25 Day Adriatic Coasts, Mountain Lakes & Ancient Cities of the Balkans

Day 1 – Welcome to the Balkans! 

Welcome to North Macedonia, fellow Patchie, and to a cultural adventure that’s going to be positively surreal! You’ve got 25 days, 7 countries and a group of like-minded adventurers for a journey to uncover all the secrets this little corner of southeast Europe has to offer. Start easy, with a private pick-up from Skopje airport and a moment to settle in and freshen up at the hotel. Then meet up with your guide and an excited group of Patchies for a little amuse-bouche of what’s in store, walking the city with a local guide. Get a taste of tea houses and textile stalls in the Old Bazaar where trade has been going on for half a millennium, stare at ancient streets and cross a stone bridge that’s so iconic they slapped it on the town flag, all before dinner gives you a chance to start getting to know your fellow travellers. The adventure has officially started! 

Accommodations: Solun Hotel (or similar), Skopje, Northern Macedonia
Included: Dinner

Day 2 – Matka Canyon and Ohrid Explorations

Grab a sweater this morning and head to Matka Canyon first thing. You may still be half asleep, but arriving early at Matka Canyon is the pro hack to having it mostly to yourself. Glide out on a gentle boat ride, letting your neck crane to see the steep limestone cliffs, cormorants nesting on the rocks and maybe a hint of a deep underground cave or two. What a way to wake up! 

Your journey continues on to Ohrid, and in true Balkan fashion you’re entering town food-first, feasting on just-caught fish or special meats at a restaurant that features the town like a menu item outside its big windows. Head into it, starting with the Museum of Paper, where you’ll find a working Gutenberg printing press and learn a 1000-year-old method for making paper. Then follow your local guide into the Old Town, where early Christianity, Byzantine art and Slavic culture all come together – but the tourist crowds do not. 

Accommodations: Hotel Aleksandrija (or similar), Ohrid, Northern Macedonia
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 3 – Leisurely Lake Ohrid

Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s oldest lakes as well as one of its deepest, and it’s full of hidden secrets. Grab your sea legs and board a catamaran for the best way to uncover them. The water sprays across your cheeks as you weave in and out of the little nooks to find hidden monasteries, mountain backdrops and a reconstructed 3,000-year-old settlement. If your stomach starts rumbling, don’t worry. We’ve got a surprise in store to take care of that! 

Accommodations: Hotel Aleksandrija (or similar), Ohrid, Northern Macedonia 
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 4  – Road Trip to Prizren

Spirits are high today as the Patchie crew prepares to cross its first Balkan border and the van is buzzing the whole 5.5-hour journey into Kosovo. Are you spending it glued to the window’s panoramic views or chatting nonstop with the Patchie next to you? When you get tired of sitting still, a mountaintop lunchstop is the perfect chance to stretch your legs, but it’s hard to focus on the delicious, homemade food when everywhere you look is a picture-worthy view. 

Once you cross the border and reach Prizren, a stroll with your guide through the Ottoman old town will get any lingering restlessness out of those legs. This cultural capital of Kosovo is full of delights and wandering through its narrow streets, across stone bridges, past mosques and bazaars and shops, you’ll quickly pick up how different cultures and religions shaped this city.

Accommodations: Hotel Triumph (or similar), Prizren, Kosovo
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 – UNESCO Monasteries x 2

As you’re starting to see, the Balkan countries have long changed empires and fought over borders, meaning that some cultural institutions aren’t where you might expect them to be. Today’s UNESCO World Heritage Site visits make that clear – two of the most important religious establishments in the region, sitting neatly inside Kosovo borders. 

First up: Visoki Dečani Monastery, the largest medieval church in the Balkans, with over 1000 preserved original frescoes. Here you can learn about the region’s ancient history as well as its present. Next, the Patriarchate of Peć looks grand against the Rugova mountains, but look closer for 13th-century ruins, solemn nuns, and recently unearthed frescoes. 

It’s a weighty morning, but moving on to the largely Albanian town of Peja is sure to lift your spirits. Walk with your guide through its warm and lively bazaar, across the town square, and see a city built and rebuilt throughout the centuries. 

