What will my days look like?

Days are full. Most start with breakfast, then the main sights with a local guide or your tour leader. Afternoons often leave free time to wander, stop for a coffee or join an optional extra. Expect a fair amount of walking: some days mean two or three hours on your feet, so bring comfortable shoes.

Who will I be travelling with?

Travellers from all over the world, of different ages and backgrounds, who share a wish to see more. This tour runs as a small group of up to 17, and most people know each other’s names within a few days.

What are the hotels like?

Mostly 3 and 4 star, all clean, comfortable and well located, with private en-suite bathrooms. They are chosen so you sleep well and are ready for the next day. The destinations come first, but the hotels are never an afterthought.

How active is this tour?

You carry your own luggage, sometimes up hotel stairs. Some walking tours run for up to three hours, and a few sites have plenty of steps. The itinerary and the activity level at the top of this page show whether the pace suits you.

How do optional extras work?

Optional extras run in the tour’s free time, and your tour leader tells you what is on offer as the tour goes. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day. Others sell in advance and must be bought before the tour starts: to add one of those, mention it in your booking notes and we confirm it with your seats. Each extra in the Optional extras section says which way it is booked.

Will I have time to explore on my own?

Yes. The itinerary builds in free time to wander at your own pace, and your tour leader can point you to the places that suit you, so you are never left to work it all out alone.

What support do I have while I’m on tour?

Your tour leader travels with you from start to finish. They know the places most visitors miss, can suggest a restaurant before you ask, and deal with whatever crops up on the way. Transport and hotels are all arranged for you. There is also an emergency number staffed 24 hours a day, and our team in Dubai is there to help.

How do I book Best of the Balkans & Greek Islands?

Press Book now, choose a date, your travellers and rooms, and give your name, email and mobile. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away; you then add each traveller as their passport shows on your booking page. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.

Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.

Is the price per person?

Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.

Are flights included?

Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.

That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.

22 days · 10 countries

Best of the Balkans & Greek Islands

From AED 24,355per person, twin share

Choose a dateTravellers

Total2 travellersAED 52,380

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A 22-day route across the Balkans and Greece, starting and ending in Athens, taking in Dubrovnik, Budapest and Mykonos.

Duration: 22 Days / 21 Nights
Route: Starts and ends in Athens
10 countries on this tour: Greece
Albania
North Macedonia
Montenegro
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Croatia
Slovenia
Hungary
Serbia
Bulgaria
Activity level: Moderate (3 of 5); A fast multi-country coach tour for the first two weeks, then a slower pace with free island days on Mykonos and Santorini
Accommodation: 21 nights in mostly 3 and 4 star hotels: a new city most nights on the mainland, then island stays on Mykonos and Santorini
Meals: 21 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 8 dinners
Group: Small group, up to 17
Guide: English-speaking tour leader throughout, plus local guides in most cities
Transport: Air-conditioned coach
Best time to go: Runs May to October, skipping August: warm summer across the Balkans, extending into late-summer and autumn on the Greek islands

Tour overview

Over 22 days you see the beauty of the Balkans and Greek island life, ten countries in three weeks. The route covers all of the Balkan countries, with a free day in Dubrovnik, time at Plitvice Lakes National Park and a free day in Budapest. The trip ends in the Greek islands, with time on Santorini.

Highlights

Athens, Greece’s ancient capital city
A welcome dinner in Athens
The ancient ruins of Delphi
The monasteries of Meteora
A guided tour of Ohrid
Tirana on a walking tour
An evening in Shkodër
Budva and Kotor in Montenegro

Show all 27 highlights

A guided walking tour of Dubrovnik
The medieval town of Mostar
A walking tour of Sarajevo
Split, a coastal city
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Ljubljana with a local guide
Maribor, a charming city in Slovenia
Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest lake
A driving tour of Budapest’s top sights
Novi Sad in Serbia
A guided walking tour of Belgrade
Tinkers Alley and a lunch stop in Niš
A walking tour of Sofia, Bulgaria
Rila Monastery
Thessaloniki, a Greek port city
Kamena Vourla, a coastal Greek city
An Athens city tour
Two nights on the famous island of Mykonos
Three nights on the island of Santorini

Route and hotels

Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.

