Compare Balkans Rail Adventure by Explore! vs Best of the Balkans: From Medieval Fortresses to the Majestic Adriatic Sea by Road Scholar

Day 1 Join trip in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Our journey through the Balkans starts today in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. This historic city lies in the shadow of its old castle and upon the banks of the Ljubljanica River, which meanders through the pedestrianised centre. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 8.30pm for a welcome meeting followed by dinner for those that wish. There are no other activities planned today, so you\ re free to arrive in Ljubljana at any time. If you\ d like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport (LJU), which is around a 40-minute drive from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will catch you up as soon as possible. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, or if you are extending your stay by a night, then we'd recommend visiting the castle today. This evening, you might like to have dinner in one of the city's 'Gostilna' restaurants, where traditional recipes are prepared with local ingredients and paired with good wines. Some of the most popular Slovenian dishes include prekmurje (a layered cake made with cottage cheese, poppy seeds and with a walnut and apple filling), kras prosciutto (an air-dried ham) and bleki (a beef soup with noodles). If you\ d like to drink like the locals, finish off your night with a glass of Slovenia's Pleterska Khruska liquor made with brandy and pears.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Explore Ljubljana on foot, chance to visit Lake Bled

Ljubljana is brimming with art, culture and music, and topped off with stunning Germanic-style architecture. This morning, we'll explore the city on foot with a local guide to take in some of its most attractive landmarks including the Opera House, National Gallery, Republic Square and arguably the city's most famous site, Triple Bridge. Connecting the old Medieval town to the modern business centre, the bridge, originally served as the entrance to the fortified part of the city, but now is bustling with locals. The rest of the day is free for you to continue to enjoy the sights in Ljubljana. Alternatively, you might like to join a short boat trip along the Ljubljanica River to see the city from a different perspective. There'll also be an optional excursion to Lake Bled, which is about a one-hour drive away. The picturesque resort town of Bled is situated on a tranquil lake. In the early 20th century, it was home to the Yugoslavian Royal Family and the summer residence of President Tito, making it one of Europe's most fashionable resorts. You might like to visit the island in the lake by traditional gondola boat (known as a Pletne). Once on the island, you'll find the Baroque Church of the Assumption as well as Bled Castle, perched on a steep cliff above. If you\ d prefer to stretch your legs, you can walk the six kilometres around the lake past linden, chestnut and willow trees and swans and water lilies on the water.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 3 Free morning in Ljubljana, train to Zagreb, Croatia, walking tour of Zagreb

This morning, you're free to relax in Ljubljana and grab some lunch before we hop aboard our train to Zagreb, this afternoon. The journey will see us cross the border into Croatia and will take around three hours. On arrival, we'll begin exploring Croatia's capital, Zagreb, with a guided walking tour. While the city is rich in art and gastronomy, it doesn't draw the same tourist crowds as other European capitals. Nonetheless, it's deserving of a bucket-list spot, thanks its blend of Austro-Hungarian architecture and its more hard-edged socialist buildings. The city's centrepieces are the Gothic Zagreb Cathedral and 13th-century Saint Mark's Church. We'll walk to our hotel to check in before having the opportunity to go out for dinner. Tonight, you might like to try the traditional delicacies, like Zagreb meat and Cuspajz vegetable stew, followed by Strukli (a boiled dough filled with sour cream and cottage cheese) or Knedli (a sweet potato dumpling rolled in sugar and stuffed with fruit such as plum) for dessert. Wash it all down with the more unusual local drink, Bambus - a concoction of red wine and cola served over ice.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 4 Visit Plitvice National Park

Today we drive around three hours out of the city to the stunning Plitvice National Park. The park boasts 16 interconnecting lakes, waterfalls, and dense woodland with an array of wildlife. The rare fauna includes wild brown bear, wolves, lynx, and eagles, but more commonly lizards, butterflies and various birdlife can be spotted. We'll take a couple of ferries and follow the well-marked walking trails (mostly on wooden promenades) through this magical landscape. Every turn leads us to new breathtaking scene and yet another stunning waterfall. After time for a picnic lunch, we'll return to Zagreb for the evening.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 5 Travel to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

