Balkan XXL: Sarajevo, Durmitor & Ohrid, 15 Days

It all begins in the Graz region: after the luggage is loaded into the support vehicle, the first stage leads through Slovenia and Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Banja Luka, the capital of Republika Srpska, the day ends with a stroll through the old town.

Along the Vrbas river the way passes watermills, a waterfall and a historic railway bridge on to Sarajevo. A German-speaking walk through the old town reveals the history and culture of the Bosnian capital.

The ride along scenic gorges leads to the UNESCO bridge in Visegrad, before the route crosses the border into Serbia. In Mokra Gora the group stays overnight amid the typically Serbian blend of tradition and modernity.

Back through Bosnia and Herzegovina, the route reaches the Montenegrin border around midday. Through Durmitor National Park it climbs to nearly 1,900 metres and up to Zabljak, the highest-lying town in the country.

A half rest day follows the Tara Canyon, the deepest gorge in Europe, to the ski and spa resort of Kolasin. The hotel's wellness area invites you to relax in the afternoon, before the next morning heads on towards Albania.

After winding mountain roads in south-eastern Montenegro the group reaches the Albanian border. A German-speaking city walk in Shkodra gives insights into road conditions, culture and the warmth of Albanian hospitality.

Through the Albanian interior and along winding mountain roads the stage follows a reservoir near Debar to Lake Ohrid – one of the most memorable legs of the whole route through South-East Europe.

After a walk by Lake Ohrid the way runs over well-built, scenic roads back into Albania. In Tirana a guided city walk reveals the eventful history of the capital, before the evening winds down in the centre.

Shortly after Shkodra the route reaches the famous Jadranska Magistrala for the first time. Two nights by the sea near Budva bring well-earned rest after the mountain stages in Montenegro and Albania.

A free day is a fixed part of the programme: time to unwind at the hotel right by the sea, or for an optional self-guided excursion into the mountains around Budva. In the evening the group meets again for dinner.

Over a pass at nearly 1,000 metres and with a tasting of the local prosciutto, the route follows the Bay of Kotor before crossing into Croatia and continuing on to Dubrovnik.

The morning belongs to an extended visit to Dubrovnik; in the afternoon the coastal road continues to Neum, where Bosnia and Herzegovina briefly meets the Adriatic again and the group stays right by the water.

Narrow country roads lead to the World Heritage city of Mostar, where the group stops at the Stari Most, the historic old bridge. Afterwards the way returns to Croatia and follows the coast to the Makarska Riviera.

To enjoy the finest section of the Adriatic coast undisturbed, the route bridges the densely populated areas around Split and Sibenik by motorway, before around 150 kilometres of coastal road with sea views follow.

The final day leads through Slovenia back to the Graz region. With impressions from eight countries, one of the most varied guided routes in South-East Europe comes to a close – around 4,000 kilometres now lie behind the group.