Day 1 – Saturday – Bucharest – Arbanassi – Veliko – Sofia (400 km) ROMANIA + BULGARIA

Guided Europe Tours - Morning pick-up at 9 a.m. from your hotel.

Arbanasi - Departing Bucharest in the morning, we head to Bulgaria. After crossing the Danube River bridge, our first stop in Bulgaria is the hidden 16th-century Church of Nativity, adorned with beautiful and richly painted frescoes inside.

Tsarevets - Explore Veliko Tarnovo, the “City of Tsars” and former capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Key attractions include Tsarevets Fortress, the Monument of the Asenevtsi kings, and Samovodska charshia.

Sofia - Arrive in Sofia in the early evening. The city center walking tour includes the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint (Sveta) Sofia Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue, and the main shopping street, Vitosha.

Day 2 – Sunday – Sofia – Rila – Skopje (350 km) BULGARIA + MACEDONIA

Rila Monastery - Visit Bulgaria’s most famous tourist site, the Rila Monastery (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), founded in the 10th century by Saint Ivan Rilsky (St John of Rila), a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. The monastery, one of the largest in the Balkans, has been a center of Bulgarian culture and Orthodox belief for over 1000 years. Our tour includes a visit to the Church, adorned by the foremost 19th-century masters of the Samokov, Bansko, and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving.

Skopje - Continue driving south to the Bulgarian-Macedonian border. Arrive in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, in the early evening. Orientation tour of Skopje before checking into your hotel.

Day 3 – Monday – Skopje – Ohrid (190 km) MACEDONIA

Old Bazaar, Skopje - Enjoy a walking tour of Skopje, internationally famous 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 today), the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, the 1500-year-old fortress Kale, and Macedonia Square with the statue of Alexander The Great on horseback.

Day 4 – Tuesday – Ohrid – Bay of Bones – St Naum – Tirana – Kruja (210 km) MACEDONIA + ALBANIA

Bay of the Bones Museum - After breakfast, depart for the Museum on Water, also known as the Bay of Bones, an exceptional archaeological complex and reconstruction of a pile-dwelling settlement dating back to 1200-700 BC, including a Roman military fortification.

Monastery of Saint Naum - Drive to the stunning monastery of St. Naum, built on a rock offering a great view of Ohrid Lake. Experience a small rowing boat ride to the springs of the Black Drimm river.

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

Kruja Castle - Arrive in Kruja in the evening. The city’s name and importance are attributed to Albania’s national hero, George Castriot Skanderbeg, who made Kruja a fortress of resistance against the Turkish Ottoman empire for over 25 years in the 15th century. Orientation tour of Kruja before checking into your hotel.

Day 5 – Wednesday – Kruja – Budva – Kotor (190 km) ALBANIA + MONTENEGRO

Kruja Castle - Visit Kruja Castle, the headquarters of “the Dragon of Albania.” Enjoy a visit to the Kruja Castle Museum for a short lesson in Albanian history, then explore the local souvenir market in the traditional Old Bazaar.

Budva City Walls - Visit Budva, Montenegro, crossing the Albanian-Montenegro border. Stop to visit the Old Town 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 - Arrive in Kotor in the evening and explore the fortified old town, Stari Grad (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Day 6 – Thursday – Kotor Bay Tour – Dubrovnik (150 km) MONTENEGRO + CROATIA

Bay of Kotor - Kotor Bay Tour includes Perast (with a boat trip to the Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rocks), Tivat, and Porto Montenegro.
!! Please note that the boat trip to the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks is weather-dependent. In case of bad weather (e.g., strong wind, storm), we may only see the Church from the shore for your safety.

Dubrovnik - Continue the tour, crossing the border to Croatia and heading to Dubrovnik, “The Pearl of the Adriatic Sea.”
!! After checking in at Lapad-Dubrovnik, take a 10-minute local bus ride (at your own expense) with the tour manager to reach the old town of Dubrovnik.

