Exploring the Balkans | 25 Days

DAY 1:                 BUCHAREST

On arrival at Bucharest airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free. Meet your fellow travellers tonight at a welcome dinner. Overnight Bucharest. (D)

DAY 2:                 BUCHAREST

Get acquainted with the Romanian capital on a sightseeing tour. Visit the Parliament Palace, one of the largest buildings in the world and a National Treasure. Learn how the Romanian people finally succeeded in toppling the last communist dictator in Eastern Europe at the Revolution Square. The tour will also bring you to the Romanian Athenaeum, the Opera House, the National Military Club, the Military Academy, Triumphal Arch, and the Village Museum. The rest of the day is free. (B)

DAY 3:                 BUCHAREST – BRAN – BRASOV

Depart Bucharest to visit the beautiful 17^th century Sinaia Monastery and view the Peles Castle, built as the summer residence of King Carol I. On to Bran for a visit of Bran Castle, made famous by Bram Stoker’s novel as the residence of the sinister vampire, Count Dracula. Continue toward Brasov for the night. (B, D)

DAY 4:                 BRASOV – SIGHISOARA – SIBIU

Walking tour of Brasov includes a visit to the First Romanian School Museum with an impressive collection of rare books, documents, and art. On to Sighisoara, to visit the best-preserved medieval city in southeastern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site, including a visit to the famous Clock Tower Museum. We will end the day in Sibiu, once the richest town in Transylvania. See the Huet Square, the Great Square, the Evangelical Cathedral, Liar’s Bridge and more. Transfer for dinner at a local farmhouse in the village of Sibiel. Return to Sibiu for the night. (B, D)

DAY 5:                 SIBIU –  HUNEDOARA – TURNU SEVERIN

Continue our journey via Hunedoara, where we visit one of the largest European castles:  the Corvinesti Castle. On to Turnu Severin. Orientation tour before checking into the hotel. Overnight Turnu Severin.(B, D)

DAY 6:                 TURNU SEVERIN – DJERDAP – BELGRADE

Drive towards the Djerdap and cross the border of Serbia. Go on a cruise through the gorge, seeing the most beautiful sections of the Danube river. Continue to Golubac Fortress to visit the fortified ten-tower town located on the hill slope, overlooking the Danube River. End the day in Belgrade, capital of Serbia. (B, D)

DAY 7:                 BELGRADE – NOVI SAD – BELGRADE

After breakfast, full day excursion out of Belgrade: Our first stop is Krusedol monastery, founded in the beginning of the 16^th century and considered one of Serbia’s most significant monasteries. Continue to Sremski Karlovci, a picturesque town with its baroque and neoclassical houses and buildings. After the orientation tour, we will depart to one of the famous local wineries for lunch and wine tasting. Afterwards, we visit the intriguing Petrovaradin fortress, with its underground trenches and tunnels. The last stop is the city of Novi Sad, where will have a quick orientation tour and some free time before returning to Belgrade and your hotel. Lunch in a local restaurant. (B, L)

DAY 8:                 BELGRADE

Your morning sightseeing tour includes a visit to the imposing Kalemegdan Fortress, dramatically set at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers. You will also see Republic Square and Knez Mihailova Street, Saint Sava Temple, the largest Orthodox Church in the city, and Tito’s Memorial. Continue to Avala. The rest of the day is free. In the afternoon, Optional excursion to Topola, where George Petrovic, better known by his sobriquet Karadjordje, was chosen as the leader of the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire in 1804. A short drive away is the local St. George’s Church, also known as Oplenac, the burial place of the Ducal and Royal Family of Serbia and Yugoslavia. Overnight Belgrade. (B, D)

DAY 9:                 BELGRADE – ZAGREB

Leave Belgrade towards Zagreb, capital of Croatia. Overnight Zagreb. (B, D)

DAY 10:                             ZAGREB

This morning, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, Parliament, and Government Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the winding streets of the old town or take an optional excursion to see the countryside. Overnight in Zagreb. (B)

DAY 11:                             ZAGREB – LJUBLJANA – BLED

After breakfast head towards Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. See the most significant sights of the old city centre on a walking tour. Highlights include the picturesque open-air Central Market, the Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba’s Fountain. Then, continue to Bled for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 12:                             BLED

An Alpine Lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travellers in the middle of the 19^th century. Since then, a small town of hotels, villas, and restaurants has developed around the lake, turning Bled into a lively, all-seasons resort. A sightseeing tour features the charming town and the lakeshore, and visits imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion visiting the small island in the middle of the lake, browse through the shops and boutiques, or simply relax and enjoy the enchanting scenery. Overnight in Bled. (B)

DAY 13:                             BLED – POSTOJNA – OPATIJA – PLITVICE

Journey continues to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward, continue to the coast, stopping in Opatija. Enjoy a walking tour of this fashionable resort in the 19^th century, dotted with Habsburg era villas. After some free time, continue towards Plitvice Lakes. (B, D)

