Joanna Booth takes in the travel highlights of the Balkans, from a rejuvenated Sarajevo to monasteries in Bulgaria
Tourists are rediscovering the Balkans, through city and beach holidays to more unusual options.
Montenegro is now even more accessible from the UK, since the launch of Montenegro Airlines’ three-times-weekly Gatwick-Tivat service last month.
Tourism to Bosnia-Herzegovina has been on the rise since British Airways launched its Sarajevo service in March 2007. Cox and Kings also added the city this year.
Here are five Balkan short breaks to sell to your clients.
Sarajevo: best for culture
Bosnia’s capital has a diverse heritage and architecture, with Orthodox and Catholic churches, mosques and synagogues lining its streets.
Now mostly rebuilt, the scars of the war are not obvious in the city, although visitors can explore the tunnels used to enter Sarajevo when it was besieged. The city is nestled among beautiful mountains.
Sample product: Regent Holidays offers a six-day Bosnia Express Explorer tour, including flights, transfers, three-star accommodation and excursions, from £669 per person.
Bulgaria: best for mountains
Bulgaria’s capital Sofia sits at the foot of Vitosha, a mountain popular for winter holidays and the Balkan ranges are great for ecotourism.
The Pirin National Park has rugged scenery and glacial lakes, and Pamporovo in the Rhodopes is a popular ski resort.
The Rila Mountains are home to the highest peak Moussala and the oldest ski resort, Borovets. One must-see attraction is the Rila monastery, with its murals painted in rich shades.
Sample product: Explore offers a five-day snow-shoeing break in the Rila Mountains, with visits to Rila monastery and Sofia, including flights from Gatwick from £699 per person, departing December.
Dubrovnik: best for city breaks
This Croatian jewel is popular with UK visitors. The Dinari mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the dense red roofs of the Old Town, with its baroque churches and renaissance palaces.
The city has a lively harbour and beautiful beaches, while the nearby islands are ideal for day trips, such as car-free Lopud, a 30-minute boat ride away. Further afield, recommend a trip to Mljet, with its dense pine forests.
Sample product: Kirker offers three nights’ bed and breakfast at the five-star Grand Villa Argentina in Dubrovnik, including flights and transfers from £668 per person.
Romania: best for unspoilt scenery
Romania is largely undiscovered, especially beyond the Black Sea resorts and the capital, Bucharest.
Medieval and gothic castles give a fairy-tale feeling, although this may turn into a shiver at Bran, which has links to Dracula and Vlad the Impaler.
Wildlife fans will love Transylvania, where European brown bear, wolf, wild boar and lynx roam.
Sample product: Explore offers a five-day Transylvanian Backwaters tour visiting Bucharest, castles and forests, including flights from Heathrow, bed and breakfast and transport for £589 per person, departing September to December.
Montenegro: best for natural wonders
Since gaining independence from Serbia in 2006, Montenegro’s mix of heritage, natural beauty and wildlife has proved a hit with visitors.
Coast lovers can stay at Budva, or the island resort of Sveti Stefan. Natural highlights include the fjord of Kotor and Skadar Lake. There’s heritage too, from the monastery at Ostrog to the pretty town on Cetinje.
Sample product: Inghams Lakes and Mountains offers seven nights at the four-star Queen of Montenegro in Becci/Budva, half-board, for £517 per person, including Gatwick flights and transfers. Excursions are pre-bookable.
