Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest to Lovech
You'll leave Bucharest early and head toward Bulgaria, crossing the Danube River to reach Devetashka Cave. The cave itself is well-lit and surrounded by greenery, which makes for a nice walk through the interior. From there, you'll continue on to Krushyna Falls, Bulgaria's largest travertine cascade with natural pools and terraced areas perfect for photos. The drive takes you through scenic landscape, and you'll end your day in Lovech for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Devetashka Cave
- Visit Krushyna Falls
Landmarks/POIs Devetashka Cave Krushyna Falls - Day 2
Lovech to Sofia
Start in Lovech by checking out the Covered Bridge over the Osam River, which is pretty distinctive architecturally since it connects the two sides of town. Later in the afternoon you'll travel to Sofia and begin a walking tour through the city center. You'll pass the gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, and the Sofia Synagogue. Before heading to your hotel, there's time to walk along Vitosha, the main shopping street. You'll stay overnight in Sofia.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Covered Bridge over the Osam River
- Walking tour of Sofia city center including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Church, Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia Synagogue, and Vitosha shopping street
Landmarks/POIs Covered Bridge over the Osam River Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Saint Sofia Church Banya Bashi Mosque Sofia Synagogue Vitosha Street - Day 3
Sofia to Skopje
After breakfast, you'll drive south to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most famous site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site established back in the 10th century. Inside the Church, you'll see artistic work from the 19th-century Samokov, Bansko, and Debar schools of painting and woodcarving. The monastery itself is worth spending time walking around. Later you'll head toward the Bulgarian-Macedonian border and arrive in Skopje by early evening, followed by an orientation tour before settling into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery and Church
- Orientation tour of Skopje
Landmarks/POIs Rila Monastery - Day 4
Skopje to Ohrid
Following breakfast, you'll walk through Skopje's important sites including the Vardar River quay and the Old Bazaar, which is the largest preserved bazaar in the Balkans. You'll also see Mother Teresa Memorial House and the 1500-year-old Kale Fortress, plus Macedonia Square with the Alexander the Great statue. Later, you'll travel to Ohrid on Macedonia's border with Albania. This UNESCO World Heritage Site sits on Europe's oldest lake, and you'll explore the old city's narrow streets, the Ancient Theater, historic churches like Sveti Sofia, Tsar Samuil's Fortress, and the pedestrian shopping area.
- 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 narrow streets, Ancient Theater, Sveti Sofia Church, Tsar Samuil's Fortress, and shopping street
Landmarks/POIs Vardar River Old Bazaar, Skopje Mother Teresa Memorial House Kale Fortress Macedonia Square Lake Ohrid Ancient Theater, Ohrid Sveti Sofia Church Tsar Samuil's Fortress - Day 5
Ohrid to Shkoder
You'll cross into Albania at the Macedonian-Albanian border heading toward Tirana. Once there, a walking tour takes you through the city center to see Skanderbeg Square, the National History Museum, Et'hem Bey Mosque, and Skanderbeg's statue. Then you'll travel to Shkoder in the evening, one of Albania's most authentic cities. This is where you'll spend the night, and Shkoder has a real local feel compared to larger tourist centers.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Tirana city center including Skanderbeg Square, National History Museum, Et'hem Bey Mosque, and Skanderbeg statue
Landmarks/POIs Skanderbeg Square National History Museum Et'hem Bey Mosque - Day 6
Shkoder to Trebinje
You'll head out early and cross the Albanian-Montenegro border to reach Kotor. There you'll explore Stari Grad, the fortified old town that's a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow streets and historic buildings. Later in the day, you'll travel into Bosnia and Herzegovina, arriving in Trebinje by evening where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Stari Grad (fortified old town of Kotor)
Landmarks/POIs Stari Grad, Kotor - Day 7
Trebinje to Sarajevo
After breakfast, you'll head to Mostar to check out the old town and the Old Bridge, which was built back in 1566. Your guide will explain what happened to the bridge during the 1993 Siege of Mostar and talk about the local tradition of bridge diving. From there, you'll take a scenic route that passes Jablanica Lake and the Neretva River Canyon on the way to Sarajevo. Once you arrive, there's a 2.5-hour walking tour covering the medieval Bosnian Kingdom, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architecture, the Latin Bridge (where WWI was triggered), the 1984 Winter Olympics sites, and the Siege of Sarajevo. You'll stay overnight in Sarajevo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Mostar old town and Old Bridge
- Walking tour of Sarajevo old part and city center including Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian quarters, Latin Bridge, and historic sites
Landmarks/POIs Old Bridge of Mostar Jablanica Lake Neretva River Latin Bridge - Day 8
Sarajevo to Belgrade
You'll travel to Belgrade, Serbia's capital. During your time there, you'll see Republic Square, the National Theater, and the National Museum. The Bohemian Quarter called Skadarlija has Ottoman heritage and the city's only mosque. You'll also walk through Kalemegdan Park and the Belgrade Fortress, check out the 'Victor' monument (Belgrade's most famous symbol), and see where the Sava and Danube rivers meet. You'll spend the night in Belgrade.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Belgrade including Republic Square, National Theater, National Museum, Skadarlija Quarter, Kalemegdan Park, Belgrade Fortress, and Victor monument
Landmarks/POIs Republic Square National Theater National Museum Skadarlija Kalemegdan Fortress Victor Monument Confluence of Sava and Danube Rivers - Day 9
Belgrade to Budapest
After breakfast you'll head to Budapest with a stop in Novi Sad (which was the European Capital of Culture in 2021). You'll walk along Zmaj Jovina Street and the promenade, see the ornamental Palace of the Orthodox Bishop, check out Dunavska Street with its 19th-century houses, and walk the Danube embankment before visiting Petrovaradin Fortress. Later you'll arrive in Budapest, known as the Queen of the Danube and Hungary's capital, settling in for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Zmaj Jovina Street
- Visit Novi Sad promenade and Palace of the Orthodox Bishop
- Visit Dunavska Street
- View Petrovaradin Fortress
Landmarks/POIs Zmaj Jovina Street Palace of the Orthodox Bishop Dunavska Street Petrovaradin Fortress
