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Best of Balkans | Start Dubrovnik | 2026
Tour Description:
This part of the world is hotter than hot right now, and we aint gonna lie, this trip's name says it all. Sunshine, sunsets, and sights are served up left right and centre, with a nature fix dotted in-between to keep every explorer tuned in. 15-days of life changing experiences are yours for the taking.
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Dates & Pricing
| Saturday 23 May 26 — Saturday 06 Jun 26 | Starting at $2,395 |  SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 06 Jun 26 — Saturday 20 Jun 26 | Starting at $2,483 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 20 Jun 26 — Saturday 04 Jul 26 | Starting at $2,483 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 04 Jul 26 — Saturday 18 Jul 26 | Starting at $2,605 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 18 Jul 26 — Saturday 01 Aug 26 | Starting at $2,683 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 01 Aug 26 — Saturday 15 Aug 26 | Starting at $2,605 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 15 Aug 26 — Saturday 29 Aug 26 | Starting at $2,605 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
| Saturday 29 Aug 26 — Saturday 12 Sep 26 | Starting at $2,605 | SPECIAL | Get a Quote |
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & SightseeingDining Summary
14 Breakfast (B)
4 Dinner (D)
FAQs
London: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
Included Experience
Tirana: Take an orientation around the rainbow-coloured Albanian capital with your Contiki gang. Familiarise yourself with the landmarks and best places to grab a coffee.
Tirana: Wanna dive into Albania’s past? Then you need visit Bunk’Art – a massive underground bunker turned museum. It was once built to protect leaders from nuclear attacks. And now it tells the story of Albania’s communist era with art, history (and even a few surprises!). Explore eerie tunnels, snap some pics, and experience a slice of Cold War history you won’t find anywhere else.
Mostar: See this epic piece of Ottoman architecture, which was destroyed by war in 1993 and then rebuilt.
Sarajevo: See the sights of the Bosnian capital and get up to speed on 500 years of history, from the Ottomans to the present day.
Belgrade: Ramble around the Serbian capital. It’s brimming with culture and history for you to soak up.
Lake Bled: Take it easy with your new besties as you walk around the scenic lake, framed by the Julian Alps.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Turquoise lakes. Sparkling waterfalls. Lush green forests. You’ll never want to leave this little slice of heaven.
Dubrovnik: Stroll through the UNESCO-listed old town with a local guide. And play a game of ‘spot the Game of Thrones film set’ as you go.
14 Breakfast (B)
4 Dinner (D)
FAQs
London: What does a modular trip mean? A modular trip means fellow travellers will join and leave at various locations. There’ll be some goodbyes, sure, but there’ll also be plenty of hellos with new like-minded travellers.
Included Experience
Tirana: Take an orientation around the rainbow-coloured Albanian capital with your Contiki gang. Familiarise yourself with the landmarks and best places to grab a coffee.
Tirana: Wanna dive into Albania’s past? Then you need visit Bunk’Art – a massive underground bunker turned museum. It was once built to protect leaders from nuclear attacks. And now it tells the story of Albania’s communist era with art, history (and even a few surprises!). Explore eerie tunnels, snap some pics, and experience a slice of Cold War history you won’t find anywhere else.
Mostar: See this epic piece of Ottoman architecture, which was destroyed by war in 1993 and then rebuilt.
Sarajevo: See the sights of the Bosnian capital and get up to speed on 500 years of history, from the Ottomans to the present day.
Belgrade: Ramble around the Serbian capital. It’s brimming with culture and history for you to soak up.
Lake Bled: Take it easy with your new besties as you walk around the scenic lake, framed by the Julian Alps.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Turquoise lakes. Sparkling waterfalls. Lush green forests. You’ll never want to leave this little slice of heaven.
Dubrovnik: Stroll through the UNESCO-listed old town with a local guide. And play a game of ‘spot the Game of Thrones film set’ as you go.
ITINERARY
ITINERARYDubrovnik > Budva > Tirana
Good morning, travellers! Hope you’re ready for an exciting ride across the beautiful Balkans. Today, you’ll exchange hellos with your Trip Manager (and your new crew too!). With no time to waste, we'll head straight to our first stop. We’ll stop by Montenegro's seaside beauty of Budva. You have the option to grab some lunch at a sea-view restaurant, or spend some time on the beach, before we head to our next stop. Welcome to the capital city of Albania. This hidden gem has a lot to offer, and we’ve got the entirety of tomorrow to see it all. Join us for an included dinner tonight before heading back to our hotel to get some sleep as our adventure begins...
Tirana
Time to wake up! Grab your breakfast and join us for a walking tour of Tirana, guided by a local guide. And the rest of the day is all yours to spend in this beautiful city, and one of the many museums will defo pique your interest!
Tirana > Mostar
Tirana, you’ve been great. But we’ve got another awe-inspiring destination waiting for us. Hello Mostar! We’re officially in Bosnia & Herzegovina, ready to bask in all of its historical glory. Beautiful rivers, iconic bridges, brick-red roofs - it’s gonna be a treat. Tonight, we’ll stroll around the picturesque streets to grab some authentic dinner. Spend the night chilling with your crew and getting some well-deserved rest.