Accommodations: Seraphine Plaza (or similar), Peja, Kosovo
Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6 – Treat Yourself in Mokra Gora

Ooh, you’ve been busy, Patchie, and now you deserve a treat! Hit the road after breakfast, letting the rolling mountain landscapes and green palette keep you company on the road to Serbia. Your heart rate slows over lunch in the mountains and by the time you roll into your resort in Mokra Gora, you’ll be ready for all the R&R it offers. Will you indulge in the hotel’s Finnish sauna, Turkish hammam or Russian bath – or simply stroll around the neighbourhood? 

Dinner will be all chatter amongst the Patchies no doubt, but as you step out onto the veranda after, you may find the crew quiet. Have a seat, look up, and watch the Milky Way wrap your whole world in a blanket of stars. What a way to cap off an evening! 

Accommodations: Hotel Iver (or similar), Mokra Gora, Serbia
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 

Day 7 – Fairytale trains in Tara National Park 

Are you ready for a bit of magic (and about 100 photo-ops)? Head to Mokra Gora train station, where a vintage, wood-panelled train is ready to bring you into the mountains of Tara National park. It’s 15 kilometres of mountain views, long tunnels, narrow bridges, and stopping in little mountain villages so adorable you’ll need another group shot or two to prove that it’s real. 

You’re at your dreamy Mokra Gora resort for another night, so the afternoon is yours for the taking. You might opt for a hotel sundowner or another sauna steam. Or, follow Hani on a walk out in nature – keep your arms out, and a special winged someone might just swoop in for a landing. Cap it all off with traditional Serbian food and music at dinner, and that’s what we call a day! 

Accommodations: Hotel Iver (or similar), Mokra Gora, Serbia
Included: Breakfast & Dinner 

Day 8 – On the Road to the White City

Well rested after your days in the mountains, you may be itching again for some city streets, so after breakfast, get back on the road and head to Belgrade. Named ‘the White City’, its bright limestone fortress and walls have beckoned travellers for centuries, and now it’s your turn! Start your foray into this mythical city where the Sava and Danube rivers meet with a few select spots today before your fully free day on the town tomorrow. Start in Tito’s infamous ‘Blue Train’, a Cold War reminder that couldn’t be further from yesterday’s mountain ride. 

Then follow your guide on a walk around town to get a hint at what Belgrade’s about. Are you mostly enthralled by the busy cafés spilling out onto the walkable streets? The relaxed feeling of welcoming locals along the river promenade? Anything you want to see more of, put it on your list for tomorrow! 

Accommodations: Hotel Balkan (or similar), Belgrade, Serbia
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9 – Belgrade Your Way

As promised, today is a fully unscheduled day where you have no travel, no appointments. It’s just you, your curiosity, and the White City – and maybe a couple Patchie friends to make the day the best it could be! 

Do you want to visit the Saint Sava church or the old fortress, for a day of enrichment and history? Or would you rather follow your fancies in the Skadarlija neighbourhood, channelling the Montmarte-of-Eastern-Europe energy and the city’s fantastic coffee break culture? It’s all up to you. Grab breakfast at the hotel, a few restaurant recs from your local guide, and off you go! 

Accommodations: Hotel Balkan (or similar), Belgrade, Serbia 
Included: Breakfast 

Day 10  – Ethno Village Life

Well over a week into your journey and you’ve probably caught on that the Balkans will treat you right, with their innate focus on food, family and hospitality. Today wraps that all up in one neat experience as you head to a family-owned ethno village in Banja Koviljača. Start with a riverside stop for a picnic lunch and a rakija tasting. What is rakija, you ask? Oh, only a delicious, fruity brandy from the region that’ll knock your socks off! 

Linger by the river until the fiery kick wears off before deciding which lovely activities you want to do next. You can remain by the river, soaking up sunlight and chatting with your Patchies, wander past the resident animals, or head to the resort’s spa for a massage. Come back together again for a countryside dinner, and as the sun sets and the evening grows colder around you, huddle up around the fire and let the company keep you warm. 

Accommodations: Sunčana Reka (or similar), Banja Koviljača, Serbia
Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 – Soulful Sevdah

Today you’re crossing into Balkan country number 4 as you enter Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s time for Sarajevo, and by now it’ll come as no surprise that your first stop is food: head to the Old Town and duck into one of our local guide’s favourite spots (don’t miss Sarajevo’s own take on ćevapi!). 

