13 Day Central Europe & Balkans Exploration
From
$2999
Land Only
$3979*
Air & Land
Featured Hotels
13 Day Central Europe & Balkans Exploration | ||
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Prestige Hotel Budapest | Budapest | |
Hotel Timisoara | Timisoara | |
Courtyard by Marriott Belgrade City Center | Belgrade | |
Swissotel Sarajevo | Sarajevo | |
Mostar Marriott Hotel | Mostar | |
Hotel Sheraton Dubrovnik Riviera | Mlini |
Click a Date to Book Online
How to calculate single or triple pricesClick a Date to Book Online How to calculate single or triple prices
2019 Dates & Prices | ||
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Dates | ||
$2999 | $3979* | |
$3299 | $4299* | |
$3299 | $4059* | |
$3199 | $4069* | |
$2999 | $3979* | |
$3299 | $4299* | |
$3299 | $4059* | |
$3199 | $4069* |
*Not Included:
Prices do not include optional tours, and gratuities for guides/tour managers. Land only prices do not include arrival/departure transfers.
Passengers traveling abroad require a passport valid for six months beyond their travel dates. All travelers are responsible to check if a visa is required for all countries on their itinerary. For visa information, check our Visas page.
Is This Trip Right for You?
Package Includes
- Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed
- Flights New York-Budapest, Dubrovnik-New York
Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices - Airline taxes & fuel surcharges
- 11 nights First Class accommodations
- 2 nights Budapest
- 1 night Timisoara
- 2 nights Belgrade
- 2 nights Sarajevo
- 1 night Mostar
- 3 nights Dubrovnik
- Hotel taxes, fees & service charges
- Hotel porterage
- All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates†
- 20 meals: 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners (including welcome & farewell dinners)
- Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned vehicles
- Services of local English-speaking tour manager throughout
- Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary
- Active itinerary with unique cultural features
Tour Highlights
Thanks to our small group size, we can get to the heart of our destination, visit places that other tours miss, and get to know the locals.
- During your private cooking class, learn how to prepare traditional Hungarian dishes
- Stop at Fisherman's Bastion, for enthralling panoramic views of Budapest
- Take a carriage ride through the Puszta, a grassland biome on the Great Hungarian Plain
- Visit Timisoara, the city where the Romanian revolution started in 1989
- Explore Novi Sad with its beautiful Cathedral and the Serbian National Theater, the first theater in the country
- Tour Petrovaradin Fortress, one of the best-preserved artillery bastions in Europe
- Visit Kalemegdan Citadel, the crown and heart of Belgrade
- Tour Sarajevo, a beautiful city with splendid architecture and a complex history
- Marvel at the iconic Stari Most, the reconstructed 16th century arched bridge in Mostar
- Discover the walled town of Pocitel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- In Capljina, visit a carpet center and learn about the carpet weaving tradition
- Tour the Franciscan Monastery with its 14th century pharmacy, the oldest still in function pharmacy in Europe
- Ascend by cable car to the top of Mount Srdj, for breathtaking views of Dubrovnik's Old City
†Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
Is This Trip Right for You?
This moderately active trip covers a lot of ground most days. Expect up to three to four hours walking every touring day, where you could encounter some uneven surfaces, cobbled streets, stairs, and steep slopes. Some hiking may be required to access some sites. This is a Small Group program. For more information, click here.

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455 Maryland Drive
Ft. Washington, PA 19034 USA
1-877-900-9777
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Discovery Tours itineraries may contain suggestions for activities for your leisure time; these suggestions do not constitute a recommendation nor an endorsement of any specific service provider and the decision to participate in any such activities should be made independently.






- Tours purchased while travelling may cost an extra 10% or more
- Tours often sell out. Avoid disappointment
- Save your cash. Credit card processing may not be possible locally
- Travel insurance only covers services purchased prior to departure
- Book Online or call to book these tours up to 1 week before your departure
- The day the optionals operate varies by the day of the week

As usual, Gate 1 did not disappoint. Sri Lanka was fabulous... with an abundance of friendly people, fabulous landscape and micro climates. It was rich in history and spirituality (Budha and Hindu temples everywhere) make this island very interesting to discover. I would be interested in expanding my exploration into the Northern part of Sri Lanka sometime in the future. I need to find out where in the world I will travel to in 2020...
