Guide

Professional Tour Manager Local tour guide in Romania, Sofia, Skopje, Tirana, Sarajevo

Others

Overnight in 4 * Hotel with breakfast included as indicated in the itinerary All breakfasts included Transport by minibus / coach with air conditioning English speaking Tour Manager that will accompany the group for the duration of the tour

Accommodation

Overnight in 4* Hotel with breakfast included as indicated in the itinerary

Transport

Transport by minibus / coach with air conditioning

Meals

Breakfasts included.

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included. It is not mandatory but still recommended. Some countries requires to have it even if there isn’t a strictly control of it at the borders.

Optional

Daytrip from Podgorica (Montenegro) to Kotor and Budva - 60 euro - to be payed locally in cash Daytrip from Medugorje (Bosnia&Herzegovina) to Dubrovnik (Croatia) - 60 euro - to be payed locally in cash Daytrip from Medugorje (Bosnia&Herzegovina) to Split (Croatia) - 60 euro - to be payed locally in cash

Others

Tips for tour manager / driver Entrance fees to museums/churches/national parks ecc Meals other that the ones indicated in “Services included” Anything not expressly indicated under “Included services”

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Bucharest – Devetashka - Lovech (210 Km) Romania + Bulgaria
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Bucharest – Devetashka - Lovech (210 Km) Romania + Bulgaria

We will leave Bucharest in the morning and head to Bulgaria. After crossing the bridge over the Danube River we will enter in Bulgaria and our first visit will be at Devetàshka cave is a picturesque karst cave near the waterfalls. Unlike other caves Devetàshka is very well lit and its floor is covered by lush greenery, especially in spring and summer, so sometimes it is hard to believe that one is actually underground.

The Krushùna Falls are the biggest travertine cascade in Bulgaria, unique with its picturesque scenery, lush vegetation, numerous round-shaped terraces and small natural pools with mineral water. The main waterfall is about 20 m high and it splits into several smaller ones along its way down the soft limestone rocks.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Lovech.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain.

Bus: 4 hours
Day 2 Lovech - Sofia (150 Km) Bulgaria
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Lovech - Sofia (150 Km) Bulgaria

Visit Lovech with the Covered Bridge over the Osam River is another must-see attraction in Lovech. The bridge unites the two halves of the town and it’s a distinctive piece of construction and a significant representation of Lovech.

In the evening we will arrive in Sofia . The walking tour of city center will include the gold-domed

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint (Sveta) Sofia Church , Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue and the main shopping street Vitosha .

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Sofia.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain

Bus: 2,5 hours
Day 3 Sofia – Rila – Skopje (350 Km) Bulgaria +Macedonia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sofia – Rila – Skopje (350 Km) Bulgaria +Macedonia

Departure to Rila Monastery , Bulgaria’s most famous tourist site ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) and founded in the 10th century by Saint Ivan Rilsky (St John of Rila ) , a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church . The monastery , one of the largest in the Balkans , was the center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for more than 1000 years . Our tour includes a visit to the Church, which is of particular artistic value, for it was adorned by the foremost 19-century masters of the Samokov, Bansko and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving. Continue drive south to the Bulgarian - Macedonian border . In the early evening we will arrive in Skopje , the capital of Macedonia . Orientation tour of Skopje before arriving to your centrally located hotel. Overnight in Skopje in a 4* Hotel.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain

Bus: 6 hours
Day 4 Skopje – Ohrid (190 Km) North Macedonia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Skopje – Ohrid (190 Km) North Macedonia

After breakfast enjoy a walking tour of Skopje (internationally famous for being the birthplace of Mother Teresa ) , with its most important landmarks : quay of the Macedonian river “Vardar”, the narrow streets in the Old Bazaar (is the biggest bazaar preserved in the Balkans today ), the Memorial house of Mother Teresa , the 1500 years old fortress Kale , Macedonia Square with the statue of Alexander The Great on horse . Continue the tour to Ohrid ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) situated on the banks of the lake with the same name , perched on the border of Macedonia and Albania. Ohrid area has been the setting of thousands of years of human history and the old city center are testimony to its past. Lake Ohrid itself is Europe’s oldest lake having formed over three millions years ago. The walking tour of the old city center will include the narrow streets and squares , the Anchient Theater , discover the famous old churches, monasteries and basilicas (Sveti Sofia Church ) , Tsar Samuil’s (Samuel’s) Fortress and pedestrian shopping street .

Overnight in Ohrid in a 4* hotel .

Strenuous walking: 4–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain.

