Are airport transfers included?

No, airport transfers are not included. However, we will be happy to arrange them for you, upon request and for an additional fee, from any airport regardless of its location.

Do you arrange flights?

No, our tours do not include plane tickets, and we also do not advise on them. However, we can help you choose the airport closest to the starting location of your tour or arrange a shuttle from/to the airport for an additional fee

Can I book pre or post-tour accommodation?

Of course, just let us know upon booking so we can make timely arrangements.

Do you have solo travelers on your tours?

Solo travelers who want to meet and travel with like-minded people often join us on our tours, except the private ones. Our mission is to provide you with a relaxed and sociable tour experience that allows the group to grow closer throughout the journey. Solo travelers will be roomed with another solo traveler of the same gender or can upgrade to a solo room for an additional fee.

Will my dietary requirements be catered for?

If you provide your dietary requirements when booking your tour, we will make the necessary arrangements to the best of our ability. But please understand that vegan & gluten-free options are not as widely available in this area, especially in the more rural Balkans.

What currency should I bring?

All the countries on our Balkan Tours, except Slovenia, use their local currency. We recommend you exchange small amounts of money as you go in the cities since the exchange rates are much more favorable than at the airports. Your tour leader will be happy to assist you. The currencies in the countries on our way are: Serbian Dinar, Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark, Macedonian Denar, Albanian Lek, Euro in Slovenia and Croatia.

Is there any luggage restriction?

On scheduled tours, you are limited to taking 1 suitcase and 1 smaller bag for personal items per person. On private tours, there are no luggage restrictions, as long as you communicate that in advance and can carry it for a short distance.

What if I join the tour late?

If you inform us before the departure date, you can join our tour later on, but it is your responsibility to catch up with us.

Are children allowed?

Yes, but anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Also, keep in mind that some of the activities on our Balkan Adventure tour are not appropriate for children under the age of 12.

What documents do I need to travel?

Depending on your nationality and the countries you are traveling to, you will need a valid passport and an entry visa. Check this well in advance of the departure date of your tour since some visa processing times may take multiple weeks. Be mindful that Slovenia is the only country we visit that is in the Schengen area, so every other country has its entry conditions. Some even require passports to have 3-6 months left until the expiry date, so be sure to double-check before booking your tour. When deciding to book your travels, contact us for assistance, so we can help you to get everything you need for a stress-free tour through the Balkans.

What's not included that I should budget for?

Besides the price of the flight tickets, it depends on how much you anticipate spending on food, drinks, and shopping. On average, the prices in the Balkans are lower than in Western Europe and decrease the further south you go. It is also common practice to tip in restaurants, bars, hotels, and taxis if you feel you have received excellent service.

Will I be able to access WiFi on my trip?

All of the hotels and other accommodations on our tours have WiFi available.

How many people will there be in a group?

Traveling in small groups – 8 or fewer people – is our motto, which makes the tours more flexible and overall more enjoyable.

Anyone in good health can join our trips. Some paths to attraction include ascending steps or small slopes. The Balkan Adventure holidays include more strenuous activities like easy hiking, meaning your fitness level must coincide.

What if I want to make the trip longer?

Each trip can be made shorter or longer. Inform us of your wishes upon or before booking.

How are trips rated? What does “moderate” mean?

Our trips are rated Easy , Moderate , and Challenging . Easy : These are for everyone, also children & elderly, and don’t require any special skills. There are some small slopes and stairs you have to reach during our sightseeing. Moderate : Some of the activities require special equipment (provided by operators unless specified otherwise) and can present a challenge for older people and children (feel free to contact us for more information). It is recommended that you move to some more uneven terrain. Challenging : They include some hiking and other more challenging activities for which you need to have good enough fitness.

When are the departure dates?

Our tours are private and organized per request, which means we don’t have any set departure dates. When the tour begins and ends is entirely up to you

I like one of the tours, but I’d like to make some changes to the itinerary. Is it possible?

Of course. All of our tours are fully customizable. Itineraries can be prolonged, shortened, combined or just tweaked a little, with no extra charge for you.

I would like to choose some of the hotels on the tour. Can I do that?

Sure. Choosing the hotels can always be up to you. If you’re on more of a budget, we can offer you affordable accommodation options, or upgrade to more premium ones for a more luxurious experience.

I see that in most cases, only breakfast is included. Why is that?

We don’t want to take away from one of the main advantages of a private tour – flexibility. Meals are therefore planned as you go, so you can travel at your own pace, do more or less sightseeing that day, etc. Your guide knows the best restaurants in the area you will be exploring and will give you suggestions based on your preferences.

