Balkan Experience – 7 countries in 14 days

Arrive at “Nikola Tesla” International Airport.

Our guide will meet you in the arrivals hall, holding a sign with your name. He will do the following: assist with currency exchange, provide essential information about Belgrade, assist with check-in, explain the location of your accommodation, advise on how to reach the main sights, and give you an overview of current events in the city.

If your flight is delayed, there is no need to worry. We will monitor your flight, and our guide will meet you accordingly. There are no additional charges for flight delays. After a short ride of 20 minutes, you’ll be in the city’s center. Check in at the hotel, and take the rest of the day to get more familiar with Belgrade, walk around, or follow your guide’s recommendation for dinner. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are arriving in Belgrade a few days before the tour departure, you can book additional nights with us at the same hotel for a surcharge of 55€ (Classic package) or 75€ (Upgraded package). Prices are per person, per night, in a double or twin room.

Overnight: Belgrade

Breakfast. After breakfast, we’ll start with our Belgrade sightseeing tour. Today, we will show you most of the city’s most important sights.

We’ll start at the daunting Belgrade Fortress, dramatically perched above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. We’ll visit the Victor Monument, the Monument of Gratitude to France, the Zindan Gate, the Chapel of Saint Petka, the Clock Gate, and the Clock Tower.

Once we finish at the fortress, we will embark on a panoramic tour of New Belgrade – Belgrade’s largest municipality – featuring impressive modern architecture. Here, we will see notable buildings, including the former Central Committee of the Communist Party, the Federal Executive Council (also known as the Palace of Federation), Genex Tower, the Western Gate of Belgrade, the Sava Center, Belgrade Arena, and more.

After New Belgrade, we’ll reach Zemun, a northern area of Belgrade known for its Central European architecture, charming quarters, cobblestone streets, and fish restaurants along the Danube River. Its curvy cobblestone streets and small houses will give you the impression that Zemun is a melting pot of Mediterranean and Middle European cultures.

After Zemun, we’ll drive through Dedinje, Belgrade’s most luxurious residential area, before we reach the imposing Saint Sava Temple, one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.

After the sightseeing tour, spend this afternoon on your own. Maybe check out Nikola Tesla’s Museum, the National Museum, or wander around the central streets.

In the evening, visit the Old Bohemian Quarter of Skadarlija, often compared to Montmartre in Paris in both appearance and artistic atmosphere. It’s a perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with traditional Serbian cuisine and the famous Belgrade nightlife. (Optional = 35€ per person)

Overnight: Belgrade

After breakfast, we will visit Novi Sad. On our way to the second-largest city in Serbia, we shall stop at the nearby town of Sremski Karlovci, the center of Serbian culture in the 18th century. Strolling through this picturesque town’s cobbled streets will lead us to the first Serbian High School, which produced several great writers and poets. Along the way, we shall visit the Old Patriarch’s Court and the theological complex – Assembly Church and Theological Lyceum. 

Being in the very heart of the famous wine region, why not visit one of the well-respected wine cellars? We’ll try Bermet wine, the area’s best-known product.

Our next stop is the second-largest fortress on the Danube River – Petrovaradin, one of the most important strategic points in the perpetual war between the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires. We will be introduced to the legends of the underground passages before we continue to “Serbian Athens,” as Novi Sad is known.

As we stroll through Novi Sad’s cultural institutions and historic buildings, we will visit the city’s oldest district, the Zmaj Jovina pedestrian zone. Here, we will be introduced to the rich history of Novi Sad, including the Svetozar Miletic monument, the Novi Sad Cathedral, and the Episcopal Church. After sightseeing, enjoy a free afternoon to explore Novi Sad independently. Return to Belgrade. Free time.

Overnight: Belgrade

Breakfast. Today, it’s time to leave Serbia behind and proceed to neighbouring Bulgaria, but only after visiting the third-largest city in Serbia and the birthplace of the famous Roman Emperor Constantine the Great: the city of Niš.

First, we will visit the Niš Fortress, which lies on the banks of the Nišava River. It took its final form in 1723, when the Turks built it, as their reign in this area was coming to an end. We will continue our sightseeing of the most important sights in the city, including the Banovina Building, Niš Liberators Monument at King Milan Square, the Monument of the well-known Serbian writer Stevan Sremac, and the infamous Skull Tower – a monument unique in the world, erected by the Turks as an example to others of the folly of opposition to their rule.

We will conclude our sightseeing with a visit to the Red Cross Nazi Concentration Camp, today a museum. The German Gestapo operated the camp and held captured Jews, Serbians, and Romas during the Second World War. We’ll enjoy some of the food that Niš is famous for before we continue our trip to Sofia.

After around 2 hours, we will arrive in Sofia. Quick check-in at your hotel, and that’s it for the day. Use this afternoon to walk around Sofia independently, or go for dinner based on your guide’s recommendation.

