Greece, the Balkans & Croatia
14 days |
From vineyard lunches to mountaintop views, experience the Balkans through the people, places, and traditions that make it unforgettable.
Tucked between the Adriatic and Aegean seas, the Balkans offer a mosaic of cultures, landscapes, and histories that feel both ancient and undiscovered. On this small group tour, you’ll journey through countries rich with stories—from the classical heart of Greece to cliffside monasteries in North Macedonia, from the slow rhythm of village life in Albania to the island-strewn coastline of Croatia. Along the way, you’ll trace empires; taste regional delicacies like honey, wine, and oysters; and experience a part of Europe that still feels overlooked—and wholly your own to explore.
Your tour package includes
- 12 nights in handpicked hotels
- 12 breakfasts, and 3 dinners served with beer or wine
- 3 farm-to-table lunches, including a meal at an agriturismo in Croatia’s Konavle Valley
- 3 food tastings, starring organic honey from a family-owned apiary
- 2 liquor tastings, including brandy home-brewed on a North Macedonian farm
- 1 wine tasting, featuring varietals unique to Albania
- 16 sightseeing tours, introducing you to the best of the Balkans
- 1 expert Tour Director, your key to the region’s cultures
- 10 local guides, ready to bring each stop to life
- Private deluxe motor coach for smooth transportation across timeless terrain
- Entrances to museums, landmarks, and more—so you can skip the lines
Included highlights
- Contrasting the ruins atop the Acropolis of Athens with the modern city below
- Straining your ear in the Temple of Apollo, seeking ancient whispers from the Oracle of Delphi
- Letting a sense of awe wash over you as you glimpse the monasteries of the Meteora
- Relaxing with the gentle roll of the waves on Lake Ohrid
- Exploring the halls of Bunk’Art 1, a nuclear-bunker-turned-contemporary-museum
- Snapping the perfect shot of the Bay of Kotor
- Peering out over Dubrovnik’s stone walls and across the vibrant tiled roofs of the Old Town
- Indulging in a tasting of wines you’ll only find on Korcula (if you add the extension!)
Itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Athens today.
Athens2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Athens
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Close your eyes and take in the smell of orange blossoms and olive trees—you’re in Greece! Transfer to your hotel, then get to know your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Athens
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting
Meet up with a local guide for an introduction to Greece’s bustling capital, home to the world’s first democracy and over 3,400 years of recorded history.
- Set off on a guided walking tour of the Plaka district. One of the oldest parts of Athens, it’s known as the “neighborhood of the gods” due to the dozens of monuments strewn throughout.
- Browse vendors’ stalls in Monastiraki. This neighborhood is synonymous with its flea market, especially along Ifestou Street and Abyssinia Square. You’ll find everything from antiques and vintage vinyl to handmade leather sandals.
- Stop to sample a variety of cheeses, as well as loukoumades: pillowy, chewy, sweet pieces of fried dough drizzled with honey or syrup.
- Set off on a walking tour of the Acropolis of Athens, a millennia-old, UNESCO-listed citadel and the enduring image of Greece. First properly developed by the renowned politician Pericles, it now contains the ruins of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, Erechtheion, and dozens of other archaeological sites.
Enjoy a free afternoon in Athens—ask your Tour Director for a recommendation or head back to the Plaka district to get a closer gander at its nooks and crannies. Or, for a delicious end to your evening, join the optional cooking class where you’ll learn to prepare (and promptly devour!) three signature Greek dishes.
Delphi Region1 night
Day 4: Transfer to Delphi & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Journey to the slopes of Mount Parnassus and visit the Archaeological Site of Delphi. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this spiritual focal point was believed by Ancient Greeks to be the Navel of the Earth, or the center of our world.
Embark on a guided tour and stop at the Temple of Apollo, where, according to legend, the god Apollo once spoke in prophecy to mortals through the voice of the oracle and high priestess, Pythia.
Spend a free evening relaxing in the Delphi region or add our optional outing to Arachova, a picturesque mountain village blanketed with terraced homes and Byzantine churches.
Meteora Region1 night
Day 5: Transfer to the Meteora Region & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Today, travel to the Pindus mountain range—the spine of Greece—and arrive in the remote village of Kalambaka. Then, take a guided walking tour of the Meteora monasteries. Isolated atop towering, sandstone cliffs, the six surviving monasteries date back to the 14th century, when they were established by Orthodox Christian hermit monks.
