EXCITING EUROPE & BALKAN TOUR (16D/15N)

Belgrade full day tour

After the breakfast, morning will be reserved for an exciting guided walking tour through Belgrade’s city center. As part of the tour we will explore the highlights of Belgrade. Learn about Serbia’s two royal dynasties at the Royal and White Palaces, and the City Assembly, the Old Palace of Serbia’s first king. Discover the Church of St. Sava – Serbia’s largest Orthodox church; walk along Prince Mihailo Street – Belgrade’s main shopping avenue; and stroll around the old Kosancicev venac to see the Residence of Princess Ljubica and Church of St Michael and other sights.

We will have a lunch at the traditional restaurant.

After the lunch we continue our tour visiting the Belgrade Fortress Kalemegdan.

Belgrade Fortress is known for its kilometers-long tunnels, underground corridors and catacombs, which are still largely unexplored. In the true sense, fortress is today the green oasis in the Belgrade’s urban area.

We will discover Donji Grad (or “Lower Town”); occupies the slope towards the riversides, from the top spot (ridge where “The Victor” is). Between the lowest section and the Danube is Kula Nebojsa (“Impregnable, Fearless, or Daredevil Tower”), which has been turned into a museum of the Greek revolutionary Rigas Feraios, who was strangled by the Turks in this tower and his corpse thrown into the Danube. The Orthodox churches of Ruzica (former Austrian gun depot) and Sveta Petka are also located in this area, as is the Belgrade Planetarium.

Gornji Grad (or “Upper Town”); the upper section of fortress, turned into a park, with beautiful promenades and the statue of “The Victor” (Serbian Pobednik), the so-called “Roman well”, actually built by the Austrians, the Popular Observatory, the türbe (tomb) of Damad Ali Pasha.

Veliki Kalemegdanski Park (or “Large Kalemegdan Park”); it occupies the southern corner of fortress, with geometrical promenades, the Military Museum, the Museum of Forestry and Hunting, and the Monument of Gratitude to France.

Optionally we can visit the Belgrade ZOO near the Fortress.

At the evening we will finish our adventure visiting the Yachting Club, where we will have a magical boat cruise on the Sava and Danube river.

Free time and overnight in Belgrade.

Belgrade,Bijeljina-Village Stanisici, Sarajevo

After the breakfast, we are going to Sarajevo.

On our way to Sarajevo, we will make an excursion at the Ethno village “Stanisici”.

Ethno village “Stanisici” takes us back to our ancestors and nature, and awakens in us the admiration of the simplicity of the former way of life. It is a rest for the eyes and soul, where man becomes nobler and wiser listening to the murmur of the brook and the spin of the mill.

After the excursion to the Village, we will continue our trip to Sarajevo.

After the check-in and short rest, evening will be reserved for an exciting guided walking tour through the Old Town of Sarajevo. You will see the historical monuments such as: the National Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Emperor’s Mosque, The Latin Bridge, Sebilj fountain, Gazi-Husrev Bey’s Mosque complex, Sarajevo Cathedral, Kazandziluk (Traders’ Street). This walking tour will provide you information about every aspect of living in Sarajevo nowadays and in the past. You will enjoy in a delightful mixture of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and modern heritage.

After the walking tour, it is time for dinner. When in Bosnia, do as Bosnians do-certainly you should eat the Bosnian traditional cuisine (cevapcici, burek, dolmas) and drink Bosnian coffee and try traditional sweets (hurmasica, tufahija, baklava).

Free time and overnight in Sarajevo.

The Sarajevo Tunnel of life, Nature park „Vrelo Bosne“ and Olympic Mountain Trebevic

After the breakfast, we will start our day with the visit of Sarajevo Tunnel of life (Bosnian: Tunel spasa) museum. The tunnel was an underground tunnel constructed during the Siege of Sarajevo.

After the museum we will visit nature park „Vrelo Bosne“. This is one of the country’s popular natural landmarks, featuring spring of the River Bosna, and provides a quiet escape and relaxation from city crowd. The park is really magical and it is ideal for walking and enjoying in the nature.

After the visit of nature park „Vrelo Bosne“ we continue our adventure to Olimpic Mountain Trebevic and Sunnyland entertainment park.

During the 1984 Winter Olympics, Trebevic was the location of the competition in the bobsled sport discipline. Today Trebevic is favorite excursion place for the locals and tourists, where you can walk through the forest, take bike, have an exciting paintball fun, enjoy in the adrenaline park and have a crazy road on alpine coaster, or just sit and enjoy in silence, beautiful nature and fresh air. You will have lunch in one of the restaurants on Trebevic mountain.

Free time and overnight in Sarajevo.

