22 days · 10 countries
Best of the Balkans & Greek Islands
From AED 18,859per person, twin share
Few seats left on Thu 2 Sept 2027
Experience the best of the Balkans and Greece! Explore bucket-list cities, including Dubrovnik and Budapest, marvel at Mykonos, and more.
- Duration
- 22 Days / 21 Nights
- Route
- Starts and ends in Athens
- Countries
- Greece, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia and 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
Spend 22 days discovering the beauty of the Balkans and getting immersed in Greek island life! See all of the Balkan countries, enjoy free days in must-see cities Dubrovnik and Budapest, soak up Plitvice Lakes National Park, and experience Santorini’s magic as you explore 10 bucket-list countries in three weeks!
Highlights
- Explore Athens; Greece’s ancient capital city
- Enjoy a welcome dinner in Athens
- Explore the ancient ruins of Delphi
- Marvel at the monasteries of Meteora
- Embark on a guided tour of Ohrid
- Discover Tirana on a walking tour
- Spend an evening in Shkodë
- Explore Budva and Kotor in Montenegro
Show all 27 highlightsShow fewer highlights
- Experience a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik
- Visit the medieval town of Mostar
- Take a walking tour of Sarajevo
- Explore Split, an idyllic coastal city
- Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Discover the magic of Ljubljana with a local guide
- Visit Maribor, a charming city in Slovenia
- Admire Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest lake
- See Budapest’s top sights on a driving tour
- Visit Novi Sad in Serbia
- Guided walking tour of Belgrade
- Visit Tinkers Alley and enjoy a lunch stop in Niš
- Enjoy a walking tour of Sofia, Bulgaria
- Explore the majestic Rila Monastery
- Discover Thessaloniki; a Greek port city
- Visit Kamena Vourla; a scenic coastal Greek city
- Embark on an Athens city tour
- Enjoy two nights of the famous Mykonos island
- Spend three nights on Santorini island
Route and hotels
Where the tour goes and where you sleep, night by night.
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 stopsShow fewer 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
Meals included: Dinner
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
- Meals
- Dinner
Day 2
Athens – Delphi – Meteora – Kalabaka
Meals included: Breakfast
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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3
Kalabaka – Ohrid
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerThe 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
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 4
Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodër
Meals included: BreakfastLunchNorth 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
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 5
Shkodër – Budva – Kotor – Dubrovnik
Meals included: BreakfastAlbania 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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6
Dubrovnik: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastA 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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 7
Dubrovnik – Mostar – Sarajevo
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
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
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 8
Sarajevo – Split – Plitvice Lakes
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerThe 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
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 9
Plitvice Lakes – Ljubljana
Meals included: Breakfast
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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 10
Ljubljana – Maribor – Lake Balaton – Budapest
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerThe 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
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 11
Budapest: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastThe 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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 12
Budapest – Novi Sad – Belgrade
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerBudapest 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
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 13
Belgrade – Niš – Sofia
Meals included: BreakfastDinner
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
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 14
Sofia – Rila Monastery – Thessaloniki
Meals included: BreakfastThe 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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 15
Thessaloniki – Kamena Vourla – Athens
Meals included: BreakfastDinnerThe 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
- Meals
- Breakfast and dinner
Day 16
Athens
Meals included: BreakfastLunchAthens 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
- Meals
- Breakfast and lunch
Day 17
Athens – Mykonos
Meals included: BreakfastA 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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 18
Mykonos: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastThe 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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 19
Mykonos – Santorini
Meals included: Breakfast
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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 20
Santorini: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastThis 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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 21
Santorini: Free Day
Meals included: BreakfastThis 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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 22
Santorini – End of tour in Athens
Meals included: BreakfastAn 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
- Meals
- Breakfast
Dates & prices
Prices per person, sharing a double or twin room. A single room costs the supplement shown.
