Tour overview

This 26-day trip crosses seven countries from Budapest to Rome using local trains and public buses. It follows the Danube to Belgrade, crosses Bosnia and Herzegovina to Sarajevo and Mostar, runs down the Adriatic coast through Kotor, Dubrovnik and Split, then turns inland via Plitvice Lakes, Zagreb and Ljubljana before finishing in Italy.

The pace mixes travel days with plenty of free time. Your leader runs orientation walks in Novi Sad, Zagreb, Venice, Florence and Rome, and the included visits cover a guided tour of Tito's Bunker in Konjic, a day trip to the Elafiti Islands from Dubrovnik, Plitvice Lakes National Park and a day on the Cinque Terre paths with a 24-hour pass. There are smaller food stops too: burek in Sarajevo, a market lunch at Zagreb's Dolac Market and cicchetti in Venice.

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Accommodation is simple: a mix of hotels, hostels and pensions, some without private bathrooms or air-conditioning. Some travel days are long, and not every train or bus is air-conditioned.

Groups are up to 16 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout. New travellers join in Dubrovnik and in Venice, where short welcome meetings are held.

Trip highlights

  • Tito's Bunker (ARK D-0)

    a 1.5-hour guided tour of Yugoslavia's underground 'Atomic War Command' near Konjic (Day 6)

  • Mostar

    see the Stari Most, the Ottoman bridge over the Neretva River first built in 1565 (Day 6)

  • Kotor

    free time in the walled town, with the option of the 1.5-hour climb to the Fortress of Sveti Ivan above the bay (Days 7–8)

  • Elafiti Islands

    a day trip from Dubrovnik with beach time and churches along the way (Day 11)

  • Plitvice Lakes National Park

    walk among turquoise lakes and waterfalls in a UNESCO-listed park (Day 14)

  • Zagreb

    lunch at Dolac Market after a walk with your leader (Day 15)

  • Venice

    a walk around San Marco Square and a cicchetti stop with your leader (Day 20)

  • Cinque Terre

    walk between two of the five villages with your leader, with a 24-hour pass for the paths and trains (Day 22)

Your route

16 stops from Budapest to Rome

26-day route: Budapest – Belgrade – Sarajevo – Mostar – Kotor – Dubrovnik – Split – Zagreb – Ljubljana – Venice – Cinque Terre – Florence – Rome
  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 Day 14
  11. Zagreb Days 14–15
  12. Ljubljana Days 16–17
  13. Venice Days 18–20
  14. La Spezia (Cinque Terre) Days 21–22
  15. Florence Days 23–24
  16. Rome Day 25

Why choose this tour

This is a long overland trip for travellers who want to see how the Balkans connect to Italy at ground level, using the same trains and buses as local people. It covers seven countries in 26 days with two or three nights in most places, so there is time to explore Sarajevo, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split, Venice and Florence at your own pace.

Best suited to

  • Travellers happy to use public trains and buses, including some long travel days
  • Independent-minded travellers who like plenty of free time with a leader on hand
  • Budget-conscious travellers comfortable with simple hotels, hostels and pensions
  • Anyone aged 15 or over who enjoys city walking and some optional hikes
The Stari Most bridge over the Neretva River in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Day-by-day itinerary

26 days from Budapest, Hungary to Rome, Italy

  1. Day 1 · Budapest Arrive in Budapest

    The trip starts in Budapest, the Hungarian capital split by the Danube into Buda and Pest. There is a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Afterwards you could have dinner with the group and walk along the river to see the bridges and buildings lit up at night.

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

    Travel south into Serbia, stopping at Novi Sad on the Danube for an orientation walk with your leader and a few hours to explore. Petrovaradin Fortress, one of the city's main landmarks, has views over the river and cafés for lunch. Continue to Belgrade, at the meeting point of the Sava and Danube rivers.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Belgrade Belgrade

    The day starts at the Decje Srce Café, which employs young people with developmental disabilities. Have a drink there and hear the story behind it. The rest of the day is free. Options include a cruise on the Danube past Kalemegdan Fortress, the Zeleni Venac market or the Nikola Tesla Museum (cash only).

