Premium Dubrovnik to Bucharest Tour by Intrepid Travel

18 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Easy

Light physical activity suitable for most people with average fitness levels.

Starts

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Ends

Bucharest, Romania

Highlights

Take a scenic steam train ride through Tara National Park’s forests and mountains on a historic railway that forms part of the famous Ciro trail connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea, a Premium Exclusive Experience.

Explore Balkan history, discovering Saxon villages with fairytale scenery, medieval Old Towns with pretty market squares, and Orthodox monasteries where you'll taste the famous Tvrdos wine made by its monks.

Step into another world as you walk through ancient halls and hear the myths and legends surrounding some of the most impressive castles in Eastern Europe – Bran and Peles.

Dive deep into one of the oldest salt mines in Europe, in use for about 2,000 years. Spanning more than 43 kilometers (27 miles), Turda Salt Mine contains a huge array of attractions – from an amusement park to a contemporary art museum to an underground lake.

Tour one of the best-kept secrets in former Yugoslavia, Tito's nuclear bunker, which was built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and his top military advisors.

Itinerary

Unveil the diverse tapestry of the Balkans on the "Premium Dubrovnik to Bucharest" tour, a 19-day sightseeing journey stretching from the sunlit Adriatic of Dubrovnik to the vibrant avenues of Bucharest. Perfect for experienced travelers and those seeking a comfortable pace, this trip explores Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Romania, weaving together iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Wander the cobbled lanes of Sighisoara, marvel at Mostar’s legendary Old Bridge, and soak up the electric nightlife of Belgrade. Discover the awe-inspiring Tara National Park with its dramatic mountain scenery and traverse the romantic heart of Transylvania, replete with medieval fortresses and storybook castles. This guided small group tour ensures comfort and camaraderie, with thoughtfully selected hotel stays, seamless transport, and included meals. What sets this tour apart is its rare blend of historical insight—delving into war years and cultural crossroads—with moments of natural splendor and lively modern energy. Whether sampling regional wines, standing amidst centuries-old architecture, or reflecting on the region’s past and present, this trip offers a rich, immersive experience for those eager to witness the Balkans’ remarkable contrasts firsthand.

day 1 - Dubrovnik

Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and a transfer will bring you to your hotel. Your adventure begins at 6 pm for a welcome meeting with your leader and group. If you arrive early, you might like to head out and explore Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town, which is surrounded entirely by city walls and easily covered on foot. Although Dubrovnik experienced devastation during the war in the early 1990s, the restored Old Town remains one of the most picturesque places, surrounded by ramparts and the Adriatic Sea. Maybe take a self-paced stroll through town to discover the 15th century Rector's Palace and the stunning baroque churches. After your meeting, join your leader and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant showcasing Croatia’s traditional cuisine.

included:Dubrovnik - Welcome Dinner

accommodation:Hotel Lero or similar

meals:1 Dinner

day 2 - Mostar

Today, you’ll cross the border and travel into Bosnia and Herzegovina, stopping at several scenic destinations along the way. Your first stop is Trebinje, where you’ll join your leader for a walk around the compact Old Town and its market square, followed by a stop at an Orthodox monastery to taste the renowned Tvrdos wine. After, head to Mostar, a picturesque old town home to numerous stone millhouses and quaint cobbled streets. But the star attraction is the world famous Stari Most (Old Bridge) which spans the Neretva River connecting the two sides of the city. Find a spot for lunch and then get to know the town in the company of an expert local guide – including why the locals have such a strong connection to coffee.

included:Trebinje - Tvrdos Monastery Wine Tasting, Mostar - Guided Tour with Coffee Experience

accommodation:Eden Hotel or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 3 - Sarajevo

Leave Mostar this morning and make your way toward Sarajevo, stopping in Konjic along the way. Here, you’ll discover one of the best-kept secrets of former Yugoslavia – Tito's nuclear bunker. Built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and his top military personnel, this military bunker has only recently opened to the public. Step back in time on a guided tour of the bunker and learn about Yugoslav history and what life was like in the not-so-distant past. After exploring the bunker, continue to Sarajevo and settle into your hotel. Then, head out to explore the city with an expert local guide.

included:Konjic - Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (Tito’s Bunker) tour, Konjic - Orientaton Walk

accommodation:Hotel President or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 4 - Sarajevo

Head out on a city tour through Sarajevo with a local guide this morning to get to know your surroundings and learn more about this historical city. With some free time to explore at your own pace after, you might taste your way through the market stalls of Bascarsija, visit one of the museums dedicated to the Yugoslav War or take a cable car up Trebevic Mountain for views of the city. Wrap up the day with a home-cooked meal shared with your hosts, Mustafa and Mersiha, who proudly claim their kitchen offers the best views over Sarajevo. Your evening begins with a lesson on making Bosnian pita, followed by a hearty meal of sogan dolma (stuffed onions) and dolam (stuffed paprika). Of course, you’ll get to try your freshly made pita, too!

