The 12 Most Beautiful Places In The Balkans

Lani Seelinger

Anyone who has visited the Balkan peninsula knows that there is no shortage of absolutely stunning places in the area. You will find something gorgeous and fascinating, whether you’re looking for nature, history, or culture. The mountainous terrain and the diverse, if sometimes troubled, history has given the region a wealth of options for any traveler. We check out 12 great places to start.

Split from above

Split | Croatia

This city on the Adriatic coast is the perfect combination of natural and man-made beauty. In the year 305, the Roman emperor Diocletian chose it as his retirement home, building a palace that is now simply a part of the fabric of the city’s historic center. Your options for sightseeing are varied and equally gorgeous. You can stroll along the Riva on the waterfront, hike up one of the neighboring hills to get a view over the city, or relax on the beach and watch the water lap onto the stony beaches.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Lake Bled | Slovenia

Lake Bled is the stuff of fairy tales. A deep blue lake emerging from the surrounding Alps with a picturesque church on an island in the middle, this Slovenian gem has become one of the country’s main sights. You can rent a rowboat to get out to the island in the middle, where it’s quite likely that you’ll see a wedding. According to tradition, it’s good luck for the groom to carry the bride up the steps so that they can ring the church bell together and then make a wish inside the church.

Gjirokastra | Albania

Known as the ‘City of Stone’, Gjirokastra in Southern Albania is UNESCO listed because of the Ottoman style houses that you can find throughout the city. While only having just under 20,000 inhabitants, Gjirokastra is home to a sizeable Greek minority, in addition to being the birthplace of two of the most internationally well-known Albanians, Enver Hoxha, the communist leader, and Ismail Kadare, the novelist and once-dissident. Although the area has been inhabited since at least the Bronze age, most of the buildings are from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Peles Castle, Romania

Subotica | Serbia

In typical Balkan fashion, Subotica has no majority ethnic group, but is instead made up of a healthy mix of Hungarians, Serbs, Croats and several others. It is the seat of the Vojvodina region in Serbia, which is largely Hungarian, so it is the home of several famous Hungarians, like the writer Dezso Kostolanyi, or the original Dracula, actor Bela Lugosi. The city has a long and complicated history of many empires moving in and out, but the notable Art Nouveau architecture comes from the period of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

Plitvice Lakes | Croatia

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is also the biggest national park in the country. It is made up of a series of interconnected lakes that cascade into each other, only separated by natural travertine dams that are constantly being built up and brought down by the water and the minerals that it carries. The colors, which can be striking blues and greens, are constantly changing based on the algae and mineral content and the quality of the light. Several endemic animal species, like the lynx, also still live here.

Peles Castle | Romania

Translyvania gets a dark reputation because one of its legendary residents, but you’ll change your mind about the region once you’ve seen the delicately gorgeous Peles Castle emerging out of the forests and mountains. The Neo-Renaissance style is far more Da Vinci than Dracula. Built by the Romanian monarchs in the 1870s, this was also the first castle to be fully fitted for electric power. Only a short drive away from the charming Romanian city of Brasov, this is well worth a trip out, and you can swing by Dracula’s Bran Castle on the way.

Ljubljana

Visoki Dečani | Kosovo

This Serbian Orthodox Christian monastery in Kosovo houses the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans and is worth a visit just to try to understand the complicated religious and ethnic history of the region. However, the main reason for its inclusion on the UNESCO list is the frescos that decorate the interior of the church. They make up the largest surviving collection of Serbian medieval art, and they depict scenes from the Bible, members of noble families, and a plethora of Orthodox saints, among other things.

Lake Ohrid | Macedonia and Albania.

Stunningly beautiful though it is, Lake Ohrid is most important as a nature reserve. As one of the oldest and deepest lakes in Europe, it is home to over 200 endemic species that make up entire food chains and that have remained remarkably undisturbed by the incursion of non-native species. People have inhabited the shores of the lake on all sides since the Bronze Age, and it is now part of both Macedonia and Albania. The combination of the surrounding mountains and the bright color of the lake will truly make you feel connected with nature.

Ljubljana | Slovenia

Another example of a city with numerous visible influences, the best way to encapsulate the feeling of Ljubljana is to imagine a former Hapsburg city on the Mediterranean. The best way to enjoy the laid-back yet lively feel of the city is to sit in one of the cafes on the waterway in the center and take your time with a nice glass of Slovenian wine. Many of the buildings throughout the city are the work of noted Slovene architect Jože Plečnik. He did not, however, design the Vienna Secession-style Dragon Bridge, where you can find four of those winged symbols of the city.

Durmitor’s Black Lake

Mostar | Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Old Bridge in Mostar is one of the many (albeit reconstructed) remnants of the long Ottoman control of the region. It spans the Neretva River, and was a great architectural marvel when the Ottomans first built it in 1558. However, the city suffered a great deal of damage during the Bosnian war of the 1990s, so afterwards, many countries devoted their own funds to rebuilding the bridge and its surrounding areas. The whole city is now one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s major cultural attractions.

Durmitor National Park | Montenegro

While much of Montenegro is covered in mountains, Durmitor is the center of mountain tourism in the country, be it for hiking, skiing, or simply going to enjoy the views. Numerous lakes dot the landscape, and in the autumn the whole park lights up with the changing colors of the leaves. One part of the park to check out is Tara River Canyon, which is the second biggest in the world after the Grand Canyon. You’ll certainly not run out of scenic outlooks when you’re driving around Durmitor.

Nessebar | Bulgaria

This small city on the Black Sea is another good example of how nature and culture can come together to create truly wondrous sites. Nessebar has been inhabited for about 3000 years by various cultures and empires, and their remnants are sprinkled across the city in the form of buildings from different eras and architectural styles, especially a large collection of Eastern Orthodox churches. Its position on the coast, of course, with one half of the city jutting out on a thin peninsula into the sea, also contributes to its status.

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