Bus: 3 hours
Day 5 Day 5: Wednesday – Ohrid – Tirana – Shkoder (230 Km) Northmacedonia + Albania
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Wednesday – Ohrid – Tirana – Shkoder (230 Km) Northmacedonia + Albania

After breakfast departure to the Macedonian – Albanian border heading to Tirana, capital of Albania . The walking tour of city center of Tirana will reveal the main tourist attractions : Tirana’s massive main square – Skanderbeg , National History Museum, Et’hem Bey Mosque and Skanderbeg’s statue . In the evening you will arrive in Shkoder, one of the most authentic cities in Albania.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Shkoder.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain

Bus: 4 hours
Day 6 Shkoder – Kotor - Trebinje (190 Km) Montenegro
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Shkoder – Kotor - Trebinje (190 Km) Montenegro

Departure to Kotor – Montenegro , crossing the Albanian – Montenegro border and discover the fortified old town – Stari Grad ( Unesco World Heritage Site ) .

In the evening we will arrive in Trebinje (Bosnia&Herzegovina)

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Trebinje.

Moderate walking: 3–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs.

Bus: 4 hours
Day 7 Trebinje – Mostar – Sarajevo (240 Km) Bosnia&Herzegovina
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Trebinje – Mostar – Sarajevo (240 Km) Bosnia&Herzegovina

After breakfast , we will head to Mostar where the focus of our attention will be the old town and the Old Bridge of Mostar. Built in 1566 the Mostar bridge has since been the main reason behind Mostar developing into the capital of the Herzegovina region. Unfortunately in November of 1993, during the Siege of Mostar, the bridge was destroyed. Reasons and judicial facts behind the destruction of the Mostar Old Bridge, we will thoroughly cover during our walking tour of Mostar.

Since the Bridge, since then there’s been a tradition of bridge diving. Today young and brave Mostar divers compete to earn a few euros by diving off the bridge in front of the tourists from all around the world.

After we leave Mostar, we shall take an amazingly scenic road passing by the Jablanica lake and via the Neretva river canyon, we’ll arrive in Sarajevo.

Walking tour of the old part and city centre of Sarajevo. Our 2.5 hour tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We shall visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem. We’ll make sure to visit the Latin Bridge and learn the story about how WWI was triggered right here, in the heart of Sarajevo. Sarajevo’s 1984 Winter Olympics and life during the Siege of Sarajevo will surely be part of our story today.

Overnight in Sarajevo in a 4* hotel.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain.

Bus: 4.5 hours
Day 8 Sarajevo – Belgrad (400 Km) Bosnia + Serbia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sarajevo – Belgrad (400 Km) Bosnia + Serbia

Departure to Belgrad, capital of Serbia. Visit the Republic Square, the National theater and the National museum, Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), the oldest part of Belgrade with Ottoman heritage, the only mosque in the city, Kalemegdan park, Belgrade fortress, „Victor“ the most famous symbol of Belgrade and the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers.

Overnight in a 4* hotel in Belgrad.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs.

Bus: 6 hours
Day 9 Belgrad – Novi Sad – Budapest (400 Km) Serbia + Hungary
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Belgrad – Novi Sad – Budapest (400 Km) Serbia + Hungary

After breakfast , departure to Budapest with a stop in Novi Sad ( European Capital of Culture 2021) where we will visit Zmaj Jovina Street, the promenade of Novi Sad and obligatory sight for any tourists, not least for the ornamental Palace of the Orthodox Bishop. We will see also y – Dunavska, street with its long line of singlestoried 19th century houses. The Danube embankment, the outside of Petrovaradin Fortress on the other bank. In the evening we will arrive to Budapest ,`´ The Queen of Danube “ , capital of Hungary .

No overnight offered for this day.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain

Bus: 5 hours
Day 10 Day 10: Monday – Optional – Medugorje – Split - Medugorje (280 Km) Croatia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Monday – Optional – Medugorje – Split - Medugorje (280 Km) Croatia

OPTIONAL : Today you will have a chance to admire one of the most popular Mediterranean places, a place so special that there will hardly be a single thing you won’t be fascinated with. They say that Split is a place you have to love, it’s not a matter of choice.

The first part of a day we will use for an walking tour and learn about Split in depth. We will take a stroll through the centuries, starting from Roman times and enjoy the treasure trove of endless layers of history, architecture and urban spirit of this amazing city.

