get your bearings of the area on the way to an optional group dinner.

Day 2

Ljubljana

Head into the city centre for a deep dive into the Slovenian capital's food scene on a guided walking tour. Visit a farmers market, various gourmet shops and local diners as you eat your way through the city and enjoy a light lunch along the way. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to continue exploring, visit the Ljubljbana Castle or just relax at a nearby cafe.

Day 3

Ljubljana/Portorož

Depart Ljubljana after breakfast and head towards the Adriatic coast, making a stop in the resort city of Piran along the way. Get oriented with your CEO on arrival and then enjoy some free time to explore the waterfront, main square and streets lined with gorgeous Venetian architecture. In the afternoon continue to the nearby town of Portorož for walk around town with the CEO before checking into the hotel for the evening.

Day 4

Portorož

Take a day trip into Italy today and cross the border to the city of Trieste. Explore this historic town on your own and see some of the beautiful architecture, framed by a medieval old city and a neoclassical new city. Taste some of the coffee that Trieste is famous for then visit the nearby Miramare Castle, a beautiful 19th century building with a lush park area and amazing views over the sea. Back in Slovenia, stop for an included lunch with wine tasting at a winery before returning to Portorož in the evening.

Day 5

Portorož/Lake Bohinj

Travel inland from the coast and make a stop at the Postojna Cave, to explore the fascinating network subterranean world with an expert guide. After time in town for lunch, continue north to Lake Bled, stopping to walk around the lake with the CEO to soak in the views and enjoy the incredible scenery. Finish the day in the nearby Lake Bohinj area and check into the hotel for the evening.

Day 6

Lake Bohinj

Start the day with an orientation walk with the CEO to get acquainted to the area and with all of the great optional activities available. The rest of the day is free to get the most out of the picturesque Lake Bohinj area as you please. Options on the water could include swimming or a boat ride, otherwise go hiking, biking or ziplining as other ways to experience the natural beauty of the area. Regroup in the evening for an optional final dinner with the group.

Day 7

Ljubljana/Zagreb

Travel by train this morning across the border into Croatia, to the city of Zagreb. Check into the hotel on arrival and have a bit of free time to relax before setting off with your CEO on a short orientation walk to see some of the street art and to get your bearings of the area on the way to an optional group dinner.

Day 8

Zagreb/Plitvička Jezera

Travel south from Zagreb to the stunning and iconic Plitvice Lakes National Park. Explore the park’s forests, crystal waters, and cascading falls with our CEO for incredible scenery, natural beauty and photo opportunities. Continue to the hotel in the evening, check in and relax before a delicious dinner.

Day 9

Plitvička Jezera/Šibenik

Depart the hotel after breakfast and drive to the coastal city of Zadar. Discover the city on a walking food tour with a local guide, exploring the historic city centre and important landmarks and culminating in a secluded garden for lunch and wine tasting. Continue to Krka National Park for a hike through the lush forest along the river to a series of spectacular waterfalls. Finish the day in the nearby city of Šibenik and enjoy a free evening.

Day 10

Šibenik

Set off on a full-day excursion to explore the nearby islands of Prvic and Zlarin. Take the ferry first to Prvic and explore the old town and other parts of this small island with your CEO then hop on the next ferry to the nearby island of Zlarin. Populated since ancient times, Zlarin has many historical monuments worth exploring and and offers incredible views over the islands natural vistas towards the Adriatic Sea. Return to Šibenik in the afternoon and take a stroll through the old town with your CEO before enjoying the rest of the day and evening at leisure.

Day 11

Šibenik/Makarska

Travel south along the coast today to the port city of Split. Explore the city with your CEO on an orientation walk to see some of the main sights and landmarks then enjoy free time for lunch and to continue exploring on your own with the chance to visit the Diocletian's Palace and the Riva promenade. In the late afternoon continue by bus to the city of Makarska to check into the hotel and enjoy a free evening.

Day 12

Makarska

Enjoy a full free day to take advantage of the many optional activities available in and around Makarska. Perhaps take a ferry to the island of Brač to explore on your own, take a tuk tuk tour, go zip-lining in the nearby town of Tucepi or just relax on the local beach.

Day 13

Makarska/Dubrovnik

Set off from Makarska along the coast and make a stop at a small bay called Uvala Bistrina to learn all about the local oyster farming and to sample some fresh ones and with wine and lunch from local ingredients. Take some free time to wander the town of Ston and to walk along the massive and historic Ston City wall which rewards those who climb it incredible views of the town and the surrounding mountains. Continue driving in the afternoon to Croatia's capital city, Dubrovnik and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 14

Dubrovnik

Discover Dubrovnik today on an orientation walk with your CEO through the old part of the city and seeing some of the city's most iconic buildings and landmarks. Make a stop at the G Adventures-supported Maritimo Recycling, where artists are creatively working to clean up the Adriatic Sea. Then, take the rest of the day to continue exploring on your own, take an optional kayak excursion or relax in one of the many cafés and watch the world go by. Regroup in the evening for an optional final dinner out on the town.

Day 15

Dubrovnik/Trebinje

Enjoy a free morning in Dubrovnik for further exploration or for some last-minute shopping before departing around midday for Bosnia and Herzegovina. After driving across the border, make a stop at the Tvrdoš Monastery and sample some of the local wine then continue to a view point at the Hercegovačka Gračanica Temple to enjoy a great view of the city of Trebinje. Make a final stop at Arslanagić bridge before arriving to the hotel. In the evening, set off with your CEO on an orientation walk along the river and into the old town. Get your bearings of the area on the way to an optional group dinner.

Day 16

Trebinje

Today is all about local flavours, culture and long-standing traditions.. Explore the organic market to sample some options and learn of the local specialties before transferring to a women run apiary and see how they manage the hives. Continue to a farm that has specialized in cheese making for more than 5 generations. Visit the farm and share a delicious farm-to-table lunch with the family. Understanding the local culture is made easier by immersing yourself in the cuisine, and there is no better way than this. The rest of the day is free after returning to Trebinje in the aftenroon.

Day 17

Trebinje/Čitluk

Head out of Trebinje in the morning by bus for a day of highlights. First, stop in Stolac to see the town centre then visit a UNESCO-listed site with ornamented necropolis tombstones to get a glimpse into how people lived in the Middle Ages. Continue to the spectacular Kravica waterfall and carry on to the lesser-visited Koćuša Waterfall to enjoy the scenery and have time for lunch. Later, travel to the town of Čitluk for the night and cap off the day with dinner at a winery, paired with their locally produced wines.

Day 18

Čitluk/Mostar

Immerse yourself in history today by visiting the Pocitelj Ottoman stone town and art colony, taking a short hike to the Blagaj Fortress, and soaking in the natural beauty of the Dervish Monastery, built on cliffs by the water at the mouth of the Buna River. Later, continue to the city of Mostar and set off on a guided walking tour before spending the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 19

Mostar/Sarajevo

Transfer from Mostar to Sarajevo today. Ascend the Mount Trebević for the best views of the city and visit the Abandoned Bobsled track which provides a glimpse into the city’s complex history. Explore the vibrant Sarajevo and be immersed in the local culinary scene on a history and food tour that will serve as a delicious meal and a great introduction to the city.

Day 20

Sarajevo

Take advantage of a free day to get the most out of the beautiful city of Sarajevo. Dive into the history and tragic past with countless museums and culturally significant monuments, take a graffiti art tour or just relax and sample local flavours at one of the many cafes.

Day 21

Sarajevo

Depart at any time.

Is travel insurance required for my trip?

Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.

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