Tamara R. Citrus Heights, CA
It was lovely, Kevin our tour director was awesome!!! Fellow travelers were tons of fun & had similar interests, and the scenery was to die for!! Especially Milford Sound.
Sharon B. Mokena, IL
Our trip to Patagonia with Discovery was awesome! Each and every day was wonderful, and exciting, while experiencing the most mind-blowing natural beauty of the world. Our tour guide Gabriel is the best guide I have ever had on Gate 1 or any other group tour. Gabriel was in control, professional, courteous, helpful, entertaining, informative, kind, all with the upmost concern for group safety at all times. The Patagonia Discovery trip is unique and very special!
Mary A. Edgewater, NJ
It was outstanding! Amine was an amazing guide--knowledgeable, extremely organized as well as fun and, of course, Morocco is a fascinating destination.
Carol A. Winter Park, FL
The trip was outstanding and exceeded my expectations! Our exceptional guide, Hend, deserves acknowledgement for performing extraordinary knowledge, professionalism, warmth and ensuring everyone had the best possible travel experiences!
June T. Yonkers, NY
The Morocco Allure Discovery was probably the coolest tour I have ever been on. It seemed there was always some fabulous activity next to go too. The food was very good and the hotels were exotic and comfortable. Amine our tour manager, well, you're very lucky to have him. Loved Morocco!!!!
Susan C. Chula Vista, CA
It was a fantastic trip. Heshan our guide was knowledgeable and nice. Fantastic food and wonderful country.
Douwe D. Flagstaff Hill, Australia
It was fabulous. I’ve been hoping to get to Jordan for years. It did not disappoint. Awe inspiring sites, good weather, fantastic guide, great food and the warm and welcoming Jordanian people. Could not have been better.
Patricia D. Falmouth, ME
I wasn't sure what to expect and honestly was a little nervous to go to that part of the world. But I was pleasantly mistaken! This trip to Jordan was wonderful and such an eye-opening experience. The country is beautiful, safe and full of history. Our tour guide was exceptional! He knew so much and was a lot of fun! I'm grateful that Gate 1 created this tour and did it completely in Jordan (instead of a combo with another country). It really gives the traveler time to fully enjoy and appreciate Jordan. Yet another great trip with Gate 1! :)
Shannon F. Elmhurst, NY
My trip to China and Tibet was great. Our tour manager Ivy was exceptionally good and made this trip even more special. Her attention to details was amazing. This was the smallest group I have ever traveled with and I loved it as it allowed us to experience many things that wouldn't have been possible for a large group. Loved all the local guides as well. Loved the country, food and all the accommodations .. Would love to go back and experience more of this amazing country.
Agamani S. Lawrence, KS
It was wonderful! What a surprise Uganda was. The gorilla tracking was harder than I expected (and I am pretty athletic) but I survived.
Ella S. Treasure Island, FL
Our trip was fabulous. Morocco is a fascinating country. We saw wonderful sights and learned much about the culture, history, geography, and it’s people. Our guide, Amine, was top-notch. He was extremely organized, flexible, informative, and had a great sense of humor. Many aspects and activities were surprising like the cooking class, hidden Riad hotels, and the desert experience surpassed our expectations!
Bonnie M. Philadelphia, PA
It was spectacular. Unbelievable scenery. Food was excellent ... Both bus drivers were pleasant, safe and professional. Always felt at ease. Guide was very knowledgeable .. Will definitely recommend Gate 1 and especially the Discovery Tours.
Georgeann H. Gilbert, AZ
It was a wonderful trip. Our guide was the best, he knew people everywhere. You can tell he really enjoys his work.....I would travel with him again in a heartbeat. The hotels were great and of course the Sahara was the highlight of the trip. This trip will be hard to beat...
Julie M. San Diego, CA
I have taken several Gate 1 trips and am one of your cheerleaders- and the Myanmar trip was one of my favorites. To begin with, Mojo was a fabulous tour leader. We all loved him. He was fun- has a great sense of humor- and patient. He was interested in getting to know each of us, was interested in our purchases and impressions. He always made sure that our meals were served perfectly ..... It was clear that people he worked with also enjoyed him- even the cattle remembered and responded to him! There were several of us who are older and have minor challenges with ambulation. Mojo bent over backwards to make experiences comfortable, to help us off and on buses and boats, and to discuss with us in great detail what was coming up, how long it would take to walk to a certain point, how best to dress, etc. When people decided not to do certain activities, he would chase after them to see if he could accommodate them in some way. He could not have been more dedicated to our comfort, safety, participation and enjoyment. I really loved all the craft work on this tour. We were given great demonstrations on how things were made, as people actually made the products in front of us. They were all gracious with our fascinated observation and generously allowed us to take pictures. Often it was Mojo himself giving the explanation- I think he can do all those crafts! I really enjoyed bringing home some lacquerware afterward. I loved every stop, but Bagan was so beautiful - the sunset was spectacular. .....I was so moved by the organization that was teaching young people to be chefs, and the cooking (and eating!) was fun and interesting- including bringing the apron and recipes home! Thank you again for a wonderful experience!
