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Day 1. Bucharest – Belgrade
We board the coach in Bucharest and depart on the route Craiova – Drobeta Turnu Severin. We stop at Taverna Sarbului, enjoying the first Serbian flavours from Romanian territory. We cross the Danube at Porțile de Fier and continue our journey along the Serbian side of the river to the Golubat Fortress. Located 4 km from the town of the same name, the fortress rises spectacularly on high basalt cliffs, its image mirrored in the clear waters of the Danube. We arrive in Belgrade late in the afternoon. At first, a strong sense of déjà vu strikes us: the same stereotypical buildings, wide boulevards flanked by apartment blocks, urbanised neighbourhoods in the characteristic style of the communist era. Then everything changes and we can admire the historical buildings and monuments bathed in ambient lights, the attractions we will visit the next day. We will head back to the hotel for accommodation.
Day 2. Walking through Belgrade …
Breakfast prepares us for an intensive tour of a city that has a lot to tell. Our siege begins at the Leopold Gate, the access point to the historic centre. Belgrade was built on the ancient fortress Singidunum, founded by a Celtic tribe and transformed by the Romans into a defence centre on the border of the empire. The fortress is located in Kalemegdan Park, an area stretching to the banks of the Danube and the Sava River. Within walking distance you will see the Zindan Gate, Despot’s Gate, the Roman Fountain, the Ruzica Church, the Natural History Museum, the French Monument of Gratitude, the Vidin Gate and the Clock Tower.
We leave the fortress behind and make a short stop at the Archangel Michael Orthodox Cathedral, built on the orders of ruler Milos Obrenovic in 1837 and across the road we see the Palace of Princess Ljubica.
We continue our walk along the pedestrian street Kneaz Mihajlov, famous for its trendy cafés and shops. Here we find a vibrant town, full of life and history, with civil buildings in neoclassical or baroque style bearing the Habsburg imprint of the 17th century. 19TH CENTURY. After arriving at Republic Square, we enter Skadarlija, Belgrade’s bohemian district, a counterpart of the famous Montmartre in Paris, with a plethora of cafés and wine bars where writers, artists and actors once made their home in the late 19th century. Some of the places: Dva Jelena, Zlatni Bokal and Tri Sesira still welcome guests today. In the taverns, musical notes bring back the atmosphere of the beginning of the 20th century, with ditties, folk or local jazz and clinking glasses, accompanied by cheerful animation and party voices.
Day 3. Belgrade – Oplenac – Mokra Gora – Sarajevo
Refreshed and energized after breakfast and aromatic coffee, we don’t take our seats in the coach and prepare for a memorable day. Our first stop is at Topola, a place steeped in the funerary history of the Serbian monarchy. Here is the Church of St. George where the most important kings and princely members of the Karadjordjević dynasty rest. The interior of the edifice in neo-Byzantine style impresses with the wealth of colors in the fresco, the superb mosaic, the white marble columns. We were leaving with the satisfaction that we didn’t miss perhaps the most emblematic tourist attraction of Serbia, at least that’s what the locals tell us. After Oplenac, our road goes towards the town of Mokra Gora. We would not have insisted on this city, but no one in the group would have forgiven us for getting so close to Drvengrad, where the sets were set up for the filming of the film Zivot je Cud” (Life is a miracle) directed by Kusturica . . And now, we can really say that we saw everything that was most important in Serbia.
Free road ahead, in the bus we have stories to tell, impressions to be exchanged and to temper the impatience to see other fairy tale lands. We soon arrive in Sarajevo, the capital of the ex-Yugoslav state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo reveals itself boldly to us, having undergone a complex restoration after the devastating war between 1992-1996. Inviting cafes and bargain shops remind us of the deep Ottoman imprint left over time by Turkish merchants. To the south and north, hilltop neighborhoods are dotted with red-roofed Bosnian houses and countless minarets dotting the nearby mountains. To get to know the turbulent history of the city, we can visit the Tunnel Museum, which is reached by one of the colorful trams that hum along the boulevards of Sarajevo. The Ilidza neighborhood, with its wonderful Vrelo Bosne park, resembles a forest, being full of centuries-old trees and crossed by the Bosna river, which springs from the mountains that can be seen in the landscape. 4,000 years ago there was a settlement here called Aquae Sulphurae, founded by the Romans. Ducks and swans bathe freely, to the music of the delicate waterfalls that fill the place. Evening accommodation at the hotel in Sarajevo.
