Four countries. Two weeks. One fascinating journey through the Balkans.

Explore Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Croatia on a journey that brings together some of the things we love most about travel: incredible food, fascinating history, beautiful landscapes, time outdoors, and the chance to understand a part of Europe many travelers are only beginning to discover.

We’ll start in Albania, tasting our way through the markets and neighborhoods of Tirana, wandering the hillside streets of UNESCO-listed Berat, and sitting down to a farm-to-table meal at Mrizi i Zanave, where food, tradition, and community come together in one remarkable place.

From there, the scenery shifts dramatically. We’ll follow Montenegro’s Adriatic coast through Budva and Kotor, then head into the mountains to hike among the forests and glacial lakes of Durmitor National Park.

In Bosnia & Herzegovina, we’ll slow down and spend time getting to know Sarajevo, exploring the cultures, faiths, architecture, food, and complex history that have shaped the city. We’ll continue to Mostar and Blagaj, taste wines in the Herzegovinian countryside, and experience a region with stories that deserve more than a quick stop.

Finally, Croatia brings us back to the Adriatic, with Roman history in Split, the lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park, and one final day together in Zagreb.

Over 14 days, we’ll cross four countries and experience an incredible range of landscapes, cultures, food, and history, with guided experiences balanced by time to wander, linger over a coffee, or simply enjoy where you are.

Four countries. Two weeks. And one fascinating corner of Europe we can’t wait to experience with you.

Trip Dates: September 15-28, 2027

Start Location: Tirana, Albania 

End Location: Zagreb, Croatia   

Accommodation: 13 nights 

• Wander Berat’s hilltop fortress and historic neighborhoods

• Experience Albania’s food traditions at Mrizi i Zanave, a celebrated farm-to-table agrotourism experience

• Explore the medieval old towns of Budva and Kotor along Montenegro’s spectacular coast

• Hike among the mountains and glacial lakes of Durmitor National Park

• Discover Sarajevo’s layered history, cultures, markets, and neighborhoods

• Explore Mostar’s iconic Old Bridge and historic bazaar, followed by beautiful Blagaj

• Taste the wines of Herzegovina at a local winery near Mostar

• Walk among the lakes, waterfalls, and forest trails of Plitvice Lakes National Park

Activity level is MODERATE. Most days include 2–4 miles (3–6 km) of walking, often on cobblestones, uneven paths, and historic streets. You can expect some elevation changes and stairs, with occasional climbs of 300–600 feet (90–180 meters), especially in old towns and at scenic viewpoints.

This journey covers four countries and a lot of ground, so you should also be comfortable with several hotel changes and some longer travel days by vehicle as we make our way through the region.

If you’re comfortable being on your feet for several hours at a relaxed pace and enjoy active exploration balanced with downtime, you’ll feel right at home on this journey.

This tour is a great fit if you’re curious about places with layered histories, love experiencing different cultures, and get excited about covering a lot of ground. We’ll travel through four countries, moving from historic cities and mountain landscapes to local wineries, markets, national parks, and the Adriatic coast.

You’ll especially love this journey if you enjoy learning the stories behind the places you visit, trying local foods, spending time outdoors, and balancing guided experiences with opportunities to wander and explore.

There are several hotel changes and travel days along the way, but that’s part of what makes this trip so rewarding: you’ll experience an incredible variety of landscapes, cultures, and communities in just two weeks.

At The Nomadic Network, we believe group travel should give you the best of both worlds: a wonderful group of people to share the experience with, and the freedom to still travel like yourself.

Our small-group tours are designed for curious travelers who enjoy experiencing a destination together, sharing meals and adventures, and getting to know the people they're traveling with. But you don't have to do everything together. There’s always room to recharge, wander on your own when time allows, or simply enjoy a little space. No forced fun here.

We travel thoughtfully and with curiosity, taking time to learn about the places we visit, support local communities and businesses, try the food, understand the history, and experience more than just the major sights.

Our hope is pretty simple: that you come home having experienced an incredible part of the world, learned a few things, laughed a lot, and maybe even made some wonderful new friends along the way.

PAYMENT OPTIONS. We offer payment plan options!  Pay in full and save $100, or just pay a deposit now and pay the rest over time with no interest.

POTENTIAL FEES.  A 3% platform fee applies to all bookings. Additional fees may be charged by your bank if you pay by credit card. No extra fees when paying directly from your bank account.

DISCOUNTS. Only one promo code per booking. Must be used at checkout—no retroactive discounts.

