Greece, the Balkans & Croatia
14 days | 17 days with Korcula Island & Dubrovnik extension |
Soak up local traditions amidst stunning mountains and coasts.
Full of rich history, fascinating culture, and stunning landscapes, the Balkan Peninsula is a region waiting to be explored—and that's just what you'll do on this small group Adventure Tour. From the Greek capital and picturesque shores of Lake Ohrid to the timeless traditions of Albania and Croatia’s epic coastal beauty, you’ll discover the diversity of these Adriatic nations and what makes each unique.
Your tour package includes
- 12 nights in handpicked hotels
- 12 breakfasts
- 3 farm-to-table lunches
- 3 dinners with beer or wine
- 3 food tastings
- 2 liquor tasting
- 1 wine tasting
- 16 sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
Included highlights
- Athens market tour
- Delphi Archaeological Site
- Meteora monasteries
- Lake Ohrid
- Organic apiary visit
- Monastery of Saint Naum
- Albanian wine tasting
- Bunk’Art 1 museum
- Lake Skadar
- Bay of Kotor
- Konavle valley agriturismo
- Dubrovnik
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
Welcome to Greece! Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
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
This stylish hotel is located downtown Athens near the Megaro Mousikis metro station. Guests enjoy an on-site restaurant, fitness center, and hammam spa. Nearby, you’ll find the National Gallery, the Temple of Zeus, and the...
Delphi Region - Amalia Hotel Delphi
This modern hotel is located at the foot of Mount Parnassus in Delphi. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, beautiful views, and manicured gardens. Nearby, you’ll find the Temple of Apollo, the Old Temple of Athena, and the Stadium...
Meteroa Region - Amalia Hotel Kalambaka
This classical hotel is located in Kalambaka. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, balconies, and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find Trikala, Megalou Meteorou, and Lake Plastira.
Lake Ohrid - Hotel Bellevue
This lakeside resort is located in Ohrid, North Macedonia on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Guests enjoy the aperitif bar, courts for various sports, and private beach area. Nearby you’ll find the Holy Mary Perybleptos Church, the...
Tirana - Rogner Hotel Tirana
This polished hotel is located in the Tirana city center. Guests enjoy a pool, restaurant, and fitness center. Nearby, you'll find Rinia Park, National Gallery of Art, and the Peace Bell.
Budva - Hotel Bracera
This modern hotel is located in Budva on the Montenegrin coast. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, on-site restaurant, and wellness center with a hammam. Nearby, you’ll find the city center and beach.
Hotel Lapad
This tucked away hotel is located in Dubrovnik's Gruz Harbor. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, garden, and on-site restaurant. Nearby you’ll find Uvala Lapad Beach, walking trails, and Velika and Mala Petka Forest Park.
Korčula Island - Hotel Liburna
This seaside hotel is located on Korčula Island, Croatia. Guests enjoy the terrace with views of Korčula’s Old Town, open-air aperitif bar, and easy access to Banje Beach. Nearby you’ll find Zakerjan Tower, the Marco Polo...
Flights
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
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.
- Beginning in 2026, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if you’ve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2026, you’ll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If you’re traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- 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.
- You will walk for at least 2 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails, with some steep hills.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
- You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times as well as getting in and out of boats.
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Athens and depart from Dubrovnik . A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
- Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- A round-trip ferry ride between Orebic and Korcula island is included in the price of your tour extension.
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- 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 and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- 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).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- 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.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Your hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
- The majority of the hotels on this tour will have air conditioning.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply. In more remote locations, internet access may be limited and is not guaranteed.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- 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.
- 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/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- 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 the equivalent of $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $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.
- Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on your tour.
- Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
- Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
- Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information.