Mostar > Sarajevo
Ready? This morning, we’re visiting the legendary Mostar Bridge that arches right over the silent blue river. (And it makes for a perfect backdrop for your Insta photo dump!) The historical streets of Sarajevo have a story or two to tell. And we’ll be listening to them all tomorrow. Tonight, you have the option to taste home-made Bosnian cuisine, learn what living like a local is like (plus support their families in turn). A truly wholesome experience!
Sarajevo
The only way to uncover the town of Sarajevo is with the wisdom shared on a guided walking tour. We'll help you tap into history & understand the magnitude of our destination. And then to lighten the mood, we’ll head to a local tavern for a delicious dinner and gags with friends.
Sarajevo > Belgrade
Rise up, roamers! We're departing for the town of Belgrade to continue our epic frolic through the Balkans.Another border crossing is on the agenda as we wave our way into Serbia en route to Belgrade. Medieval meets modern in this bustling, pure white city. Zen folk can go sit on the Hill of Contemplation or stroll along the Sava river, others can see the fortress of Beogradska Tvrđava & enjoy the lively mood of Belgrade by night.
Belgrade > Budapest
Leaving Belgrade behind, today we're onto beautiful Budapest. Fast becoming one of the hottest destinations in Europe, Budapest is on our beeline. You'll have the option to take a cruise and make the most of your evening. Later, you'll no doubt want to keep things moving at one of the city's famous ruins bars, that need to be seen to be believed!
Budapest
Morning! You've got an entire day to spend exploring the stunning landscape and architechtural marvel of this city. And finally, to shoo away those hunger pangs, we'll grab some dinner at a local Hungarian spot.
Budapest > Ljubljana
This morning we'll hop onto the coach for a guided tour to explore to what this city has on offer. You'll see Heroes Square, Fisherman's Bastion, as well as the famed chain bridge & the stunning parliament building, before we depart for our next city. After a morning full of awesome ancient architecture, we'll be ready to arrive in Ljubljana. You've got a free evening on your hands. So roam around the city, grab a bite to eat, and rest up for the all the Alpine scenery that awaits us tomorrow.
Ljubljana > Lake Bled > Radovljica > Ljubljana
Ljubljana, you've been lovely. But we’ll be back in a while. Because today, something even more exciting is on the agenda. You've probably seen pictures of Lake Bled, but nothing will prepare you for the real thing. With its fairytale medieval castle reaching out of an islet, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Julian Alps and the turquoise waters of the lake itself, it really is like something out of a Disney movie. Satisfied your soul soaking in all that natural beauty? Now satisfy your hungry tummies with some lunch at this quaint Medieval town. It’s been a long but pleasing day. Tonight, you can choose to join a traditional Slovenian evening. We're talking: a traditional dancing show paired with a spread of authentic dishes. A feast for your mind and tastebuds alike!
Ljubljana > Plitvice National Park
Next up is something altogether drop dead gorgeous....A strong introduction to Croatia is on the cards today with cascading teal forest pools at Plitvice Lakes. Why this place is not famous world over as one of the prettiest places in Europe, we have no idea.
Plitvice National Park > Zadar > Split
Morning, explorers! Fill up on your included breakfast. It’s time to hit the road again… Zadar is the perfect mix of history and modern flair. Explore ancient Roman ruins, chill by the Sea Organ where waves make music, and grab a bite at one of the city's cool cafes. Whether you're soaking in the culture or diving into the local scene, there's always something exciting around the corner in this laid-back Croatian gem.Welcome to the sea-side heaven of Split. With the oh-so-inviting aquamarine waters on our side, we’ll check into our stay. You’ve got some time to explore this beautiful city. And then, you can choose to join us for some dinner at a traditional Dalmatian tavern.
Split > Ston > Dubrovnik
Split it's been fantastic, but we have to leave for other Croatian gems further down the coast.Ston is a charming town on the Dalmatian coast, famous for its impressive medieval walls and ancient salt pans. It’s the perfect spot to explore history, sample fresh seafood, and take in the scenic surroundings. A great place to unwind and enjoy the slow pace before heading to your next adventure.The drive along the Dalmatian coastline to Dubrovnik is a sightseeing must do all on its own. On arrival in the city you'll be greeted by limestone walls; an Old Town filled with quintessentially Croatian cafes and plenty of clubs; and a mountain meets sea situation will see you falling in love within seconds.
Dubrovnik
The city of Dubrovnik is so much more than just a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Game of Thrones location - not that either of those claims to fame are even mildly mediocre. After you've been guided around the city with intricate detail with our local guide you'll be armed with the knowledge to pick out a waterside rock bar where you can swim and indulge 'til your heart's content. Tonight over an optional dinner with the crew, spirits will no doubt be high!
Dubrovnik
That's a wrap! Our love affair with the Balkans has sadly come to an end! But perhaps we can get the squad back together for a reunion trip?
Disclaimer: Prices listed are per person, based on double occupancy, and in USD. All promotions are valid for new bookings only, capacity controlled and valid on select dates and departures. Individual Terms and Conditions will apply to all promotions. Any promotion can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Please speak with your Pavlus Travel Planner for complete vendor terms and conditions, including eligible tour and cruise dates.
