Balkan Peninsula
The Balkan Peninsula, located in southeastern Europe, is bounded by the Danube and Sava rivers to the north and bordered by the Aegean, Adriatic, and Black Seas to the south. Known as the "Powder Keg of Europe," it boasts a mountainous terrain. Since ancient times, it has been a hub of communication and cultural exchange between East and West, influenced by Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman civilizations, resulting in a diverse ethnic, religious, and linguistic landscape. The peninsula encompasses Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Despite its complex history and frequent wars, it has also nurtured a rich cultural heritage and unique natural scenery.
See it on the interactive map · Flyby videos
Chapters
- To Tirana · 6 pebbls
- Tirana · 6 pebbls
- Day Trip to North Macedonia · 9 pebbls
- Day Trip to Kosovo · 8 pebbls
- Sari Sallitik Day Trip · 2 pebbls
- Travel to Podgorica, Montenegro · 4 pebbls
- Podgorica to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina · 4 pebbls
- Day trips around Sarajevo · 10 pebbls
- Sarajevo to Belgrade · 5 pebbls
- 2-hour morning tour of Belgrade and Zemun · 11 pebbls
- Belgrade city tour · 3 pebbls
- To Zagreb · 9 pebbls
- Zagreb city and Tito's hometown tour · 11 pebbls
- To Ljubljana · 7 pebbls
- Bled Castle, Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj · 6 pebbls
- Plitvice Lakes (16 lakes) · 4 pebbls
- Split City Tour · 11 pebbls
- Dubrovnik Old Town · 8 pebbls
- Continue your tour of Dubrovnik Old Town · 3 pebbls
- Returning to the United States from Croatia · 3 pebbls
To Tirana
Take a train to Newark Airport and fly to Tirana, the capital of Albania, with Austrian Airlines.
Tirana is the capital and largest city of Albania, located in the west-central part of the country, approximately 30 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea. It is the political, economic, and cultural center of Albania. Founded in the 17th century during the Ottoman era, it later became the country's capital and underwent Italianate architecture and socialist reforms. Skanderbeg Square in the city center is home to important buildings such as museums and the Opera House. The vibrant streets and café culture showcase a unique blend of history and modern vitality.
27 Sept 2025 - 17:17
Austrian Airlines flight OS090
28 Sept 2025 - 09:00
Vienna Airport Transfer
28 Sept 2025 - 12:59
Boarding the plane to Tirana
Tirana
28 Sept 2025 - 21:52
National Opera Square
28 Sept 2025 - 21:55
Great Mosque of Tirana
28 Sept 2025 - 22:06
Bunker Art in Tirana uses the reconstruction of underground bunkers from the Cold War era to showcase Albania's socialist history, politics and people's livelihood, allowing visitors to experience the culture of underground space through immersive exhibitions.
Day Trip to North Macedonia
29 Sept 2025 - 11:19
29 Sept 2025 - 12:16
教堂
29 Sept 2025 - 16:11
The Monastery of Saint Naum is located at the southernmost tip of Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia, close to the Albanian border. Founded by Saint Naum in 905 AD, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious Eastern Orthodox monasteries in the Balkans. Most of the existing buildings were rebuilt between the 16th and 18th centuries.
Day Trip to Kosovo
Located in the south-central Balkan Peninsula, Kosovo boasts a rich history, diverse ethnic groups, and a crisscrossing network of mountains, rivers, and valleys, creating a region where history and natural beauty blend together.
30 Sept 2025 - 10:44
30 Sept 2025 - 19:28
Prizren Castle
30 Sept 2025 - 20:21
Prizren Old Town
Sari Sallitik Day Trip
Sari Salltik is a scenic mountain range in northern Kosovo, a land of lush forests and flowing streams perfect for hiking and nature exploration, while also preserving a rich history and folklore.
Kruja Castle
Kruje Castle is a national symbol of Albania. Skanderbeg once used it as a stronghold against the Ottomans. Built into the hillside, the castle boasts a well-preserved museum and ruins, offering stunning panoramic views overlooking the valley and the marketplace.
