“Look up! Pelicans! Dead Ahead...” "Oh yeah? Wow!" Catching a glimpse of these extraordinary birds is a highlight for so many guests on our kayaking trips at Lake Skadar, but did you know that holidaying with us has helped fund urgent Dalmatian Pelican conservation work? Thanks to our Book to Give Back scheme, we have been able to make the biggest donation in our company’s history to help one of the world’s most threatened waterbirds continue to thrive in Montenegro at a time of crisis. We donated €3,000 to our charity partner CZIP, Montenegro’s equivalent of the RSPB, in April last year, and as a direct result, works completed in December to give vital new protection to the colony at Lake Skadar. A new nesting site they adopted last year is now safeguarded with buoys and signs to keep people at a safe distance and help these magnificent birds to breed undisturbed. The protection measures come just in time for winter breeding season — ornithologists counted 49 nests on the island in last week's winter count — and we’re all hoping to see lots of healthy chicks come March. On the brink The Dalmatian Pelican is the world’s largest pelican and heaviest flying freshwater bird, weighing in at 9.5kg respectively with a wingspan of up to 3 metres. They can be found in wetlands across southeast Europe, including a population of 71 breeding pairs at Lake Skadar, which is shared by Montenegro and Albania (Albanian name, Shkodra Lake). Sizeable colonies are also at Romania's Danube-Delta, Albania's Divjakë-Karavasta, and on Lake Prespa, shared by Albania and Greece. Sadly, the species is endangered. Irresponsible tourism and poaching near nesting sites are two of the greatest human threats, next to construction near their habitats and natural threats such as bird flu and extreme
“Look up! Pelicans! Dead Ahead…” “Oh yeah? Wow!” Catching a glimpse of these extraordinary birds is a highlight for so many guests on our kayaking trips at Lake Skadar, but did you know that holidaying with us has helped fund urgent Dalmatian Pelican conservation work? Thanks to our Book to Give Back scheme, we have
Planning to visit the Balkans this year but not sure when to go? We’ve got you. Whether you’re looking for the best month to visit Albania for sun, when to hike the Peaks of the Balkans trail or the best time to book a holiday in Croatia to avoid the crowds (hint: you’ll always dodge the crowds with us), keep reading. Balkans climate Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, southern Bosnia and southern Bulgaria generally have a Mediterranean climate, meaning hot, dry summers and mild winters. Like anywhere, the weather is generally cooler and less predictable in the mountains in these destinations, where there can be snow during winter and early spring. The more northerly locations such as Serbia, northern Bosnia around Sarajevo, and parts of Montenegro have a milder, more continental climate. Balkans weather by month See the average daytime high temperatures by month in Croatia, Albania, Montenegro and other popular holiday destinations in the Balkans below. But bear in mind it depends on where you go. Mostar in Bosnia is more like 25-40℃ in August due to humidity. Best time to visit the Balkans for sun A Balkan summer is like no other — long sunny days and a culture that celebrates leaping into refreshing pools of water, whether it's the Adriatic Sea or a brilliant blue river. Balkan summers see temperatures generally hovering between 27℃ and 31℃, occasionally climbing to the high 30s, depending how far south you go. During these months, you will see little rainfall and lots of clear, sunny skies – perfect for water activities like kayaking, rafting and wild swimming. If that’s a little too hot for you, consider visiting in April or May for daytime temperatures in the low to mid 20s. Bear in mind that the weather is less predictable in shoulder season and
Planning to visit the Balkans this year but not sure when to go? We’ve got you. Whether you’re looking for the best month to visit Albania for sun, when to hike the Peaks of the Balkans trail or the best time to book a holiday in Croatia to avoid the crowds (hint: you’ll always dodge
The western Balkans boasts some of the best white water rafting in Europe, thanks to a wealth of wild waterways slicing through the karst landscapes there. Combine riding the rapids with this region’s unrivalled natural beauty, rich history and unique culture and you’ve got one heck of an adventure – you won’t believe you’re still in Europe. From leapfrogging down the Tara river to paddling down one of Europe’s last true wild rivers in Albania, see our roundup of the best rafting spots in the western Balkans below. We’ve also included our practical tips and FAQs about this exhilarating sport for newcomers. Ready for a splash of excitement? Join us on a guided rafting adventure as part of one of our multi-activity Balkan holidays. Jump to: When to go rafting Rapid grades explained The best rafting destinations in the Balkans What to wear Safety tips Physical fitness & medical conditions The best time to go rafting Deciding when to book your rafting adventure in Europe depends on the weather and your level of experience. You’ll find the highest water levels, and therefore strongest rapids, in spring due to snowmelt running off the mountains at this time of year. Therefore, Easter is a perfect time to book your rafting holiday if you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie. For families and beginners who’d prefer to start off a little gentler, aim for July and August when water levels aren’t as high and the rapids are tamer (plus the water is warmer if you do go overboard!) Whitewater rapid grades explained Rivers are internationally graded from I-VI depending on factors such as gradient, how fast and smoothly they flow, and obstacles such as rocks you will need to maneuver around. The higher the grade, the more difficult the river is to navigate.