CARBON OFFSET. We care about the future of our planet, so our customers have the option to contribute towards carbon offsets at checkout. Thank you for your support. 

PHOTOS. We love to share our photos! Enjoy a shared photo gallery of pooled photos after every trip. 

GRATUITIES. Gratuities are not required but greatly appreciated by locals in the tourism industry. For your convenience, we work to handle most tipping for you. See "What's Not Included" for specifics.

FLEXIBLE CANCELLATION. We offer a flexible cancellation policy: Read the full details in our Terms & Conditions.

Welcome to Tirana! Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to our hotel, where you’ll have time to settle in, relax after your travels, or head out for your first look around Albania’s capital.

This evening, we’ll gather for our first meal together at a traditional local restaurant. Over family-style Albanian dishes, we’ll get to know our fellow travelers, talk about what’s ahead, and toast to the beginning of two incredible weeks together in the Balkans.

Meal: D

Today we’ll get to know Tirana through one of our favorite ways to understand a place: its food.

We’ll set out with a local guide, stopping first for byrek, Albania’s beloved flaky pastry filled with cheese, spinach, or meat. From there, we’ll make our way through neighborhood streets, produce markets, and the Çam Bazaar, learning about the community and the everyday rhythms of life in Albania’s capital.

Along the way, we’ll explore the Bicycle Bazaar, a wonderfully eclectic secondhand market where you never quite know what you’ll find, before heading to the New Bazaar for lunch.

And come hungry! We’ll sit down to traditional Albanian favorites like qofte meatballs, char-grilled vegetables, fresh bread, and fërgesë, a creamy roasted pepper and cheese dish that is serious comfort food.

And because we’re in Albania, there may just be a glass of raki involved. As they say here, “Raki nuk ka shok!” Raki has no equal.

By the end of the day, you’ll have a much better feel for Tirana, and you definitely won’t be the least bit hungry.

Meals: B, L

Today we leave Tirana and make our way to Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Albania’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.

Known as the “Town of 1,001 Windows,” Berat climbs the hillsides above the Osum River, with rows of white Ottoman-era homes, stone streets, churches, and mosques reflecting the many cultures that have shaped the city over centuries.

We’ll make our way up to Berat Castle, whose history stretches back more than 2,000 years. Unlike many historic fortresses, this one isn’t simply a monument. People still live within its ancient walls today. As we explore, we’ll learn about Berat’s Illyrian beginnings, Ottoman influence, religious traditions, and Albania’s more recent communist era.

We’ll also discover the work of Onufri, the celebrated 16th-century icon painter known for a distinctive red pigment whose exact formula remains a mystery.

Later, we’ll cross the historic Gorica Bridge and wander through the Gorica neighborhood, with beautiful views back toward Berat’s hillside of famous windows.

The evening is yours to relax or head out and explore a little more on your own.

Drive time: approx 1 hr 45 min

Meal: B

This morning, we’ll head into the Albanian countryside to visit Mrizi i Zanave, a remarkable family-run farm and restaurant built around Albania’s slow food traditions.

We’ll tour the property and learn how Mrizi i Zanave grew from a small family operation into a thriving business that works with and supports hundreds of families in the surrounding villages. Even the setting tells part of the story: former communist-era buildings have been thoughtfully repurposed into spaces where locally grown and produced foods are prepared, stored, and shared.

Then comes one of the best parts: lunch straight from the farm. Expect seasonal ingredients, traditional Albanian flavors, and plenty of good food before having a little time to browse for something delicious to take home.

Later, we’ll continue north to Shkodra, one of Albania’s oldest cities, set near the shores of Lake Shkodra. We’ll visit Rozafa Castle, where centuries of history and one of Albania’s best-known legends come together high above the city. From the castle walls, we’ll have sweeping views across the lake, rivers, mountains, and surrounding countryside.

Afterward, we’ll get our first look at Shkodra itself, where Venetian-influenced architecture reflects yet another chapter in Albania’s long and layered history.

Drive time: approx 2 hrs 45 min

Meal: B

Today we say goodbye to Albania and cross the border into Montenegro, trading inland landscapes for the beautiful Adriatic coast.

Our first stop is a viewpoint overlooking Sveti Stefan, one of Montenegro’s most recognizable sights. The tiny fortified island began as a 15th-century fishing village and eventually became an exclusive seaside resort. We’ll stop along the coast to take in the view before continuing toward Budva.

Once we arrive in Budva, we’ll explore its walled Old Town, where more than 2,500 years of history sit alongside the Adriatic Sea. We’ll wander narrow cobblestone streets and visit centuries-old landmarks including the Church of St. Ivan and Church of St. Mary, with stone fortifications and glimpses of the sea around seemingly every corner.