- Enter two of the UNESCO-listed monasteries, such as the Monastery of Roussanou, the Monastery of Agios Stefanos, or the Monastery of Varlaam.
- Hike up to the monasteries to admire views from 1,000-foot-high pinnacle rocks. (While one of the holy sites requires trekking up 80 steps, there is much to see and do below if you’re not feeling up for the climb!)
This afternoon, you’ll hear more about the tenets and traditions of Eastern Orthodox Christianity—the beliefs followed by this branch of the faith, the daily lives of initiates, and the work monks do at monasteries.
Please note: You must cover your shoulders and knees when visiting the Meteora monasteries.
Lake Ohrid2 nights
Day 6: Lake Ohrid via Dihovo
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Liquor tasting, Tasting
Wind your way through the dramatic northern reaches of Greece, where rugged peaks give way to sweeping, pine-dotted valleys. Cross the border into North Macedonia and continue toward the peaceful village of Dihovo, nestled at the foot of Baba Mountain.
- Enjoy a slow-paced afternoon steeped in rustic charm—starting with a farm-to-table lunch crafted from regional specialties. Savor locally made cheeses, garden-fresh vegetables, and wood-fired bread, all paired with small-batch wine and fiery brandy produced right on the property.
- Walk through the on-site apiary. Learn how local beekeepers tend their hives, then sample organic golden honey and fragrant honeycomb straight from the source.
Later, journey west to the shimmering shores of Ohrid, one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic region is famed for its crystal-clear waters, Byzantine churches, and centuries-old villages perched along the shore.
Please note: The apiary visit may be replaced with a similar culinary farm experience. When crossing the border from Greece to North Macedonia, you’ll be required to show your passport, so please remember to bring it with you.
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Ohrid, Bay of Bones Museum & Saint Naum Monastery
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend the day uncovering the soul of Lake Ohrid: winding lanes, venerable churches, and luminous blue waters.
- Begin at Samuel’s Fortress, where the breeze carries whispers from the fourth century as you trace its ancient stone ramparts high above the town.
- Descend to the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, where wildflowers now bloom between the worn steps of this once-grand Hellenistic stage.
- Make the climb to the Church of Saint John at Kaneo, dramatically perched on a cliff’s edge—its modest silhouette set against the endless blue of lake and sky.
- Pass beneath the quiet arches of the Church of Saint Sophia, a guardian of medieval secrets, before stepping inside the National Workshop for Handmade Paper to watch artisans revive a fading craft with water, pulp, and tradition.
- Set sail on a scenic cruise of Lake Ohrid, gliding past fishermen’s boats and tucked-away monasteries, as sunlight dances across the surface.
In the afternoon, continue along the lakeshore and see where history and myth intertwine at the Bay of Bones and Saint Naum Monastery.
- Step into the Bay of Bones Museum, where wooden walkways lead you through a haunting reconstruction of a Bronze Age lake-dwelling village, its stilts rising eerily from the water.
- Settle in for a conversation with a local conservationist, gaining insight into the delicate ecosystem of Lake Ohrid and the quiet urgency to preserve it.
- Wander the serene grounds of Saint Naum Monastery, where jewel-toned peacocks stroll beneath chestnut trees and the air hums with birdsong.
- Enter the monastery’s sanctuary to admire its centuries-old frescoes, still vibrant with color and mystery, and linger a moment in the hush of this sacred place.
Tirana2 nights
Day 8: Transfer to Tirana & winery tour
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Wine tasting
Cross into Albania, a country still largely untouched by mass tourism, where hardy terrain and warm hospitality await. On your journey to the capital city of Tirana, stop to explore a hidden gem of Albania’s emerging wine scene.
- Visit Uka Farm, a family-run estate dedicated to reviving rare indigenous grape varieties once nearly lost to history. Tour the vineyards and cellar while learning how tradition and innovation blend in each bottle.
- Sit down for a farm-fresh lunch crafted with seasonal, organic ingredients—many harvested just steps from your table—and paired with Uka’s expressive, terroir-driven wines.
Then, continue your journey through the Albanian countryside toward Tirana, where colorful buildings, Ottoman-era relics, and cafe-lined boulevards set the tone for your time in the capital.
Please note: You should have your passport ready to present when crossing the border between North Macedonia and Albania.
Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Tirana
Included meal: Breakfast
Uncover the layered history of Tirana, Albania’s capital, where remnants of the city’s communist era stand alongside eye-popping street art, larger-than-life murals, and a new cultural identity.
- Start at Bunk’Art 1—a vast subterranean bunker once built for Albanian ruler Enver Hoxha, now transformed into a museum documenting decades of authoritarian rule. With your guide, move through its concrete chambers and low-lit hallways as you learn how surveillance, censorship, and fear shaped daily life during the communist period.
- Drive to Skanderbeg Square, a central meeting place named for Albania’s national hero, and catch sight of the Pyramid of Tirana—a hulking concrete structure built as a tribute to Hoxha and now repurposed as a public space.
- Embark on a walking tour of the central part of the city where you’ll see the Et’hem Bej Mosque. A rare surviving religious site from the Ottoman era, its soft domes and detailed frescoes offer a contemplative contrast to Tirana’s more imposing monuments.
- Walk into the reinvigorated New Bazaar neighborhood. Here, produce vendors and coffee stalls line the walkways, and you’ll have free time to explore the area at your own pace, whether browsing the open-air market or settling in at a cafe near Skanderbeg Square.
To learn more about Albania’s past, join us on the optional excursion to the hill town of Kruje, where cobbled streets lead to a centuries-old castle and bustling bazaar. Explore museums set inside historic Ottoman buildings; learn the story of Skanderbeg; and enjoy free time to wander, shop, and soak in the mountain views.
Budva2 nights
Day 10: Budva via Shkodra & Lake Skadar
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue your journey north, tracing a route that winds through Albania’s highlands, into Montenegro’s lake country, and along the Adriatic coast.
- Stop in Shkodra, one of Albania’s oldest cities, where you’ll climb to the stone walls of Rozafa Castle, perched above the confluence of three rivers. Hear the legend behind its name and take in views stretching toward the Albanian Alps.
- Cross into Montenegro and travel through the Lake Skadar region, a patchwork of wetlands, vineyards, and mirror-like waters. Arrive in the lakeside town of Virpazar and board a boat for a scenic ride, cruising past lily pads, bird habitats, and quiet coves framed by distant hills.
- Follow the coastal road south to Budva, stopping along the way at Sveti Stefan, a fishing village turned fortified island settlement. Pause for photos and a short walk while your guide shares the unusual history of this tiny, once-private retreat.
Sit down for an included dinner at a local restaurant this evening, served with beer or wine.
Please note: You should have your passport ready to present when crossing the border between Albania and Montenegro.
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Cetinje, Njegusi & Kotor
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting
Discover Montenegro’s layered history and striking landscapes on a journey from towns hinting at royal heritageto the shores of the Adriatic.
- Walk through the streets of Cetinje, where diplomatic history and old-world politics intersect. Step into the Museum of King Nikola, a residence that once echoed with regal ambition. At the nearby Vlaska Church, examine a fence forged from captured rifle barrels—a raw artifact of resistance that frames this 15th-century sanctuary.
- Head uphill to Njegusi, a mountain village where smoke curls from rustic smokehouses. Inside one, taste prosciutto aged in cool, fragrant air, alongside sharp cheeses and homemade spirits—flavors that have defined this region for ages.
- Drive down the Serpentine—a series of tight switchbacks that reveal expansive views of the Bay of Kotor, its waters folding into fjord-like inlets beneath towering cliffs.
- Explore Kotor’s medieval Old Town, where labyrinthine alleyways open onto squares dominated by Saint Tryphon’s Cathedral and centuries-old fortifications.
- Pass the Clock Tower and an orthodox church before choosing to hike to the sturdy walls of St. John Fortress, where panoramic views stretch across the bay’s dramatic coastline and terracotta rooftops below.
Dubrovnik2 nights
Day 12: Dubrovnik via Perast & Konavle Valley
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Liqueur tasting
Travel along the sparkling Bay of Kotor to the historic Venetian town of Perast. Here, board a traditional wooden boat to visit two unique islets: Saint George, where a centuries-old monastery stands amid cypress trees, and Our Lady of the Rocks, a chapel built atop an artificial island with walls lined by votive paintings and images of local legends. After soaking in this rare maritime heritage, cross into Croatia’s Dalmatian coast.
- Arrive in Croatia’s fertile Konavle Valley and step into a family-run agriturismo, surrounded by terraced vegetable gardens growing heirloom tomatoes, peppers, and aromatic herbs.
