Itinerary
- Day 1
Bucharest to Veliko Tarnovo to Plovdiv
You'll start in Bucharest and head across the border into Bulgaria. Once you reach Veliko Tarnovo, there's the Tsarevets Fortress to check out, and then you can walk through Samovodska Charshia with its cobblestone streets. After that, you'll continue on to Plovdiv, one of Europe's oldest cities that's still inhabited today.
- Start point
- Bucharest, Romania (All Hotels in Bucharest or Henri Coanda Otopeni Airport, 08:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Tsarevets Fortress and its panoramic views of the Yantra River
- Wander through Samovodska Charshia with traditional crafts and shops
- Explore ancient Roman ruins in Plovdiv
- Experience Plovdiv's bohemian atmosphere and vibrant cultural scene
Landmarks Tsarevets Fortress Samovodska Charshia 
- Day 2
Plovdiv
This day focuses on Plovdiv's Old Town where you'll see colorful 19th-century Revival houses. The Roman Amphitheater from the 2nd century AD is worth your time, along with the Ethnographic Museum housed in a historic mansion. You can wander through the Kapana district and head up to Nebet Tepe for panoramic views across the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (2-course menu, 1 bottle of water)
Included Activities
- Visit the Roman Amphitheater
- Explore the Ethnographic Museum
Optional Activities
- Wander through Old Town cobblestone streets
- Stroll through the Kapana district with boutique shops and cafes
- Take in panoramic views from Nebet Tepe
Landmarks Roman Amphitheater Ethnographic Museum Kapana Nebet Tepe - Day 3
Plovdiv to Sofia
You'll travel to Sofia, Bulgaria's capital. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a major stop here as one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals around. From there, check out the Rotunda of St. George dating back to the 4th century, then walk along Vitosha Boulevard. Mount Vitosha provides a nice backdrop for views from various spots in the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (2-course menu, 1 bottle of water)
Included Activities
- Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Visit the Rotunda of St. George
Optional Activities
- Walk along Vitosha Boulevard
- Enjoy views of Mount Vitosha
Landmarks Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Rotunda of St. George Vitosha Boulevard Mount Vitosha 
- Day 4
Sofia to Rila Monastery to Skopje
After leaving Sofia, you'll visit Rila Monastery. Lunch happens in Kiustendil before you cross into North Macedonia and arrive in Skopje. Your hotel is centrally located, so you can spend the evening exploring the immediate area on your own and getting your bearings.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (2-course menu, 1 bottle of water in Kiustendil)
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery
Optional Activities
- Explore Skopje on your own this evening
Landmarks Rila Monastery 
- Day 5
Skopje
You've got the full day to explore Skopje. Start at Macedonia Square with its statues and fountains, then cross the Stone Bridge to reach the Old Bazaar. The Mother Teresa Memorial House and Kale Fortress are both worth visiting, and the fortress gives you views out over the city and mountains.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (2-course menu, 1 bottle of water)
Included Activities
- Visit Macedonia Square
- Cross the Stone Bridge
- Explore the Old Bazaar
- Visit the Mother Teresa Memorial House
- Visit Kale Fortress
Landmarks Macedonia Square Stone Bridge Old Bazaar Mother Teresa Memorial House Kale Fortress - Day 6
Skopje to Ohrid
Travel to Ohrid, a UNESCO site called the 'Jerusalem of the Balkans.' You'll see the Byzantine Church of St. John at Kaneo perched above Lake Ohrid, which is quite dramatic. The Ohrid Fortress offers sweeping views across the landscape. Dinner by the lake lets you end the day nicely by the water.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (2-course menu, 1 bottle of water by the lake)
Included Activities
- Visit Church of St. John at Kaneo
- Visit Ohrid Fortress
Landmarks Lake Ohrid Church of St. John at Kaneo Ohrid Fortress 
- Day 7
Ohrid to Tirana
After breakfast in Ohrid, you head to Tirana, Albania's capital. Once you check in, grab a traditional Albanian lunch. The afternoon brings a city tour hitting the New Mosque, Skanderbeg Square with its surrounding landmarks, the National History Museum, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, both the Catholic and Orthodox Cathedrals, and the Bunker 2 Museum for insights into Albania's communist history.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Albanian lunch, 2-course menu, 1 bottle of water)
Included Activities
- Visit New Mosque