Mount Sari Salltik
Located in northern Kosovo, the Sari Sartić Mountains are rugged and densely forested. Surrounded by springs and streams, they are ideal for hiking and exploring the natural beauty.
Travel to Podgorica, Montenegro
Podgorica is the capital of Montenegro. It is located at the confluence of the Moraca River and the Zeta River. It is a blend of modern city and historical sites. It is an important gateway to Montenegro's natural landscape and coastal cities.
Shkula
Škura, Albania's fifth-largest city, lies in the mountainous northern part of Montenegro, renowned for its picturesque valleys and clear streams. With its simple folk customs and well-preserved historical sites, it's an ideal place to experience traditional rural life and natural beauty.
Albania and Montenegro border
Albania and Montenegro border
Scenery along the way
Scenery along the way
Podgorica to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The road from Podgorica to Sarajevo winds through valleys and gorges, offering stunning views of the Tara River, Prijeprje, and the mountains, a journey full of wild beauty.
nicsic
Nikšić, located in western Montenegro, is the country's second-largest city. Surrounded by mountains and dotted with lakes, it is renowned for its beer brewing, industrial traditions, and rich history and culture.
Snow on the way
Snow falling on the way
Sarajevo Old Town night view
Sarajevo Old Town night view
Day trips around Sarajevo
Including Mostar, Konjic, and the Dervish House.
Klawesi Falls
Klawesi Falls
Povateri Castle
Povateri Castle
Blagai Monastery
The Blagaj Monastery, nestled at the foot of a cliff at the source of the Neretva River, stands out against the backdrop of the emerald waters. Built in the 15th century, it blends Ottoman and Sufi influences, creating a tranquil and mysterious atmosphere.
Sarajevo to Belgrade
Transform your journey from Sarajevo to Belgrade with one-way transportation and additional sightseeing, making it an action-packed adventure. Stop at UNESCO Heritage villages, medieval monasteries, and Tara National Park, plus a Drina River cruise and a nostalgic steam train ride.
Dobrunn Abbey
Nestled in a valley in western Serbia, Dobrun Monastery was founded in the 13th century and is renowned for its medieval murals and tranquil monastic atmosphere.
The famous "8-shaped train" Šargan Eight
The "Figure 8 Train" runs through the Tara Mountains and is famous for its winding track in the shape of a figure eight. The mountain scenery along the way is beautiful and full of nostalgic charm.
Drvengrad (City of Wood)
The picturesque village of Drvengrad (meaning "Wooden City") in western Serbia was created by Kusturica. Its traditional wooden houses are scattered around and full of folk and cinematic atmosphere.
2-hour morning tour of Belgrade and Zemun
In the morning, we took a 2-hour morning tour from the hotel and then started our tour of the town of Zemun.
St. Mark's Orthodox Church
Located next to Belgrade's Tašmajdan Park, St. Mark's Orthodox Church, built in the 20th century and renowned for its Serbian medieval style, boasts a majestic dome and magnificent frescoes, making it a significant religious and cultural landmark in the city.
Zemun Town
Zemun, located on the Danube River northwest of Belgrade and once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is a charming town steeped in Central European charm. Red-tiled roofs, Baroque churches, and winding stone alleys create a picturesque scene of bygone days. Climb the Shardos Tower for panoramic views of the river and the city. Swans swim leisurely along the banks, and melodious music drifts from cafés. Here, classicism and tranquility intertwine into a poetic tapestry.
Site of the former Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia
The ruins of the former Chinese Embassy in Yugoslavia are located in Belgrade's New Town. In 1999, a NATO bombing killed three Chinese journalists. For years thereafter, the ruins stood silently, a place of shared memory between China and Serbia. In the 2010s, the site was converted into a Chinese Cultural Center, symbolizing the rebirth of peace and the continuation of friendship.
Belgrade city tour
Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, a country in Southeast Europe. Its most important landmark is Beogradska Tvrđava, a majestic fortress at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. This fortress attests to the city's strategic importance to the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Serbian, and Austrian empires.
Belgrade Fortress
The Belgrade Fortress, consisting of the Old Citadel and Kalemegdan Park at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, is located in the city of modern Belgrade, Serbia.