DAY 14:                             PLITVICE – SPLIT

After breakfast, have your camera ready as you take a walking tour around the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of sixteen terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. After the tour, head to Split for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 15:                             SPLIT

In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Then see the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle, and the Cathedral. The rest of the day is at leisure to stroll through the beautiful streets of Split, enjoy at the beach or join an optional excursion to the jet-set spot of the rich and famous – Island of Hvar. (B)

DAY 16:              SPLIT – DUBROVNIK

After breakfast, transfer to Dubrovnik for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 17:                             DUBROVNIK

After breakfast, walking tour of Old Dubrovnik. Visit the Rector’s Palace, and see the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando’s Column, Sponza Palace, the Dominican Monastery, and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is free or join an optional excursion home hosted Dubelj with dinner. (B)

DAY 18:                             DUBROVNIK – TIVAT

After breakfast, our journey takes us to Montenegro viewing Kotor Bay, the only South European fiord and tour of old town Kotor, a UNESCO heritage Site. Continue to Tivat for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 19:                             TIVAT – SHKODRA – TIRANA

After breakfast, depart Tivat and drive via Budva and Bar towards town of Shkodra, nowadays a major Albanian cultural centre. Shkodra was the centre of the Illyrian tribe Labeat and was taken by the Romans in the year 168 B.C. We will see Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city. Continue to Tirana. (B, D)

DAY 20:                             TIRANA

On a morning sightseeing tour, see Sheshi Skenderbej (Skanderbeg Square) the Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, and the statue of G.K. Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero; the Palace of Culture, built with Soviet assistance, and the National History Museum with a mosaic on its façade portraying Albanian history. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own, shop, or simply just relax. (B)

DAY 21:              TIRANA – OHRID

Drive to the lakeside resort of Ohrid, an important cultural and spiritual centre, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. A sightseeing tour will take you strolling through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. Overnight Ohrid. (B, D)

DAY 22:                             OHRID – METEORA – KALAMBAKA

After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes of Meteora, known as “the rocks that fell from the sky”, where monks built their rock top monasteries far away from civilization. Out of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s cells, only four are now active. We will visit either Roussanou or the Great Meteoro*. On to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

*Due to border crossing conditions and opening times of the monasteries, the exact monastery that we will visit be determined at the spot.

DAY 23:                             KALAMBAKA – DELPHI – ATHENS

Your first stop is Delphi, where the famous Oracle once foretold the destiny of men. The Temple of Apollo in which the Oracle functioned, was built in the 6^th century B.C. Also see the Sacred Way, the Stadium, and the Castilian Fountain, where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation for consulting the Oracle. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, which contains an impressive collection of finds from the site, including the beautiful “Bronze Charioteer,” before continuing to Athens for overnight. (B)

DAY 24:                             ATHENS

See the highlights of Athens this morning on a sightseeing tour. This cosmopolitan and bustling capital city is set amid reminders of a long and glorious past:  graceful temples, centuries – old monasteries and ornate Byzantine churches. Visit the immortal Acropolis, the Parthenon, said to be the most perfectly proportioned building of all time. Also, see the Erectheion with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis lies the Ancient Agora and the Theatres of Dionysus and Herodus Atticus. Your afternoon and evening are free. Join us for Farewell Taverna Dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis. Overnight in Athens. (B, D)

DAY 25:                             ATHENS

After breakfast, transfer to Athens airport for your departure flight. End of our services. (B)

Accommodation (or similar):

BUCHAREST: Hilston Garden Inn

BRASOV: Aro Palace

SIBIU: Continental Forum, or Golden Tulip

TURNU SEVERIN: Continental Drobeta

BELGRADE: Hotel Moskva, or Courtyard by Marriott

ZAGREB: Zonar Hotel

BLED: Kompas, or Bled Rose

PLITVICE: Hotel Jezero

SPLIT: Hotel Corner

DUBROVNIK: Lero Hotel

TIVAT: Palma

TIRANA: Colloseo

OHRID: Granit

KALAMBAKA: Grand Meteora

ATHENS: Stanley Hotel, or Titania Hotel

INCLUSIONS:

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Arrival transfer from Bucharest Airport to the tour hotel on day 1
• Departure transfer from tour hotel to Athens Airport on day 25
• Meals as per itinerary
• Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Professional Tour Director throughout
• Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
• Whisper technology enhanced touring
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Sightseeing tours in Bucharest, Brasov, Sighisoara, Sibiu, Horezu, Craiova, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Bled, Postojna Cave, Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Tirana, Ohrid, Kalambaka, Athens

Things to Note:

–          Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m. Tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.

–          Because of the narrow and cobbled streets, walking is the primary way of getting around. Please make sure you pack comfortable walking shoes.