Overnight: Sofia

Breakfast and check out. After that, we will start with our Sofia walking tour. Bulgaria’s capital and largest city is built on the ruins of the Roman settlement known as Serdica. During our 90-minute walking tour, we will visit the city’s most important sights and must-see places, including the St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National Theatre, the St. George Rotunda, the Bulgarian Presidency, the St. Sofia Monument, the Ruins of Serdica, and more. A quick coffee, and we’ll hit the road again.

On our way to Skopje, we’ll stop to visit the awe-inspiring Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled in the Rila Mountains. Explore the beautifully frescoed church, arcaded cloisters, and peaceful courtyard of Bulgaria’s most important spiritual and cultural landmark.

Two hours later, we will enter another Balkan state: North Macedonia. This beautiful country represents a unique mix of cultural influences, including Turkish, Slavic, Albanian, and Mediterranean. We’ll reach Skopje, the country’s capital, quickly.

After check-in and a short break to refresh, we’ll start our Skopje walking tour. During the 90-minute walking tour, we will explore the city’s main squares and streets, and cross the Stone Bridge over the Vardar River to reach Skopje Fortress and Čaršija (Ottoman Old Town). Surely, we will not miss the gigantic Macedonia Square and the birthplace of Mother Theresa. 

Use the afternoon on your own. North Macedonia is famous for its warm and hospitable people, yummy food, and good wines, so this evening is your perfect opportunity to experience all that. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by both the quality of the food and service and the amount on the check. 

Overnight: Skopje

Breakfast and check-out. On our way to Ohrid, we’ll stop at Matka Canyon. Only 20 kilometers west of Skopje, this hidden gem of nature is among the most beautiful places to visit in North Macedonia. Here, we will take a one-hour boat ride and take in the stunning scenery, with high mountains rolling steeply into a deep, green-watered gorge. 

After a short refreshment, we’ll continue towards Ohrid. Nicknamed “The Jerusalem of the Balkans,” Ohrid was once the center of Slavic culture and religion. The natural and cultural heritage of the Ohrid region is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, specifically one of the few places listed on both the Cultural and Natural lists. We’re sure that this place’s beauty and charm will impress you. 

After check-in and a short break for refreshments, we will begin our walking tour. We will walk the Old Town’s cobbled streets and feel the unique atmosphere of this place. We will walk to the hilltop Church of St John at Kaneo to get an incredible view of the lake, mountains, and Galicica National Park. We’ll check out sights such as the Church of St. Sophia, the Roman amphitheater, and the Samuel Fortress.

After the walking tour, spend the evening on your own. Walk around the lake and the Old Town, or maybe go on a boat tour. 

Overnight: Ohrid

Breakfast and check-out. After a short ride of 30 minutes, it’s time to enter one of the perhaps most mysterious and yet-to-be-discovered countries of the Balkans – Albania. The country’s geographical position, political history, and unique language have made Albania one of Europe’s least-visited countries, but it has changed rapidly in the past 10 years.

On our way to Tirana, we’ll make a short stop at Elbasan, the third-largest city in the country, right in the middle of Albania. We’ll check the Castle of Elbasan, the King’s Mosque, St Mary Orthodox Church, and the Clock Tower.

After a brief break, we’ll continue toward Tirana. Check in at the hotel, and off we go to explore this vibrant city, famous for its non-stop energy and motion. During our tour, we’ll see the Mosque of Et’hem Bey and the 35 m high Kulla e Sahatit, or the Watch Tower.

Moreover, we will visit the famous Mosaic uncovered on the floor of an old Roman lodge. Its center is the walls of the Roman emperor Justinian’s castle (A.D. 520). The monumental Tomb of Kaplan Pasha and the Ura e Tabakëve (a bridge built at the beginning of the 19th century, located on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard) are among the other interesting places we will visit.

Enjoy your free afternoon discovering Tirana on your own. Perhaps visit BunkArt 1, a former anti-nuclear bunker now a fascinating historical and art center, or take the Dajti Cable Car for breathtaking city views.

Overnight: Tirana

Today, it’s time to leave Albania behind us and begin exploring another less-visited Balkan country – Montenegro. On our way, we will drive through the National Park and pass by Southern Europe’s largest lake– Skadar.

Our first stop will be the charming town of Shkoder. Even before we enter the Old Town, we’ll be impressed by the mighty former Venetian fortress – Rozafa, the largest one in Albania. We’ll check Shkoder’s main sights, including Shkodra Cathedral and Ebu Bekr Mosque. After a short refreshment, we’ll hit the road and drive along the beautiful Adriatic coast until we reach Budva – the tourist capital of Montenegro. Check in at the hotel. Free time. Use this evening to walk by the sea or explore Budva’s Old Town. 

