16 daysAlbania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia
Explore the former Communist headquarters of Romania in Bucharest, see Bulgaria’s Roman ruins in Sofia and marvel at Bosnia’s Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo. After exploring the medieval city of Brașov, take the mountain roads to the Transylvanian border and join a private visit of Bran Castle after hours - better known as Dracula’s haunted abode in Bram Stoker’s infamous novel, followed by private dinner. Delve into the myths and legends before adventuring onwards to Mostar, where a Local Expert guides you through the city’s iconic sights ahead of a Sarajevo Dine at Home experience. Sit down with a Sarajevan family for a feast of local delicacies, traditional Bosnian coffee and tales of local life before your adventure ends in Belgrade.
Welcome to Bucharest! Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.
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. Enjoy a delicious private dinner in the recently renovated Queen Marie’s Tea House. 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 Marie of Romania, the last inhabitant of the castle, visit the torture rooms and relive the tales of the infamous Count Dracula.
Travel along the Prahova Valley to the elegant mountain resort of Sinaia to visit Peleș Castle. Admire the lavish rooms filled with art, armour and tapestries. Return through the Carpathian Mountains to the charming medieval city of Brașov, founded in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights. With your Local Expert, walk around Town Hall Square, lined with beautiful red-roofed houses and dominated by the Black Church.
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 dinner at your hotel.
Meet your Local Expert to climb to the ruined Tsarevets Fortress, a reminder of the town’s former imperial status. Take in sweeping views over Bulgaria’s old capital and the Yantra Valley. Continue to Arbanasi, one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful villages, where frescoed churches and fortified dwellings offer insight into the settlement’s former wealth and deep spiritual heritage. Visit a traditional 17th-century merchant’s house and the Church of the Holy Nativity before crossing the Balkan Mountains to modern-day Sofia. On arrival, join your Local Expert for sightseeing to see St. Sofia Church, the golden-domed St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archaeological complex, dominated by the Church of St. George Rotunda. This evening, perhaps choose an Optional Experience featuring dinner accompanied by a folklore dancing display.
Enjoy the day at your leisure. Perhaps visit the Rila Monastery to enjoy a fascinating insight into the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria?
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.
Making your way to the border, stop by the scenic Lake Mavrovo. Then, 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 with a Local Expert.
Soak up Montenegro’s natural beauty as you drive towards Budva where you will have the day to explore 'Montenegro's Miami'. Head to Stari Grad (the Old Town) surrounded by 15th-century ramparts to explore its labyrinthine lanes and small squares where you could choose to sit back and watch the world go by.
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.
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 and visit a local winery. This evening, choose from a fine selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around evening.
Journey to Mostar, where your Local Expert will guide you to the famed Stari Most, the Old Bridge, a 16th-century Ottoman landmark painstakingly reconstructed after near destruction in the 1990s conflict. Stroll the cobbled streets of the Old Town, lined with shops offering traditional handicrafts and artisanal treasures. Continue along a scenic route to Sarajevo for your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience: a warm welcome into a Sarajevan family home. Over authentic dishes, hear personal stories that illuminate the city’s resilience and cultural heritage, helping preserve its traditions for future generations.
Explore Sarajevo with Insight Choice. Choose to meet an expert on the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo’s astonishing Tunnel of Hope. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience for a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protected park just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide. The rest of the afternoon is for you to explore as you wish.
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.
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 an afternoon at leisure before joining your fellow travellers for dinner this evening.
Your journey through the Balkans has come to an end. All that’s left is to say a fond doviđenja as you bid your new friends farewell.
Bucharest, Romania
1 night
Located in the heart of the city centre, the Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest offers comfortable guest rooms and many on-site amenities to enjoy including an indoor pool, sauna and spa.
