Overview
Highlights of the Balkans
For the travel lover who wishes to see it all, this tour of the beauty of Balkan countries delivers! Visit the must-see sites and hear about the long and fascinating histories as you journey through Serbia, Romania, North Macedonia, and Albania. Explore Serbia’s capital city of Belgrade, along with the Romanian cities of Timisoara, Sibiu, and Bucharest. Visit Brasov’s impressive Black Church; Ruse, Bulgaria’s “Little Vienna;” the byzantine Holy Sofia Church, built in the 6th century and today a symbol of Sofia; plus, Staro Nagorichane Monastery near Kumanovo, and Tirana’s Bunk’Art, in Albania. Revel in remarkable experiences along the way, including a visit to Romania’s 14th-century Bran Castle of Dracula lore. See its torture chambers and enjoy dinner on the castle grounds. Embark on a boat cruise on Lake Ohrid and see the monastery of Saint Naum. This Eastern Europe tour is sure to thrill!
Highlights of Highlights of the Balkans
City Highlights
Transportation
Notes
The Bran Castle visit requires guests to navigate many steps which may pose a challenge for those with physical limitations or reliant on mobility devices such as wheelchairs.
Travelers Notes
Special Features Included in this Tour: • Guided sightseeing in Belgrade features the main sights and views of Kalemegdan Fortress• Guided sightseeing in Brasov with a visit to the Black Church • Visit Bran Castle and [LF] dine in the castle grounds at Queen Mary Tea House• Visit Peles Castle• Guided sightseeing in Bucharest includes views of the People’s Palace • Guided sightseeing tour in Sofia with visit to the Byzantine Holy Sofia Church• Visit to the Staro Nagorichane Monastery • Guided sightseeing of Skopje to see the landmarks• Boat cruise on Lake Ohrid and Ohrid guided sightseeing with visit to the monastery of Saint Naum • Guided walking tour of Tirana includes a visit to Bunk’Art• Visit Ruse, Sibiu, and Timisoara
UNESCO Sites
Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid region
Private Touring
6 guests in a party: $4,359*18 guests in a party: $1,075*
Meals
13 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN BELGRADE, SERBIA Welcome to Belgrade! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
Day 2
BELGRADE A Strong Faith Start your Balkan adventure in cosmopolitan Belgrade, capital of Serbia located at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Follow your Local Guide on a sightseeing tour that features the main highlights; see Tito’s Memorial, Saint Sava Church, Slavija, Parliament House and views of the fascinating Kalemegdan Fortress. Spend free time this afternoon and evening to explore more. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTPICTURE PERFECT The Church of Saint Sava is one of the largest churches in the world and the largest church building in the Balkans. The church is built on the site where the Ottomans burned the remains of Saint Sava in 1595, and it represents the resilience and continuity of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Serbian culture through centuries of foreign domination. A visit to Belgrade is not complete without a stop here.
Day 3
BELGRADE–TIMISOARA, ROMANIA–SIBIU Capital Cities Today, cross the border into Romania and reach the town of Timisoara. Join an orientation walk, admire the Romanian Orthodox Church, and enjoy free time to explore more. Continue to Sibiu for an orientation tour that reveals towers, churches, and buildings dating back to the 14th century. (B,D) 267mi / 430kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTA CITY OF FIRSTS Situated in Transylvania, Sibiu is a real gem with a local vibe which recorded many premieres in this part of Europe. It was here where the first hospital, the first library, the first school, the first pharmacy, the first Zoo garden, the first open-air cinema in Romania opened.
Day 4
SIBIU–BRASOV Fact or Fiction A scenic drive, providing views of the Carpathian Mountains, brings you to Transylvania and the charming city of Brasov. Walk with your Local Guide through the medieval town center, then visit the Schei Old District and Black Church. Later, a special treat has been arranged with a [LF] private after-hours visit to Bran Castle, aka “Dracula’s Castle,” followed by dinner in the castle grounds at the Queen Mary Tea House. (B,D) 93mi / 150kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS & LORE Legend has it that King Solomon, while escaping enemies in pursuit, fled into the Brasov forest, exchanged his clothes with a local peasant, and cast his crown on a tree trunk to evade being recognized, resulting in the city of Brasov to be dubbed Brasov, Kronstadt (Crown City). The fortress-castle was built in 1377 by master masons of Brasov, on a cliff, dominating the whole region. The most famous feature of the town is the castle associated with Vlad the Impaler, a true-life prince who stayed at the castle in the 15th century. His cruel habit of impaling his enemies on stakes inspired Bram Stoker’s fictional tale of Dracula.
Day 5
BRASOV–SINAIA–BUCHAREST Romanian Royalty Take a scenic drive to Sinaia in the Prahova Valley and visit Peles Castle, the summer residence of Romania’s royal family, and considered among the most romantic castles in the world. After some free time for lunch continue to beautiful Bucharest with its flower-festooned parks, gardens, and wide boulevards shaded by century-old trees. (B) 118mi / 190kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEM From the very beginning, Peles Castle was one of the most modern in Europe. It was the first castle on the continent fully supplied by electrical power – it had its own electrical unit – and one of the few with a central heating system, an elevator, and the best comfort of the time. The castle was a museum from its first years, and the ticket sales were used to finance Romania’s Queen Elisabeth’s charity works. After the castle was confiscated by the communists, it was used only as a museum from 1953 to 1975, escaping the destructive whims of ruling dictator, Ceausescu.
