Serbia, Montenegro & Croatia - 10 day tour

Welcome to Serbia! Upon arrival in Belgrade, our driver will greet you at the Nikola Tesla airport and take you to your hotel. As you travel by coach, you can relax and take in the sights of New Belgrade, featuring Socialist architecture and modern business centers like the Usce Tower. Your driver will also point out landmarks such as the Western Gate of Belgrade, Belgrade Arena, and Palace of Serbia. After checking in at your hotel, you will have free time to rest and prepare for the tour.

During a brief meeting with our guide at 7pm, you will be introduced to the tour and provided with all necessary information.
Overnight: Belgrade

Following breakfast, we commence a tour of Belgrade. Our first stop is the Museum of Yugoslav History, a complex dedicated to the life and accomplishments of Josip Broz Tito, the former leader of Yugoslavia. We then drive past the FC Red Star stadium before visiting the iconic Temple of Saint Sava, dedicated to the city's patron saint.

The tour will continue to Slavija Square, Saint Mark's Church, the Serbian National Parliament, White Palace, and Republic Square, with its surrounding cultural institutions like the National Theater and National Museum. We stroll down Knez Mihailo Street, the main pedestrian and shopping area, and visit the Orthodox Cathedral Church of Saint Michael the Archangel before learning about the historic "Question Mark" tavern. The tour will then proceed to Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress, a significant cultural and historic site located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.

After our included tour, you can join optional activities including a Belgrade rivers cruise and a visit to Zemun.
Overnight: Belgrade  |  Breakfast

Belgrade - Sremski Karlovci - Novi Sad - Belgrade. This morning we embark on a tour of Vojvodina, a province in the north of Serbia. Our journey will take us through picturesque scenery and Serbia's renowned wine region to the 'Serbian Holy Land' which is home to 17 functioning Serbian Orthodox monasteries. Our first stop is the well-preserved monastery Krusedol, where you can purchase wine and rakija made by the monks.

Next, we visit the town of Sremski Karlovci. The town's Baroque center, the Patriarchal Court, the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, and the first Serbian secondary school are all significant landmarks. Sremski Karlovci is also well-known for its wine production and we enjoy wine tasting at one of the region's top wineries and have time for lunch along the banks of the Danube River.

Continuing, we explore Novi Sad, the 2021 European Capital of Culture. Located on the border of the former Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires, Novi Sad showcases a blend of architectural influences. A sightseeing tour will take you through the city's pedestrian zone, past key landmarks such as the City Hall, a Catholic church, the old city center, Mileva Einstein's former residence, the cultural foundation Matica Srpska, and a synagogue. The tour will also include a visit to Petrovaradin, known as the 'Danube's Gibraltar', where you can enjoy panoramic views of the river and the city. Conclude the day with a delightful dinner before returning to Belgrade.
Overnight: Belgrade  |  Breakfast, Dinner

Belgrade - Tivat (Montenegro) - Kotor - Dubrovnik. This morning we head to the airport for an included flight from Belgrade to Tivat, Montenegro. We then head to the Bay of Kotor, where we enjoy leisurely walking tour of the old Mediterranean town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has roots dating back to the 12th and 14th centuries. There is also free time for you to further explore the charming cobblestone streets of Kotor and perhaps enjoy lunch at a restaurant on one of the romantic squares.

We make a quick visit to the small town of Perast, then embark on a relaxing boat ride to the picturesque island of Our Lady of the Rocks. This unique island features a church adorned with valuable paintings by local artists, as well as silver votive tablets and a renowned votive tapestry. Our day ends with a drive to Dubrovnik, in Croatia.
Overnight: Dubrovnik  |  Breakfast

Today we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour around Dubrovnik, a historic walled city known since the 7th century. The city's old town is surrounded by a 2 km long wall, offering a unique perspective of the picturesque surroundings during a leisurely one hour walk. Explore the city's churches, fortifications, and monuments, which are a must-see for visitors. Many famous individuals have been inspired by Dubrovnik, leading to the creation of numerous art galleries and unique shops showcasing marble and light-colored stone pieces. Dubrovnik also featured heavily in the TV show, Game of Thrones.
Overnight: Dubrovnik  |  Breakfast

Dubrovnik - Mostar (Bosnia) - Split (Croatia). Leaving Dubrovnik, we take a scenic drive along the stunning Makarska coast, before crossing the border into Bosnia. Upon arrival, we enjoy a walking tour of Mostar starting with a visit to the famous Old Bridge, a UNESCO protected landmark and one of the most photographed sights in the country. We explore the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, the Crooked Bridge, and the historic tanner's quarter Tabhana. There's free time in Mostar to enjoy lunch by the banks of the Neretva River, offering a picturesque view of the iconic bridge above.

On the journey to Split, we stop at the renowned pilgrimage site of Medugorje, where alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been reported since 1981. Arriving in Split after our visit, the night is at leisure.
Overnight: Split  |  Breakfast

Split - Trogir - Split. Embark on a sightseeing tour of Split, the largest Dalmatian city with a history dating back 1700 years. Our guide will take you through the narrow streets of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO Heritage Site built in the 4th century for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. You will see the former Temple of Jupiter, which is now the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, the oldest Catholic cathedral still in its original structure. Explore the Golden and Silver Gates, as well as the bustling markets and shopping area of Riva.

In the afternoon, we visit the picturesque town of Trogir, another UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on a small island. Trogir features beautiful architecture, sea views, and palm-lined promenades that transport you back to medieval times. There's free time to explore Trogir before we return to Split.
Overnight: Split  |  Breakfast

Split - Sibenik - Zadar - Plitvice Lakes National Park. Our first stop today is Sibenik, a medieval Venetian city known for its winding streets, stone houses, stairs, and historic city walls. The city is home to notable landmarks such as the Cathedral of Saint James, a UNESCO World Heritage Site constructed over centuries by locals.

Our journey along the Dalmatian coast continues to Zadar, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Croatian Central Adriatic region. A guided walking tour takes us through the Gothic-Romanesque city, passing by cobbled streets, ancient houses, city walls, and gates. Highlights include visits to the Romanesque Church of Saint Mary, the Church of Saint Chrysogonus, and the Cathedral of Saint Anastasia. Don't miss the unique Sea Organ, an experimental musical instrument played by the sounds of the sea on tubes beneath marble steps.

In the late afternoon, the tour will arrive at Plitvice Lakes National Park.
Overnight: Plitvice Lakes  |  Breakfast

Plitvice Lakes National Park - Zagreb. Today we discover the 16 interconnected cascading lakes of Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of Croatia's natural highlights. Known as the ‘Devil’s Garden’ on old maps, it was the first site in the Balkans to receive UNESCO World Heritage status. Enjoy a 3-hour guided tour that includes visits to the upper and lower lakes, where you can relax and admire the untouched beauty of this lush paradise (swimming is not permitted).

The final destination on our Balkan tour is Zagreb, the Croatian capital and a small gem of European culture. Our included tour takes in sites including Kaptol (the medieval part of the city), the Franciscan monastery, and the 13th-century Church of Saint Francis. Take a stroll through Dolac, Zagreb's famous farmers' market, and marvel at the baroque architecture of the Church of Saint Mary from the 18th century. The tour ends at Ban Josip Jelacic's monument in the square named after him, located in the heart of Zagreb.
Overnight: Zagreb  |  Breakfast