Date
April 17-30, 2017
About This Tour
Created out of the ashes of defeat in World War I, the single, autonomous state of Yugoslavia was a false political construct from international treaties. Tensions between many ethnic groups, who were anything but autonomous, led to violent civil war that broke up the country in the early 1990s. Peace now prevails in the region, and the now-independent countries Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzogovina have become some of Europe’s hottest travel destinations. This new tour visits 11 spectacular ancient cities and 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 3 nights each in Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia. These Balkan Beauties blend medieval with the modern, taking you from the mountains to the shores of the Adriatic Sea.
Tour Highlights
- Belgrade, capital of Serbia
- Roman citadel of Gamzigrad-Romuliana *
- Nis, one of Europe’s oldest cities
- Sopocani Monastery *
- Ottoman town of Novi Pazar
- Fortress-settlement of Kolasin
- 13th-century Moraca Monastery
- Riviera of Budva
- Walled medieval city of Kotor *
- Red-roofed Old City of Dubrovnik *
- Old Bridge and Old Town of Mostar *
- Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia-Herzogovina * UNESCO World Heritage Sites
ITINERARY
DEPART FOR BELGRADE
Assuming you start from the United States, arrange your international flight to leave your home city today, arriving in Belgrade, Serbia tomorrow. When searching for flights online use the airport code BEG for Belgrade arrival, and SJJ for your departure from Sarajevo, B-H. Please time your arrival for no later than 4:00pm at the latest on April 18 in order to participate in the welcome festivities. For those who wish to arrive a day early, please indicate this on your reservation form so that we can reserve a room for you at our Belgrade hotel. (Meals Aloft)
ARRIVAL IN SERBIA
Your flight arrives in Belgrade, Serbia sometime today. Upon collection of luggage and going through customs, you will meet a driver who will transfer you to our centrally located hotel. The afternoon is free to rest up from jet lag or do a little exploring on your own. This evening our group meets for the first time in the hotel lobby for a meet-and-greet cocktail hour before proceeding to a very nice restaurant in the area for our Welcome Dinner. Overnight in Belgrade. (Dinner included)
BELGRADE SIGHTSEEING
Over the centuries, Belgrade was the coveted prize of many different empires including Thraco-Dacians, Celts, Romans, Slavs, Franks, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Turks, and Serbs. It has endured 115 wars and been razed to the ground 44 times. It was the grand Hapsburg Empire, however, that most determined the look and feel of the present day city. Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour, seeing all the major monuments and attractions. After lunch, enjoy a walk through the beautiful Kalemegdan Park and fascinating Belgrade fortress with an unforgettable view of the confluence of two big European rivers — the Danube and the Sava. Our tour concludes in the Skadarlija Bohemian Quarter. (Breakfast / Lunch)
GAMZIGRAD-ROMULIANA / NIS
After an early breakfast, we check out of our hotel and drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Gamzigrad-Romuliana. This large Roman palace and memorial site was built between the late 3rd and 4th centuries by the Emperor Galerius Maximianus. We enjoy views of the strong fortifications, the palace and the mausoleums of the Emperor and his mother Romula. After a stop for lunch, we continue on to the city of Nis, one of the oldest cities in the Balkans and Europe. We explore the Nis Fortress, an impressive sight situated along the River Nisava in the heart of the city. There is an old mosque on the grounds, and the interior of the fort is a park. After a short break, we proceed to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Nis. (All Meals)
NOVI PAZAR / KOLASIN
After breakfast, we depart Nis and drive toward Novi Pazar, stopping for lunch along the way. Novi Pazar is the most visibly Ottoman town in Serbia, but also within close reach of some of the oldest Serbian Orthodox Churches and Monasteries. Visit the Sopoćani Monastery, built in the second half of the 13th century and since 1979 having the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We cross the border into Montenegro and continue our drive to Kolasin, a fortress settlement built by the Turks in the 17th century. After hotel check-in, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Kolasin. (Breakfast / Lunch)
MORACA / BUDVA
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and depart Kolasin. A short distance away, visit Moraca Monastery, built like a medieval fortress in 1252. After a stop for lunch, we continue driving toward Budva, on the Adriatic Coast, a town whose history goes back 2,500 years. You can feel the ancient time in every corner of the Old Town, with its Venetian architecture of churches, towers, walls and fortresses. The town is considered one of the oldest on the Adriatic. The evening is free. Overnight in Budva. (Breakfast / Lunch)
