Guide

Services of English-speaking tour guide throughout

Meals

4 x BB in chosen hotel category in Belgrade 1 x HB in chosen hotel category in Zlatibor 1 x BB in chosen hotel category in Sarajevo 1 x BB in chosen hotel category in Trebinje 2 x BB in chosen hotel category in Budva 1 x BB in chosen hotel category in Tirana 2 x BB in chosen hotel category in Skopje 1 x BB in chosen hotel category in Sofia

Others

Entrance fees: The Wooden Town, Šargan Eight train ride, Blagaj Tekke, Krušedol Monastery, boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks, Rozafa Castle, The Scull Tower Wine tasting during the Novi Sad trip All fuel costs, parking fees, and road tolls City taxes VAT Tour organization and 24/7 assistance from a licensed incoming tour operator

Transport

Arrival & departure airport transfers Private transportation per given itinerary in a modern air-conditioned vehicle (sedan car, a mini-van, or a mini-bus, depending on the number of guests)

Accommodation

CLASSIC PACKAGE: 4 nights in Belgrade / hotels = Royal Inn 4*, Mark 4*, Prag 4* or similar 1 night in Zlatibor / hotels = Mir 4*, Iris 4*, or similar 1 night in Sarajevo / hotels = Holiday 4*, Old Town 4*, or similar 1 night in Trebinje / hotels = Platani 4*, SL Industry 4*, or similar 2 nights in Budva / hotels = Bracera 4*, Moskva 4*, or similar 1 night in Tirana / hotels = Senator 4*, Prestige 4*, or similar 2 nights in Skopje / hotels = Ibis Skopje 4*, Queens 4*, or similar 1 night in Sofia / hotels = BW Premier 4*, BW Terminus 4*, or similar UPGRADED PACKAGE: 4 nights in Belgrade / hotels = Saint Ten 5*, Hyatt Regency 5*, or similar 1 night in Zlatibor / hotels = Mona 4*, Palisad 4*, or similar 1 night in Sarajevo / hotels = Europe 5*, President 4*, or similar 1 night in Trebinje / hotels = Central Park 4*, Nar 4*, or similar 2 nights in Budva / hotels = Avala 4*, Majestic 4*, or similar 1 night in Tirana / hotels = Rogner 5*, Mak Albania 5*, or similar 2 nights in Skopje / hotels = Park hotel 5*, Arka 5*, or similar 1 night in Sofia / hotels = Grand hotel Sofia 5*, Hilton 5*, or similar

Hygieneprotocol

Face masks are required for travelers in public areas Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized Gear/equipment sanitized between uses Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff Face masks provided for travelers Face masks required for guides in public areas

Not included:

Others

Food & drinks (except for breakfasts in the hotels and dinner in Zlatibor) Optional expenses

Flights

Arrival and departure flights are not included in the tour package

Optional

Bohemian night in Belgrade = 25€ per person (three-course meal, one drink, and transportation included)

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Welcome To Serbia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Welcome To Serbia

Arrive at “Nikola Tesla” International Airport. Our guide will meet you in the arrivals hall with your name on the signboard. He will do the following: help you with your money exchange, give you essential information about Belgrade, help you with your check-in, explain to you the location of your accommodation and advise you how to reach the main sights, and give you an overview of current happenings in the city. In case your flight is delayed, there is no reason to worry. We will monitor your flight, and our guide will meet you accordingly. There are no additional charges for flight delays. After a short ride of 20 minutes, you’ll be in the city’s center. Check-in at the hotel, and take the rest of the day to get more familiar with Belgrade, walk around, or follow your guide’s recommendation for dinner. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are arriving in Belgrade a few days before the tour departure, you can book additional nights with us, at the same hotel, for a surcharge of 55€ (Classic package) or 95€ (Upgraded package. Prices are per person and night in a double or twin room. Overnight: Belgrade
Day 2 Northern Serbia: Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Northern Serbia: Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci

After breakfast, we shall make a trip to the City of Novi Sad. On our way to the second-largest city in Serbia, we shall stop at the nearby town of Sremski Karlovci, the center of Serbian culture in the 18th century. Strolling through this picturesque town’s cobbled streets will lead us to the first Serbian High School, which gave Serbian people several great writers and poets. Along the way, we shall pay a visit to the Old Patriarch’s Court and theological complex – Assembly Church and Theological lyceum. Being in the very heart of the famous wine region, why not visit one of the well-respected wine cellars? We’ll try Bermet wine, the most famous product in the area. Our next stop is the second-largest fortress on the Danube river – Petrovaradin, one of the most important strategic points in the perpetual war between the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires. We shall be introduced to the legends of underground passages before we continue to “Serbian Athens”, as the City of Novi Sad is known. As we stroll among great cultural institutions and historic buildings, we shall visit the oldest part of Novi Sad, the Zmaj Jovina pedestrian zone. Here we shall get introduced to the rich history of Novi Sad as we see the monument to Svetozar Miletic, the famous Novi Sad Cathedral, Episcopal Church… After our sightseeing, we will enjoy a traditional Serbian three-course lunch in one of the most famous restaurants in the area. (not included). Enjoy your free afternoon and discover Novi Sad independently. Return to Belgrade. Free time. Overnight: Belgrade
Day 3 Belgrade City Tour & Optional Dinner In The Bohemian Quarter
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Belgrade City Tour & Optional Dinner In The Bohemian Quarter