This morning, we'll walk from our hotel to the railway station to start our journey to the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo. We'll take the train from Zagreb to Vrpolje - a journey of around three hours. In Vrpolje, we'll change to a private bus for the border crossing and then drive to Doboj in Sarajevo, around a four-and-a-half-hour journey. We'll arrive in Sarajevo in the late afternoon and walk to our nearby hotel. Our journey lets us witness the spectacular mountain scenery as we pass through Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 6 Walking tour of Sarajevo, chance to visit Tunnel Museum

A poignant start this morning, we'll take taxis into the city centre to learn about the events that triggered World War I on 28th June 1914 - the assassination of assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. We'll join a local guide to find out more and along the way, we'll see the Eternal Flame, which is a memorial to all those that lost their lives during the war. We'll also see excellent examples of Austro-Hungarian architecture, namely the City Hall and learn more about the dreadful fate of the Jewish community which once thrived in this city, then known as 'Little Jerusalem'. The afternoon, you\ re free to explore more at your own pace and return to the hotel whenever you wish. You might like to take a relaxing wander through the city's Old Town or, as with everywhere else in the Balkans, grab a strong coffee and people watch. There's an array of museums dedicated to the varied histories of the capital, including the Tunnel Museum depicting life during the Sarajevo Siege in 1992-1995 and telling how the resident civilians managed to keep themselves supplied during the longest siege in modern history. It's recommended to join the Times of Misfortune tour which includes entry to the Tunnel Museum. Bosnian cuisine tends to use a range of subtle spices and is similar in some ways to Turkish food with grilled meats and pita bread followed by sweet and sticky nutty Baklava being popular. Other local specialities include Burek, a spiral of meat filled pastry served in slices or Rastika, kale leaves stuffed with rice and minced meat. Another tasty dessert option is Tulumba, deep-fried dough served in syrup. To wash it down, you could try the non-alcoholic drink Kompot made with fruit such as rhubarb or gooseberries soaked in water, sugar and spices like vanilla or cinnamon.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 7 Scenic rail trip to Mostar and walking tour of the city

This morning, we'll walk to the railway station and board our train for a very scenic journey between Sarajevo and Mostar (taking just under three hours). As we chug slowly through the mountains, which were occupied by Bosnian Serbs during the Bosnian War, take a moment to take in the dramatic scenery. On arrival in Mostar in the late morning, we'll take taxis to our hotel to check in before returning to the city centre for a guided walking tour. Mostar is in the Herzegovina region of the country and displays vivid scars from the 18-month-long siege the city was held under in the nineties. With its relaxed atmosphere, it's hard to believe the conflicts are such recent history. The city's Ottoman past is still very evident, with winding cobbled stone streets and a skyline dotted with domes and minarets. We'll see the bazaar, mosque, and old city on the way to one of the country's most famous landmarks, Stari Most. The city is divided by the Neretva River and, traditionally, Muslims lived on the east bank and Christians on the west. The UNESCO-listed Stari Most (Old Bridge) provided a crossing between the two and became a symbol of Bosnia's multi-ethnicity and the friendship between the two communities. Both the town and its historic bridge were badly damaged during the Balkan conflict of the early 1990s. The old Ottoman bridge was rebuilt after the war and much of the old city has also been restored to its former glory.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 8 Visit Old Town Dubrovnik and the Bay of Kotor en route to Podgorica

Today we have a jam-packed but rewarding schedule. Leaving Mostar early this morning (at around 7.30am) we'll drive to Podgorica in Montenegro via Dubrovnik, Croatia, and the Bay of Kotor. Depending on border crossings we hope to have around two and half hours to see the Old Town area of Dubrovnik. This city stands proudly on the coast, surrounded by its ancient walls and the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea just beyond. Despite the horrific shelling Dubrovnik came under in 1991, the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been remarkably well restored. We'll then continue down the coastline, crossing into Montenegro where we'll stop in the old Mediterranean port of Kotor. Sitting on the coast, Kotor is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and is one of the best-preserved Medieval old towns on the Adriatic Sea. We hope to have about three hours to explore before heading to Podgorica for the night.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 9 Scenic bus and train journey to Belgrade, Serbia

