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Gems of the Balkans 2026 - 7 days from Tirana to Dubrovnik

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Gems of the Balkans 2026

7 days from Tirana to Dubrovnik



Tour Description:

Time travel on this 7-day escorted tour of the beautiful Balkans from Tirana to Dubrovnik and discover how the past stands still and the future is in full play. From the seemingly unchanged villages and natural landscapes to the languid lakes and legendary seascapes of Albania and Croatia, you’ll find the vibrant life of artisans, ancient architecture, and fortresses that hold the secrets of wars past, and freedom won. Capture the beauty of the Balkans on the pink-paved streets and markets mixed with the Byzantine and Venetian architecture of Kotor, Montenegro; the legends of sea stories in Perast; and the massive fortress walls of Dubrovnik. A gem of a vacation in the Balkans that’s worth its weight in gold.

PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Dubrovnik so you can plan your day your way.

Map for Gems of the Balkans 2026 - 7 days from Tirana to Dubrovnik
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Dates & Pricing

Start Dates Listed Below are US departure dates, please verify specific dates with your Pavlus Travel Planner

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Saturday 09 May 26 — Saturday 16 May 26Starting at $2,559 Get a Quote
Saturday 30 May 26 — Saturday 06 Jun 26Starting at $2,869 Get a Quote
Saturday 06 Jun 26 — Saturday 13 Jun 26Starting at $2,869 Get a Quote
Saturday 13 Jun 26 — Saturday 20 Jun 26Starting at $2,869 Get a Quote
Saturday 20 Jun 26 — Saturday 27 Jun 26Starting at $2,869 Get a Quote
Saturday 22 Aug 26 — Saturday 29 Aug 26Starting at $3,069 Get a Quote
Saturday 12 Sep 26 — Saturday 19 Sep 26Starting at $2,769 Get a Quote


Destination & Sightseeing

Special Features Included in this Tour:
• Guided walking tour in Tirana includes a visit to Bunk’Art
• Guided boat trip on Lake Skadar
• Guided sightseeing in Cetinje with visit to King Nicola’s Museum.
• [LF] Boat ride to visit “Our Lady of the Rocks” Church, located on an island
• Guided sightseeing in Kotor
• Visit to Budva with dinner at a local restaurant
• Guided walking tour in Dubrovnik
• Globus Choice excursions in Dubrovnik − included in your tour with your choice of a self-guided visit on the city walls or a ride up Mount Srd on the Dubrovnik Cable car
• Orientation walk in Cavtat and dinner at a local restaurant
Notes:
We encourage all guests to prebook their preferred included Globus Choice excursions to ensure your selection is available. If your preference is not selected 35 days prior to departure, we will select a Choice excursion on your behalf based on availability.

MEALS

ITINERARY

Day 1 ARRIVE IN TIRANA, ALBANIA
Welcome to Tirana! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel
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Day 2 TIRANA
Art Covers Rock Your adventure starts this morning in Tirana, Albania’s capital city and allegedly one of the sunniest cities in Europe! Join your Local Guide for a walking tour to discover its intriguing culture and history. See many of the main landmarks and visit the Bunk’Art Museum, once a top-secret nuclear bunker, now a historical and art center. Spend an afternoon and evening at leisure exploring more. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT ART & ARCHITECTURE The architecture of this city has aspects of all periods of time. From the Tirana mosaic (Ancient Roman) to the Clock Tower (Kulla e Sahatit), a symbol of ottoman architecture, Italian buildings, and the style of construction during the dictatorship tell a vibrant story of this city. Visit the site of Bunk’Art. Once serving as the fallout shelter of communist dictator Enver Hoxha, this sprawling stone bunker is now a history museum and contemporary art gallery
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Day 3 TIRANA–VIRPAZAR, MONTENEGRO–BUDVA
A Shore Thing Cross the border into Montenegro on your way to Virpazar a small town located on the banks of Lake Skadar, one of the largest bird reserves in Europe. Relax and admire the beauty of the flora and fauna of the lake during your guided boat trip. Continue to Budva a well-preserved medieval town that doubles as a stunning coastal resort town. Enjoy free time this evening to get acquainted with Budva, why not try some local specialties for dinner? (B) 137 mi / 220 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Skadar lake is the largest lake in the Balkans, surrounded by karst mountains and rocky shores. When it formed millions of years ago it was just a bay off the Adriatic. However, with erosion and changes to the landscape, the former bay transformed into a lake which offers a variety of wildlife and different habitats
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Day 4 BUDVA EXCURSION TO CETINJE AND KOTOR
Former Capitals & Coastal Towns Depart for a full day’s excursion to visit two of Montenegro’s most interesting towns. Reach Cetinje, the former royal capital, and follow your Local Guide on a sightseeing tour to see the town’s main highlights with a visit to King Nicola’s Museum. Enjoy some free time for lunch before continuing to picture-perfect Kotor, the coastal town located on Europe’s southernmost fjord. Join your Local Guide to discover the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its cobblestone streets and charming squares. Return to Budva and enjoy a delicious dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D) 124mi / 200 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Kotor is a beautiful, walled medieval city of twisting, pink-paved streets, markets, and architecture reflecting Byzantine to Venetian influences. One of the squares contains the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, a monument of Roman culture and one of the most recognizable symbols of the city
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Day 5 BUDVA–PERAST–DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
Jewel of the Mediterranean [LF] Take a short boat ride from the picturesque town of Perast to the island “Our Lady of the Rocks.” Your Local Guide will share with you the intriguing stories of swashbuckling pirates and unrequited love that linger in its history. Continue to Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” for an evening at leisure to start getting acquainted with this breathtaking city, embraced by its remarkable UNESCO-listed city walls and the font of inspiration for many artists. (B) 71 mi / 115km TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGEND & FAITH The legend has it that on a summery evening in July 1452, two fishermen discovered an image of the Virgin Mary on the sea- cliff. They brought it home with them but the following morning it was gone and appeared back on the same sea- cliff. The same thing happened over and over so they understood this as a Virgin's wish to stay there forever so they build a church. A small island was then made by people from Perast who were throwing rocks and stones around the cliff
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Day 6 DUBROVNIK–KONAVLE–DUBROVNIK
Spend Your Day Your Way in Dubrovnik This morning, follow your Local Guide for a walking tour of the historic center. Explore more of Dubrovnik with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions. Walking on Walls The city of Dubrovnik is completely embraced by its iconic city walls that have survived intact for centuries. Spend time walking along the walls at your own pace on this self-guided visit brimming with photo opportunities and stunning vistas of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea. To Summit Up Soar up the side of Mount Srd on the Dubrovnik Cable Car for stunning views en route to the panoramic summit above. Cast your eyes on the spectacular views along the way to soak in the miles of marvelous vistas above. Later, drive to Konavle for an orientation walk in Cavtat and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) 37 mi / 60 km
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Day 7 DUBROVNIK
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.

Accommodations

TiranaBudvaDubrovnikDubrovnik
Hilton Garden Inn Tirana
First-Class

Hotel as shown or similar

146 Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta Tirana Albania

This trendy 143-room hotel is perfectly positioned for discovering the secrets of Albania's capital city. The spacious guest rooms are equipped with amenities to maximise comfort, including air conditioning, toiletries and cable TV. Guests can enjoy a unique dining experience at the on-site restaurant that serves high-quality international cuisine, There is also a fitness center and Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property.