Hotel stays, in orderOn the wayBy roadBy boatFlightAbout 4,230 km by roadMap data: © OpenStreetMap contributors; OpenMapTiles, OpenFreeMap; terrain Mapzen; roads OSRM

Athens
1 night · Day 1
Dorian Inn
Delphi
Day 2 · on the way
Meteora
Day 2 · on the way
Kalabaka
1 night · Day 2
Hotel Antoniadis
Ohrid
1 night · Day 3
Hotel Belvedere
Tirana
Day 4 · on the way
Shkodër
1 night · Day 4
Hotel Rozafa
Budva
Day 5 · on the way

Show all 29 stops

Kotor
Day 5 · on the way
Dubrovnik
2 nights · Days 5–6
Hotel Ivka, Dubrovnik
Mostar
Day 7 · on the way
Sarajevo
1 night · Day 7
Ibis Styles Sarajevo
Split
Day 8 · on the way
Plitvice Lakes
1 night · Day 8
Plitvice Lakes Etno Garden
Ljubljana
1 night · Day 9
B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park
Maribor
Day 10 · on the way
Lake Balaton
Day 10 · on the way
Budapest
2 nights · Days 10–11
ibis Styles Budapest Center
Novi Sad
Day 12 · on the way
Belgrade
1 night · Day 12
Belgrade City Hotel
Niš
Day 13 · on the way
Sofia
1 night · Day 13
Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Center
Rila Monastery
Day 14 · on the way
Thessaloniki
1 night · Day 14
El Greco Hotel Thessaloniki
Kamena Vourla
Day 15 · on the way
Athens
2 nights · Days 15–16
Dorian Inn
Mykonos
2 nights · Days 17–18
Giannoulaki Hotel
Santorini
3 nights · Days 19–21
Nikos Hotel
Athens
Day 22 · end

