Detailed Daily Itinerary

(This can change but don’t worry, I will make sure you’ll have the best fun!)

An aerial view of a small island with red-roofed buildings, surrounded by clear blue water, with a beach and green landscape in the foreground in Budva, Montenegro.
Scenic view of a small church on an island surrounded by water called Our Lady of the Rocks in Perast, Montenegro with boats nearby and a mountainous shoreline in the background.
View of a serene seascape with a small fortress on an island and a tall church steeple in the foreground, surrounded by lush green mountains in Perast, Montenegro.

Want to see what our travelers used before? Here is a sample of the Balkans Compass from our last tour.

2025 Balkans Compass

Day 1 – Arrival in Budva (Montenegro)

Guests arrive in Budva, meet the group, and enjoy a Welcome Dinner to kick off the trip.

A group of Filipino and American people sitting at a long outdoor dinner table at night, smiling, with a harbor full of boats in the background, under string lights, at a seaside restaurant in Budva, Montenegro
An open passport with multiple stamps held by a hand. In the background, there are white sneakers and a patterned mat with green and black geometric designs.

Day 2 – Montenegro Viewpoints

A scenic day visiting Montenegro’s highlights: the Sveti Stefan viewpoint, the beach area, Skadar Lake, and Budva Old Town. Free time in the afternoon to explore or relax.

Group of diverse people posing together outdoors with a scenic ocean view, green hills, and a small island in the background in Budva, Montenegro.
Group of people sitting on a stone platform on a hillside overlooking an expansive blue sea with islands and a coastal town in the distance, under a clear blue sky in Budva, Montenegro.

Day 3 – Kotor & Perast Day Trip

Head to Kotor for a guided Old Town tour before continuing to Perast. Take a boat ride to the famous Our Lady of the Rocks island, enjoy photo stops, and explore more of Kotor. Optional cable car ride available.

Four women smiling inside a cable car with a mountain and lake view in the background in Kotor, Montenegro.
Group of people smiling at camera during an evening gathering on a rooftop terrace with a view of a mountain and water in the background on top of the cable car in Kotor, Montenegro
Group of eleven people standing on a rocky overlook with a river and mountain range in the background, under partly cloudy skies in Lake Skadar, Montenegro.

Day 4 – Montenegro to Albania

Cross the border into Albania, stopping in Shkoder for lunch and currency exchange. Continue to Tirana for free time and dinner at a local restaurant.

A group of people on a boat enjoying a boat ride on a river, with trees and another boat in the background in Lake Skadar, Montenegro.
A group of people enjoying a boat ride on a scenic lake with green foliage and hills in the background in Lake Skadar, Montenegro.

Day 5 – Tirana to Berat, then to Ohrid

Enjoy a relaxed morning before traveling to UNESCO-listed Berat for a guided walking tour. After exploring, continue the journey into North Macedonia and arrive in Ohrid.

Group of women at a long outdoor dining table, smiling and raising glasses of red wine, under string lights and surrounded by greenery inside Odas Garden in Tirana, Albania.
Group of nine people smiling and posing for a photo indoors, with stone walls and arched windows in the background inside the famous Eni Traditional food restaurant in Berat, Albania
Group of five friends taking a selfie outdoors with a stone bridge and hillside town in the background in Berat, Albania
A lively indoor gathering with people enjoying traditional Albanian music and dance. Dancers in colorful, traditional Albanian folk costumes perform on a small stage, holding a red flag with a black eagle in the center. The audience is seated at tables, watching the performance amidst decorative lights, plants, and ethnic decor.

Day 6 – Ohrid & St. Naum

Start the day with a guided city tour of Ohrid, followed by free time for lunch and shopping. In the afternoon, visit the lakeside St. Naum Monastery with optional boat rides.

Group of people walking in a parking lot with mountains in the background, several buses parked nearby, and cloudy sky overhead.
A wooden serving board with assorted Mexican appetizers, including sliced eggplant with herbs, baked cheese, stuffed jalapeños, fresh tomatoes, pickled vegetables, and small bowls of salsa, served on a dining table.
Group of people sightseeing and taking photos outdoors in a village with houses on a hillside and mountains in the background.
Group of people sitting on stone steps in front of an ancient brick church with a cloudy sky.

Day 7 – Tetovo, Matka Canyon & Arrival in Skopje

Travel to Tetovo to see the beautifully painted Colorful Mosque. Continue to Matka Canyon for nature views and optional boating. Arrive in Skopje and enjoy dinner.