The western Balkans boasts some of the best white water rafting in Europe, thanks to a wealth of wild waterways slicing through the karst landscapes there. Combine riding the rapids with this region’s unrivalled natural beauty, rich history and unique culture and you’ve got one heck of an adventure – you won’t believe you’re still
A tourism boom over the past few years means that, despite the hype, South Albania’s beaches can feel decidedly discovered — but that’s because most don’t know where to look. This summer, my family and I set off on a research trip to carve out our new South Albania itinerary and proved that even in the height of the holiday season, not everywhere along the coast has been mined by the package holiday giants. Our fact finding mission took us from secluded spots on the Ionian Sea inland to the twin UNESCO lakes of Ohrid and Prespa and rafting on the mighty Vijosa river. Here’s a look at what we got up to – and what’s in store for you if you’re joining us on our latest Albanian adventure. A scenic start: Lake Ohrid We landed in the capital of Tirana and set off towards the sleepy fishing village of Lin, not far from Pogradec, gateway to Lake Ohrid and beyond it, North Macedonia. The three-hour drive was no chore with such incredible scenery to enjoy all the way. Not long after leaving Tirana, the landscape shape-shifted from tower blocks to farming towns and distant hazy mountains. The views only became more glorious the closer we came to our destination. Lin is a place trapped in time with its stone houses, where fishing boats bob in place of a family car and strings of drying red peppers (for ajvar and other Balkan specialities) hang like bunting. After a homemade lakeside lunch of fish soup, carp and homemade chips at a restaurant built on stilts above the water, we set out to explore. Related: Albania: 7 things to see and do with kids - Undiscovered Balkans The Undiscovered guide to Ston, the quieter alternative to Dubrovnik The best things to do
A tourism boom over the past few years means that, despite the hype, South Albania’s beaches can feel decidedly discovered — but that’s because most don’t know where to look. This summer, my family and I set off on a research trip to carve out our new South Albania itinerary and proved that even in
There’s nothing Ston local, Robi, doesn’t know about Croatia, which is why he's the man for the job when it comes to leading our Southern Dalmatia adventure holidays. Robi’s love for the great outdoors was ignited at an early age and it was when he joined a rowing team at university that he started to think about turning guiding into a career. He’s now a licensed tour guide, cycling guide, skipper and mountain rescue certified, so whatever you get up to you’re in capable hands. Get to know Robi below and meet the other members of our UB family. Tell us a little bit about you. What inspired you to become an adventure guide? I was born in Dubrovnik and spent my early years on the Pelješac peninsula in the countryside. I believe that being in nature from an early age set a strong foundation for my love for nature and exploring. While studying law at university, I joined a rowing team. One of my friends there got me a summer job as a rafting guide and after lots of training experience on rivers guiding river rafting, kayaking and multi-sport tours I got my IRF (International Rafting Federation) certificate. I liked what I did, so I came back for the next season, and the next one, and the next one… until it became my full-time job. After years of working in tourism for others and having a conversation with the boss in the family (aka my wife) we decided that the time had come and our future is our own, family-owned travel enterprise. We put all of our knowledge and passion into it. I personally have devised all our trips - I have kayaked and rafted every river, hiked every mountain, biked every road, swam to every beach, been to
There’s nothing Ston local, Robi, doesn’t know about Croatia, which is why he’s the man for the job when it comes to leading our Southern Dalmatia adventure holidays. Robi’s love for the great outdoors was ignited at an early age and it was when he joined a rowing team at university that he started to