This morning, we'll take a bus (162km) to the small town of Prijepolje, Serbia. From here, we'll board our train to take one of the most scenic rail routes in Europe. The six-hour journey from Prijepolje to Belgrade introduces us to stunning scenery - soak in the landscape of gorges, canyons and snow-capped mountains as we ascend and descend, following the natural topography of the land. The scenery here is so beautiful, Yugoslavia's Head of State, Tito, built his own train in 1959 to take it all in. Between the trains' inaugural trip until his death in 1980, Tito made this journey often, regularly hosting famous guests within the deluxe carriages, including Queen Elizabeth II. We'll arrive in Belgrade this evening and take a taxi to the hotel where we'll stay for the next two nights. Paprika is arguably the most popular ingredient in Serbian cooking and they tend to use the red fruit itself rather than the dried spice. You'll find it chopped up in salads with tomatoes, cucumber, and cheese, chargrilled with barbequed meats, pickled, stuffed and even mashed. They also love cream and Kajmak, a partially fermented thick cream which is often served with grilled meats or fresh bread (t's a bit like a cross between sour cream and clotted cream). Rakia is the most popular spirit and it's normally distilled with plums or grapes, but you can also find more unusual variations like quince, walnut, or honey.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 10 Excursion to Novi Sad, traditional Serbian barbeque dinner

This morning, we'll walk the short distance to the train station where we'll board a train to Novi Sad, a journey of around one hour. Although the second largest city in Serbia, Novi Sad offers a much more laidback atmosphere, standing tall above the Danube River. The city is thought to have originated and expanded from the historic Petrovaradin Fortress, which sits proudly on the cityscape. We'll be guided around here on foot and using the local buses to see the main points of interest including the fortress that is rich in Roman, Greek, and Byzantine history, the Greek school, and the Orthodox cathedral. We'll then have free time to wander through the pedestrian area of the city, maybe choosing to have a drink at one of the many cafes that line the riverbank, before taking the train back to Belgrade. Tonight, we'll walk from our hotel to a local restaurant where we'll experience a traditional Serbian barbeque dinner with live music.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner

Day 11 Walking tour of Belgrade, drive to Skopje, North Macedonia

We'll begin today with a guided walking tour to see the earliest known areas of the city, Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park. The fortress is an appropriate setting to learn about the city's history through the centuries including Medieval, Roman and Ottoman periods. The Romans originally built a fortification here in 2nd century AD, due to its strategic viewpoint on the hill overlooking the city and the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers. When the Huns and the Goths later waged war, the original structure was burnt down but was fortunately rebuilt in the 6th century. You'll have a little free time for lunch before we hop aboard a private bus for the seven-hour journey to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia and once home of Mother Teresa.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 12 Orientation tour of Skopje, traditional Macedonian dinner

Today, we'll explore Skopje. We'll take taxis to the city centre for and orientation tour which will include highlights such as the fortress, 12th-century Old Bazaar (which is the largest and most well-preserved bazaar in south-east Europe), and the Holocaust Museum. In 1963 a huge earthquake rocked the city and destroyed an estimated 75% of the town, but it's still rich in historic culture and Ottoman heritage. Skopje has been used a pawn in many wars, including World War II, and many empires have ruled over the city, all influencing the architecture, religion, and traditions. Despite the turbulent and sometimes violent history, Skopje is now a peaceful city where residents are free to practice all religions, the main faiths being Macedonian Orthodox and Islam. The city is awash with stunning places of worship, though you might notice the skyline dotted with minarets - this is due to a law enforced by the Turks stating Christian buildings could not be taller than mosques. This afternoon, you have free time to further enjoy the city or to relax following the busy morning explorations. We'll end today with dinner in a traditional local North Macedonian restaurant.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner

Day 13 Train to Bitola and visit to the ancient city of Heraclea

Taking a step back in time, today we'll visit the ancient Macedonian city of Heraclea. We'll leave our hotel early this morning and takes taxis to the train station. There, we'll start our four-hour train journey to Bitola in southern North Macedonia, which is a short distance from Heraclea. We'll drive to our hotel to check-in before a local guide takes us on an orientation tour of Bitola. Sitting on the bank of the Dragor River, the exact origin of bustling Bitola is unknown, but it seems it grew up in the shadow of Heraclea only to outlive its parent city. Today, despite being a busy commercial centre, Bitola still radiates the relaxed cafe culture that is so popular in this area of Europe. This afternoon, we'll drive the short distance to ancient Heraclea for a guided walking tour. Named after the legendary Greek mythical hero, Heracles, it dates to approximately 4th century BC, but many of the remains discovered are from around 2nd century BC when the Romans invaded and conquered it. The site of this once prosperous city has some excellent ruins including an amphitheatre once used for gladiator fighting and preserved mosaic floors. This evening, you\ re free to have dinner in Bitola. A popular North Macedonian dish is Turlitava, a meat and vegetable stew baked in a terracotta pot. Ravanija is a traditional dessert which originates from when the country was under Ottoman rule (a type of cake with a sherbet top). If you want to try North Macedonian wine, red is the more dominate option. It's usually made using the Vranec grape or sometimes Stanusina Crna, which is indigenous to the country.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 14 Journey to Ohrid with afternoon boat ride on the lake

This morning, we'll drive through the beautiful Galicica National Park to Ohrid. Popular for its natural scenery including mountains, lakes and caves, the national park is also very important to the area's agricultural industry. We'll make a number of short stops along the way to soak up the landscapes and, of course, to take photographs. Before arriving in Ohrid, we'll also visit the Saint Naum Monastery, which is one of the most photographed places in the country, with its red tiled roof set at the water's edge on the banks of Lake Ohrid; one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes. Later this afternoon, we'll arrive into the 3000-year-old town of Ohrid, where we'll join a local guide for a tour of the historic settlement. Weather permitting, we'll take a trip out onto the lake by boat, so we can see the town from a different perspective, too. Then, to end the day, we'll walk the short distance to a local restaurant to have a traditional fish supper. If we're lucky this will include Lake Ohrid brown trout which is a speciality often served in soups or as a whole stuffed fish.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner

Day 15 Visit to Mavrovo National Park en route to Pristina, Kosovo

This morning, we'll begin the nine-hour journey to Kosovo's capital, Pristina. To break up the long drive, we'll make plenty of stops. We'll visit Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and built almost 1000 years ago. We'll also stop in the Mavrovo National Park, which is home to a wealth of pine forests, field covered plains, waterfalls and also North Macedonia's highest mountain, Mount Korab, standing at 2,764 metres high. Once we cross the border into Kosovo, we'll drive the final section to the capital city Pristina. Kosovo remains practically untouched by tourism, and we'll get a taste of this unique destination with an overnight stay. After checking in to our hotel, we'll have about an hour free before having the opportunity to join our tour leader for a final dinner and then to take a walk through Mother Teresa Square before returning to our hotel. Cuisine in Kosovo has been influenced by many different countries over the years and is quite similar to that found in Albania. Bread and dairy are important elements of most dishes and Flia is a popular dish (a crepe like layered tart normally served with Kaymak cream). Pies, stews and grilled meats with potatoes and rice are also all popular. If you want to try a local liquor, get a taste of Boza (a thick sticky sweet drink made from malted corn and flour).

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 16 Trip ends in Pristina, Kosovo

Our trip ends this morning in Pristina. There are no activities planned today, so you\ re free to depart from Pristina at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you\ d like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Pristina International Airport 'Adem Jashari' (PRN), which is a 25-minute drive away. Depending on the time of your flight, or if you're extending your stay by a night, we'd recommend exploring more of the city. It might not be the most attractive city on the tour but what it lacks in lustre, it makes up for in lively atmosphere. There\ d plenty to keep you busy. You could visit the Emin Gjiku Ethnographic Museum, which gives you a great introduction to traditional Kosovan culture. Set in two charmingly preserved Ottoman houses, within a large walled garden, there's a range of weapons, clothing and jewellery and household items exhibited. In the city's bazaar, you can see a 26-metre-high clock tower, which dictated when stall holders should close for pray. It's worth stopping by at the National Library to admire the unique architecture of the bizarre building, too. The Independent House of Kosovo tells the story of the former president Ibrahim Rugova and Kosovo's campaign for independence from Serbia, and you can also see the Newborn Monument, which was unveiled on the 17 February 2008 when Kosovo first declared its liberation. Sultan Mehmet Fatih Mosque is the city's most important, and Jashar Pasha Mosque was recently restored as a gift from the Turkish Government. If all the exploring makes you thirsty, then you could stop by at Pristina's first microbrewery, Sabaja Craft Brewery for a local tipple.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 1 In Transit to Program In Flight

