Day 1: Monday – Sofia – Rila – Skopje (350 km) BULGARIA +MACEDONIA

Sofia - Morning pick-up at 9 a.m. from your hotel.

Rila Monastery - Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most renowned tourist attraction (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), was established in the 10th century by Saint Ivan Rilsky (St. John of Rila), a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. This monastery, one of the largest in the Balkans, has been a hub of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox faith for over a millennium. Our tour includes a visit to the Church, notable for its artistic value, adorned by the leading 19th-century masters from the Samokov, Bansko, and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving.

Skopje - Continue south to the Bulgarian-Macedonian border. We will arrive in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, in the early evening. Enjoy an orientation tour of Skopje before checking into your hotel.

Day 2: Tuesday – Skopje – Ohrid (190 km) MACEDONIA

Old Bazaar, Skopje - Take a walking tour of Skopje, internationally known as the birthplace of Mother Teresa. Key landmarks include the quay of the Macedonian river “Vardar,” the narrow streets of the Old Bazaar (the largest preserved bazaar in the Balkans), the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, the 1500-year-old fortress Kale, and Macedonia Square with the statue of Alexander The Great on horseback.

Lake Ohrid - Continue to Ohrid (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) located on the shores of Lake Ohrid, near the border of Macedonia and Albania. The Ohrid area has a rich history spanning thousands of years, with the old city center reflecting its past. Lake Ohrid is Europe’s oldest lake, formed over three million years ago. The walking tour of the old city center includes narrow streets and squares, the Ancient Theater, and famous old churches, monasteries, and basilicas (such as Sveti Sofia Church), Tsar Samuil’s Fortress, and the pedestrian shopping street.

Day 3: Wednesday – Ohrid – Tirana (180 km) MACEDONIA + ALBANIA

Skanderbeg Square - Continue the tour, crossing the Macedonian-Albanian border to Tirana, the capital of Albania. The walking tour of Tirana’s city center will showcase the main tourist attractions: Tirana’s massive main square – Skanderbeg, the National History Museum, Palace of Culture, National Bank, Et’hem Bey Mosque, and Skanderbeg’s statue.

Day 4: Thursday – Tirana- Podgorica (140 km) - ALBANIA+MONTENEGRO

Podgorica - After breakfast, we will head to the capital of Montenegro. During our walking tour, we will admire the Clock Tower, Osmanagica and Doganjska Mosque, Skaline (the old stairs), St. George Church, Millennium Bridge, Russian Bridge, Vladimir Vysotsky Monument, Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, Roman Square, and King Nicola’s Castle.

Day 5: Friday – OPTIONAL: Podgorica – Budva – Kotor - Podgorica (180 km) MONTENEGRO

Budva - Depart for Budva, Montenegro, crossing the Albanian-Montenegro border. Stop to visit the Old Town walls of Budva and see key spots: Ballerina and Mogren Beach, Land Gate, Ancient Necropolis, Square of Churches, Citadel, Njegoš’s Street, marina, Mediternaska Street, and Slovenska Plaza.

Kotor Old City - In the evening, arrive in Kotor and explore the fortified old town – Stari Grad (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Day 6: Saturday - Podgorica - Kravice - Medugorje (230 km) MONTENEGRO + BOSNIA&HERZEGOVINA

Kravice Falls - After crossing the border into Bosnia & Herzegovina, visit Kravica Waterfall. Located between the villages of Studenci and Zvirici, the Trebizat River creates a 28-meter-high waterfall and a beautiful natural amphitheater 120 meters wide. Kravica waterfall is a paradise where we can relax and enjoy the serene setting of captivating waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery. Swimming is possible during the summer.

Medugorje - Next, we will arrive in Medjugorje, one of the world’s most famous Roman Catholic pilgrimage destinations. Known for the apparitions of the Virgin Mary that began in 1981, Medjugorje has become a center of religious tourism in this part of Europe. Despite being one of Bosnia’s most visited tourist centers, Medjugorje has retained its original charm, offering pilgrims peace in faith. Walk to Apparition Hill Križevac or simply feel the positive energy at St. Jacob Church.