Planning a trip to the Balkans and wondering what kinds of wildlife you might encounter? With vast swathes of undisturbed forests and wetlands, the peninsula is teeming with animals which are rare, if not extinct, in the UK. Despite being popular for the beaches, Albania is actually two-thirds forests and mountains. Across the border in Montenegro, Europe's most mountainous country, lots of nature hotspots are under environmental protection. They include Lake Skadar National Park which is on its way to becoming a UNESCO biosphere and joining the Amazon of Europe. Serbia, Kosovo and Croatia equally boast their fair share of natural habitats. So, in short, the Balkans is the place to visit for wildlife sightings in Europe. Sadly though, there’s a way to go before proper protection is in place for many of the species listed below, meaning they’re at threat of dying out due to human activity (read: damming, deforestation and pollution). That’s why we’re on a mission as a travel company to support vital conservation efforts in the region by donating to our chosen local NGOs through our Book to Give Back scheme and touring responsibly. So, without further adieu, here are just some of the fantastic wild animals you could see (or hear) in the Balkans. 1. Dalmatian Pelican It’s the world’s largest member of the pelican family with a wingspan of three metres and weighing around 9.5 kg respectfully, the Dalmatian Pelican is also the world’s largest flying freshwater bird. A lot of work is being done to protect these remarkable creatures in Montenegro and Albania, particularly in Lake Skadar National Park (where we run Villa Miela), which has a sizeable population of roughly 300 pelicans. You’ll also find them in large numbers on Lake Prespa, shared by Albania and Greece, which you can visit on
Planning a trip to the Balkans and wondering what kinds of wildlife you might encounter? With vast swathes of undisturbed forests and wetlands, the peninsula is teeming with animals which are rare, if not extinct, in the UK. Despite being popular for the beaches, Albania is actually two-thirds forests and mountains. Across the border in
Here at Undiscovered Balkans, we consider ourselves connoisseurs when it comes to Balkan food (see previous blog post), but Macedonian-British author and recipe developer Irina Janakievska's knowledge is unmatched. Since 2011, she's been on a culinary journey to discover the history, intricacies and origins of traditional foods found in the region for her debut cookbook, The Balkan Kitchen. Born in what's now North Macedonia (former Yugoslavia), Irina moved to Kuwait with her mother in the late 1980s to escape the violent breakup of Yugoslavia. In 2001, Irina moved to Britain to study at the London School of Economics, graduating with a Masters and securing a job as a solicitor. She left the corporate world in 2020 to pursue her passion for Balkan cuisine and train at the Leiths School of Food and Wine. Irina has since contributed her knowledge of Balkan food and culture to the likes of The Guardian, Foodnetwork US and Whetstone Magazine, among others and in 2023, The Balkan Kitchen was shortlisted for the Jane Grigson Trust Award. It landed on shelves in October 2024, so we caught up with Irina to find out more about the history behind the recipes and what dishes you should try when visiting the region. How would you sum up Balkan food in three words? Rich, vibrant, diverse. What inspired you to write The Balkan Kitchen? We can tell it was a labour of love with so many personal stories, anecdotes and photographs to accompany the recipes. After my grandmother tragically passed away in 2011, I was in her apartment in front of the bookshelf that held our family’s most treasured books and happened to pick up a copy of her 1956 edition of Veliki Narodni Kuvar (Great National Cookbook) by Spasenija Pata Markovic, with its fading olive-green cover, torn but lovingly
Here at Undiscovered Balkans, we consider ourselves connoisseurs when it comes to Balkan food (see previous blog post), but Macedonian-British author and recipe developer Irina Janakievska’s knowledge is unmatched. Since 2011, she’s been on a culinary journey to discover the history, intricacies and origins of traditional foods found in the region for her debut cookbook,
Travelling to the Balkans for the first time and wondering what foods you should try? We’ve got you covered. From burek to rakija, you’ll find these traditional Balkan foods, accompaniments and beverages widespread across the region. Tick all of these off and you're only just getting started, so be sure to go with a good appetite. Is Balkan food Turkish? This is a question we've seen floating around a fair bit. With much of the region formerly part of the Ottoman empire, Balkan countries have inherited lots of Turkish dishes such as baklava and sarma. And Bosnian coffee shares similarities with Turkish coffee (although don’t say that to a Bosnian if you don’t wish to offend). But it’s not just Ottoman dishes that have made their way onto the Balkan menu over time. You can also find typically Austro-Hungarian dishes like schnitzel and goulash. And some things, like rakija, are Balkan through and through. 1. Burek Burek has been a staple across the Balkans since its introduction by the Ottomans in the 14th century and it’s the ultimate comfort food. It’s made of thin layers of filo pastry filled with savoury ingredients, rolled into a spiral, and baked until golden. Popular fillings include spiced meat, a cheese similar to feta, a mix of cheese and spinach, or spiced potatoes. 2. Kajmak Kajmak ("kai-mak") also known as sarshir or qashta/ashta, is a rich, creamy dairy product similar to clotted cream. It’s traditionally made from the milk of water buffalo, cows, sheep or goats and is popular not only in the Balkans, but Western and Central Asia and Turkey. Kajmak is traditionally eaten with meat dishes like 'cevapi' mince kebabs, or as a filling in savoury pancakes. 3. Sarma / Dolma Dolma (more commonly referred to as Sarma in the Balkans) refers
