Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Montenegro – Croatia – Zabljak – Sveti Stefan – Lustica – Korcula – Dubrovnik
100% customisable for you
Bags packed, snacks at the ready and excitement levels officially sky-high – today's the day your family is off to the Balkans. Head to the airport, breeze through security and bundle your youngsters onto the plane as you set off on your three-hour flight to Tivat, Montenegro. Keep everyone entertained with some films, games and probably the occasional round of ‘are we there yet?’ along the way.
When you touch down in Montenegro, pick up your hire car and buckle in for a three-hour drive to Zabljak, near Durmitor National Park. You’ll soon arrive in the heart of the forest, where you can settle into your alpine chalet, your home for the next two nights.
After a day of travel, you’ll likely all be ready to unwind, so spend the rest of today relaxing and soaking up the peaceful vibes. Tomorrow promises plenty more excitement.
Rise and shine early this morning – today you’re exploring Durmitor National Park. Lace up your walking shoes for a hike around the famous Black Lake, known for its glacial waters and dramatic mountain backdrop, with easy trekking trails and scenic spots along the way to pause for a picnic and rest tired legs. This area is home to bears, wolves and chamois, as well as an abundance of birdlife, so keep your eyes peeled as you wander – who will be the first to spot a golden eagle soaring overhead?
We can also help you earn some cool parent points by organising a family rafting adventure on the Tara River. Expect a hefty dose of adrenaline as you navigate one of Europe’s most spectacular canyons together.
All this exploring is bound to leave stomachs rumbling. This evening, ask your Concierge for a local restaurant recommendation. Montenegrin cuisine is delicious and hearty: think grilled meats, just-baked bread and dishes like cevapi (sausages), usually a hit with youngsters.
Hit the road this morning for the three-hour drive to Sveti Stefan. With views that shift from rugged mountain peaks to the shimmering Adriatic shoreline, it’s a seriously scenic route. Roll down the windows and tune into our destination-specific playlist, letting the full family singalong commence...
Arrive in Sveti Stefan, a postcard-perfect stretch of coastline famous for its tiny island connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand. Hop out and herd the excitable children straight to your beachfront villa, home for the next three nights.
Unpack, and slip straight into sandals for a stroll along the coast. Cue the youngsters making a beeline straight for the water while parents watch on from sunloungers, perhaps with a cocktail in hand to celebrate your arrival?
The next couple of days are all about beach time, paired with a dash of adventure. Set sail on a private cruise on Lake Skadar, the largest in the Balkans and a dream for wildlife lovers. Meet your skipper, then drift out across the water, binoculars at the ready for spotting eagles, black-headed gulls and whistling ducks.
To cool off in the summer heat, plunge straight into the bay, showing off your finest diving techniques (graceful swan dive or full-on belly flop – no judgement here). Then, pull into a sleepy lakeside village to sample local specialties, like freshly cooked carp.
Back on the coast, indulge in some proper R&R – swimsuits on, sunscreen at the ready and days spent dipping in and out of the Adriatic. Still raring to go? Snorkelling is a must in these waters, where you might spot darting shoals of fish, sea urchins tucked into rocky corners and the odd starfish. Prefer to stay horizontal? A sunlounger and a good book have your name on them.
Finish each day sun-kissed and satisfied with a dinner by the sea, before rounding things off with a generous scoop of gelato.
Gear up this morning for the one-and-a-half-hour drive to Lustica, the gateway to the Bay of Kotor. Today’s journey hugs the coastline, with plenty of chances to pull over for a quick smoothie stop or to snap some family photos when the scenery demands it (which, along this stretch, is often).
When you arrive in Lustica, check into your hotel, where you’ll stay for the next three nights. Explore the town, imbued with classic Mediterranean charm and dotted with olive and pomegranate trees. Wander along winding stone streets, admire the architecture of traditional houses and refuel at friendly family-run cafes.
This evening, take a stroll along the twinkling promenade and watch fishing boats haul in the day’s catch. Then enjoy an al fresco dinner by the water, feasting on fresh seafood as the sun goes down. And for a sweet finish? Treat yourselves to baklava (a honey-soaked pastry), the perfect antidote to any sugar craving.
Today you’re off to the Bay of Kotor for a day of kayaking, so grab your paddles and see who can find their rhythm first. Cue the inevitable family race – whoever takes the lead can ride shotgun tomorrow...