FREE DAY IN BUDVA
Today is entirely free to relax or explore the area on your own or take an optional day trip. Budva has one of the most attractive beaches on the South Adriatic Sea. You might just want to enjoy lunch on a sidewalk café, stroll along the beach, or do a little gambling in one of the resort hotel’s casinos. Some of the optional sports activities in the area include paragliding, bungee jumping, or rafting the River Tara. Overnight in Budva. (Breakfast)
KOTOR / DUBROVNIK
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and take a short drive north along the coast to the city of Kotor. This beautiful walled medieval city has twisting, pink-paved streets, markets and architecture reflecting Byzantine to Venetian influences. Walking through the main gate of Old Town (UNESCO Site), we visit first the medieval fortune tower on the Main Square and proceed through narrow streets to St. Triphon’s piazza to visit the 11th-century St. Thripun’s Cathedral. There is optional free time for lunch (on your own) or you may want to grab a sandwich and hike up the hill overlooking the town and bay for great photos. We continue driving north, crossing the border into Croatia and arriving in Dubrovnik for overnight. (Breakfast)
DUBROVNIK SIGHTSEEING
Dubrovnik is truly a monumental city, with its impregnable stones walls, museums, treasuries, luxurious palaces, churches, monasteries, synagogues, and red roofs. Located in the southernmost part of the Croatia, Dubrovnik is a city of unique history and of world-famous cultural identity and beauty, designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our full day tour includes Pila Gate, Orlando Fountain, Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery, Domenican Monastery, and the Town Walls. We will make a lunch stop along the way (meal not included), followed by more sightseeing in the afternoon. The evening is free. Overnight in Dubrovnik. (Breakfast)
FREE DAY IN DUBROVNIK
Today is entirely free to relax or explore on your own. You might want to see some of the city’s museums in more depth, or head to Lokrum Island, with its nude beach (weather permitting). Or you might consider an optional boat trip to the three largest Elaphiti Islands – Koločep, Lopud, and Šipan – each with its own unique character and charm. There is also a cable car which will whisk you to the top of the mountain overlooking the city for incredible views. Overnight in Dubrovnik. (Breakfast)
MOSTAR / SARAJEVO
After an early breakfast, we check out of our hotel and drive into Bosnia-Herzogovina. Stopping at the border to clear customs, we continue on to the town of Mostar. The town was named for the bridge keepers who maintained the Stari Most(Old Bridge), one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture. The bridge (and its surrounded area) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our guided city tour will include visits to the Old Bridge, the public Turkish Baths (hammam), the clock tower, the Metropolitan Palace, Ottoman residences, and various houses of worship. After lunch in town, we continue our drive north to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzogovina. We check into our hotel and the evening is free to relax or explore the area surrounding our hotel. Overnight in Sarajevo. (Breakfast / Lunch)
SARAJEVO SIGHTSEEING
Sarajevo is one of the most oriental and culturally diverse cities in Europe. It had spent over 300 years under Turkish rule until the Austro-Hungarians arrived in the late nineteenth century. The empire collapsed 50 years later when Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated here, hastening the outbreak of the First World War. The late twentieth century saw Sarajevo host the Winter Olympics in 1984, and the long siege of the city during the 1990s’ civil war. Our full-day sightseeing will include a morning visit to the central city’s main sites, including the Old Town Hall, Old Bazaar, and the Latin Bridge (site of Ferdinand’s assassination). After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the 1984 Olympic Village, once the ironic symbol of Yugoslavia’s solidarity and rising influence in the world. Overnight in Sarajevo (Breakfast / Lunch)
FREE DAY / FAREWELL DINNER
Today in an entirely free day to explore the city on your own, visit museums, go souvenir shopping, or just relax. Our group gathers together again this evening to celebrate the end of our Balkan adventure with a Farewell Dinner. Afterwards, you might want to check out the gay scene in the local bars and clubs. Overnight in Sarajevo. (Breakfast / Dinner)
DEPARTURE
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. You may arrange your departing flight for any convenient time today, and we will arrange your airport transfer according to your flight schedule. If you wish to extend your stay in Sarajevo, please let us know on your reservation form so that we can keep your room available for another night. (Breakfast)