Privacy Policy
Last updated: September 2, 2026
Introduction
Balkan Guide ("we," "our," or "us") operates the website www.balkanguide.net (the "Site"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our Site.
Information We Collect
Personal Data
We may collect personally identifiable information such as your name and email address when you voluntarily submit it through our email subscription form or contact forms.
Automatically Collected Data
When you visit our Site, certain information is automatically collected, including:
- Analytics Data: If you allow optional analytics, Google Analytics (GA4) and, on pages that use it, Microsoft Clarity help us understand how visitors use our Site. This can include pages visited, time spent, clicks, scroll behavior, and session recordings. If you do not allow optional analytics, these tools are not loaded by our pages.
- Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device type, and screen resolution.
- Location Data: Approximate geographic location based on IP address (country/city level only).
How We Use Your Information
We use the collected data for the following purposes:
- To operate and improve our website and content
- To send periodic emails if you subscribe to our mailing list (you can unsubscribe at any time)
- To analyze traffic patterns and user behavior to improve user experience
- To detect and prevent technical issues and security threats
Third-Party Services
We use the following third-party services that may collect information about you when the relevant service is active:
- Google Analytics (GA4) (optional): Helps us understand page views and site use after you allow optional analytics. Google Privacy Policy
- Microsoft Clarity (optional): On pages that use Clarity, it can provide session replays and heatmaps after you allow optional analytics. Microsoft Privacy Statement
- Mailchimp: Manages our email subscription list. Intuit Privacy Statement
- Cloudflare: Provides CDN and security services. Cloudflare Privacy Policy
- Vrbo (CJ Affiliate): Affiliate links for hotel and vacation rental bookings. CJ Privacy Policy
Cookies and consent
Our Site uses essential browser storage for site operation and to remember your optional analytics choice. Optional analytics tools are not loaded until you allow optional analytics. You can change or withdraw that choice at any time with the control.
- Essential site operation and security
- Optional analytics and performance measurement (Google Analytics and, on applicable pages, Microsoft Clarity) only after consent
Browser settings can also control cookies and local storage. Blocking essential storage may affect some features of the Site.
Data Retention
Where you allow optional analytics, we retain analytics data for 26 months (Google Analytics default) and session recording data in Clarity for 13 months. Email subscription data is retained until you unsubscribe. You can request deletion of your data at any time by contacting us.
Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: Request a copy of the data we hold about you
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate data
- Deletion: Request deletion of your data
- Opt-out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time
- Analytics consent: Allow or withdraw optional analytics through the Privacy settings control
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at the email address below.
Children's Privacy
Our Site is not intended for children under 16. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Affiliate Disclosure
Balkan Guide participates in the CJ Affiliate (formerly Commission Junction) program, as well as direct affiliate partnerships. When you click on an affiliate link on our Site and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us maintain and improve our content.
We are committed to transparency. Below is a full list of our current affiliate partners and programs:
| Partner | Type | Program | CJ ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Hotels / Flights | Direct | — |
| EconomyBookings | Car Rental | CJ Affiliate | 6385999 |
| Vrbo | Vacation Rentals | CJ Affiliate | 2691607 |
| Welcome Pickups | Airport Transfers | CJ Affiliate | 7070733 |
| Amazon Associates | Travel Gear & Essentials | Direct | balkanguidene-20 |
We only recommend products and services we believe will provide value to our readers. Affiliate relationships do not influence our editorial content or destination guides.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date.
Contact
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Email: privacy@balkanguide.net
Use of this site is also governed by our Terms & Conditions, which set out the rules for using Balkan Guide and the limits of our liability.