Balkan Extravaganza

Welcome to the start of your European adventure! Upon your arrival at the airport, we'll transfer you to your hotel. Check the hotel reception area for information about the welcome meeting with your guide and fellow travelers.

Today, we'll explore Athens with a local guide. We'll visit the Presidential Palace, the Panathinaikos stadium, and the bustling squares of the city center. Our tour will conclude at the Acropolis. In the evening, we'll transfer you to the PLAKA area, where you can enjoy the rich Greek folklore in the local bars.

We depart early in the morning towards the North of Greece. We'll stop in KAMENA VOURLA, a beautiful touristic hub by the sea, and visit the site of the Battle of Thermopylae. We'll then visit KASTRAKI, a picturesque village with beautiful views of the valley, before exploring the breathtaking METEORA valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll also visit one of the most famous monasteries in METEORA. Dinner will be served in KALAMBAKA.

Today, we'll travel through the North of Greece, amidst beautiful mountain scenery, to the Aegean Sea. We'll arrive in THESSALONIKI, Greece's second-largest city, for a stroll and lunch. We'll then continue towards BULGARIA, stopping in MELNIK, a picturesque museum-town in a wine-producing area. We'll end the day in SANDANSKI, a beautiful small spa town and the birthplace of Spartacus.

We'll visit the beautiful Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before continuing to SOFIA, the capital of Bulgaria. After lunch, we'll take a city tour of Sofia, visiting the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the Russian Church, the Mosque, and the city's squares and avenues of Stalinist architecture.

In the morning, we'll visit BACHKOVO MONASTERY, Bulgaria's second most important monastery. We'll then continue to PLOVDIV, one of the oldest cities in Europe. After lunch, we'll take a sightseeing tour of the city, including visits to the Roman Amphitheatre, the ancient chemist's, and the Armenian House.

Today's journey takes us through beautiful scenery across the Balkans mountain range. We'll visit KAZANLAK, where we'll explore the replica of the Thracian Tomb, a UNESCO Heritage site. We'll also visit the Russian church of SHIPKA, ETARA village/ethnographic museum, and ARBANASSI, an ancient trading city. We'll end the day in VELIKO TARNOVO, Bulgaria's former capital.

We'll travel to Romania today, stopping to visit the BASARBOVSKI MONASTERY, a place of pilgrimage dug out of the rock. We'll then cross the border and the river Danube, arriving in BUCHAREST around lunchtime. After lunch, we'll take a sightseeing tour of the city, visiting the ancient quarter and the giant Parliament Palace.

Today, we'll journey to Transylvania, crossing the Carpathian Mountains and through forests. We'll stop in SINAIA to stroll through the gardens of the Peles and Pelisor Castles. We'll then visit the 14th-century BRAN fortress, commonly known as Dracula's Castle. We'll end the day in SIGHISOARA, a beautiful walled medieval city and UNESCO Heritage center. In the evening, we'll enjoy a special dinner at the house where Vlad Tepes, also known as Dracula, was born.

In Transylvania, we'll visit BIERTAN, one of the numerous fortified churches in the area. We'll then continue to SIBIU, an important economic and cultural center, for a stroll and lunch. In the afternoon, we'll visit the impressive Castle of HUNEDOARA, considered the prettiest castle in Romania. We'll end the day in TIMISOARA, where you'll have time to explore its elegant central squares.

We'll set off for Serbia today. After a few hours of travel, we'll arrive in BELGRADE, the country's capital. We'll take a city tour of this active capital, located on the shores of the Danube as it flows into the Sava. We'll visit the Museum of Yugoslavia, where Tito's Mausoleum is located. You'll have free time in the afternoon to explore the city.

We'll begin our journey to Bosnia today, traveling through the Voivodina region. We'll stop in SREMSKA MITROVICA, a city with a pleasant historic center on the banks of the Sava River. We'll visit the grounds of the Imperial Palace of Sirmium. We'll then continue towards Bosnia, stopping in the city of ZVORNIK. We'll end the day in SARAJEVO, where you'll have time to stroll through the charming bazaar, an old Ottoman market famous for its architecture, oriental atmosphere, and traditional shops.

In the morning, we'll take a sightseeing tour with a local guide in SARAJEVO, a city known as the 'Jerusalem of Europe' due to the coexistence of several religions. We'll then continue our route to MOSTAR, with its wonderful historic center and stone bridge. After lunch and a stroll through the city, we'll continue to Croatia. We'll arrive in DUBROVNIK at the end of the day.

In the morning, we'll take a city tour of DUBROVNIK with a local guide. We'll visit the Franciscan Monastery, which houses the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and the Cathedral. We'll also take a boat trip to LOKRUM, a small island home to the ruins of an 11th-century Benedictine monastery. You'll have free time in the afternoon to explore the city.

We'll set off in the morning, traveling along the Croatian coastline with amazing seascapes and islands. We'll stop in STON, a picturesque town with one of the longest walls in the world. We'll arrive in SPLIT in the afternoon, where we'll visit the Diocletian's Palace and explore its immense palace of the Roman times, its labyrinth of streets, and views over the sea.

We'll travel to the interior region of Croatia, visiting the PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll have the opportunity to walk along the trails or take a boat and sail through the waters of the lakes. After lunch, we'll travel back to the coast towards the north of Croatia. Upon reaching OPATIJA, you can have dinner and stroll in this resort town which offers a charming nightlife.

Today, we'll travel to Slovenia. We'll visit POSTOJNA Cave, one of the world's biggest caves which is partially toured by train. After this, we'll travel to BLED, a stunning postcard town on the shore of a lake. We'll take a boat trip around Bled's lake and visit the monastery on the island. We'll continue our trip to Slovenia's Capital, LJUBLJANA. Here we'll take a tour with a local guide and learn about this beautiful Central European city.

Free time in the morning in LJUBLJANA, where we have time to visit the pretty centre of this small capital. In the afternoon we travel on to the Adriatic Sea and cross the border with Italy. VENICE, arrival at the evening and accommodation in the Mestre district.

In the morning, we'll take a boat transfer to the area of St. Mark's in Venice, a city built on more than 100 islands connected by more than 400 bridges. We'll take a walking tour with a local guide around the city of canals. You'll have free time in the afternoon to explore the city. You can also take an optional gondola trip through the canals.

After breakfast, our unforgettable 20-day tour through Europe comes to an end. We hope you've enjoyed this journey as much as we have enjoyed guiding you through these beautiful countries.