included:Sarajevo – Guided City Tour, Sarajevo - Cooking Demo and Home-made Dinner

accommodation:Hotel President or similar

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 5 - Zlatibor

Today, travel to Serbia, with a stop in the small town of Visegrad. Here, a 16th-century bridge that inspired the Nobel Prize winning literary work ‘The Bridge on the Drina’ dominates the horizon. From Visegrad, you’ll head to Drina Canyon for a warm welcome to Serbia – a boat tour with local food tasting. After your scenic lunch, you’ll board a steam train in Mokra Gora National Park for a scenic ride through forests and mountains. Served by one the last operational steam trains in Europe, this stretch of historic railway is part of the renowned Ciro trail, connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea. Tonight, you’ll stay near the town of Zlatibor in your Feature Stay accommodation – a group of wooden chalets with their own private swimming pools and views of the surrounding countryside.

included:Drina Canyon - Boat Tour, Visegrad - Orientation Walk, Mokra Gora National Park - Steam Train

accommodation:Golden Chalets or similar

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 6 - Zlatibor

Hop on board the longest gondola ride in the world today – the Gold Gondola, spanning 9000 m (29,530 ft) in length. Take in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes before exploring the area on foot. After your ride, set off on a hike through the nature of Tornik mountain – the highest point of the Zlatibor Mountains – then drive through the winding roads toward Sirogojno village, known as one of the most beautiful villages in the country and declared as a Cultural Monument of Exceptional Importance in Serbia. Recharge with a lunch break before a special experience in the village meeting local artisans. Check out their pottery, blacksmiths and cooper’s workshops, and basket weaving, then visit the Knitters Museum, where all products are still traditionally handmade. This is your opportunity to buy meaningful souvenirs and support the locals in the community.

included:Sirogojno - Village Visit and Artisan Demonstrations., Zlatibor - Panoramic Gondola Ride

accommodation:Golden Chalets or similar

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 7 - Belgrade

Leave Zlatibor behind today and head to Belgrade. When you get to arrive, kick off your visit with a walking tour to discover the best of the city, from Republic Square and Knez Mihailova Street to Kalemegam Park and the Belgrade Fortress, where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. This afternoon is free, so you might like to visit the city market or catch a trolleybus to Zemun – a Bohemian neighbourhood known for its cafes along the riverside promenade. Tonight, you’ll join your group for a farewell dinner as you toast to the end of your trip together.

included:Belgrade - Walking Tour

accommodation:Hotel Mona Plaza

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 8 - Belgrade

The day is yours to enjoy Belgrade and all it has to offer, including incredible Turkish coffee at a kafana – these traditional coffee houses date back to the Ottoman era. Since this adventure is a combination of trips, you will have a meeting at your hotel at 6pm this evening to meet your new leader and any new travellers joining you for the next part of your adventure. Then step out into Belgrade for dinner at a local restaurant.

accommodation:Mona Plaza Hotel or similar

meals:1 Dinner

day 9 - Timisoara

This morning, travel by private vehicle to Timisoara, crossing the Serbia-Romania border. Timisoara is a park-filled city where an uprising of local people sparked the Romanian Revolution in 1989. This saw the fall of the country’s Communist regime – reflecting the broader political change seen across Eastern Europe at the time. On a guided walking tour, you’ll take in some of Timisoara’s most significant sights – including the grand and aptly named Victory, Liberty and Union Squares – and learn more about the city’s history.

included:Timisoara - City Tour

accommodation:Hotel Savoy Timisoara

meals:1 Breakfast

day 10 - Sibiu

Head to Sibiu after breakfast, stopping on the way to visit Sarmizegetusa Regia – the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dacia. Romania’s answer to Stonehenge, Sarmizegetusa Regia was a centre of religious, military and political significance until it was invaded by the Romans in 102 AD. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest and most mysterious historical sites in Romania. After touring the site with a local guide, continue to Sibiu, where you’ll get acquainted with the cobbled streets and squares on a guided walking tour. Sibiu is known for its creative, bohemian atmosphere, rich history and architecture. Explore what remains of the city’s medieval walls and towers, cross the legend-shrouded Bridge of Lies and take in the grandeur of Brukenthal National Museum before a free evening.

included:Sibiu - Evening Orientation Walk, Sarmizegetusa Regia - Guided Tour

accommodation:Craft Inn or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 11 - Sibiu

This morning head to the outskirts of the city to explore ASTRA Village Museum. Set across 96 acres surrounding a sparkling lake, this open-air living museum seeks to preserve, showcase and celebrate Romanian folk culture and traditional ways of life. Wander the grounds to discover reconstructed old dwellings, windmills and workshops and learn how Romanian people of centuries past grew food, raised families and made a living. The afternoon is free to visit the Orthodox Cathedral or admire the slightly less imposing (but equally magnificent) Gothic Lutheran church. Alternatively, grab a covrigi (a tasty Romanian pretzel), wander the old town and snap photos of the colourful, Wes Anderson-style architecture.

included:Sibiu - ASTRA Village Museum and Guide

accommodation:Continental Forum Sibiu or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 12 - Coltesti Village