Breakfast. After breakfast, we’ll start with our Belgrade sightseeing tour. Today we’re going to show you almost all the most important sights in the city. We’ll start at the daunting Belgrade Fortress, dramatically perched above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Built between the 1st and 18th centuries, this fortress witnessed major defensive battles. We’ll check the Victor Monument, Monument of Gratitude to France, Zindan Gate, The Chapel of Saint Petka, Clock Gate, and The Clock Tower. Once we finish with the fortress, we will start our panoramic ride through New Belgrade – Belgrade’s largest municipality, with impressive modern architecture. Here we will see some remarkable buildings such as the Ex-Central Committee of the Communist Party, Federal Executive Council, also known as the Palace of Federation, Genex Tower or Western Gate of Belgrade, Sava Center, Belgrade Arena, and many more. After New Belgrade, we’ll reach Zemun, the northern area of Belgrade, characteristic of its Central European appearance, charming quarters, cobblestone streets, and fish restaurants on the Danube River banks. Its curvy cobblestone streets and small houses will give you the impression that Zemun is a melting pot of Mediterranean and Middle European cultures. After Zemun, we’ll drive through Dedinje, Belgrade’s most luxurious residential area, before we reach the imposing Saint Sava Temple, one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches. After the sightseeing tour, time this afternoon on your own. Maybe check out Nikola Tesla’s Museum and the National Museum, or wander around the central streets. In the evening, visit the Old Bohemian Quarter of Skadarlija, frequently compared to Montmartre in Paris, both in appearance and its artistic atmosphere. It’s a perfect opportunity to get more familiar with traditional Serbian cuisine and the famous Belgrade nightlife. (Optional = 25€ per person) Overnight: Belgrade
Day 4 Western Serbia: The House On Drina River, Šargan Eight Train & The Wooden City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Western Serbia: The House On Drina River, Šargan Eight Train & The Wooden City

After breakfast, it’s time to hit the road toward Western Serbia, known for its wild and untouched nature, tasty cuisine, and friendly and hospitable people. Our first stop is a world-famous attraction, “The House on Drina river”, an isolated house made of logs on a river stone. After a photo stop and refreshments, we will continue our trip to the famous Sargan Eight railroad. A unique narrow-gauge railway nowadays serves only for amusement. We will pass and stop at several viewpoints during our ride, from which one can see fabulous views over Mokra Gora. Authentic cars with wooden seats, wood-burning stoves, and characteristic rattling sounds will take us back to 1925 when this railway was put in operation. The next stop is Wooden City. The famous director Emir Kusturica (two times Palme d’Or in Cannes winner) decided to build it during the shooting of his film “Life is a miracle.” He chose to convey ruined wooden chalets from the mountain’s slopes, restore them, and form a new settlement. After we have fed our eyes and souls with beauty, we will finish our day in Kraljeve Vode, the tourist center of Zlatibor mountain. The region of Zlatibor is famous for its healthy air, folk architecture, native culture and traditions, wealthy and diverse ethnic heritage, widely-renowned culinary specialties, healthy food, and balmy climate. After the check-in, you’ll have free time to enjoy and relax. Overnight: Zlatibor
Day 5 Zlatibor - Višegrad - Sarajevo
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Zlatibor - Višegrad - Sarajevo

Breakfast. After breakfast, we are departing for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina and one of the most historically-rich cities in Europe. But our first stop en route will be a town called Višegrad, where we will see the famous Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, a UNESCO site and the most beautiful example of Ottoman architecture in the Balkans. Also, we’ll have a lunch stop in Stone Town, another interesting project made by Emir Kusturica. After a lunch break, we’ll proceed toward Sarajevo. After check-in, enjoy a tour of Sarajevo, a beautiful city with a complicated history. Arrive at the picturesque Turkish Bazaar (Bascarsija), an old trading place with artisan workshops. View many examples of splendid Ottoman architecture around the city center. The city is truly a “living history museum” where mosques built by the Ottomans sit alongside buildings created by the Austro-Hungarians. We’ll see the Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque, the most prominent Islamic structure in the country, one of the world’s finest examples of Ottoman architecture. We’ll drive past the now-neglected stadium from the 1984 Winter Olympic Games and the Gavrilo Princip Museum. On our walk, look for the poignant Sarajevo Roses, flower-shaped memorials in the pavement filled with red cement, one of the few reminders left of the war. Enjoy a free afternoon in Sarajevo and visit some of the most famous restaurants in the city, offering the famous “ćevapčići,” a traditional Bosnian dish, a small rolled patty of ground beef meat. Overnight: Sarajevo
Day 6 Sarajevo - Mostar - Blagaj Tekke - Trebinje
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sarajevo - Mostar - Blagaj Tekke - Trebinje