Do your tours include any insurance-related services?

No. We recommend you take medical insurance that would cover any possible health-related costs on this trip.

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Balkan Foodie Discovery

14 days / 13 nights

Join us on our foodies’ Balkan tour and experience Balkan cuisine. From perfect sights to perfect bites, this Balkan holiday will satisfy all your cravings.

Starting point

Ljubljana

Finish point

Belgrade

Join us on our foodies’ Balkan tour and experience Balkan cuisine. From perfect sights to perfect bites, this Balkan holiday will satisfy all your cravings.

Starting point

Ljubljana

Finish point

Belgrade

Highlights

2 weeks of culinary immersion in local traditions, authentic dishes, and exquisite produce
Combine the passion for food with the visits of cultural and natural attractions of the Balkans
Taste some of the best wines in the Balkan region
Delight your taste buds with truffles in Istria
Experience the rich flavor of olives and olive oil on the Adriatic coast
Enjoy the unique Ottoman flavors of Bosnia
Pick your favorite from the meat platters in Serbia

Itinerary of the trip

Ljubljana will act as the starter course on your culinary tour. You will stroll through its lovely city center, and visit the Central Market on the way because as any true foodie knows, the key to a great dish is good local produce! You’ll get to know Ljubljana, all its more and less famous treasures, as well as its food scene. Apart from learning about Ljubljana’s food, you will try it during the lunch that is included in the tour. After sightseeing and filling your bellies, you will be able to cook up an afternoon to your tastes. Enjoy a free afternoon or opt for a cooking class or wine-tasting experience in Ljubljana.

Accommodation

Overnight in Ljubljana

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You will continue your exploration of Slovenia’s menu in the beautiful Alps. You will start with a feast for the eyes with the breathtaking Lake Bled, the historic castle that lies on its shore, and the island in the middle of the lake which you will reach with a traditional “pletna” boat. After taking in the views, you will visit a local beekeeper and learn about the honey-making traditions of Slovenia. You will also taste local honey, and potica, a traditional Slovenian walnut roll dessert. In the afternoon, you will head to Lake Bohinj where you will visit a local cheesemaker and try their cheese while learning more about cheese making and classic Slovenian cheeses. You will spend the night in Bohinj, which will give you the opportunity to take a walk on the shores of Lake Bohinj, a mesmerizing and expansive glacial lake.

Accommodation

Overnight in Ljubljana

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The third day of your tour will be dedicated to Slovenia's wine. You will visit two different wine regions, Goriška Brda and the Vipava Valley. Goriška Brda is an idyllic wine-making region, with rolling hills covered in vineyards that bask in the sun as far as the eye can see. The vines grow on the slopes, where they can catch the most sunlight to grow the most delicious sweet grapes, while the tops of the hills are reserved for little villages full of authentic architecture and family winemakers. The fairest of them all is the medieval village of Šmartno, a small, stone-paved settlement encircled by walls. Here, you will have a wine tasting which will introduce you to all the best and most typical wines of the region, and to the wine-making tradition in Goriška Brda, as the winemaker will also show you their wine cellar. The second part of the day will be dedicated to the Vipava Valley. All wine lovers will know that drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea, so you will enjoy a home-cooked meal along with a wine tasting at a local Vipava Valley winemaker.

Accommodation

Overnight in Vipava Valley

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After the capital, the mountains, and the sunny wine countries, your final day in Slovenia will be spent on the coast. To start, you’ll get up your appetites with an olive oil tasting as part of a gourmet tour of olive groves. Apart from some of the best views of the Slovenian coast, you will also enjoy a traditional Istrian lunch here. You will continue your day in Piran, the prettiest coastal town in Slovenia. You will also visit a Fonda fish farm for sea bass and sea salt tasting.

Accommodation

Overnight in Istria

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The next day you will cross the first border on the tour and head to Croatia, but you will stay in the Istria region. You will visit the heart of the Istrian peninsula where you will discover the towns of Hum, the medieval Grožnjan, and Motovun, which is also home to an annual Motovun film festival. After exploring these wondrous ancient settlements, you will head out on a truffle hunting experience with the best four-legged truffle hunters out there. After our foraging adventure, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor and enjoy some truffles along with other traditional Istrian dishes.

