Best of the Balkans & Greek Islands

Welcome to the first day of this best of the Balkans and the Greek Islands tour. Start at the hotel in Athens today and meet up with your tour leader and group for a brief overview of what to expect. Then, the capital city of Greece awaits on an orientation tour. Spot iconic sights like the Academy, National Library, Greek parliament, Panathinaikos marble stadium, Hadrian’s Arch, and the temple of Olympian Zeus. Craving some local Greek cuisine? Join the optional excursion for an Athens Food Tour! Then, embark on the optional guided exploration of the Acropolis site. Please note that this excursion must be booked before your tour starts. This evening, enjoy an included welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Today, pass through mainland Greece before enjoying a stop in Delphi en route. In ancient times, Delphi was considered the “omphalos” (navel) of the earth. Admire some of the top sights, including the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, and the Delphi Archaeological Museum. This afternoon, arrive in Meteora - a spellbinding series of rock formations home to many Eastern Orthodox monasteries. Discover St. Stephen's Monastery, which is currently used as a nunnery but was founded in 1400 by St. Antoninus Cantacuzene. Marvel at the 18th-century cathedral and soak up Kalabaka's views. Spot the Holy Trinity Monastery located atop a single rock formation before continuing to nearby Kalabaka for the evening. Immerse yourself at leisure upon arrival.

Today, continue the journey and travel to the hidden gem of Ohrid in North Macedonia. This UNESCO-listed city is located on the shores of Lake Ohrid and is one of Europe's longest-standing human settlements. Fun fact: this city once had a whopping 365 churches at the same time. Admire the Old Town on a guided tour and marvel at the top attractions, including the Church of St. John at Kaneo, overlooking Lake Ohrid from atop a cliff. Tonight, end off the day with an included group dinner.

It's time to leave North Macedonia behind in exchange for Albania, its Balkan neighbour. Entering the capital city of Tirana, you'll see a similar occurrence found across the Balkans- a notable transformation. Shedding the oppressive Communist regime left behind a fascinating and lively city to explore. Sit down for an included lunch and embark on an educational walking tour. Marvel at the multi-coloured buildings as well as the impressive Ottoman, Italian and Communist architecture. Tonight, choose to join an enlightening experience on the optional excursion, an Evening in Tirana. Visit a unique, interactive museum and enjoy a traditional, local dinner. This is the ultimate way to get immersed in the Albanian lifestyle!

Say goodbye to Albania this morning and journey through Montenegro towards today's first stop. Arrive in the scenic coastal town of Budva, famous for its well-preserved medieval walled city, and explore at leisure. Then, continue on and enjoy a comfort stop in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Kotor. This old port town is enclosed by Venetian period fortifications and awe-inspiring fjord-like cliffs. This is truly a photo-worthy Mediterranean landscape! Next, continue to Croatia and marvel at the city of Dubrovnik's entrance gate to the Old Town. Tonight is yours to explore and experience Dubrovnik however you wish.

Start another exciting day on tour with a locally-guided walking tour of the Old Town, complete with the City Walls and Franciscan Monastery. Next, depart on a walking tour from the spectacular Amerling Fountain. The rest of the day is yours to explore Dubrovnik's sights and sensations on your own. A great choice is joining the Blue Cave Boat Tour which will take you deep into the azure waters of some of Dubrovnik’s famous and hidden caves. This cruise includes drinks, swimming stops and even the option to go snorkelling!

Get ready for an entirely different experience today! Cross the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country rich with history and culture and filled with charming towns and picturesque landscapes! Upon arrival in Mostar, one of this Balkan tour’s most historic towns, which was reconstructed after the sordid past of the Bosnian War. One of the city's most iconic sights is the Stari Most bridge, which you can see during some free time. Discover Mostar's religious, Roman and Ottoman influences in its architecture. Later this afternoon, travel to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. Arrive and head out on a locally guided tour before sitting down to taste some local cuisine during this evening's included dinner.

After a magical experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina, head back to Croatia this morning. After arriving in the seaside city of Split, a coastal paradise, head out on an orientation tour of the scenic Old Town. Behold the Baroque architecture of Fruit Square, discover the age-old Diocletian's Palace and traverse the lively Split Riva waterfront. Enjoy ample time to explore this stunning destination, as well as find a spot for a delicious lunch. If the weather is warm, the ocean water might even be calling to cool down! This evening's accommodation lies within the picture-perfect Plitvice Lakes region, where dinner will be served at the hotel tonight.

Today offers the perfect combination of stunning landscapes and the Slovenian capital. Start the adventure with a visit to the Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the most beautiful natural scenes in Europe, and marvel at the cascading waterfalls and vibrant surroundings. Inside the reserve, take a tour of its boardwalks and impressive Croatian natural scenery. Up next is the captivating capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Upon arrival, embark on a locally-guided walking tour and embrace the feeling of entering a fairytale. For a fun-filled night of live music, dancing and a three-course meal, join the Slovenian Evening optional excursion.

Today, cross the border into Hungary but first, stop in Maribor, Slovenia's second-largest city, and head out on an orientation tour. Next, enter Hungary and visit Lake Balaton - one of Europe's most breathtaking freshwater lakes that has become a popular vacation spot. This afternoon, journey to Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. As it straddles the expansive Danube River, Budapest offers many UNESCO World Heritage Sites to tick off your bucket list. For example, the geothermal springs and distinct architecture are considered unmissable highlights. Enjoy a driving tour of the city with a local guide and discover the Castle District and the Hungarian Parliament buildings. Celebrate the first night in Budapest with an included group dinner tonight.