Day 7 – Friday – Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik - Enjoy free time to explore the many possibilities offered by local operators, such as a boat trip to the beautiful Elafiti Islands or discovering the natural beauty of the Blue Cave. The tour manager will provide guidance on available tours. Alternatively, you can relax by strolling on the Lapad promenade or lounging on the beach to enjoy the Adriatic Sea.

Day 8 – Saturday – Dubrovnik – Mostar – Split (300 km) CROATIA + BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA

Mostar Old Bridge - After breakfast, head to Bosnia and Herzegovina. After crossing the border, visit the beautiful city of Mostar with its Old Bridge Area and old city, part of UNESCO Heritage.

The Peristyle of Diocletian’s Palace - Next, cross the border back to Croatia and arrive in Split, one of the most important cities on the Adriatic Sea. Visit the 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace and the city’s historical center, also listed as UNESCO heritage.

Day 9 – Sunday – Split - Plitvice Lakes (260 km)

Plitvice Lakes National Park - After breakfast, head to Croatia’s oldest national park, also part of UNESCO heritage. Enjoy a walking tour in nature and discover the amazing colors of the park, ranging from azure to green, grey, or blue depending on the sunlight. Overnight in a 3* hotel in Korenica, close to Plitvice National Park.
!! Please note that the visit to Plitvice Lakes is weather-dependent. In case of bad weather, the National Park administration may decide to close it. We are not responsible in this case but will do our best to make slight changes to the itinerary if the weather improves the next day, respecting all visits included in the itinerary. The tour manager will choose the best solution for the group, keeping your safety in mind.

Day 10 – Monday – Plitvice – Postojna – Ljubljana (290 km) CROATIA + SLOVENIA

Postojna Cave - After breakfast, head to the Slovenian border. Explore the largest show-cave in Europe, the Postojna Cave, with an electric train. This tourist attraction is a must-see due to its natural beauty. Arrive in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, in the late evening.

Ljubljana Old Town - Orientation tour in Ljubljana.

Day 11 – Tuesday – Ljubljana – Zagreb (140 km) SLOVENIA + CROATIA

Ljubljana Old Town - After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour to discover the main tourist attractions of Ljubljana city center: Congress Square, the National University Library, New Square, Cobbler’s Bridge, main square with the Prešeren monument, Franciscan Church, Three Bridges, Old Square, river promenade, Municipality Square, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Open Air Market, Butcher’s Bridge, and Dragon Bridge.

Zagreb - Next, head to the capital of Croatia, Zagreb, to explore this magical city. Discover Zagreb’s Upper Town and Lower Town districts on a walking tour—enjoy fine city views from the Strossmayer Promenade. Discover top attractions including the Lotrščak Tower, St. Catherine’s Church, the Stone Gate, and the seat of the Croatian Parliament. Then, descend via Tkalčićeva Street to the Lower Town and head through Dolac Market to medieval Kaptol. Admire traditional architecture in Ban Jelačić Square.

Day 12 – Wednesday – Zagreb – Belgrade (400 km) CROATIA + SERBIA

Belgrade - After breakfast, head to Serbia. Arrive in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, in the afternoon. Visit Republic Square, the National Theater and 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 13 – 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 the ornamental Palace of the Orthodox Bishop. Also see Dunavska Street with its long line of single-storied 19th-century houses, the Danube embankment, and the outside of Petrovaradin Fortress on the other bank.

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

Day 14 – Friday – Budapest HUNGARY

Budapest - Enjoy 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 15 - Saturday - Budapest - Timisoara (320 km) HUNGARY + ROMANIA

Arad - After crossing the border into Romania, enjoy a walking tour of Arad, where we will see the impressive Neo-Gothic Palace of Culture, City Hall Palace, Red Church built in secessionist style, the great Catholic Cathedral, and the State Theater in neoclassical style.

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 16 - Sunday - Timisoara – The Corvini Castle – Alba Iulia – Sibiu (320 km)

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

Cetatea Alba Iulia - Visit Alba Iulia, an important city historically, as the Great United Romania was established here on December 1st, 1918, immediately after World War I.

