The Balkans Tour & Trip Reviews

Most trip reviews tend to focus on some or all of these 5 key areas, not all of which may be relevant to you: the tour guide, travel company, service level, country or countries traveled in, and the trip itinerary.

Remember, just because you see a 1 star review doesn’t necessarily mean that person disliked the country.

One of the first things to remember about Balkan tours is that each itinerary will vary in length and destinations. Many of the longer tours are fast paced because they travel from the the far north in Bulgaria to southern Croatia. If you wish to travel slower or only see certain parts of the region, there are Balkan tour itineraries specializing in themes or regions of the Balkans.

With such a wide area, the Balkans have many different climates. What time of year you travel will be important, especially if you are traveling during the cooler months or on a cruise. For those looking into river cruises of the Danube, the river levels throughout the year may affect your itinerary.

While many of the tours are only able to offer a day or two in a given city due to time constraints, many travelers have noted they chose to extend their trip at the end to explore their final destination further.

Positive Balkan tour company reviews highlight the combination of scenery and city destinations. The Balkans have some of the most stunning views in Europe, natural and manmade, and tour companies that combine both are at the top of the list.

Additionally, travelers really enjoy the opportunity to explore lesser known cities like Mostar and Sofia that are less crowded and a little more off the beaten path than some cities in Europe. Reviewers also noted how traveling in the Balkans has given them a new appreciation of the region after learning about the past wars of the this area and how the Balkans are recovering.

A special note for travelers who are vegetarian or vegan. The Balkan cuisine is very meat oriented, especially in Bosnia and Serbia. Travelers with dietary restrictions may have some difficulty, but there are options and your local tour guide is a great source for suggestions.

The Balkans are extremely mountainous. Even if you are on a low level activity tour, it is important to remember that many of the cities have been built in and around the mountains. Visitors will encounter plenty of inclines and stairs in the cities.

Conclusion: If you want a professional take on traveling to the Balkans, see the Travelstride Balkan Guide »