Itinerary
- Day 1
Timisoara
You'll cross into Romania and arrive in Timisoara, a city with layered history from Turkish, Serbian, Austrian and German architecture. As the European Capital of Culture in 2023, there's plenty to walk around and take in on foot. Get settled at your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Timisoara city center
Landmarks/POIs Timisoara - Day 2
Timisoara to Sibiu
Start the day at Corvin Castle, a Gothic fortress in Eastern Europe. From there, head to Sibiu, which held the European Capital of Culture title in 2007. You'll check out the medieval Clock Tower, the Brukenthal Museum, and several squares including Huet Square and its Evangelical Cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Corvin Castle
- Walking tour of Sibiu city center including Clock Tower, Brukenthal Museum, and squares
Landmarks/POIs Corvin Castle Brukenthal Museum Clock Tower (Council Tower) Evangelical Cathedral - Day 3
Sibiu to Brasov
Head to Sighisoara to see the Clock Tower and explore one of Europe's best-kept citadels that still has people living in it. The old center is a UNESCO World Heritage site where you can find the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler. Later, continue to Brasov, a Transylvanian town with German architecture mixing Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance styles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Sighisoara citadel including Clock Tower and Vlad the Impaler's birthplace
- Walking tour of Brasov
Landmarks/POIs Sighisoara Citadel Clock Tower of Sighisoara Vlad the Impaler's Birthplace Brasov - Day 4
Brasov to Bucharest
Visit Bran Castle, known for its Dracula connection, a medieval fortress that became a royal residence under Queen Maria. Then head to Sinaia to see Peles Castle, the summer home of King Charles I, featuring various decorated rooms including the Florentine room. By evening, take a panoramic tour of Bucharest covering the Triumph Arch, Atheneum, and Revolution Square.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Bran Castle
- Visit Peles Castle
- Panoramic tour of Bucharest
Landmarks/POIs Bran Castle Peles Castle Triumph Arch Atheneum Revolution Square - Day 5
Bucharest to Lovech
Leave Bucharest and travel to Bulgaria, crossing the Danube River. You'll visit Devetashka Cave, a karst formation with natural light and green vegetation on its floor. After that, see Krushyna Falls, Bulgaria's largest travertine cascade, with its multiple levels of mineral pools cascading over limestone.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Devetashka Cave
- Visit Krushyna Falls
Landmarks/POIs Devetashka Cave Krushyna Falls - Day 6
Lovech to Sofia
Stop in Lovech to see the Covered Bridge over the Osam River, a key landmark dividing the town. Travel to Sofia for an evening walk through the city center, passing the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, the Sofia Synagogue, and the main shopping street Vitosha.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Covered Bridge in Lovech
- Walking tour of Sofia city center including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia Synagogue, and Vitosha street
Landmarks/POIs Covered Bridge of Lovech Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Saint Sofia Church Banya Bashi Mosque Sofia Synagogue Vitosha Street - Day 7
Sofia to Skopje
Head to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most famous site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded in the 10th century. The Church has 19th-century painting and woodcarving. Afterward, drive south toward the Bulgarian-Macedonian border and arrive in Skopje for an orientation tour of Macedonia's capital before settling in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery and Church
- Orientation tour of Skopje
Landmarks/POIs Rila Monastery - Day 8
Skopje to Ohrid
Take a walking tour of Skopje, birthplace of Mother Teresa, wandering through the Vardar River quay and Old Bazaar streets. You'll also see the Mother Teresa Memorial House, the 1500-year-old Kale Fortress, and Macedonia Square. Later, continue to Ohrid, a UNESCO site on Europe's oldest lake, to explore the old city with its ancient theater, churches, Tsar Samuil's Fortress and shopping streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Skopje including Vardar River quay, Old Bazaar, Mother Teresa Memorial House, Kale Fortress, and Macedonia Square
