Hi 
! I’m looking for tips for the Balkans, planning to go to 
, 
, 
and 
in May (Not all need to be included)
Any TR adventure to suggest or places that are a must to go?
I can definitely recommend visiting Istria, Croatia as part of your trip @traveler_878338! Beautiful small towns, and nature, and the people are super welcoming!
Make sure you stop by Rovinj, Croatia - it’s a beautiful town:
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Hi @traveler_878338 !
A few years ago I went on this organized trip: Best of Balkans (4 Star Hotels) by Travel Talk with 148 Tour Reviews (Code: BLB) - TourRadar
It was a bit express, but I got to see lots of amazing places, including Mostar and the idyllic Neretva River in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Lake Ohrid in North Macedonia. Met some amazing people who I’m still in touch with! And if you get Simon the tour guide, you’re in for lots of captivating stories and fun evening conversations.
They offer an extended version of the trip that also goes to Greece: All About Balkans (4 Star Hotels) by Travel Talk with 192 Tour Reviews (Code: BLA) - TourRadar Some of the travelers on my trip did this one and said it was amazing.
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@alex_miller_travel - Istria is so beautiful, I can second that!
Rovinj is one of my favorite places. Also visited Umag a few times - another lovely seaside town. And if you have time, you can head drive across the board to Slovenia and spend a day in the town of Piran 
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@traveler_878338 how many days would you have for a tour? If you’re looking to visit multiple countries you will probably need at least 2 weeks.
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It should be a short trip, between 4 and 6 days, it would be amazing to end in Athens as I have some friends to visit there.
Of course, I’m also open to suggestions for Serbia 
and other countries nearby, if there is a nice tour to visit two or three of these lovely Balkan countries. I’m aware that it’s not possible to visit all.
I visited Albania, and loved it! From the beaches in the south, to the mountains in the north, it was amazing. However, I think that 4-6 days is quite tight, and you will need to decide on only 1 country to visit. 4 days in Albania is also not enough, unless you want to see just 1-2 places or just relax on the beach for 4 days? If you have friends in Athens and have never been to Greece, I would stick to only Greece 
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@traveler_878338 - These sort of questions are always easier to answer when a little more detail is given at the outset.
Where are you travelling from?
Will you fly in?
Are you looking to do a round trip or open jaw; fly in to one city and fly out of another.
Then it’s interests. Beaches, cities, history, or nature?
Once these questions have been considered, it’s easier to offer advice.
I see the Istria region of Croatia has been suggested.
Although undoubtedly worth a visit it is a long way up from Albania and Greece.
If Greece, Albania and Montenegro are priorities, you probably won’t get much further up the coast of Croatia than Dubrovnik; unless you have plenty of time.
Northern Croatia can be a little cooler in May as well.
@DomiTravelini makes a good case for a ‘Best of The Balkans’.
I sometimes find that ‘Best of’ tours only really give you a taste of where you might want to go back to; as they try to cram in too much in a short space of time.
Best of Balkans is in and out of Sofia, while All About Balkans is in to Sofia and out of Athens (12 days).
If you’ve only got four to six days, and Athens is to be included, stay put and take a ferry to an island for the day.
You’ll probably need three days for Athens alone; especially if you’re flying from the States. You’ll probably want to do Delphi and Olympia, if it’s your first visit to Greece.
Thanks for your comment. Let me try to add some additional context. I had in mind to fly to Kotor or Tirana, then take a tour from there, where I could have, in 5 days,s a good taste of the Balkans. It does not need to include all countries. I was keen on Montenegro and/or Albania; this tour on the website N. Macedonia, Kosovo & Albania; Semi – Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car by Choose Balkans with 18 Tour Reviews - TourRadar is almost what I want, but 4 countries in 4 days seems to be too packed. If I can find a good itinerary that would fit Montenegro and Albania in 5 days, that would be perfect. It’s also worth mentioning that I’m mostly interested in Nature rather than nightlife.
Regarding Greece, although I have included Athens, it’s only because I planned to end my tour in Athens, as I’ll stay 2 or 3 days to visit some friends; the tour does not need to include Athens, but ending in Athens would be a nice to have, moreover I have already visited Athens in the past, this part is more because of friends than the tour itself.
Thank you all for the time answering these questions, it’s also worth to say that I’m at the initial stage of building a initinerary, nothing is written in stone.
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Awesome photo of Rovinj from the air.
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I have been to Albania last year just for a few days and loved it. The operator I would suggest is ChooseBalkans All Tours & Trips by Choose Balkans in 2026/2027 - TourRadar
They are a great op and I did a day tour with them. They also organize cross-country trips and should have plenty of options in the Balkans.
And Istria is great, was in Rovijn myself last year for a few days. Just a self-drive trip, from Austria.
Good luck on your search.
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