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1
Start of tour in Athens
Dinner included
Start at the Athens hotel, where you meet your tour leader and the rest of the group. An orientation tour then introduces Greece’s capital city. For Greek cuisine, you can join the optional Athens Food Tour, and the Acropolis site has an optional guided visit, which must be booked before the tour starts. In the evening, a welcome dinner awaits at a local restaurant.
Included
- Orientation tour of Athens, taking in Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Welcome dinner at a local restaurant
Optional extras
- Athens Food Tour · AED 255 per person
- Acropolis Guided Tour · AED 215 per person
Overnight
Athens
Hotel
Dorian Inn
Day 2
Athens – Delphi – Meteora – Kalabaka
Breakfast included
Delphi is today’s first stop, regarded in ancient times as the ‘omphalos’, or navel, of the Earth. Top sights there include the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and the Delphi Archaeological Museum. By afternoon, the route reaches Meteora, where a striking series of rock formations is home to Eastern Orthodox monasteries. Tonight, an optional Greek evening in a scenic setting is on offer.
Included
- Visit to the ruins of Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit to the clifftop monasteries of Meteora, including St Stephen’s Monastery
Optional extras
- Greek Evening in the Meteora Foothills · AED 255 per person
Travel
Athens → Delphi → Meteora → Kalabaka by coach
Overnight
Kalabaka
Hotel
Hotel Antoniadis
Day 3
Kalabaka – Ohrid
Breakfast and dinner included
The route travels to Ohrid in North Macedonia, a lesser-known UNESCO-listed city on the shores of Lake Ohrid, counted among the longest-standing human settlements anywhere in Europe. A tour of the Old Town takes in leading sights, among them the Church of St John at Kaneo, set on a cliff above Lake Ohrid. A group dinner closes the day.
Included
- Guided tour of Ohrid’s Old Town, including Tsar Samoil Fortress and the churches of St John and St Sophia
Travel
Kalabaka → Ohrid by coach
Overnight
Ohrid
Hotel
Hotel Belvedere
Day 4
Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodër
Breakfast and lunch included
North Macedonia gives way to Albania today, arriving in the capital, Tirana, for a local lunch and a walking tour that takes in Ottoman, Italian and Communist architecture around the city. Free time follows to explore Tirana further, before the route continues onward: the group spends the night in Shkodër, a historic riverside city.
Included
- Included lunch in Tirana
- Walking tour of Tirana, taking in Skanderbeg Square and the Et’hem Beu Mosque
Travel
Ohrid → Tirana → Shkodër by coach
Overnight
Shkodër
Hotel
Hotel Rozafa
Day 5
Shkodër – Budva – Kotor – Dubrovnik
Breakfast included
Albania is behind you as the route crosses into Montenegro, with a first stop in the scenic coastal town of Budva, known for its well-preserved walled medieval centre, offering time to explore at leisure. From there, a guided tour covers the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Kotor, and the road continues into Croatia, arriving at the entrance gate to Dubrovnik’s Old Town, with the evening free to explore.
Included
- Free time in Budva’s walled old town
- Guided tour of UNESCO-listed Kotor
Travel
Shkodër → Budva → Kotor → Dubrovnik by coach
Overnight
Dubrovnik
Hotel
Hotel Ivka, Dubrovnik
Day 6
Dubrovnik: Free Day
Breakfast included
A locally guided walk through Dubrovnik’s Old Town opens the day, taking in the City Walls and Franciscan Monastery. A separate walk follows from the Amerling Fountain. What remains of the day is free. You can also book the optional Blue Cave Boat Tour, exploring azure waters around some of Dubrovnik’s well-known and hidden caves.
Included
- Guided walking tour of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, including the City Walls and Franciscan Monastery
Optional extras
- Blue Cave Boat Tour · AED 365 per person
Overnight
Dubrovnik
Hotel
Hotel Ivka, Dubrovnik
Day 7
Dubrovnik – Mostar – Sarajevo
Breakfast and dinner included
The border crossing today leads into Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country rich in history, culture and natural scenery. Mostar, known for its Stari Most Bridge, comes first, with free time before the afternoon drive on to Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital. A locally guided tour gets under way on arrival, and an included dinner follows this evening.
