Original
Food
The Balkans Real Food Adventure
9 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
17 reviews
9 days
Start
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Finish
Skopje, North Macedonia
Trip Code
ZKZM
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private Vehicle
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights)
From £1,698(9 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Experience an authentic taste of the Balkans and a look at local life when you dine in family homes in Ohrid, Lake Prespa and Dihovo.
Take in a cooking demonstration in the village of Dolno Dupeni, then get a fresh taste of homemade North Macedonian cuisine.
See behind the scenes of local produce when you visit a centuries-old smokehouse, an olive mill, an apple farm and meet a local beekeeper for a honey tasting.
Explore the stunning landscapes and charming cities of the region, discovering the legendary Rozafa Fortress and going on guided tours of Prizren and Skopje.
Try the most iconic foods of Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo, including smoked and barbecued meats, cheese, honey, apples and locally produced wine.
Is this trip right for you?
The cuisine of the Balkans includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to the Balkans which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.
Summer temperatures can reach 40C/105F or higher in some areas, so it's important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
This region is very hilly and mountainous and stairs are commonplace. You will have to be able to easily lift your luggage and carry it up and down stairs and inclines, so packing light is recommended. The cobblestone streets become very slippery when wet. Some people may find the region's topography very demanding.
Itinerary
Experience the cuisine, culture and warm hospitality of the Balkans
Treat your palate to the culinary highlights of the Balkans on this nine-day foodie adventure. Dine on homemade meals and share stories with your hosts in North Macedonia, meet the makers behind famous Njegusi smoked hams in Montenegro and sample the charcuterie of Croatia. Take guided walks in Prizren and Skopje, exploring the cities where Balkan cuisine comes to life, and have ample free time to discover local markets and bazaars. With an expert local guide providing all the restaurant recommendations you could ask for, your Balkans adventure will not leave you hungry!
Inclusions
Meals
4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners
Transport
Private Vehicle
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights)
Included activities
Lustica - Olive oil farm visit
Shkoder - Rozafa Fortress visit
Prizren - Leader-led city tour
Pristina - Serbian barbecue lunch
Pristina - Gracanica Monastery visit
Debar - St Jovan Bigorski Monastery visit
Kuratica - Home-cooked dinner
Prespa - Agriturismo visit & tasting
Prespa - Home-cooking demonstration
Dihovo - Home-cooked lunch
Dihovo - Beekeeper farm visit
Tikves - Wine tasting
Stobi - Stobi archaeological site
Skopje - Leader-led walking tour with traditional sweets
Optional activities
Ohrid - St Naum Monastery & Trpejca - EUR80
Ohrid - City tour and cruise - Minimum 2 passengers - EUR50
Bitola - Heraclea Lyncestis - EUR25
Dates and availability
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 
2. While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.
Reviews (17)
5 stars
14
4 stars
3
Steve
Oct 07, 2024
We love small group travel, and Intrepid do it very well. This is a great way to experience the Balkans. The food and drink inclusions make for a very enjoyable trip, and you still see cultural highlights too. Our leader Jane was extremely knowledgeable.
Paul
Oct 07, 2024
If you want a tour of the Balkans that gives you access to local experiences and great food, don't hesitate to book this tour. You will return with a greater appreciation of the region and its food. Highly recommended.
Jesus
Oct 01, 2024
Will use Intrepid again.
ROY
Jul 03, 2024
Loved the farm to fork aspects coupled with the history. Alec our tour leader and Bouyan our driver were excellent.
Brianna
Jun 09, 2024
Get ready to walk, learn, and eat your way through the Balkans! Enjoy mouthwatering traditional dishes from charming restaurants and family kitchens while exploring rich history and beautiful mountainous areas. Every stop is a delicious adventure. Pack comfy shoes—there’s so much to explore and savor!
David
Jun 02, 2024
This trip was amazing! All of the activities were very informative and all the food was so delicious. Our tour guide made sure we were comfortable and having a good time. Definitely a lot of great memories were made :)
Julie
Nov 20, 2023
An amazing trip. We experienced so much and felt like travellers not tourists. There was so much included on the tour, the transport is excellent and you certainly won't go hungry or thirsty! Our guide Alex was superb, knowledgeable and well connected. Our driver Frossie was a legend - you are in safe hands with Frossie. Great experience, would recommend it wholeheartedly.
Michaela
Oct 16, 2023
This trip provided an insight into each country and their culture that would not have been possible without going on this tour. We were welcomed into peoples homes and could experience the passion and love they have for their foods/drink. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone wanting to visit these countries.
Nick
Oct 10, 2023
This trip is a must to experience Balkan food and drinks. The food is amazing and you will come back a little heavier!
Tadhg
Oct 09, 2023
The Balkans are wonderfully complex, it is perfect for a great travel experience. Food is great, drink plentiful, people delighted you travel this way. A dramatic mountain peak always watches over you. North Macedonia is an undiscovered jewel.
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