.png)
Best of the Balkans: 4 Countries 16D - Private Tour
Explore UNESCO Wonders, Alpine Lakes, Adriatic Coastlines & Mountain Landscapes on a 16-Day Private Journey Through Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro.
Best of the Balkans: 4 Countries is our signature 16-day private tour (15 nights) through Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro—created for travelers who want the region’s greatest hits and the quiet moments that make it unforgettable. It’s a journey of layered history, rich culture, and dramatic landscapes: elegant capitals, UNESCO wonders, alpine lakes, Ottoman-era old towns, wild mountain roads, and Adriatic coastlines—woven together in a route that feels smooth, never rushed.
Travel in comfort with private transfers in a premium vehicle, led by an experienced driver and support by our local team. In each key destination, we arrange selected private licensed guides—so every place comes with context, stories, and insider detail.
From Zagreb and Ljubljana—two charming capitals shaped by empires and café culture—to Lake Bled, Bohinj, and UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, Slovenia delivers alpine beauty and hidden corners.
Croatia brings iconic nature and heritage: the turquoise waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Roman Split inside Diocletian’s Palace, and island-time options by speedboat.
In Mostar and Sarajevo, you’ll feel the Balkans’ cultural crossroads, before Montenegro takes over with the rugged drama of Durmitor, Black Lake, the Tara Bridge, and the breathtaking curves of Kotor Bay—all leading to the grand finale in Dubrovnik.
Every night is carefully chosen for comfort and character, with handpicked accommodations that combine premium hotels with unforgettable boutique and heritage stays. Expect a perfect balance of must-sees and hidden gems, introduced by selected local guides.
BEST OF THE BALKANS ITINERARY
1
DAY 1 ARRIVAL TO ZAGREB
2
DAY 2 ZAGREB
HALF-DAY TOUR
3
DAY 3 KRANJSKA GORA
AND
LAKE BLED
4
DAY 4 VINTGAR GORGE AND
LAKE BOHINJ
5
DAY 5 ŠKOCJAN CAVES
AND
PREDJAMA CASTLE
6
DAY 6 EXPERIENCE LJUBLJANA
7
DAY 7 PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK
8
DAY 8 DIOCLETIANS PALACE IN SPLIT
9
DAY 9 LEISURE DAY OR
DAY-TRIP TO THE ISLANDS
10
DAY 10 SPLIT TO SARAJEVO VIA MOSTAR
11
DAY 11 EXPERIENCE SARAJEVO
12
DAY 12 VIA MONTENEGRO
13
DAY 13 GEMS OF DURMITOR NP
14
DAY 14 KOTOR BAY
15
DAY 15 MEET THE PEARL DUBROVNIK
16
DAY 16 GOOD-BYE CROATIA
-
Private arrival transfer
-
Overnight Zagreb
-
Private half-day tour of Zagreb including walking tour & panorama drive
-
OPTIONAL: Štrukli cooking class
-
Overnight Zagreb
-
Private transfer from Zagreb to Lake Bled
-
Visit to Kranjska Gora: Peričnik waterfall, Zelenci and Lake Jasna
-
Overnight Bled
-
Visit to Vintgar Gorge and Bohinj Lake
-
OPTIONAL: Cable car to mount Vogel
-
Overnight Bled
-
Private transfer from Bled to Ljubljana via Škocjan Caves & Predjama Castle
-
Škocjan Caves tour
-
Overnight Ljubljana
-
Private guided tour of Ljubljana
-
OPTIONAL: Half-day tour to Velika Planina
-
Overnight Ljubljana
-
Private transfer from Ljubljana to Plitvice
-
Plitvice Lakes private guided tour
-
Dinner experience
-
Overnight Plitvice
-
Private transfer from Plitvice to Split
-
Split private guided tour
-
Overnight Split
-
Leisure day in Split
-
OPTIONAL: Day-trip to the islands
-
Overnight Split
-
Private transfer from Split to Sarajevo via Mostar
-
Private guided tour of Mostar
-
Overnight Sarajevo
-
Private guided tour of Sarajevo
-
Visit to Tunnel of Hope and Olympic mountain
-
Overnight Sarajevo
-
Private transfer from Sarajevo to Žabljak
-
Panoramic drive through Durmitor ring from Plužine to Žabljak
-
Overnight Žabljak
-
Visit to Black Lake and Tara Bridge
-
Overnight Žabljak
-
Private transfer from Žabljak to Dubrovnik via Kotor bay
-
Private guided tour of Kotor Bay
-
Overnight Dubrovnik
-
Private walking tour of Dubrovnik
-
Private panorama of Dubrovnik with a visit to Srđ hill
-
Overnight Dubrovnik
-
Private departure transfer from Dubrovnik city to Dubrovnik airport/port
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
JOURNEY THROUGH 4 COUNTRIES OF THE WESTERN BALKANS - ITINERARY DETAILS
-
