We’ll take you first to Belgrade fortress, the most iconic Belgrade landmark. Then from the fortress, we move to another part of the city, posh Dedinje. You’ll visit the House of flowers, which is the eternal home of former Yugoslavian president Tito. Your Serbian host will explain how Tito’s cult was nurtured during his life, but also long after he was gone. From the controversial Yugoslavian dictator’s tomb, we’ll take you to a holy place, to St. Sava church. This the biggest Orthodox temple in the Balkans is dedicated to the true saint who was born in the XII and who brought autonomy to the Serbian Orthodox Church in the XIII century. When we finish this part of the exploration we’ll take you to a restaurant in the neighborhood, where local food is prepared in a modern manner. After lunch, we’ll switch to the other side of the river, to Zemun. This old part of the city was actually a separate town till 1934. Stroll along the Danube promenade or walk to the Gardoš hill and drink in one of the local cafes will make you feel like a local. Rest of the day you have free to explore Belgrade on your own. Tips and recommendations will be provided.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: Hotel City Savoy

We leave Belgrade and we head to West Serbia and Mokra Gora town. On the way, you’ll have a chance to enjoy views over famous Serbian landmarks, unusual Drina river houses. Further, you’ll experience the most attractive narrow track railway in this part of Europe, the famous Sargan Eight train. Before the ride, we’ll have lunch in a local tavern. After two and a half-hour ride, we will continue to nearby Kustendorf ethnic village, which was created by our famous film director Emir Kusturica.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: Drvengrad - Mećavnik

On the fourth day of your Balkans tour, you’re leaving Serbia and crossing to Bosnia. In Bosnian entity Republika Srpska we are stopping at town Višegrad, famous for its bridge over river Drina dating from the XVI century. Yugoslavian novelist Ivo Andrić who wrote the novel with the same name Bridge over the Drina won the Nobel Prize in 1962. Here you’ll enjoy a boat ride on Drina River with a local captain. After the ride, you’ll try ćevapčići, Bosnia style, for lunch in Andrićgrad. This recently established complex is dedicated to famous Serbs who made influence to local or world culture, science or history. From Višegrad we continue to Sarajevo on scenic roads following the Drina and crossing Romanija mountain. Upon arrival to Sarajevo and check-in to Hote, you’ll have free time to enjoy Sarajevo’s vibrant life. Tips and recommendations will be provided.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: Hotel Isa-begov hamam

We leave Sarajevo and we continue along Neretva River all the way to Mostar. This iconic Hercegovina town received world fame thanks to its XVI century stone bridge and charming Ottoman-looking old center. We’ll spend few hours in Mostar to get to know its essential points and we’ll continue to the nearby village Blagaj. Here on the source of river Buna, you’ll enjoy the cool breeze and freshwater coming from the cave underneath the rock. On top of that, you’ll try local food in a small family-owned restaurant. From Blagaj we drive further through Hercegovina and in the afternoon we finish the day in Trebinje, an old and charming town with Mediterranean looks. Recommendations and tips for restaurants will be provided.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: Hotel Platani

On your day in Trebinje, you’ll have a walking tour through the old town with a local guide. The guide will introduce you to Trebinje’s most notable old parts: Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian. You will stop at the old Ottoman bridge from the XVI century, where you’ll learn why it didn’t get admitted to UNESCO list, even though it’s beautiful and authentic. Further, you’ll be exploring old Monastery Tvrdoš with authentic wine cellars from the XV century. Today this monastery produces several highly respected wine labels, which you’ll get to try. As the finale of the day, you’ll have lunch in the household in a local village. After lunch, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for some free time. Optionally, in the afternoon/evening we can organize a visit to nearby Dubrovnik in Croatia, which is only half an hour drive from Trebinje (for an extra cost).

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: Hotel Platani

We say goodbye to Trebinje and to Bosnia and Herzegovina. After we cross the border to Montenegro you’ll admire the beauties of another ex Yugoslavia country with a diverse coastal line and breathtaking inland. Our destination in Montenegro this time is the town of Kotor in Boka bay. By far the most interesting destination in this part of the Adriatic coast. After two hours of the scenic drive, we’ll reach Kotor. After check-in, we’ll take a walk through the old town of Kotor to explore its most notable landmarks. We’ll make a summary of the day during lunch in the local tavern. The rest of the day is free for making plans on your own.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: Hotel Monte Cristo

The 9th day of the Balkans tour will start with a scenic drive along the Montenegrin coast until we set apart to hills to enter Albania. This country which was for a long period behind the “iron curtain” for plenty of travelers is still considered a deeply isolated and conservative society, but you’ll be surprised. Our first stop in Albania, after we cross the border, will be the town Skadar (Shkodra) and its historic citadel. Further, we’ll take you to lunch in the Albanian outback to a farm where they produce all the food domestically. The next stop is again historic, it's the castle of Kruja, which symbolizes resistance of Albanian people with its medieval ruler Skender Bey against Ottomans. Finally, we drive straight to Tirana. Rest of the day you have for yourself to relax or to soak in the vibrant nightlife of Albania’s capital.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: Brilant Antik Hotel

In the morning you’ll meet your local guide who will take you on a city tour around Tirana. You’ll learn from the guide about how life was under the regime of Enver Hoxha, how it was during the period of transition and how life is in modern-day Albania. After a tour, we’ll go for lunch to a traditional Albanian restaurant to try their cuisine, because what is worth of travel to a country if you don’t eat like a local. Rest of the day after lunch you have free for your own plans.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: Brilant Antik Hotel

Day eleven is scheduled for leaving Albania and for meeting another former Yugoslavian republic, Macedonia. A country with the disputed name, but with great nature, history, and on top of it all, great people. Drive through Albanian mountains will give you an idea of how this country managed to be isolated for so long. After we cross one of those we’ll enter Macedonia and we’ll reach the beautiful town of Ohrid on the shores of the lake with the same name. Arrival to Ohrid is followed by quick check-in to the hotel and a refreshment break. Further, you’ll visit the X century monastery St. Naum located on the opposite side of the lake. When you reach it, you’ll understand why Macedonians are so proud of it. Before return to Ohrid, we’ll take you to lunch in a local restaurant close to the monastery.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: City Palace

This day is reserved for exploration of old town Ohrid and village Vevčani, located half an hour drive from Ohrid. The first thing to visit is Samuilo’s fortress, the main landmark of Ohrid. Further on the itinerary are old sites scattered around the hill above modern Ohrid. When we finish with this part of the day we’ll take you to Vevčani, a village unknown to the majority of tourists. This place has its charms and interesting people, as well as pure water and intact nature. You’ll hear a story about their declaration of independence in the ’90s and establishing local currency. We’ll have lunch here on the springs of pure mountain water. After lunch, we’ll get you back to Ohrid. Tips and recommendations about what to try in Ohrid restaurants will be provided.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: City Palace

On the day ahead of us, we’ll visit one very special place on our way to Skopje, its Matka canyon, a beautiful canyon of river Treska. We’ll make a short boat ride to a cave that holds cave jewelry and bats population. Also in Matka canyon, there are several Orthodox monasteries. After a boat ride, we’ll have lunch in a lovely restaurant right in the canyon, views from its terrace are the right spot to relax and enjoy local dishes. After lunch, we continue to Skopje which is only 30 minutes away. Upon check-in, we suggest a walk around the city center to explore Skopje’s disputed architecture. Rest of the evening you have free time.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

• High-End Accommodation: Alexandar Square Boutique Hotel