Breakfast. After breakfast, we depart for Trebinje. On our way, we will stop in Mostar, a medieval town in northern Herzegovina. View the compelling reconstructed Old Bridge, a staunch symbol of freedom on the Neretva River and a UNESCO-protected landmark. We will proceed to Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, the Crooked Bridge, and the old tanner’s quarter Tabhana. Free time in Mostar for lunch on the banks of the Neretva River, with an amazing view of the bridge that rises above you. Our trip continues to Blagaj (a site on the UNESCO Tentative List), an old town from the 15th century. Blagaj was the crib of Islam of today’s Bosnia and Herzegovina when dervish Sari Satluk built a khanqah at the Riverhead of Buna. During the short tour, enjoy the view of the monastery in a fairy-tale environment, beneath the cliffs, on the shores of the emerald-green river Buna. We’ll end the day in Trebinje, a charming and picturesque little town on the banks of the Trebišnjica River, with a laid-back atmosphere and an interesting mix of Mediterranean, Central European, and Ottoman influences. We’ll check the most important sights before we check in at the hotel, and after that, you can use the evening to stroll around small streets or have a nice dinner. Overnight: Trebinje
Day 7 Trebinje - Dubrovnik - Budva
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Trebinje - Dubrovnik - Budva

After breakfast, it’s time to move to another beautiful Balkan country – Croatia. After only one hour of driving, we’ll find ourselves inside the medieval walls of Dubrovnik. The magnificent Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a treasure of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, and palaces. We will immediately start with our “Old Dubrovnik tour” on foot. The tour highlights sites such as Rector’s Palace, an outstanding blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Also, the monumental Sponza Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces in the city, is preserved in its original form. Under the City Bell Tower on Luza Square, view Orlando’s Tower, dedicated to the legendary Knight that saved the city in the 9th century. Then on to see the Dominican Monastery and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. You’ll have some free time for lunch and to explore independently. Consider strolling along the impressive ramparts overlooking the shimmering Adriatic Sea or visit the Maritime Museum in St. John’s Castle. Or maybe check the parts of Dubrovnik where the famous Game of Thrones was shot, visit Lokrum island, Dubrovnik city walls, or take a ride on a Dubrovnik cable car. After that, we’ll hit the road and drive along the beautiful Adriatic coast until we reach Budva – the tourist capital of Montenegro. Check-in. Free time. Overnight: Budva
Day 8 Budva - Bay Of Kotor - Budva
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Budva - Bay Of Kotor - Budva

After breakfast, we’ll ride towards the stunning Bay of Kotor, the longest and deepest fjord in Southern Europe. Our first stop will be the charming coastal town of Perast, where a short boat ride will take us to the 15th century “Our Lady of the Rocks” Church perched on an islet in the bay. Once there, we will visit the Roman Catholic Church, whose interior is decorated with 68 paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a famous 17th-century painter from Perast. Next stop – The city of Kotor, where we will have a guided walking tour. This old Mediterranean town, surrounded by formidable city walls, was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Its medieval architecture and other cultural monuments are why UNESCO included the city on the list of “World Natural and Historical Heritage Sites.” We’ll check out the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, Maritime Museum, numerous Palaces, and Old Square and get to feel the atmosphere of this unique medieval town. Here we will have a lunch break. Later on, we will return to Budva. Free time. Overnight: Budva
Day 9 Budva - Shkoder - Tirana
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Budva - Shkoder - Tirana

Today it’s time to leave Montenegro behind us and start revealing another not-so-often-visited Balkan country – Albania. On our way, we will drive through the National Park and pass by the largest lake in Southern Europe – lake Skadar. Our first stop in Albania will be the charming town of Shkoder. Even before we enter the Old Town, we’ll be impressed by the mighty former Venetian fortress – Rozafa, the largest one in Albania. We’ll check Shkoder’s main sights, including Shkodra Cathedral and Ebu Bekr Mosque. After a short refreshment, we’ll continue towards the capital of Albania. You’ll be surprised by how vibrant and lively Tirana is, with wide boulevards, numerous coffee shops, taverns, and restaurants, and non-stop motion and energy. The hospitality of locals will remain in your heart for a long time. During our tour, we’ll see the Mosque of Et’hem Bey, built between 1798 and 1812, and the 35 m high Kulla e Sahatit or the Watch Tower, created in 1822. Moreover, you can visit the famous Mosaic uncovered on the floor of an old Roman lodge. Its center configures the walls of the castle of the Roman emperor Justinian (A.D. 520). The monumental Tomb of Kaplan Pasha and the Ura e Tabakëve (a bridge constructed at the beginning of the 19th century, located on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard) are other interesting places to visit. Hotel check-in and overnight Overnight: Tirana
Day 10 Tirana - Elbasan - Ohrid - Skopje
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tirana - Elbasan - Ohrid - Skopje