Beautiful Herzegovina and Dubrovnik (Croatia)

After the breakfast, we are going to Herzegovina – part of our country full of great natural wonders, beautiful rivers and cities with mixed cultures. Our first stop will be in Mostar. You will enjoy in magnificent architecture and stunningly beautiful river, Old Bridge and its surroundings.

Next stop is in Blagaj and Buna river springs. Here you will enjoy in the peace of Dervish House and the beautiful waters of river Buna. You will have lunch and experience the unique and unforgettable scenes that evoke the beauty and grandeur of this beautiful place.

After Blagaj we continue our trip to Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik (A pearl of Adriatic) is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea, in the region of Dalmatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. Old City is by all means the most interesting and the most attractive part of Dubrovnik.

After the check-in and short rest we will have a walking tour through the romantic city lanes, you will not only see the most interesting sights, but also feel the specific, somewhat mystic atmosphere rising from the ancient stone walls. The best way to learn and feel the city is to merge with the crowd and let it take you to an unforgettable journey through the maze of Dubrovnik city streets and through centuries. The walls of Dubrovnik have also been a popular filming site for the fictional city of King’s Landing in the HBO television series, Game of Thrones.

The amazing and breathtaking views of the Old City of Dubrovnik, the crystal clear Adriatic Sea and the numerous islands are, without doubt, experienced from the top of the Srd Hill. The Dubrovnik Cable Car will take us to enjoy the most beautiful panoramic views on the Adriatic Sea, on a clear day, you can see up to 60 km (37 miles). For this reason the neighbouring Imperial Fortress was strategically built on this privileged spot, back in the early 19th century.

We will have a drink in the restaurant at the top overlooking the Old City.

Free time and overnight in Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik, Vjetrenica Cave complex, Kravice Waterfalls, Split

After the breakfast in the hotel we will start our journey with the visit of the Vjetrenica cave complex.Vjetrenica (“wind cave”) the largest and the most famous cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a pro­tected natural monument located in the Municipal­ity of Ravno, some 12 km from the Adriatic coast. Magical beauty, wide corridors and halls, under­ground water and waterfalls and the wind blow­ing constantly through its entrance make it a one of a kind cave in the world.

After the cave complex we will visit Kravice Waterfalls. In one word you will be amazed by unticible nature and amazing waterfalls.

After beautiful time spent on Kravice waterfall we will proceed to the our last destination the largest Croatian coastal city Split.

Split is the largest city in Dalmatia, second largest city in Croatia, second largest Croatian cargo harbour, but also one of the largest passenger harbours on the Mediterranean.

After the check-in and short rest, we will have a classic walking tour through the Old Town. Walking around the walls and through narrow Diocletian’s Palace streets, you will hear story of the history of this amazing site, considered to be one of the most alluring world heritage sites to live in. Diocletian’s Palace is a really unique place, being always inhabited, since the Roman age; today the world heritage site protected by UNESCO. There are still people living inside the palace what makes it unique in the World.

This tour is classic walking tour including all major Split Old Town attractions like Diocletian’s Palace Walls and Gates: Golden, Iron, Brass and Silver Gate – Vestibul – Perystile – St. Domnius Cathedral – Temple of Jupiter – Substructure halls (cellars) – Cardo and Decumanus street, Main square (Piazza) – Fruit square – Promenade (Riva) – Remains of the Benedictine monastery of St. Eufemia – The statue of Gregory of Nin.

When you feel tired of the city bustle, there’s Marjan, hill symbol over the city, with its forest, jogging trails, mountain climbing and biking, recreational terrains, but also the ancient churches where the late citizens of Split sought spiritual peace. In Split you will find the numerous beaches with extraordinarily clean sea, from the well known Bacvice to the stone secluded oases’ all around Marjan.

Free time and overnight in Split.

Split, Una National park (Martin brod and Strbacki buk waterfalls), Ethno village Natura art (on river Una), Bihac

After the breakfast, we are starting our trip to the Una National park, where we will visit  Martin Brod and Strbacki buk waterfalls on the Una River. Once you see this beauty, you will forever remember and keep precious unforgettable memories.

After waterfalls, we are going to Natura Art ethno village. It is a must visit place, where you will enjoy in beautiful nature and beautiful river.

At the evening we will reach our last destination Bihac, a charming little town centered on the banks of the Una River. The city is an explosion of colors and serene natural beauty.

Free time and overnight in Bihac.

Bihac, Plitvice, Rijeka, Pula

After the breakfast, we are going to visit the beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park. Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the oldest national parks in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia. In 1979, Plitvice Lakes National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage register.