- Walking tour of Ohrid old city center including Ancient Theater, churches, monasteries, and Tsar Samuil's Fortress
Landmarks/POIs Vardar River Old Bazaar of Skopje Mother Teresa Memorial House Kale Fortress Macedonia Square Ohrid Old City Ancient Theater of Ohrid Sveti Sofia Church Tsar Samuil's Fortress - Day 9
Ohrid to Shkoder
Leave Ohrid and head toward the Macedonian-Albanian border, arriving in Tirana. Take a walking tour covering Skanderbeg Square, the National History Museum, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, and Skanderbeg's statue. In the evening, continue to Shkoder, one of Albania's most authentic cities.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Tirana city center including Skanderbeg Square, National History Museum, Et'hem Bey Mosque, and Skanderbeg's statue
Landmarks/POIs Skanderbeg Square National History Museum Et'hem Bey Mosque - Day 10
Shkoder to Trebinje
Cross into Montenegro and arrive in Kotor, where you'll explore Stari Grad, the fortified old town and UNESCO World Heritage Site with medieval architecture. Continue to Trebinje in Bosnia and Herzegovina for your overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Kotor Stari Grad (Old Town)
Landmarks/POIs Kotor Stari Grad - Day 11
Mostar to Sarajevo
Start the day with breakfast, then travel to Mostar where you'll walk through the old town and see the Old Bridge. Your guide will explain what happened during the 1993 Siege and tell you about the local tradition of bridge diving from the structure. After that, you're heading to Sarajevo by driving through some nice scenery along Jablanica Lake and the Neretva River canyon. Once you arrive, join a 2.5-hour walking tour that covers the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian sections of the city, stops at the Latin Bridge where WWI history happened, and goes over the 1984 Winter Olympics and the Siege that affected Sarajevo. Finish the evening by settling into your 4-star hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Mostar old town and Old Bridge
- Walking tour of Sarajevo old town and city centre (2.5 hours) covering Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian quarters, Latin Bridge, and WWI history
Optional Activities
- Bridge diving at Mostar (earn euros by diving off the bridge)
Landmarks/POIs Stari Most (Old Bridge of Mostar) Mostar Old Town Jablanica Lake Neretva River Canyon Sarajevo Old Town Latin Bridge - Day 12
Trebinje to Sarajevo
Head to Mostar to focus on the old town and the iconic Old Bridge built in 1566 and reconstructed after the 1993 siege. During your walking tour, learn about the diving traditions there. Take a scenic route through Jablanica Lake and the Neretva River canyon to reach Sarajevo. Spend 2.5 hours walking through the old city, learning about medieval origins, Ottoman influences, markets and religious sites, including the Latin Bridge and information about the 1984 Winter Olympics.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Mostar old town and Old Bridge
- Walking tour of Sarajevo city center and old town
Landmarks/POIs Mostar Old Bridge Jablanica Lake Neretva River Latin Bridge - Day 13
Budapest
You have free time to explore Budapest at your own pace. Head to Heroes' Square and Andrássy Avenue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit St. Stephen's Basilica, the Dohány Street Synagogue, and wander through the Castle District in Buda. This is your final day, and no overnight stay is provided.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Heroes' Square
- Explore Andrássy Avenue
- Visit St. Stephen's Basilica
- Visit Dohány Street Synagogue
- Explore Castle District in Buda
Landmarks/POIs Heroes' Square Andrássy Avenue St. Stephen's Basilica Dohány Street Synagogue Castle District - Day 14
Belgrade to Budapest
Leave Belgrade for Budapest with a stop in Novi Sad, the European Capital of Culture in 2021. You'll see Zmaj Jovina Street, the main promenade, and the Palace of the Orthodox Bishop. Walk along 19th-century houses on Dunavska Street and check out Petrovaradin Fortress from the Danube embankment. Then continue to Budapest.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Zmaj Jovina Street and promenade in Novi Sad
- Visit Palace of the Orthodox Bishop
- View Petrovaradin Fortress from Danube embankment
Landmarks/POIs Zmaj Jovina Street Palace of the Orthodox Bishop Petrovaradin Fortress
