Bucharest, Bran, Brasov, Sighisoara, Sibiu, Hunedoara, Drobeta-Turnu Severin, Djerdap, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Zagreb, Ljubljana, Bled, Postojna, Opatija, Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, Tivat, Shkodra, Tirana, Ohrid, Meteora, Kalambaka, Delphi, Athens
Or contact your local travel agent.
We’ve been around for over 30 years, and are accredited with the Australian Federation of Travel Agents and the Council of Australian Tour Operators.
We have the largest range of quality tours, packages and cruises in the Mediterranean and Middle East; carefully selected by our specialised product experts.
Collectively, our team have travelled to every destination we feature – ensuring you always have the best and most up to date advice in choosing your perfect holiday experience.
Our team is available via phone, email or online chat. We also have a 24/7 team of experts based in each country we feature, to assist during your travels.
Embark on an enthralling voyage stretching from Romania to Greece
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 17th 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 16th 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 19th 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 19th 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 6th 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:
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.
Download this trip's brochure as a PDF.
All rates are based on twin/double share. Please enquire for single and triple rates. Rates are based on AUD. Availability is conditional on final confirmation from the supplier and is subject to change.
You can ask your question here, and we’ll get back to you!
Username or email address *
Password *
Remember me
Forgot your password?
Create an account, so you can save your favourite trips to your Wishlist!
Complete the form below and one of our consultants will be in touch to plan your next escape!
Fill out the form to get the ‘Exploring the Balkans’ brochure containing all the important information right to your inbox.