Day 2 Arrive, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner Herceg Novi

Check-in available from 2:00 PM.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room, enjoy a Welcome Dinner. Unless otherwise noted, dinners on this program are typically a three-course set menu. Please note that water is included in the program cost at all meals.

Day 3 Herceg Novi Bay, Herceg Novi Herceg Novi

The boat ride along the Adriatic will be 3 hours long with one stop to get out in the afternoon. Today’s activities will include up to 2 hours of walking throughout the day along city streets. Please note that Herceg Novi is known as the “city of stairs”, so there will be a long of steps with and without railings.

Enjoy an expert-led boat excursion on the Adriatic in Herceg Novi Bay. View an Austrian-built fortress on a small island, the Blue Cave, and then stop in Rose, one of the oldest settlements in the region, for a short stroll.

Our Group Leader will lead us on an expert-led walk of Herceg Novi. Founded in 1382, this medieval town was formerly known as Castel Nuovo, or “new castle” in Italian, because of its many fortresses. Walk through the winding streets, the Forte Mare, and the port of the city alongside your group, and then enjoy some free time to independently explore on your own. After returning to the hotel, we will listen to a lecture on the history and present-day life of Montenegro.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room, the daily breakfast will offer a buffet with breads, cheeses, cold-cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea and water.

At a local restaurant in Herceg Novi, enjoy a light lunch of local fare. Unless otherwise noted, lunches on this program are typically a two-course set menu.

On your own. This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to explore local fare. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.

Day 4 Kotor and Kotor Bay Herceg Novi

Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking during the day.

Begin the morning with a panoramic drive through Herceg Novi, where we will see some of the small coastal towns and islands off the Bay of Kotor. These sites are internationally recognized as some of Montenegro’s most iconic cultural treasures. Led by a local expert, explore the small town of Perast. Despite its current small population of 400 people, palaces from the Renaissance and Baroque eras attest to this town’s history as a favored vacation spot for Venetian and Russian nobles. Home to one of the best maritime schools in the 18th century, this town was also has a strong seafaring heritage. After exploring Perast, we will take a short motor boat ride into the bay to an artificial island known as Our Lady of the Rocks. According to legend, two sailors passing by this part of the bay in 1452 encountered the image of Madonna and the Child upon a rock. Since then, generations of seamen have pledged their faith to the saint by laying a rock on the bay after each successful voyage. Over time, an islet emerged from the sea, upon which a small chapel was erected. Such was its fame that the chapel was gifted masterful paintings and thousands of silver plates. After some time to explore the island, we will return to shore once again via motor boat.

We will board the motorcoach once again and head to explore Kotor’s Old Town. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its exceptional architecture and stunning natural setting. Founded by the Romans, and traded back and forth between empires for centuries, Kotor was an important center of commerce and the arts. See some of the town’s famous sites, such as its Venetian city walls and the local Maritime Museum, during a short walking excursion before having time on your own to explore Kotor independently.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

On your own.

In the hotel dining room.

Day 5 Dubrovnik, Free Time Neum

Coach ride from Herceg Novi to Dubrovnik is approximately 2 hours. It is then another 2 hours to Neum. Today’s activities will include up to 3 hours of walking during the day.

After breakfast, we will board a motorcoach and journey towards Dubrovnik. Enjoy a lecture on present-day life in Croatia, with a focus on the region of Dalmatia. We will then take an excursion of Dubrovnik’s Old Town on foot, passing by the Onofrio Fountain, Saint Blaise’s Church, the Franciscan Monastery and the famous Rector’s Palace.

Free Time. Enjoy some time to explore Dubrovnik on your own before we board the coach once again and make our way to Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Once there, we will check-in and settle into our rooms before dinner.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

On your own.

