# Frequently asked questions: travelling in the Balkans with Breathe in Travel Web page: https://breatheintravel.com/en/faq Planning a trip to the Balkans? Here are the answers to the questions our travellers ask us most often, whatever the destination. For country-specific information (currency, visas, transport…), see the practical guide and FAQ on each [destination](https://breatheintravel.com/en/destinations) page. Another question? Write to us through the [contact form](https://breatheintravel.com/en/contact) and we will get back to you quickly. ## Booking and payment ### How does booking a trip work? It all starts with the [“Book your trip”](https://breatheintravel.com/en/contact) form. An advisor gets back to you to understand your wishes, dates and budget, then sends you a proposed itinerary with a detailed quote. We adjust it together until it suits you. The booking is confirmed when you sign the validation form (marked “read and approved”) and pay the deposit. A provisional booking is held for two weeks; after that, without confirmation, the services are released. ### What are the payment terms? Our prices are in euros, including taxes, per person based on a double room. A 30% deposit is due at booking and the remaining 70% no later than 30 days before departure. For bookings made less than 30 days before departure, the full amount is due on receipt of the invoice. ### What are the cancellation terms? Cancellations are made by email. The fees retained on the amounts paid depend on the date: - up to 61 days before departure: full refund; - 60 to 31 days: 30%; - 30 to 22 days: 50%; - 21 to 15 days: 80%; - less than 15 days or no-show: 100%. Special offers are non-refundable, and flights follow the airline’s conditions. Full details are in our [terms and conditions](https://breatheintravel.com/en/terms). ### Is travel insurance included? No. Medical expenses, repatriation, and theft or loss of luggage are not covered by the agency. Third-party liability insurance is mandatory, and we strongly recommend travel insurance covering cancellation, assistance and repatriation. Check the cover provided by your bank card, which sometimes includes part of these risks. ### How far in advance should I book? Ideally three to six months before departure, especially for July–August and the Croatian coast, where the best guesthouses book up fast. We also organise last-minute trips, subject to availability. ### Are flights included? No, our trips start and end in the destination. We are happy to advise you on the most convenient airports for your itinerary. Plane tickets remain subject to the airlines’ conditions. ## Our trips ### Are your tours fixed or tailor-made? All our trips are tailor-made. The [tours shown on the site](https://breatheintravel.com/en/tours) are starting points for inspiration: length, pace, accommodation, activities, everything can be adapted. You can also start from a blank page and we will build the itinerary with you. ### Can I travel alone, with family or in a group? Yes. We organise trips for couples, families (with child-friendly activities: cooking workshops, boat trips, historic sites), solo travellers and private groups (friends, associations, companies). These are not scheduled departures with strangers: you travel with your own party. ### Do I travel independently or with a guide? The most common option is a self-drive tour: you drive a rental car with a detailed travel book (itinerary, addresses, tips). Depending on your preferences, we add a driver, local guides for some visits or hikes, or a fully guided trip. When you arrive, a member of our team comes to welcome you and answer your questions, and throughout the trip we can be reached 24/7. ### What level of fitness is needed? Most of our itineraries are suitable for everyone. Some, such as [To the Peaks of the Balkans](https://breatheintravel.com/en/tours/to-the-peaks-of-the-balkans) or the hikes in Theth and Valbona, require good physical condition. We adapt the pace and stages to your level; just tell us about any health issue when booking. ## The Balkans ### Are the Balkans a safe destination? Yes, the region is generally safe and welcoming for travellers, and hospitality is a real tradition. The usual precautions are enough. On the road, mountain driving calls for care, and our travel books flag the tricky stretches. Before leaving, check your government’s travel advice. ### What is the best time to go? May–June and September–October are ideal: pleasant temperatures, nature at its best and fewer crowds. July–August suits a beach holiday but is hot and busy on the coast. High-mountain hiking is mostly done from June to September. Winter is good for city breaks and skiing. ### Can I combine several countries in one trip? It is one of our specialities. We cover Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Slovenia. Several of our tours already span several countries ([Impossible Roads](https://breatheintravel.com/en/tours/lva-roads-of-the-impossible-albania-kosovo) between Albania and Kosovo, [In Unknown Lands, Kosovo & North Macedonia](https://breatheintravel.com/en/tours/lva-self-drive-into-the-unknown-kosovo-macedonia), [Between Nature and History – Bulgaria & Romania](https://breatheintravel.com/en/tours/between-nature-and-history-bulgaria-romania), [Journey to the Heart of the Balkans](https://breatheintravel.com/en/tours/journey-to-the-heart-of-the-balkans)) and we can put together any other combination. ### Can I cross borders in a rental car? Yes, in most cases. You need the rental company’s permission and insurance valid in each country you cross (green card), which may mean an extra charge. We handle this when booking the car and tell you the formalities for each border on your itinerary. ### What documents do I need to travel in the Balkans? Citizens of the European Union and Switzerland do not need a visa for a tourist stay of less than 90 days in any of the nine countries we offer. A valid national ID card is enough in most cases, but we recommend travelling with a passport, especially on a multi-country tour: some borders refuse French ID cards whose printed expiry date has passed, even though their validity was extended by five years. Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania are part of the Schengen area. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro are not, so there is a check at every border. As rules can change, check them before leaving with your country’s foreign ministry. Country-specific requirements are detailed on each [destination](https://breatheintravel.com/en/destinations) page. ### Do non-European travellers need to do anything special? Since April 2026, the European Entry/Exit System (EES) records the fingerprints and a photo of non-European travellers on their first entry into the Schengen area, which here concerns Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria and Romania. Allow a little extra time at your first border crossing. The long-announced ETIAS travel authorisation is not yet in operation and no launch date has been set. Good to know: days spent in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia or Montenegro do not count towards the 90 days allowed in the Schengen area. ## Our agency ### Who are you? Breathe in Travel is a local travel agency (DMC) specialised in the Balkans, based in Kosovo and Albania. Our team lives here: advisors, guides and coordinators who know the ground and our partners personally. Being on site lets us offer you off-the-beaten-track places, local prices and real responsiveness if anything unexpected happens. ### What is your approach to responsible travel? We are a Travelife Partner, a recognition based on more than 100 social and environmental criteria. In practice: we favour family-run guesthouses and locally owned accommodation, we work with fairly paid local guides, we exclude any activity involving captive animals, and we include experiences that support local communities, such as carpet-weaving workshops in Prizren or e-bike rental around Berat. Our full policy is available on the [Sustainability](https://breatheintravel.com/en/sustainability) page. ### What happens if there is a problem during the trip? You have an emergency number available 24/7 throughout your stay. If a service does not match what was planned, let us know immediately so we can find a solution on the spot. Any complaint can then be sent by email to contact@breatheintravel.com within 8 days of your return.