Travelling to the Balkans for the first time and wondering what foods you should try? We’ve got you covered. From burek to rakija, you’ll find these traditional Balkan foods, accompaniments and beverages widespread across the region. Tick all of these off and you’re only just getting started, so be sure to go with a good
Travel writer Laura Sanders shares her experience of joining a group of fellow solo female travellers for our 7-day multi-activity holiday in Serbia, which launched earlier this year. Read about her most memorable moments and anecdotes from the trip below – including how a mountain ranger saved her life from an ancient Balkan ailment with a hairdryer and a pair of socks. In the lead up to my week-long adventure in Western Serbia, I was met with a lot of ‘is it safe’s?’ and ‘you’re braver than me’s’. For many who were around in the 1990s (I was teething), mention of any former Yugoslavian country conjures up harrowing images from the six o'clock news. And while I'm not naive enough to think all is completely rosy now, it’s evident from past trips to the Balkans that life has moved on by a whole generation, and people aren’t their politics. Having ticked off Croatia and Bosnia, I was keen to experience more of this unique region, and so jumped at the chance to join Undiscovered Balkans on their inaugural tour in Serbia. From hiking through lush mountains and kayaking rushing rivers to sharing laughter over rakija with locals who would have gladly given us the shirts off their backs (and socks off their feet, more on that later) — my personal and professional mission was to override these old memories with fresh images of Serbia, its bucolic beauty and warm, genuine people. Well, mission accomplished. A walk on the wild side The first morning, my comrades and I (a group of intrepid women aged between 29 and 65) were whisked straight out of Belgrade for a river hike on the Gradac, one of Serbia’s cleanest waterways and an example of the striking karst landscapes I’d see throughout the week. I felt
Travel writer Laura Sanders shares her experience of joining a group of fellow solo female travellers for our 7-day multi-activity holiday in Serbia, which launched earlier this year. Read about her most memorable moments and anecdotes from the trip below – including how a mountain ranger saved her life from an ancient Balkan ailment with
Considering an adventure in Bosnia and Herzegovina and wondering whether it’s suitable for families? Well, we can tell you it absolutely is. The locals adore children and there’s lots of things to see, eat and do for all ages. See our suggestions below which have been tried, tested and approved by the UB founders’ own offspring. 1. Sarajevo Bosnia’s capital city boasts an amalgam of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslavian relics. The old quarter is the beating heart of the city and there’s lots there to interest families. Wander the old Ottoman bazaar for souvenirs, visit a traditional Bosnian coffee shop, and explore some of the museums and religious buildings there, such as the beautiful Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Don’t miss out on a walk down Copper Street (Kazandžiluk) to see artisans at work making copper plates, coffee sets et al. Kids love a live demonstration and the locals are all too happy to oblige. Pictured above are UB founders’ Ben and Emma’s children getting involved. Another simple yet fun thing to do with kids in the old town is feed the pigeons around the Sebilj Fountain. If you'd like to learn about the 1990s conflict in Bosnia but you're conscious that some of the museums might be a bit too grown-up for some, visit the War Childhood Museum. It's dedicated completely to the experiences of children who grew up during armed conflict in that period, making it easier for your kids to relate. The collection of personal belongings and video testimonies really brings it to life . Find more things to see and do in Sarajevo. 2. Mostar Mostar is an enchanting city with its old Ottoman landmarks and there’s plenty that children will find fascinating. It’s best known for its Ottoman bridge, Stari Most (look out
Considering an adventure in Bosnia and Herzegovina and wondering whether it’s suitable for families? Well, we can tell you it absolutely is. The locals adore children and there’s lots of things to see, eat and do for all ages. See our suggestions below which have been tried, tested and approved by the UB founders’ own
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