Day Eight of my Balkan trip began by waving goodbye to Sarajevo and settling into our coach seats for a long, scenic journey stretching toward the Serbian border.

Our full day in Sarajevo kicked off with a familiar face. We met up with our incredibly engaging guide from the day before, Enes, for a group walking tour of the city centre.

There is no better way to get the pulse of a new city than a bright-and-early walking tour. It is the ultimate strategy for a traveller: you get a curated preview of the city's highlights, figure out exactly where you want to circle back to later.

There is always a tiny bit of nervous anticipation that comes with joining a group trip late. I officially met up with the Contiki crew at 7:30 AM, stepping into a group of over 20 people who had already spent a week bonding their way from Budapest through Slovenia and Croatia.

Before kicking off my multi-country tour through the Balkans, I gave myself two full days to just be in Dubrovnik. No strict agendas, no rush. Just the limestone streets, the Adriatic breeze, and my own internal compass.

I’ve always said that travel is the best way to grow, and after hitting 18 countries, I’ve decided that 2026 is the year I go further than ever before. From the rugged coastlines of the Balkans to the neon-lit streets of East Asia, my itinerary is officially set.