Treasures of the Balkans

1N Bucharest , 2N Brasov , 1N Veliko Tarnovo , 2N Sofia , 1N Skopje , 1N Tirana , 3N Dubrovnik , 2N Sarajevo , 2N Belgrade and 2N Budapest
18 days

From

US$ 5,262

per person

Operated by Insight Vacations

About the tour

Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest with Breakfast and Dinner Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas. Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary. We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door. Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels. Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available). From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination. If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.Aro Palace Hotel with Breakfast and DinnerYantra Grand Hotel with Breakfast and DinnerInterContinental Sofia, an IHG Hotel with Breakfast and DinnerBushi Resort & Spa with Breakfast and DinnerMaritim Hotel Plaza Tirana with Breakfast and DinnerHotel Kompas with BreakfastSwissotel Sarajevo with Breakfast and DinnerRadisson Collection Hotel, Old Mill Belgrade with Breakfast and DinnerCorinthia Budapest with Breakfast

Highlights

  • Choose between two carefully selected activities
  • Sarajevo: Take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a picturesque park just beyond the city.
  • Sarajevo: Meet a survivor of the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope and hear a first-hand account of when the city was under siege for 44 months. Alternatively, take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a picturesque park just beyond the city.
  • : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests).
  • : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
  • : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
  • : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
  • : "One thing I really love about showing guests Eastern Europe is the rich history and culture of places that have previously been impossible to visit due to political situations."
  • : "It's magical to see how a group of guests comes together over the course of our trip. I can always tell when that's happening because suddenly the enthusiasm is palpable."

Meals

10 Dinner with Wine (DW), and 17 Breakfast (B)

Accommodation

InterContinental Athenee Palace Bucharest, an IHG Hotel or Similar

1 night(s) in Bucharest

Room Type: Standard/base Category
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Aro Palace Hotel or Similar

2 night(s) in Brasov

Room Type: Standard/base Category
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Yantra Grand Hotel or Similar

1 night(s) in Veliko Tarnovo

Room Type: Standard/base Category
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

InterContinental Sofia, an IHG Hotel or Similar

2 night(s) in Sofia

Room Type: Standard/base Category
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Bushi Resort & Spa or Similar

1 night(s) in Skopje

Room Type: Standard/base Category
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana or Similar

1 night(s) in Tirana

Room Type: Standard/base Category
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Hotel Kompas or Similar

3 night(s) in Dubrovnik

Room Type: Standard/base Category
Meals Included: Breakfast

Swissotel Sarajevo or Similar

2 night(s) in Sarajevo

Room Type: Standard/base Category
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Radisson Collection Hotel, Old Mill Belgrade or Similar

2 night(s) in Belgrade

Room Type: Standard/base Category
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

Corinthia Budapest or Similar

2 night(s) in Budapest

Room Type: Standard/base Category
Meals Included: Breakfast

Included in the price

Bucharest

  • Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Day-wise Itinerary

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Day 1: Welcome To Bucharest

Transfers depart Henri Coandă International Airport at 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 for your hotel, which is one of the city's most sophisticated and prestigious landmarks. At 18:00, 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

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. 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. Finish with a delicious private dinner in the recently renovated Queen Mary’s Tea House.

Day 3: Brasov And Sinaia

With your Local Expert, walk around Town Hall Square, lined with beautiful red-roofed houses and dominated by the Black Church. Travel along the Prahova Valley to the elegant mountain resort of Sinaia to visit Peleș Castle. Led by a local historian, admire the lavish rooms filled with art, armour and tapestries. Continue through the Carpathian Mountains to the charming medieval city of Brașov, founded in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights.

Day 4: Veliko Tarnovo

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 a Highlight Dinner of local specialities and wine, followed by an authentic folklore show.

Day 5: To Sofia Relaxed Start

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 Relaxed Start

Enjoy the day at your leisure. Perhaps visit the Rila Monastery or 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

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.

Day 9: Kotor And Dubrovnik

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. Continue over the Croatian border to the fortified port of Dubrovnik where you are at leisure to explore the Old Town, bustling with street artists, cafes and restaurants.

Day 10: Dubrovnik Sightseeing Relaxed Start

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. 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. Visit the workshop of Deša during a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This important educational centre supports vulnerable communities and promotes local cultural heritage. At night, you may choose from a fine selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.

Day 11: Dubrovnik, Paradise On Earth Relaxed Start

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 explore some of the filming locations of the award-winning series 'Game of Thrones' and appreciate the enterprising spirit of the Old Harbour? As the sun starts to set, maybe take a relaxing cruise to admire the city and its incredible walls from the water.

Day 12: Mostar And Sarajevo

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 souvenirs. 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 and traditional Bosnian coffee as you hear inspirational stories.

Day 13: Sarajevo, City Of Culture

Explore Sarajevo with Insight Choice. Choose to meet a survivor of the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo’s astonishing Tunnel of Hope. Alternatively, take a guided nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a picturesque park just beyond the city. The rest of the afternoon is for you to explore as you wish.

Day 14: The Serbian Capital Of Belgrade Relaxed Start

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 Relaxed Start

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 a free afternoon to relax or continue exploring on your own.

Day 16: Across To Budapest Relaxed Start

Journey north and cross the Province of Vojvodina to reach Palić on the Hungarian border. See the picturesque lake, where you can admire the art nouveau buildings. Continue on through the vast wilderness of the Puszta, where once cowboys rustled up goulash under the stars. Your destination will be Budapest on the Danube.

Day 17: Budapest, Queen Of The Danube

Venture into the heart of Buda's medieval Castle District with a Local Expert to visit Matthias Church and take in the view of the immense Hungarian Parliament Building from the Fisherman's Bastion. Cross the Danube to the Pest district to visit Heroes' Square and travel down elegant Andrássy Boulevard. Enjoy time to wander through the Central Market Hall. Spread over three levels, the market is a foodie's paradise, brimming with aromatic food stalls offering delicious salamis, spicy paprika, delicious Tokaji wines and an array of flavoured Pálinkas, a traditional Hungarian fruit brandy. Tonight you are in for a treat with your Celebration Dinner at Gundel, one of Budapest's most renowned restaurants for over a hundred years. Dine in elegance as you savour hearty, Hungarian delicacies accompanied with specially-selected Hungarian wine.

Day 18: Depart Budapest

Departure transfers arrive at Ferenc Liszt International Airport at 07:00 and 11:00.

Starting from

US$ 5,262

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