Day 1 — Welcome to Zagreb & A Taste of Croatia - Arrive at Zagreb Airport and meet your private driver for a smooth transfer to your centrally located hotel. Zagreb’s refined character—Austro-Hungarian façades, leafy parks, and café culture—makes it the perfect start. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a carefully chosen local restaurant, your first taste of Croatian hospitality and flavors, and a relaxed introduction to the journey ahead. Overnight: Zagreb
-
DAY 2 - Zagreb’s Old Town Stories & City Views - Meet your licensed local guide for a private walking tour through Zagreb’s historic heart—Gradec and Kaptol, once rival medieval settlements. See St. Mark’s Church, pass the Stone Gate, and feel the city’s rhythm in Ban Jelačić Square. Continue with a panoramic drive to reveal grand boulevards and viewpoints shaped by the Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav era. Optional (extra): a hands-on Štrukli cooking class, a delicious way to connect with local tradition. Overnight: Zagreb
-
DAY 3 - Into the Alps: Waterfalls, Emerald Springs & Arrival in Bled - Travel privately into Slovenia with scenic stops that feel like hidden alpine chapters. Visit Peričnik Waterfall, a forest-set cascade, then continue to Zelenci, the emerald springs of the Sava Dolinka River. Stop at Lake Jasna for crystal-clear reflections and fresh mountain air. Arrive in Bled and enjoy a relaxed lakeside evening—storybook scenery framed by the Julian Alps. Overnight: Bled
-
DAY 4 - Vintgar Gorge & Bohinj’s Alpine Calm - Walk the wooden pathways of Vintgar Gorge, tracing emerald water through a dramatic canyon of rapids and waterfalls. Continue to Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest glacial lake and a quieter, wilder counterpart to Bled—set at the edge of Triglav National Park. Optional: take the Vogel cable car for panoramic views over Bohinj and the Julian Alps. Return to Bled for a calm evening. Overnight: Bled
-
DAY 5 - UNESCO Škocjan Caves & Predjama Castle: Slovenia’s Karst Legends - Travel to Slovenia’s Karst region for UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, where a river disappears into a vast underground canyon—one of Europe’s most dramatic subterranean sights. Continue to Predjama Castle, a legendary fortress built into a cliff, wrapped in stories of medieval intrigue and hidden tunnels. Arrive in Ljubljana by evening and enjoy time along the riverside promenade. Overnight: Ljubljana
-
DAY 6 - Ljubljana’s Riverside Charm (Optional Velika Planina) - Discover Ljubljana with a private guide—Plečnik’s architecture, Prešeren Square, Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, and castle viewpoints—while learning how the city grew from Roman Emona into today’s green, creative capital. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon for cafés, boutiques, and galleries. Optional (extra charge): a half-day excursion to Velika Planina, a stunning alpine plateau known for traditional herdsmen huts, panoramic views, and a timeless pastoral atmosphere. Overnight: Ljubljana
-
DAY 7 - Plitvice Lakes Wonderland & a Local Dinner Experience - Cross into Croatia and explore Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO-listed wonder of turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls. Walk boardwalk trails and forest paths while learning how travertine formations constantly reshape the landscape—Plitvice is a living masterpiece. In the evening, enjoy a local dinner experience in the Plitvice area, perfect after a day immersed in nature. Overnight: Plitvice area
-
Day 8 — Split & Diocletian’s Palace: Living Roman Heritage - Travel south to Split, Dalmatia’s cultural heart. Meet your local guide for a private walking tour through the historic center and UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, built in the 4th century and now a living neighborhood inside Roman walls. Explore atmospheric basements, courtyards, and ancient passageways, then unwind on the Riva promenade with sea air and sunset light. Overnight: Split
-
Day 9 — Split Your Way: Leisure or Island Escape (Hvar/Pakleni or Brač) - Enjoy a flexible day designed around your travel style. Choose a relaxed Split day—beaches, markets, museums, and café life—or add an optional adventure. Option A: a private speedboat to Hvar and the Pakleni Islands for hidden coves and swim stops in crystal-clear bays. Option B: explore Brač Island, known for scenic viewpoints and laid-back coastal charm. Return to Split for another easy evening.