A group of people dining together at a long table in an outdoor restaurant with lush green plants and flowers in the background. The restaurant is covered with a wooden roof and has white curtains and elegant lighting.
A group of tourists standing together in front of historic stone and timber buildings on a cobblestone street.
A group of nine women sitting on a red carpeted floor inside a grand, ornately decorated room with a large chandelier, intricate wall and ceiling designs, and multiple small windows.
Group of six people standing in front of a statue of Bill Clinton, with a large billboard of Bill Clinton and an American flag in the background.

Day 8 – Kosovo Day Trip: Pristina & Prizren

Do a full-day excursion to Kosovo. Visit Pristina for a walking tour, then continue to the charming town of Prizren for sightseeing and lunch. Return to Skopje in the evening.

A group of six people and a dog taking a selfie outdoors in front of a large billboard featuring Bill Clinton and an American flag backdrop, with a statue and building in the background.
Woman browsing books at an outdoor book sale on a sunny day, with a table of books and pedestrians walking by in the background.
Three people sitting on a bench in front of a historic mosque with a large dome and minaret, hillside houses, and a clear blue sky.
A group of people eating dinner at a restaurant with a variety of dishes on the table, including bread, salads, and cooked items.

Day 9 – Skopje to Belgrade (Serbia)

Cross into Serbia and arrive in Belgrade. Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure, then gather for a group dinner in the historic Bohemian Quarter.

A table set with a variety of food including a large wooden platter of sliced beef and lamb, mashed potatoes with garnish, and a plate of fried vegetables with dipping sauce.
A large piece of naan bread, two small bowls of curry, a sliced tomato, a glass of white wine, and some salad on a dinner table.

Day 10 – Explore Belgrade

A half-day guided walking tour covers key landmarks and history. The rest of the day is free for cafes, museums, shopping, or optional activities.

A diverse group of people seated indoors, many looking at their phones, with some engaging in conversation. There are blue lighting effects and a wooden archway in the background.
Group of women and men sitting in a room, smiling and looking towards the camera, during an indoor event or gathering.

Day 11 – Belgrade to Sarajevo via Višegrad

Travel toward Bosnia and Herzegovina with a scenic stop in Višegrad. Continue the journey to Sarajevo and settle in for the evening.

Group of people sitting at a long dinner table with food, smiling and posing for a photo. The table has plates, drinks, and cooked dishes, with a window and restaurant interior in the background.
Group of people posing on a street in Sarajevo, with shops and buildings on either side.
Group of ten people standing outdoors on paved area, smiling, with cityscape and mountains in background, and a black dog in front.

Day 12 – Sarajevo Old Town & Visoko Pyramid

Explore Sarajevo’s Old Town (Baščaršija) on a guided tour, followed by lunch at a traditional restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Visoko Pyramid of the Sun before returning to Sarajevo.

A group of people gathered around a dining table in a cozy restaurant, enjoying a meal together and smiling at the camera.
Group of twelve women and men standing on a paved square, smiling, in front of a historic metal kiosk with a green dome, surrounded by outdoor cafes, trees, and buildings, with a cloudy sky overhead.
Group of people wearing safety helmets touching a large, cracked piece of rock in an indoor mining museum with informational posters on the wall.

Day 13 – Sarajevo to Mostar & Blagaj

Visit Konjic for a short stop, then proceed to Mostar for a walking tour including the iconic Stari Most bridge. After free time for lunch and shopping, travel to Blagaj for a peaceful overnight stay.

Group of people standing in a circle outside, listening to a man in a black jacket, in front of a large beige building with windows.
A group of people poses in front of a historic stone bridge with castle-like buildings on a cloudy day, near a river.

Day 14 – Blagaj → Počitelj → Herceg Novi → Budva

Begin with a visit to historic Počitelj, then cross back into Montenegro. Enjoy a farewell lunch in the seaside area of Portonovi before heading back to Budva for the final night of the trip.

A group of people gathered around a long table in a restaurant, enjoying a meal. The setting is bright with large windows and artwork on the wall depicting a woman's face with concentric circular designs.
A diverse group of people seated around a long dining table with various partially eaten dishes, drinks, and utensils in a well-lit restaurant with large windows and decorative shelves.
Group of people sitting at a restaurant table with drinks, smiling for the camera.

Day 15 – Departure

End of tour. Guests are transferred to Podgorica or Tivat Airport depending on their flights.

A white tour bus with blue lettering parked next to a silver car at night. Interior lights illuminate the bus, and people are visible inside. The surroundings include a building with some people outside.
A group of people standing on a rocky hilltop in the border town of Herceg Novi, Montenegro overlooking a scenic landscape with distant hills, water, and a clear blue sky with bright sunlight.