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Montenegro/Croatia/Bosnia-Herzegovina/Serbia/Slovenia

Best of the Balkans: From Medieval Fortresses to the Majestic Adriatic Sea

Program No. 15878RJ
Discover the rich cultural and social history of the Balkans, a place of ancient trade routes, architecture, breathtaking scenery and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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  • 15878-ME-HercegNovi-2c.jpg
  • 15878-ME_Perast_lion-statue-3c.jpg
  • 15878-ME_Kotor-4c.jpg
  • 15878-HR-Omis-Centina-River-5c.jpg
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  • 15878-BS-Sarajevo-Souvenirs-7c.jpg
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Small Group
Length
17 days
Rating (4.97)
Activity Level
Starts at
4,699
Flights start at
1,150

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
17 days
16 nights
What's Included
34 meals ( 15B, 6L, 13D )
6 expert-led lectures
18 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
15 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from the Group Leader as well as local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles, 2 hours; moderate with frequent breaks, mainly flat terrain. Please note that Herceg Novi is known as the “city of stairs,” so there will be a lot of steps with and without railings. The boat ride in the Adriatic Bay of Herceg Novi will be approximately 3 hours long with one stop in the afternoon.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
This morning, we will begin with a lecture by a local expert on the topic of Montenegro. Following the lecture, we will board a motorcoach for a short drive to the centre of Herceg Novi. During the field trip, we will explore and learn about Herceg Novi. Founded in 1382, this medieval town was formerly known as Castel Nuovo, or “new castle” in Italian, because of its many fortresses. Walk through the winding streets, the Forte Mare, and the port of the city. Herceg Novi was founded by Bosnian king Tvrtko I in the 14th century. It has long and interesting history and you walking you will see interesting buildings with different and vibrant history of the region.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant in Herceg Novi.
Afternoon:
Enjoy an expert-led boat excursion on the Adriatic in Herceg Novi Bay. We will have nice view of an Austrian-built fortress on a small island, the Blue Cave, and the Rose, one of the oldest settlements in the region that is situated on the other side of the bay. The boat excursion will take approximately an hour. After boat excursion we are heading back to the hotel.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 28 miles each way, approximately 1.5 hours riding time one-way. Walking up to 3 miles, 3 hours; moderate with frequent breaks on mainly flat terrain. Getting on/off a motorboat.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We’ll begin the morning with a panoramic motorcoach drive with a local expert through Herceg Novi, where we will see some of the small coastal towns and islands off the Bay of Kotor. These sites are internationally recognized as some of Montenegro’s most iconic cultural treasures. We will then head towards the small town of Perast. Despite its current small population of 400 people, palaces from the Renaissance and Baroque eras attest to this town’s history as a favored vacation spot for Venetian and Russian nobles. Home to one of the best maritime schools in the 18th century, this town was also has a strong seafaring heritage. After exploring Perast, we will take a short motorboat ride into the bay to an artificial island known as Our Lady of the Rocks. According to legend, two sailors passing by this part of the bay in 1452 encountered the image of Madonna and the Child upon a rock. Since then, generations of seamen have pledged their faith to the saint by laying a rock on the bay after each successful voyage. Over time, an islet emerged from the sea, upon which a small chapel was erected. Such was its fame that the chapel was gifted masterful paintings and thousands of silver plates. After some time to explore the island, we will return to shore once again via motorboat.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will board the motorcoach once again and head to explore Kotor’s Old Town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its exceptional architecture and stunning natural setting. Founded by the Romans, and traded back and forth between empires for centuries, Kotor was an important center of commerce and the arts. See some of the town’s famous sites, such as its Venetian city walls and the local Maritime Museum, during a short walking field trip with a local expert before having time to explore Kotor independently.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking, plus any additional walking done during your free time in Dubrovnik. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time from Herceg Novi to Dubrovnik with a border crossing; please have your passports ready. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will board a motorcoach and journey towards Dubrovnik. We will go on a field trip through Dubrovnik’s Old Town on foot, passing by the Onofrio Fountain, Saint Blaise’s Church, the Franciscan Monastery and the famous Rector’s Palace. We will learn from a local expert about the history of Dubrovnik Republic, its diplomacy in politics affairs and trade and the beauty of remarkable architecture reflecting its historical glory and freedom.