Walking down a narrow street after lunch, follow your ears to that melancholy tune trickling out of a nearby building. You’re hearing hints of sevdah, the emotionally charged folk music full of love and longing. While it may remind you of the blues, sevdah is so integral to Bosnian culture that it’s got its own UNESCO cultural heritage stamps. Wander past the exhibits and see if you can catch a live performance, you may never be the same. 

Accommodations: Courtyard Marriott (or similar), Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 12 – Sarajevo Deep-Dive

Sarajevo has so much to offer – history, food, heartache and joy – and today you’ll get a taste of it all. From wandering Baščaršija, the 15th-century neighbourhood where many religions and epochs meet, to walking down the Tunnel of Hope, Sarajevo’s only contact with the outside world during the siege in the 1990s, you’ll be feeling it all. But don’t be afraid to let your senses wander – Sarajevo’s colourful market stands, towering spires, churches and spice-scented food carts also tell you the stories of Sarajevo today. 

And since there’s no better way to know a place than through its people, head home to local cook Mersiha for a cooking workshop right in her kitchen. You put in the elbow grease, she’ll put in the teaching – as well as all that Bosnian hospitality you’ve come to love! 

Accommodations: Courtyard Marriott (or similar), Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Included: Breakfast & Dinner

The melting pot that hasn’t melted

The Balkans are a crossroads of empires. For centuries, most of today’s Balkan countries were ruled by larger powers, like the Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and Habsburgs, who all left lasting cultural and religious influences. These layers remain visible today: you can walk from an Ottoman bazaar to Austro-Hungarian boulevards in Sarajevo, or find Venetian, Habsburg, and Yugoslav influences within a single day’s journey, as you will experience on this trip. 

The Balkans’ more recent history is also still evident. Although the people of the region shared closely related languages and many cultural traditions, united by President Tito under the banner of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, economic crises and rising nationalism contributed to Yugoslavia’s violent breakup in the 1990s. While the Balkans today are generally peaceful, welcoming, and among Europe’s most rewarding places to visit, the wars left deep scars that are still within living memory. In the midst of all their hospitality and determination to feed you, many of the people you’ll meet lived through the conflicts or have family stories shaped by them.

Day 13 – Magical Mostar

You’re halfway through the trip now, and things are only getting better! Case in point: Mostar, a dreamy town whose UNESCO-protected Old Town will make you fall in love. Hit the road early this morning to fit in a visit to Tito’s Bunker on the way. Cold War secrets not your thing? Stick with it, the bunker has a few artsy surprises in store. 

Then at last, you’re in Mostar, enticing you with its old stone bridge, brightly coloured Neretva River and its intriguing title as most charming town in Bosnia. Turn down a corner and find the small, old Cafe de Alma, where a personal host waits to walk you through the process of making a perfect Bosnian cup of coffee. This art form takes time because it’s meant to, and the same goes for enjoying it. So sit back, relax, and let yourself steep in Mostar’s true draw – the elusive art of savouring. 

Accommodations: Hotel Almira (or similar), Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 14 – The Climb to Kotor Fortress

You’re heading to a new country today and your road trip offers plenty of stops to catch your breath – or have it taken away! Heading out early means you’ll get to your first stunner before the crowds, as you watch the Trebižat River cascade across limestone rocks at Kravice waterfalls. Camera’s at the ready, Patchies! 

Roll into Kotor in Montenegro by early afternoon and take a break to recharge for this evening’s endeavor: climbing to the top of Kotor Fortress. It’s 1,350 steps from the bottom, lined at every turn with soaring views of Kotor Bay to keep you distracted from the effort. And when you reach the top? It’s all wows as the Adriatic sea glittering in the early evening makes you forget the fire burning in your thighs. (Ps. Want to sit this one out? Kotor’s Old Town has enough hidden squares and enticing cafes to keep you busy!)

Accommodations: Boutique Hotel Hippocampus (or similar), Kotor, Montenegro 
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 15 – Along the Adriatic

The Kotor Fortress views leave most visitors wanting more, so we’ve made sure you’ll get your fill. This morning it’s jaws to the ground as you board a thrilling cable car ride and glide up the mountainside to the top. You won’t want to miss a minute as the valley shrinks and the world opens up. Waiting at the top is National Park Lovćen, from which you might just see to the ends of the Earth. 

