Treasures of the Balkans (Classic, 16 Days)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Bucharest
Duration
16 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy
Minimum age
5 years

Description

Embark on an unforgettable 16-day journey through the heart of the Balkans, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes await. This multi-day tour takes you from the vibrant streets of Bucharest to the ancient charm of Sofia, the scenic beauty of Montenegro, and the cultural richness of Sarajevo. Along the way, explore iconic landmarks such as Bran Castle, Peleș Castle, and the Old Town of Kotor. Delight in local cuisines, immerse yourself in diverse cultures, and enjoy the company of fellow travelers as you traverse Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Serbia. With expert guides and comfortable accommodations, this tour promises an enriching and memorable experience across the Balkans.

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Included

15 night accommodation

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6 Dinner (D)

15 Breakfast (B)

3 Dinner with Wine (DW)

Bucharest: Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for your dinner.

Dubrovnik: You will be offered a varied selection of charming restaurants to choose from for your Dine-Around Evening.

Sarajevo: Experience authentic Bosnian coffee and learn about the traditional ritual of coffee preparation.

Belgrade:  Toast the culmination of your travels with dinner.

Bran: Learn about the story of the infamous Count Dracula during a private after-hours visit of Bran Castle, followed by dinner.

Sarajevo: You are invited into a Sarajevan family home for a dinner and drinks. Savour the warm hospitality and authentic cuisine as you hear inspirational stories about their culture. This experience advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 & 11: Reduced Inequalities & Sustainable Cities and Communities.

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Choose between two carefully selected activities

Sarajevo: Take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protectedpark just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.

Sarajevo: Meet an expert of the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope and hear a first-hand account of when the city was under siege for 44 months. Alternatively, take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a picturesque park just beyond the city.

Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.

Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.

We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.

Bucharest: During sightseeing with your Local Expert see University Square and the former Communist Headquarters.

Bucharest: Walk the cavernous halls of the vast Palace of Parliament, learn about the history and listen to amusing tales from your Local Expert.

Sinaia: Witness the opulent and sumptuous decor in Peleș Castle, the fairy-tale Royal summer residence, at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains.

Veliko Tarnovo: Ascend Tsarevets, the King's Hill, crowned by a ruined medieval citadel. Enjoy the views and imagine yourself back in the days of the Crusades when this was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.

Arbanasi: At the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arbanassi, visit a traditional 17th-century merchants' house and enjoy the acoustics in the Church of the Holy Nativity.

Sofia: Sightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to St. Sofia Church, across the square from the golden domed St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archaeological complex, dominated by the church of St. George Rotonda.

Skopje: Visit the capital of Macedonia with your Local Expert, explore Square Macedonia and see the Stone Bridge before walking through the Old Bazaar.

Ohrid: Walk the cobbled, narrow streets of the Old Town.

Tirana: Meet a local resident who will show you Skanderbeg Square and walk you through their home city as they explain what it's like to live in the Albanian capital.

Kotor: Visit the Stari Grad, also referred to as the Old Town, perfectly positioned on a beautiful bay.

Dubrovnik: Explore the Pearl of the Adriatic with your Local Expert. Walk the stone-paved streets of the Old Town to see Onofrio's Fountain, Rector's Palace and the medieval city walls. Admire the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.

Mostar: Learn the history and symbolic significance of Stari Most and explore the old town with your Local Expert.

Belgrade: A Local Expert will show you St. Sava Church, Terazije Street, the national museum, national theatre, Republic Square and the Kalemegdan Fortress.

Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

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From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.

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Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).

If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.