Just the fact that the essence of the city’s urban life is the grandiose 4th century Diocletian’s Palace which, along with the historic centre are UNESCO protected and maintained by the United Nation’s agency for education, science and culture is a small hint on all of the possible whirlwinds of emotions you will be experiencing while walking the paths of the ancient civilisations and enjoying the mesmerizing colors of Adriatic sea.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Medugorje.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain

Bus: 4 hours
Day 11 Day 11: Tuesday– Medugorje – Mostar – Sarajevo (150 Km) Bosnia&Herzegovina
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Tuesday– Medugorje – Mostar – Sarajevo (150 Km) Bosnia&Herzegovina

After breakfast , we will head to Mostar where the focus of our attention will be the old town and the Old Bridge of Mostar. Built in 1566 the Mostar bridge has since been the main reason behind Mostar developing into the capital of the Herzegovina region. Unfortunately in November of 1993, during the Siege of Mostar, the bridge was destroyed. Reasons and judicial facts behind the destruction of the Mostar Old Bridge, we will thoroughly cover during our walking tour of Mostar.

Since the Bridge, since then there’s been a tradition of bridge diving. Today young and brave Mostar divers compete to earn a few euros by diving off the bridge in front of the tourists from all around the world.

After we leave Mostar, we shall take an amazingly scenic road passing by the Jablanica lake and via the Neretva river canyon, we’ll arrive in Sarajevo.

Walking tour of the old part and city centre of Sarajevo. Our 2.5 hour tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We shall visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem. We’ll make sure to visit the Latin Bridge and learn the story about how WWI was triggered right here, in the heart of Sarajevo. Sarajevo’s 1984 Winter Olympics and life during the Siege of Sarajevo will surely be part of our story today.

Overnight in Sarajevo in a 3* hotel.

Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain.

Bus: 3 hours
Day 12 Day 12: Wednesday – Sarajevo – Belgrad (400 Km) Croatia + Serbia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Wednesday – Sarajevo – Belgrad (400 Km) Croatia + Serbia

Departure to Belgrad, capital of Serbia. Visit the Republic Square, the National theater and the National museum, Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), the oldest part of Belgrade with Ottoman heritage, the only mosque in the city, Kalemegdan park, Belgrade fortress, „Victor“ the most famous symbol of Belgrade and the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers.

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Belgrad.

Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs.

Bus: 6 hours
Day 13 Day 13: Thursday – Belgrad – Novi Sad – Budapest (400 Km) Serbia + Hungary
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Thursday – Belgrad – Novi Sad – Budapest (400 Km) Serbia + Hungary

After breakfast , departure to Budapest with a stop in Novi Sad ( European Capital of Culture 2021) where we will visit Zmaj Jovina Street, the promenade of Novi Sad and obligatory sight for any tourists, not least for the ornamental Palace of the Orthodox Bishop. We will see also y – Dunavska, street with its long line of singlestoried 19th century houses. The Danube embankment, the outside of Petrovaradin Fortress on the other bank. In the evening we will arrive to Budapest ,`´ The Queen of Danube “ , capital of Hungary .

Overnight in a 3* hotel in Budapest.

Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain

Bus: 5 hours
Day 14 Day 14: Friday – Budapest Hungary
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Friday – Budapest Hungary

Spare time in Budapest in wich you can discover by yourself this magical city and see the iconic statues of Heroes’ Square, the Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover also St. Stephen’s Basilica, Dohány Street Synagogue and the beautiful Castle District in Buda.

No overnight offered for this day in Budapest.

Bus: 0 hours

+11

9 days tour

9 Days Balkans Experience From Bucharest To Budapest (4* Hot

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip 9 Days Balkans Experience From Bucharest To Budapest (4* Hot

Bucharest – Devetashka - Lovech (210 Km) Romania + Bulgaria

Lovech - Sofia (150 Km) Bulgaria

Sofia – Rila – Skopje (350 Km) Bulgaria +Macedonia

Skopje – Ohrid (190 Km) North Macedonia

Day 5: Wednesday – Ohrid – Tirana – Shkoder (230 Km) Northmacedonia + Albania

Shkoder – Kotor - Trebinje (190 Km) Montenegro

Trebinje – Mostar – Sarajevo (240 Km) Bosnia&Herzegovina

Sarajevo – Belgrad (400 Km) Bosnia + Serbia

Belgrad – Novi Sad – Budapest (400 Km) Serbia + Hungary

Day 10: Monday – Optional – Medugorje – Split - Medugorje (280 Km) Croatia

Day 11: Tuesday– Medugorje – Mostar – Sarajevo (150 Km) Bosnia&Herzegovina

Day 12: Wednesday – Sarajevo – Belgrad (400 Km) Croatia + Serbia

Day 13: Thursday – Belgrad – Novi Sad – Budapest (400 Km) Serbia + Hungary

Day 14: Friday – Budapest Hungary

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