Constance S. Santa Rosa, CA
I loved Namibia! Belinda shared her love for her country. The country is beautiful, new looks around every corner. Keegan our driver handled all the bumps with ease and there were lots of bumps on the roads. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see a beautiful unspoiled country.
Susan W. Outlook, WA
Coming to Namibia has been a dream come true, and experiencing the beauty of its landscapes, wildlife, people and culture is all more than I could ever expect. Much thanks to our wonderful guide, David and our driver, Mojari - she was so fantastic, given the challenging roads throughout our trip. We were all so well taken care of every minute along the way. I am grateful for the warm hospitality everywhere we went, the many opportunities to learn about Namibia's history, the tribesmen's way of life, marvel at the stunning sand dunes, watching the gorgeous African sunsets every day...can't wait to share this amazing country with everyone back home!
Jingying C. Singapore, SG
Our trip was amazing. Our guide Giovanna was so professional, knowledgeable, polite and willing to help in any way she could. We fell in love with Ecuador. It was perfectly planned. The best trip we ever had.
Dina K. Brooklyn, NY
Wow...wow...wow! I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed Greece! What a perfect trip! I loved every minute! First, our guide Effie was amazing and made everyone feel at home! She was so informative about everything and the history was mind boggling! She made my trip even better by making sure my food was perfect and I felt even more special! The bus driver, George, was friendly and efficient ...The hotels were so first class and spectacular! The scheduled events included several new adventures everyday! ... The people of Greece were so warm and friendly and you should be so proud how Effie represents your company so wonderfully! We learned how to Greek dance and loved the food! Thank you for one of the best trips...they get better and better!
Linda M. Los Angeles, CA
We had a great trip. France was beautiful, great food, people, weather and we visited some really interesting and unique places. Laura, our tour guide, was fantastic! The best I think we've ever had, and we've had a lot of great tour guides.
Druci R. SN LUIS OBISP, CA
Simply wonderful. Nepal is bustling with activity, with smells, with life! Most enjoyable were the walkabouts through Bhaktapur, and Tharu village in Chitwan National Park which allowed us to chat with the locals and have a closeup look at the way they live. The dinner, home visits and the conversations about life in Nepal were priceless. Bhutan is more than amazing! It’s pristine environment and culturally rich history is fascinating. I loved the dress-up in traditional Bhutanese dres. The hike to Tiger’s Nest, is wonderfully rewarding ... At first sight, Tiger’s Nest was blanketed with clouds, but as the clouds lifted it was breathtaking and hastened our steps. Thanks to our guides Rajesh (Nepal), and Dawa (Bhutan) and our drivers who did a stellar job in ensuring everything went smoothly!
Joy T. Sandys, BM
I have traveled on small group tours quite often, but this surpassed all expectations. Our guide in India was outstanding and the group I traveled with have all said they would travel again with her. I will certainly be booking through Gate 1 again.
Robert G. Vermont South, Australia
Incredible doesn’t begin to describe it! From the moment we were met at the airport until the moment we left it just kept getting better. The accommodations were outstanding. The highlight though of course were the game drives. All of our drivers were so extremely knowledgeable which allowed us to track and see all of the Big 5. Don was our tour manager and he just made everything seem so effortless although I know there was a lot of coordination going on in the background. It won’t be our last visit to Africa or our last trip with Gate 1....thanks for the trip of a lifetime!
Margaret M. Ontario, Canada
It was wonderful!!! The sites were beautiful, the guides were knowledgeable and the hotels were great!! My daughters and I really enjoyed the trip!!
Cecilia B. Palo Alto, CA
It was probably one of our best trips ever!! Morocco was absolutely beautiful. The size of our group was perfect. Our group itself were very cohesive, it was amazing. Our guide Mohammed was so kind and thoughtful that I think we all came back spoiled rotten. So much fun!