Included
- Free time in Mostar, near the Stari Most bridge
- Guided walking tour of Sarajevo
- Included dinner
Travel
Dubrovnik → Mostar → Sarajevo by coach
Overnight
Sarajevo
Hotel
Ibis Styles Sarajevo
Day 8
Sarajevo – Split – Plitvice Lakes
Breakfast and dinner included
The morning heads back to Croatia and the seaside city of Split, where an orientation tour covers the scenic Old Town, including the Baroque architecture of Fruit Square, the age-old Diocletian’s Palace and the lively Split Riva waterfront. Tonight is spent within the Plitvice Lakes region, with dinner served at the hotel.
Included
- Orientation tour of Split’s Old Town, including Fruit Square and Diocletian’s Palace
- Included dinner at the hotel
Travel
Sarajevo → Split → Plitvice Lakes by coach
Overnight
Plitvice Lakes
Hotel
Plitvice Lakes Etno Garden
Day 9
Plitvice Lakes – Ljubljana
Breakfast included
The day’s sightseeing starts with the Plitvice Lakes National Park, ranked among Europe’s most beautiful natural sights, where cascading waterfalls shape the surroundings. From there, the route reaches Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, for a locally guided walking tour. In the evening, you can join the optional Taste of Ljubljana excursion for Slovenian wine and cuisine.
Included
- Visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Guided walking tour of Ljubljana’s old town
Optional extras
- Taste of Ljubljana · AED 255 per person
Travel
Plitvice Lakes → Ljubljana by coach
Overnight
Ljubljana
Hotel
B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park
Day 10
Ljubljana – Maribor – Lake Balaton – Budapest
Breakfast and dinner included
The border crossing into Hungary features a stop at Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city, where there is an orientation tour. Lake Balaton follows, one of Europe’s most impressive freshwater lakes, before the afternoon drive to Budapest, Hungary’s capital. A driving tour with a local guide covers the city, and the first night in Budapest is marked with a group dinner.
Included
- Stop in Maribor, Slovenia’s second city
- Visit to Lake Balaton
- Guided driving tour of Budapest
- Included dinner
Travel
Ljubljana → Maribor → Lake Balaton → Budapest by coach
Overnight
Budapest
Hotel
ibis Styles Budapest Center
Day 11
Budapest: Free Day
Breakfast included
The day is free to explore Budapest’s history and its more unusual details. The optional Buda vs Pest excursion takes in notable landmarks, St Stephen’s Basilica and Fisherman’s Bastion among them, or the day can be spent relaxing in the Budapest Baths instead. In the evening, there is the option of the Danube dinner cruise, taking in views of Budapest after dark.
Included
- Free time in Budapest
Optional extras
- Buda vs Pest · AED 340 per person
- Budapest Baths · AED 235 per person
- Danube Dinner Cruise · AED 320 per person
Overnight
Budapest
Hotel
ibis Styles Budapest Center
Day 12
Budapest – Novi Sad – Belgrade
Breakfast and dinner included
Budapest is left behind today as the journey continues into Serbia. Novi Sad, a charming city, is the stop before reaching the Serbian capital for a locally guided walk, which covers top sights, Republic Square among them, the Bohemian Quarter known as Skadarlija, Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress. An included group dinner follows this evening.
Included
- Stop in Novi Sad
- Guided walking tour of Belgrade, including Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress
- Included dinner
Travel
Budapest → Novi Sad → Belgrade by coach
Overnight
Belgrade
Hotel
Belgrade City Hotel
Day 13
Belgrade – Niš – Sofia
Breakfast and dinner included
Niš, a historic city in Serbia’s south-east once under Turkish rule, is this morning’s stop, with time for lunch and a visit to Tinkers Alley (Kazandžijsko Sokače). Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, follows, where a walking tour covers this lively city, including Sofia Cathedral, one of its most notable symbols. A group dinner is included this evening.
Included
- Lunch stop in Niš, including Tinkers Alley
- Guided walking tour of Sofia, including St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Included dinner
Travel
Belgrade → Niš → Sofia by coach
Overnight
Sofia
Hotel
Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Center
Day 14
Sofia – Rila Monastery – Thessaloniki
Breakfast included