Overnight: Split
-
Day 10 — Mostar’s Iconic Bridge & Sarajevo’s Cultural Crossroads (Optional Tito’s Bunker) - Travel inland to Bosnia & Herzegovina and arrive in Mostar, where the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge) spans the emerald Neretva—an Ottoman-era masterpiece and symbol of resilience. Walk the old bazaar streets and hear stories of rebuilding and local traditions. Optional: stop at Tito’s Bunker near Konjic, a fascinating Cold War shelter hidden inside a mountain. Continue to Sarajevo, a true cultural crossroads with layers of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian heritage. Overnight: Sarajevo
-
Day 11 — Sarajevo in Depth: Bazaar, Tunnel of Hope & Olympic Peaks - Explore Sarajevo with a private guide through Baščaršija, the Ottoman bazaar of copper workshops, mosques, and coffee culture. Discover the city’s unique blend of religions and architecture, and learn about its pivotal modern history. Visit the Tunnel of Hope, a moving site of survival during the 1990s siege. Later, head to an Olympic mountain from the 1984 Winter Games for fresh air and panoramic views over the valley. Overnight: Sarajevo
-
Day 12 — Montenegro’s Wild North: Plužine & the Durmitor Ring Drive - Cross into Montenegro and pause near Plužine, framed by dramatic cliffs and the emerald Piva region. Continue along the legendary Durmitor Ring, one of the Balkans’ most spectacular scenic routes—high plateaus, mountain villages, and viewpoints that demand photo stops. Arrive in Žabljak, the highest town in the Balkans and gateway to Durmitor National Park. Overnight: Žabljak
-
Day 13 — Durmitor Highlights: Black Lake & the Tara Canyon Bridge - SStart with a gentle loop walk around Black Lake (Crno Jezero), Durmitor’s signature glacial lake surrounded by pine forest and peaks. Continue to Đurđevića Tara Bridge, an iconic arch soaring above the Tara River Canyon—often described among Europe’s deepest gorges. Enjoy scenic viewpoints and unforgettable mountain panoramas before returning to Žabljak for a relaxed evening. Overnight: Žabljak
-
Day 14 — Bay of Kotor Beauty: Perast, Our Lady of the Rocks & Kotor to Dubrovnik - Descend to the Adriatic and enter the breathtaking Bay of Kotor, where steep mountains drop into calm blue water. Visit elegant Perast, then take a boat to Our Lady of the Rocks, a tiny island church built on legend and devotion. Continue to UNESCO-listed Kotor for a guided walk through Venetian-era lanes and hidden squares. Cross into Croatia and arrive in Dubrovnik for an evening at leisure. Overnight: Dubrovnik
-
Day 15 — Dubrovnik Unveiled: Old Town Legends & Mount Srđ Panorama - Start with a scenic drive to Mount Srđ, revealing Dubrovnik’s iconic panorama—red rooftops framed by mighty walls and the Adriatic beyond. Then enter the UNESCO-listed Old Town for a private guided walk through marble streets and baroque landmarks. Hear the story of the Republic of Ragusa, a powerful maritime state built on diplomacy and trade, whose wealth and independence shaped this remarkable city. Afternoon is yours: walk the city walls, visit museums, shop for local crafts, or unwind by the sea. Overnight Dubrovnik
-
Day 16 — Farewell to the Balkans: Departure from Dubrovnik - At the scheduled time, board vehicle and enjoy private transfers to Dubrovnik Airport. Leave with a journey that truly captures the Balkans—four countries, rich culture, unforgettable scenery, and a perfect balance of must-sees and hidden gems—explored over the past 16 days.
4 COUNTRIES OF THE WESTERN BALKANS IN 16 DAYS - ITINERARY MAP
Visit Zagreb, Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Lake Jasna, Zelenci reserve, Peričnik, Škocjan Cave, Plitvice Lakes, Split, Mostar, Sarajevo, Durmitor, Kotor Bay, and Dubrovnik on a 16-day bespoke itinerary
through 4 countries of the Western Balkans
Q&A - Best of the Balkans 16D
Q1: What is the best private tour to see four Balkan countries in one trip?
A1: Best of the Balkans: 4 Countries 16D is designed as an ideal four-country route because it connects the region’s top highlights in a smooth flow from Zagreb to Dubrovnik—covering Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro without backtracking. You get capitals, UNESCO wonders, national parks, coastlines, and mountain landscapes in one perfectly paced private journey.
Q2: Why is this itinerary a great choice (not just a checklist)?