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Sarajevo Travel to Sarajevo

    A long travel day through the countryside to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where minarets, bazaars and coffee houses reflect a mix of east and west. In the old bazaar of Baščaršija, a burek snack is included. In the evening you could try ćevapi, the local grilled meat.

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

    A free day. You could take an optional trip to the parks and springs of Ilidža at the source of the Bosna River, or learn about the city's recent history at the History Museum, the War Tunnel and Sniper Alley. The Jewish Museum, the Art Gallery and the lanes of Baščaršija are other options.

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

    On the way to Mostar, stop near Konjic for a 1.5-hour guided tour of ARK D-0, Tito's underground bunker, built as Yugoslavia's 'Atomic War Command' for 350 people. In Mostar, see the Stari Most, the bridge over the Neretva first built by the Ottomans in 1565.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  7. Day 7 · Kotor, Bay of Kotor Kotor

    Travel to Kotor in Montenegro, a UNESCO-listed walled town on a bay surrounded by steep peaks. The afternoon is free to explore the town and the bay, including the 12th-century Cathedral of St Tryphon, the South Gate and Armoury Square.

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

    Another free day. You could climb the stone steps behind the town to the Fortress of Sveti Ivan, about 1.5 hours up past churches and bastions, for views over Kotor and the bay. A cruise on the bay is one of the optional activities. The city walls are lit up in the evening.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Dubrovnik Along the coast to Dubrovnik

    Take a bus along Croatia's southern coast to Dubrovnik. The rest of the day is free to explore the medieval city. You could take a boat to Lokrum Island, with its French-built fort, monastery and botanical garden.

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

    A free day in Dubrovnik, whose Old Town is easy to cover on foot. Options include the Museum of the Croatian War of Independence on Mount Srđ, the War Photo Museum and the city walls. A 6 pm meeting introduces new travellers joining the group.

    Hotel
    Hostel
  11. Day 11 · Elafiti Islands, Dubrovnik Elafiti Islands day trip

    Spend the morning on an included day trip to the Elafiti Islands, a small archipelago north-west of Dubrovnik, visiting churches along the way and stopping at a beach to swim or have lunch. Back in Dubrovnik, you could see Big Onofrio's Fountain or the Franciscan Monastery, home to one of the world's oldest working pharmacies.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Split Travel to Split

    A long travel day up the coast to Split, Croatia's second-largest city. The afternoon is free. You could walk through the UNESCO-listed Diocletian's Palace or have dinner by the sea.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Split Free day in Split

    A free day. At the centre of the Old Town are the walls of a 3rd-century palace built for the Roman emperor Diocletian, now full of shops, cafés and homes, with a 16th-century synagogue inside. You could have a coffee on the Riva promenade or climb the bell tower of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius.

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

    Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO site of turquoise lakes and waterfalls in beech and pine forest. Explore the well-marked trails on your own or with your leader. Then travel on to Zagreb, the Croatian capital, for the night.

    Hotel
    Hostel
  15. Day 15 · Zagreb Zagreb

    After an orientation walk with your leader, lunch is at Dolac Market, the city's main market. The rest of the day is free. You could visit Zagreb Cathedral or the Museum of Broken Relationships.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  16. Day 16 · Ljubljana By train to Ljubljana

    Take the train across the border to Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital. After a short orientation walk, the rest of the day is free to see the old centre, Ljubljana Castle, the Town Hall or the Dragon Bridge.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  17. Day 17 · Ljubljana Free day in Ljubljana

    A free day. One option is a trip to Bled, where you can cross the lake by traditional pletna boat and climb the 99 steps to St Mary's Church on the island. Bled is also known for its cream cake.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  18. Day 18 · Venice Travel to Venice

    Travel by bus to Venice, a city of canals and small islands linked by nearly 400 bridges. The rest of the day is free. You could visit St Mark's Basilica, the Rialto Bridge or the Doge's Palace, or take a gondola ride.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  19. Day 19 · Venice Free day in Venice

    A free day to explore the streets behind San Marco Square, the museums or the islands. There is a 6 pm meeting to welcome new travellers joining the group.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  20. Day 20 · Venice, San Marco Square Venice with your leader