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 fascinates with its three squares (Big Square, Small Square, and Huet Square), transporting tourists to a medieval atmosphere. Its towers, 15th-century bastions, beautiful museums, and the famous “houses with the eyes” offer visitors lovely moments. Also in Sibiu, you will see one of the largest gothic evangelical churches in Transylvania.

Day 17 - 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, testifying to the significant Magyar community in Sighisoara’s past. Next to the statue is the beautiful Catholic church, reserved for the Hungarian community, and the tower of the shoemakers. You can have lunch at the house where Vlad the Impaler was born (not included).

Brasov Historical Center - 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 lively cultural city. Visit the First Romanian School, located in the oldest district of the city, inhabited exclusively by Romanians, the Schei district. This area is interesting for its medieval entrances through Catherine’s and Schei Gates, the latter from the 19th century. In Brasov, 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 palaces and houses of the historic center, recently restored, with the Council Square now housing a beautiful museum, and the pedestrian Avenue of the Republic.

Day 18 - 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 is characterized by a unique style, different from the others. Admire the Florentine room, which exudes a typically Italian and Renaissance atmosphere.

Day 19 - Wednesday - Bucharest

Muzeul National al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti” - Visit the Village Museum, founded by a Romanian sociologist and built in 1936 with the collaboration of construction experts, anthropologists, ethnographers, and sociologists from all over Romania. This wonderful open-air museum offers the opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of 19th-century Romanian farmers, their houses, water mills, and wooden churches. Everything here is authentic. Admire a wooden Maramures church, dismantled and then reassembled in the museum. Many wooden churches of Maramures are UNESCO heritage sites.

Palace of Parliament - Visit the Parliament Building, a majestic monument second only in size to the Pentagon, built at the behest of the dictator in the 1980s, for which an entire neighborhood was razed.

Biserica Sfantul Anton - Curtea Veche - Enjoy a walking tour of Bucharest’s historical center, a completely pedestrian area, with the remains of Vlad the Impaler’s princely fortress, the 16th-century palatine church in Byzantine style, and the Stavropoleos church, an 18th-century architectural jewel in typical Wallachian style with significant oriental influences in its external decoration.

• 18 nights in 3/4* hotels
• Expert tour leader and driver
• Daily breakfast
• Dedicated local guide in Romania
• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off included
• Air-conditioned minivan transport

• Entrance fees at museums
• Tips for the tour guide / driver
• Meals other than breakfast

Embark on a curated journey through the Balkans and explore over 15 Unesco World Heritage sites across 9 nations: Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Hungary. Benefit from the intimate setting of a small group tour, contemporary transportation in a cooled minivan, and a proficient driver/tour guide who will make this trip memorable.

• A minimum of 4 participants is required to organise the tour. If the tour it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
•  The order can be changed based on multiple factors like weather, traffic conditions and restrictions, national holidays, ecc but all the visits will be done as indicated in the itinerary, changing just the order keeping in mind that all this is done for your safety or to make more enjoyable your tour.
• !! In case you will need a transfer to the airport or any other extra services please ask the tour manager in advance if it is possible to organize it and let you know also the price.
• !! This tour is a easy walking tour (moderate peace) for persons with a good general fit condition. It requires some small effort like: carrying your own bag on just some steps to get into the hotel (mostly of the hotels have also an elevator), and also some average effort like: walking tours from 2 hours to 4/5 hours (from 1 km to 7 km) depending on the sites visited. To have a better idea: Sofia walking tour: 1,5 hours = 4 km, Skopje Walking Tour: 1,5 hours = 3 km ; Plitvice Lakes: 3 hours = 6 km
•  In case that all the members of the tour have a special request to see something else that it is not in the itinerary and it requests also extra miles the tour manager after a discussion with our sales department will let you know the extra cost or if we can make it complimentary.

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.