Let's go on an adventure! Four countries in 10 days? Or six countries in 14 days?! This will be a fast paced exploration of the Balkans, a region rich in history and on many "hidden gem" travel lists. From medieval towns to seaside spots we'll see everything from Roman ruins to Game of Thrones filming sites!

And if you'd like to see even more, we're offering a 4-day extension to explore Albania and Northern Macedonia!

Welcome to Belgrade, Serbia! Tonight we’ll gather in Skadarlija, the old Bohemian quarter, for a welcome dinner.

After breakfast, we’ll start with our Belgrade sightseeing tour. Today we will show you

almost all the most important sights in the city. We’ll start at the daunting Belgrade Fortress, dramatically perched above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. We’ll check the Victor Monument, Monument of Gratitude to France, Zindan Gate, The Chapel of Saint Petka, Clock Gate, and The Clock Tower.

Once we finish with the fortress, we will start our panoramic ride through New Belgrade – Belgrade’s largest municipality, with impressive modern architecture. Here, we will see some remarkable buildings such as the Ex-Central Committee of the Communist Party, Federal Executive Council, also known as the Palace of Federation, Genex Tower or Western Gate of Belgrade, Sava Center, Belgrade Arena, and many more.

After New Belgrade, we’ll reach Zemun, the northern area of Belgrade, which is characteristic of its Central European appearance, charming quarters, cobblestone streets, and fish restaurants on the Danube River banks. Its curvy cobblestone streets and small houses will give you the impression that Zemun is a melting pot of Mediterranean and Middle European cultures.

After Zemun, we’ll drive through Dedinje, Belgrade’s most luxurious residential area, before we reach the imposing Saint Sava Temple, one of the world’s largest Orthodox churches.

After the sightseeing tour, you'll have the afternoon to yourself. Maybe check out Nikola Tesla’s Museum or the National Museum?

This morning we depart for Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina and

one of the most historically rich cities in Europe. But our first stop en route will be a town called Višegrad, where we will see the famous Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, a UNESCO site and the most beautiful example of Ottoman architecture in the Balkans. Also, we’ll have a lunch stop in Stone Town, another interesting project made by Emir Kusturica. Then it's onto Sarajevo!

After check-in, enjoy a tour of Sarajevo, a beautiful city with a complicated history. Arrive at the picturesque Turkish Bazaar (Bascarsija), an old trading place with artisan workshops. View many examples of splendid Ottoman architecture around the city center. The city is truly a "living history museum" where mosques built by the Ottomans sit alongside buildings created by the Austro- Hungarians. We'll see the Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque, the most prominent Islamic structure in the

country, one of the world's finest examples of Ottoman architecture. We'll drive past the now- neglected stadium from the 1984 Winter Olympic Games and the Gavrilo Princip Museum. On our walk, look for the poignant Sarajevo Roses, flower-shaped memorials in the pavement filled with red cement, one of the few reminders left of the war.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Sarajevo (you're welcome to follow the Emilies who will absolutely be heading to the site of Franz Ferdinand's assassination.)

After breakfast, we depart for Mostar, a medieval town in northern Herzegovina. View the compelling reconstructed Old Bridge, a staunch symbol of freedom on the Neretva River and a UNESCO-protected landmark. We will proceed to Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, the Crooked Bridge, and the old tanner’s Quarter Tabhana. Enjoy free time in Mostar for lunch on the banks of the Neretva River, with an amazing view of the bridge that rises above you.

Our trip continues to Blagaj, an old town from the 15th century. Blagaj was the crib of Islam of today’s Bosnia and Herzegovina when dervish Sari Satluk built a khanqah at the Riverhead of Buna. During the short tour, enjoy the view of the monastery in a fairy-tale environment, beneath the cliffs, on the shores of the emerald-green river Buna.

We’ll have a lunch break, and after approximately two hours of driving, we’ll arrive at the UNESCO-protected seaside town of Split, Croatia’s second-largest city. After checking in to our hotel, the rest of the day is yours. Perhaps enjoy a coffee or a dinner in one of the numerous restaurants by the sea.