The Greek leg of the tour begins today, with a stop en route at Rila Monastery, a 10th-century Eastern Orthodox monastery holding ancient relics and frescoes, surrounded by mountainous scenery. Later, the route continues to Thessaloniki, a busy port city, where an orientation tour on arrival covers its historic sights and waterfront, leaving the evening free to enjoy in your own way.
Included
- Visit to Rila Monastery
- Orientation tour of Thessaloniki, including the Arch of Galerius and the White Tower
Travel
Sofia → Rila Monastery → Thessaloniki by coach
Overnight
Thessaloniki
Hotel
El Greco Hotel Thessaloniki
Day 15
Thessaloniki – Kamena Vourla – Athens
Breakfast and dinner included
The journey heads south today, with the Greek countryside along the way. On the road to Athens, Kamena Vourla offers a good spot for lunch amid quiet scenery. After checking into the hotel in Athens, the group sits down for dinner, leaving the evening free to relax or catch up with fellow travellers.
Included
- Lunch stop in Kamena Vourla
- Included dinner in Athens
Travel
Thessaloniki → Kamena Vourla → Athens by coach
Overnight
Athens
Hotel
Dorian Inn
Day 16
Athens
Breakfast and lunch included
Athens offers a range of things to see today. You can join a different group of travellers for a more in-depth city tour, taking in sights such as the Academy, the National Library, the Greek parliament, Panathinaikos and Hadrian’s Arch, as well as the temple of Olympian Zeus. An included Greek lunch comes first, after which the rest of the day is yours.
Included
- Guided driving tour of Athens, including the National Library, the Greek Parliament and Panathinaikos Stadium
- Included Greek lunch
Overnight
Athens
Hotel
Dorian Inn
Day 17
Athens – Mykonos
Breakfast included
A ferry crossing brings the group to Mykonos today, with time to settle into the accommodation before a tour of Mykonos Chora, taking in its main sights along the way. The evening is free to spend as you like. Among the options are the island’s local bars, a sundowner, or simply relaxing for the night.
Included
- Orientation tour of Mykonos Chora
Travel
Athens → Mykonos by ferry
Overnight
Mykonos
Hotel
Giannoulaki Hotel
Day 18
Mykonos: Free Day
Breakfast included
The day is free to spend in Mykonos as you wish, whether that means sunbathing on local beaches, exploring the lively town or simply taking some downtime. Alternatively, you can join the optional Rhenia & Delos Cruise around the Cycladic islands, or the Mykonos Cooking Class, learning to prepare Greek dishes alongside a local hostess inside a traditional island home.
Included
- Free time in Mykonos
Optional extras
- Rhenia & Delos Cruise · AED 535 per person
- Mykonos Cooking Class · AED 425 per person
Overnight
Mykonos
Hotel
Giannoulaki Hotel
Day 19
Mykonos – Santorini
Breakfast included
After breakfast, a ferry crossing heads to Santorini, with island views and harbours to take in along the way, including Santorini’s towering cliffs, beaches and blue-and-white buildings as the ferry comes in to dock. On arrival, there is a transfer to the hotel, followed by an orientation tour of Fira Town. The evening in Santorini is free to spend as you wish.
Included
- Orientation tour of Fira Town
Travel
Mykonos → Santorini by ferry
Overnight
Santorini
Hotel
Nikos Hotel
Day 20
Santorini: Free Day
Breakfast included
This free day in Santorini can be spent exploring at your own pace. The optional Santorini Highlights excursion, which includes a guide, lunch and wine tasting, is one way to see more of the island: it takes in a black sand beach, the village of Megalochori, a winery, and the sunset at Oia.
Included
- Free time in Santorini
Optional extras
- Santorini Highlights · AED 640 per person
Overnight
Santorini
Hotel
Nikos Hotel
Day 21
Santorini: Free Day
Breakfast included
This is the last full day in Santorini. The optional Caldera Islands excursion offers a sailing trip to the famous volcano and its history, along with a stop at hot springs and a traditional Greek lunch on Thirassia Island. As the tour ends tomorrow, this is the last night with the group.
Included
- Free time in Santorini
Optional extras
- Caldera Islands · AED 510 per person
Overnight
Santorini
Hotel
Nikos Hotel
Day 22
Santorini – End of tour in Athens
Breakfast included
An early transfer to Santorini Airport this morning connects with a local flight back to Athens, where the tour comes to an end on arrival. Remember to exchange contact details with fellow travellers before parting ways.
Travel
Santorini → Athens by plane

