Highlights of the Balkans 2026

14 days from Belgrade to Tirana

For the travel lover who wishes to see it all, this tour of the beauty of Balkan countries delivers! Visit the must-see sites and hear about the long and fascinating histories as you journey through Serbia, Romania, North Macedonia, and Albania. Explore Serbia’s capital city of Belgrade, along with... Read MoreFor the travel lover who wishes to see it all, this tour of the beauty of Balkan countries delivers! Visit the must-see sites and hear about the long and fascinating histories as you journey through Serbia, Romania, North Macedonia, and Albania. Explore Serbia’s capital city of Belgrade, along with the Romanian cities of Timisoara, Sibiu andBucharest. Visit Brasov’s impressive Black Church; Ruse, Bulgaria’s “Little Vienna;” the byzantine Holy Sofia Church, built in the 6th century and today a symbol of Sofia; plus, Staro Nagorichane Monastery near Kumanovo, and Tirana’s Bunk’Art, in Albania.
Revel in remarkable experiences along the way, including a visit to Romania’s 14th-century Bran Castle of Dracula lore. See its torture chambers and enjoy dinner on the castle grounds. Embark on a boat cruise on Lake Ohrid and see the monastery of Saint Naum. This Eastern Europe tour is sure to thrill!

Starting at: $3,349

(Not Including Airfare)*

Highlights of the Balkans 2025

14 days from Belgrade to Tirana

For the travel lover who wishes to see it all, this tour of the beauty of Balkan countries delivers! Visit the must-see sites and hear about the long and fascinating histories as you journey through Serbia, Romania, North Macedonia, and Albania. Explore Serbia’s capital city of Belgrade, along with... Read MoreFor the travel lover who wishes to see it all, this tour of the beauty of Balkan countries delivers! Visit the must-see sites and hear about the long and fascinating histories as you journey through Serbia, Romania, North Macedonia, and Albania. Explore Serbia’s capital city of Belgrade, along with the Romanian cities of Timisoara, Sibiu andBucharest. Visit Brasov’s impressive Black Church; Ruse, Bulgaria’s “Little Vienna;” the byzantine Holy Sofia Church, built in the 6th century and today a symbol of Sofia; plus, Staro Nagorichane Monastery near Kumanovo, and Tirana’s Bunk’Art, in Albania.
Revel in remarkable experiences along the way, including a visit to Romania’s 14th-century Bran Castle of Dracula lore. See its torture chambers and enjoy dinner on the castle grounds. Embark on a boat cruise on Lake Ohrid and see the monastery of Saint Naum. This Eastern Europe tour is sure to thrill!

Starting at: $4,299

(Not Including Airfare)*

Budapest to the Black Sea - Eastbound

Explore the romantic lower Danube through the heart of Central Europe, where East and West meet and intertwine in fascinating cultures and turbulent history... Glide past medieval monasteries, citadels and villages... Discover resort towns along Romania's Black Sea Coast, explore an ancient Christian... Read MoreExplore the romantic lower Danube through the heart of Central Europe, where East and West meet and intertwine in fascinating cultures and turbulent history... Glide past medieval monasteries, citadels and villages... Discover resort towns along Romania's Black Sea Coast, explore an ancient Christian necropolis in Pecs, and visit "Dracula's" castle in Transylvania... dine in the Bragadiru Palace in Bucharest... Share homemade refreshments in the home of a Croatian family rebuilding their lives in postwar Vukovar, and listen to Béla Bartók's piano music at a recital in his Budapest home. Experience authentic local cuisine, music and dance, and a wealth of architectural wonders as your river cruise winds its way through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, with nights on land at luxury hotels in the popular cities of Bucharest and Budapest (the Paris of Eastern Europe).

Starting at: $7,190

(Not Including Airfare)*

The Black Sea to Budapest - Westbound

Explore the romantic lower Danube through the heart of Central Europe, where East and West meet and intertwine in fascinating cultures and turbulent history... Glide past medieval monasteries, citadels and villages... Discover resort towns along Romania's Black Sea Coast, explore an ancient Christian... Read MoreExplore the romantic lower Danube through the heart of Central Europe, where East and West meet and intertwine in fascinating cultures and turbulent history... Glide past medieval monasteries, citadels and villages... Discover resort towns along Romania's Black Sea Coast, explore an ancient Christian necropolis in Pecs, and visit "Dracula's" castle in Transylvania... dine in a palace in Bucharest... Share homemade refreshments in the home of a Croatian family rebuilding their lives in postwar Vukovar, and listen to Béla Bartók's piano music at a recital in his Budapest home. Experience authentic local cuisine, music and dance, and a wealth of architectural wonders as your river cruise winds its way through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania, with nights on land at luxury hotels in the popular cities of Bucharest and Budapest (the Paris of Eastern Europe).

Starting at: $7,490

(Not Including Airfare)*

Grand European Cruise - Westbound

Travel like the royals of old on our grand eastern European river cruises combining _Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat_ with _Budapest to the Black Sea_ to create an unforgettable 25-day experience through the heart of Europe. This remarkable voyage virtually links the North Sea to the Black Sea via... Read MoreTravel like the royals of old on our grand eastern European river cruises combining _Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat_ with _Budapest to the Black Sea_ to create an unforgettable 25-day experience through the heart of Europe. This remarkable voyage virtually links the North Sea to the Black Sea via the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers, taking you through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Glide past grand cathedrals, medieval monasteries, and historic citadels – as well as through the Main-Danube Canal and the Iron Gate of the Danube. Tauck's private, inclusive shore excursions take in many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in-depth exploration of cities including Amsterdam, Köln, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade and Bucharest. It's the ultimate European river cruise... with the Tauck Difference!

