THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Travel through Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia, from Belgrade's fortresses and streets to Sarajevo, Mostar, Kotor Bay, Gjirokaster, Berat, Lake Ohrid and Skopje. Photograph towns, lakes and mountain scenery. Transport, accommodation standards and entry arrangements are pending confirmation with the operator.
Serbia
Photograph Belgrade, Kalemegdan, Smederevo Castle and Golubac Fortress, then travel to Uzice and Drvengrad.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Explore Sarajevo and Mostar, photographing old-town streets, bridges and riverside scenery.
Montenegro
Photograph bay scenery and historic towns in Kotor and Budva.
Albania
Explore Gjirokaster and Berat, photographing historic architecture and daily life.
North Macedonia
Photograph Lake Ohrid and explore Mavrovo National Park and Skopje.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Weixi Lin →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Weixi Lin
Has led photography trips to Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Russia, Indonesia, Semporna, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Niubei Mountain in western Sichuan, Nyingchi, the Qiantang River, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Yangzhou, Wuxi, Yongfu in Fujian, Dongying, Zhongwei, the Yuanyang rice terraces, Xianggong Mountain and Zhangjiajie.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Jun 4 · Europe/SofiaDay 1: June 4 — China–Belgrade, Serbia
Fly from China to Belgrade, meet the pickup service, and check into a scenic old-town hotel. Photograph sunset at Kalemegdan Fortress and nighttime views over the Sava–Danube confluence.
Accommodation:Boutique hotel in Belgrade's old town
DAY 02Jun 5 · Europe/SofiaDay 2: June 5 — Belgrade–Smederevo Fortress–Golubac Fortress
Sunrise over Danube castles, aerial photography of medieval riverside fortresses, and pastoral scenery along the Danube.
Accommodation:Hotel in a Danube-side town
DAY 03Jun 6 · Europe/SofiaDay 3: June 6 — Golubac–Užice–Drvengrad
The popular wooden village of Drvengrad, mountain cloud seas at sunset, and forest scenery in Tara National Park.
Accommodation:Mountain-view guesthouse
DAY 04Jun 7 · Europe/SofiaDay 4: June 7 — Drvengrad–Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Coppersmith Street's local life in Sarajevo's old town, historic Latin Bridge viewpoints, and evening light in the old-town square.
Accommodation:Hotel in central Sarajevo old town
DAY 05Jun 8 · Europe/SofiaDay 5: June 8 — Full day of in-depth photography in Sarajevo
Morning: Cultural photography of mosque, Orthodox church, and Catholic church, framing architecture of four countries together; Afternoon: Nearby mountain villages and Bosnian countryside; Sunset: Overlook the entire city from a high viewpoint in evening glow.
Accommodation:Another night in Sarajevo
DAY 06Jun 9 · Europe/SofiaDay 6: June 9 — Sarajevo–Mostar
Classic sunrise at Mostar's Old Bridge, aerial views of the blue Neretva, and daily life in stone old-town lanes.
Accommodation:Riverside guesthouse in Mostar old town
DAY 07Jun 10 · Europe/SofiaDay 7: June 10 — Mostar–Kotor, Montenegro
Enter Montenegro along the Adriatic coast. Photograph Kotor Bay panoramas, walk seaside old-town walls, and take aerial photographs of a bay cruise; Sunset: Golden evening glow across the fjord's water.
Accommodation:Sea-view hotel on Kotor Bay
DAY 08Jun 11 · Europe/SofiaDay 8: June 11 — Full day photographing Kotor Bay
Early morning: Misty photography in an uncrowded fjord fishing village; All day: Nearby Perast and its two island churches, water reflections; at blue hour, old-town lights reflected in the bay.
Accommodation:Another night in Kotor
DAY 09Jun 12 · Europe/SofiaDay 9: June 12 — Kotor–Budva–Albanian border
Budva's stone seaside old town and Adriatic cliffs and beaches; cross into Albania toward evening.
Accommodation:Coastal town near the Albanian border
DAY 10Jun 13 · Europe/SofiaDay 10: June 13 — Albania–Gjirokastër stone old town
World Heritage white-stone mountain town. Photograph aerial panoramas, Ottoman wooden houses and lanes, and sunrise over mountain terraces; documentary subjects include local elders and craft workshops.
