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 holidays.
You won’t find big, brash resorts and double decker tour buses on our trips. We do small group travel with local guides, community tourism and family-run establishments – including 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, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia and Serbia.
We pride ourselves on being a small, independent British business. We personally handle all enquiries and bookings, so when you get in touch, you’re talking directly to us or our small team, not a salesperson or call centre. Once you’re in destination, everything is taken care of by our trusted local hosts and partners.
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!
Emma has spent the last 20 years living and adventuring in the Western Balkans, exploring the region on foot, by kayak, and occasionally behind the wheel of a Land Rover Defender. She designs and promotes our trips across the Balkans, favouring wild landscapes, local knowledge and a more authentic way of travelling. A keen hiker, yoga lover, photographer, advocate for nature – and mum of three – Emma brings energy, experience and a deeply personal love of the region to everything she does. She speaks English and Serbian/Montenegrin and loves a strong Turkish coffee.
Emma HeywoodCo-Founder
Ben brings nearly 20 years of experience of Montenegro to our operations, having spent much of that time living at Lake Skadar with Emma and their young family. These days he is based in the UK, but his connection to Montenegro remains as strong as ever.When he’s not helping guests plan their trips, you’ll find him kayaking, swimming wild in lakes and rivers, cheering on Norwich City and falling in love with beautiful but unreliable motor vehicles. He speaks fluent Montenegrin, German and French and has even played international cricket for the country he calls his second home.
Ben HeywoodCo-Founder
Camilla is the writer who powers our blogs, newsletter and social media — helping people find us and make that trip happen. A freelance travel journalist who has spent years living in and writing about the Balkans, she is passionate about all the region has to offer, from trumpet festivals in Serbia, to sipping coffee in Sarajevo's kavanas, to hiking in Kosovo's rugged canyons. Her writing has appeared in publications including the Financial Times, The Guardian and The Sunday Times.
Camilla Bell-DaviesContent Writer
Vera is one of the most respected outdoor enthusiasts in the country. In fact, the more remote the area, the higher the chances of spotting Vera. She’s particularly passionate about hiking and her roots in the north of Montenegro. Popular with parents and children alike, Vera speaks excellent English as well as Montenegrin/Serbian.
Vera Adventure Leader, Montenegro
Milija comes from a family of adventure enthusiasts who live and breathe the outdoors. Whether biking, hiking, kayaking or skiiing, you’re in good hands. Milija speaks fluent English and Montenegrin/Serbian.
Milija Adventure Leader, Montenegro
Ana has over a decade’s worth of experience guiding groups around her country, and has earned her reputation as one of the funniest and most quotable licensed guides in Montenegro! She speaks near-native English and loves leading our family adventures!
AnaAdventure Leader, Montenegro
Arben‘s enthusiasm for his country and all outdoor pursuits is infectious! As one of Albania’s most renowned licensed guides, he has stupendous historical knowledge and seems to have visited every corner of Albania! He lives in Tirana and speaks superb English.
ArbenAdventure Leader, Albania
Dino is one of the most knowledgable and experienced mountain hikers in the country. A native of Gusinje, there's very little he doesn't know about the amazing Prokletije, straddling Montenegro and Albania. He speaks excellent English, fluent Montenegrin and also Albanian.
DinoAdventure Leader, Montenegro/Albania
Aurora is a native of Shkoder in North Albania who has over twenty years of experience guiding guests around her favourite places in the region. A qualified biologist, she is actively involved in many different wildlife conservation efforts and intimately knows the mountains of the Prokletije in both Albania and Montenegro. She speaks superb English, as well as her native Albanian.
AuroraAdventure Leader, Albania
Skender has over a decade’s worth of experience guiding groups around his country, and has earned his reputation as one of the funniest and most quotable licensed guides in Bosnia & Hercegovina! He speaks near-native English.
SkenderAdventure Leader, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Aleks and Philomena are a brilliant Serbian/Australian couple who have been leading groups around Serbia for years. We’ve now teamed up with them to offer you our first week-long activity holiday in Serbia, with more to follow! They speak fluent English and Serbian.
Aleks & PhilomenaAdventure Leaders, Serbia
Ston native Robi has over 15 years’ worth of experience guiding around his country – but it’s the Pelješac peninsula that he considers his home. You could not be in more knowledgeable hands! Robi speaks fluent English and has full adventure guide qualifications.
RobiAdventure Leader, Croatia
Fatos has over three decades of experience guiding guests around his native land. He is a qualified mountain guide, loves caving, canyoning and hiking and runs probably the most knowledgeable tour outfit in the whole country! He speaks superb English.