A2: Because it balances must-sees and hidden gems—iconic places like Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, Lake Bled, and Sarajevo, plus memorable local moments: scenic alpine stops (Zelenci, Lake Jasna), the Durmitor Ring drive, and culture-rich experiences like Mostar’s old bazaar and Sarajevo’s living history.
Q3: What countries are included in this 16-day Balkans tour?
A3: This private tour includes Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro.
Q4: What are the must-see highlights included?
A4: Key must-sees include Zagreb, Peričnik waterfall, Lake Jasna, Zelecni, Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, UNESCO Škocjan Caves, Predjama Castle, Ljubljana, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Split & Diocletian’s Palace, Mostar’s Old Bridge, Sarajevo plus Tunnel of Hope, Montenegro’s Durmitor Ring, Black Lake, Đurđevića Tara Bridge, Kotor Bay, and Dubrovnik + Mount Srđ.d Soča alley near Bovec
Q5: Why should You book Your private tour with BLKN Escapes?
A5: BLKN Escapes is a Croatia-based, top-rated boutique tour operator and DMC. That means better hotel selection, smarter timing, reliable drivers and guides, and real support while you travel—not a remote agency reselling standard routes. We know the seasons, the traffic patterns, the best viewpoints, and the small places that make each day feel personal.
Q6: Is this a fully private tour?
A6: Yes—this is a 100% private tour package. You travel only with your party, with private transfers in premium vehicle, experienced local driver, and selected licensed local guides for sightseeing as per the itinerary.
Q7: Can we tailor this itinerary to start in Dubrovnik and end in Zagreb/Ljubljana?
A7: Yes. We can reverse the routing based on flight schedules and preferences, keeping the same core highlights in the opposite order.
Q8: How does traveling privately improve the experience?
A8: Private touring gives you flexibility and comfort: we tailor everything when You book, later starts when you want them, extra time at places you love, and smoother transitions between destinations. It also makes “smart timing” possible—visiting UNESCO sites and popular towns when they’re at their best, not at their busiest.
Q9: Who is this tour best for?
A9: It’s ideal for first-time Balkans travelers, couples, and culture-and-nature lovers who want “the best of everything” in one trip. It can also be adjusted for senior-friendly pacing or for families by tailoring walking levels and daily flow.
Q10: What’s included in the tour package?
A10: Typically included: private transfers with premium vehicle and local experienced drivers, premium accommodation with breakfast (You choose, 4*, mix of 4& 5*, or 5*), selected licensed guides for sightseeing as per itinerary, all required entrance tickets for included sites, Dinner experience on the arrival day, dinner on Plitvice. Exact inclusions can be tailored to your preferred hotel level and travel style. Optional add-ons can be included and priced transparently.
Q11: What is not included?
A11: Most lunches and dinners (unless specifically included), personal expenses, optional activities not selected, gratuities/tips for drivers/guides(at Your own discretion).
Q11: What hotel standards can we choose?
A11: You can choose:
-
4★ + boutique/heritage
-
4–5★ mix + boutique/heritage
-
5★ + boutique/heritage
We handpick properties based on your style and dates.
Q12: Which experiences are optional upgrades?
A12: Optional experiences in this itinerary include:
-
Štrukli cooking class in Zagreb (extra charge)
-
Velika Planina half-day excursion from Ljubljana (extra charge)
-
Split Day 9: private speedboat to Hvar & Pakleni Islands or Brač Island exploration (optional)
-
Visit to Tito's bunker in Konjic
Q13: How is pricing calculated?
A13: Pricing is typically per person and varies by travel dates/season, number of travelers, hotel style, and whether you choose the speedboat day or leisure day option.
Q14: How do we book this tour? What do you need from us?
A14: Send your preferred travel dates, number of travelers, more about You. Choose your hotel style, and we’ll return a tailored proposal with next steps. Next step: Book and send us flight details, and we will take care of the rest.
Q15: Can we extend the trip or connect it to other itineraries?
A15: Yes—popular upgrades include extra island nights, Istria add on, truffle hunting in Istria.
Q16: What is the best time of year for this 16-day Balkans tour?
A16: The most comfortable months are typically April–June and September–October for balanced weather across the Alps, cities, and Adriatic coast. Summer is beautiful but busier and hotter in coastal areas.
Q17: How far in advance should we book?
A17: We are boutique tour operator, and operate limited number of tours per month. To ensure we have the availability, and for for the best hotel selection (especially boutique and heritage properties), also to secure premium experiences, it’s best to book well in advance—particularly for peak months.