Today we’ll take a walking tour of the Old Town’s cobbled streets, featuring the historic inner city with its dominant Roman influence, built around the 4th-century Palace of Diocletian. This spectacular palace, a precious example of Roman architecture, is one of the largest and best- preserved in the world. We’ll see the remains of the Cathedral of St. Domnius, built in the Middle Ages, and the Temple of Jupiter with its headless black sphinx guarding the entrance.

We will continue to the small town of Trogir - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through its beautifully preserved old town, a maze of stone streets, Romanesque and Renaissance architecture, and lively squares.

The tour continues inland to Stella Croatica, an award-winning family estate dedicated to preserving Dalmatian traditions. Enjoy a guided presentation and a tasting of handmade sweets, olive oils, and local delicacies—all produced using traditional recipes.

You'll have the evening free after we get back to Split.

Today we head to Dubrovnik. After roughly 3 hours of driving along the Croatian

coast and admiring incredible views, we’ll arrive at the spectacular walled city of Dubrovnik, affectionately known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”

We'll start with the “Old Dubrovnik on foot” tour. The magnificent Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, and palaces. The tour highlights sites like Rector’s Palace, an outstanding blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Also, the monumental Sponza Palace, one of the city’s most beautiful, is preserved in its original form. Under the City Bell Tower on Luza Square, view Orlando’s Tower, dedicated to the legendary knight who saved the city in the 9th century.

After the tour, spend the afternoon exploring on your own. Consider strolling along the impressive ramparts overlooking the shimmering Adriatic Sea or visiting the Maritime Museum in St. John’s Castle. Or consider visiting the parts of Dubrovnik

where Game of Thrones was filmed, exploring Lokrum Island and the city walls, or taking the Dubrovnik cable car.

In the evening, we will come back together for a group dinner.

Today you have the option to relax for the day in Dubrovnik (maybe a beach day?) or you can add one more country to your list by checking out Kotor and Perast, Montenegro.

Our first stop will be the charming coastal town of Perast, one of the most beautiful towns on the Adriatic Sea, with only 300 residents. We will take a walk along the Perast promenade and admire the beautiful baroque palaces of noble families.

Following, we will take a short boat ride to the 15th century “Our Lady of the Rocks” Church perched on an islet in the bay. Once there, we will visit the Roman Catholic Church with an interesting interior.

Next stop: Kotor, where we will have a guided walking tour. This old Mediterranean town, surrounded by formidable city walls, was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Its medieval architecture and other cultural monuments are why UNESCO included the city on the list of “World Natural and Historical Heritage Sites.” We’ll check out the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, Maritime Museum, numerous Palaces, and Old Square and get to feel the atmosphere of this unique medieval town.

At the end of the day, we'll head back to meet up with the rest of the group in Dubrovnik.

For those just doing the main tour, today you’ll fly back for one more night in Belgrade before catching your flight home on June 30. If you’re continuing on with the extension, we’ll head to Montenegro!

Our first stop will be the charming coastal town of Perast, one of the most beautiful towns on the Adriatic Sea, with only 300 residents. We will take a walk along the Perast promenade and admire the beautiful baroque palaces of noble families.

Following, we will take a short boat ride to the 15th century “Our Lady of the Rocks” Church perched on an islet in the bay. Once there, we will visit the Roman Catholic Church with an interesting interior.

Next stop: Kotor, where we will have a guided walking tour. This old Mediterranean town, surrounded by formidable city walls, was built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Its medieval architecture and other cultural monuments are why UNESCO included the city on the list of “World Natural and Historical Heritage Sites.” We’ll check out the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, Maritime Museum, numerous Palaces, and Old Square and get to feel the atmosphere of this unique medieval town.

We’ll end the day in Budva – the tourist capital of Montenegro. The evening would be well spent walking by the sea or explore Budva’s Old Town.

Those just doing the main tour will fly home from Belgrade today.

For the extension, we'll drive 1.5 hours to one of the perhaps most mysterious and yet-to-be-discovered countries of The Balkans – Albania. The country’s geographical position, political history, and unique language made Albania one of Europe’s least visited countries, which has rapidly changed in the past 10 years.