- Visit Skanderbeg Square
- Visit Et'hem Bey Mosque
- Visit Bunker 2 Museum
Optional Activities
- Visit Catholic Cathedral
- Visit Orthodox Cathedral
Landmarks New Mosque Skanderbeg Square National History Museum Et'hem Bey Mosque Catholic Cathedral Orthodox Cathedral Bunker 2 Museum - Day 8
Tirana
You have a full day free in Tirana to do as you like. Rest at your hotel, shop around the city, or continue exploring on your own. Your guide can offer suggestions if you need help deciding what to do.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Rest and relax
- Shop in Tirana
- Further explore the city
- Day 9
Tirana to Budva
You'll travel to Budva, a seaside resort in Montenegro. After settling into your accommodation, there's a short tour of the Old Town followed by dinner at a local restaurant so you can try some regional food.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (2-course menu, 1 bottle of water in a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Short tour of Budva Old Town
Landmarks Budva Old Town - Day 10
Budva to Kotor to Dubrovnik
The morning takes you to Kotor, a treasure on the Adriatic coast that the Venetians developed and fortified back in the 15th century. You'll have a short tour of the Old Town and time to eat local cuisine. From there, you travel along the Adriatic coast heading to Dubrovnik, Croatia's famous coastal city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (2-course menu, 1 bottle of water with local cuisine in Kotor)
Included Activities
- Short tour of Kotor Old Town
Optional Activities
- Enjoy local cuisine in Kotor
Landmarks Kotor Old Town - Day 11
Dubrovnik
Spend the full day in Dubrovnik's Old Town. The Rector's Palace and Sponza Palace are key stops, and Stradun street is pleasant to walk along. If you're interested, the Franciscan Monastery has one of Europe's oldest pharmacies, and the Dominican Monastery is worth seeing. You can also walk the medieval walls that circle the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore Dubrovnik Old Town
- Visit Rector's Palace
- Visit Sponza Palace
- Stroll along Stradun street
Optional Activities
- Visit Franciscan Monastery
- Visit Dominican Monastery
- Walk along the medieval walls
Landmarks Dubrovnik Old Town Rector's Palace Sponza Palace Stradun Franciscan Monastery Dominican Monastery 
- Day 12
Dubrovnik to Mostar to Sarajevo
You'll leave Dubrovnik and head to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina to see the iconic Stari Most bridge, which symbolizes resilience for the region. From there, continue on to Sarajevo, a city known for blending different cultures and carrying deep historical importance.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (2-course menu, 1 bottle of water)
Included Activities
- Visit Stari Most bridge
Landmarks Stari Most 
- Day 13
Sarajevo
Explore Sarajevo's historic Old Town starting with the lively Bašćaršija market and the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. The Tunnel of Hope was a crucial lifeline during the Siege of Sarajevo, and visiting it gives perspective on the city's recent history and how residents survived during that difficult period.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (2-course menu, 1 bottle of water)
Included Activities
- Explore Old Town
- Visit Bašćaršija market
- Visit Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque
- Visit the Tunnel of Hope
Landmarks Sarajevo Old Town Bašćaršija Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque Tunnel of Hope - Day 14
Sarajevo to Belgrade
You'll travel to Belgrade, Serbia's capital, which sits where the Danube and Sava rivers meet. After checking in at your hotel, you have free time to walk around and get a feel for the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Belgrade on your own
- Day 15
Belgrade
Your day in Belgrade covers the Church of Saint Sava, one of the world's largest Orthodox churches, then the Old and New Palaces, and Republic's Square. The evening includes a farewell dinner in Skadarlija, the bohemian district where you can soak in the atmosphere before your trip wraps up.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner, 2-course menu, 1 bottle of water in Skadarlija)
Included Activities
- Visit Church of Saint Sava
- Visit Old Palace
- Visit New Palace
- Visit Republic's Square
Optional Activities
- Explore Skadarlija district
Landmarks Church of Saint Sava Old Palace New Palace Republic's Square Skadarlija - Day 16
Belgrade
Your Balkan adventure concludes as you leave Belgrade. You'll depart with memories from this diverse region and all the different places you've seen over the past couple of weeks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