Dates & prices

Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.

Thu 2 Sept – Thu 23 Sept 2027
Available
AED 26,190
Single room +AED 7,875
Book Thu 2 Sept – Thu 23 Sept 2027
Thu 23 Sept – Thu 14 Oct 2027
AvailableBest price
AED 24,355
Single room +AED 7,875
Book Thu 23 Sept – Thu 14 Oct 2027

What’s included

Included

21 nights in mostly 3-star and 4-star hotels, in twin rooms with a private bathroom
A room to yourself for a single supplement, subject to availability
21 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 8 dinners
A modern coach with air conditioning, reclining seats and a toilet
Public ferries between Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
Public transport the tour uses, except on free days
Internal flight from Santorini to Athens
Guided from start to finish

Not included

Flights to the start of the tour and home from the end: we can book them from Dubai
Travel insurance: take out a policy that suits your trip

Optional extras

Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.

Athens Food Tour
Day 1AED 255per person
A guided walk through the Athens Central Market and a local taverna, tasting spanakopita, fresh produce and traditional sweets, with a full meal to finish. Vegetarian options are available. €60. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
See day 1 in the itinerary
Acropolis Guided Tour
Day 1AED 215per person
Skip-the-line access to the Acropolis with your tour leader and a local guide, taking in the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion and the Propylaea, with free time at the top for photos. Book this at least 20 days before the tour starts, as it is not refundable once confirmed. €50. Book it before the tour: add it to your booking notes.
See day 1 in the itinerary
Greek Evening in the Meteora Foothills
Day 2AED 255per person
An evening walk to the hermit caves and the small monastery of St Nikolas of Badovas, then dinner of traditional Greek dishes at a family-run taverna in the village of Agios Dimitrios, with a traditional dance performance. €60, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 2 in the itinerary
Blue Cave Boat Tour
Day 6AED 365per person
A four-hour boat trip from Dubrovnik to Sunj Beach, Kolocep Island and the Blue Cave, with time to swim at each stop and a drink included. Runs from 1 May to 30 September only. €85, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 6 in the itinerary
Taste of Ljubljana
Day 9AED 255per person
A sommelier-led tasting of four Slovenian wines in a wine bar in Ljubljana’s Old Town, followed by a three-course dinner of local dishes at a historic restaurant. €60, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 9 in the itinerary
Buda vs Pest
Day 11AED 340per person
A locally guided walk through Buda and Pest, taking in the Fisherman’s Bastion and the Shoes on the Danube memorial, with lunch at a local restaurant and a visit to St Stephen’s Basilica, including its terrace. €80, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 11 in the itinerary
Budapest Baths
Day 11AED 235per person
An afternoon at the Széchenyi thermal baths in Budapest’s City Park, with return hotel transport and fast-track entry. Bring a swimsuit. €55, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 11 in the itinerary
Danube Dinner Cruise
Day 11AED 320per person
An evening cruise on the Danube with a welcome drink and a buffet of traditional Hungarian dishes, taking in the Parliament Building, Buda Castle Hill and the Chain Bridge lit up at night. Vegetarian options are available. €75, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 11 in the itinerary
Rhenia & Delos Cruise
Day 18AED 535per person
A boat trip around the Cycladic islands, with swimming and free time at Rhenia island, a Greek lunch on board, and a visit to the ancient ruins on Delos. Hotel transfers are included. €125, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 18 in the itinerary
Mykonos Cooking Class
Day 18AED 425per person
A cooking class held in a traditional Mykonian home, preparing Greek and local dishes with a local hostess, followed by a five-course meal with local wines. Hotel transfers are included. €100, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 18 in the itinerary
Santorini Highlights
Day 20AED 640per person
A full-day guided tour taking in a black sand beach, the village of Megalochori and its cave houses, a wine tasting at a local winery, and a walk through Oia in time for sunset. Lunch and hotel transfers are included. €150, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 20 in the itinerary
Caldera Islands
Day 21AED 510per person
A sailing trip around the Santorini caldera, with a guided visit to the volcano, a swim in hot springs on Palea Kameni, and a Greek lunch on Thirassia island, sailing back past Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani. Hotel transfers are included. €120, booked with your tour leader on the day.
See day 21 in the itinerary

To add an extra, mention it in your booking notes, and we confirm it with your seats before you pay. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day instead: their description says so.

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Good to know

Practical details to read before you travel.

