Start in Albania, a secret gem in Europe boasting snowy mountains, fortress towns and sunny Adriatic beaches all in one place. Travel through Montenegro to beautiful Croatia, “the pearl of the Adriatic” because of its well-preserved medieval towns set against the sapphire blue sea. See the most beautiful natural park with thundering waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes, then finish up in Slovenia with ancient castles and plenty of markets to browse!
Continue reading to get a short preview of your trip will be like to go on one of our most popular tours, the 12 Day Albania, Montenegro, Croatia & Slovenia.
Albania’s recently opened its doors to tourists making it an enigma within Europe and is a definite must-visit when exploring the Balkans. Mountains, fortress towns, and Adriatic beaches were closed to tourists until 1991, and a quarter of a century later, word still hasn’t spread about Albania’s stunning scenery! A lack of tourists and a great economy where everything is pretty cheap makes Albania the perfect place to begin your journey.
If you like luxurious accommodation that’s located in the heart of each destination then you’ll love the first class accommodation included on this trip. You’ll be staying at 4 star hotels across Europe that are so beautiful you’ll be tempted not to leave your room for the entire tour. Enjoy accommodation at Hotel Argosy in Dubrovnik, located right on the picturesque Babin Kuk peninsula with sea views, and at the Grand Hotel Toplice in Bled, located right on the lake shores with breathtaking views of the Alps and castles.
No matter where you go with Gate 1, every hotel boasts a medium sized room with all the essentials – air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a large flat screen TV for your enjoyment. Call home on the telephone to gush about the accommodation, or treat yourself to something from the minibar before walking about the city centre, just a few minutes away from your hotel.
Accompanied by Gate 1’s world class tour guides, you’ll see the best sites in every destination with a knowledgeable local guide. On your very first day you’ll begin exploring, starting with Tirana, the centre of culture, economics and politics of the country. Take a walking tour through Skanderberg Square, the bustling centre of the city and explore Albania’s recent and ancient history. In Croatia you’ll visit Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe with its primeval forests, thundering waterfalls and 16 interconnected lakes.
It’s impossible to list all the incredible things your tour guide will show you, so bring your camera to remember every magnificent monument! You’ll also be able to ask as many questions as you please, your tour guide will be able to answer anything plus offer knowledge that only a local would know.
There are plenty of dining options across Europe, so we provide a range of meals across your itinerary for you to enjoy. Start with breakfast in Dubrovnik at your hotel and end the day with a 3-course Dalmatian cuisine at the family-run Epetium restaurant near Split, if that tickles your taste buds. Try some Black Risotto almost anywhere in Croatia – darkened by squid ink and served with shellfish like clams and mussels. You never know what’s on offer, so chat with your tour manager for their recommendations – they know the most popular, authentic, and unique dining experiences on offer.
The restaurants included in your itinerary have been tried and tested by previous Gate 1 travellers, and the optional night-time tours provide a culinary experience you might not otherwise get to enjoy. Rest assured that we do everything in our power to offer you the best of the best on tour!
With so much to see and do in this tour, Gate 1 works hard to ensure a balance of excitement and sightseeing with plenty of free time for you to relax and enjoy yourself. Head to your hotel to enjoy the luxurious amenities it offers, or simply stroll through the cities and go wherever your feet lead you – it’s completely up to you!
With so much to see in Europe, you really must plan ahead to make the most of your free time! This 12-day tour offers four night-time tours for a truly authentic dinner experience in Slovenia, Split, Dubrovnik and Kruje. Dubrovnik and Split offer traditional three-course meals that are not to be missed!
Journey through the cities, beaches and marvels of the Balkan region. Our tours are jam-packed with breathtaking landscapes, medieval architecture and scrumptious food along with a good taste of the ancient Croatian and Slovenian culture.