With its fjord-like feel, the Bay of Kotor is all glassy blue water, dramatic mountain backdrops and a scattering of sleepy villages. Glide past stone churches and centuries-old monasteries, drift into calm coves and when you’ve worked up a sweat, jump in for a swim or pull up to one of the little beaches for a well-earned breather.
By the time you make your way back to shore, expect a few tired arms – the perfect excuse to take it easy for the rest of today: perhaps with a soothing massage for the parents, followed by another delicious dinner.
Another day, another adventure. Bundle into the hire car and set off to explore Kotor’s hinterland at your own pace. The route winds through a string of small towns, including Herceg Novi, Risan and Perast, each offering a glimpse of the region’s maritime past. It’s an easy, breezy ride with plenty of stops to pull over and snap some family selfies – these views make for prime holiday album material.
Visit the village of Baosici, just southeast of Herceg Novi, to see the former home of writer Pierre Loti, a spot that once inspired tales of Montenegrin love, before stopping for lunch, tucking into local favourites like octopus salad, pomegranate juice and baklava. Then, continue inland towards Cetinje, the country's former capital, before climbing towards Lovcen National Park for sweeping views across the Dinaric Alps.
As evening falls, the whole family is bound to have worked up a mountain-sized appetite (pun intended), so ask the little ones what they’re craving, then head straight there.
Today, you’re off to a new country: Croatia.
Hit the road on a four-hour drive north along the coast, then drive onto the ferry from Orebic which takes you to the island of Korcula. The crossing takes around 20 minutes, just enough time to enjoy the sea breeze and scan the water for dolphins, which are known to make the occasional cameo.
When you arrive, settle into your villa located in Luka Korculanska, your base for the next three nights. The rest of today is all about easing into island life. Cool off with a dip in the pool, soak up some rays on the terrace or simply admire those Adriatic views, now from the Croatian side.
For dinner, head into Korcula’s old town. This is your first proper taste of Dalmatia, so go for whatever looks good on the grill.
How you spend the next couple of days is up to you. Want to take it easy? Spend lazy mornings working on your tan at a nearby beach, occasionally stepping in as the official sandcastle judges, ranking towers, moats and all the creative masterpieces your youngsters build.
Or, for any art aficionados in the family, Korcula’s old town is a real gem. Surrounded by Medieval ramparts, it’s a maze of cobbled streets and Venetian charm. And, fun fact: local legend claims that Marco Polo was born here. Alternatively, hop back in the car and explore the countryside, where rolling vineyards and ancient olive groves await.
If your young explorers just can’t get enough of the water, we can arrange a private sailing trip off the coast of Korcula, where you can snorkel in hidden coves and maybe see dolphins en route.
It’s back behind the wheel again today for the drive to Dubrovnik, starting with the short ferry crossing back to the mainland before continuing along the coast – a journey of around two-and-a-half hours.
When you arrive in the city, return your hire car and check into your hotel in Lapad, home for the next two nights.
After a day on the move, keep things simple. Perhaps spend the afternoon on the hunt for the perfect souvenir: Dubrovnik is full of little treasures, from handmade jewellery and locally crafted ceramics to Game of Thrones mementos for fans of the series. Let your youngsters take the lead and pick out a keepsake of their own, before heading back for a laid-back dinner by the beach.
This morning, meet your local guide to explore Dubrovnik’s old town. Wander through ancient Ragusa, a remarkably preserved open-air-museum, and admire the city’s Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Highlights include the 14th-century Convent of the Friars Minor and its apothecary, the still-active Sephardic Synagogue, the Church of the Holy Saviour and the Cathedral of the Assumption.
Along the way, indulge in some Croatian-style Turkish coffee, a nod to Ottoman influence. And for your youngsters, some fritule (bite-sized doughnuts), sitting al fresco as the locals do, with the Adriatic sparkling just beyond the city walls.
In the evening, don’t shy away from dressing up – this city is all about glitz and glamour. And for your final dinner of the trip, ask our Concierge for a restaurant recommendation, perhaps seafood, some Croatian classics or if it’s what the youngsters are craving, a wood-fired pizza.
Sadly, it’s time to say goodbye to the Balkans today. You’ll be collected and privately transferred 25 minutes to Dubrovnik Airport, where you can stock up on your favourite Croatian snacks before checking in for your flight back home.
You’ll spend around three hours in the air – plenty of time to start discussing with your young explorers where’s next on their travel bucket list...
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