Starting at: $14,690

(Not Including Airfare)*

Grand European Cruise - Eastbound

Travel like the royals of old on our grand eastern European river cruises combining Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat with Budapest to the Black Sea to create an unforgettable 25-day experience through the heart of Europe. This remarkable voyage virtually links the North Sea to the Black Sea via the... Read MoreTravel like the royals of old on our grand eastern European river cruises combining Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat with Budapest to the Black Sea to create an unforgettable 25-day experience through the heart of Europe. This remarkable voyage virtually links the North Sea to the Black Sea via the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers, taking you through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. Glide past grand cathedrals, medieval monasteries, and historic citadels – as well as through the Main-Danube Canal and the Iron Gate of the Danube. Tauck's private, inclusive shore excursions take in many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in-depth exploration of cities including Amsterdam, Köln, Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Belgrade and Bucharest. It's the ultimate European river cruise... with the Tauck Difference!

Starting at: $14,690

(Not Including Airfare)*

Treasures of the Balkans - Small Group

Explore the former Communist headquarters of Romania in Bucharest, see Bulgaria’s Roman ruins in Sofia and marvel at Bosnia’s Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo. After exploring the medieval city of Brașov, take the mountain roads to the Transylvanian border and join a private visit of Bran Castle after... Read MoreExplore the former Communist headquarters of Romania in Bucharest, see Bulgaria’s Roman ruins in Sofia and marvel at Bosnia’s Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo. After exploring the medieval city of Brașov, take the mountain roads to the Transylvanian border and join a private visit of Bran Castle after hours - better known as Dracula’s haunted abode in Bram Stoker’s infamous novel, followed by private dinner. Delve into the myths and legends before adventuring onwards to Mostar, where a Local Expert guides you through the city’s iconic sights ahead of a Sarajevo Dine at Home experience. Sit down with a Sarajevan family for a feast of local delicacies, traditional Bosnian coffee and tales of local life before your adventure ends in Belgrade.

Starting at: $6,825

(Not Including Airfare)*

Treasures of the Balkans - Classic Group

Explore the former Communist headquarters of Romania in Bucharest, see Bulgaria’s Roman ruins in Sofia and marvel at Bosnia’s Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo. After exploring the medieval city of Brașov, take the mountain roads to the Transylvanian border and join a private visit of Bran Castle after... Read MoreExplore the former Communist headquarters of Romania in Bucharest, see Bulgaria’s Roman ruins in Sofia and marvel at Bosnia’s Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo. After exploring the medieval city of Brașov, take the mountain roads to the Transylvanian border and join a private visit of Bran Castle after hours - better known as Dracula’s haunted abode in Bram Stoker’s infamous novel, followed by private dinner. Delve into the myths and legends before adventuring onwards to Mostar, where a Local Expert guides you through the city’s iconic sights ahead of a Sarajevo Dine at Home experience. Sit down with a Sarajevan family for a feast of local delicacies, traditional Bosnian coffee and tales of local life before your adventure ends in Belgrade.

Starting at: $5,036

(Not Including Airfare)*

Balkan Adventure

Visit seven countries on this adventure-filled Balkan trip, where you’ll venture deep into the Carpathian Mountains, walk in the mythical footsteps of Count Dracula at Bran Castle in Transylvania and revel in the beauty, history and traditions of the Balkan nations.

Starting at: $3,100

(Not Including Airfare)*

Treasures of the Balkans & Transylvania 2025 - 13 Day Tour from Budapest to Budapest

Discover the treasures of the Balkans on this vacation through Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Visit the capitals—Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia, Bucharest—as well as some of the fascinating towns and cities along the way. Discover Novi Sad, famous for its citadel; Plovdiv, with its picturesque... Read MoreDiscover the treasures of the Balkans on this vacation through Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania. Visit the capitals—Budapest, Belgrade, Sofia, Bucharest—as well as some of the fascinating towns and cities along the way. Discover Novi Sad, famous for its citadel; Plovdiv, with its picturesque old town centre; Veliko Târnovo, Bulgaria’s capital during the Middle Ages; and Sinaia, a lovely ski resort town. Explore Brasov, a charming Transylvanian town featuring Saxon walls and bastions and an expansive square. Sighisoara is one of Romania’s prettiest towns with 11 medieval towers within the city walls, cobblestone streets, ancient houses, and churches. Visit Sofia’s Boyana Church, a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Plovdiv’s Roman Amphitheatre, one of the world’s best-preserved ancient theatres, and Arbanassi’s Church of the Nativity, built in 1637 and housing an outstanding collection of frescoes. Rila Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a history dating back 10 centuries. Marvel at Peles Castle, a masterpiece of German neo-renaissance architecture built in the 1880s and nestled at the foot of the mountains. It is considered one of the most stunning and romantic European castles. In Bucharest, visit the open-air Village Museum, showcasing traditional village life with a collection of traditional farmhouses, cottages, wind and watermills, and artisans’ workshops from all parts of the country. Last, but not least, visit Bran Castle, built in 1377 with imposing towers and turrets, and once inhabited by Vlad the Impaler—the Count who gave Bran Stoker the inspiration for his novel’s character, the vampire known as Dracula. This Balkans and Transylvania tour is designed for value-minded, savvy travel lovers. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime vacation!

Starting at: $2,699

(Not Including Airfare)*