Day 4. Sarajevo – Mostar – Medjugorje
In the morning, after breakfast, we leave for Mostar. The commercial center of Herzegovina for centuries, Mostar has perfectly preserved Ottoman architecture. We visit its famous Old Bridge over the Neretva River, built in the 16th century. We go to Blagaj and see the Blagaj Tekke, a Muslim mosque built for the practitioners of the Dervish cult. We continue to explore the mystical lands of Herzegovina.
We are leaving for Medjugorje, whose name translates as “between the mountains” and which is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate. The city became a place of pilgrimage in 1981 after the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared to several children. Accommodation in Mostar area.
Moment of respite (free time):
Bosnian food is a balanced mix between western and aesthetic cuisine, and coffee can be considered the heart of social life. It is strong, but with a particular finesse, it is prepared in copper vessels called dzezva and the ritual involves mixing it and pouring it yourself into the ivory cup after it is passed through a sieve. Don’t forget that the taste is highlighted by sugar cubes or traditional candy!
Day 5. Medjugorje – Dubrovnik – Kotor – Cetinje
We leave for Croatia, arrive in the afternoon in Dubrovnik and enter the fortress with white limestone streets and imposing baroque buildings. The city of Dubrovnik was founded in the 16th century, sheltering in its port a commercial fleet recognized throughout the world for a century. We entered animated by a curiosity: Why was Dubrovnik chosen by the Game of Thrones series team as a filming location? As soon as we start walking through the old town, we find the answer: the scenography is perfect for the fantasy scenes in the series. Gorgeous palaces, Renaissance chapels, Venetian buildings and elegant villas with Baroque influences guard the cobbled streets. We have reason to stop at the Franciscan Church with the oldest pharmacy in the world. Then the Lovrijenac and Minceta fortresses attract us like magnets. We walk along Stradun – the main pedestrian street in the city, and see other vestiges of the glory of this port city: the church of San Salvadore, the Rectors’ Palace, the superb Sponza Palace, the Clock Tower, symbol of the city, the Church of St. Basil, the Dominican Monastery, the Old Port and Ravelin Fortress. We admired the Cathedral of Dubrovnik – with an interesting history – an impressive Byzantine basilica whose re-construction in the century. the twelfth would have been financed by the great crusader king Richard the Lionheart himself. Then we make time for shopping, to enjoy a coffee and admire the city landscape.
Day 6. Cetinje – Shkodra – Tirana – Durres
Enjoy breakfast accompanied by a strong coffee and left for Shkodra. We visited the Rozafa Castle here and learned the legend of the place which is similar to that of the craftsman Manole, Rozafa being the wife of the youngest of the three brothers who tried to build walls for the castle, only to find them in ruins the next day. We transpose ourselves into medieval times, being captivated by the fascinating diversity of the city. We see the Lead Mosque, built by Mehmet Pasa Bushati after the model of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, but with a lead roof.
We leave for Durres, the second largest city in Albania and Albania’s gateway to the Adriatic Sea. The Corinthian Greeks, merchants and navigators par excellence, saw the potential of this place, building the settlement in the 7th century i.H. and giving it the name of Epidamos. We visit the emblematic buildings such as the National Museum of Archaeology, the largest Roman Amphitheater in the Balkans, the Tower and the Venetian Wall. King Zog’s villa, the reminiscence of the Albanian monarchy, is surrounded by a landscape that makes you wonder and understand why the Greeks from Corfu founded Durres 2,600 years ago.