Accommodation:Old-town-view guesthouse
DAY 11Jun 14 · Europe/SofiaDay 11: June 14 — Gjirokastër–Berat, City of a Thousand Windows
White hillside houses with a thousand windows, mirrorlike river-valley reflections, golden mountain town at sunset, and rural viewpoints in surrounding olive groves.
Accommodation:Hillside hotel in Berat
DAY 12Jun 15 · Europe/SofiaDay 12: June 15 — Berat–Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
Enter North Macedonia and visit the Balkans' most beautiful freshwater lake. In the evening, photograph shoreline sunset glow and waterbirds.
Accommodation:Direct lake-view room on Lake Ohrid
DAY 13Jun 16 · Europe/SofiaDay 13: June 16 — Full day photographing around Lake Ohrid
Sunrise: Mist over the lake and waterside monastery viewpoints; All day: Historic lakeside churches, fishing villages, and reed-wetland ecology. Stars: aerial night-sky photography over the lake without light pollution (autumn exclusive);
Accommodation:Another night at the lakeside hotel
DAY 14Jun 17 · Europe/SofiaDay 14: June 17 — Ohrid–Mavrovo National Park
Snowy mountains, forests, and lakes in a secluded Balkan destination. Photograph snowy peak reflections, primeval conifer forests, and mountain monasteries. Autumn-tour exclusive: hills covered in red and yellow forests.
Accommodation:Resort at the foot of snowy mountains
DAY 15Jun 18 · Europe/SofiaDay 15: June 18 — Mavrovo–Skopje, North Macedonia's capital
Skopje's Stone Bridge, European-style sculpture and architecture along the Vardar, and old-town street life. At night, long exposures of illuminated city bridges.
Accommodation:Central Skopje hotel
DAY 16Jun 19 · Europe/SofiaDay 16: June 19 — Full day photographing Skopje and nearby areas
Morning: Matka Canyon landscapes and aerial views of cliffside cave monasteries; Afternoon: Documentary photography in the old market and local handicrafts. Farewell dinner of Balkan grilled meats.
DAY 17Jun 20 · Europe/SofiaDay 17: June 20 — Skopje–China
Airport transfers throughout the day conclude the 17-day Balkan photography journey.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Weixi Lin
- ExcludedGuide and driver tips are paid separately; daily and total amounts are pending confirmation with the operator.
View trip staffing details
Photography leader · Weixi Lin Excluded · Guide and driver tips are paid separately; daily and total amounts are pending confirmation with the operator. Excluded · Overtime: Driver and guide overtime EUR 50/night/hour. Drivers on the organizing team's photography tours work a maximum of 10 hours daily, 2 more than ordinary tours. Any further overtime is shared equally by guests on site;
Transport
- IncludedTour bus service within the itinerary; included visits and admission coverage are pending confirmation with the operator.
- ExcludedAll airfare; the organizing team can book;
Travel details and reference schedules
The services below are the tour leader's reference travel options. They are neither mandatory for participants nor confirmed group transport arrangements. Participants may choose suitable services that fit the meeting and departure times. Outbound: June 04: CZ667 Guangzhou–Belgrade, Serbia 23:15–05:50+1 Return: June 20: CZ668 Belgrade–Guangzhou 11:00–05:00+1 day Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
Photography
- Serbia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Montenegro
Photography details
Serbia Photograph Belgrade, Kalemegdan, Smederevo Castle and Golubac Fortress, then travel to Uzice and Drvengrad. Bosnia and Herzegovina Explore Sarajevo and Mostar, photographing old-town streets, bridges and riverside scenery. Montenegro Photograph bay scenery and historic towns in Kotor and Budva. Albania Explore Gjirokaster and Berat, photographing historic architecture and daily life. North Macedonia Photograph Lake Ohrid and explore Mavrovo National Park and Skopje. Serbia Bosnia and Herzegovina Montenegro Albania North Macedonia Included · Excellent local Chinese- and English-speaking photography guide services throughout; Included · Photography instruction and service fees for the accompanying instructor throughout; Excluded · Overtime: Driver and guide overtime EUR 50/night/hour. Drivers on the organizing team's photography tours work a maximum of 10 hours daily, 2 more than ordinary tours. Any further overtime is shared equally by guests on site;
Accommodation
- 16 nights
- Accommodation standards and the mix of hotels and guesthouses are pending confirmation with the operator.