Lunch:
On your own in Old Town.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. You can explore the Dubrovnik City Walls and take the funicular to Mount Srd for a magnificent view of the Old Town. Late afternoon we will check in and settle into our rooms before dinner.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking and standing for long periods of time. There are over 60 steps leading to the main house of the Mestrovic Gallery, as well as some additional steps to reach the upper floors of the museum. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 120 miles, approximately 3.5 hours riding time from Dubrovnik to Omis; driving about 16 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time to Split.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel and make our way to Omis, Croatia. The motorcoach will travel along the beautiful seafront, where we will enjoy a stunning view of picturesque islands and rich Mediterranean vegetation. We will get an opportunity to enjoy this view further upon our arrival towards Omis, where we will enjoy the views of the Cetina River.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant en route.
Afternoon:
We’ll board the motorcoach once again as we make our way to Split. Upon arrival, we will take an expert-led field trip of the Mestrovic Gallery, situated in the villa where sculptor Ivan Mestrovic used to live. Known as the greatest 20th-century sculptor in Croatia, Mestrovic's works can be found all over the world. On display at the gallery are bronze, marble and wood sculptures, along with drawings, architectural plans and family furniture.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking with frequent breaks and mainly flat terrain. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
After breakfast we will enjoy an expert-led lecture as an introduction to Split. After the lecture, we will head out on an expert-led field trip of the city of Split. We will begin at Diocletian’s Palace, a palace and fortress built by Roman Emperor Diocletian shortly after abdicating his throne at the turn of the 4th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, this palace is considered one of the most significant monuments of the Roman Era. Its remains lie on what is considered the old town of Split, and after our visit, we will continue our exploration of the old town by visiting the Peristyle, the Cathedral, and some of the majestic statues of Ivan Mestrovic – the greatest Croatian sculptor of the 20th century.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in the city of Split.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking. Please be careful when crossing the Old Bridge at Mostar, as the stonework makes it very smooth and slippery to walk on. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 100 miles, approximately 3 hours from Split to Mostar; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time to Sarajevo. Please note that this day includes a border crossing, so be sure to have your passports ready.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel and begin our journey towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will begin our visit with an expert-led exploration of Mostar, the largest city in Herzegovina and the fifth-largest in the country. Mostar is located on the Neretva River and is named after the bridge keepers, or “mostari”, who guarded the old bridge, or “stari most,” from invaders during medieval times. The Old Bridge was built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and is considered one of the most exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans. Unfortunately, the original bridge collapsed due to shelling during the Bosnian War in 1993 but was reconstructed to its original design in 2004 and deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mostar is known for its multicultural architectural features, including examples of pre-Ottoman, eastern Ottoman, Mediterranean and western European architecture styles.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Enjoy some time to explore more of Mostar independently. Afterwards, we will board the motorcoach once again and make our way to Sarajevo, where we will check in to our new hotel.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles, 3 hours; moderate with frequent breaks. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Today we will begin our exploration of Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. On a field trip that will be part on bus and part on foot, we will explore various parts of the city including the old Ottoman neighborhood of Bascarsija, the Austro-Hungarian architecture alongside the river, and the former Jewish quarter of the city. We will also visit the Latin Bridge where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914, sparking World War I. As we venture further into the Old Town, we will also take a visit to the “war tunnel,” also known as the Tunnel of Hope, which connected the city of Sarajevo to an area controlled by the United Nations during the Bosnian War. This tunnel was built by the Bosnian Army in 1993 and made it possible for both supplies to make their way into the city, and for people to get out.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. Before dinner, we will hear a lecture by a local expert on a local topic.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking under a mile, up to 1 hour. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 180 miles, approximately 6 hours from Sarajevo to Belgrave with a border crossing; please have your passports ready.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Today we travel by motorcoach to Belgrade. During this journey, we will see impressive Bosnian mountains. Entering Serbia, we will continue towards Belgrade and arrive early afternoon.
Lunch:
En route.
