9 independent reviews for Balkans rail holiday
Reviews for Balkans rail holiday
Hedy Cracknell review 27 May 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Day trip to Lake Bled2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you can carry your own suitcase/bag. Not all hotels had lifts and there may not be enough strong people on the trip to carry your case up and down stairs, and on and off trains. Our guide did his best to help.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Well organised, full of variety, countries with outstanding natural beauty and lots of information from the local guides.Jane Gray review 14 Oct 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The cities such as Zagreb, Belgrade, Skopje and especially Saravejo.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for a lot of travelling and some early starts - 6-6.30am! Come with an open mind - this is eastern europe - so everything is a little less efficient....3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I hope so I tipped well, brought local products and ate in local restaurants. Perhaps could of been more impactful.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good - although the majority of travellers were rather old - even though I am 61 I am quite a young at heart - luckily there was another 60 year old couple on this trip too!Dorothy Woods review 10 Oct 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Sarajevo undoubtedly. Such a lot of history, ottoman influence in the old quarter and lots to explore2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you're vegetarian prepare yourself. There are practically no vegetables, restaurant options of few and unappetising. The trip is full-on so take stuff you can quickly pack and wash on the go.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Possibly4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Good, not the best holiday ever but interesting.Barbara Brown review 8 Oct 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The holiday was well planned and excellent tour leader. Local trips interesting.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Very full on trip with all days planned. Lots of walking involved.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local guides used and recommendations for local restaurants.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The trip was run well and we were kept well informed of travel plans, etc. Group all got on well. Holiday was pretty much as advertised. Rail journeys ok although long journey from Montenegro to Belgrade not the most comfortable. Hotels a bit of a mixed bag but all clean and quiet. Our tour guide Jane was excellent but unfortunately had to leave us 3 days before end of trip. We know it was unavoidable but still disappointing. Overall had a great time and saw a lot of history and places.Barbara Brown review 26 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The holiday was well planned and excellent tour leader. Local trips interesting.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Very full on trip with all days planned. Lots of walking involved.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Local guides used and recommendations for local restaurants.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The trip was run well and we were kept well informed of travel plans, etc. Group all got on well. Holiday was pretty much as advertised. Rail journeys ok although long journey from Montenegro to Belgrade not the most comfortable. Hotels a bit of a mixed bag but all clean and quiet. Our tour guide Jane was excellent but unfortunately had to leave us 3 days before end of trip. We know it was unavoidable but still disappointing. Overall had a great time and saw a lot of history and places.Bruce Davis review 20 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Exposure to new countries, cultures. Good overview exposure to history of the region. Some amazing scenery and interesting visits to historic cities.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Encourage more opportunities to leave the city centre to gain some exposure to what lies beyond. Be prepared to follow the pre trip notes rather than demand something different. Limit the complaints and treat the guide/s and staff respectfully.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Some small benefit to local economies through services, purchases, use of local accomodation. Use of local trains was excellent even if it wasn’t quite clear why a few extra sections could not have utilised train travel. Environmental benefit would have improved if, despite the best efforts of the organisers, the group had, as per notes, walked to accomodation and trains more, been prepared to use planned smaller buses etc. The trip had been advertised as a full on itinerary.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great opportunity to see and learn. Small downside was tension and undue demands within the group. . .bruce Davis review 12 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Exposure to new countries, cultures. Good overview exposure to history of the region. Some amazing scenery and interesting visits to historic cities.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Encourage more opportunities to leave the city centre to gain some exposure to what lies beyond. Be prepared to follow the pre trip notes rather than demand something different. Limit the complaints and treat the guide/s and staff respectfully.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Some small benefit to local economies through services, purchases, use of local accomodation. Use of local trains was excellent even if it wasn’t quite clear why a few extra sections could not have utilised train travel. Environmental benefit would have improved if, despite the best efforts of the organisers, the group had, as per notes, walked to accomodation and trains more, been prepared to use planned smaller buses etc. The trip had been advertised as a full on itinerary.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great opportunity to see and learn. Small downside was tension and undue demands within the group. . .Heidi Hayes review 1 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seeing an area of the world, the Balkans, that I was curious about. I have a better understanding of the Balkans now, as I experienced meeting people, breathing the air, and eating the food. In addition, I was delighted by my traveling companions. I had not anticipated enjoying them as much as I did. They were delightful travelers, as curious as I was and excelled at making the most of every situation.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The description given by the tour operator is correct. This trip is full-on every day and requires the ability to move luggage (and humans) without conveniences. The reward is seeing places that are not visited by many travelers.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, I did. Local guides in every city, taking mass transit whenever possible and exploring some of the natural environment all contributed to a sense that I was having an authentic experience.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. Our guide, Jane, was fantastic. Most of the hotels were very good. I enjoyed myself immensely.Frona Hall review 27 Jun 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Discovering the scenery, beauty and history of the region.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure the operator a policy vis a vis Covid - being in a mini bus with people obviously suffering from Covid and not wearing masks to protect the rest of the group is not acceptable.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not particularly.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
It mostly met my expectations.Read the operator's response here:
Hi Frona, we are grateful for the time you have taken to provide us with a review for this new and exciting trip to the Balkans travelling by rail. As we stated the scenery is inspiring, we are pleased to see you agreed and this was your most memorable experience as I'm sure there are many. You comment around Covid policy is valid, we take this very serious and have a firm process in place to handle any confirmed Covid case on tour and ensure all our travellers are
safeguarded. If there is any aspect on this matter you would like us to clarify, we encourage you to get in touch with us directly. Our aim is to deliver a product which exceeds our customer’s expectations and your feedback will surely go some way towards this. I trust you have returned home with some lasting memories of your time away and we look forward to you travelling with us in the not too distant future.
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