A seven-nation Balkan odyssey, far-flung ways to pop the question and more

For many travelers, the Balkans don't spring to mind when looking for places to explore in Europe. Tucked away in the southeast of the continent, they tend to be overlooked in favor of western Europe destinations. The MIR Corp. aims to change that with a seven-nation journey called Balkan Odyssey: Crosswords of Cultures. The Sept. 13 departure travels to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, countries that have a mix of Catholic, Muslim and Orthodox religions and ethnic and political divisions. Modern-day Belgrade, the Serbian capital, tempts with its artists' quarter, Skadarlija. There are many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Balkans, including the Old Bridge in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which dates from Ottoman times, and Dubrovnik's famed Old Town on the Adriatic coast in southern Croatia. There's also Kotor, Montenegro, guarded by walls as old as Roman times. Durres, Albania, has the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkans, and Skopje, Macedonia, birthplace of Mother Teresa, shows Ottoman influences in its Turkish quarter. Cost of the trip is $7,695 per person, double occupancy. International airfare is extra. Info: 800-424-7289, http://tinyurl.com/ydayh7bo