Accommodation

Overnight in Istria

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Our next stop is the Plitvice National Park in Croatia, a natural wonder that is under UNESCO heritage protection. You will spend the day marveling at the pristine environment full of breathtaking lakes and rivers. Wandering through the incredible terrain of the park is sure to work up your appetite, but you do not have to fear going hungry! You will sit down for a traditional lunch right next to the park, and enjoy some lamb which will be authentically prepared over an open fire. Afterward, you will take a ride to Zadar, one of Croatia’s beautiful historic harbor cities, and get a good night’s rest there.

Accommodation

Overnight in Zadar

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You will continue your Croatian culinary tour in the Dalmatian city of Zadar. Your morning will be dedicated to a cooking class that will introduce you to the local ingredients, dishes, and some historical background to Dalmatian cuisine. You can look forward to cooking up some amazing fresh seafood dishes! After the Zadar experience, you will drive to Trogir and make a stop there to enjoy the afternoon while exploring the old town. Then you will continue your journey to Split where you will spend the night.

Accommodation

Overnight in Split

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You will start the day with a tour of the Roman ruins of Salona, near Solin. After letting our imaginations roam free among the ancient ruins, and learning about the lives of its past inhabitants, you will continue on your way. The next stop will be a family-owned olive oil-making business. You will go on a tour of their property, learn about olive oil, and try some of their products. You will combine this with a tour of the Klis Fortress, another incredible remnant of the long history of these parts. You will visit a local tavern for a traditional lunch which will further convince you of the magic of top-quality olive oil. After this comprehensive tour, you will have a free rest of the day in Split.

Accommodation

Overnight in Split

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After spending the night in Split, you will drive to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the third Balkan country on your list. The goal will be Mostar, a city famous for its Turkish influences that date back to the Ottoman Empire, and its incredible stone bridge that connects the two parts of this glorious city built around the Neretva River. You will walk through Mostar to take in some of its best sights and then commence on the food tour. This experience will be a great introduction to the multiculturalism of Balkan cuisine, with some classic Balkan meat dishes like “čevapi”, and the strong Ottoman influences that are a consequence of the Turkish invasions. These influences are present everywhere, with the popular “burek” savory pastry and Turkish coffee as just two examples.

Accommodation

Overnight in Mostar

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The next day, you will head back to Croatia, to the famous city of Dubrovnik. On the way, you will stop in Ston for an oyster tasting. Once you reach Dubrovnik, you will go on a walking tour to get to know the city and its famous city walls. Despite the beauty of Dubrovnik, the highlight of your day will definitely come in the evening when you have dinner with the locals. You will have the privilege of enjoying some Dalmatian home cooking. You will also be able to take part in making fresh local delights, like the “Croatian peka” which includes lamb, veal, and roasted potatoes. Our meal will be accompanied by authentic wines and homemade liquors.

Accommodation

Overnight in Dubrovnik

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On the eleventh day of your tour, you will visit the fourth country, Montenegro. First, you will drive around the spectacularly beautiful Bay of Kotor, and explore Kotor’s historic city center. You will then visit the Njeguši tourist village which is famous for its prosciutto “Negoški pršut”. Of course, we would not want you to miss an opportunity to taste this local delicacy so you will visit a smokehouse, and have a “pršut” tasting.

Accommodation

Overnight in Kotor

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You will spend one more beautiful day in Montenegro, and stop at a local family farm for an authentic organic lunch. You will then head to Black Lake, located in the Durmitor National Park. This is the largest lake out of the whooping eighteen glacial lakes in the park. You will continue with our exploration of the great outdoors across the border in Serbia in the Zlatibor National Park, known for its awe-inspiring mountains, breathtaking scenery, and traditional villages such as Drvengrad. You will also spend the night in Zlatibor, to really soak up all its beauty.

Accommodation

Overnight in Zlatibor

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The last two days of the tour will be dedicated to Serbia. You will start day thirteen by driving toward Belgrade. On the way, you will stop to have some sarmas for lunch. This is a traditional dish made of rice and meat rolled into fermented cabbage leaves, a favorite among locals and tourists alike. On our way, you will also stop at the historic town of Smederevo, to explore the Smederevo fortress and enjoy a wine tasting on the riverbanks of the Danube River. You will finish the day by arriving in Belgrade and taking some time to relax and reminisce about the amazing two weeks you have just had.

Accommodation

Overnight in Belgrade

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The final day will be spent in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. This mighty and magnificent city will offer plenty to see, and plenty to taste as well! You will get familiar with Belgrade’s culture and cuisine on a food tour, which will round up our knowledge of the Balkan culinary world. You will also enjoy a delicious lunch on our food tour.