Day 7: Sunday – OPTIONAL - Medugorje - Dubrovnik - Medugorje (250 km) - CROATIA

Dubrovnik - Enjoy free time in Medugorje or take our OPTIONAL tour to Dubrovnik. On the walking tour of Dubrovnik, explore the beautiful historic architecture and stone-paved streets of the UNESCO-protected Old City of Dubrovnik, and visit the famous Dubrovnik City Walls. Dubrovnik is renowned for being a filming location for Game of Thrones, making it a treat for fans of the show, but its charm will captivate everyone, regardless of TV preferences.

Day 8: Monday – OPTIONAL - Saturday – Medugorje – Split - Medugorje (280 km) CROATIA

Split - OPTIONAL: Today, you have the chance to admire one of the most popular Mediterranean destinations, a place so special that you will be fascinated by everything. Split is a place you are bound to love. The first part of the day will be spent on a walking tour, delving into Split’s rich history. We will stroll through centuries, starting from Roman times, and enjoy the layers of history, architecture, and urban spirit of this amazing city. The grandiose 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace, along with the historic center, is UNESCO-protected and maintained by the United Nations. This is just a hint of the emotions you will experience while walking the paths of ancient civilizations and enjoying the mesmerizing colors of the Adriatic Sea.

Day 9: Tuesday– Medugorje - Mostar - Sarajevo (150 km) BOSNIA&HERZEGOVINA

Mostar - After breakfast, head to Mostar, where the focus will be the old town and the Old Bridge of Mostar. Built in 1566, the Mostar bridge has been central to Mostar’s development as the capital of the Herzegovina region. Unfortunately, the bridge was destroyed in November 1993 during the Siege of Mostar. We will cover the reasons and judicial facts behind the destruction of the Mostar Old Bridge during our walking tour. Since then, bridge diving has become a tradition, with young and brave divers earning a few euros by diving off the bridge in front of tourists from around the world.

Sarajevo - After leaving Mostar, we will take a scenic road passing by Jablanica Lake and through the Neretva River canyon to arrive in Sarajevo. Enjoy a walking tour of Sarajevo’s old part and city center. Our 2.5-hour tour will cover the origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We will visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches, and synagogues, revealing the true nature of the real European Jerusalem. We will visit the Latin Bridge and learn how WWI was triggered here, in the heart of Sarajevo. Stories of Sarajevo’s 1984 Winter Olympics and life during the Siege of Sarajevo will also be part of our tour.

Day 10: Wednesday – Sarajevo – Belgrade (400 km) CROATIA + SERBIA

Belgrade - After breakfast, head to Serbia. Arrive in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, in the afternoon. Visit the Republic Square, the National Theater and the National Museum, Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), the oldest part of Belgrade with Ottoman heritage, the only mosque in the city, Kalemegdan Park, Belgrade Fortress, “Victor” (the most famous symbol of Belgrade), and the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.

Day 11 – Thursday – Belgrade – Novi Sad – Budapest (400 km) SERBIA + HUNGARY

Novi Sad - After breakfast, depart for Budapest with a stop in Novi Sad. Visit Zmaj Jovina Street, the promenade of Novi Sad, and a must-see for tourists, especially for the ornamental Palace of the Orthodox Bishop. Also see Dunavska Street, lined with 19th-century single-story houses, the Danube embankment, and the exterior of Petrovaradin Fortress on the opposite bank.

Budapest - Arrive in Budapest, the “Queen of the Danube,” the capital of Hungary, in the evening.

Day 12 – Friday – Budapest HUNGARY

Budapest - Free time in Budapest to explore this magical city on your own. See the iconic statues of Heroes’ Square, Andrássy Avenue (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), St. Stephen’s Basilica, Dohány Street Synagogue, and the beautiful Castle District in Buda.

