TREASURES OF THE BALKANS (CLASSIC GROUP)
Description
Itinerary
Price
Hotel
Remarks
Description
Overview
Explore the former Communist headquarters of Romania in Bucharest, see Bulgaria’s Roman ruins in Sofia and marvel at Bosnia’s Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo. After exploring the medieval city of Brașov, take the mountain roads to the Transylvanian border and join a private visit of Bran Castle after hours – better known as Dracula’s haunted abode in Bram Stoker’s infamous novel, followed by private dinner. Delve into the myths and legends before adventuring onwards to Mostar, where a Local Expert guides you through the city’s iconic sights ahead of a Sarajevo Dine at Home experience. Sit down with a Sarajevan family for a feast of local delicacies, traditional Bosnian coffee and tales of local life before your adventure ends in Belgrade.
Included/Excluded
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Bucharest (Dinner with Wine)
- Welcome to Bucharest! Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for your Welcome Dinner, served with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Bucharest and Castles of Transylvania (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Join a Local Expert for sightseeing to view University Square and the former communist headquarters.
- Visit the immense Parliament Palace, one of the most impressive buildings in the world.
- Enjoy a delicious private dinner in the recently renovated Queen Mary’s Tea House.
- This evening after the crowds have left enjoy a private visit to the iconic Bran Castle, said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
- Learn about Queen Maria of Romania, the last inhabitant of the castle, visit the torture rooms and relive the tales of the infamous Count Dracula.
Day 3: Brasov and Sinaia (Breakfast)
- Travel along the Prahova Valley to the elegant mountain resort of Sinaia to visit Peleș Castle.
- Admire the lavish rooms filled with art, armour and tapestries.
- Return through the Carpathian Mountains to the charming medieval city of Brașov, founded in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights.
- With your Local Expert, walk around Town Hall Square, lined with beautiful red-roofed houses and dominated by the Black Church.
Day 4: Veliko Tarnovo (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Cross the Danube into Bulgaria and continue to Veliko Tarnovo, the City of the Tsars, where houses cling to the cliffs of the River Yantra, making it one of the country’s most beautiful towns.
- In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Day 5: To Sofia (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Meet your Local Expert to climb up to the ruined Tsarevets Fortress, a reminder of the town’s former imperial status.
- Enjoy the stunning views over the old Bulgarian capital and the Yantra Valley.
- Arbanasi is one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful villages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The frescoed churches and fortified dwellings offer a unique insight into the former wealth and spiritual commitment of the settlement.
- Visit a traditional 17th century merchant’s house and the Church of the Holy Nativity.
- Cross the Balkan Mountains to Bulgaria’s modern day capital of Sofia.
- On arrival, sightseeing with a 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.
Day 6: Sofia at Your Pace (Breakfast)
- Enjoy the day at your leisure.
- Perhaps visit the Rila Monastery to enjoy a fascinating insight into the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria?
Day 7: Skopje
- Cross the border and continue to the North Macedonian capital of Skopje, an ultra-modern city juxtaposed by an ancient bazaar, where Turkish influences can still be seen and felt.
- Enjoy sightseeing with a Local Expert.
Day 8: Lake Ohrid and Tirana (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Making your way to the border, stop by the scenic Lake Ohrid for lunch.
- Cross into Albania and journey to Tirana, renowned for its friendly locals.
- Continue to the landmark Skanderbeg Square for an insider’s look at the Albanian capital with a Local Expert.
Day 9: Kotor and Dubrovnik (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Journey through the spectacular scenery of Montenegro to the Old Town of Kotor, known as Stari Grad.
- Located beside a beautiful bay near the limestone cliffs of Mt. Lovćen, its no surprise it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- At night, you may choose from a fine selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
Day 10: Dubrovnik Sightseeing (Breakfast)
- Join a Local Expert for a morning of exploring the stone-paved streets within the 16th century bastions.
- See Onofrio’s Fountain and the Rector’s Palace, the city walls and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.
- Visit the workshop of Deša during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.
- This important educational centre supports vulnerable communities and promotes local cultural heritage.
- The rest of the day is free for you to immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings.
- Perhaps enjoy an Optional Experience to a stunning town on the Adriatic coast, Cavtat, where you can wander along the pine-forest paths beside the crystal-clear sea.
Day 11: Dubrovnik, Paradise on Earth (Breakfast)
- Spend a day at leisure in the Pearl of the Adriatic.
- Sunbathe by the pool or stroll with friends along the ancient city walls.
- Perhaps join an Optional Experience to learn about olive oil traditions at an ancient mill, followed by a delightful home-cooked meal.
Day 12: Mostar and Sarajevo (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Journey to Mostar. With your Local Expert, see the famous Stari Most, the Old Bridge, reconstructed after being almost completely destroyed during the war.
- Explore the cobbled streets of the Old Town, stretching on both sides of the bridge and filled with shops selling traditional handicrafts.
- Continue your travels following the scenic route to Sarajevo for a unique and rewarding insight into the local way of life as you are invited into a Sarajevan family home for a dinner with drinks.
- Savour the authentic cuisine as you hear inspirational stories.
Day 13: Sarajevo, City of Culture (Breakfast)
- Explore Sarajevo with Insight Choice.
- Choose to meet an expert on the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo’s astonishing Tunnel of Hope.
- Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience for a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protected park just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide.
- The rest of the afternoon is for you to explore as you wish.
Day 14: The Serbian Capital of Belgrade (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Trace your way along the Drina River, that lies on the border of Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
- Take in beautiful landscapes of lush, green mountains that create magical forest canyons, winding your way through deep valleys as you make your way to Belgrade.
Day 15: The Best of Belgrade (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- Join a Local Expert to see the best of Belgrade including Terazije Street, the national museum and national theatre in Republic Square, as well as a visit to the famous St. Sava Church.
- Finish your sightseeing at the Kalemegdan Fortress, situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers
- Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before joining your fellow travellers for a Celebration Farewell Dinner this evening.
Day 16: Farewell Belgrade (Breakfast)
- Our journey through the Balkans has come to an end.
- All that’s left is to say a fond doviđenja as you bid your new friends farewell.
Price
PRICE FROM RM19,964 SUBJECT TO DATE AND AVAILABILITY.
Hotel
- Day 1: Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest
- Day 2 – Day 3: Aro Palace
- Day 4: Yantra Hotel
- Day 5 – Day 6: Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia
- Day 7: Bushi Resort & Spa
- Day 8: MAK Albania Hotel Tirana
- Day 9 – Day 11: Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik
- Day 12 – Day 13: Swissotel Sarajevo
- Day 14 – Day 15: Radisson Collection Hotel, Old Mill Belgrade
Remarks
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