Charms of the Adriatic Tour - Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia & H | 13 Days - Aperture Journeys

Charms of the Adriatic Tour – Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia & H | 13 Days

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13 Days Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia & H
Availability : Sept 24 - Oct 6 2025
Start CIty----Dubrovnik, Croatia
End City----Dubrovnik, Croatia
Max People : 12

 

Hi I’m Mike Corcoran the founder of Aperture Journeys.

I hope you enjoy reading about this tour and decide to join us. This is a popular tour to a beautiful Balkan country.  Montenegro is called the “Switzerland of the Balkans”. The country is small so the driving times are very comfortable.

If you have any questions please give me a call +1 813 501 6111.

The Aperture Journeys Difference
  • Hosted by Aperture Journeys Tour Leader
  • Professional Guides & Drivers
  • Designed For Less Time Riding in Bus
  • All Group Meals Included w/Beverages
  • Tips Included
  • Tour Photos & VIdeo available for download
  • Premium 4 & 5 star hotels centrally located
  • Better Travel Experience with Small Groups
  • Personal Support,  Speak Directly With Us, No Call Centers
  • Photo & Video Walks w/ instruction
  • Happy Hour Sessions (min 4) - Share our experiences over drinks

Tour Dates

Contact Us for Custom Tours or Dates

Charms of the Adriatic Tour Overview

Small Group Tour of Montenegro, Croatia, & Bosnia & Hezegovina
Price Includes
Activity Level
Complementary
Price Excludes
  • All Meals Included (34 meals w/beverages beer/wine/soft drinks)
  • Aperture Journeys Tour Leader
  • Small Group Travel 6 -12 Persons
  • Aperture Journeys Tour Leader
  • Welcome and Farewell Dinners
  • Arrival Meet & Greet Service
  • Airport & Hotel Transfers
  • Premium Hotel Accommodation
  • Professional Tour Guide
  • Entrance Fees per Itinerary
  • Transportation During Tour (Coach, Vessel, Flight)
  • Tips Included (Driver, Guide, Restaurants)
  • Wifi Internet during Coach Travel
  • Complimentary water each day
  • Moderate Pace
  • Walking Cobble stone streets, uneven walking surfaces
  • Walking up inclines and steps 
  • Travel in boat in open sea and inland waters
  • Some Trail Walks
  • Daily Water (2 bottles)
  • Photo & Video Instruction Lessons
  • Candid Photos & Video (available for download)
  • Happy Hour Drink Sessions (4 evenings minimum)
  • International Airfare (Unless Indicated in Itinerary)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Hotel Room Service Fees
Itinerary
CHARMS OF THE ADRIATIC – Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia

Highlights

  • 34 Meals  w/beverages – beer or wine
  • Happy Hour Sessions (4 min.) at a local lounge or restaurant
  • Herceg Novi – Guided Boat Tour Adriatic Sea and Boka Bay, Blue Cave, Seaside Picturesque Village for Lunch, Submarine Bunkers & Fortresses, Local Hilltop Winery, Welcome Dinner.
  • Herceg Novi to Zabljak – Visit Ostrog Monastery.
  • North Montenegro – Visit Durmitor National Park, w lunch on shore of Beautiful Black Lake, Walk the famous Tara Bridge across the Tara Canyon, the deepest in Europe, Visit Biogradska National Park, Farm Fresh Lunch at an Eco Farm in the Mountains, 4×4 Land Cruiser Mountain Peaks Tour, Free time in mountain village of Kolasin,
  • Central Montenegro – Moraca Monastery Tour, Winery Visit in Podgorica, Cetinje Old Capital Tour, Free time Budva, Dinner at waterside restaurant Budva
  • Coastal Montenegro – Free Day in Budva (Shop, Relax, Explore), Visit & Tour Port Montenegro w/ free time, Olive Farm and Olive Oil Tasting, Lake Skadar Boat Tour w Wine and appetizers, Lunch at Lake Village Restaurant.
  • Kotor Bay – Tour Village of Perast, Boat to Lady of Rocks Church w/Tour, Seaside Lunch, Tour of Kotor Old Town, Free time in Kotor
  • Bosnia Herzegovina – Visit & Tour Old City of Trebinje, Herzegovacka Gracanica Monastery, Arslanagic Bridge, Visit Monastery Tvrdos & Wine Tasting
  • Dubrovnik – Old Town Walls Walk, Tour Rectors Palace, Free Time in Old Town, Farewell Dinner

You will embark on a cultural adventure through some of the most breathtaking, magical, undiscovered cities in the Adriatic Region.