Yvette F. Los Angeles, CA
I have traveled a lot but never with a tour. Our trip to Kenya was spectacular and unlike any place I have ever been. Our guide was Yusuf. We could not have had a better guide ... Yusef is a very special man who made the trip even more amazing. I fell in love with the people and their spirit, the land was so beautiful and wild, and of course the animals were so up close and free. This experience will be the one that will thrill me for a lifetime. The experience could not have been better. Thank you Gate 1 for just the greatest experience. Also thanks to our booking agent Donna for advice on the time of year to make the trip and invaluable tips. And thanks to Yusuf for teaching us the language, educating us on the animals and of Kenya, and for his gracious company and friendship.
Nancy H. Lexington, KY
We had a great trip to Morocco! Ali, our guide was a gem! We are very impressed! All of our city guides were excellent, too! This was our 1st Discovery trip (out of 4) and we plan to use this experience as our template for future Gate 1 trips. We felt very well cared for!!!
Bill B. Ossining, NY
FABULOUS!! Sophia was absolutely wonderful & a wealth of knowledge. We all were amazed at her abilities regarding all the history at each location we stopped at, including the Acropolis Archaeology Museum. You are very fortunate to have her as your guide. Also, Christos is an excellent driver. He is very skilled at getting into surprisingly small spaces with our huge bus. We all appreciated his assistance with our travel around Greece. Great trip.....many highlights!!!
Cheryl H. Lakewood, CO
Our trip was fantastic, everything went smoothly, all of the connections, transfers, etc. were perfect. I cannot say enough positive things about Gate 1 and the travel guides for both tours. We are looking forward to our next tour and will be contacting you sometime early next year.
Thomas L. Florence, SC
The trip was excellent ... Our guide, Hiroko, was fantastic - knowledgeable, caring, and funny - with many tips, tricks and stories to help us appreciate the Japanese country and culture.
Jonathan K. Plainsboro, NJ
The trip was wonderful. Our two tour managers put their hearts in it and made our trip a life time experience ....The tour guide in Nepal was very thoughtful to prepare the masks for us when walking through the dusty city ...
Christine L. Augusta, GA
Our tour was well researched and well planned, and our Tour Manager Dennis was very knowledgeable, organized, and had a wonderful personality. I've been on a dozen or so guided trips all over the world, and this was one of the best yet. This trip was fabulous! I'll definitely travel with Gate1 Travel Discovery again.
Linda R. Powhatan, VA
It was awesome. This was my first tour with Gate1. I was not disappointed. It was well planned, there were variety of things to do, places to visit. Our dietary need as a vegetarian was taken care of! I loved the tour guide, Yumi. She was great.
Abirami K. Cupertino, CA
Without a doubt, the China/Tibet trip that I participated in was FANTASTIC! ... I am recommending them to family and friends. Having been on larger trips over the years, I must say that accommodating so few travelers afforded us greater mobility, and many chances to interact with each other ... Special, special thanks to Jenny and Frank for answering my neverending questions, offering so many local tidbits and gems, and enduring my versions of the languages. This trip was one that I wanted to experience for years, and it was everything that I expected and more ... Thanks again to everyone for my Chinese/Tibetan memories.
Julianna B. Westerville, OH
We had such a wonderful experience on the Kenya Tanzania Safari ... Especially I want to extol the wonders and praises of our driver guides ... All the while they are safely and carefully negotiating the rutted roads in the conservation areas and national parks ... noticing all those subtle signs that indicate wildlife that my eyes would never see. They have so much knowledge and understanding of the animals, the vegetation, the ecosystems, the interactions between animals! I especially commend Yusuf in Kenya and Nurdin Mohammed in Tanzania. Not only do they know the biology and zoology, they are completely conscientious about all of us as passengers and clients ... I want to make sure the company understands what treasures the driver/guides are and how important they are to your customers’ feeling of safety and comfort, but also they obviously enjoy the natural environment and the thrill of showing us these wonders of nature in their homeland. And as we drove through the villages and towns they were able to explain much about the local customs and people. This wonderful experience was made even more wonderful because of Yusuf and Nurdin!
