Croatia to Montenegro: Nightlife & National Parks

Land in Zagreb, Croatia's capital, and find your way to the hostel. After dropping your bags, a quick orientation walk points out the essentials. The real meet-up happens later; plan on hitting one of Zagreb's beer halls or trendy bars with the rest of the crew for the first night out.

It's an early start for the local bus to Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll spend the bulk of the day exploring the network of terraced lakes and wooden boardwalks that crisscross dozens of waterfalls. The park is a UNESCO site, so expect crowds, but the views of the turquoise water are worth navigating for. The trails are well-marked, leading you through forests and past cascades before you settle in at the hostel just outside the park.

Another travel day takes you south by bus to the Dalmatian coast and the city of Split. After checking in, a quick walk around the area will get you oriented with the city's layout. The main event is the night out; the plan usually involves hitting the beach bars at Bačviće Beach for a few drinks—maybe even a night swim—before moving on to one of the nearby clubs.

The morning is dedicated to exploring Diocletian's Palace, the massive Roman ruin that forms the core of Split's old town. Wander through its ancient cellars and courtyards. After that, the day is yours. A popular move is to grab some friends and take a ferry to the famous Zlatni Rat beach on the island of Brač. Or, for a quieter afternoon, a local bus can get you to the ancient ruined city of Solin. If you stick around Split, the nightlife along the Riva promenade picks up after dark.

Catch a morning ferry for a day trip to the island of Hvar. Once you land, you can hike up to the Spanish Fortress for a panoramic view of the harbor, or just find a spot on one of the local beaches. A popular option is to join an island-hopping boat cruise that explores the secluded coves of the Pakleni Islands just offshore. You'll catch an evening ferry back to Split.

It's a four-hour bus ride down the coast to Dubrovnik. The journey itself is scenic, hugging the Adriatic shoreline for most of the way. After arriving and checking into the hostel, the rest of the day is free. For a classic Dubrovnik night, check out the East/West Beach Club; it's a well-known spot that gets busy after dark but is also a good place to hang out during the day.

Leave Croatia behind and cross the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina, heading for the town of Trebinje. The first stop is the 16th-century Tvrdoš Monastery, where you can sample some of the wine made by the monks. You'll also stop for photos at the Hercegovacka Temple viewpoint and the old Arslanagić Bridge before checking into the hotel. An evening walk through the old town will help you get your bearings before you find a spot for dinner.

Today offers a deep dive into the Bosnian countryside. You can start by exploring Počitelj, an old Ottoman fortress town clinging to a hillside that now operates as an active art colony. From there, travel to the Kravica Waterfalls for a swim in the clear, cold pools at the base of the 25-meter-high cascades. The day ends with a sunset Jeep safari, climbing the plateau above Livno to look for the region's famous wild horses. You will wrap up the night with a BBQ dinner and a campfire back at the Continental Adventure Resort guesthouse.

Drive south from Livno this morning, making a stop at the historic village of Blagaj. Here, you'll see the Dervish monastery, a 16th-century building dramatically built into a cliff at the source of the Buna River. If it's warm, you can take a dip in the river's icy blue water. The journey continues to the nearby city of Mostar. A guided walk introduces you to the city's history and takes you to the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), with plenty of time for photos before the evening is free.

Catch a morning train to the city of Konjic. After dropping your gear at the lodge, you'll get kitted out for a white-water rafting trip on the Neretva River. It's a solid few hours on the water with a team of guides, followed by a BBQ lunch on the riverbank. The rest of the afternoon is free. You can relax at the lodge or look into visiting Tito's Bunker, a massive Cold War-era nuclear command center hidden in the mountains nearby.

Take the scenic local train from Konjic to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on a 60-kilometer route. After arriving at Hotel Hecco, your best move is to get a feel for the city through its food. Spend four to five hours exploring the small alleys and local markets away from the main tourist drags. A walking lunch of traditional Bosnian cuisine covers the city's complex history through its traditional flavors. The rest of the day is free to keep exploring.

You have a full free day to explore Sarajevo. You can dive into the city's recent history at museums covering the Bosnian War and the Siege of Sarajevo, or take the funicular up to the abandoned 1984 Olympic bobsled track. Otherwise, the city is full of cafes perfect for passing an afternoon. The crew will get together in the evening for a final big night out in Bosnia.

It's a long travel day, leaving Sarajevo after breakfast for the bus ride across the border into Montenegro. The destination is Kotor, a fortified town tucked into a dramatic bay. After checking into the hostel in the old town and getting settled, a quick orientation walk will point you toward the main squares and ATMs. Some new travellers might join the group here before everyone heads out for dinner.

The day starts with a steep but rewarding hike up the ancient fortifications to the Fortress of San Giovanni, which looms over the old town. The views of the red-roofed town and the deep blue bay from the top are the classic Kotor photo op. After hiking back down, you'll have some free time for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll head out on a sunset boat tour of the bay, cruising past small islands and the historic town of Perast before returning to Kotor for the night.

Leave the coast behind and drive north into Montenegro's mountainous interior. There's a stop to stretch your legs at Nevidio canyon before continuing on to the small town of Žabljak. This is the base for exploring Durmitor National Park, a region of pine forests, clear lakes, and the deep Tara River Canyon. The afternoon is free to relax or go for an optional mountain bike ride through the park before dinner.

Start the day with a hike through Durmitor National Park to Crno Jezero, the 'Black Lake'. After the hike and lunch, you'll drive south towards the coast, stopping at the incredible Ostrog Monastery. This 17th-century Serbian Orthodox site is carved directly into a sheer vertical cliff face, its white facade a stark contrast to the rugged rock. After exploring the monastery, the drive continues to the coastal party town of Budva. A quick walk through the medieval old town gets you oriented before dinner.

You have a full free day to take advantage of Budva's coastal setting. The obvious move is to hit the beach. You can rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak, or just claim a patch of sand. For a better look at the coastline, you can join a catamaran cruise that visits different swimming spots and the popular Blue Cave. The day wraps up with a big night out, hitting the beach bars and clubs that Budva is famous for.

The trip ends this morning in Budva. There are no activities planned, so you're free to pack up and depart at any time. Swap contact info with your new friends and head out for your next destination or your flight home.