After our time together, the rest of the day is yours. Settle into a café, browse the shops and waterfront promenade, head back into the Old Town, or simply find a spot by the sea and enjoy being on the Montenegrin coast.

Drive time: approx 2 hrs

Meal: B

Today brings a complete change of scenery as we travel from Montenegro’s Adriatic coast into its rugged mountain interior.

We’ll begin in Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site tucked between steep mountains and the Bay of Kotor. Inside its medieval walls, we’ll explore a maze of narrow stone streets, small squares, centuries-old homes, and historic churches. We’ll stop at St. Luke’s Church, known for its long history of serving both Catholic and Orthodox communities, and look for the plaques throughout the Old Town that reveal the dates and stories behind some of Kotor’s oldest buildings.

Then we’ll leave the coast behind and head toward Durmitor National Park. Along the way, seaside towns give way to villages, forests, and increasingly dramatic mountain landscapes.

By the time we arrive, we’ll be surrounded by the soaring peaks, pine forests, and glacial lakes of this UNESCO-listed national park. After settling into our accommodations near the park, the evening is yours to relax, take a walk, enjoy dinner, or simply breathe in the mountain air.

Tomorrow, we get out and explore it on foot!

Drive time: approx 3 hrs

Meal: B

This morning, we’ll lace up our shoes and head out into Durmitor National Park for an easy-to-moderate hike through the mountain landscapes of Durmitor National Park.

Our trail takes us through pine forests and mountain scenery to Black Lake (Crno Jezero), a glacial lake surrounded by the peaks of Durmitor. We’ll have time to enjoy the trails and views before returning to our accommodations and getting ready for the next chapter of our journey.

This afternoon, we’ll cross the border into our third country, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our drive takes us through forests, valleys, rivers, and small communities as we make our way toward Sarajevo.

By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in Sarajevo, where mountain landscapes give way to a city shaped by Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, Yugoslav, and modern influences. We’ll settle into our accommodations and have the evening to relax before spending the next two days getting to know a city that has become one of our favorite places in the Balkans.

Hike: Today’s hike follows an easy-to-moderate trail suitable for most active travelers. If you’d prefer a quieter morning, there will be an alternative option to relax instead.

Drive time: approx 3 hrs 20 min

Meals: B

Today we’ll explore Sarajevo with a local guide, walking through a city where centuries of history, cultures, and faiths exist remarkably close together.

We’ll trace Sarajevo’s story from the medieval Bosnian Kingdom through centuries of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule, the Yugoslav era, and into its more recent history. Mosques, churches, and a synagogue stand within a short walk of one another, helping explain why Sarajevo has long been known as the “Jerusalem of Europe.”

We’ll also learn about the 1992–95 Bosnian War and the nearly four-year Siege of Sarajevo, the longest siege of a capital city in modern history. Evidence of that period can still be seen throughout the city, and our local guide will help us understand what happened here and how it continues to be remembered today.

At the Latin Bridge, we’ll step further back in history to the site of the 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, an event that helped trigger World War I.

But understanding Sarajevo also means experiencing the city as it is today. We’ll wander its bazaars and markets, watch everyday life unfold in its streets and cafés, and, of course, make time for some of the foods Sarajevo does particularly well, from grilled meats and flaky pastries to traditional sweets.

It’s a full day of history, food, culture, and conversation, and a chance to begin understanding why Sarajevo has made such an impression on us.

Meal: B

Today we leave Sarajevo and make our way to Mostar, one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most recognizable cities.

At the heart of the Old Town is Stari Most, the graceful 16th-century Ottoman bridge spanning the Neretva River. The original bridge stood for more than 400 years before being destroyed during the 1992–95 Bosnian War. It was carefully reconstructed using traditional techniques and reopened in 2004, and today the bridge and surrounding Old Town are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With our guide, we’ll explore Mostar’s historic center and Old Bazaar, wandering cobblestone streets lined with workshops, cafés, shops, and Ottoman-era architecture. Along the way, we’ll see the “Don’t Forget” stones found throughout the city and learn more about Mostar’s history, its communities, and how the events of the 1990s continue to be remembered today.

Then we’re giving you something especially valuable: time.

The afternoon is yours to experience Mostar at your own pace. Find a café overlooking the river, browse the bazaar, wander back across Stari Most, photograph the Old Town from another angle, or simply sit somewhere beautiful and watch the city go by.