Day 7. Durres – Berat – Korca
Berat provokes and delights the eye with its impressive collection of white Ottoman houses occupying the slope of a mountain. For sure, this could be the highlight of the visit to Albania. Known as the “city with a thousand windows”, Berat convinced UNESCO to include it in the World Heritage of Museum Cities. The three major districts of the old town are Mangalemi, Gorica and Kala, where the castle is located. Visiting the “Kala” resort involves a steep walk on a cobbled road, but those who do will be rewarded with an impressive panoramic view. We will see the “Onufri” Museum of Iconography, the Red Mosque, known for its lone minaret, and the Church of the Holy Trinity. We are heading towards the National Museum of Ethnography, which is located in one of the most authentic and interesting buildings of the city. Next comes the Arched Bridge, built in 1780, a fabulous architectural exhibit and the perfect place to take enviable pictures. It’s time to say goodbye to another place full of charm and unaltered history and continue our trip through the Balkans. We were leaving for Korca, the city of serenades. We will check in and spend the night at a hotel in the area.
Day 8. Korca – Ohrid – Skopje
Breakfast. We were visiting the city of Korca and admiring the Resurrection Cathedral and the Ilyaz Mirahori Mosque. We were leaving for Ohrid. Founded over 2,400 years ago, the city of Ohrid has a wealth of heritage and today is an important cultural and spiritual center. Both the city and the lake have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1980. Lake Ohrid is one of the oldest lakes in the world, approximately 4 million years old.
Around the lake there are approximately 365 churches, monasteries and other religious places. We start with a city tour of Ohrid, which includes a visit to the Tsar Samuil fortress and the Roman amphitheater for sensational panoramic views. We continue with the monument of St. Cyril and Methodius, the Church of St. Sophia, the Gallery of Effigies and the Citadel of Samuil. We didn’t leave Ohrid without taking a walk through the city’s bazaar, which hides a surprise for visitors – the historic Chinar tree, over 1,000 years old. The Old Bazaar in Ohrid is a place full of life, especially on the so-called “market days”, when numerous customers can buy various handmade objects, old Macedonian musical instruments and the famous embroidery, but also food products.
During the evening we arrive in Skopje for accommodation. I also ticked off a beautiful day today, full of special places. What adventures await us the next day? We can’t wait to discover together! Accommodation at the hotel in Skopje
Day 9. Skopje – Gorno Nerezi – Matka Canyon
In the morning, we enjoyed breakfast with the first Macedonian flavors. Then we set out to explore Skopje, a city that was almost completely destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1963. The new buildings and modern statues present in large numbers are part of the government’s urban planning program for the reconstruction and development of the Capital, Skopje 2014. We explore the mysterious Kale fortress and the Stone Bridge, we reach the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, in Macedonia Square and the statue of Alexander the Great, as well as the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, with its imposing chandelier with over 100 bulbs.
We walk through the Old Bazaar, on narrow alleyways paved with cubic stone and flanked by hundreds of wooden stalls over which floats the smell of aromatic tea and savory delicacies sizzling on grills.
In the afternoon we propose an optional program to the Matka Canyon. The first stop will be in the village of Gorno Nerezi, located near Skopje. The main attraction of the place is the Church of St. Pantelimon, still surrounded by the old buildings and walls of the monastery. As can be seen in the inscription on the main gate, the monastery and the small church were built in 1164 by order of Alexius Angelus Comnenus. After delighting our eyes with the wonderful frescoes, among the highest achievements in Byzantine art in existence, we continue the road to the Matka Canyon, a gorge dug by the Treska River and one of the most popular outdoor destinations around the city of Skopje. Spread over an area of over 5,000 hectares, it offers visitors the chance to admire the Vrelo cave with its underground lakes. The canyon area is Macedonia’s most popular rafting and kayaking destination. But here we also find a rich complex of medieval buildings, including churches, monasteries and the remains of a fortress (the medieval city of Matka), as well as authentic nature, represented by many endemic species of plants and animals.