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What’s included in the price?

Guided

English-speaking tour leader

Comfortable transportation

13 nights 3*/4* accommodation with breakfast

All entrance fees and food inclusions as in the itinerary

Ljubljana Food Tour

Bled Castle entrance fee

Pletna boat ride to Bled island

Beekeeping experience

Cheese tasting

2 wine tastings and winery visits

A home-made meal in Vipava Valley

Vintage gourmet tour at olive oil producer

Fish farm visit

Traditional Istrian lunch

Truffle hunting experience

Traditional lunch

Plitvice Lakes National Park entrance fee

Traditional lunch

Cooking class

Solin entrance fee

Tour of a local olive farm

Klis Fortress entrance fee

Traditional lunch

Food tour of Mostar

Oyster tasting in Ston

Dubrovnik walking tour

Dubrovnik Walls entrance fee

Dinner with locals

Visit of Njeguši village

Pršut tasting

Black Lake visit

Traditional village in Zlatibor National Park

Traditional lunch

Smederevo Fortress entrance fee

Wine tasting

Belgrade food tour

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Single supplement

Superior hotel package

Self-guided

13 nights 3*/4* accommodation with breakfast Tour organisation

All entrance fees and food inclusions as in the itinerary

Comprehensive itinerary handout

Tour organisation

Ljubljana Food Tour

Bled Castle entrance fee

Pletna boat ride to Bled island

Beekeeping experience

Cheese tasting

2 wine tastings and winery visits

A home-made meal in Vipava Valley

Vintage gourmet tour at olive oil producer

Fish farm visit

Traditional Istrian lunch

Truffle hunting experience

Traditional lunch

Plitvice Lakes National Park entrance fee

Traditional lunch

Cooking class

Solin entrance fee

Tour of a local olive farm

Klis Fortress entrance fee

Traditional lunch

Food tour of Mostar

Oyster tasting in Ston

Dubrovnik walking tour

Dubrovnik Walls entrance fee

Dinner with locals

Visit of Njeguši village

Pršut tasting

Black Lake visit

Traditional village in Zlatibor National Park

Traditional lunch

Smederevo Fortress entrance fee

Wine tasting

Belgrade food tour

NOT INCLUDED

Tourist tax

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Single supplement

Superior hotel package

They say that smells make the strongest memories. Well, with all the delectable dishes and their mouth-watering aromas, the Balkan Foodie Discovery tour will offer a lot of incredible everlasting memories.

This culinary Balkan travel adventure will take you through all the flavors of the Western Balkans, starting with Slovenia. Slovenia is a small country at the northernmost point of the Balkans. One of its neighbors is Austria, and this is apparent in Slovenia’s cuisine, as the presence of Austrian and central-European cuisine is just as strong as its Balkan influences. We will therefore have the chance to explore this mixture of cultures and food and ease our way into proper Balkan cuisine.

As you approach the Slovenian coast that is part of the Istria region you will also see that like in Croatia, we get more of the Mediterranean influences, in food as well as in Slovenia’s amazing wines. The sea air in Slovenia will acclimate you for the tour of Croatia. From Istria to Dalmatia, Croatia is famous for its beautiful beaches and brilliantly blue seas that are home to a number of delicious fish. You will get your fix of great, fresh seafood, and also see how the more meaty Balkan tendencies are incorporated into the lighter Mediterranean diet. During your Croatian adventure, you will also hop into Bosnia and Herzegovina for a day, to get a taste of the delicious Turkish-Balkan cuisine in Mostar.

Now, despite its fame, Croatia isn’t the only Balkan country boasting beautiful beaches. Montenegro also has a lot to show for itself, from perfect vacation spots to mouthwatering food. With its amazing olive oil, fresh fish and vegetables, and inclusion of typical Balkan meat dishes, Montenegrin cuisine is in a way quite similar to Croatian, but it also has some distinctive features of its own, like the delectable kajmak.

The final days of this Balkan trip are dedicated to Serbia, the best representative of the most iconic part of Balkan cuisine: čevapčiči. With its wide range of finger-licking good grilled meat dishes, an incredibly delicious and comforting bean dish called prebranac, the tasty dairy spread kajmak, that Montenegrins also claim as their own, the refreshing and delicious condiment named ajvar, and burek, the savory pastry you’ll always be in the mood for, Serbian cuisine is the intersection of all the best of Balkan food and the perfect way to end your tour.

