Balkan, Eastern Europe Charm

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Home City > Bucharest
Depart from Home City by flight to Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

Day 2

Bucharest
Bucharest was first mentioned in documents in 1459. It became the capital of Romania in 1862 and is the center of Romanian media, culture and art. Proceed to hotel upon arrival. (D)
Hotel : Novotel Hotel or similar

Day 3

The Bran Castle － Peleș Castle
Built between 1873 and 1914 by King Carlos I, Peleș Castle locates on the existing medieval route linking Transylvania and Wallachia. Former US Presidents Nixon and Ford had taken their vacations in this castle. After a local barbeque lunch we continue our tour at the Bran Castle – commonly known as “Dracula’s Castle, it is now a museum open to tourists, displaying art and furniture collected by Queen Marie. Return to Bucharest afterward. (B/L)
Hotel : Novotel Hotel or similar

Day 4

Bucharest (City Tour) － Veliko Turnovo
The morning city tour includes the House of People – considered the world largest civilian building, Old Town, Reform Square, Arc of Triumph, etc. Later, we cross the Danube river, the largest river in Europe, and proceed to Veliko Turnovo, once the old capital of Bulgaria. On the way we shall stop by at the Arbanassi medieval village, where rich in history with monuments and churches.After photo stops at the Tsaravets fortress and the “Street of artists” we shall check-in our hotel this evening. Enjoy dinner with Bulgarian lamb and Shopska salad. (B/D)
Hotel : Yantra Hotel or similar

Day 5

Veliko Turnovo － Sofia (City Tour)
Proceed to Sofia, capitol of Bulgaria, after breakfast. Visit the famous Alexander Nevsky Cathedral upon arrival. Built in Neo-Byzantine style, it serves as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria and is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of Sofia’s symbols and primary tourist attractions. We shall also visit some other tourists attractions such as Sofia Monument and Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia before enjoy a local dinner with forklore dance show. (B/D)
Hotel : Festa Barcelo Hotel or similar

Day 6

Sofia － Skopje (City Tour)
After brekfast we shall first visit UNESCO listed world heritage site Rila Monastery. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern Europe. Afterwards we move on to the capitol city of Macedonia – Skopje. Upon arrival we visit the symbol of the city – Stone Bridge. The Stone Bridge was built under the patronage of Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror between 1451 and 1469. This bridge represents the connection between Skopje’s past and present, and is featured in the Coat of arms of Skopje. Later we move on to visit the Old Bazaar and the Mother Teresa Memorial House, which is dedicated to the humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mother Teresa. (B/D)
Hotel : Aleksandar Palace Hotel or similar

Day 7

Skopje － Ohrid － Tirana
After breakfast we shall proceed to Ohrid anf visit Saint Panteleimon Monastery, a small 12th century Byzatine church which is famous for its Comnenian Age Byzantine Art. Archaeologists have come to believe that the monastery was the site where the first students of the Glagolitic alphabet (used to translate the Bible into Old Church Slavonic) were taught. Tirana, the capital city of Albania, was founded as an Ottoman town in 1614 by Sulejman Bargjini, a local ruler from Mullet. After breakfast we shall cross the border and explore this city. First we go to Skanderberg Square and witness the monument of the Albanian national hero. Of course we cannot miss the Et’hem Bey Mosque and the National Historic Museum. (B/D)
Hotel : International Hotel or similar

Day 8

Tirana － Lake Skadar National Park － Budva
We are crossing the boarder to Montenegro after breakfast, and visit the largest lake in Balkan Peninsula – Lake Skadar National Park. Also visit the quiet fishing village Virpazar and enjoy a boat ride. And then head to the coastal town Budva. The coastal area around Budva, called the Budvanska rivijiera, is the center of Montenegro’s tourism. The town is already 3500 years old, which makes it one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic sea coast. (B/L/D)
Hotel : Queen of Montenegro Hotel or similar

Day 9

Budva － Kotor － Dubrovnik
After Breakfast we are going to Kotor, a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and is home to numerous sights, such as the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. After all the picture takings we shall move on to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Hotel : Valamar Lacroma Resort or similar

Day 10

Dubrovnik (City Tour) － Mostar
The city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of Heritage Site in 1979. The city boasts of many old buildings, such as Arboretum Trsteno – the oldest arboretum in the world, dating back to before 1492. Also the oldest and still operating European pharmacy, which dates back to 1317. A feature of Dubrovnik is its walls that run almost 1.24 miles around the city. The walls run from four to six meters thick on the landward side but are much thinner on the seaward side. We shall enjoy the marvelous view of the city on the walls. Afterwards we enter Bosnia and Herzegovina stay at Mostar. (B/D)
Hotel : Mogorjelo Hotel or similar

Day 11

Mostar － Sarajevo (City Tour)
Mostar was named after the bridge keepers who in the medieval times guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva. The Old Bridge, built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most recognizable landmarks, and is considered one of the most exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans. After lunch on your own accord we move on to the capitol city – Sarajevo. The city is historically famous for its traditional cultural and religious diversity, with adherents of Islamic, Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Judaism coexisting there for centuries. Due to this long and rich history of religious and cultural variety, Sarajevo is often called the “Jerusalem of Europe”. A brief city tour include the Basearsuja, the old Arabian style market, Ali Pasha Mosque, Old town Hall, the Latin Bridge, the Tunnel Museum, etc., upon arrival, and then enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Hotel : H. Sarajevo Hotel or similar

Day 12

Sarajevo (City Tour) － Belgrade
Head towards Belgrade, capitol city of Serbia, after breakfast. Enjoy dinner and folklore dance upon arrival. (B/D)
Hotel : Falkenstainer Hotel or similar

Day 13

Belgrade (City Tour)
Kalemegdan Fortress represents old citadel and Kalemegdan Park on the confluence of the River Sava and Danube, in an urban area of Belgrade. After breakfast we shall head to this ancient fortress. Then visit some tourist attractions, including Republic Square, Podednik (Statue of Victory) and Cathedral of Saint Sava. Enjoy local fish soup and beef for lunch, the rest of the afternoon will be free for your own leisure. (B/L)
Hotel : Falkenstainer Hotel or similar

Day 14

Belgrade > Home City
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel, and then we shall proceed to the airport for the homeward flight. (B)