During the evening we return to Skopje with an impressive album of impressions and moments captured with cameras. We are ready for a new adventure. Accommodation in Skopje
Day 10. Kosovo / Pristina
As we anticipated, today will be an extremely interesting day. We propose an optional program in Kosovo, the newest country in Europe, partially recognized, located right in the heart of the Balkans (access is based on a passport valid for 6 months from the date of entry into Kosovo). It is a fascinating land that greets you with smiles, charming mountain towns and gorgeous landscapes. We cross the border into Kosovo and before reaching the capital Pristina, we stop to visit the splendid Gracanica monastery, a symbol of
the Byzantine style that won its place in the UNESCO heritage. From here, Pristina is a stone’s throw away, figuratively speaking of course. We admire in turn: the Mother Teresa Cathedral, the University, the National Library, Scanderbeg Square and admire the authentic old bazaar, as well as the surrounding mosques.
Day 11. Skopje – Sofia – Bucharest
The last stop in the Balkans will be in Bulgaria. We stop first in Sofia, which is often ignored by travelers who either rush to the blue shores of the Aegean Sea, or have the impression that there is not much going on here and that it is not worth the effort.
How wrong I am, because Sofia is a vibrant city with a rich history, full of historic buildings, spectacular places of worship, interesting museums, streets with inviting shops and cafes, and beautiful parks. We stop near the most lively boulevard in Sofia, Vitosha Boulevard, and walk among designer shops in search of bargains. We arrive at the Sveta Nedelya Cathedral, which impresses us with its round domes in Byzantine style. In total contrast, the small Sveti Georgi (Rotunda) church, built in the 4th AD appears as a thumbnail. Another church gave the name to the Capital, St. Sophia Church, this being one of the oldest churches, its basement hosting an old necropolis and vestiges of four other churches. Continuing our journey, we will notice that in Sofia the old and the new alternate, Soviet monuments and medieval vestiges. We can also see the magnificent building of the Banya Bashi Mosque and we could end the visit with the Museum of Communism, filled with exhibits and statues of communist and Soviet leaders, but the instinct of conservation gives us the alarm. It’s time to retire for a snack.
Accommodation in Bucharest
Day 12. Bucharest
Breakfast in the hotel
Discover the romanian capital and the biggest city in country, with a history of over 600 years of both glorious but also tragical times. Used to be called “little Paris” in the 1930′, this is a must-see city among the main attractions in Romania.
Our Bucharest City Tour includes the following itinerary: Free Press Square (Piata Presei Libere) – The Arch of Triumph (Arcul de Triumf) – Victoriei Square (Piata Victoriei) – Calea Victoriei – Revolution Square (Romanian Atheneum, Revolution’s Memorial) – The Palace of Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului) – Union Square (Piata Unirii) – University Square (Piata Universitatii) – Romana Square (Piata Romana) – Victoriei Square (Piata Victoriei) – Charles de Gaulle Square (Piata Charles de Gaulle) – The Village Museum (Muzeul Satului).
Entrance by Parliamnet Palace and Village Museum are optional, but we strongly recommend you visit both since they are both symbols of our capital city.
The tour ends with drive to the Otopeni Airport
Group Size | Price EURO / pers in double room |
10 – 20 pers | 1289 |
20 – 30 pers | 1199 |
30 – 40 pers | 1099 |
Over 40 pers | 999 |
Single Supplement | 280 |
Included in the price:
- Transport with 3 stars Bus/ Minivan
- Licensed guide speaking your language
- Accommodation in 3 stars Hotels
- Breakfast in the hotels
- Guided tours by all sites
Not included in the price:
- Entrance fees at the sites
- Meals
Meeting point: pick-up from Bucharest / Otopeni Airport
Itinerary for the tour:
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