Tour Details

Step into the footsteps of emperors, merchants, and ancient civilizations on The Classical World in the Balkans: An Archaeology & History Tour (9 Days) – a fascinating academic and cultural journey across Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Designed for students and enthusiasts of archaeology, classics, and history, this immersive program offers exclusive access to archaeological sites, guided lectures by regional experts, and the chance to explore the Balkans’ layered past firsthand.

Begin in Split, walking through Diocletian’s Palace, a living Roman city, and uncovering stories carved in marble and stone. Journey to Salona, the cradle of Roman Dalmatia, and to Klis Fortress, where centuries of empires left their mark. Continue south through the Neretva Delta to Narona, where a rare Augusteum temple reveals the legacy of Roman religion, then wander the medieval walls of Ston, once a vital link in Adriatic trade.

In Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic, explore ancient Epidaurum and learn how classical roots shaped this maritime republic. Cross into Montenegro to marvel at the mosaics of Risan and the medieval splendor of Kotor, both UNESCO gems that blend Roman and Venetian influences.

Travel inland to Bosnia & Herzegovina, tracing Roman villas at Mogorjelo, Ottoman bazaars in Mostar, and Illyrian fortresses at Stolac. End your journey in Sarajevo, a city where archaeology meets living history – from Neolithic settlements to the scars of modern conflict.

This tour bridges past and present, offering an unforgettable look at how the classical world still echoes through the Balkans’ landscapes, cultures, and cities.

Explore other study tours across different fields and broaden your academic horizons.

From

Split

To

Sarajevo

Price Includes

comfortable tourist vehicle and all transportation costs
arrival and departure airport transfers
professional licensed driver/guide during the trip
driver's accommodation
all government taxes and VAT

Price Excludes

arrival and departure flight tickets
meals which are not specified in the itinerary
personal expenses

Itinerary

Day 1Split, Croatia (Arrival)

Arrival in Split. Introductory lecture on Roman Dalmatia by a local archaeology professor. Afternoon guided exploration of Diocletian’s Palace (substructures, Peristyle, Temple of Jupiter, living city continuity). Overnight in Split.

Day 2Salona & Klis

Morning at the ancient city of Salona with a specialist guide and pre-arranged behind-the-scenes focus on urban layout, necropoleis, and basilicas. Afternoon at Klis Fortress to discuss military landscapes from late antiquity to Ottoman times; short visit to the Archaeological Museum Split for Salonitan finds. Overnight in Split.

Day 3Neretva Delta, Narona & Ston

Drive to the Neretva River delta. Private tour of the Narona Archaeological Museum in Vid with a curator talk on the Augusteum and regional Romanization. Continue to Ston for an evening walk on the medieval walls and salt pans, linking ancient and medieval economies. Overnight in Ston.

Day 4Dubrovnik & Epidaurum

Short transfer to Dubrovnik. Guided Old City tour focused on maritime networks, urban autonomy, and heritage conservation. Late-afternoon excursion to Cavtat (ancient Epidaurum) for visible Roman remains and inscriptions, tying Dubrovnik’s hinterland to Adriatic classical routes. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 5Montenegro: Risan Mosaics & Kotor

Early departure to Montenegro. Visit Risan to study Roman villa mosaics (Hypnos) and conservation challenges. Continue to Kotor for a guided walk of the UNESCO-listed old town, fortifications, and coastal trade context. Return to Dubrovnik in the late afternoon. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 6Bosnia & Herzegovina: Mogorjelo & Mostar

Transfer to Bosnia and Herzegovina with a stop at Mogorjelo near Čapljina (Roman villa rustica) for rural economy and villa architecture. Arrive in Mostar for an orientation walk (Old Bridge area) and an optional evening lecture on Ottoman urban life. Overnight in Mostar.

Day 7Počitelj, Blagaj & Stolac

Explore Počitelj’s fortified ensemble, Blagaj Tekke and Stjepan-grad above the Buna source, then continue to Stolac for Radimlja (UNESCO stećci) and Daorson (Illyrian hillfort) with a local archaeologist, connecting prehistoric, classical, and medieval layers. Overnight in Mostar.

Day 8Sarajevo: Archaeology & Modern History

Drive to Sarajevo. Visit the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina (archaeology collections and material culture), Butmir Neolithic site area and the Roman bridge/Ilidža context, then key modern-history sites including the Tunnel of Hope. Optional guest lecture at the university or museum. Overnight in Sarajevo.