In the hotel dining room.

Day 6 Cetina Valley, Mestrovic Gallery Split

Coach ride from Neum to Omis is 2 hours, it is then another 1 hour to Split. Today’s activities will include up to 3 hours of walking and standing for long periods of time. There are over 60 stairs leading to the main house of the Mestrovic Gallery, as well as additional steps to reach the upper floors of the museum.

We will check-out of our hotel and make our way to Omis, Croatia. The coach with travel along the beautiful seafront, where we will enjoy a stunning view of picturesque islands and rich Mediterranean vegetation. We will get an opportunity to enjoy this view further upon our arrival in Omis, where we will take a short boat ride from Omis to Radmanove Mlinice.

Board the coach once again as we make our way to Split. Upon arrival, we will take an expert-led excursion of the Mestrovic Gallery, situated in the villa where sculptor Ivan Mestrovic used to live. Known as the greatest 20th century sculptor in Croatia, Mestrovic's works can be found all over the world. On display at the gallery are bronze, marble and wood sculptures, along with drawings, architectural plans and family furniture.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

En route, we will enjoy lunch at an old mill next to the Cetina River.

On your own.

Day 7 Split, Free Time Split

Today’s activities will include up to 3 hours of walking during the day.

We will head out on an expert-led walking tour of the city of Split. We will begin at Diocletian’s Palace, a palace and fortress built by Roman Emperor Diocletian shortly after abdicating his throne at the turn of the 4th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, this palace is considered one of the most significant monuments of the Roman Era. It’s remain lie on what is considered the old town of Split, and after our visit, we will continue our exploration of the old town by visiting the Peristyle, the Cathedral, and some of the majestic statues of Ivan Mestrovic – the greatest Croatian sculptor of the 20th century.

Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in the city of Split. Once back at the hotel, we will enjoy an expert-led lecture.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

On your own.

At a local restaurant.

Day 8 Mostar, Free Time Sarajevo

Coach ride from Split to Mostar is approximately 3 hours, it is then another 2 more hours to Sarajevo. Today’s activities include up to 3 hours of walking during the day. Please be careful when crossing the Old Bridge at Mostar, as the stone work makes it very smooth and slippery.

We will check-out of our hotel and begin our journey to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. On our way we will stop by Mostar. Here we will explore the Old Town and the bridge of Mostar, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a symbol of unity between the different nationalities living in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The bridge of Mostar, originally a 16th century Ottoman bridge, was destroyed during the Croat-Bosniak War in 1993, but was reconstructed to its original design in 2004.

Free time in Mostar. We then continue on to Sarajevo to check-in to our hotel.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

On your own.

In the hotel dining room.

Day 9 Sarajevo, Free Time Sarajevo

Today’s activities will include up to 3 hours of walking during the day.

We will take an expert-led excursion in Sarajevo by bus and on foot. We will see such sights as the former Austro-Hungarian area, the Bascarsija Bazaar and the former Jewish quarter of the city. As we venture further into the Old Town, we will also make a visit to the “war tunnel”, also known as the Tunnel of Hope, which connected the city of Sarajevo to an area controlled by the United Nations during the Bosnian War. This tunnel was built by the Bosnian Army in 1993 and made it possible for both supplies to make their way into the city, and for people to get out.

Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. Before dinner, enjoy a lecture on the history and present day of Bosnia-Herzegovina at the hotel.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

On your own.

At a local restaurant.

Day 10 Visegrad, Andricgrad & Drvengrad Zlatibor

Coach ride from Sarajevo to Visergrad is 2 hours. It is then another 1.5 hours to Zlatibor. Today’s activities will include up to 3 hours of walking during the day.

Today we will depart by motorcoach and head towards Visegrad. Explore the historic Ottoman bridge built in 1577 for Grand Vizier Mehmed Pasa Sokolovic, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Then take a short walking field trip of the nearby town of Andricgrad, built and dedicated to Yugoslav novelist and Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andric.