Passport & visas
Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary and Bulgaria are in the Schengen area. North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia are not, and this tour crosses in and out of Schengen several times.
UAE passport holders do not need a visa for Schengen stays of up to 90 days, though you will need the EU’s new ETIAS travel authorisation once it starts: we can tell you where it stands when you book. Most other nationalities living in the UAE need a multiple-entry Schengen visa, since the route leaves and re-enters the Schengen area more than once. Apply up to six months ahead, and start early if you are travelling over summer.
North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia each set their own entry rules. Many visa-required nationalities can enter on a Schengen visa that has already been used, for a limited stay, but the conditions and day limits differ by country and passport. Our visa team checks your passport against each one and handles the Schengen application: ask us when you book.
Flights and timings
Flights to and from Greece aren’t included: arrange your own to Athens for day 1 and home from Athens at the end.
Your tour leader meets the group at the start hotel in Athens at 10:00 on day 1. The tour ends in Athens on day 22, after an included flight back from Santorini that morning.
Ferries between Athens, Mykonos and Santorini, and the flight from Santorini to Athens, are included. Our team can book your flights from Dubai to match.
Meals and dietary needs
Breakfast is included every day, plus two lunches and eight dinners, mostly on arrival in a new city.
Tell us about any dietary needs, halal included, when you book, and we pass them on before the tour.
Money
You will use euros throughout Greece, including Mykonos and Santorini, and in Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Bulgaria. North Macedonia uses the denar, Albania the lek, Bosnia and Herzegovina the convertible mark, Serbia the dinar, and Hungary the forint. Cards are widely accepted, but carry some local cash for small purchases in each country.
Optional extras booked on tour are paid to your tour leader in cash or by card, in the currency shown.
Weather and packing
Departures run from May to October, skipping August, so expect warm Balkan summer weather on the mainland, and warm, sunny days with sea breezes on Mykonos and Santorini later in the tour.
Pack layers for the mainland leg, comfortable walking shoes for cobbled old towns, and swimwear and light clothing for the islands. Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is expected at Rila Monastery and at mosques in Tirana and Sarajevo.
Island time
Mykonos and Santorini are reached by public ferry, and sailings can shift in high winds, so allow some flexibility around transfer times. Both islands are built on hills and cobbled lanes with steps, so pack footwear that copes with uneven ground. Sun protection matters even outside midsummer.

Plan your trip

Our Dubai team arranges what goes around the tour, so it is booked in one place.

Visas
One Schengen visa covers the Schengen countries on this route. Our visa team in Dubai applies for UAE residents once the tour is booked. For Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, ask them what your passport needs.
Schengen visa Ask our visa team
Flights
Flights are not included. We can book them with the tour: Dubai to Athens and back. Tick “Flights” when you book and we quote them with your confirmation.
Book and add flights
Pay in instalments
Split the cost with Tabby or Tamara, or over 3 to 12 months on a UAE bank credit card for bookings from AED 1,000.
How instalments work

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Your trip

Date

TravellersPriced per person
Travellers2
Rooms1 double room

Lead traveller

Full name, as on the passport

Mobile

Remember my details on this device for next time

Total for 2 travellersNothing to pay nowAED 52,380

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Questions before you book? Our support team is on WhatsApp +971 4 589 0001.