Day 6
BUCHAREST Parisian Style and Palace Squares Meet your Local Guide and see Bucharest’s highlights during a sightseeing tour. Visit the open-air Village Museum, a unique collection of traditional buildings. Admire views of the Government Victoria Palace, the Royal Palace, the Savings Palace, and the People’s Palace, where former Romanian dictator Ceausescu lived. Free time this afternoon and evening to explore more. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT In the early 20th century, Bucharest was known as "Little Paris" due to its elegant architecture and vibrant cultural scene, reminiscent of the French capital. See the imposing Palace of the Parliament, former home of communist dictator Ceausescu. Noted as the world's heaviest building and largest administrative building after the Pentagon.
Day 7
BUCHAREST–RUSE–SOFIA, BULGARIA Little Vienna Depart Romania and cross the border into Bulgaria! Your first experience of this historic country is a visit to Ruse, its most important river port. Enjoy an orientation plus free time to admire the beautiful neo-baroque and neo-rococo architecture that gives the city the nickname “Little Vienna.” Continue to Sofia, the vibrant capital city. (B,D) 242 mi / 390 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTARTISTRY & ARCHITECTURE Unique to the country of Romania is the architectural jewel of Ruse. Its leafy avenues and squares are reminiscent of Vienna, with a Central European feel found in its baroque and belle epoque architectural style.
Day 8
SOFIA A City of Centuries This morning, follow your Local Guide on a city tour that includes views of Largo Square's Roman Ruins, the Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue, the Parliament building, the Rotunda of “St. George, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and a visit to the Byzantine Holy Sofia Church. Spend an afternoon at leisure discovering more of this impressive city. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURAL GEM The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia is poised as it has been for centuries below Vitosha Mountain, with its landmarks reflecting more than 2,000 years of history, including Greek, Roman, Ottoman and Soviet occupation. Medieval Boyana Church has 13th-century frescoes. Built by the Romans in the 4th century, St. George Rotunda Church has medieval and Ottoman decoration dating to the 10th century. Sofia was known as Serdica centuries before Christ and was ruled at one time by Alexander the Great’s father, Philip of Macedonia.
Day 9
SOFIA–KUMANOVO, NORTH MACEDONIA–SKOPJE Prophecies, Prayers, and Promises This morning, continue to North Macedonia and stop at the town of Kumanovo to visit the noteworthy Nagorichane Monastery. Continue to Skopje, the capital city, divided by the Vardar River that runs through it. This evening, get acquainted with the regional specialties during a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) 155mi / 250kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTLEGENDS & LORE Visit the 11th-century church of Staro Nagorichane. Built by Byzantine emperor Roman IV Diogen in gratitude to the hermit and saint Prohor Pcinski. According to legend, the emperor wounded a deer while hunting in the surrounding forests and followed its bloody trail to a cave in which it found refuge with the hermit Pcinski. The old man beseeched the emperor to spare the deer and prophesized he would become the future king upon his return to Constantinople. With the prophecy ultimately fulfilled. Diogen built the church in honor of the beatified Saint Pcinski.
Day 10
SKOPJE City of Statues and Saint Theresa Skopje is a city rich in culture and history, where the ancient and contemporary meet. Follow your Local Guide on a sightseeing tour that highlights the Old Town. See the narrow streets in the Old Bazaar, the Memorial House of Mother Teresa. and the beautiful quay of the Vardar River. Enjoy leisure time this afternoon and evening. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MONUMENTS The city of Skopje is located on the Vardar River and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. Hear how it is often referred to as the “City of Statues,” with over 190 statues scattered throughout the city, it truly lives up to its nickname. But it is also famous as Mother Theresa was born here.
Day 11
SKOPJE–OHRID Wetland Watercolors Reach Ohrid, known for its cultural heritage and nature. This afternoon, take a guided sightseeing tour featuring a visit to the Church of St. Sophia and views of St. Perivlepta, the Old Bazaar and Antique Theatre. Continue with a boat trip on Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO-listed natural and cultural site with protected wetlands. Later, enjoy free time to explore more of the beautiful Old Town. (B) 124mi / 200kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTNATURAL WONDERS Lake Ohrid is the oldest natural lake in Europe and one of the oldest lakes in the whole world and home to a high number of endemic species found nowhere else in the world. Don’t miss the chance to witness one of the lake’s most enchanting spectacles at sunset as the golden hues reflect upon the tranquil waters for a mesmerizing sight.
