About us

Hello and welcome (or should we say dobrodošli!) to Undiscovered Balkans, your go-to activity holiday specialist in the Balkans.

We’re Ben and Emma Heywood, the adventure-loving husband and wife behind this operation, and we’re thrilled to have you here with us in Europe’s most unexplored corner. 

When we landed in Montenegro in 2008 as frivolous travellers without kids, this beautiful country stopped us in our tracks. Its jagged mountains footed by blue and green lakes could easily be mistaken for the Canadian Rockies while miles of unspoiled wilderness resemble an African game reserve. 

Having visited more than 50 countries worldwide we’re not easy to impress, so you can trust we’ve selected only the most breathtaking locations for our holiday activities, with the help of our expert local guides. 

You won’t find big, brash resorts and double decker tour buses on our trips. We do small group travel, community tourism and family-run establishments – including our very own Villa Miela, where it all began. Sitting at the heart of Lake Skadar National Park, it’s the base for several of our holidays, from yoga retreats to kayak safaris.

Like our family, our holiday offering has expanded. We now run tours in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo and Serbia.

We pride ourselves on being a small business and we personally handle all bookings, so rest assured you will never be on hold to an operator when you get in touch. 

When you travel with us, you’re officially part of our ever expanding Balkan family and as a family, we take care of one another. That’s why a percentage of our takings go back to the communities we work with. You can learn more about that here.

We look forward to seeing you in the Balkans soon!


Connect with us

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Wondering whether you can visit the Balkans and still be able to eat vegan or free-from *insert food here*? The answer is yes! See some of the delicious and naturally meat-free meals here and find out what they are, how to order them and more handy free-from travel tips on the blog this week 👇f.mtr.cool/ywvmqyfvci#undiscoveredbalkans #vegantravel #glutenfree See MoreSee Less
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2 weeks ago

Colorado? Nope – this is Bosnia & Herzegovina! 🏜️ Just outside Foča, the Sand Pyramids rise like something straight out of the American West. Formed by centuries of erosion, their deep earthy tones contrast beautifully with the greenery around. It's a jaw-dropping sight. And the best part? Almost no-one knows they're here!When we heard about the "Bosnian Colorado", we had to check it out while scouting new routes for our hiking and activity holidays – and we couldn’t believe our eyes. It's one more delightful surprise in a country full of them. Would you make a major detour on your trip, just to check out something intriguing you heard about? Let us know in the comments! 👇 #BosniaTravel #UndiscoveredBalkans See MoreSee Less
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3 weeks ago

🇷🇸 Serbia is one of Europe’s fastest-growing travel destinations! 🌍✨ We aren't surprised to see Serbia in the top 5 fastest-growing places for tourism in Europe – and among the world's top 30 – in new data from the UN. Why? Because travellers these days want more than the usual hotspots, with more and more people searching for authentic, off-the-beaten-track experiences.And Serbia delivers. Think wild mountains, untamed rivers, traditional villages, and epic adventures, plus castles to rival Bavaria, tranquil monasteries, and trendy capital, Belgrade. That’s exactly what our Undiscovered Serbia Holiday is all about! 🚣‍♂️🏔 🔹 Kayak on pristine rivers 🔹 Hike through dramatic gorges and forests🔹 Explore hidden waterfalls 🔹 Learn Serbia’s rich history and culture 🔹 Stay in locally run guesthouses & enjoy amazing Balkan hospitality If you’re looking for your next adventure, Serbia might just be it. Get there before the crowds really catch on!📍 More details in the comments! 👇 #undiscoveredbalkans See MoreSee Less
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Holidays

Man on an activity holiday swimming in a crystal clear, bright blue rock pool near Lake Skadar
£200pp off!

7 Day Activity Holiday at Lake Skadar

Our original adventure loved by everyone! Kayaking, hiking & wild-swimming…
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Moderate
A girl sitting on a mule while trekking on Mount Tomorr in Albania
£200pp off!

7 Day Multi-Activity Holiday in Albania

Discover Albania’s lakes, mountains & sea on this multi-active adventure!
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Moderate

7 Day Multi-Activity Holiday in Kosovo

Discover the beauty of Europe’s newest and most fascinating country!
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Moderate

7 Day Winter Activity Holiday in Montenegro

Skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing on the alpine slopes of Montenegro!
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Moderate