- Hear the stories of a farming family whose practices have remained unchanged for more than five centuries, nurturing the land with hands that know every inch of soil.
- Taste traditional homemade liqueurs—strong, fragrant, and steeped in history—before settling into a lunch of rustic dishes prepared from vegetables, cheeses, and olive oils grown, made, and pressed on-site.
Then, continue your journey to Dubrovnik, where medieval walls rise above the Adriatic’s sparkling blue waters.
Please note: Travelers should be prepared to show their passports at the border crossing between Montenegro and Croatia.
Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Though its history begins in the 7th century, Dubrovnik looks more like a movie set than an ancient settlement. Epic stone walls, rising above the twinkling waves of the Adriatic, cloister the orange-roofed buildings of the Old Town—and today, you’ll follow a local guide on a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Look out over the city from a panoramic viewpoint and bask in the sight of the Old Town, its sawtooth shoreline, and Lokrum, a car-free island that doubles as a nature reserve.
- Enter the Franciscan Church and Monastery. Built over the course of centuries—and rebuilt after an earthquake leveled Dubrovnik in 1667—it’s noted for its extensive library of more than 20,000 books, manuscripts, and incunables.
After your morning tour, you can either return to your accommodations or hang back and explore the city center on your own. You’ll all meet up at your hotel in the evening.
Should you choose, you’ll cap your day with a cruise, followed by a beachside lunch and a stroll through old Dubrovnik.
Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers at a farewell dinner, served with beer or wine.
Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Start planning today
Have a quick question about tipping or what to pack? Give us a call at 1-800-590-1161, or talk to a Tour Consultant.
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Athens - Airotel Stratos Vassilikos
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Delphi Region - Amalia Hotel Delphi
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Meteora Region - Amalia Hotel Kalambaka
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Lake Ohrid - Laki Hotel & Spa
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Tirana - Rogner Hotel Tirana
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Budva - Eurostars Queen of Montenegro
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Dubrovnik - Hotel Lapad
See detailsFlights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
Find out more about flights
FAQ
- This tour visits Greece, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Croatia. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code BSC.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Athens and depart from Dubrovnik.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Athens, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a high physical activity-level tour. You can expect to be on the move on a regular basis throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Two 1-night stays
- Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- All transportation by motor coach
- About 3 hours of bus time daily
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2-3 miles per day- this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Stone and marble walkways may be slippery even when dry.
- Access to the Acropolis requires travelers to navigate a steep hill including uneven stairs with no railing.
- Travelers should feel comfortable climbing stairs to enter the Meteora monasteries, with one having 80 steps.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.
Climate Considerations
- In the summer months (June-September), travelers can expect heatwaves with temperatures consistently above 90F.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- Most transportation on this tour is by private motor coach. Private motor coaches have steps required to board and often do not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- All destinations on this tour operate on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C or F plus with two small, round pins.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- This tour includes three lunches and three dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Cuisine of the Balkans varies greatly by region. Greece's warm climate ensures a constant supply of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Salads served with aromatic olive oil, feta cheese, and oregano are plentiful. Grilled fish and meat are integral to Greek cuisine, as well as squid and octopus. Don't miss the spinach and cheese pies called spanikopita.
- Foods in Albania are primarily composed of meat and vegetables. In the Tirana region, the coastal climate allows for fresh fruits, poultry, and fish from the Adriatic Sea such as sole, flounder, and perch.
- Traditional North Macedonian cuisine includes a combination of Balkan and Mediterranean classics made up of fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, and grilled meats.
- Food in Montenegro offers a variety of flavors. Potatoes, cabbage, ham, and sausage might make you feel at home but you may want to try something new such as bakrdan (a porridge of cornmeal, potato, and cheese) or the tasty ćevapi kebab (a grilled meat patty).
- In Croatia, you may like to try traditional Balkan dishes, such as duvec (vegetables and meat), moussaka (eggplant and minced meat), sarma (minced meat and rice), and raznjici (grilled veal or pork). Thirsty? Almost every region of the country produces its own varieties of wine, each of which are quite delicious.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the euro in Greece, Croatia and Montenegro, the Albanian lek in Albania, the Macedonian denar and in North Macedonia.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you don’t already have at least one card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your Tour Director, local guides, and bus drivers.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and seven hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
- Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Croatia are one hour ahead of GMT and six hours ahead of ET.
- When it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm in Greece and 6pm in Albania, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Croatia.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