Day 13 - Saturday - Budapest - Timisoara (320 km) HUNGARY + ROMANIA

Timisoara Historical Center - Timisoara is a charming city known for its architectural features influenced by Turkish, Serbian, Austrian, and German elements. It will become the European Capital of Culture in 2021.

Day 14 - Sunday - Timisoara – The Corvini Castle – Sibiu (320 km)

Castelul Corvinilor - In the morning, visit the most fascinating Gothic castle in Eastern Europe and one of the most beautiful and grandest on the continent, the famous Corvin Castle.

Sibiu - Visit Sibiu, a beautiful medieval city where Romanians and Saxons have lived peacefully for centuries. The various religious monuments (Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant) demonstrate this peaceful coexistence. Sibiu was named European Capital of Culture in 2007 and hosts an extraordinary theater festival every year. The city captivates with its three squares (Big Square, Small Square, and Huet Square), transporting tourists to a medieval atmosphere. Its towers and 15th-century bastions, beautiful museums, and the famous “houses with the eyes” offer delightful moments. In Sibiu, you will also see one of the largest Gothic evangelical churches in Transylvania.

Salina Turda - Visit the most beautiful salt mine in Eastern Europe: Turda Salt Mine.

Day 15 - Monday - Sibiu – Sighisoara – Brasov (210 km)

Centrul Istoric Sighisoara - Visit Sighisoara, with its imposing Clock Tower. This citadel is the best-preserved in Europe and is still inhabited. Since 1999, the historic center of Sighisoara has been a UNESCO heritage site. Admire the church on the hill, reachable via a wooden staircase called the schoolchildren’s ladder. See the statue of the famous Hungarian national poet Petofi Sandor, indicating the historical significance of the Magyar community in Sighisoara. Next to the statue is the beautiful Catholic church, reserved for the Hungarian community, and the shoemakers’ tower. You can have lunch at the house where Vlad the Impaler was born (not included).

Brasov - Visit Brasov, a wonderful Transylvanian town, once entirely fortified, and an important cultural, tourist, and commercial center. Brasov impresses with its typically German architecture, where Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles intersect to create a vibrant city. Visit the First Romanian School, located in the oldest district of the city, inhabited exclusively by Romanians, the Schei district. This area is notable for its medieval entrances through Catherine’s and Schei Gates, the latter from the 19th century. In Brasov, we will also visit the impressive Black Church, the largest evangelical Gothic church in Eastern Europe, with a 65-meter-high bell tower and a length of 90 meters. The church houses Romania’s most beautiful 19th-century mechanical organ. Admire the recently restored palaces and houses of the historic center, with the Council Square now housing a beautiful museum, and the pedestrian Avenue of the Republic.

Day 16 - Tuesday - Brasov – Bran – Sinaia – Bucharest (180 km)

Bran Castle (Dracula’s Castle) - Visit Bran to see the famous Bran Castle, better known as Dracula’s Castle. In the Middle Ages, Bran was on the border between Wallachia and Transylvania, making it essential for the inhabitants of Brasov to build and maintain a defensive stronghold.

Peles Castle - Visit the fabulous Peles Castle, the summer residence of Romania’s first king, King Charles I of Hohenzollern, of German origin. The castle, beautifully designed by a Czech architect, is famous for being one of the most modern castles in Europe at the time of its construction between the 19th and 20th centuries. Each room has a unique style, different from the others. Admire the Florentine room, which exudes a typically Italian and Renaissance atmosphere.

Day 17 - Wednesday - Bucharest

Bucharest - Free time in Bucharest.

• Transport by air-conditioned vehicle for the entire tour
• 16 nights accommodation in 3* hotels
• Professional tour leader
• Breakfast
• Local tour guide for the entire tour in Romania
• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off

• Tips for driver/ tour guide
• Food and drinks, unless specified
• Entrance fees at museums/churches
• Optional Tour to Kotor and Budva in Montenegro - 60 euro to be payed locally in cash
• Optional Tour to Dubrovnik - 60 euro to be payed locally in cash
• Optional Tour to Split - 60 euro to be payed locally in cash