Afternoon:
Upon arrival to Belgrade, we will make a visit to the Nikola Tesla Museum, led by a local expert. Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electricity supply system. This museum is dedicated to honoring and displaying the life and works of Tesla, and includes more than 160,000 original documents and 1,000 technical exhibits of his work. After our visit, we will head to our new hotel for check-in.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles, 3 hours with frequent breaks; moderate with mainly flat terrain.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Today we will explore the city of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and former capital of Yugoslavia, with a local expert. Belgrade is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas of Europe, and was first founded at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, where the now-historic Kalemegdan Fortress lies. This fortress was built around the 3rd century BCE by the Celtic tribe of Scordisci, and used to encompass the whole city (then called “Singidunum”) within its walls. During our field trip we will learn how this city rapidly expanded and grew, and was influenced by a multitude of cultures and architectural styles in later centuries. Among some of the sites seen today will be the main pedestrian street of Knez Mihailova, featuring a series of buildings and mansions of the 1800s, the Church of Saint Sava, the largest Orthodox church in Serbia modelled after the Hagia Sophia of Istanbul, and the “House of Flowers,” the memorial center of former Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Belgrade on your own.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include up to 4 hours of walking. The drive from Belgrade to Novi Sad is approximately 1.5 hours. The drive from Novi Sad to Ilok is around an hour long and includes a border crossing, so please have your passports ready.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
After check-out, we will head towards northern Serbia. We will pass by Srijemski Karlovci and the Petrovaradin Fortress to reach the city of Novi Sad. We will begin with a walking exploration of the city of Novi Sad with a local expert. Founded in 1694 by merchant Serbs and quickly becoming an important trading, manufacturing and cultural center, Novi Sad has earned the nickname of “Serbian Athens.” It is today the second largest city in all of Serbia and is a key industrial and financial center in the country.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will have an expert-led lecture about the region of Vojvodina, an area on the border of the Ottoman Empire and the Western World. We will have some free time to explore town independently.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking for up to 1 hour. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 205 miles, approximately 4 hours riding time from Ilok to Zagreb.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
After breakfast we will explore Ilok, the easternmost town in Croatia. It is famous for its historical significance, including the well-preserved Ilok Fortress and its long tradition of winemaking, dating back to Roman time. We will have the exciting opportunity to experience both. The medieval architecture is best represented in the Odescalchi Castle. Located in the heart of the town of Ilok, the castle is home to the renowned Old Ilok Cellars and the Museum of the Town of Ilok. This impressive structure was built on the foundations of the 15th-century castle of King Nikola Ilocki. Later, we will visit the wine cellars that have been an integral part of the town's history for over 200 years. During our visit we will learn from a cellar keeper about Ilok’s history and enjoy a tasting of local wines.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will board the motorcoach and continue towards Zagreb. We will check in to our new hotel and adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles, 2 hours with periods of standing; some inclines without railings. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will have an expert-led lecture on an overview of a region we have visited on our program. After the lecture, we will explore the historic city of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. We’ll enjoy a walking field trip with a local expert from the Upper Town to the lively main square of the city, Ban Jelacic Square. This square is named after city’s founder, Count Josip Jelacic, after he formerly unified the neighboring settlements of Kaptol and Gradec into a single city in 1850. Among some of the sites we will see during our excursion are the Cathedral and Saint Mark's Church.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Zagreb on your own.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles, 2 hours with standing and mainly flat terrain. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 120 miles, approximately 3 hours from Zagreb to Bled; driving 35 miles, 1 hour riding time to Ljubljana. Please note that this day includes a border crossing, so be sure to have your passports ready.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel and begin our journey towards Ljubljana, Slovenia. On our way, we will visit Lake Bled, one of the prettiest Alpine resorts, known for its natural beauty, crystal clear lake water, and magnificent castle overlooking the Julian Alps. In the middle of the lake, admire the small island with the church. We will also visit Bled Castle, the most photographed site in Slovenia.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll have some time to admire the lake and natural beauty before we make our way to Ljubljana. Upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel and have a lecture by a local expert on the topic of Slovenia.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles, 2 hours of moderate walking with frequent breaks; mainly flat terrain. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will begin our morning with an expert-led field trip through Ljubljana on foot. Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia, and one of the smallest capital cities in all of Europe. This city derives its name from the Ljubljanica River, which divides the city into two halves and provides an attractive and intimate boardwalk for visitors. The riverside area by the Old Town also includes many restaurants and coffee shops, making it a popular destination for locals and foreigners alike. Ljubljana’s unique character is heavily marked by the design of famous Slovene architect, Joze Plecnik, whose influence can be seen throughout the city.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Ljubljana on your own. We suggest taking a cable car to discover Ljubljana Castle and admire the view of the city from above.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don't forget to like our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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