Wine, like rakia, is woven into any Balkan adventure. It is poured generously at guesthouse tables, shared after long hikes, and produced in vineyards that cling to steep hillsides, river valleys and sunbaked plains. This week, we sat down with Dušan Jelić of @winesofserbia to talk Balkan wine regions and wines. Dušan has worked in the wine world for decades, and has seen the Balkan viticulture move from post-communist recovery to producing world class award-winning pours, all within 20 years. Sadly, many of these bottles are hard to find in the UK or USA, which is all the more reason to travel to the country of origin and combine wine discovery with an Undiscovered Balkans adventure. For Dušan, the vineyards of South-East Europe offer something unique: "Winemakers are warm, deeply hospitable and welcome you with an authenticity we have lost elsewhere. You will experience indigenous grapes you have never tasted before." (For example, Prokupac, Tamjanika, Plavac Mali and Žilavka - names that sound more like incantations than grapes). Best of all, says Dušan, "Wine is always paired with the Balkans' exotic cuisine that fuses Mediterranean, Ottoman and local influences. Don't forget that enjoying Balkan food and wine is budget-friendly! " Dušan has kindly given us his tips on native grapes, top Balkan wine labels and local festivals, which we've paired with our adventures to nearby mountains, lakes and historic towns to create a practical guide to the main wine regions in the Balkans. Related: A guide to Albanian food and wine 10 traditional Balkan foods you have to try How to drink Bosnian coffee the right way Balkan Wine Regions: a Country-by-Country Guide Croatian wine Events: Biklijada When: September 2026 Where: Vrgorac Croatia does niche, local and authentic festivals like no other. Did you know that there is even a
Wine, like rakia, is woven into any Balkan adventure. It is poured generously at guesthouse tables, shared after long hikes, and produced in vineyards that cling to steep hillsides, river valleys and sunbaked plains. This week, we sat down with Dušan Jelić of @winesofserbia to talk Balkan wine regions and wines. Dušan has worked in
This week, we invited journalist and travel writer Camilla Bell-Davies to be a guest blogger and tell us which Balkan countries are on her radar in 2026. Camilla lived in Serbia and often travelled to Bosnia and Kosovo for a change of scene. She wrote about Balkans travel for The Financial Times, The Guardian and Telegraph Travel. I first stumbled into the Western Balkans as a student backpacker in the 2010s and was instantly drawn to its rich culture and gorgeous landscapes. It wasn't long before I made the Balkans my permanent home, as a writer based in Belgrade. With free reign to wander, I came to know the many wonderful places on the Undiscovered Balkans radar. Every country has so much to recommend, but if I was to pick the top three rising stars for 2026, it would be these: Beyond Belgrade: Serbia's wild places I may be bias given I lived there, but 2026 really is the moment for Serbia to step into the spotlight. The country saw record visitor numbers in 2024 and 2025, travel magazines are calling it 'Europe's most under-the-radar destination', and it has affordable prices that make slow, immersive travel possible. I say visit now before Serbia becomes the next big thing! Belgrade, Tašmajdan park in the snow Serbian hospitality is soulful and spontaneous, guesthouses are rustic and full of charm, and cities feel refreshingly untouristy. Venture beyond Belgrade’s café-lined streets and legendary nightlife to the wild 'Eagle Canyon', or the mighty Iron Gates at Djerdap Gorge on the Danube river, where you can kayak for hours to peaceful birdsong. Going with a local guide is the best way to enjoy a Serbia adventure. Belgrade has seen peaceful student protests ongoing for a year, but these are confined to
This week, we invited journalist and travel writer Camilla Bell-Davies to be a guest blogger and tell us which Balkan countries are on her radar in 2026. Camilla lived in Serbia and often travelled to Bosnia and Kosovo for a change of scene. She wrote about Balkans travel for The Financial Times, The Guardian and
If taking on a marathon, triathlon or other sporting challenge is in your New Year’s resolutions, why not tag a holiday onto it? Apparently it’s a thing: the ‘race-cation’ (when you complete some sort of outdoor challenge either side of a holiday) is rising in popularity and we're here for it—what a great excuse to book a holiday! The Balkans is host to lots of marathons, triathlons, vertical kilometres and swim races in 2026, where you’ll compete against the backdrop of the Dinaric Alps, Dalmatian coast, ancient forests and crumbling old towns. Many pair up nicely with our adventure holidays. Read on to find out what's happening in Croatia, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia and more throughout 2026 and start planning your race-cation now. Marathons & sporting events in Croatia 2026 From running to wild swimming and high-altitude challenges, there’s lots for sporty folk in Croatia. After an adrenaline-fuelled event with hundreds of people, slow things down and rejuvenate with our Southern Dalmatia holiday, which blends sightseeing with adventure activities in the incredibly pretty and peaceful Ston. XTERRA Croatia When: 8–10th May 2026 Where: Mali Lošinj This three-day off-road triathlon takes place in the beautiful coastal town of Mali Lošinj and offers thrilling challenges for all abilities, from elite competitors to weekend warriors and kids. Over the course of three days, you’ll trail run, swim and mountain bike your way to victory. Youth Skyrunning World Championships When: 8–10th May 2026 Where: Makarska This year will be the 10th edition of the Youth Skyrunning World Championships in Croatia, where young athletes embark on a scenic high altitude running challenge in the picturesque port town of Makarska. UltraSwim 33.3 Croatia When: 15–18th May 2026 Where: Hvar Hvar isn’t just for beach parties—the UltraSwim 33.3 open-water swim challenge starts in the ancient town of
If taking on a marathon, triathlon or other sporting challenge is in your New Year’s resolutions, why not tag a holiday onto it? Apparently it’s a thing: the ‘race-cation’ (when you complete some sort of outdoor challenge either side of a holiday) is rising in popularity and we’re here for it—what a great excuse to
If you've ever toyed with the idea of a holiday in North Macedonia, but weren't entirely sure what there is to see and do there, you're not alone. It's still a bit of an unknown for most Brits, which is exactly why we had to get there ourselves. During our summer recce for our NEW North Macedonia holiday (coming soon), we found a country jam-packed with fascinating history, fabulous wines and picture-perfect mountain/lake views. Read on for our recommendations and a taste of things to come. But before that, a quick note: we’ll refer to the country as 'Macedonia' from here on, as locals do, instead of North Macedonia. The latter is the official name, introduced in 2019 to settle a long-standing dispute with neighbouring Greece, but Macedonia's what you'll hear on the ground. Wander and Dine in Skopje’s Old and New Towns If you fly into Skopje (there are direct summer flights from the UK), it’s worth spending a little time to get to know this curious mix of old and new. The old quarter 'Čaršija' stretches from the Stone Bridge to the Bit-Pazar (you’ll know you’ve reached it by the labyrinth of cobbled pavements and Ottoman houses). It's a great area to taste traditional Macedonian food and people watch: Galerija 7 has the best Lahmacun (a thin Turkish sort of “pizza”) in town, and the Old Bazaar is dotted with Slatkarnices (Balkan patisseries) – perfect for a post-lunch slice of baklava. Continue your adventure by perusing the souvenir shops or visiting a historic landmark such as Kale Fortress. Across the river, a very different Skopje appears, complete with grandiose neo-classical facades and statues, ornate fountains and the unmissable main square at its centre: the result of a multi-million revamp in 2014. It shouldn't work, but somehow does, and
If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of a holiday in North Macedonia, but weren’t entirely sure what there is to see and do there, you’re not alone. It’s still a bit of an unknown for most Brits, which is exactly why we had to get there ourselves. During our summer recce for our NEW
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