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Destinations

Bran
Sofia - city in BulgariaSofia
Cavtat
The aerial view of Dubrovnik, a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea, Europe.Dubrovnik
Panoramic view of Skopje town with Vodno hill in the background.Skopje
Tirana County - region in AlbaniaTirana
Photo of aerial view of the old bridge and river in city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.Mostar
BelgradeBelgrade
Велико Търново -  in BulgariaVeliko Tarnovo
Kotor -  in MontenegroKotor
Sinaia - town in RomaniaSinaia
Brasov - city in RomaniaBrasov
Antique building view in Old Town Bucharest city - capital of Romania and Dambrovita river. Bucharest, Romania, Europe.Bucharest
Photo of panoramic aerial view of old town of Budva, Montenegro.Budva

Map

Attractions

Photo of Carol I University foundation and Central University Library of Bucharest, Romania.University's Square
Photo of Brasov, Romania, Medieval Council House in the Main Square of the Old Town.The Council Square
St. Mark Orthodox Church, МЗ Ташмајдан, Palilula, Palilula Urban Municipality, City of Belgrade, Central Serbia, SerbiaSt Mark Orthodox Church
Photo of beautiful aerial view of Dubrovnik Dominikanski Samostan (Dominican Monastery, 1225) and the orange-tiled roofs of Old Town. Dubrovnik, Croatia.Dominican Monastery
Photo of Peles Castle in Sinaia, Romania.Peleș Castle
Photo of Bascarsija square with Sebilj wooden fountain in Old Town Sarajevo, capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina.Baščaršija
Kretzulescu Church, Sector 1, Bucharest, RomaniaKretzulescu Palace
National Park of Drilon, Buçimas, Bashkia Pogradec, Korçë County, Southern Albania, AlbaniaNational Park of Drilon
Photo of the architecture of the Rector's Palace is a mix of late Gothic and early Renaissance styles and due to an unfortunate series of events.The Palace was built in the 15th Century in Dubrovnik, Croatia.Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik
Photo of aerial view of the medieval Castle of Bran, known for the myth of Dracula, Romania.Bran Castle
St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Photo of Skanderbeg square with flag, Skanderbeg monument and The Et'hem Bey Mosque in the center of Tirana city, Albania.Skanderbeg Square
Photo of Brasov cityscape with black cathedral and mountain on backround in Romania .Black Church
Photo of aerial view of the main street (Stradun or Placa), the Franciscan Monastery, St. Saviour Church in Dubrovnik, Croatia.Franciscan Church and Monastery
KalemegdanKalemegdan
Photo of large Onofrio Fountain on the Square at Stradun Street in the Old city of Dubrovnik, Croatia.Onofrio's Large Fountain
St George Rotunda Church
National Museum, Београд (Стари град), Stari Grad Urban Municipality, City of Belgrade, Central Serbia, SerbiaNational Museum
Belgrade FortressBelgrade Fortress
Muzej Stari most, Naselje Mostar, City of Mostar, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and HerzegovinaMuzej Stari most
Photo of bridge and tunnel in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.Tunnel of Hope

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Bucharest

  • Bucharest - Arrival day
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Begin your Balkan adventure in the vibrant city of Bucharest. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, setting the stage for the exciting journey ahead.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Discover Bucharest and Bran Castle

  • Brasov
  • Bran
  • Sinaia
  • Bucharest
  • More
  • University's Square
  • Parcul de Aventură Comana
  • Bran Castle
  • More

Explore Bucharest with a Local Expert, visiting University Square and the grand Parliament Palace. In the evening, enjoy a private dinner at Queen Mary’s Tea House, followed by an exclusive visit to the legendary Bran Castle, where tales of Dracula come to life.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Sinaia and Brașov

  • Sinaia
  • Bucharest
  • Brasov
  • More
  • The Council Square
  • Peleș Castle
  • Black Church
  • More

Travel through the picturesque Prahova Valley to Sinaia, where you'll visit the opulent Peleș Castle. Continue to Brașov, a medieval city rich in history, and explore Town Hall Square and the iconic Black Church with your Local Expert.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Journey to Veliko Tarnovo

  • Veliko Tarnovo
  • Brasov
  • More

Cross the Danube into Bulgaria and arrive in Veliko Tarnovo, known as the City of the Tsars. Admire the stunning views of the River Yantra and enjoy a relaxing evening with dinner at your hotel.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Explore Veliko Tarnovo and Sofia

  • Sofia
  • Veliko Tarnovo
  • More
  • Tsarevets Fortress
  • Church Uspenie Bogorodichno
  • Boyana Church
  • St Mina Monastery
  • Park Kale
  • More

