Best of Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria

Upon landing in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, you’ll be escorted to your hotel by a driver. On the brief ride from Nikola Tesla Airport, view New Belgrade’s socialist architecture and modern business hubs, including Ušće Tower. The driver will share stories about notable landmarks like the Western Gate of Belgrade, Belgrade Arena, and the Palace of Serbia. 

After checking in at your hotel, unwind and prepare for your adventure. At 7pm, meet your guide and fellow travelers in the hotel lobby. Use your free evening to explore Skadarlija, Belgrade’s bohemian heart, where you can savor local cuisine in historic ‘kafanas’ while enjoying traditional music.

Following breakfast, embark on a tour through Belgrade, renowned for its diverse architecture, vibrant history, and stunning river confluence. Start with the Museum of Yugoslav History, dedicated to Yugoslavia’s leader, Josip Broz Tito, before passing by FC Red Star’s stadium and proceeding to the city’s emblematic Temple of Saint Sava. 

The panoramic tour will guide you through landmarks like Slavija Square, Saint Mark’s Church, the Serbian National Parliament, White Palace, and Republic Square, home to the National Theatre and Museum. You’ll then explore Knez Mihailo Street’s shops and visit the Orthodox Cathedral Church of Saint Michael the Archangel. Learn about the city’s oldest tavern, the “Question Mark,” before concluding your tour at Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress, located at the junction of the Sava and Danube rivers.

After breakfast, journey to Vojvodina, a Serbian province known for picturesque landscapes and wine. Visit the ‘Serbian Holy Land’, home to numerous Orthodox monasteries, and explore Krušedol Monastery, where local wine and rakija are available for purchase.

Proceed to the culturally rich town of Sremski Karlovci, with its Baroque center, Patriarchal Court, Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, and the oldest Serbian secondary school. Famous for its wine and annual Wineball festival, your visit includes a wine tasting at a notable winery.

The tour then heads to Novi Sad, the 2021 European Capital of Culture and a melting pot of architectural influences. Walk through the pedestrian zone, passing by landmarks like the City Hall, Catholic Church, old city center, Mileva Einstein’s former house, Matica Srpska cultural foundation, and a synagogue. Visit Petrovaradin, the ‘Danube’s Gibraltar’, housing a historic fortress. Return to Belgrade for overnight stay.

After breakfast and hotel check-out, journey to Timișoara, a culturally diverse city in western Romania often called ‘Little Vienna’. Notably the first European city with electric street lighting, its charm lies in its unique architecture and cultural life. Tour highlights include Unirii Square with its medieval buildings, Victory Square, home to the National Opera and Theatre, and the Gothic-style Huniade Castle.

Next, continue to Sibiu, the 2007 European Capital of Culture. Post check-in and rest, explore this former German settlement, known for establishing Romania’s first hospital, pharmacy, printed book, and oldest museum, Brukenthal National Museum. Visit the historic center, surrounded by remnants of medieval walls, and explore sites like the Large Square, Small Square, Council Tower, Bridge of Lies, Stairs Passage, and Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral. Overnight stay in Sibiu.

After breakfast and check-out in Sibiu, your journey takes you to Sighișoara, a charming town in Transylvania with a rich history dating back to the 1100s. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site with its cobbled streets, colorful buildings, and notable landmarks such as the Church of the Dominican Monastery, the Clock Tower, and Vlad Dracula’s birthplace. From there, the tour continues to Brașov, a medieval city founded by the Teutonic Knights. Discover the enchanting main square, Piaţa Sfatului, and notable sites like the House of Council and Biserica Neagră (the Black Church). After a delightful afternoon, check-in to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Post-breakfast, check-out and head to Bran Castle, often referred to as Dracula’s Castle, once home to the Romanian royal family. This 13th-century gothic fortress, perched atop a cliff, offers a glimpse into the Middle Ages and the era of Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’. 

The afternoon takes you to Sinaia to visit Peleș Castle. King Carol I of Romania was inspired by the Carpathian Mountain vistas to build this Neo-Renaissance marvel, adorned with stunning turrets, stained glass windows, and meticulous craftsmanship. 

Afterward, proceed to Bucharest, the capital of Romania. Check into your hotel, and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Bucharest.

After breakfast, embark on a sightseeing tour of Bucharest, known as ‘Little Paris’ in the 1900s. Admire the city’s mix of French, Byzantine, and communist architecture, charming Orthodox churches, and art nouveau villas.

Tour the city’s famous spots, including the enormous Palace of the Parliament at Piața Unirii, the mediaeval Old Town with the Old Princely Court and Stavropoleos Monastery. Stroll along Calea Victoriei Avenue, and learn about Romania’s communist history at Revolution Square.

Spend your afternoon at leisure in the old city centre, teeming with open-air terraces, bars, and cafes. Savor a dinner, while enjoying Bucharest’s lively atmosphere and the local plum drink, Țuică.

After breakfast, check-out and head for a day tour of Northern Bulgaria. Visit the UNESCO Heritage site, the Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo, featuring centuries-old murals.

Next, stop at Arbanasi, a preserved cultural heritage museum village, showcasing 80 houses with Ottoman decor. Catch a performance by traditional Bulgarian dancers if you’re lucky, and visit a church housing over 3,600 frescoes.

Finally, explore Veliko Tarnovo, the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Walk the cobblestone streets, learning about its history, architecture, and craft guilds. Visit the popular Tsarevets fortress, a top Balkan tourist attraction.

Check-in to the hotel in Veliko Tarnovo and spend the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay.

Post-breakfast, check-out and head to the Open Air Ethnographic Museum Etar, featuring 50 displays of Bulgarian culture, customs, and craftwork from the Bulgarian National Revival period.

Next, visit Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest cities and the 2019 European Capital of Culture. Explore the ancient city, including landmarks like the architectural complex of Ancient Plovdiv, the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, the Roman Stadium, and the Church of Saint Constantine and Helena. End your tour in Kapana, the city’s creative hub, dotted with shops, restaurants, and galleries.

Proceed to Sofia and check-in at the hotel.

Post-breakfast, tour Sofia, an Eastern European capital known for its blend of communist architecture, Ottoman mosques, and onion-domed churches. Visit renowned landmarks like Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Church of Saint Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Church of Saint George, Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia Synagogue, National Palace of Culture, and the Socialist Classicism architecture of Largo. Optionally, consider visiting the Rila Monastery.

Post-breakfast, check-out and head to Niš in Serbia’s eastern region, a junction between East and West, famous as Roman Emperor Constantine the Great’s birthplace and host to Southeast Europe’s premier jazz festival. Key sights include the archaeologically significant Mediana park, the eerie Skull Tower, and Niš Fortress, Serbia’s best-preserved Turkish military fortress. Experience the local culture in Tinkers Alley, a historic market area offering local cuisine. Afterwards, proceed to Belgrade for overnight stay.

After breakfast and hotel check-out, please note that airport transfers are not included in the tour price. Many guests prefer to extend their trip or arrange their own departure logistics. However, for those requiring organized departure transfers, please get in touch to arrange these services. End of services.