The beauty of Montenegro will inspire you – from alpine villages with stunning vistas, to pure mountain lakes, to a yachting paradise that rivals the French Riviera, and old towns including the most well-preserved medieval city in Europe. You’ll learn that Montenegro is a wine-lovers paradise. From the indigenous Vranac grapes to the classics such as Chardonnay and Merlot, Montenegro’s mild climate ensures excellent conditions for wine production. And yes, we’ll give you many chances to indulge!

Our Montenegrin travels will take us to the a the gorgeous mountainous north, where we’ll experience fresh mountain air, amazing views, serene forests, a thrilling off-road tour, and savor local artisan delicacies. We’ll make our way from the mountains to the sea, visiting baroque villages by the bay, historic old towns and medieval cities, and even an ultra-modern super-yacht port along the beautiful clear Adriatic Sea.

Our journey will move across the border to the southernmost city of Bosnia Herzegovina – the riverfront city of Trebinje, giving you a taste of the Ottoman old town, serene monasteries, and a chance to sample delicious Bosnian wines. Then, we’ll cross into Croatia to the famous city of Dubrovnik, one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic. You’ll marvel at the stunning architecture and sculptural detail of the old town, with its spectacular churches, monasteries, museums, palaces, and fountains set along the glistening Adriatic Sea. Our visit to this fascinating city marks the end of our journey together.

Day 1Dubrovnik Arrival>>Transfer to Herceg Novi, Montenegro

You’ll arrive in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik. Via private Hotel Transfer you will arrive at your hotel in Herceg Novi Montenegro in about 35 min. Your hotel is centrally located so if you arrive early you will have plenty of restaurants and shops walking distance from your hotel. Settle into your hotel, then enjoy a wonderful dinner of Croatian delicacies as you get to know your traveling companions.

Meals: Dinner

Overnight – Palmon Bay Resort Herceg Novi, Montenegro

Day 2Herceg Novi, Montenegro

This morning we begin with a cruise tour via private boat around the beautiful Boka Bay and into the Adriatic Sea. Your guide will explain the history of the bay and surrounding areas, we will visit the gorgeous Blue Cave, one of the largest sea caves on the Lustica Peninsula and stop at a picturesque seaside village for lunch. There are secret submarine hideouts and Fortresses to see along the coastline. You’ll marvel at it’s beautiful iridescent blue waters. Next, we’ll drive to the charming coastal town of Herceg Novi, known as the City of Flowers and the Sun. We’ll visit the sun-soaked vineyards of a hilltop winery, where you’ll tour the winery facility, vineyards, and cellar space. Then you’ll taste various wines while sampling local bites in a breathtaking setting. Tonight we will have out Welcome Dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Palmon Bay Resort Herceg Novi

Day 3Herceg Novi>>Zabljak

Our travels will take us to Zabljak, a mountain town in the North and where Durmitor National Park is located. We drive through the mountains and canyons with beautiful scenery. Along the way we’ll visit Ostrog Monastery which is built high up into the vertical mountain cliff. It is considered the pearl of spirituality in Montenegro. After arrival in Zabljak you will have free time before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Hotel Zabljak

Day 4Zabljak>>Kolasin

After we continue our scenic drive deeper into the mountains enjoying the pine forests and alpine scenery until we reach Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our lunch will be along the beautiful spring-fed Black Lake at the national restaurant which sits 4,645 feet above sea level. You will enjoy a nice walk into the pine forest and along the shore of Black Lake all the while taking stunning photographs in pristine nature. Our route to Kolasin takes us along a beautiful scenic route along the Tara River Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe, to a small village where the Tara River Bridge is located. We’ll walk along the famous Tara River Bridge, one of the most visited attractions in Montenegro, as we gaze at the stunning river far below us, have a coffee and peruse the local shops.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Bianca Resort Kolasin

Day 5Kolasin

This day is devoted to exploring the Pearl of European Natural Heritage – Biogradska National Park. This European rainforest is a preserve for dozens of plant and animal species, some of which can be found only in this forest. We’ll have a walking tour to learn about the diverse flora and fauna.
Next we travel via 4X4 vehicle to the mountain peaks where we visit a Mountain Eco Farm and enjoy a wholesome homemade lunch with all dishes made fresh from the farm. You will marvel at the beautiful mountain landscape. After lunch we will drive to some of the nearby mountain peaks to enjoy this beautiful region. We may see horses, or herds of sheep with their shepherd. On return to Kolasin you will have some time to take photos, walk along main street, or simply relax and enjoy the fresh air at the rustic mountain resort. Overnight in Kolasin.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Bianca Resort Kolasin

