Jewels of Serbia and the Balkans

Welcome to Serbia! Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy some free time to explore Belgrade, the vibrant capital of the former Yugoslavia.

After breakfast, we’ll depart for Fruska Gora, a stunning natural park renowned for its landscapes and beautiful Orthodox monasteries, some of which date back to the 12th century. We’ll visit the Monasteries of Krusedol and Novo Hopovo, founded by the influential Brankovic family. We’ll continue to Sremski Karlovci, one of the oldest cities in the country, dating back to 1308 when it was known as Karom. Its beautifully preserved historic center features neoclassical architecture. We’ll visit the Museum of Beekeeping and Winery Živanović, where lunch and a wine tasting will be included. We’ll then proceed to Novi Sad, the second-largest city in Serbia, located along the banks of the Danube, known for its diverse architecture that reflects its rich history. A highlight is the Petrovaradin Fortress, considered one of the largest in Europe and a masterpiece of 18th-century European military architecture, often referred to as "The Gibraltar of the Danube."

We’ll journey south through Serbia, stopping first at the archaeological site of the Roman city of Viminacium (admission included). At its peak, the city was home to 40,000 inhabitants. Here, we’ll admire the Roman roads, as well as the remnants of ancient temples, streets, plazas, amphitheaters, palaces, hippodromes, and thermal baths. Our next stop will be the Manasija Monastery, one of the most important monuments of medieval Serbian culture. Surrounded by towering walls, the monastery’s church still preserves its 15th-century frescoes. We’ll continue to Nis, the third-largest city in Serbia, with a rich Roman heritage. This is where Constantine the Great was born. Overnight accommodation will be here.

We’ll visit the Zica Orthodox Monastery, dating back to the early 13th century, also known as the Coronation Church, as seven Serbian kings were crowned here. We’ll then continue to the Studenica Monastery, the largest in Serbia, nestled in the mountains. Founded in 1190, it boasts a stunning ensemble of wood and plaster buildings, with its interior walls adorned with Byzantine frescoes. Lunch will be included. Afterward, we’ll head to Kraljevo, a charming town in central Serbia, surrounded by mountains and rich in history and culture. The town is known for its beautiful main square, dominated by a monument to Serbian warriors and its medieval fortress.

We’ll depart for Ravanica, home to a monastery and an impressive five-domed church. Afterward, we’ll continue to the village of Topola to discover its fascinating history. On Oplenac Hill, we’ll see St. George´s Church, founded by King Peter I of Yugoslavia. This church serves as the mausoleum of the Serbian and Yugoslav royal house and later Yugoslavia until 1945. We’ll then return to Belgrade.

We’ll begin our journey through the scenic Vojvodina region, with our first stop in Sremska Mitrovica, a city with a delightful historic center on the shores of the Sava River. This city was once a key location in the Roman Empire and served as the capital of the province of Pannonia. Admission is included to the grounds of the Imperial Palace of Sirmium, where we’ll learn about the city’s rich history. We’ll then head towards Bosnia, stopping in Zvornik, one of the oldest cities in Bosnia, located on a river that forms the border with Serbia. This area evokes memories of the Bosnian war, during which the predominantly Muslim population was displaced, and Serbian refugees settled here. Its location is near the village of Srebrenica, known for the tragic massacre. There will be time for lunch and a walk. We’ll continue our route through beautiful landscapes to Sarajevo, arriving in the evening. In the historic center, you’ll have the chance to explore the charming bazaar, an old Ottoman market renowned for its architecture, oriental ambiance, and traditional shops. Dinner will be included.

In the morning, we’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour in Sarajevo, a captivating city known as the "Jerusalem of Europe" due to its coexistence of several religions. Mosques, churches, and synagogues showcase its rich religious diversity. We’ll explore the old town´s strong Ottoman influence, highlighted by a magnificent mosque over 500 years old and a beautiful fountain. After our visit, we’ll continue through an area of stunning beauty to Mostar, with its enchanting historic center and iconic stone bridge that separates the Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic communities. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll through the city. We’ll then proceed to Croatia, where border procedures may take a while. We’ll arrive in Dubrovnik at the end of the day. Dinner will be included.

We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide in the morning. We will undoubtedly be in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, perched on a cliff, surrounded by walls and kissed by the Adriatic Sea. Its intact historic center is a jewel of world architectural heritage. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a stunning view of the city from a scenic viewpoint along the road. The tour includes tickets to the Franciscan Monastery, home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and the Assumption Cathedral. We’ll also take a boat trip to Lokrum, a small island just 15 minutes away that is home to the ruins of an eleventh-century Benedictine monastery, a popular setting for the series Game of Thrones. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner will be included.Note: On some occasions, accommodation may be in Cavtat, a coastal town near Dubrovnik. From November to March, there is no boat service to Lokrum, so we will not visit the island during these months.

We’ll set off early for Montenegro. After completing border procedures, we’ll enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and the Bay of Kotor. We’ll take a ferry across the bay to Kotor, where you’ll have time to explore this beautiful walled town with its strong Venetian influence. Next, we’ll stop in Budva, a charming walled village surrounded by the sea, for lunch. Then we’ll travel to Albania. After customs procedures, we’ll go to the capital, Tirana, where you’ll have some free time to explore. Dinner will be included.

Today, we’ll embark on a panoramic tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania, visiting its mosques, the Clock Tower, and the ministries. Around midday, we’ll head inland, passing through Albania’s tall mountain scenery and little villages. Enjoy the beautiful countryside around Lake Ohrid, which forms the border with Macedonia. We’ll continue to the Republic of Macedonia (border procedures) and stop for lunch in Struga, a picturesque town on the lake´s shores. We’ll then proceed to Ohrid, a city rich in Ottoman influence and a designated World Heritage Site. You’ll have time to explore the Plaosnik Monastery, or the ancient university founded in the ninth century. Dinner will be included.

We’ll journey through Macedonia into Greece, with a stop in Bitola, a city rich in history and charm, known for its Ottoman and neoclassical architecture. You’ll have time to stroll along Širok Sokak, a lively area filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops. After completing border formalities, we’ll enter Greece, where the northern region is deeply influenced by Slavic and Ottoman culture and features rugged landscapes. Our journey will continue to the Meteora region. Just outside Kalabaka, we’ll stop in Kastraki, a picturesque village offering stunning views of the valley, where you’ll have time for lunch before going to the Meteora Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll drive through the entire valley and include admission to one of the most famous cliffside monasteries. Arrival in Kalabaka, with dinner included.

We’ll journey through northern Greece, taking in the beautiful mountain scenery as we head towards the Aegean Sea. Our first stop will be in Thessaloniki, where we’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch in Greece’s second-largest city. Afterward, we’ll continue into Bulgaria, crossing the border into the region of Bulgarian Macedonia. Here, we’ll visit Melnik, a picturesque museum town nestled among stunning landscapes and renowned for its wine production. We’ll conclude our day in Sandanski, a charming spa town known as the birthplace of Spartacus where we’ll stay for the night. Dinner will be included.

We’ll visit the stunning Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its fortress-like appearance and beautiful forest surroundings. We’ll then continue to Sofia, arriving by late morning. After lunch, we’ll take a guided tour of Bulgaria’s capital, where we’ll see the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, the Mosque, and the city´s squares and avenues, showcasing Stalinist architecture. You’ll have free time afterward to explore the city at your leisure.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.