Returning to sea level and setting your sights on Dubrovnik, you’re enticed by a little town along the water. Elegant buildings along the Adriatic, an old-world energy on the promenade, white homes dotted up the hill before the majestic mountains take over: you’ve landed in Perast. Stop in for lunch and a stroll, embracing the relaxed attitude you’ve learned over the last two weeks. 

Accommodations: Valamar Lacroma Hotel (or similar), Dubrovnik, Croatia 
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 16 – Uncover Dubrovnik

You’ve probably heard of Dubrovnik before – and so have a lot of people. While Patch itineraries stay mostly off the popular paths, this one is worth the visit. With an early start and a local guide, though, you’ll be enjoying it before the tourists show up. Stroll around the city with your guide, enjoying the Old Town’s medieval architecture, slick stone streets and timeless atmosphere while it’s still quiet. Did you catch the Rector’s Palace? What a town! 

You’ve got loads of free time during the day to keep exploring, maybe circling back to that harbour view or snapping a picture of Minčeta Tower from a new angle? Later in the day, you’ll get to choose your own adventure. We’ll keep both options a secret, but either way you choose, you’ll get a front-row learning experience to deepen your love for Croatian heritage. 

Accommodations: Valamar Lacroma Hotel e (or similar), Dubrovnik, Croatia
Included: Breakfast

Day 17 – Mljet Island Retreat

It’s been a lot of impressions these last few days, maybe it’s time for a little R&R? Leave the busy town and hop on a catamaran to float out to the slow-paced, dreamy island of Mljet and its national park. This island has all you need to recharge: e-bikes for discovering print-worthy panoramas of the Adriatic and hidden monasteries, warm saltwater lakes for dipping your toes, lunch spots that let you draw out every morsel. You’ll have all day to let the peaceful atmosphere of this island sink into you. P.S. Did you spot the cave where Odysseus is said to have taken refuge? 

Accommodations: Valamar Lacroma Hotel(or similar), Dubrovnik, Croatia 
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 18 – Omiš to Split

Today you’re heading to Split, and those in the know know that it’s a can’t-miss experience. It’s a bit of a drive to get there, but your lunch stop along the road in Omiš will make you forget the time passing. Dramatic karst mountains shooting toward the sky, an is-this-real green river slicing through it, and an Old Town simply bubbling with atmosphere and narrow streets… you may not want to leave it at all! Have lunch, sneak in a walk with your local guide, and soak it all up. This is the spot for group photos, for sure.

Once you arrive in Split, you’ll find that you’re a stone’s throw from the Riva. Grab a Patchie friend or two and stroll out to grab a bite or a drink just in time for sunset to set the waterside promenade aflame, a perfect welcome to this inviting town. 

Accommodations: Heritage Hotel Fermai (or similar), Split, Croatia
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 19 – Beautiful Split 

You had your first taste of this charmer of a town last night and the ancient city is ready for more. As always, your local guide knows just where to go, from the must-sees to the for-your-eyes-only. You’ll definitely get to know Diocletian’s Palace. Originally the home of the only Roman emperor to actually retire, this UNESCO-listed palace is no old ruin to stare at from the outside – dive in to find a living city, full of homes, shops and restaurants. You’ll have plenty of time to pretend to be a local, dragging out your coffee break like it’s in your DNA, too. Speaking of locals, get to know a few of them better tonight, when you’re invited into the home of a family of musicians. Let them refill your wine glass (there’s that hospitality again!) while they teach you how to make homemade soparnik, the flaky medieval dish that was made for celebrations. Any chance you can snag the recipe to bring back home?

Accommodation: Heritage Hotel Fermai (or similar), Split, Croatia
Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 20 – Plitvice Lakes National Park

As a Patchie, you probably appreciate strong, thoughtful women – after all, you are one! Get ready to meet local legend Sonja, who’s combined a, let’s say, warming traditional handicraft with efforts to help refugees returning home after the war. It’s a tender meeting with empowered local women, but have no doubt, this encounter will have you and your fellow Patchies belly-laughing. 