FromThu 20 May 2027ToThu 10 Jun 2027
Sold out
AED 19,483
Single room supplement +AED 6,299 single
Full
FromThu 10 Jun 2027ToThu 1 Jul 2027
Sold out
AED 18,308
Single room supplement +AED 6,299 single
Full
FromThu 1 Jul 2027ToThu 22 Jul 2027
Sold out
AED 18,308
Single room supplement +AED 6,299 single
Full
FromThu 2 Sept 2027ToThu 23 Sept 2027
Few seats left
AED 20,952
Single room supplement +AED 6,299 single
FromThu 23 Sept 2027ToThu 14 Oct 2027
AvailableBest price
AED 18,859
Single room supplement +AED 6,299 single
FromThu 14 Oct 2027ToThu 4 Nov 2027
Sold out
AED 18,308
Single room supplement +AED 6,299 single
Full
What’s included
Included
- 21 nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with private bathrooms. The majority of our accommodations are of a 3- and 4-star standard, offering excellent value, comfort and convenience
- Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room (subject to availability)
- 21 Breakfasts, 2 Lunch, 8 Dinners
- Modern air-conditioned coach with reclining seats and toilet onboard
- Public ferry between Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
- Any public transport used as part of the tour days (excludes free days)
- Internal flight from Santorini to Athens
- Fully-guided tour
Not included
- Flights: Arrange your own flights for the start and end of the tour
- Travel insurance: Purchase a suitable policy that meets your needs
Optional extras
Excursions and upgrades you can add to the tour. Prices are per person.
Athens Food Tour
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.
AED 255 per person
Acropolis Guided Tour
Skip-the-line access to the Acropolis with your tour leader and a local guide, taking in the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Parthenon, 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.
AED 215 per person
Greek Evening in the Meteora Foothills
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.
AED 255 per person
Blue Cave Boat Tour
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.
AED 365 per person
Taste of Ljubljana
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.
AED 255 per person
Buda vs Pest
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.
AED 340 per person
Budapest Baths
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.
AED 235 per person
Danube Dinner Cruise
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.
AED 320 per person
Rhenia & Delos Cruise
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.
AED 535 per person
Mykonos Cooking Class
A cooking class 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.
AED 425 per person
Santorini Highlights
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.
AED 640 per person
Caldera Islands
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.
AED 510 per person
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 experiences 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.
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.
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.
Book this tour
Book online in a few minutes. Your seats are held as soon as you book, and you pay once we have confirmed them.
- Choose your date, travellers and roomsPrices are per person, and the total updates as you choose.
- Name each traveller as in their passportYour seats are held and your booking reference is emailed straight away.
- Pay by secure link once confirmedOur Dubai team confirms the seats with the tour operator, then emails your payment link. Nothing is charged when you book.
Questions before you book? Our support team is on WhatsApp +971 58 582 4488.
Questions about this tour
What will my days actually look like?
Full days, zero filler. Most mornings start with breakfast before heading out to the main sights with your Tour Leader or a local guide. Afternoons often include free time to wander, find a coffee or join an Optional Experience. Expect a good amount of walking too. On some days, you could spend two to three hours on your feet. Comfortable shoes are your best friend.
Who will I be travelling with?
People from all over the world. Different ages, different backgrounds, same instinct to see more. Groups have on average between 35-45 travellers. By day three, you’ll already know everyone's name.
What are the hotels like?
Clean, comfortable and well located. Mostly 3 to 4 star, with private en-suite bathrooms. They're chosen so you can sleep well and feel ready for the next day. They're not the centrepiece. The destinations are. But they're never an afterthought.
How active is this tour?
All travellers carry their own bags, including up hotel stairs where needed. Walking tours can last up to three hours, and some sites involve a fair number of steps. Read through the itinerary to decide if the pace is right for you.
How do Optional Experiences work?
Optional Experiences happen during your tour's free-time slots, and your Tour Leader will tell you about what's on offer during the tour. Most can be booked on the day, but some are pre-sold and must be purchased before your tour begins, so it's worth checking the tour page beforehand to see what's available and get in touch with our team to book anything in advance.
Will I have time to explore on my own?
Yes. Free time is built into the itinerary, giving you space to wander and explore at your own pace. Your Tour Leader can point you towards the places worth your time, so you're never left completely to figure it out yourself.
What support do I have while I'm on tour?
Your Tour Leader is there to look after you during your tour. They know the places most people walk straight past, they'll have a restaurant recommendation ready before you've asked, and they'll sort anything that comes up along the way. All transport and accommodation are arranged for you.
You'll also have a 24-hour emergency contact number and the Holidayys team in Dubai.
How do I book Best of the Balkans & Greek Islands?
Press Book now, choose a date and your rooms, and enter each traveller as their passport shows. We hold your seats and email your booking reference straight away. 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
Pay over time, at 0% interest
Every booking qualifies, from holidays and tours to visas. Pay later with a credit card instalment plan or a buy-now-pay-later account; some banks charge a one-time processing fee.
- Credit card plans from AED 1,000
- Tabby and Tamara, no minimum
- Terms from 3 to 12 months
Find your bank’s plan
Credit cards, from AED 1,000
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