Tour overview

This 19-day small-group journey travels overland from the Danube to the lagoon of Venice, through seven countries of the Balkans and the Adriatic coast. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. You travel by private vehicle, local bus and train, and stay eighteen nights in a mix of simple hotels, pensions and hostels, some with shared facilities. Breakfast is included on most days, with a burek snack in Sarajevo, a drink at a social-enterprise café in Belgrade and a market lunch in Zagreb, leaving plenty of freedom to try local food along the way.

From Budapest, split by the Danube into Buda and Pest, you head south to Novi Sad and on to Belgrade, one of Europe's oldest cities, where you visit the Dečje Srce café, which employs young people with developmental disabilities. A long drive through the countryside brings you to Sarajevo for two nights, with its Baščaršija bazaar, mosques and coffee houses, and a free day perhaps for the thermal springs of Ilidža.

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On the way to Mostar you tour Tito's Bunker, a secret Cold War shelter, and watch divers leap from the famous Old Bridge. You then spend two nights in Kotor, a UNESCO-listed town on its secluded bay, before following the coast to Dubrovnik for three nights, with a day trip to the Elafiti Islands. In Split you explore Diocletian's Palace, a 3rd-century Roman palace that forms a city within a city.

Heading inland, you visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, with its cascading turquoise lakes and waterfalls, before an orientation walk and lunch at Dolac Market in Zagreb. A train takes you to Ljubljana, with a free day perhaps to visit Lake Bled, and a bus carries you to Venice for a final evening among its canals.

The physical rating is low. This journey suits sociable, budget-conscious travellers with time to discover the Balkans and Adriatic at an easy, independent pace. Your leader handles every border crossing and connection, and three-night stays in Dubrovnik and two nights in most other stops give the trip a relaxed rhythm.

Trip highlights

  • Novi Sad and Belgrade (Days 2–3)
  • Two nights in Sarajevo (Days 4–5)
  • Tito's Bunker and Mostar's Old Bridge (Day 6)
  • Kotor and three nights in Dubrovnik (Days 7–11)
  • Diocletian's Palace in Split (Day 13)
  • Plitvice Lakes and Ljubljana (Days 14–17)

Your route

13 stops from Budapest to Venice

19-day route: Budapest – Belgrade – Sarajevo – Mostar – Kotor – Dubrovnik – Split – Zagreb – Ljubljana – Venice
  1. Budapest Day 1
  2. Novi Sad Day 2
  3. Belgrade Days 2–3
  4. Sarajevo Days 4–5
  5. Konjic Day 6
  6. Mostar Day 6
  7. Kotor Days 7–8
  8. Dubrovnik Days 9–11
  9. Split Days 12–13
  10. Plitvice Lakes NP Day 14
  11. Zagreb Days 14–15
  12. Ljubljana Days 16–17
  13. Venice Days 18–19

Why choose this tour

Seven countries overland, with time to settle into each stop. Great value, with a leader handling every border and connection.

Best suited to

  • Travellers with time for a long journey
  • Budget-conscious travellers
  • Solo travellers looking for a sociable group
  • Independent-minded travellers
Boardwalk between turquoise pools and waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Day-by-day itinerary

19 days from Budapest, Hungary to Venice, Italy

  1. Day 1 · Budapest Arrive in Budapest

    A welcome meeting with your leader.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Novi Sad, Belgrade Novi Sad to Belgrade

    Stop in Novi Sad on the way to Belgrade.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Belgrade Belgrade

    Visit the Dečje Srce café and explore Belgrade.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Sarajevo Sarajevo

    Travel through the countryside to Sarajevo.

    Hotel
    Pension
    Meals
    Breakfast
  5. Day 5 · Sarajevo, Ilidža Free day in Sarajevo

    Explore the bazaar or visit Ilidža.

    Hotel
    Pension
  6. Day 6 · Tito's Bunker, Mostar Tito's Bunker to Mostar

    Tour Tito's Bunker, then see Mostar's Old Bridge.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  7. Day 7 · Kotor Kotor

    Travel to the Bay of Kotor.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Kotor Free day in Kotor

    Explore the old town or climb to the fortress.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Dubrovnik Dubrovnik

    Follow the coast to Dubrovnik.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Dubrovnik Free day in Dubrovnik

    Walk the walls or explore at leisure.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Elafiti Islands Elafiti Islands

    A day trip to the Elafiti Islands.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Split Split

    Travel up the coast to Split.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Diocletian's Palace Free day in Split

    Explore Diocletian's Palace and the old town.

    Hotel
    Hostel
  14. Day 14 · Plitvice Lakes, Zagreb Plitvice to Zagreb

    Visit Plitvice Lakes on the way to Zagreb.

    Hotel
    Hostel
  15. Day 15 · Zagreb, Dolac Market Zagreb

    An orientation walk and lunch at Dolac Market.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  16. Day 16 · Ljubljana Ljubljana

    Travel by train to Ljubljana.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  17. Day 17 · Ljubljana, Lake Bled Free day in Ljubljana

    Explore Ljubljana or visit Lake Bled.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  18. Day 18 · Venice Venice

    Travel by bus to Venice.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  19. Day 19 · Venice Trip ends in Venice

    The trip ends this morning.

The Silver Gate of Diocletian's Palace in Split

Where you stay

  • Budapest (1 night) Hotel
  • Belgrade (2 nights) Hotel
  • Sarajevo (2 nights) Pension
  • Mostar (1 night) Hotel
  • Kotor (2 nights) Hotel
  • Dubrovnik (3 nights) Hostel
  • Split (2 nights) Hostel
  • Zagreb (2 nights) Hostel
  • Ljubljana (2 nights) Hotel
  • Venice (1 night) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 18 nights in hotels, pensions and hostels
  • Meals 13 breakfasts and 1 lunch, including a burek snack, a café drink and a market lunch
  • Private vehicle, bus and train travel
  • Tito's Bunker tour and a day trip to the Elafiti Islands
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park
  • Orientation walks with your leader
  • Leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights to Budapest and from Venice
  • Meals not included 5 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 18 dinners
  • Optional activities
  • Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
Rooftops and minarets of Sarajevo's old town, Bosnia and Herzegovina

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want comfort every night — some stays are in hostels
  • You want many meals included — mostly breakfasts
  • You dislike long travel days — some journeys are long
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–4, 7–12 and 15–18 · Lunch: Day 15 · Dinner: none included
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Bosnia and Herzegovina · UK FCDO travel advice for Croatia · UK FCDO travel advice for Hungary · UK FCDO travel advice for Italy · UK FCDO travel advice for Montenegro · UK FCDO travel advice for Serbia · UK FCDO travel advice for Slovenia
Mountains and coastal towns around the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,485 per person, twin share, tour only. 18 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

What is the accommodation like?

A mix of simple hotels, pensions and hostels, some with shared facilities.

Which countries do we visit?

Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia and Italy.

How do we travel?

By private vehicle, local bus and train.

Do I need visas?

UK visitors do not need a visa for these countries for a short holiday stay.

Is the trip suitable for solo travellers?

Yes, and solo travellers share a room at no extra cost.

How many people travel together?

Up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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