Magnificent Balkan Tour | 25 Days

DAY 1: ATHENS

On arrival into Athens airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free. Meet your fellow travellers tonight for a Welcome Taverna Dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis. (D)

DAY 2: 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 at leisure. (B)

DAY 3:  ATHENS – DELPHI – KALAMBAKA

Your first stop this morning 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 Kalambaka. Overnight Kalambaka. (B, D)

DAY 4: KALAMBAKA – METEORA – OHRID

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. The most important is Megalo of Great Meteoro, of peculiar architecture with its tall and intricate dome, twelve sides and fine frescoes. Continue across the border to the Republic of North Macedonia, and to Ohrid. (B, D)

DAY 5: OHRID – TIRANA

The lakeside resort of Ohrid is an important cultural and spiritual centre, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Start your morning sightseeing with a walk through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. This afternoon we travel to Tirana, capital of Albania. (B, D)

DAY 6: TIRANA

During 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. Overnight Tirana. (B)

DAY 7: TIRANA – SHKODRA – TIVAT

After breakfast we leave Tirana towards the town of Shkodra, nowadays a major 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 of the Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city, before we cross the border to Montenegro and drive to Tivat. Dinner upon arrival. (B,D)

DAY 8: TIVAT – DUBROVNIK

After breakfast, our journey takes us to Dubrovnik. On the way you will see Kotor Bay, the only South European fiord and we stop for orientation tour of old town Kotor, a UNESCO heritage Site. Continue to Dubrovnik. (B, D)

DAY 9:                 DUBROVNIK

On a morning 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 us for optional excursion home hosted Dubelj with dinner. (B)

DAY 10:                             DUBROVNIK – SPLIT  

Travel north along the spectacular Adriatic coast, past old fishing villages and new resorts, to the city of Split for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 11:                             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 at leisure to stroll through the beautiful streets of Split, enjoy at the beach or join us on an optional excursion to the jet-set spot of the rich and famous – Island of Hvar. (B)

DAY 12:                             SPLIT – TROGIR – PLITVICE

After breakfast, head to Trogir, the centre of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather here to study and paint. Then, turn inland and travel to spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park. 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. Overnight Plitvice. (B,D)

DAY 13:                             PLITVICE – OPATIJA – POSTOJNA – BLED   

Return to the coast and travel along the beautiful bay of Kvarner to its popular resort, Opatija. After a bit of free time, continue north to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward, continue to Bled, beautifully set in the Julian Alps. (B, D)

DAY 14:                             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 relax and enjoy the enchanting scenery. (B)

DAY 15:                             BLED – LJUBLJANA – ZAGREB

Leave the mountains and head to 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 Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city. (B, D)

DAY 16:                             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 Zagreb. (B)

DAY 17:              ZAGREB – BELGRADE

After breakfast, we will drive you to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. (B, D)

DAY 18:                             BELGRADE – NOVI SAD – BELGRADE

After breakfast, full day excursion from 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 we’ll have a quick orientation tour and some free time before returning to Belgrade and your hotel. (B, L)

DAY 19:                             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’ll 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 very 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. Return to Belgrade for overnight. (B)

DAY 20:              BELGRADE – DJERDAP – TURNU SEVERIN

Drive towards the Golubac Fortress, to visit the fortified ten-tower town located on the hill slope, overlooking the Danube River. Continue for a cruise through the gorge, seeing the most beautiful sections of the Danube. Afterwards, we cross the border to Romania and continue to Turnu Severin for overnight. (B, D )

DAY 21:              TURNU SEVERIN – HUNEDOARA – SIBIU

Continue our journey via Hunedoara, where we visit one of the largest European castles: the Corvinesti Castle. Overnight Sibiu. (B, D)

DAY 22:              SIBIU – SIGHISOARA – BRASOV

Take a sightseeing tour of Sibiu, once the richest town in Transylvania. See the Huet Square, the Great Square, the Evangelical Cathedral, Liar’s Bridge and more. On to Sighisoara, the best-preserved medieval city in southeastern Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. On a city tour, visit the famous Clock Tower Museum. Continue to Brasov, where a walking tour includes a visit to the First Romanian School Museum with an impressive collection of rare books, documents, and art. (B, D)

DAY 23:              BRASOV – BRAN – SINAIA – BUCHAREST

Head to Bran for a visit to Bran Castle, made famous by Bram Stoker’s novel as the residence of the sinister vampire, Count Dracula. Continue toward Bucharest, stopping in Sinaia to visit Peles Castle, built as the summer residence of King Carol I. Afterward, visit the beautiful 17^th-century Sinaia Monastery. End the day in Bucharest, known as “Little Paris.” (B, D)

DAY 24:              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. Celebrate your Balkan Adventure tonight with a farewell dinner and folklore show. (B, D)

DAY 25:                             BUCHAREST

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

Accommodation (or similar):

ATHENS: Stanley Hotel, or Titania Hotel

KALAMBAKA: Grand Meteora Hotel

OHRID: Hotel Granit

TIRANA: Colosseo Hotel

TIVAT: Hotel Palma

DUBROVNIK: Lero Hotel

SPLIT: Hotel Corner

PLITVICE: Hotel Jezero

BLED: Park Hotel, or Rikli Balance

ZAGREB: Hotel Zonar

BELGRADE: Hotel Moskva, or Courtyard by Marriott

TURNU SEVERIN: Continental Drobeta

SIBIU: Continental Forum, or Golden Tulip

BRASOV: Aro Palace

BUCHAREST:

Hilton Garden Inn

INCLUSIONS:

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Arrival transfer from Athens Airport to the tour hotel on day 1
• Departure transfer from tour hotel to Bucharest 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 Athens, Kalambaka, Ohrid, Tirana, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice Lakes, Postojna Cave, Bled, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Novi Sad, Belgrade, Craiova, Horezu, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Brasov, Bucharest

Things to Note:

–          for check-in before 2:00 p.m. Tips for baggage handling are not included 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 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.