Then it’s on to Plitvice Lakes National Park. As you drop your bags at the hotel, you may feel a Yugoslavian draft across your room, but it’s all worth it when you realize how close you are to the park. As evening light casts a golden glow, you and your local guide will head out to the upper lakes. Cascading waterfalls, a patchwork of serene lakes, you may just find yourself taking a big, deep breath and letting any stress in your body float away into the sunset. 

Accommodation: Hotel Jezero (or similar), Plitvice, Croatia 
Included: Breakfast, Light Snacks & Dinner

Day 21 – Out of the Lakes, into Zagreb

Is that alarm ringing awfully early? Sure is, but trust us, it’s worth it! It’s not everyday you have a guide who knows the ins and outs of a national park, so take this opportunity to see the lower lakes at dawn, the turquoise colours of the lower lakes piercing your eyes, no one else around but early morning birds. You hear something thundering around the bend, there it is: Croatia’s largest waterfall tumbling toward the ground. 

You may spend the drive to Zagreb flipping through 100 new pictures in your camera, we won’t blame you, but do look up at lunch because suddenly you find yourself sitting in an absolute oasis. Arriving in Zagreb, you’ll immediately feel its relaxed air and village-like feel despite its size. Spot a person in traditional clothes? That’s your guide who’ll take you for a a walk around town that’ll help you feel right at home. 

Accommodation: Le Premier (or similar), Zagreb, Croatia
Included: Breakfast & Lunch 

Day 22 – Jastrebarsko Wine

We know that Patchies love getting into a region’s culture and we say wine is a very important part of culture! Set your museum visits aside for a day and indulge yourself today, about an hour outside of town. Here, in Jastrebarsko, the Plešivica Wine Road winds ahead of you, where practically every home has a wine cellar and every family makes their own wine. Along the gentle slopes, dip into wine cellars and together for a wine-tasting lunch. The region is famous for sparkling – can you resist the bubbly joy? 

You’ll be back in Zagreb by late afternoon, with plenty of time to follow up on those interesting places you spotted last night. Dealer’s choice: maybe the Museum of Broken Relationships? The Dolac farmer’s market? Or maybe it’s time to join the locals and relax into that coffee break to let the bubbles settle… 

Accommodations: Le Premier (or similar), Zagreb, Croatia
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 23 – Lake Bled

The closer your trip gets to its end, the more we’ve filled it with wow-worthy moments to take your mind off that return ticket, and when you arrive in Bled today, you’ll know what we mean. Standing on the shore of the lake, you see the pilgrimage church stretching to the sky from its small island, see the towering castle precariously perched on a mountainside, all to the backdrop of the snow-capped Julian Alps. 

Slovenia is your seventh ex-Yugoslav country, and it welcomes you with the same hospitality that has spoiled you for weeks. At lunchtime, Petra opens her doors to invite you into yet another home. She’ll show you how to make traditional Slovenian food, with recipes and skills you can bring home. Roll up your sleeves, Patchie!

The rest of the day is yours to explore the dreamy town, which feels like it could just as well come out of a storybook. No wonder the Slovenians are master storytellers…

Accommodations: Astoria Hotel (or similar), Bled, Slovenia
Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 24 – Ljubljana

It’s your last full day on this adventure, and it’s packed to the hilt! You’ll grab an early morning train to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, but it’s no stressful metropolis. This pedestrian-friendly city invites you to stay in fairytale-land, with its sweet pastel-coloured architecture, old stone bridges, open-air markets teeming with locals – it all feels provincially Austrian, in the best way. 

Once you’ve explored the city properly, it’s time for a storybook ending. You’re going out on top (literally, too!), and getting there is half the fun, so we won’t spoil it now. Just know that it’s a truly celebratory spot, perfect for raising a glass and toasting what a tight-knit crew you Patchies have become. Strangers no more, this is a night for laughs, maybe a few tears, and reliving moments you’ll never forget! Na zdravje!

Accommodations: City Hotel Ljubljana (or similar), Ljubljana, Slovenia
Included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 25 – Farewell, Friends! 

… And they lived happily ever after… It seems impossible now, but a whole 25 days of Balkan adventures lie behind you and there’s nothing left to do but close the book. As you pack up your memories and souvenirs, double-check that you have your Patchie pals’ contact info and head to the airport on a private transfer, you may just find yourself looking ahead and thinking… What story should I get into next?

Included: Breakfast