6 minute read
Treasures of the Balkans
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Day 1. Homeland - Bucharest Transfers depart Henri Coandă International Airport
Day 2. Bucharest - Sinaia - Brasov Join a for a sightseeing tour to view University Square and the former communist headquarters. Visit the immense Parliament Palace, one of the largest buildings in the world. Travel along the Prahova Valley to the elegant mountain resort of Sinaia to visit Peleș Castle, the former summer residence of Romania’s first royal family. Led by a local historian, admire the lavish rooms filled with art, armour and tapestries. Continue through the Carpathian Mountains to the charming medieval city of Brașov, founded in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights.
Day 3. Brasov - Bran - Brasov Take a walk around Town Hall Square, lined with beautiful red-roofed houses and dominated by the Black Church. Visit the medieval fortress guarding the Transylvanian border that is said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s novel, Bran Castle. Explore inside this national monument of Romania and discover if this popular image of Dracula’s castle is true or like the vampire story itself, only a myth.
Day 4. Brasov - Veliko Tarnovo Cross the Danube into Bulgaria and continue to Veliko Tarnovo, the City of the Tsars, where houses cling to the cliffs of the River Yantra, making it one of the country’s most beautiful towns. In the evening, enjoy a Highlight Dinner of local specialties and wine, followed by an authentic folklore show.
Day 5. Veliko Tarnovo - Abranasi - Sofia In the morning, see the Monument of the Assens, before climbing up to the ruined Tsarevets Fortress, a reminder of the town’s former imperial status. Enjoy the stunning views over the old Bulgarian capital and the Yantra Valley. Arbanasi is one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful villages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The frescoed churches and fortified dwellings offer a unique insight into the former wealth and spiritual commitment of the settlement. Visit a traditional 17th century merchant’s house and the Church of the Holy Nativity. Cross the Balkan Mountains to Bulgaria’s modern day capital of Sofia. On arrival, sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you to St. Sofia Church, across the square from the golden domed St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archaeological complex, dominated by the church of St. George Rotonda.
Day 6. Sofia - Rila - Sofia Enjoy the day at your leisure. Perhaps visit the Rila Monastery and enjoy a fascinating insight into the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria? Throughout the centuries, this popular tourist destination has been the spiritual, educational and cultural centre of Bulgaria.
Day 7. Sofia - Skopje Cross the border and continue to the Macedonian capital of Skopje, an ultramodern city juxtaposed by an ancient bazaar, where Turkish influences can still be seen and felt.
Day 8. Skopje - Ohrid - Tirana Making your way to the border, stop by the scenic Lake Ohrid for lunch. As you cross into Albania and journey to Tirana, renowned for its friendly locals, you are joined by a resident expert. Continue to the landmark Skanderbeg Square for an insider’s look at the Albanian capital.
Day 9. Tirana - Kotor - Dubrovnik Journey through the spectacular scenery of Montenegro to the Old Town of Kotor, known as Stari Grad. Located beside a beautiful bay near the limestone cliffs of Mt. Lovćen, its no surprise it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue over the Croatian border to the fortified port of Dubrovnik where you are at leisure to explore the Old Town, bustling with street artists, cafes and restaurants.
Day 10. Dubrovnik Join a Local Expert for a morning of exploring the stone-paved streets within the 16th century bastions. See Onofrio’s Fountain and the Rector’s Palace, the city walls and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. The rest of the day is free for you to immerse
yourself in the beautiful surroundings. Perhaps enjoy an Optional Experience to a stunning town on the Adriatic coast, Cavtat, where you can wander along the pine-forest paths beside the crystal-clear sea. At night you may choose from a fine selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
Day 11. Dubrovnik Spend another day at leisure in the Pearl of the Adriatic. Sunbathe by the pool or stroll with friends along the ancient city walls. As the sun starts to set, maybe take a relaxing cruise to admire the city and its incredible walls from the water.
Day 12. Dubrovnik - Mostara - Sarajevo Journey to Mostar. With your Local Expert, see the famous Stari Most, the Old Bridge, reconstructed after being almost completely destroyed during the war. Explore the cobbled Old Town stretching on both sides of the bridge and filled with shops selling souvenirs. Continue your travels following the scenic route to Sarajevo for a unique and rewarding insight into the local way of life as you are invited into a Sarajevan family home for a dinner with drinks. Savour the authentic cuisine and traditional Bosnian coffee as you hear inspirational stories.
Day 13. Sarajevo Start the morning with sightseeing. Visit the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum and talk to one of the survivors, for whom the Siege of Sarajevo remains a defining moment in his life. With a Local Expert, see the Latin Bridge where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated sparking World War 1. The rest of the afternoon is for you to explore as you wish.
Day 14. Sarajevo - Belgrade Journey through the remote villages and spa resorts of the forested Bosnian mountains to Belgrade.
Day 15. Belgrade Join a Local Expert to see the best of Belgrade including Terazije Street, the national museum and national theatre in Republic Square, as well as a visit to the famous St. Sava Church. Finish your sightseeing at the Kalemegdan
Fortress, situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Enjoy a free afternoon to relax or continue exploring on your own.
Day 16. Belgrade - Puszta - Budapest Journey north and cross the Province of Vojvodina to reach Palić on the Hungarian border. See the picturesque lake, where you can admire the art nouveau buildings. Continue on through the vast wilderness of the Puszta, where once cowboys rustled up goulash under the stars. Your destination will be Budapest on the Danube.
Day 17. Budapest Venture into the heart of Buda’s medieval Castle District with a Local Expert to visit Matthias Church and take in the view of the immense Hungarian Parliament Building from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Cross the Danube to the Pest district to visit Heroes’ Square and travel down elegant Andrássy Boulevard. Enjoy time to wander through the Central Market Hall. Spread over three levels, the market is a foodie’s paradise, brimming with aromatic food stalls offering delicious salamis, spicy paprika, delicious Tokaji wines and an array of flavoured Pálinkas, a traditional Hungarian fruit brandy. Tonight you are in for a treat with your Celebration Dinner at Gundel, one of Budapest’s most renowned restaurants for over a hundred years. Dine in elegance as you savour hearty, Hungarian delicacies accompanied with specially-selected Hungarian wine.
Day 18. Budapest - Homeland Departure transfers arrive at Ferenc Liszt International Airport
Services
17 nights of accommodation in 4* Hotels with HB English speaking guide Bus/Mini-bus at your disposal 2 festive dinners Traditional dance and music show Wine tasting 1 SGL room free of charge for the foreign tour leader
Minimum of turists 10+1 15+1 20+1 25+1 30+1 35+1 40+1 45+1 Price per person (place in DBL/HB) 3885€ 3620€ 3490€ 3410€ 3355€ 3320€ 3295€ 3270€ SGL Supplement 405€ 405€ 405€ 405€ 405€ 405€ 405€ 405€
17 Lunches Supplement 270€ 270€ 270€ 270€ 270€ 270€ 270€ 270€
