Come and discover its many facets!

A Bit of History

The Balkan Peninsula is a land of ceaseless undulations; its unusual shape seems to sweep Europe towards the south and towards Asia, to a world of sun, splendid nature, picturesque scenery and cities bathed in history. Whilst it is a veritable patchwork of cultures, languages and ethnicities, all the countries of the peninsula share a rich history that has been subjected to similar influences. That of Ancient Greece was followed by the Roman era, then the Byzantine, the migration of Slavic peoples and an increase in the importance of Islam towards the end of the 15th century. This rich blend of influences makes the region unique in the world.

A Combination of Sea and Mountains

The South East of Europe is surrounded by four seas and four mountain ranges. Fans of sun-drenched beaches or mountaintops - reach for your sunscreen and take your pick!

The Adriatic Sea

Slovenia plays its Mediterranean card with old cities baking in the sun, surrounded by vineyards, orchards and olive groves. But its coastline isn’t all bucolic - the landscape has its own character. Slovenia's majestic nature is evident in the limestone or 'karst' topography, where more than 6,000 caves attract numerous visitors.

Croatia’s coastline is absolutely stunning, with more than 1,000 islands scattered along its length, each more beautiful than the last. The island of Miljet is particularly beautiful, and is classified as a national park, thanks to its luxuriant and typically Mediterranean vegetation and its crystalline waters.

You really shouldn't leave Croatia without visiting the exceptional historic city of Dubrovnik - rightfully called “the pearl of the Adriatic”. Its white city walls follow the curve of the coast, providing a wonderful contrast between the brilliant blues of the sky and the water. Explore marble-paved streets on foot; see monuments from Roman times and old buildings from the medieval era. This dazzling city will hold you in its spell forever!

In Montenegro, visit the city of Budva, built on a small island connected to the mainland by a narrow tongue of sand. It is thought to be the oldest settlement in the Balkans: its birth is described in Greek mythology! The ancient city of Kotor has saved its city walls, and its medieval monuments are particularly well-preserved.

These three countries share the Dinaric Alps with Serbia. Stretching across the Peninsula, they extend from the Adriatic coast to the Julian Alps. The typical limestone formations featuring fantastic gorges and canyons will leave you with enduring memories.

The Ionian Sea

The Ionian Sea is bordered by southern Italy, including Sicily, Albania and a large number of Greek islands, which are collectively referred to as the Ionian islands. In Greece, don't miss this magnificent collection of islands - many of which are mythical. Ithaca, the island of legend where Ulysses reigned - a main subject of Homer’s Odyssey - is within your reach. Not only is it a dive into the past, but nowadays, scuba divers also come here to enjoy the beautiful depths of the sea. In Corfu, you too can set out to follow in the footsteps of the Austrian Empress Sissi (or Sisi)! This is also where you’ll discover the transition between Italy and Greece: you can feel the imprint of the Venetians who lived on the island for several centuries.

The Aegean Sea

The Aegean Sea is located between the mainlands of Greece and Turkey. In Greece, the coast of Apollo welcomes you with Athens and the Acropolis, the port of Piraeus, and on Cape Sounion, the Temple of Poseidon. Like millions of visitors before you, you can perch on the rocks to admire the sunset and philosophize about the past or the future…

The past is omnipresent in the Peloponnese: embark on the trail of the ancient Greeks at incredible sites such as Corinth, Mycenae or Epidaurus. The region of Thessaloniki - Greece's second city - brings you to another mythical site, Mount Olympus, home of the Greek gods.

The Aegean Sea is also sprinkled with islands like Aegina, Rhodes and Hydra, as well as the legendary islands of the Cyclades - and of course Crete and its beautiful beaches and fabulous archeological sites.

In the northern part of the country, in the Pindus Mountains, often called “the spine of Greece", you can visit Samarina, the highest village in Greece or the Via Egnatia, one of the ancient Roman roads.

In Turkey, touring such famous archeological sites as Ephesus or Milet can be easily combined with days of leisure or with exploring the beaches of Izmir, Kusadasi and Bodrum.

The Black Sea

In Turkey, don’t miss Istanbul, the city of many names and many pasts, whose influence on both Europe and Asia is unequaled. Its location is exceptional, straddling not only the Bosphorus between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, but equally as the line that divides Europe and Asia.

In Bulgaria, visit the coast at Varna, capital of the Bulgarian coast, whose name was known as early as the 8th century. Thracians, Greeks and Romans have all left their imprints here. The city of Bourgas was likewise subjected to the same influences, and today is one of the most important ports on the Black Sea.

It is in Bulgaria as well as Serbia that the Balkan Mountains form part of the landscape. The Stara Planina region in Bulgaria is particularly rich in flora and fauna.

The Rhodope Mountains stretching from the south of Bulgaria to Greece, will seduce you with their superb limestone scenery: steep-sided rivers, huge caves, fantastically shaped rocks and plenty of gorges, such as those at Trigrad, and a series of natural bridges carved in the rocks - a paradise for nature lovers and hikers.

Suggestion

Another interesting way to explore a part of the Balkans is by taking The Orient Express. Originally, this famous train departed from Paris, passing through the grand cities of Europe (Munich, Vienna, Budapest and Bucharest), stopping in Romania, where crossing the Danube was done by ferry boat, after which a second train made the journey to Varna, Bulgaria’s port on the Black Sea. There, a steamship took passengers the rest of the way to Istanbul.