Travel to the Balkans: Balkans Heritage Tour

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Travel to the Balkans with Ker & Downey. Ker & Downey’s Balkans Heritage Tour journeys to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia. Immerse yourself in the rich cultures of these countries and learn how they were each once connected to the former Yugoslavian empire.

Balkans Heritage Tour with Ker & Downey

Suggested journey at a glance: 15 days/14 nights in Bled, Kobarid, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Zadar, Dubrovnik, Sarajevo, and Belgrade.

Slovenia

First kick off your Balkans Heritage Tour in Slovenia. Vila Bled, the former summer residence of Yugoslavia’s President Tito, is just one of the places to dig into deep history on this unique itinerary. While here explore the Alpine lakes region, visit the 1,000-year-old Bled Castle, and take a leisurely bicycle ride around the scenic Lake Bled. You will find that Slovenia is a verdant wonderland of mountains and valleys.

Next spend a night at Hisa Franko, a charming property believed to be where Ernest Hemingway penned A Farewell to Arms. Innovative chef Ana Ros dishes up Slovenian gastronomical delights in the restaurant paired (of course) with local wines.

Your last Slovenian stop is in the capital, Ljubljana. Add to your travel to the Balkans with a climb up to the top of the 900-year-old castle to take in the views of the city down below.

Croatia

Next continue your on your Balkans Heritage Tour in Croatia. Discover a treasure of quaint villages, pristine nature (the world’s oldest national park is here), and spellbinding cities. Zagreb, its charming capital, is full of museums—more than any other city in the world! Wind your way through the country, stopping at the wineries around Zadar for a tasting. The medieval walled city nestled on the Dalmatia Coast is not to be missed. Sit back and people watch in one of Split’s many cafes. Once you get your caffeine fix, explore the Diocletian Palace’s narrow streets.

Then save the best for last with Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic. The city is a gem of baroque buildings, Renaissance churches, steep limestone streets, and unbelievable views of the sea all drenched in glorious sunshine most of the year.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

While it often flies under the Balkans radar, Bosnia and Herzegovina brims with interest. Therefore, your Balkans Heritage Tour would be incomplete without a visit. Sarajevo’s Ottoman, Yugoslav, and Austro-Hungarian mix tells a tale of this city. Indeed,strolling through the Old Town is like taking a journey to a different land, the scent of spices lingering in the air. Minarets jut into the sky next to domed churches. Meanwhile, Sarajevo’s painful past is still visible in its War Tunnel, a leftover from the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. Despite its former turbulence, today Sarajevo is an example of tolerance. To learn more about including Bosnia and Herzegovina in your travel to the Balkans, check out the travel report from the journalist we recently sent there from Travel + Leisure Magazine.

Serbia

The final stop on our Balkans Heritage journey is Serbia. Cruise the Danube River through Belgrade, a city that has faced close to 115 battles and been destroyed 44 times. Once the principal center of activity for the Ottoman Europe and later serving as the capital of Yugoslavia, Belgrade is a city of many layers. Visiting Tito’s grave and watching a folk dance performance are just some of the activities you will enjoy in Serbia.

Travel to the Balkans with Ker & Downey

Ready to experience your own Balkans Heritage Tour? Contact a Ker & Downey designer to customize your own journey. Read more about the seasonality and pricing on the Ker & Downey Difference.

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