Escorted Tours 2021

46 from dubrovnik to budapest 18 DAYS/17 NIGHTS TRAVEL PUZZLE SOUTH BALKAN EXPERIENCE + PANONIAN HIGHLIGHTS DAY 1: ARRIVAL DUBROVNIK Welcome to pearl of Adriatic Sea! Meet with your tour director to get all the information about the tour. DAY 2: DUBROVNIK B Dubrovnik is a unique jewel of the Adriatic coast and is one of the most iconic cities in the world. The city-state of Dubrovnik was one of the most important merchant towns in the entire Adriatic region. Walk along the medieval wall that surrounds the old city center and discover its ancient secret. Passing Pile gate, Franciscan monastery, visiting Rectors’ palace, and discovering magnificent city wall will amaze you . The afternoon will be free for exploring the city on your own or join us on optional tour to the island of Lokrum, famous for its Fort Royale, Botanical garden and monastery. DAY 3: PERAST - KOTOR – BUDVA – PODGORICA B, L Off to Montenegro! First stop will be small town of Perast . The city has experienced the biggest boom in 18th century and most of the monuments originate from that time: the building of ship owners and sea captains, a baroque palace Bujovića which is now County Museum, Maritime School building. Our next point will be in Kotor, which is located along one of Montenegro’s most beautiful bays and it is listed on UNESCO World Heritage list. After sightseeing walking tour continue to the best- known beach resort in Montenegro - Budva. In the late afternoon accommodation in the capital, Podgorica. DAY 4: PODGORICA – SKADAR LAKE - KRUJA – TIRANA B, L Morning will start with insightful tour od Podgorica , passing through Skaline (stairway), one of the most historic and picturesque sites of town, Doganjka Moswue, Republic square, Milleniem Bridge, Vysotsky monument, Cathedral of Resurrection of Christ, King Nikola’s castle and tower clock from the 17 th centure. Later on, continue to next stop and admire Skadar Lake , the last habitat of pelicans and the largest bird preserve in Europe. Once in Albania, you will visit the historical town Krujë with Kruja Fortress, Old Bazaar and museum of national hero Skanderbeg. Accommodation in Tirana in later afternoon/evening time, overnight. DAY 5: TIRANA – BERAT B, L Join your tour guide and explore Albanian capital Tirana , also Albania’s largest city. It is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate and numbers of beautiful churches and lush parks. You will visit the Et’hem Bey Mosque, Clock Tower, the Palace of Culture and the monument to Mother Albania. Day will continue with exploring the Albanian tradition and history by paying a visit of Berat, also known s “the city of 1000 windows). Visit Museum of Iconography ‘Onufri’, the Ethnographic Museum and Castle of Berat. Return to Tirana for overnight. DAY 6: OHRID B Check out from hotel and drive to Macedonia, where you will spend the day by magnificent lake Ohrid. The town of Ohrid was also known as town of 365 churches (one for each day of the year) and was considered as second Jerusalem. Even with only 70 churches left, UNESCO listed it under its heritage site as one of the oldest and most complete architectural ensembles on the southeastern part of Europe. After the sightseeing tour, you will have some free time to explore it on your own or enjoy the sun on the lake shore. Accommodation and overnight in Ohrid. DAY 7: SKOPJE B Time for Macedonian capital Skopje . Upon arrival, your guide will take you around the city for sightseeing, visiting the stone bridge, the church of St. Spas, the Kale fortress, a mosque and others. Accommodation and free afternoon for a walk through Carsija, evoking the city’s past with its winding lanes filled with teahouses, mosques, crafts people’s shops, and even good nightlife. DAY 8: NIS – BELGRADE B, L From Macedonia, the journey will take you on to Serbian capital Belgrade. On your way you will stop in Nis, one of the oldest cities in the Balkans and Europe and has from ancient times been considered a gateway between the East and West. After turbulent history Niš became one of the most important industrial centers in Serbia, a center of electronics and mechanical engineering, textile and tobacco industry. Longer drive ahead with arrival to Belgrade in later afternoon, check in hotel and free time first impressions of Ex Yugoslavian capital, known for its very exciting and vivid nightlife. DAY 9: BELGRADE B, D Discover the Serbian capital with a sightseeing tour in the morning. The tour will guide us to the through elite city district Dedinje unusual building TV Pink. You will take the road through the famous markets such as the Republic Square with the Parliament, Terazije and Slavia, along the main streets of Belgrade, Knez Mihailova and finish on the Kalemegdan fortress in Belgrade, from where we can admire wonderful views of the city and the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers. Free time in Belgrade in the afternoon. In the evening join you group for a farewell dinner where you will talk about most memorable moments of the tour and plan for new ones. 4 OPTIONAL: Danube cruise DAY 10: SREMSKI KARLOVCI – NOVI SAD B, T Drive to Vojvodina region, passing natural reserve of Fruska Gora , also know as holy mountain, since it used to have 35 otrodox monasteries in the medieval time. Almost half, 17 to be exact are still here today. You will stop in a little Baroque town, Sremski Karlovski , take a guided stroll downtown and learn about the special local wine Bermet wine that can’t be found anywhere else in Serbia (nor the world). In the afternoon, arrival to Serbian second largest city Novi Sad , famous for its Petrovardin fortress on Danube river. Check in the hotel and go for a guided walk around famous landmarks such as the Church of Mary’s Name, the architectural beauties of Liberty Square, Zmaj Jovina Street, Orthodox Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace. Rest of the day will be free at leisure. DAY 11: ILOK – VUKOVAR – OSIJEK B, Bye Serbia and hello Croatia! Welcome to Ilok , second Croatian wine capital, where you will hear story about connection of Traminac wine and Queen Elisabeth II. You will also visit a famous Ilok cellar with one of biggest collection of archive wines in this part of Europe. Lunch on Principovac with stunning views over the wineyards region. Continue to Slavonija, to visit the heroic city of Vukovar. As the city suffered tremendous damage during the War for independence, today it stands as a living monument and a symbol of resistance, invincibility, and persistence. In the late afternoon, arrival to Baroque town of Osijek , check in the hotel Transfer to Tvrdja – historical part of Osijek’s military history where you will learn more about town’s history and enjoy some time on your own. OPTIONAL: Join your guide for more military history and local experience with this traditional evening where you will be able to try a special fish goulash. Very spicy, but delicious meal. DAY 12: KOPACEVO & KARANAC TOUR B, L After breakfast join in for a walking sightseeing tour of Osijek where you will hear about magnificent art nouveau style buildings on Osijek’s European Avenue. After that continue to heart of Danube - Kopacki Rit. Authentic lunch in local restaurant embark the vessels to explore this park of nature and biggest swamp in Croatia. Once done with admiration of landscapes fulfil with birds, deer’s and other wild animals, head to speechless ethno- village Karanac . Complete village is restored and almost all houses are now rural household. Return to hotel and overnight in Osijek .