After beautiful time at Plitvice Lakes National park, we will proceed to the our next destination the Croatia’s second-largest city, Rijeka. During the walking tour you will learn about its rich past and its colorful present. You will see many of the city’s best-known landmarks, from its St. Vitus Cathedral to the City Tower, which was one of the few sights to withstand the city’s 18th-century earthquake. Your guide will regale you with stories about Rijeka’s past as you admire its beautiful architecture and seaside attractions.

After the break in Rijeka city we will proceed to the our last destination for today Pula. The main city of Istria, Pula is known for the near-intact Roman monuments that are still the main features of its city centre. The most complete Roman colosseum in the world hosts major concerts and festivals in summer.

Free time and overnight in Pula.

Pula, Trieste, Venice

We will start our journey with the visit of the impressive and most complete Roman colosseum in the world, The Pula Arena.

Our next destination is Trieste, a city between karst lands and sea.

Trieste is the most international city in the region, suspended between a glorious past of “Little Vienna on the Sea” and the present cosmopolitan city. From the Audace pier to the old Lanterna, there is a succession of sails, antique shop window displays, shops and beautiful buildings: in the distance, one can glimpse the white profile of Miramare, the romantic castle of Maximilian and Charlotte of Hapsburg.

After charming Trieste we will proceed to the our last destination for today, spectacular Venice.

After the check-in and short rest, the late afternoon will be reserved for an exciting guided walking tour through the unique city that everyone dreams of visiting, to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Even those who have already experienced the magic of this city cannot help but be moved once again by the beauty of its places, such as St. Mark’s Square, Rialto bridge, and the Bridge of Sighs, a ride on a gondola and a walk along its silent calli.

Free time and overnight in Venice.

Venice, Postojna, Ljubljana, Bled Lake

After the breakfast, we will start our trip to Ljubljana.

On our way, we will have a break at the magnificent Postojna Cave complex. Beneath the Postojna Cave Park’s surface lies a wonderful subterranean world abundant with unusual sculptures and animals. And not far from the cave, above the surface, you can admire Predjama Castle and its surrounding area steeped in history. Follow the River Pivka winding its way under the surface of the earth and spend a day in a completely different, yet wonderful underground world of passages, halls and galleries abundant with cave formations.

After the cave experience we will proceed our trip to wonderful Ljubljana.

At Ljubljana we will have a walking guided tour around the historical city centre, and explore all of its major attractions. During this tour we will visit the Ljubljana Castle and treat ourself to beautiful views of the city from the castle’s ramparts. Also we will visit the Town Hall, the river Ljubljanica, with its interesting bridges and picturesque old city centre embankments (one of Ljubljana’s most notable landmarks) and at the end one of Ljubljana’s restaurants, where you will have an opportunity to taste traditional Slovenian dishes as part of a brief tasting session.

After Ljubljana city we will proceed to the our last destiation, the the symbol of Slovenia’s beauty – Lake Bled.

After the check-in and short rest, you will be able to enjoy at this fabulous Alpine lake with the only island in Slovenia. The Bled lake has been a world-renowned paradise for centuries, impressing visitors with its natural beauty, wealth of legend, and special powers to restore well-being. Look out at the lake from a castle on a cliff and visit the island on a traditional “pletna” boat.

Free time and overnight at Bled.

Bled, Graz, Vienna

After the breakfast in the hotel, we are going to the Austrian second largest city, Graz.

The Graz tour  include exploring its many historic buildings, especially in the Old Town with its numerous baroque façades. Another big draw is the Schlossberg, a large hill that rises behind the picturesque town. As a result of abundance of historically significant buildings, Graz is today an important cultural centre that was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1999.

After the Graz tour we will proceed to our next destination the Austrian imperial historic capital Vienna. Wedged between Eastern and Western Europe, the cosmopolitan capital of Austria is a paradise for lovers of art and history. The seat of the imperial Habsburg dynasty, Vienna is full of imperial palaces and other monumental buildings, often surrounded by glorious parks. The ghosts of Freud, Mozart and Maria Theresa still roam the maze of narrow streets and remind you of the city’s glorious past.

After the check-in and short rest, the evening will be reserved for the guided Vienna walking tour. This tour is a great way to familiarize yourself with Austria’s capital and largest city and learn about the great history and modern day Vienna at the same time. The tour covers famous Viennese attractions, the most influential historical sites and delves into stories of past wars, triumphs and tragedies.

Free time and overnight in Vienna.

Belvedere Palace; Prater amusement park; Schönbrunn Castle

After the breakfast, we will start our day with the visit of Belvedere Palace.

Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), an accomplished general and art connoisseur built the Belvedere palace as his summer residence. Today, the Belvedere, one of the most important baroque buildings in Austria, is located in Vienna’s third district. Belvedere palace consists of two seperate buildings: the Upper and Lower Belvedere, which are connected by a stunning baroque garden. Enjoy views of Vienna’s first district from the Upper Belvedere.