Hotel Business Centre, Restaurant, Bar, Laundry, Concierge, Gym, Pool, Spa, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Tea & coffee facilities, Wi-Fi
Brasov, Romania
2 nights
Located in the heart of Brașov and next to the city's central park, Parcul Nicolae Titulescu, the Radisson Blu Aurum Hotel combines contemporary design with medieval history and provides an ideal base for exploring the cultural and natural beauty of the region.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Business Centre, Concierge, Room Service, Laundry, Gym, Pool, Safe deposit box, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Air Conditioning, Mini fridge, Bathrobes and Slippers, Safe, Telephone, TV, Tea & coffee facilities, Turndown Service, Hairdryer, Wi-Fi
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
1 night
Situated at Velchova zavera Square in Veliko Tarnovo – the old capital of Bulgaria, the hotel enjoys magnificent views of the Tzarevets Fortress, the Architectural reserve village of Arbanassi and the University of Veliko Tarnovo.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Laundry, Room Service, Gym, Pool, Spa, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Wi-Fi
Sofia, Bulgaria
2 nights
Rising 30 storeys above Sofia, this five-star hotel combines spacious rooms with far-reaching city and mountain views. A 3,500-square-metre spa and wellness centre offers pools, saunas and relaxation areas, while floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the hotel make the most of its elevated setting above the Bulgarian capital.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Business Centre, Concierge, Room Service, Laundry, Gym, Pool, Spa, Spa with pool, 24-hour Front Desk, Roof Terrace
Room Air Conditioning, Bathrobes and Slippers, Safe, Telephone, TV, Tea & coffee facilities, Hairdryer, Mini Bar, Turndown Service, Wi-Fi
Skopje, Macedonia
1 night
Overlooking Macedonia Square, this elegant city-centre hotel pairs contemporary design with classic comfort. Spacious rooms, a spa and international dining make it an ideal base to explore Skopje’s eclectic blend of Ottoman, Byzantine and modern influences.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Business Centre, Concierge, Room Service, Laundry, Gym, Pool, Spa, Safe deposit box, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Wi-Fi
Tirana, Albania
1 night
Ideally situated in Albania’s lively capital, this smart, modern hotel offers easy access to Tirana’s sights and cafes. Unwind in well-appointed rooms, and enjoy the warm hospitality and views from the restaurant terrace.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Business Centre, Concierge, Room Service, Laundry, Gym, Safe deposit box, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Wi-Fi
Budva, Montenegro
1 night
Hotel TQ Plaza is centrally located, just 350m from the beach and 700m from the Old Town of Budva. The hotel is settled within the Shopping Centre TQ Plaza, giving guests lots to do, see and buy!
Hotel Gym, Pool, 24-hour Front Desk
Room TV, Safe, Tea & coffee facilities
Dubrovnik, Croatia
2 nights
Overlooking the sea in the beautiful Lapad Bay, the Kompas hotel was fully renovated in 2015 andis only a 2 minute walk to the beach and close to the popular promenade.
Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Concierge, Laundry, Room Service, Pool, Gym, Spa, Foreign Currency Exchange, 24-hour Front Desk, Beach Access
Room Air Conditioning, Bathrobes and Slippers, Safe, TV, Wi-Fi
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2 nights
Swissotel Sarajevo is a luxury, five-star hotel conveniently located in the heart of Sarajevo, ideal for your two-night stay. This newly opened hotel features traditional design with a contemporary feel, while your elegantly decorated room features state-of-the-art modern comforts to ensure a comfortable stay.
Hotel Restaurant, Concierge, Business Centre, Room Service, Laundry, Gym, Pool, Spa, 24-hour Front Desk
Room Wi-Fi
Belgrade, Serbia
2 nights
Set within a preserved 19th-century mill near the Sava River, this hotel blends industrial heritage with warm, design-led interiors. Reclaimed brick, timber and contemporary art give the rooms real character, while the sauna, steam room and wellness area offer a calm counterpoint to days spent exploring Belgrade.
Hotel Bar, Restaurant, Concierge, Business Centre, Gym
Room Tea & coffee facilities, Iron & ironing board, Mini fridge, TV, Telephone, Safe, Wi-Fi
Traditional Dinner in the Transylvanian Alps
Paid on tour
Bulgarian Folklore Show with Dinner
Paid on tour
Traditional Bulgarian Dinner with Musical Entertainment
Paid on tour
Rila Monastery With Lunch
Paid on tour
Budva Cruise
Paid on tour
Olive Mill & UNESCO Protected Peka Dinner
Paid on tour
Cavtat and Local Winery Experience
Paid on tour
Charm of Old Sarajevo
Paid on tour
Traditional Bosnian Dinner with Entertainment
Paid on tour
Serbian Dinner in the Bohemian Quarter
Paid on tour
The Genius & The Leader
Paid on tour
Per person, twin share