花之屋 (House of Flowers)
The House of Flowers is the final resting place of Josip Broz Tito and Jovanka Broz, the President and First Lady of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, respectively. It is located within the Museum of Yugoslavia in Dedinje, Belgrade, Serbia.
National Museum of Serbia
The National Museum of Serbia, located on Republic Square in Belgrade, was founded in 1844. With a rich collection encompassing prehistoric artifacts, religious art, and famous paintings, it is a haven for understanding Balkan history and culture.
To Zagreb
Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, blends Central European classics with Balkan style, with fragrant coffee in the streets and history and art coexisting.
Slavonski Brod
Slavonski Brod, often simply called Brod, is a city in eastern Croatia, close to the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Slavonski Brod is one of the main cities in the historical region of Slavonia and Posavina and the seventh-largest city in the country, with a population of 59,141 according to the 2011 census.
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Vineyard in Kutjevo
Vineyard in Kutjevo
Croatia's oldest wine cellar was founded in 1232, when Cistercian monks arrived in Kutjevo. The same monks who pioneered wine culture in Burgundy and the Moselle Valley, recognized and established numerous Grand Cru vineyards in one of France's wine heartlands, personally chose Kutjevo as the ideal location for vine cultivation. The monastery and wine cellar were established, winemaking traditions and techniques were institutionalized, and the rest is history.
Zagreb
Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, blends Central European classics with Balkan style, with fragrant coffee in the streets and history and art coexisting.
Zagreb city and Tito's hometown tour
Start your day with a pleasant stroll through Zagreb's central park in the morning. Then, head to the Upper Town, visiting the bustling Kaptol Square and the magnificent Zagreb Cathedral with its towering twin spires. Stroll along Kravmost to St. Mark's Square, admiring the vibrant rooftops of St. Mark's Church and the Parliament. Continue to the 17th-century Church of St. Catherine before concluding at the main square, Governor General Jelačić Square, with free time at leisure. In the afternoon, journey to the village of Kumrovec, visiting the Ethnological Museum and village houses, followed by a typical dinner and wine at a farmhouse.
Governor Jelačić Square
Governor General Jelačić Square, located in the heart of Zagreb, is the city's heart and main gathering place. Named after Governor General Josip Jelačić, a 19th-century national hero, his equestrian statue stands in its center. Surrounded by Art Nouveau and classical architecture, it is lined with shops, cafes, and trams. It serves as both a transportation hub and a vital venue for leisure activities and celebrations.
Kumrowitz
Kumrovec, located approximately 50 kilometers northwest of Zagreb, is the birthplace of former Yugoslav leader Marshal Tito. The town is renowned for its well-preserved 19th-century rural landscape and boasts an open-air ethnographic museum showcasing traditional wooden houses, handicrafts, and agricultural tools, creating a glimpse into time. Visitors can learn about Croatian rural life and Tito's life, immersing themselves in the tranquil and rustic atmosphere of the countryside.
Birthplace of former Yugoslav President Tito
The birthplace of former Yugoslav President Tito is located in the Croatian town of Kumrovec, where he was born in 1892. The wooden farmhouse has been restored to its original appearance and displays Tito's early life items and photos, showcasing his journey from a humble blacksmith to national leader. The surrounding open-air museum recreates 19th-century rural life, allowing visitors to experience history and the passage of time in this tranquil, pastoral setting.
To Ljubljana
Ljubljana is the capital and largest city of Slovenia. It is known for its university population and green spaces, including the expansive Tivoli Park. The winding Ljubljanica River, lined with open-air cafes, separates the city's old town from the commercial center. Ljubljana is home to many museums, including the National Museum of Slovenia, which showcases historical exhibitions, and the Museum of Modern Art, which houses 20th-century Slovenian painting and sculpture.
Ljubljana City Hall
Built in the 15th century, Ljubljana's Town Hall blends Gothic and Baroque styles, creating a solemn and elegant exterior. With a fountain and statues in front, the hall serves as the seat of the city government and a key venue for the city's historical and cultural events.