Questions about this tour

What will my days look like?
Days are full. Most start with breakfast, then the main sights with a local guide or your tour leader. Afternoons often leave free time to wander, stop for a coffee or join an optional extra. Expect a fair amount of walking: some days mean two or three hours on your feet, so bring comfortable shoes.
Who will I be travelling with?
Travellers from all over the world, of different ages and backgrounds, who share a wish to see more. This tour runs as a small group of up to 17, and most people know each other’s names within a few days.
What are the hotels like?
Mostly 3 and 4 star, all clean, comfortable and well located, with private en-suite bathrooms. They are chosen so you sleep well and are ready for the next day. The destinations come first, but the hotels are never an afterthought.
How active is this tour?
You carry your own luggage, sometimes up hotel stairs. Some walking tours run for up to three hours, and a few sites have plenty of steps. The itinerary and the activity level at the top of this page show whether the pace suits you.
How do optional extras work?
Optional extras run in the tour’s free time, and your tour leader tells you what is on offer as the tour goes. Some are booked with your tour leader on the day. Others sell in advance and must be bought before the tour starts: to add one of those, mention it in your booking notes and we confirm it with your seats. Each extra in the Optional extras section says which way it is booked.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. The itinerary builds in free time to wander at your own pace, and your tour leader can point you to the places that suit you, so you are never left to work it all out alone.
What support do I have while I’m on tour?
Your tour leader travels with you from start to finish. They know the places most visitors miss, can suggest a restaurant before you ask, and deal with whatever crops up on the way. Transport and hotels are all arranged for you.
There is also an emergency number staffed 24 hours a day, and our team in Dubai is there to help.
How do I book Best of the Balkans & Greek Islands?
Press Book now, choose a date, your travellers and rooms, and give your name, email and mobile. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away; you then add each traveller as their passport shows on your booking page. Our Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails you a secure payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
When do I pay?
Once the tour operator confirms your seats. We email you a secure payment link for the total in AED, and your booking is complete when it is paid. To pay in instalments, say so in your booking notes.
Is the price per person?
Yes. Prices are per person sharing a double or twin room. Travelling alone? A single room costs the supplement shown next to each date.
Are flights included?
Only when the tour lists them under what is included. We can book flights from the UAE to the start city and home from the end city with your tour.
Do I need a visa?
That depends on your passport and the countries on the route. Our visa team arranges Schengen and other visas for UAE residents, and can apply for yours once the tour is booked.

Payment plans

Take the trip now. Pay for it in pieces.

Every booking qualifies, from holidays and tours to visas. Spread it over 3 to 12 months at 0% on a credit card plan, or with Tabby or Tamara; some banks add a one-time processing fee.

Credit card plans from AED 1,000
Tabby and Tamara, no minimum
Terms from 3 to 12 months

See plans and fees

Find your bank’s plan

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Tour overview

Highlights

Route and hotels

Day-by-day itinerary

Start of tour in Athens

Included

Optional extras

Athens – Delphi – Meteora – Kalabaka

Included

Optional extras

Kalabaka – Ohrid

Included

Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodër

Included

Shkodër – Budva – Kotor – Dubrovnik

Included

Dubrovnik: Free Day

Included

Optional extras

Dubrovnik – Mostar – Sarajevo

Included

Sarajevo – Split – Plitvice Lakes

Included

Plitvice Lakes – Ljubljana

Included

Optional extras

Ljubljana – Maribor – Lake Balaton – Budapest

Included

Budapest: Free Day

Included

Optional extras

Budapest – Novi Sad – Belgrade

Included

Belgrade – Niš – Sofia

Included

Sofia – Rila Monastery – Thessaloniki

Included

Thessaloniki – Kamena Vourla – Athens

Included

Athens

Included

Athens – Mykonos

Included

Mykonos: Free Day

Included

Optional extras

Mykonos – Santorini

Included

Santorini: Free Day

Included

Optional extras

Santorini: Free Day

Included

Optional extras

Santorini – End of tour in Athens

Dates & prices

What’s included

Included

Not included

Optional extras

Athens Food Tour

Acropolis Guided Tour

Greek Evening in the Meteora Foothills

Blue Cave Boat Tour

Taste of Ljubljana

Buda vs Pest

Budapest Baths

Danube Dinner Cruise

Rhenia & Delos Cruise

Mykonos Cooking Class

Santorini Highlights

Caldera Islands

Traveller reviews

Good to know

Passport & visas

Flights and timings

Meals and dietary needs

Money

Weather and packing

Island time