Bosnia & Croatia Wine and Culture Tour — 11-Day Balkan Exped

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Wines have been produced in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia since the times of ancient Illyria. In 2007 archeologists discovered two Illyrian ships in the marshlands of Hutovo Blato-Wildlife Refuge near the town of Mostar. Sunk more than 2500 years ago, loaded with amphorae filled with Illyrian wine destined for distant ports, this find conjures romantic images of ancient Mediterranean trade routes and shows just how deeply the wine making tradition is rooted here.

 During this trip, Wines of Illyria is proud to introduce this ancient tradition of wine making to my fellow Americans.

 Over the course of our specially curated 11-day Balkan expedition, designed by founder Indira Bayer, you will explore the Olympic city of Sarajevo; tour UNESCO World Heritage sites including Mostar, Počitelj, and Dubrovnik; and taste exceptional wines crafted by the finest winemakers of the Herzegovina and Dalmatia regions. You’ll enjoy the beauty of the Neretva and Buna Rivers, marvel at Kravice Waterfalls—often called the “mini Niagara Falls”—and wander through Diocletian’s Palace in Split. Along the way, you’ll experience the dramatic Dalmatian coast and its islands, stop at filming locations from Game of Thrones, harvest and taste your own oysters, and immerse yourself in the rich history, culture, food, and wine of the Balkans—plus much more. 

September 5 - 15, 2026

 Our goal is to bring small groups to Bosnia and Croatia each September, during the beautiful harvest season, when vineyards and wineries are at their peak.