- IncludedAccommodation: Four-star hotels or equivalent throughout;
Accommodation details
Accommodation standards and the mix of hotels and guesthouses are pending confirmation with the operator. Day 1：Boutique hotel in Belgrade's old town Day 2：Hotel in a Danube-side town Day 3：Mountain-view guesthouse Day 4：Hotel in central Sarajevo old town Day 5：Another night in Sarajevo Day 6：Riverside guesthouse in Mostar old town Day 7：Sea-view hotel on Kotor Bay Day 8：Another night in Kotor Day 9：Coastal town near the Albanian border Day 10：Old-town-view guesthouse Day 11：Hillside hotel in Berat Day 12：Direct lake-view room on Lake Ohrid Day 13：Another night at the lakeside hotel Day 14：Resort at the foot of snowy mountains Day 15：Central Skopje hotel Specific hotels and any accommodation arrangements not listed here are pending confirmation with the operator. Day 1 · 2027-06-04 Boutique hotel in Belgrade's old town Day 2 · 2027-06-05 Hotel in a Danube-side town Day 3 · 2027-06-06 Mountain-view guesthouse Day 4 · 2027-06-07 Hotel in central Sarajevo old town Day 5 · 2027-06-08 Another night in Sarajevo Day 6 · 2027-06-09 Riverside guesthouse in Mostar old town Day 7 · 2027-06-10 Sea-view hotel on Kotor Bay Day 8 · 2027-06-11 Another night in Kotor Day 9 · 2027-06-12 Coastal town near the Albanian border Day 10 · 2027-06-13 Old-town-view guesthouse Day 11 · 2027-06-14 Hillside hotel in Berat Day 12 · 2027-06-15 Direct lake-view room on Lake Ohrid Day 13 · 2027-06-16 Another night at the lakeside hotel Day 14 · 2027-06-17 Resort at the foot of snowy mountains Day 15 · 2027-06-18 Central Skopje hotel 16 nights Accommodation standards and the mix of hotels and guesthouses are pending confirmation with the operator. Included · Accommodation: Four-star hotels or equivalent throughout; Excluded · A single-room supplement applies if room sharing is unavailable or a private room is requested; the amount is pending confirmation with the operator.
Meals
- IncludedDrinking water supplied per person daily; waste is not permitted.
- ExcludedMain meals excluded: Chinese lunches and dinners and simple Western meals; simple Western food replaces Chinese meals where unavailable. Order on site according to your budget;
Visa
- ExcludedTourist visa fees; the organizing team can apply on your behalf;
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
Accommodation: Four-star hotels or equivalent throughout;
Tour bus service within the itinerary; included visits and admission coverage are pending confirmation with the operator.
Excellent local Chinese- and English-speaking photography guide services throughout;
Photography instruction and service fees for the accompanying instructor throughout;
High-coverage international travel insurance;
Drinking water supplied per person daily; waste is not permitted.
Not included
All airfare; the organizing team can book;
Tourist visa fees; the organizing team can apply on your behalf;
Main meals excluded: Chinese lunches and dinners and simple Western meals; simple Western food replaces Chinese meals where unavailable. Order on site according to your budget;
Whether admission is paid separately and which tickets are included are pending confirmation with the operator.
Guide and driver tips are paid separately; daily and total amounts are pending confirmation with the operator.
A single-room supplement applies if room sharing is unavailable or a private room is requested; the amount is pending confirmation with the operator.
Overtime: Driver and guide overtime EUR 50/night/hour. Drivers on the organizing team's photography tours work a maximum of 10 hours daily, 2 more than ordinary tours. Any further overtime is shared equally by guests on site;
Personal expenses: Hotel telephone, fax, minibar, pay TV, internet charges, etc., plus meals and transportation during free time;
In exceptional circumstances involving force majeure, such as natural disasters, war, strikes, airline delays or cancellations, or consular visa delays, the organizing team reserves the right to cancel or alter the itinerary. Additional expenses, including visas, accommodation, meals, transport, or national airfare adjustments, may be charged based on the actual additional expenditure incurred. We will nevertheless do everything within our ability to minimise participants' losses;
Other additional service fees and personal expenses not listed;
Tax is excluded; the applicable invoice tax must be paid additionally if an invoice is required.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] Accommodation is arranged for two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Photography may change with the weather and local conditions. Countries visited, included locations, transport and accommodation standards are pending confirmation with the operator.
Itinerary dates use Europe/Sofia. Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.