Day 6Kolasin>>Budva

Today we head back south to Budva. We travel a scenic route through the mountains, passing peaks, canyons and rivers. On our way we stop at Moraca Monastery. Next we head to Podgorica the capital of Montenegro and visit the largest vineyard in Europe to sample the crown jewel “Vranac Grape” and enjoy our lunch here. Continuing to Budva we will have a short stop in Cetinje, the former capital city of Montenegro. On arrival in Budva we check in and enjoy free time until our dinner at a waterside restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Hotel Budva

Day 7Budva - Old Town Tour

This morning we take a guided tour of the old town of Budva. Ater you will have the rest of the day at your leisure to shop, enjoy a walk along the seaside promenade or stroll through the narrow cobblestone paths of the old town.

Meals: Breakfast

Overnight Hotel Budva

Day 8Budva>>Porto Montenegro>>Lustica Penn.>>Budva

This morning we’ll head to the exclusive marina and yachting paradise of Porto Montenegro. Stroll along the waterfront and admire the over-the-top superyachts, or treat yourself to a little something from the luxury retail mecca that is Porto Montenegro. We’ll have take our seaside lunch in Porto Montenegro at a local restaurant. Next, we’ll drive to an olive farm, where you’ll enjoy a unique, intimate and informative tour of the only certified manufacturer of organic olive oil in Montenegro. Here we walk through the olive trees and farm to learn about the farming and harvesting process. After we enjoy the flavors of locally produced foods, liqueurs and olive oil in the setting of an old olive press. When you make your next olive oil purchase back home you will know how to identify high quality olive oil. Returning to Budva we drive through the peninsula region and enjoy beautiful views of the bay. At the hotel enjoy some time before we have a sunset dinner at one of the local seaside restaurants, near the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Hotel Budva

Day 9Budva>>Virpazar>>Budva

Ready for beautiful nature again? The largest lake in the Balkans is on our agenda today. We’ll begin in Virpazar, a small town on the shore of Skadar Lake, where we’ll board a boat, equipped with local wine and traditional bites, for a tour of the calm lake and learn about the important ecosystem of this wildlife wilderness and birders paradise. Back onshore we will visit a local family run restaurant in Virpazar for lunch. After you can stroll along the small fisherman’s village, take photographs, enjoy a coffee or shopping for souvenirs. On return to Budva our scenic route takes around the lake for beautiful views. Its day 9 now and you have seen quite a lot so let’s enjoy some free time before dinner. You’ll have the afternoon free to enjoy the old town, shop for local arts and crafts, or relax along the clear waters of the Adriatic.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Hotel Budva

Day 10Budva>>Perast>>Kotor>>Budva

As if you haven’t seen enough stunning views, today we will be in the midst of some of the most stunning views of mountains meeting the sea you will ever see ANYWHERE! You won’t be able to put your camera down! Be sure to bring extra batteries. Our travels take us to the beautiful Boka Bay.
Jacques Cousteau said “The part of the Adriatic Coast belonging to Montenegro is the purest part of the Mediterranean”
Lord Byron said “At the moment of the creation of our planet, the most beautiful merging of land and sea occurred at the Montenegrin seaside”
Visits to these picturesque cities will surely be one of the highlights of your trip. Our day will begin in Perast, one of the oldest towns in the Adriatic. There you’ll admire baroque palaces in this maritime village. You will board another boat which will take a short ride to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks where we will visit a church of the same name. On return to Perast we will enjoy a lovely seaside lunch in what will mostly likely be the most beautiful scenery you have ever experienced! Then we’ll depart to the UNESCO Heritage Site of Kotor. Kotor is one of the best preserved medieval villages. One can easily get lost here as the village street system was designed to confuse invading peoples! Its a charming town and a highlight of any tour to Montenegro. After a short tour enjoy free time to Photograph & explore the charming pedestrian only medieval city with its narrow alleys and streets, visit the museums, or shop for unique treasures. A short drive and we are back in Budva for a little free time before a dinner together at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Hotel Budva

Day 11Budva>>Trebinje>>Dubrovnik

Today we say goodbye to Montenegro and cross the border into Bosnia Herzegovina, heading to the small city of Trebinje. This riverfront city is home to 7 Austro-Hungarian era fortresses, a famous ottoman bridge, and beautiful monasteries. We’ll tour the Herzegovacka Gracanica monastery and Ottoman old city and have a chance to sample Bosnian wines. Our lunch will be at a local riverside restaurant after we visit Tvrdos Monastery for a wine tasting session. We continue and cross the border into Croatia proceeding to the famous city of Dubrovnik, one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic. You arrive to your seaside hotel where we reminisce about our experiences thus far and enjoy a dinner together. As the evening comes to a close you’ll be waiting with anticipation for your day in this exquisite medieval city tomorrow.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Rixos Premium Dubrovnik