Drive time: approx 2 hrs

Meal: B

Today we’ll venture beyond Mostar to experience three very different sides of Herzegovina: centuries-old spiritual traditions, one of the world’s best-known Catholic pilgrimage destinations, and the region’s winemaking heritage.

Our first stop is Blagaj Tekke, a centuries-old Dervish complex built dramatically beneath a limestone cliff beside the brilliant turquoise waters of the Buna River. We’ll have time to explore the site, learn about its Sufi history, and enjoy one of the most beautiful settings in the region.

From there, we’ll continue to Medjugorje, which has drawn millions of pilgrims since reports of apparitions of the Virgin Mary began in 1981. We’ll visit the Church of St. James and have time to experience the village. Those who would like can also make their way up Apparition Hill, while others can enjoy a quieter visit below.

Then we’ll shift gears completely and head into the Herzegovinian countryside for a local wine tasting. We’ll sample wines produced in the region, accompanied by traditional bites and appetizers*, while learning about local grape varieties and the winemaking traditions that have been part of Herzegovina for generations.

Spiritual traditions, dramatic landscapes, and local wine. It’s a pretty wonderful way to spend our final full day in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Meal: B, *Light Lunch 

Today we say goodbye to Bosnia and Herzegovina, cross the border into Croatia, and make our way back toward the Adriatic Sea.

We’ll break up the journey with a stop in Makarska, a seaside town tucked between the mountains and the coast. You’ll have time to stretch your legs, wander along the waterfront promenade, grab a coffee or lunch at a local café, or find a spot by the water and simply enjoy being back by the sea.

From Makarska, we’ll continue north along the Dalmatian Coast, with views of the Adriatic, islands, mountains, and coastal communities accompanying us along the way.

By late afternoon, we’ll arrive in the Split area and settle into our accommodations for the evening. After a day covering some ground, the rest of the evening is yours to relax and recharge before we head out to explore Split tomorrow.

Drive time: approx 4 hrs

Meal: B

This morning, we’ll head into Split, where nearly 1,700 years of history are woven right into the everyday life of the city.

At its center is Diocletian’s Palace, built for Roman Emperor Diocletian at the beginning of the 4th century. But this isn’t a palace preserved behind museum doors. Today, its ancient walls, passageways, and courtyards are filled with homes, shops, cafés, and restaurants, making it very much a living part of modern Split.

We’ll explore the narrow streets of the Old Town and make our way to the Pazar Market, where stalls overflow with fresh produce, herbs, flowers, and local goods.

Afterward, you’ll have some free time to enjoy Split your way. Find a café or restaurant, browse the shops and galleries, wander the waterfront, or simply grab a seat somewhere and watch the city go by.

Later this afternoon, we’ll leave the coast behind and drive inland toward Plitvice Lakes National Park, where we’ll settle in for the night.

Tomorrow, waterfalls!

Drive time: approx 2 hrs

Meal: B

Today we’ll spend the morning exploring Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of Croatia’s most remarkable landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We’ll follow wooden walkways and trails through the park, passing a series of turquoise lakes connected by waterfalls of seemingly every shape and size. The paths wind through forests, alongside the water, and in places directly above it, giving us constantly changing views as we make our way through the park. We’ll take our time, stopping for photos and simply enjoying a morning outside in the park.

After our time at Plitvice, we’ll continue to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital and our final stop of the journey.

Once we arrive, the rest of the afternoon is yours. Find a café, wander through the city’s historic streets and squares, explore one of its parks, or simply settle in and enjoy having nowhere you need to be for a while.

Tonight, we’ll get ready for one final day together in the Balkans.

Drive time: approx 2 hrs

Meal: B

It may be departure day, but we’re not quite finished yet!

After breakfast, we’ll head out with a local guide to explore Zagreb’s historic Upper Town (Gornji Grad). We’ll walk its cobblestone streets and visit some of the city’s best-known landmarks, including St. Mark’s Church with its colorful tiled roof, the Stone Gate, and Ban Jelačić Square. Along the way, we’ll get a feel for Zagreb’s markets, cafés, architecture, and everyday life.

Our tour will wrap up around lunchtime, leaving some time for a final coffee, a little shopping, or one last wander depending on your travel plans.

And then, sadly, it really is time to say goodbye.

Four countries, countless meals, mountain trails, medieval towns, waterfalls, wineries, markets, a whole lot of history, and two weeks of exploring the Balkans together. We hope you’ll head home with plenty of stories, a few new friends, and maybe already be thinking about where we should go together next.

Until next time!

Meal: B