    Join an orientation walk around San Marco Square, looking at its Classical, Gothic and Baroque buildings. Your leader takes you to a cicchetti stop for the small snacks Venice is known for. The afternoon is free. You could take the vaporetto (water bus) to San Giorgio Maggiore to climb its bell tower.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  21. Day 21 · La Spezia By train to La Spezia

    Take a morning train across northern Italy to La Spezia, the gateway to the Cinque Terre. After checking in there is time for a short walk along Via del Prione or dinner with the group.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  22. Day 22 · Cinque Terre, La Spezia Cinque Terre

    Spend the day on the Cinque Terre with an included 24-hour pass for the paths and local trains. Your leader walks with you to two of the five villages. Some sections have steep, narrow stretches, so ask your leader which suits you. Trains run between the villages and back to La Spezia.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  23. Day 23 · Florence Train to Florence

    Take the train to Florence, the city of the Medici, Leonardo, Brunelleschi and Michelangelo. After checking in, take a short walk around the area to get your bearings. Food tours are among the optional activities.

    Hotel
    Hostel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  24. Day 24 · Florence Free day in Florence

    A free day. You could see Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell'Accademia, visit the Uffizi or walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for views over the Arno and the city.

    Hotel
    Hostel
  25. Day 25 · Rome Rome

    Take a morning train to Rome. Your leader takes you on an orientation walk past the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. The afternoon is free. You could visit the Vatican, St Peter's Basilica or the Colosseum.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  26. Day 26 · Rome Tour ends in Rome

    The tour ends after breakfast. You can leave the hotel at any time after check-out. Extra nights in Rome can be arranged when you book.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Mountains and coastal towns around the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

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 (3 nights) Hotel
  • La Spezia (2 nights) Hotel
  • Florence (2 nights) Hostel
  • Rome (1 night) Hotel

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

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 25 nights in simple hotels, hostels and pensions
  • Meals 15 breakfasts and one market lunch, plus a burek snack in Sarajevo, a cicchetti stop in Venice and a drink at the Decje Srce Café in Belgrade
  • Transport all travel between towns by local train and long-distance bus
  • Leader throughout, with orientation walks in Novi Sad, Zagreb, Venice, Florence and Rome
  • Activities guided tour of Tito's Bunker (ARK D-0), Plitvice Lakes National Park, Elafiti Islands day trip and a Cinque Terre day with a 24-hour pass

Not included

  • Flights to Budapest and home from Rome
  • Airport transfers at the start and end
  • Meals not listed above
  • Optional activities and entry fees, such as a gondola ride, the Vatican Museums or the Dubrovnik city walls
  • Accommodation before or after the trip
  • Travel insurance, visas and personal spending
Colourful houses of Manarola on the Cinque Terre coast, Italy

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want comfortable hotels throughout — some nights are in hostels and pensions, and private bathrooms or air-conditioning are not guaranteed
  • You prefer a private coach — travel is on local trains and buses, schedules can change and some services have no air-conditioning
  • You want most meals included — 15 breakfasts, one lunch and a few snack tastings are included
  • You need a single room — there is no single supplement on this trip
Boardwalk between turquoise pools and waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

Departures & prices

From £4,120 per person, twin share, tour only. 8 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.

How active is this trip?

Expect a lot of city walking, plus some optional harder days: the climb to the Fortress of Sveti Ivan in Kotor takes about 1.5 hours on stone steps, and some Cinque Terre paths have steep, narrow sections. Your leader can suggest the right walking section for you.

How do I travel between places?

By local trains and public buses. Some travel days are long, schedules can change at short notice, and not every service has air-conditioning.

What is the accommodation like?

A mix of simple hotels, hostels and pensions. Some rooms do not have a private bathroom or air-conditioning, kettles and fridges are rare, and early check-in is not guaranteed.

Can I book a single room?

No. A single supplement is not available on this trip. Solo travellers share a room with another traveller of the same sex at no extra cost.

Which countries does the trip cross?

Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia and Italy, with several overland border crossings. Carry your passport and check visa requirements for every country.

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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