Depart Sibiu and head to Alba lulia – one of the oldest cities in Romania. It is home to an 18th-century citadel with a history that dates to Roman times. Shaped like a seven-point star, the fortress features a collection of ornate gates and vantage points, as well as numerous museums and cafes. Wander the cobbled streets with an expert guide to hear more about what went on within these ancient walls over the last two millennia. Next, drive to the Trascau Mountains to reach Coltesti and check in to Szekler Mansion – your exclusive Feature Stay. This evening, sit down for a traditional meal which might feature hearty bowls of borsch or goulash, locally made cheese and sarmale (smoky, meat-filled cabbage rolls).

included:Alba lulia - Citadel Tour

accommodation:Conacul Secuiesc (Feature Stay) or similar

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 13 - Sighisoara

On your way to Sighisoara today, stop off at the Turda Salt Mine. This huge subterranean space was renovated and opened to the public in the early 1990s and resembles an alien planet or a Bond villain’s lair. Don’t forget to pack a sweatshirt – it gets chilly 119 m down! When you resurface, head to the nearby town Medias, where you can catch a glimpse of the Trumpeter Tower, a medieval structure with a distinctive tilt. Finish your journey in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sighisoara – your home for the next two nights and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure and inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Explore the colourful streets of Sighisoara’s old town on a guided walk and then enjoy a free evening.

included:Turda - Salt Mines Tour, Sighisoara - Walking Tour, Medias - Town Visit

accommodation:Fronius Residence or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 14 - Sighisoara

Start your day by visiting the UNESCO World Hertiage site Biertan, home to a 15th century fortified church perched high on a hill in the centre of town. Then, drive to Malancrav for lunch in a bucolic setting – the Saxon village was once owned by one family, the Apafis, and populated with German farmers. Maybe see the Apafi Mansion and the 14th-century church that features the oldest wall paintings in Transylvania. Head back to Sighisoara after your sightseeing and spend the rest of the day exploring as you wish.

included:Malancrav - Village Stop, Biertan - Town Stop

accommodation:Fronius Residence or similar

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 15 - Brasov

After breakfast, set off for Brasov, making a pit stop at Saschiz fortified church along the way. The Saschiz Fortified Church is a 15th-century Gothic-style Lutheran church renowned for its massive defensive walls and historic clock tower, built by the Saxons to serve both religious and protective purposes. Next, you'll visit Bran Castle – perhaps Romania’s most famous attraction, given its associations with the tale of Count Dracula. Vampire myths aside (it was never actually home to Vlad the Impaler or Bram Stoker), the forested surroundings and lofty location of this 14th-century castle is a great setting. This evening you’ll reach Brasov and have dinner together at a local restaurant.

included:Bran Castle - Tour, Saschiz - Fortress Stop

accommodation:Hotel Ambient or similar

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 16 - Brasov

Your tour of Romanian castles continues with Peles. Built in the late 19th century, the neo-Renaissance creation is even more extravagant on the inside than it is on the outside. Return to Brasov and, in the afternoon, join your leader for a walk, learning about the city’s most notable sights. You’ll see the remnants of the old medieval fortifications, the Black Church – damaged in the 1689 Great Fire but now restored – and the wedge-shaped Council Square, lined with historic buildings. Round the day off with the Romanian sweet treat of chimney cake (or kurtoskolacs as the locals call it).

included:Brasov - Walking Tour, Brasov - Chimney Cake Tasting, Peles - Castle Visit (with audioguide)

accommodation:Hotel Ambient or similar

meals:1 Breakfast

day 17 - Bucharest

Today, you have a free morning in Brasov. Maybe seek out tiny String Street, which is 44 inches at its narrowest point or indulge in some Romanian sweet treats like papanasi (a sweet cream doughnut topped with blueberry jam). Depart the city and head for lunch in the Prahova Valley, where you’ll tour a local winery known for its sparkling rose in the mountain town of Azuga. Hit the road one last time, reaching Bucharest in the late afternoon.

included:Azuga - Winery Tour and Tasting with Lunch

accommodation:Hotel Continental Forum Bucuresti or similar

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 18 - Bucharest

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to spend some more time in Bucharest, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (16 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)

Meals

16 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 7 Dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, train

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Dubrovnik - Welcome DinnerTrebinje - Tvrdos Monastery Wine TastingMostar - Guided Tour with Coffee ExperienceKonjic - Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (Tito’s Bunker) tourKonjic - Orientaton WalkSarajevo – Guided City TourSarajevo - Cooking Demo and Home-made DinnerDrina Canyon - Boat TourVisegrad - Orientation WalkMokra Gora National Park - Steam TrainSirogojno - Village Visit and Artisan Demonstrations.Zlatibor - Panoramic Gondola RideBelgrade - Walking TourTimisoara - City TourSibiu - Evening Orientation WalkSarmizegetusa Regia - Guided TourSibiu - ASTRA Village Museum and GuideAlba lulia - Citadel TourTurda - Salt Mines TourSighisoara - Walking TourMedias - Town VisitMalancrav - Village StopBiertan - Town StopBran Castle - TourSaschiz - Fortress StopBrasov - Walking TourBrasov - Chimney Cake TastingPeles - Castle Visit (with audioguide)Azuga - Winery Tour and Tasting with Lunch

What's Excluded

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