Begin your day with a visit to the historic Tsarevets Fortress, offering panoramic views of Veliko Tarnovo. Continue to the charming village of Arbanasi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore its frescoed churches and traditional architecture. Travel to Sofia, Bulgaria's capital, and discover its rich history with visits to St. Sofia Church, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and St. George Rotonda.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Leisure Day in Sofia

  • Sofia
  • More
  • Rila Monastery
  • More

Enjoy a day at your own pace in Sofia. Consider a visit to the renowned Rila Monastery, the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, to delve into its fascinating history and architecture.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Discover Skopje

  • Skopje
  • Sofia
  • More
  • Old Bazaar
  • More

Cross into North Macedonia and arrive in Skopje, a city where modernity meets tradition. Explore the vibrant Old Bazaar with a Local Expert, experiencing the rich Turkish influences that permeate the city.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: From Lake Ohrid to Tirana

  • Skopje
  • Tirana
  • More
  • Plaoshnik
  • More

Enjoy a scenic stop at Lake Ohrid before crossing into Albania. Arrive in Tirana, where you'll explore the bustling Skanderbeg Square with a Local Expert, gaining insight into the vibrant culture and history of the Albanian capital.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Explore Budva

  • Dubrovnik
  • Tirana
  • Budva
  • More

Travel to Montenegro and arrive in Budva, often referred to as 'Montenegro's Miami.' Enjoy an orientation tour with your Travel Director, then spend the afternoon exploring the charming Stari Grad, with its 15th-century ramparts and quaint squares.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Discover Kotor

  • Tirana
  • Dubrovnik
  • Kotor
  • Budva
  • More
  • Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik
  • Onofrio's Large Fountain
  • More

Journey through Montenegro's breathtaking landscapes to the Old Town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nestled beside a stunning bay, Kotor offers a blend of natural beauty and historical charm. In the evening, enjoy a Dine-Around experience with a selection of fine restaurants.

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Day 11

Day 11 – Day 11: Explore Dubrovnik

  • Dubrovnik
  • Cavtat
  • Kotor
  • More
  • Dominican Monastery
  • Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik
  • Franciscan Church and Monastery
  • Onofrio's Large Fountain
  • More

Join a Local Expert in Dubrovnik to explore the city's historic streets, including Onofrio's Fountain, the Rector's Palace, and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. Spend the afternoon at leisure, perhaps visiting the picturesque town of Cavtat along the Adriatic coast.

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Day 12

Day 12 – Day 12: From Mostar to Sarajevo

  • Mostar
  • Dubrovnik
  • More
  • Most Musala
  • Old Bridge Mostar
  • More

Travel to Mostar and witness the iconic Stari Most bridge. Explore the cobbled streets of the Old Town before continuing to Sarajevo. Experience the warmth of Bosnian hospitality with a home-cooked dinner in a local family's home.

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Day 13

Day 13 – Day 13: Insight into Sarajevo

Day 13: Insight into Sarajevo

  • Ilidža Thermal Riviera
  • Tunnel of Hope
  • More

Choose between a visit to the Tunnel of Hope, a poignant reminder of Sarajevo's past, or a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River. Spend the afternoon exploring Sarajevo at your leisure.

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Day 14

Day 14 – Day 14: Scenic Drive to Belgrade

  • Belgrade
  • More

Trace the route along the Drina River, enjoying the lush landscapes and forested canyons as you journey to Belgrade. Experience the natural beauty of the region as you wind through deep valleys.

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Day 15

Day 15 – Day 15: Explore Belgrade

  • Belgrade
  • More
  • St Mark Orthodox Church
  • Park of Republika Srpska
  • Kalemegdan
  • Belgrade Fortress
  • More

Discover the highlights of Belgrade with a Local Expert, including Terazije Street, Republic Square, and the impressive St. Sava Church. Conclude your tour at the historic Kalemegdan Fortress before enjoying a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

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Day 16

Day 16 – Day 16: Departure from Belgrade

  • Belgrade - Departure day
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As your Balkan journey concludes, bid farewell to your new friends and reflect on the unforgettable experiences and memories created during this remarkable tour.

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