FatosAdventure Leader, Kosovo
Alejandro & Javiera are the amazing Adventure Hosts at our long-term partner Villa Miela in Virpazar. Funny, knowledgable and endlessly practical, they are the organisational dynamos behind our Lake Skadar Adventure holidays!
Alejandro & JavieraAdventure Hosts, Villa Miela
Connect with us
Looking for summer holiday inspiration? North Macedonia, an unexpected choice, has you covered for a true escape into nature. Learn more in our interview with super North Macedonia adventure guide Vojislav. He'll guide you expertly through mountains, canyons and sailing on lakes like Ohrid and Prespa this summer. A true nature lover, Vojislav knows the best landscapes, food and culture that his small but diverse country has to offer.![]()
Find out more on our blog, link in comments👉![]()
🎧Vlatko Stefanovski /Влатко Стефано#undiscoveredmacedoniad#HiddenEuropeu#macedoniad#adventuretravelr#offthebeatenpathn#EuropeAdventuren#northmacedoniadonia
Bulgaria, Eurovision winner 2026. While the rest of Europe catches up with Dara's Bangaranga, we propose you come and see what Bulgaria is actually like – beyond Black Sea coast resorts and budget skiing! ![]()
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There's mountains and mineral springs everywhere, it ranks 3rd in Europe for archaeological monuments and obviously has a great music culture – with dozens of festivals in the mountains.![]()
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Dara said Bangaranga was partly inspired by kukeri, an ancient Bulgarian ritual where costumed performers parade through villages, scaring away evil spirits before dancing wildly. It's just one part of the country's rich cultural tapestry.![]()
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Overall, Bulgaria is one of the most biodiverse, historically layered, and mountainous countries in the Balkans. Remarkably, it is still underrated.![]()
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We have been running adventures here for years. Read our tips and inspo for Bulgaria before you come join us. #bulgariao#Eurovision2026a#Bangarangas#kukeri #visitbulgariau#balkanss#HiddenEuropea#adventuretravelo#undiscoveredbalkans#Un#ESC2026e#visitbulgariaC2026 #VisitBulgaria
We’ve just published our guide to wild swimming in Albania — 9 of our favourite spots, from glacial mountain lakes and wild rivers like the Vjosa, to thermal hot springs and hidden coves along the Albanian Riviera.![]()
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These are places we return to regularly on our Albania trips, and they’re part of what makes the country one of Europe’s most varied and underrated destinations for swimmers.![]()
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Read the full guide 👉🏼 undiscoveredbalkans.com/the-best-places-for-wild-swimming-in-albania/![]()
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And if you’d like to join one of our Albania adventure holidays this year, send us a message. 😄![]()
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#undiscoveredbalkans #undiscoveredalbania
20 years of Montenegrin independence this year, and we think it's time to show off our favourite places beyond the coast. It's not all about Kotor(stunning, but crowded in summer). There's another Montenegro: kayaking on Lake Skadar, the largest freshwater lake in southern Europe. Hiking the Via Dinarica through the Accursed Mountains. Visiting a monastery island where nuns make pomegranate wine. Spotting flamingos at the Ulcinj Saltpans. Watching Dalmatian pelicans lift off the water at dawn.![]()
We've been here for 18 years and Montenegro still surprises us. Come and see why!![]()
Discover the real Montenegro at the link in the comments 👉
We've done it again 🎉![]()
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Thank you for the brilliant reviews that place our trips among the top 10% of TripAdvisor's things to do worldwide once again this year.![]()
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This award is based entirely on genuine feedback from our guests, so it has extra special meaning for a small, determinedly different travel company like us.![]()
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From the very beginning, we've chosen to focus on the quieter corners of the Balkans away from mass tourism, rich in nature, character and tradition, with local people at the heart of every experience. We wanted to inspire our guests to fall for the Balkans we know and love — and it's working.![]()
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A huge thanks goes to our brilliant local partners, from Montenegro and Albania, to Serbia, Bosnia and beyond — the guides, the hosts, the friends — who pour so much energy and enthusiasm into every trip. 🙏![]()
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Europe's wildest corner is waiting — scroll to the comments for links to our website and our TripAdvisor page. We'd love for you to join us. 🏔️🌊🌿
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Holidays
£100pp off!
7 Day Villa Activity Holiday Montenegro
Our original Lake Skadar adventure loved by everyone!
£100pp off!
7 Day Multi-Activity Holiday in Albania
Discover Albania’s lakes, mountains & sea on this multi-active adventure!
7 Day Multi-Activity Holiday in Kosovo
Discover the beauty of Europe’s newest and most fascinating country!
£100pp off!
7 Day Winter Activity Holiday in Montenegro
Skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing on the alpine slopes of Montenegro!