Gems of the Northern Balkans 2024

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free. Dinner at your hotel. (D)

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. (B)

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

After breakfast, depart on a full day excursion from Belgrade. Our first stop is Krusedol monastery, founded in the beginning of the 16th 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 will have a quick orientation tour and some free time before returning to Belgrade and your hotel. (B, L)

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. After a lunch break (free time), we are going back to Belgrade. Evening is at leisure. (B)

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

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

Take a sightseeing tour of Sibiu, once the richest towns 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 the 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)

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 17th-century Sinaia Monastery. End the day in Bucharest, known as "Little Paris". (B, D)

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)

Check out from your hotel. (B)