Balkans & The Adriatic: 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites – 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 begin our panoramic ride through New Belgrade – Belgrade’s largest municipality, featuring impressive modern architecture. Here, we will see some 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 banks of 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, it’s time to move to another beautiful Balkan country – Croatia. We’ll head to the Croatian capital, and after roughly 4 hours (depending on border crossing times), we’ll reach Zagreb. Check in at the hotel and take a moment to refresh before we start our Zagreb walking tour.

Begin the sightseeing tour in busy Kaptol Square in Upper Town, dominated by the monumental Zagreb Cathedral with its soaring twin spires, cobblestone streets, and red-tile-roofed buildings. Walk along Krvavi Most to St. Mark’s Church, with its brightly colored roof, and the 17th-century Jesuit Church of St. Catherine. After a stop at the Parliament building, free time to explore the winding streets of the Old Town and Ban Jelacic, the main square. Or perhaps take a stroll along Ilica Street, packed with restaurants, trendy cafes, and a vibrant shopping scene. Free time to explore on your own.

Overnight: Zagreb

After breakfast, we’ll leave Zagreb and drive to Plitvice Lakes.

After around two hours of driving, prepare your cameras since we will arrive at the breathtaking scenery of the natural wonder – Plitvice Lakes National Park, a natural wonder with breathtaking scenery.

Enjoy a 3-hour guided tour through a wonderland of 16 interconnecting lakes flanked by thundering waterfalls and a vast primeval forest. This area, a geological and hydrological phenomenon, is celebrated as one of Europe’s most beautiful natural sights and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

We’ll have a lunch break, and after approximately two hours of driving, we’ll arrive at the UNESCO-protected seaside town of Split, Croatia’s second-largest city.   Check-in. The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps enjoy a coffee or a dinner in one of the numerous restaurants by the sea.

Overnight: Split

After breakfast, we’ll take a walking tour of the Old Town’s cobbled streets, featuring the historic inner city with its dominant Roman influence, built around the 4th-century Palace of Diocletian. This spectacular palace, a precious example of Roman architecture, is one of the largest and best-preserved in the world. We’ll see the remains of the Cathedral of St. Domnius, built in the Middle Ages, and the Temple of Jupiter with its headless black sphinx guarding the entrance. We’ll finish our walking tour around noon, so you’ll have plenty of time to design the afternoon.

Maybe you can hop on a high-speed catamaran and check out the famous island of Hvar, book a private Game of Thrones tour, or walk around beautiful Marjan Hill and check out the museums of Split. Or finally, you can decide to chill on one of Split’s stunning beaches. Whatever you choose, we’re sure you’ll love this fantastic city.

Overnight: Split

After breakfast, we will proceed to Dubrovnik. After roughly 3 hours of driving along the Croatian coast and admiring incredible views, we’ll arrive at the spectacular walled city of Dubrovnik, affectionately known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Check-in, a short break, and the “Old Dubrovnik on foot” tour. The magnificent Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, and palaces. 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, dedicated to the legendary knight who saved the city in the 9th century.

After the tour, take some time for yourself.

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 Game of Thrones was filmed, exploring Lokrum Island and the city walls, or taking the Dubrovnik cable car.

Overnight: Dubrovnik

After breakfast, we’ll leave Croatia behind us and ride towards the stunning Bay of Kotor, the longest and deepest fjord in Southern Europe. 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 only 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.

The next stop is 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 proceed to Bosnia and Herzegovina. We’ll end the day in Trebinje, a charming and picturesque little town on the banks of the Trebišnjica River, with a laid-back atmosphere and an interesting mix of Mediterranean, Central European, and Ottoman influences. 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 the history of this magnificent place. We will cross the reconstructed Old Bridge, a staunch symbol of freedom on the Neretva River and a UNESCO-protected landmark. If 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 serve the traditional Bosnian dish “ćevapčići,” 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 created by the Austro-Hungarians and the 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 will also see the Sebilj Fountain, one of Sarajevo’s most famous landmarks in Old Town, the City Hall, and the “Spite House”.

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 the sightseeing tour, take some time to walk around the Miljacka River, have lunch, or have a traditional Bosnian coffee.

In the afternoon, the tour will return to Belgrade (approximately 5 hours of driving). After a few stops, we’ll arrive in Belgrade in the afternoon / early evening. Time this evening to be on your own, relax, and rest for the experiences that will follow.

Overnight: Belgrade

Breakfast. Today, it’s time to leave Serbia behind us 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 Nis.

First, we will visit the Niš Fortress, lying on the bank 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 well-known Serbian writer Stevan Sremac, Mediana Archeological Site, and the infamous Skull Tower – the 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.

Just before we enter North Macedonia, we will make an en-route stop to visit Rila monastery – one of the holiest places in the country and another UNESCO World Heritage sight. Rila Monastery is the most important spiritual and literary center of the Bulgarian national revival, with an uninterrupted history from the Middle Ages to the present. After the visit, we will continue our trip.

Shortly after we visit the monastery, 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 quickly reach Skopje, the country’s capital. They say you will either love or hate this city, rarely in between. 

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 Ohird, we’ll stop at Matka Canyon. Only 20 kilometers west of Skopje, this hidden gem of nature is probably one of 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 this unique place’s atmosphere. 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 configures the walls of the castle of the Roman emperor Justinian (A.D. 520). The monumental Tomb of Kaplan Pasha and the Ura e Tabakëve (a bridge constructed at the beginning of the 19th century, located on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard) are a few other interesting places we will visit.

Enjoy your free afternoon discovering Tirana on your own. Consider visiting 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

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

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you depart from Tirana 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* accommodation
• 3 nights in the chosen hotel category in Belgrade 
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Zagreb
• 2 nights in the chosen hotel category in Split
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Dubrovnik 
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Trebinje
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Sarajevo 
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Sofia
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Skopje
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Ohrid
• 1 night in the chosen hotel category in Tirana
• 13 meals: 13 breakfasts in the hotels (buffet style)
• Entrance fees: Saint Sava Temple, Plitvice Lakes, boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks, Blagaj Tekke, The Red Cross Nazi Concentration Camp, The Scull Tower, Rila Monastery, Matka Canyon boat 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)
• Optional expenses
• entrance fees other than mentioned

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 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 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 based on availability, but we guarantee the same category, location, and quality level.
• 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 timing due to weather and traffic conditions.
• 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