Our first stop in Albania will be the charming town of Shkoder. Even before we enter the Old Town, we'll be impressed by the mighty former Venetian fortress - Rozafa, the largest one in Albania. We'll check Shkoder's main sights, including Shkodra Cathedral and Ebu Bekr Mosque.

After a short refreshment, we'll continue towards the capital of Albania. You'll be surprised by how vibrant and lively Tirana is, with wide boulevards, numerous coffee

shops, taverns and restaurants, and a non-stop motion and energy. The hospitality of locals will remain in your heart for a long time. During our tour, we'll see the

Mosque of Et'hem Bey, built between 1798 and 1812, and the 35 m high Kulla e Sahatit or the Watch Tower, created in 1822. Moreover, you can visit the famous Mosaic uncovered on the floor of an old Roman lodge. Its center configures the walls of the castle of the Roman emperor Justinian (A.D. 520). The monumental Tomb of Kaplan Pasha and the Ura e Tabakëve (a bridge constructed at the beginning of the 19th century, located on Jeanne d'Arc Boulevard) are other interesting places to visit.

On our way to Northern Macedonia, we'll stop at Elbasan, the third-largest city in the country, right in the middle of Albania. We'll check out the Castle of Elbasan, the

King's Mosque, St Mary Orthodox Church, and the Clock Tower.

After a short refreshment, we'll continue towards North Macedonia and Ohrid. Nicknamed "The Jerusalem of the Balkans," Ohrid was once the center of Slavic culture and religion. The natural and cultural heritage of the Ohrid region is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. We will walk the Old Town’s cobbled streets and feel this unique place’s atmosphere and scale the hilltop Church of St John at Kaneo to get the most incredible view over the lake, mountains, and Galicica National Park. We’ll check out sights such as the Church of St. Sophia, the Roman amphitheater, and the Samuel Fortress.

After the walking tour, spend the evening on your own. Walk around the lake and the Old Town, or maybe go on a boat tour.

On our way to Skopje, we’ll stop at Matka Canyon. This hidden gem of nature is probably one of the most beautiful places to visit in North Macedonia. Here, we will have a one-hour boat ride and a chance to admire the stunning beauty of the scenery, with the high mountains rolling steeply to the deep gorge filled with green

water.

After a short drive, we will arrive in Skopje where we will start with our Skopje walking tour. Skopje, a city with 2,000 of history, the capital of Northern Macedonia, is the melting pot of many nations and cultures in the heart of the Balkans. This very inspiring destination attracts tourists with a fortress, cultural and historical monuments, archaeological sites, sports halls, caves of the canyon of Treska river, and Lake Matka, a health spa located in the eastern part Macedonian capital. Narrow Streets of Old Bazaar, the biggest market in the Balkans, 1500 years old fortress Kale, monastery St. Pantaleon with the fresco" Lamentation of Christ", Islamic monuments Sultan Murat's- Hjunkar Mosque, the Daut Pasha's bath, the cozy quay of the Vardar river are one of the most beautiful parts of this international city, the birthplace of Mother Teresa.

The rest of the afternoon will be yours!

Today we'll cross the border back into Serbia and visit its third-largest city and the birthplace of the famous Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, the city of Nis. First, we will visit the Niš Fortress, lying on the bank of the Nišava River. It took its final form in 1723, when the Turks built it, as their reign in this area was coming to an end. We will continue our sightseeing of the most important sights in the city, including the Banovina Building, Niš Liberators Monument at King Milan Square, The Monument of well-known Serbian writer Stevan Sremac, Mediana Archeological Site, and the infamous Skull Tower – the monument unique in the world, erected by the Turks as an example to others of the folly of opposition to their rule.

We will conclude our sightseeing with a visit to the Red Cross Nazi Concentration Camp, today a museum. The German Gestapo operated the camp and held captured Jews, Serbians, and Romas during the Second World War. We’ll enjoy some of the food that Niš is famous for before we continue our trip to Belgrade.

All good things come to an end! Today you'll begin your trip home (or onto your next adventure) from Belgrade!