Breakfast and check-out. On our way to Northern Macedonia, we’ll stop at Elbasan, the third-largest city in the country, right in the middle of Albania. We’ll check the Castle of Elbasan, the King’s Mosque, St Mary Orthodox Church, and the Clock Tower. After a short refreshment, we’ll continue towards North Macedonia and Ohrid. Nicknamed “The Jerusalem of the Balkans,” Ohrid was once the center of Slavic culture and religion. The natural and cultural heritage of the Ohrid region is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. After a walk and a short break, we’ll continue toward Skopje. Check-in at the hotel and have a free evening. Overnight: Skopje
Day 11 Skopje City Tour & Leiusure Day
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Skopje City Tour & Leiusure Day

Skopje, a city with two thousand years of history, the capital of Northern Macedonia, is the melting pot of many nations and cultures in the heart of the Balkans. This very inspiring destination attracts tourists with a fortress, cultural and historical monuments, archaeological sites, sports halls, caves of the canyon of Treska river, and Lake Matka, a health spa located in the eastern part Macedonian capital. Narrow Streets of Old Bazaar, the biggest market in the Balkans, 1500 years old fortress Kale, monastery St. Pantaleon with the fresco” Lamentation of Christ”, Islamic monuments Sultan Murat’s- Hjunkar Mosque, the Daut Pasha’s bath, the cozy quay of the Vardar river are one of the most beautiful parts of this international city, the birthplace of Mother Teresa. Free afternoon. Overnight: Skopje
Day 12 Skopje - Rila Monastery - Sofia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Skopje - Rila Monastery - Sofia

Breakfast and check out. We’ll cross the border to enter Bulgaria and quickly reach Rila monastery – one of the holiest places in the country and another UNESCO World Heritage sight. Rila Monastery is the most important spiritual and literary center of the Bulgarian national revival, with an uninterrupted history from the Middle Ages until now. After the visit, we will continue our trip to Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital and the largest city. Our tour will cover the must-see places: the St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National Theatre, St. George Rotunda, the Bulgarian Presidency, the Ruins of Serdica, and many others. Use your free evening to explore independently. Overnight: Sofia
Day 13 Sofia - Niš - Belgrade
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sofia - Niš - Belgrade

It’s time to leave Bulgaria behind us and enter Serbia again. Today we will visit the born city of the famous Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, the city of Niš, the third-largest city in the country. First, we will visit the Niš Fortress, lying on the bank of the Nišava River. It assumed its final shape in 1723, when the Turks built it, facing the end of their reign in this area. We will continue our sightseeing of the most important sights in the city, including the Banovina Building, Niš Liberators Monument at King Milan Square, The Monument of well-known Serbian writer Stevan Sremac, Mediana Archeological Site, and the infamous Skull Tower – the monument unique in the world, erected by the Turks as an example to others of the folly of opposition to their rule. We will conclude our sightseeing with a visit to Red Cross Nazi Concentration Camp, today a museum. The German Gestapo operated the camp and held captured Jews, Serbians, and Romas during the Second World War. We’ll enjoy some of the food that Niš is famous for before we continue our trip to Belgrade. Use this afternoon to say farewell to Belgrade, walk around, or go for dinner following your guide’s recommendation. Overnight: Belgrade
Day 14 Depart Serbia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Depart Serbia

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. End of services. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you depart from Belgrade a few days after the tour ends, you can book additional nights with us, at the same hotel, for a surcharge of 45€ (Classic package) or 85€ (Upgraded package. Prices are per person and night in a double or twin room.

+11

14 days tour

Balkan Experience – 7 Countries In 14 Days - Small Group

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Balkan Experience – 7 Countries In 14 Days - Small Group

Welcome To Serbia

Northern Serbia: Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci

Belgrade City Tour & Optional Dinner In The Bohemian Quarter

Western Serbia: The House On Drina River, Šargan Eight Train & The Wooden City

Zlatibor - Višegrad - Sarajevo

Sarajevo - Mostar - Blagaj Tekke - Trebinje

Trebinje - Dubrovnik - Budva

Budva - Bay Of Kotor - Budva

Budva - Shkoder - Tirana

Tirana - Elbasan - Ohrid - Skopje

Skopje City Tour & Leiusure Day

Skopje - Rila Monastery - Sofia

Sofia - Niš - Belgrade

Depart Serbia

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