Overnight: Budva

After breakfast, we’ll ride towards the stunning Bay of Kotor, Southern Europe’s longest and deepest fjord. 

Our first stop will be the charming coastal town of Perast, one of the most beautiful towns on the Adriatic Sea, with a population of just 300 residents. We will walk along the Perast promenade and admire the beautiful Baroque palaces of noble families. 

We will then take a short boat ride to the 15th-century “Our Lady of the Rocks” Church, perched on an islet in the bay. Once there, we will visit the Roman Catholic Church, which has an interesting interior. 

Next stop: Kotor, where we will have a guided walking tour. This old Mediterranean town, surrounded by formidable city walls, was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Its medieval architecture and other cultural monuments are why UNESCO included the city on the list of “World Natural and Historical Heritage Sites.” We’ll visit the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, the Maritime Museum, numerous Palaces, and Old Square, and experience the atmosphere of this unique medieval town. We will have a lunch break here.

Later on, we will return to Budva. Free time.

Overnight: Budva

After breakfast, it’s time to move to another beautiful Balkan country – Croatia. 

After around 2,5 hours, we’ll find ourselves inside the medieval walls of Dubrovnik. The magnificent Old Town, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, and palaces. We will immediately start with our “Old Dubrovnik tour” on foot. The tour highlights sites like Rector’s Palace, an outstanding blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Also, the monumental Sponza Palace, one of the city’s most beautiful, is preserved in its original form. Under the City Bell Tower on Luza Square, view Orlando’s Tower, which is dedicated to the legendary knight who saved the city in the 9th century. 

You’ll have some free time for lunch and to explore independently. Consider strolling along the impressive ramparts overlooking the shimmering Adriatic Sea or visiting the Maritime Museum in St. John’s Castle. Or consider visiting the parts of Dubrovnik where the famous Game of Thrones was filmed, exploring Lokrum Island and the city walls, or taking a ride on the Dubrovnik cable car. 

We’ll end the day in Bosnia & Herzegovina, in Trebinje, a charming and picturesque little town with a laid-back atmosphere and an interesting mix of Mediterranean, Central European, and Ottoman influences. Check in at the hotel, and after that, you can use the evening to stroll around the small streets or have a nice dinner.

Overnight: Trebinje

After breakfast, our trip continues to Blagaj (a site on the UNESCO Tentative List), an old town from the first half of the 16th century and a beautiful representation of Ottoman architecture. Blagaj was the cradle of Islam in today’s Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the short tour, enjoy views of the monastery in a fairy-tale setting beneath the cliffs on the shores of the emerald-green river Buna.

Our next stop will be Mostar, a medieval town in northern Herzegovina and one of the Balkans’ top ten sights. With cobblestoned streets, old stone buildings, and its beautiful bridge spanning the picturesque Neretva River, it attracts thousands of visitors.

We will walk through its narrow streets to soak up the atmosphere and learn more about this magnificent place’s history. We will cross the reconstructed Old Bridge, a staunch symbol of freedom on the Neretva River, and a UNESCO-protected landmark. If we are lucky, we may even witness some brave divers jumping from the bridge, following a tradition that has lasted for a couple of centuries in Mostar.

We will proceed to the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, the Crooked Bridge, and the Old Town, also known as Čaršija.

You will have free time in Mostar for lunch on the banks of the Neretva River, with a view of the famous bridge.

We’ll end the day in Sarajevo, a beautiful city with a complicated history.

After check-in, enjoy a free afternoon in Sarajevo and visit some of the city’s most famous restaurants, which offer the “ćevapčići,” a traditional Bosnian dish: a small rolled patty of ground beef.

Overnight: Sarajevo

Breakfast. After breakfast, we’ll start exploring the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina and one of Europe’s most historically rich cities.

We’ll start from the picturesque Turkish Bazaar (Bascarsija), an old trading place with artisan workshops. We’ll check many examples of splendid Ottoman architecture around the city center. The city is truly a “living history museum,” where mosques built by the Ottomans sit alongside buildings built by the Austro-Hungarians and Orthodox Churches. We’ll visit the Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque, the most prominent Islamic structure in the country and one of the world’s finest examples of Ottoman architecture. We’ll drive past the now-neglected stadium from the 1984 Winter Olympic Games and the Gavrilo Princip Museum. On our walk, look for the Sarajevo Roses, flower-shaped memorials in the pavement made of red cement, one of the few reminders of the war. 

After finishing the Sarajevo tour, we will proceed to Višegrad, where we will see the famous Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, a UNESCO site and the most beautiful example of Ottoman architecture in the Balkans. Also, we’ll have a lunch stop in Stone Town, another of Emir Kusturica’s interesting projects. After lunch, we’ll proceed to Zlatibor.