Day 12
OHRID–TIRANA, ALBANIA Macedonian Marvels Before departing from Ohrid, take a guided visit of the Monastery of Saint Naum, one of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia, built on a high rocky cliff over the shore of the most southern point of Lake Ohrid. After some free time for lunch continue to Tirana, Albania’s capital city and allegedly one of the sunniest cities in Europe! Enjoy an evening at leisure to get acquainted with the city. (B) 81mi / 130kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC SPOT The Monastery of St. Naum represents one of the first monuments of Slavic church architecture and art in the Ohrid region – this is. The founder of the monastery is the medieval writer and teacher Naum, who is one of the founders of the Slavic and Macedonian literacy and education tradition. Take in the heavenly views surrounding this clifftop marvel.
Day 13
TIRANA Underground Art This morning, join your Local Guide for a walking tour to discover Tirana’s intriguing culture and history. See many of the main landmarks and visit the Bunk’Art Museum, once a top-secret nuclear bunker, now a historical and art center. Spend an afternoon at leisure exploring more. This evening, enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)TOUR HIGHLIGHTART & ARCHITECTURE Discover a vibrant story of history, architecture, and art in Tirana – from the Tirana mosaic (Ancient Roman) to the Clock Tower (Kulla e Sahatit), a symbol of ottoman architecture, Italian buildings, and the construction style of the dictatorship. Visit the former Cold War bunker-turned-art-museum of Bunk’Art.
Day 14
TIRANA Safe Travels Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | Mercure Belgrade Excelsior | This elegant hotel offers a perfect blend of comfort and style for your Serbian adventure, just steps from the City Hall and Parliament Building. The hotel's smartly furnished guest rooms feature ample natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere. Free Wi-Fi is included to stay connected, a desk, and a minibar for refreshing drinks. All rooms come equipped with a laptop-sized safe and an LED TV for entertainment. | Belgrade | Kneza Milosa 5 | |
| 2 | Mercure Sibui Arsenal | Ideally located for exploring Sibiu, the Mercure Sibiu Arsenal is a perfect hotel for travelers. This cozy modern hotel offers a taste of local culture with its Media¿ tiles and Cisn¿die rugs. Guests can relax in comfort in spacious guest rooms and enjoy complimentary access to the indoor pool and fitness center. The hotel also features a bar and restaurant for added convenience. | Sibiu | 48 Bulevardul Victoriei | First-Class |
| 3 | Qosmo Brasov Hotel | Perfect for travelers seeking a modern and comfortable stay in Brasov, Qosmo Brasov Hotel offers an informal atmosphere with understated elegance in its rooms. Each space features a minimalist aesthetic, allowing the contemporary hospitality services to take center stage. An ideal location for exploring Transylvania, Qosmo Brasov caters to your needs with amenities such as Free Wi-Fi and in-room TVs. For a relaxing evening, unwind at the hotel's restaurant, or socialize with a handcrafted cocktail at the on-site bar. | Brasov | 5 Turnului Street | Superior First-Class |
| 4 | Mercure Bucharest City Center | This property has a locally inspired musical theme and is situated in a central area of Bucharest, providing convenient access to many of the city¿s key attractions such as the Romanian Athnaeum, the Royal Palace and the Old Town (Centrul Vechi. Public transportation options¿including metro stations, buses, and taxis¿are readily accessible nearby, allowing straightforward connections to other parts of the city. The hotel comprises of 90 guest rooms all equipped with air conditioning, Free Wi-Fi access, a television, a minibar, an in-room safe, Tea/Coffee making facilities, a work desk and telephone. Bathrooms are private and fitted with either a shower or a bathtub, and include a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. The hotel has a modern lounge bar and hosts an in-house restaurant with international and local cuisine menus. | Bucharest | 15-17-17A Strada George Enescu Street | First-Class |
| 5 | Hilton Sofia | State of the art facility exceptionally located in the heart of Sofia, in the south park, overlooking Vitosha Mtn - City Center. | Sofia | 1,Bulgaria Blvd. | Superior First-Class |
| 6 | Skopje Marriott | Ideally situated in the heart of Skopje, a mere 100 meters from Macedonia Square, this luxurious hotel offers the perfect blend of relaxation and productivity for the modern traveler. After a day exploring Skopje's vibrant energy, guests can retreat to their haven of tranquility. The hotel's well-designed guest rooms feature plush bedding, soundproof windows for a peaceful night's sleep, and dedicated workspaces to ensure guests stay connected. | Skopje | Plostad Makedonija 7 | Superior First-Class |
| 7 | Metropol Lake Resort | This relaxed hotel is located directly by the lake and offers incredible lake views and elegant, air-conditioned guest rooms¿perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring. Guests can enjoy well-equipped rooms designed with comfort in mind. Whether you prefer relaxing by the lake or embarking on a discovery adventure, Metropol Lake Resort has the perfect space for your Macedonian getaway. | Ohrid | Naselba Dolno Konjsko bb | First-Class |
| 8 | Hilton Garden Inn Tirana | This trendy 143-room hotel is perfectly positioned for discovering the secrets of Albania's capital city. The spacious guest rooms are equipped with amenities to maximise comfort, including air conditioning, toiletries and cable TV. Guests can enjoy a unique dining experience at the on-site restaurant that serves high-quality international cuisine, There is also a fitness center and Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property. | Tirana | 146 Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta | First-Class |