Our next destination is the Viener Prater, a large amusement public park in Vienna’s 2nd district (Leopoldstadt). At the Park you will be able to enjoy in many attractions and Vienna’s landmarks like: Viennese giant wheel – the giant wheel build in 1897.; The Liliputbahn – a gauge light railway, a true jewel of the Prater; Vienna Rollercoaster; The Praterturm – the highest flying swing in the world (117 meters high) and  more traditional and modern attractions.

After spending lovely time at Prater park, we will proceed to the our next destination, the magnificent Schönbrunn Castle.

Schönbrunn Castle is one of Austria’s most important cultural assets, and since the 1960s has been one of Vienna’s major tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors each year.

At the 20th session of the World Heritage Committee held in December 1996, Schönbrunn Castle was put on the list of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites, an institution founded in 1972. Inclusion in this list confirms the importance of the palace and its gardens as a unique Baroque ensemble.

After the Schönbrunn Castle tour, we will have free time at the city center.

Free time and overnight in Vienna.

Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest

After the breakfast, we are going to the largest city of Slovakia – Bratislava. With fewer than half a million people, Bratislava ranks to Europe’s most relaxed capitals, because everything is in close vicinity, reachable within few minutes walking distance.

As part of Bratislava tour we will walk through the 13th-century Michalska Gate, discover the 15th-century Town Hall which is still in use today and visit the picturesque Main Square, before heading to the pink Primate Palace.

We will also see the relic of Saint John the Merciful, dating from the 7th century, at the Gothic Cathedral of St Martin and we will visit some majestic sites like Presidential Palace and the Bratislavan Castle, perched a top a cliff that overlooks the city and the Danube River, the Slovak Parliament and at the end the Slavin Monument – dedicated to the Soviet soldiers who liberated Bratislava in 1945. (this memorial monument also gives great views of the city).

After exciting tour trough Bratislava, we will proceed to Hungarian Capital Budapest.

After the check-in and short rest, the evening will be reserved for the intro walking tour to discover Budapest’s historical downtown and urban legends.

Free time and overnight in Budapest.

Budapest  Grand City tour; boat cruise on the Danube river

After the breakfast, we will make the Grand City tour. The tour start from the Chain Bridge, we take the Margaret Bridge and drive over to Buda. We stop in the Castle District and during a short walk we will show you the main attractions of the area. We will walk to the Matthias Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion (from where you can enjoy the beautiful panorama). Next, we will drive to the Gellért Hill (Citadel) and show you the most spectacular view of Budapest.

We will then take you across the Elisabeth Bridge to Pest and show you the famous Central Market Hall, followed by the largest Synagogue of Europe and the City Park. We will pass by Europe’s largest thermal spa and the Budapest Zoo, after which we will stop at the Heroes’ Square (with statues of the most famous Hungarian kings and dukes). Next we are going to the Andrássy Avenue to downtown Pest passing by the Opera House and St Stephen’s Basilica. We will then get off the bus again and take an interior visit of the impressive neo-gothic House of Parliament (guided tour incl.). During the tour we offer a brief overview of the last 1000 years of Hungarian history.

The afternoon will be great time for the unforgettable boat cruise on the Danube river.

A river cruise in Budapest will let you see the most fascinating sights of the historical city of Budapest, which is often called the Pearl of the Danube or the Paris of East. Take a romantic cruise on the river Danube, and marvel at the genuine beauty, and century old grace of Budapest, Hungary. The river cruise is one of the highlights of many Budapest holidays without a doubt.

Free time and overnight in Budapest.

Budapest, Szeged, Belgrade

After the breakfast, we are going to Belgrade.

Our first stop will be in the third largest city of Hungary, the picturesque town of Szeged.

Honoured with the Europe Nostra Award for its renovated downtown area, the town lies on the banks of the river Tisza and boasting the highest number of sunny days throughout the year, is also referred to as the “city of sunshine”.

Szeged offers a multitude of sights, tasty traditional dishes for all those pepper lovers out there. Architectural heritage, great gastronomy, street side cafés, widely famous confectionaries and leisurely strolls with a breath of Mediterranean atmosphere ensure your visit is sure to be a memorable one.

After the charming Szeged we will continue our trip to Belgrade.

After the check-in and short rest, the evening will be reserved for our final adventure visit of the Yachting Club, where we will have an magical boat cruise on the Sava and Danube river.

Free time and overnight in Belgrade.

End of tour

After breakfast, your 16 days Exciting Europe & Balkan Tour concludes – unfortunately it is time to say your goodbye to your fellow travelers. We hope you have enjoyed your time with our agency!