Balkanic Miracle

Welcome to Sofia! Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be transferred to your hotel, where you’ll receive information about the start of your tour. At approximately 3:00 p. m. , we’ll begin a city tour of Bulgaria’s capital and get to know famous sights such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, the Mosque, and the city’s squares and avenues known for their Stalinist architecture. The rest of the day will be free for you to explore at your leisure.

In the morning, we’ll head to Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria’s second most significant monastery, established in the eleventh century. With its three churches, this monastery offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere. We’ll then proceed to Plovdiv, where lunch is included before going on a tour of this city, one of the oldest in Europe. Our tour includes admission to the Roman Amphitheatre, the Old Pharmacy, and the Armenian House.

Today’s journey will take us through the stunning landscapes of the Balkan Mountains. In the Rose Valley, we’ll visit Kazanlak, where admission is included to see the replica of the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll also learn about the local production of rosebased products. Amidst the mountains, we’ll stop at the Shipka Memorial Church, a memorial to the RussoTurkish War. We’ll then explore Etar, a charming village and ethnographic museum. After lunch (included), we’ll travel to Arbanasi, an ancient trading city known for its fortresslike houses, where we’ll visit the Nativity Church (admission included). Our day will end in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s former capital, renowned for its picturesque medieval center beside its canyon. Note: Occasionally, the visit to Arbanasi may take place on Sunday morning.

We’ll travel to Romania, stopping along the way to visit the Basarbovski Monastery, a pilgrimage site carved into the rock. We’ll then cross the border and the Danube, arriving in Bucharest around 1:00 p. m. In the afternoon, we’ll take a panoramic tour of the city, exploring the historic center and the impressive Palace of Parliament. You’ll have free time afterward to explore on your own. Dinner will be included.

Today’s journey offers stunning scenery as we travel to Transylvania, crossing the Carpathian Mountains and lush forests. In Sinaia, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through the gardens of the Peles and Pelisor Castles. Our next stop will be the 14thcentury Bran Fortress, commonly known as Dracula’s Castle (tickets included). After some time for lunch, we’ll continue to Sighisoara, a picturesque walled medieval city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a special dinner at Count Dracula’s restaurant, located in the house where Vlad the Impaler was born.

In Transylvania, there are many fortified churches in areas that were historically inhabited by people of German origin. Some of these churches are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and we’ll visit one in Biertan (tickets included). Afterward, we’ll head to Sibiu, an important economic and cultural center that once served as the capital of Transylvania. Here, we’ll have time to stroll through the lively narrow streets and squares and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the impressive Hunedoara Castle (tickets included), considered the most beautiful castle in Romania. We’ll then continue to Timisoara, where you’ll have time to explore the city´s elegant central squares.

We’ll depart for Serbia, crossing the border and traveling for about 3 hours before reaching Belgrade. In this lively capital, situated at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava, we’ll enjoy a panoramic city tour and explore the bustling city center, see the parliament, and stroll through Kalemegdan Fortress. The tour also includes a visit to the Museum of Yugoslavia, where Tito´s Mausoleum is located. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to explore the city at your leisure.

We’ll begin our journey through the scenic Vojvodina region, with our first stop in Sremska Mitrovica, a city with a delightful historic center on the shores of the Sava River. This city was once a key location in the Roman Empire and served as the capital of the province of Pannonia. Admission is included to the grounds of the Imperial Palace of Sirmium, where we’ll learn about the city’s rich history. We’ll then head towards Bosnia, stopping in Zvornik, one of the oldest cities in Bosnia, located on a river that forms the border with Serbia. This area evokes memories of the Bosnian war, during which the predominantly Muslim population was displaced, and Serbian refugees settled here. Its location is near the village of Srebrenica, known for the tragic massacre. There will be time for lunch and a walk. We’ll continue our route through beautiful landscapes to Sarajevo, arriving in the evening. In the historic center, you’ll have the chance to explore the charming bazaar, an old Ottoman market renowned for its architecture, oriental ambiance, and traditional shops. Dinner will be included.

In the morning, we’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour in Sarajevo, a captivating city known as the "Jerusalem of Europe" due to its coexistence of several religions. Mosques, churches, and synagogues showcase its rich religious diversity. We’ll explore the old town´s strong Ottoman influence, highlighted by a magnificent mosque over 500 years old and a beautiful fountain. After our visit, we’ll continue through an area of stunning beauty to Mostar, with its enchanting historic center and iconic stone bridge that separates the Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic communities. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll through the city. We’ll then proceed to Croatia, where border procedures may take a while. We’ll arrive in Dubrovnik at the end of the day. Dinner will be included.

We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide in the morning. We will undoubtedly be in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, perched on a cliff, surrounded by walls and kissed by the Adriatic Sea. Its intact historic center is a jewel of world architectural heritage. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a stunning view of the city from a scenic viewpoint along the road. The tour includes tickets to the Franciscan Monastery, home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and the Assumption Cathedral. We’ll also take a boat trip to Lokrum, a small island just 15 minutes away that is home to the ruins of an eleventhcentury Benedictine monastery, a popular setting for the series Game of Thrones. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner will be included. Note: On some occasions, accommodation may be in Cavtat, a coastal town near Dubrovnik. From November to March, there is no boat service to Lokrum, so we will not visit the island during these months.

We’ll set off in the morning, traveling along the stunning Croatian coastline, which features breathtaking seascapes and islands. Our first stop will be in Ston, a picturesque town boasting one of the longest walls in the world. As we continue through beautiful landscapes, we’ll cross the impressive Pelješac Bridge over the sea. We’ll arrive in Split at midday and enjoy a tour with a local guide, including admission to Diocletian’s Palace. We’ll explore this vast Roman palace, with its labyrinthine streets and stunning sea views. Dinner will be included.

We’ll travel to the interior region of Croatia, passing through beautiful hilly landscapes until we arrive at Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you’ll be able to admire its lakes and waterfalls, walk along the scenic trails, or take a boat ride on the lakes´ waters. Tickets are included for either a boat ride or a train ride. After lunch, we’ll head back to the coast, traveling north. Upon reaching Opatija, you´ll have dinner (included) and settle into your accommodation in this charming resort town known for its great atmosphere. Note: Occasionally, due to weather conditions or high numbers of tourists, it may not be possible or advisable to use the train or boat in Plitvice.

Today we’ll travel to Slovenia. Our first stop will be Postojna Cave, one of the world’s largest caves, which we will partially tour by train. Next, we’ll head to Bled, a picturesque postcardperfect town on the shore of Lake Bled. We’ll go on a boat trip to reach its island, where the monastery’s bell tower stands out at the foot of the medieval castle. Our journey will continue to Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, where we’ll take a guided tour to learn more about this little Central European capital city. Dinner will be included.

Enjoy free time in the morning in Ljubljana, where you can explore the charming center of this little capital. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the Adriatic Sea and cross the border into Italy. We’ll arrive in Venice in the evening and stay in the Mestre district.

In the morning, we’ll provide a boat transfer to Venice, a city built on over 100 islands connected by more than 400 bridges. The boat will drop us off at the St. Mark´s area. We’ll go on a walking tour with a local guide through the city of canals (included). Afterwards, you´ll have free time to explore on your own. In the afternoon, you can enjoy an optional gondola ride along the canals.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.