Join this tour to discover the flavors of the Balkans, and enjoy/dober tek/prijatno!

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Ratings & Reviews

5.0 average rating

+24

Арина Проценко

Verified customer · 4 months ago

Thank you Balkan Tours for organizing the trip! We had a good time and special thanks to our tour guide Theodor who took a good care of us and introduced to Balkan culture. Well done and cheers🥂 Best, Aryna & Sami

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walaimas tapasanan

Verified customer · 6 months ago

We booked a 15-day private Balkan journey with Balkan Tours. Throughout the trip, we had wonderful experience, excellent itinerary planning, very helpful driver, very nice hotels and very professional services beyond our expectation.

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Sabrina Cassia

Verified customer

Our experience with Balkan Tours was fantastic! We were 12 people, and with our driver Platin, we did a tour through Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Croatia! Everything went well, excellent hotels, and a fascinating itinerary! Thank you, Sabrina.

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Denise May

Verified customer · 9 days ago

After completing the Grand Balkans Trip I can highly recommend this company for the quick response to communication, efficient detail and documentation. High standard of accommodation, Vân and organization. Our guide/driver Ana was excellent and certainly added a lot of enjoyment to our trip with her professionalism, sense of humor and knowledge.

Samantha Perera

Verified customer · about 1 month ago

We were five girls travelling to Romania to experience Andrea Bocelli perform at the Unforgettable Music Festival in Bucharest on the 12th of September 2025. We wanted to make a tour of the Balkans following the concert and The Balkan Tours put together a very special itinerary for us. They arranged for excellent quality transfers from Romania to Bulgaria (Velico Tanovo and Sofia) to Belgrade in Serbia and onto Montenegro (Podgorica and Bay of Kato) and finally to Dubrovnik and Split in Croatia. They arranged excellent quality hotels with breakfast and great locations, and personalized tours to enjoy each city and destination in a meaningful manner. They gave quality suggestions about places to eat, and visit, and loads of other historical information about the places we were visiting. They created a tour app for us to make it easy to know all the details with important phone numbers. The Balkan Tours took good care of us, we felt safe and connected to our agent at all times, and we enjoyed our two weeks in the region. We would recommend their company to travelers looking for a personalized service and customized tours of the Beautiful Balkans. There is so much more to see, and we had too little time, we will most certainly come back and use the company again to assist us in our travel plans. A big shout out to Ava and Urska of the Balkan Tour Company!!! Cheers.

Francisco Zaera

Verified customer · about 2 months ago

The tour was very well organized, the agent was very responsive, and the drivers and tour guides were all very professional and friendly. Great tour!

Арина Проценко

Verified customer · 4 months ago

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Sabrina Cassia

Verified customer

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Samantha Perera

Verified customer · about 1 month ago

walaimas tapasanan

Verified customer · 6 months ago

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Denise May

Verified customer · 9 days ago

Francisco Zaera

Verified customer · about 2 months ago

The tour was very well organized, the agent was very responsive, and the drivers and tour guides were all very professional and friendly. Great tour!

All available guidance options

Private Guided Group

Private tour gives you the freedom and flexibility to adjust your days on the tour to your needs and wishes. The driver guide and all of your transfers are exclusively just for you, so you have more control over your time and schedule and more of a personal experience without having to adapt to a bigger group. Whether you are travelling alone or with family and friends, guided private tours give you the option for more stops, add-on and on the fly changes, as long as they fit the itinerary, which we carefully prepare and organise, so you can have a carefree holiday.

Self-guided

For travellers that want flexibility and independence. We organize the tours of your choice, but the adventure of getting around is all yours. You will get a fly & drive itinerary handout with activities, accommodations and travelling tips with full support of our team for any emergencies or concerns. You will take yourself around, but we can arrange a car rental or even a campervan if you wish.

Exceeding Your Expectations

Our local team with an in-depth knowledge of the region cherry-picked only the best things to do in the Balkans, aimed at all sorts of travellers.

Expert Local Guides

Experienced and passionate local guides will make your trip run smoothly, going that extra mile for you.

100% Balkan

We are an international team from the Balkans and our tours have been carefully designed to ensure memorable travel.

Book with Confidence

We are a financially protected company, fully bonded and insured, keeping your money safe and allowing you to travel with confidence.

Small Groups

Offering travel in private or small groups, so you can explore without rushing and have more time to immerse yourself in the local culture.

from 3.490 € /person

Balkan Foodie Discovery

Highlights

Itinerary of the trip