Get a better understanding of Budapest today as you enjoy a full free day to explore its history and unusual details. Take this opportunity to truly get immersed in this must-see city! For the ultimate, in-depth exploration of Budapest's sights and symbols, opt for today's Budapest+ optional excursion. Tick iconic landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Basilica and Central Market Hall off your bucket list! Or, you could choose to spend the day relaxing and healing in the Budapest Baths, thermal spas that have been around since Roman times. This evening, choose to take in the tantalising views of Budapest by night when you join the Danube dinner cruise. Today's all in your hands!

Bid beautiful Budapest goodbye as the journey continues forth to Belgrade in Serbia. On the way, enjoy a stop in Novi Sad before entering the Serbian capital and embarking on a locally guided walk. See the city's top sights, including Republic Square, the Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress. Not only are you in the heart of Serbia but you're also at the core of Balkan culture and history. Where the Rivers Danube and Sava join lies an incredible blend of history, culture and an undeniably unique atmosphere. This evening, enjoy an included group dinner.

Serbia has so much more to see! This morning, visit Niš, a historic city in south-eastern Serbia once under Turkish reign from the 14th until the 19th century. Enjoy a lunch stop, visit Tinkers Alley (Kazandžijsko Sokače), walk the cobbled roads, and appreciate one of the last preservations of the craftsman quarter from the age of the Ottomans. Next up, Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Embark on a walking tour for the best introduction to this lively city. Be sure to soak up the visit to the stunning Sofia Cathedral, one of the city's most striking symbols. This evening, a group dinner is included.

Today, two weeks of exploring the Balkans comes to an end as the tour's Greek leg kicks off. En route, enjoy a stop at Rila Monastery, a Bulgarian highlight. This 10th-century Eastern Orthodox monastery is striking with its ancient relics and fabulous frescoes as well as the breathtaking Rila Monastery Nature Park which surrounds it. Later this afternoon, journey to Thessaloniki, a bustling port city. Upon arrival, set out on an orientation tour to tick off the city's top sights, such as the historic centre and Thessaloniki waterfront near the famed White Tower. Take the opportunity to spend the free evening as you wish! This city offers numerous spots with delicious Greek delicacies and a palpable nightlife.

Hop aboard and start the journey south, admiring the gorgeous Greek countryside along the way. Athens is today's destination. En route, stop in Kamena Vourla on the south coast of the Malian Gulf. This is the perfect spot to have lunch and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Upon arrival back in Athens later today, sit down for a group dinner after hotel check-in. With two weeks on tour under the belt, this is the perfect opportunity to spend an evening relaxing or catching up with your new travel family.

Athens awaits with a variety of attractions today! As the Greek capital, there is plenty of history and culture to explore. Plus, the lively local energy is infectious. Choose to join a new group of travellers and embark on an even more in-depth city tour and behold the city's top sights such as the Academy, National Library, Greek parliament, Panathinaikos marble stadium, Hadrian’s Arch, and the temple of Olympian Zeus. Enjoy an included Greek lunch before spending the rest of the day however you like. Take some time to rest or explore more of Athens!

Can you hear Mykonos calling? After transferring to the port and catching the ferry, arrive in magical Mykonos today and settle into your hotel room. Next, embark on a tour of the city with your tour leader, learning interesting facts and spotting the top sights! Enjoy some free time to explore on your own before this evening. Then, choose to join your tour leader and the group for the perfect dinner in Mykonos Chora. Please note that this is not an included dinner. Enjoy the night as you wish, exploring some of the fun local bars, sipping sundowners, or simply relaxing for the night.

Today is yours to make memories in Mykonos as you wish - whether it be sunbathing on local beaches, exploring the lovely town or enjoying some downtime at the hotel. Alternatively, you could join today's optional South Coast Boat Trip and visit the Aegean Sea on a traditional Greek Kaiki boat. Enjoy swimming and snorkelling stops, picture-perfect beaches and a delicious lunch of local food. This Greek island tour showcases local life at its best! Either stay at Ornos Beach and arrange your own transport back later, or hop aboard the coach returning to Mykonos. Make the most of the last night in Mykonos! What about a dinner at the hotel, a visit to a local taverna, or some more exploring?

After breakfast, it's time for port transfer to catch the ferry heading to Santorini. As you cruise, soak up the spectacular island vistas and picture-perfect ports as well as Santorini's opposing cliffs, breathtaking beaches, blue-and-white buildings, twirling trails and vibrant views as the ferry makes its approach. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel before heading to Fira Town for an orientation tour. Spend the evening in Santorini as you wish!

Savour this free day in Santorini and explore your way today. Our Santorini Highlights optional excursion comes highly recommended as the ultimate way to explore the island! Santorini's black-and-red sands are a must-see and an ancient village's local winery calls for a Greek wine tasting. Marvel at Oia's iconic sunset with the group to end it off! Otherwise, spend the day leisurely strolling through local villages, visiting local beaches and ticking off the top sights. Whatever you do, be sure to savour a taste of Santorini's famous foods such as freshly-caught seafood!

Take full advantage of the last one of three days in Santorini! Get ready for an island adventure and join the Caldera Islands optional excursion. Discover the islands dotted around the caldera, visit Thirassia Island and Amoudi Bay, see an active volcano and take a dip in some hot springs! End it all off at the awe-inspiring Oia village for another memorable sunset. As the tour comes to an end tomorrow, enjoy the final night at a local spot or keep exploring more of the island. Don’t miss out on an unforgettable Santorini sunset viewing!

This morning, take an early transfer to Santorini airport for a local flight back to Athens. The tour concludes upon arrival in Athens. Don't forget to swap contact details with your new global travel family before heading your separate ways. Expat Explore wishes you a safe journey ahead and hopes to see you on tour again soon!