We will finish our day in Serbia at the tourist center in Zlatibor. The Zlatibor region is known for its clean air, folk architecture, native culture and traditions, diverse ethnic heritage, renowned culinary specialties, healthy cuisine, and balmy climate. After check-in and dinner, you’ll have free time to relax and enjoy yourself.

Overnight: Zlatibor

After breakfast, it’s time to hit the road toward Western Serbia, known for its wild and untouched nature, tasty cuisine, and friendly and hospitable people. 

Our first stop is the famous Sargan Eight railroad. A unique narrow-gauge railway is now used only for amusement. We will pass through and stop at several viewpoints along our ride, from which you can see spectacular views of Mokra Gora. Authentic cars with wooden seats, wood-burning stoves, and characteristic rattling sounds will take us back in time.

The next stop is Wooden City. The renowned director Emir Kusturica (a two-time Palme d’Or winner at Cannes) decided to build it during the filming of his film “Life is a Miracle.” He chose to convey ruined wooden chalets from the mountain’s slopes, restore them, and form a new settlement. We will have a lunch break here.

The next sight on our way is one of the most famous attractions in Serbia, “The House on Drina River”, an isolated house made of logs on a river stone. After a photo stop and refreshments, we will continue our trip to Belgrade.

After check-in, use this afternoon to say farewell to Belgrade, walk around, or go for dinner following your guide’s recommendation.

Overnight: Belgrade

Breakfast. Free time until your flight. Transfer to the airport. End of services. Have a safe flight!

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you depart from Belgrade a few days after the tour ends, you can book additional nights with us at the same hotel for a surcharge of 55€ (Classic package) or 75€ (Upgraded package). Prices are per person, per night, in a double or twin room.

• Small, intimate group experience – no more than 15 people
• Arrival & departure airport transfers
• Fully escorted by English-speaking tour guides
• comfortable transportation for your entire journey (a modern, air-conditioned van or a minibus, depending on the number of passengers)
• Sightseeing per itinerary
• 13 nights 4* or 5* hotels (depending on the package you choose):
  
  • 4 nights in a chosen hotel category in Belgrade 
  • 1 night in a chosen hotel category in Sofia
  • 1 night in a chosen hotel category in Skopje
  • 1 night in a chosen hotel category in Ohrid
  • 1 night in a chosen hotel category in Tirana
  • 2 nights in a chosen hotel category in Budva
  • 1 night in a chosen hotel category in Trebinje
  • 1 night in a chosen hotel category in Sarajevo 
  • 1 night in a chosen hotel category in Zlatibor
    
• 14 meals: 13 breakfasts and one dinner (Zlatibor)
• Entrance fees: Saint Sava Temple, Wine tasting during the Novi Sad trip, The Scull Tower, The Red Cross Nazi Concentration Camp, Rila Monastery, Matka Canyon boat ride, Rozafa Castle, boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks, Blagaj Tekke, the Wood Town, Sargan Eight train ride.
• City taxes
• All fuel costs, parking fees, and road tolls
• VAT
• Tour organization and 24/7 assistance from a licensed incoming tour operator

• Arrival and departure flights
• Food & drinks (except for breakfasts in the hotels and dinner in Zlatibor)
• Optional expenses
• entrance fees other than mentioned (not mandatory, only if you decide to visit something on your own)

You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour, you can choose from the following options:

Pre/Post Tour Accommodation in classic package:

• 110€ per room, per night for double and twin share
• 100€ per room, per night for solo travellers

Pre/Post Tour Accommodation in an upgrade package:

• 150€ per room, per night for double and twin share
• 140€ per room, per night for solo travellers

• 40% at the time of booking
• The remaining 60% not later than two weeks before the arrival

• Children from 0 to 2 years old – FREE of charge.
• Children from 2 to 12 years old, sharing the bed – 50% discount on the price of a twin room
• Children aged 2 to 12: extra bed – 30% discount on the price of a twin room.

• Up to 60 days before the departure date = 100% refund
• 59 days to 46 days before the departure date = 90% refund
• 45 days to 31 days before the departure date = 80% refund
• 30 days to 16 days before the departure date = 70% refund
• 15 days to 8 days before the departure date = 50% refund
• 7 days or less before the departure date = 0% refund

• You MUST confirm and obtain any visa requirements before the booking. All visa requirements are the sole responsibility of the traveler. A current, valid passport is required on the day of travel.
• Gratuities are not included in the price (not mandatory, but encouraged)
• The final choice of hotels will depend on the availability at the time of your booking. We reserve the right to change the hotel due to availability, but we promise the same category, location, and level of quality
• Please note that VICTOR TOURS doesn’t guarantee entrance to the church/cathedral due to sudden closure (mass, wedding, etc)
• Please note that VICTOR TOURS doesn’t guarantee the timing due to weather and traffic
• Please note that VICTOR TOURS doesn’t guarantee entrance to any sight due to late arrival
• The minimum number of guests required is one
• Tour duration = 14 days