I’d like to introduce you to the wonderful people, incredibly diverse scenery and amazing cultural sights that Slovenia and the Balkans have to offer. I want tour members to come home with more than just a spectator’s view of these countries. The goal is to create tours that don’t merely scratch the surface, but that delve deeper and provide a more enriching experience for you. If you are interested in seeing a different side of Europe and having a more rewarding journey you’ll find both when taking these roads less traveled.

Why Slovenia and the Balkans?

I have spent the last seven years traveling and exploring Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia. Of all my travels in Europe, this region keeps calling me back more than others—but why? To start with, the people here are so kind, inquisitive, friendly and talkative (especially the Bosnians) that I make new friends on each trip. This region has so much diversity in such a relatively small area. The histories and cultures here are a fascinating combination of Roman, Ottoman, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian influences along with Catholic, Orthodox and Muslim religions. There’s so much to discover that even I feel as if I haven’t even scratched the surface yet.

What’s different with Roads Less Traveled?

Since I’ve always traveled outside of a tour, either by myself or with friends and family, I want to make sure that we keep that independent spirit of travel in these tours. Our tours are small (maximum 6 persons), making them more personal and allowing us to stay at smaller out of the way places, such as the charming farmhouses in Slovenia and the family run eco-motel in Herzegovina. You’ll get to meet the locals, both guides and friends, on as many destinations as possible.

There are few feelings more amazing than coming home after making new friendships and a gaining a newfound understanding of people. Travel can broaden your view of the world and connections with people along the way only enhances that possibility. I truly hope our tours can be a part of this process.

Travelers enjoy seeing Europe’s big ticket items like the Coliseum or Red Square, but many are craving travel on a more personal level. A special evening of wine drinking with a table full of colorful, talkative locals, or that moment when you feel like you’re the first tourist to explore a beautiful valley or hilltown. Roads Less Traveled doesn’t shy away from the obvious sites but our tours offer up a generous portion of those smaller and “off the beaten path” places.

As much as I love following a well thought-out itinerary, many wonderful memories and many a great travel story have come at the hands of unplanned, the unanticipated and chance meetings. Sometimes you need to take your nose out of the guidebook and see what happens.