Janell L. Nashville, TN
Kenya and Zanzibar were spectacular! It was a great way to relax after the many amazing game drives through Kenya. Our guide, Daniel, was friendly, funny and knowledgeable. He explained the culture of Kenyans, the landscape of Kenya along with the habits and habitats of the many animals during the game drives. The itinerary was well planned (time/place), the Land Cruisers were perfect for the drives, the hotels and the "tent hotels" and food was excellent. Zanzibar is an idyllic island with its own history and culture, a learning experience. I would highly recommend this trip, but wait for the direct flights into Nairobi.
Constance I. Brooklyn, NY
One of the best we’ve taken ... I attribute the success of the whole experience directly to our tour manager, Dennis Albright. While the itinerary was perfect, it was his preparation and attention to details that made it more than a wonderful holiday. Thanks to you, Gate1 for hiring the best and encouraging them to ensure the customer experience is the highest priority. Thanks and you will definitely seem us again. We’ve raved to friends and family and recommended Gate1 for all their travel needs now and into the future.
David G. Cardiff, CA
Our Japan trip was excellent & very enjoyable. Tokyo & Kyoto hotels were very centrally located, convenient and excellent. I will give them A+. Our tour guide/ Manager Mr. katsumi was the best ... Wish we had manager like Mr. katsumi on all our tour. Very down to earth person.
Jash P. Indianapolis, IN
It was fantastic! Anne was an amazing guide. She was so attentive to everyone’s individual needs and request. I really enjoyed the small group. The itinerary was excellent. We learned so much about WWll in Normandy, experienced the beauty of Monet’s house and garden, and stayed at a gorgeous Chateau in Loire Valley, it was a perfect trip that I will be recommending to everyone!
Allison S. Ann Arbor, MI.
I would like to add that EVERYONE on our trip to China was over-the-top crazy about our tour manager, Louise. She could not have been more professional or more caring ... She never seemed to tire of our endless questions! ... Another guide was taking us to the airport for our trip home, but when Louise's flight was cancelled, she made a point to find us in a very busy airport. I can't say enough wonderful things about her. I consider her a friend and tears were shed when we had to say good-bye!
Elizabeth G. McDonough, GA.
Trip was great, greatly organized, very nice hotels, great food and our driver Plato was outstanding and who really made this trip superior, was our tour guide Chris. He is so knowledgeable a good storyteller. Altogether wonderful experience.
Zdena V. Fair Lawn, NJ.
We enjoyed everything about our tour of New Zealand. We felt it was well thought out. The hotels were very good. The itinerary was excellent, as were the dinners. Our guide, Malcolm, was superb. He was so knowledgeable about NZ and tied in the Maori culture whenever possible which made the tour that much more interesting. Thank you for an excellent tour of NZ.
Frances R. San Jose, CA
Hi Caitlin, Our Adventure to Uganda was awesome! Thank you!! We had a great time, everything went really well. Visiting gorillas in the rainforests of Bwindi was of course THE highlight of the trip. We saw chimps as well in their forests and that was thrilling! Our guides Morris and Jonah were exceptional, they took such good care of all of us. Thank you again Gate 1 for an another amazing trip!!! Looking forward to another destination with you guys!!!
Larry K. Westmount, QC, CA
It was fantastic. Both drivers Peter and Leonard were super. Bus was always clean. Windows always clean. And then there’s Ana. One of best guides we’ve had. Always smiling. Never flustered. Humour galore. Great travel mates. Rate the trip as a 10+. Hang on to Ana. She was super
Susan M. St. Peters, NS, CA
This trip was fabulous. Croatia and Slovena are beautiful and relaxing places. This was a small group of 20 people who were very friendly...Gate 1 allows for just enough free time and unlike other tour companies we did not spend a majority of the vacation on the bus getting from one place to the next. 2+ nights in some places added to the feeling of seeing a place. Hotels were all really close to center of things. Our hotel in Venice was literally a 3 minute walk to St. Mark’s Square. Our tour guide was funny, friendly and had a wealth of knowledge about all the places we went to. Local guides added variety to the tours. Even our bus driver engaged with us in a funny and friendly way. Great trip!
Patrice G. New City, NY
Great! Japan is very clean. I like Kyota best. Tokyo is a so big that it would be very scary if you got separated from your guide. Very interesting country
Fay S. Pittsburgh, PA
Trip was great - our guide Jason was fantastic - loved all of tour - only wish it would have included one more day in shanghai for individual time, shopping etc think everyone in our group felt like they would have liked to stay in shanghai one more day for some free time!! Love it - great accommodations, local guides, travel - very happy with trip - but especially loved our guide - he made trip fantastic!!
Ann B. Edmonds, WA