Day 12Dubrovnik

The final day of our time together will be spent touring the magnificent old town of Dubrovnik with its stunning architecture and sculptural detail of the old town, with its spectacular churches, monasteries, museums, palaces, and fountains set along the glistening Adriatic Sea. In the morning we start with the Old Town Walls walking tour. We continue with a tour inside the Old Town including the You’ll have free time to explore on your own. Tonight we’ll have our final dinner together; sharing memories and saying goodbye to our new friends. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Rixos Premium Dubrovnik

Day 13Dubrovnik Departure

Enjoy breakfast. Free Time depending on your flight. Transfer to airport after breakfast. Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast

Frequently Asked Questions

Why usWhy should I book with Aperture Journeys?

We are passionate about travel and believe a meaningful life must include rich memories, and travel to new places while experiencing  different cultures and people is key in achieving this. We are firm believers in the idea that great things happen when we step outside our comfort zone.  In 30 years of traveling and a long list of great experiences and memories I can honestly say this is true.

When developing our tours we spend alot of time with “boots on the ground” at the locations.  We are vetting our suppliers, evaluating risk, looking for new and interesting places to see, building experiences that will make great memories. We look back on 30 years of world travel and understand what makes a great travel experience.  We are a small business and are doing what we love and want to share the experience with others. Our groups are small 6- 10 persons which makes for a better touring experience.

Our philosophy on hotels is to book 4 & 5 star hotels and when possible choose hotels that are centrally located to allow a short walk to tourist ares with shopping and restaurants.  This way you can enjoy your free time easily.  There are times when 4 or 5 star is not available so we have to choose wisely in this case.

We love to try the local cuisine, wines and liqueurs that is why most of your meals are included. We think it is great to explore local restaurants and order from the menu and try to do this as much as possible.  We do not prefer to have “Half Board” meals at the hotel, however at times it makes sense, but we try our best to kept HB meals to a minimum.

Entry RequirementsWhat are the entry requirements for these countries?

This tour visits Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, and Croatia. In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.

We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.

If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

For the most up-to-date entry requirements for these destinations visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html

TransportationWhat type of transportation will we use?

Our groups are small so we use smaller coaches usually about 15 pax capacity.  They are able to travel down narrow roads providing better access.

Due to their size there are no toilets onboard these types of coaches however we make regular stops to ensure your comfort along the way . Often, we’ll break up a long transfer with an included walking tour in a location of interest en route to our destination, so you’ll have ample time to stretch your legs as well.

Occasionally we travel on private boats or ferry boats to reach our destination.  These can vary in size from 20 passenger private vessels to large ferry boats capable of hundreds of passengers.

Physical requirementsHow strenuous are the activities?

You will need physical stamina to participate unassisted in touring activities for 6 to 8 hours with walking distances of 3 to 5 miles. Up to 15000 steps or more. Of course we will take frequents breaks to enjoy the food and drink.

You will walk for at least 2 hours daily and up to 5 hrs on terrain of various types like cobble stone streets, uneven surfaces, forest/lake trails and at times some steep inclines.

You will need physical ability to handle your luggage getting into your hotel room, entering and exiting boats and boarding aircraft using stairs when a jetway in not available, which is common in these countries.

LuggageHow much luggae can I bring?

You must be able to comfortably handle all your luggage by yourself at all times. Therefore, we strongly urge you to limit your luggage to one piece of luggage(of a size you can comfortably handle), a hand carry bag and a personal item.  Luggage the size of airline carry-on dimensions is strongly suggested as there may be times requiring you to carry your bag up stairs onto airplanes, etc.   Your luggage will need to fit in a taxi for short transfers.

 

AirportsAre the arriving and departing airports service by major airlines?

Yes! As of this writing,  Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) (our arrival and departure airport) connects to many large European cities by these major airlines and their US partners: British Airways (OneWorld – American Airlines); Austrian, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines (Star Alliance – United Airlines).

Photo / VideoWhat is photo / video instruction?

Photo & Video instruction is short lessons provided by us to you throughout the tour to help you improve your photography and videography skills.  They may include lessons on Composition, Lighting, or posing for example.

ShoppingWill there be time for shopping?

Yes! We carefully plan our tours to assure that the pace isn’t too busy or too idle. You’ll have free time to shop or to simply relax in the lovely surroundings. Remember to leave space in your suitcase. If you want to bring back some wine remember to bring one of those plastic wine travel pouches.

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