Depart by coach and visit Dobrun Monastery, built in 1343 and dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin. After our visit, we will board the coach once again and cross the border into Serbia. We will visit the traditional Serbian village of Drvengrad, built by Serbian director Emir Kusturica for his film Life is a Miracle. After our field trip we will board the coach once again and head to Zlatibor, where we will check-in to our hotel.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

At a local restaurant.

At the hotel.

Day 11 Belgrade Belgrade

Coach ride from Zlatibor to Belgarde is approximately 3 hours. Today’s activities will include up to 2 hours of walking during the day.

After breakfast, we will board a motorcoach and begin our journey to Belgrade, Serbia.

Take an exciting bus and walking excursion through Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and former Yugoslavia. See the main pedestrian street, Knez Mihailova, which is always alive with activity and features a number of buildings and mansions of the 1870s. We will also explore the old Kalemegdan fortress, Saint Sava Church and the Mausoleum of former Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

En route to Belgrade.

At a local restaurant on Skadarlija Street in the bohemian quarter of Belgrade. Enjoy live music with dinner.

Day 12 Novi Sad, Srijemski Karlovci Belgrade

Coach ride from Belgrade to Novi Sad is approximately 1.5 hours each way. Today’s activities will include up to 4 hours of walking during the day.

Today we will take a full-day excursion through northern Serbia, beginning with a walking exploration of the city of Novi Sad. Founded in 1694 by merchant Serbs and quickly becoming an important trading, manufacturing and cultural center, Novi Sad has earned the nickname of “Serbian Athens”. It is today the second largest city in all of Serbia, and is a key industrial and financial center in the country. After our walk, you will have time to explore the city on your own.

Drive to the nearby town of Srijemski Karlovci, passing by the Petrovaradin Fortress on the way. Learn about the past and present history of the region of Voljvodina, an area on the border of the Ottoman Empire and the Western World. Our field trip will end with a honey tasting in a local Beekeeping Museum.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

At a local restaurant.

On your own.

Day 13 Free Time, Transfer to Zagreb Zagreb

Coach ride from Belgrade to Zagreb is approximately 5 hours.

Today we will have a late morning departure. Enjoy some time to sleep in or to explore Belgrade on your own. Right before noon we will all board a coach and begin our journey towards Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Along the way we will cross the northeastern part of Croatia, known as the “bread-basket” of the country.

We will arrive to Zagreb in the late afternoon. Check-in to our new hotel and take some time to settle into your rooms and relax before dinner.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

On your own, en route to Zagreb.

In the hotel dining room.

Day 14 Zagreb, Free Time Zagreb

Today’s activities will include up to 2 hours of walking during the day.

This morning we will explore the historic city of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Enjoy a walking excursion from the Upper Town to the lively main square of the city, Ban Jelacic Square. This square is named after city’s founder, Count Josip Jelacic, after he formerly unified the neighboring settlements of Kaptol and Gradec into a single city in 1850. Among some of the sites we will see during our excursion are the Cathedral and Saint Marks Church.

Free Time. Enjoy some time to explore Zagreb on your own.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

On your own.

At a local restaurant.

Day 15 Lake Bled Ljubljana

Coach ride from Zagreb to Bled is approximately 3 hours. It is then another hour to Ljubljana. Today’s activities will include up to 2 hours of walking during the day.

We will check-out of our hotel and begin our journey towards Ljubljana, Slovenia. On our way, we will visit Lake Bled, one of the most famous sites in all of Slovenia.

As we continue our way to Ljubljana, we will enjoy the view of a tiny island in the middle of Lake Bled. This island with a romantic castle on a hilltop is the most photographed site in Slovenia. Upon arrival, we will then check in to our hotel and listen to a lecture by a local expert on the topic of Slovenia.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

En route, we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the hotel dining room.

Day 16 Ljubljana, Free Time Ljubljana

Today’s activities will include up to 2 hours of walking during the day.

We will begin our morning with an expert-led excursion through Ljubljana on foot. Walking through the charming downtown, appreciate the unique character of the area designed by famous architect, José Plecnik.

Free time. Continue exploring Ljubljana on your own.

At leisure.

In the hotel dining room.

On your own.

At a local restaurant, we will enjoy a Farewell Dinner with folk music.

Day 17 Program Concludes In Flight

Check-out by 11:00 AM.

In the hotel dining room.