Balkan Journey: Capitals, Mountains & Coast

Today’s sightseeing tour introduces the city's main sights. A panoramic drive takes you through New Belgrade and the elegant Dedinje district to the Temple of Saint Sava, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, then along King Alexander Boulevard past the National Assembly towards the city centre.
On a walking tour, explore Republic Square and Knez Mihailova Street, then stop in the city’s oldest tavern for Serbian coffee and rakija while your guide shares stories about local customs and sljivovica. The tour ends at Kalemegdan Fortress with views of the confluence of the Sava and Danube. In the evening, see Belgrade from a different angle on a relaxed river cruise, passing bridges and waterfront landmarks as the city lights come on.
Overnight in Belgrade.

After check-out, leave Belgrade and drive south into the Sumadija region. Visit Oplenac, the royal complex of the Karađorđevic dynasty, where the church-mausoleum with its mosaics offers an insight into modern Serbian history.
Nearby, stop at a respected local winery for a tasting of several wines and an introduction to the area’s winemaking traditions. In the afternoon, continue to Zlatibor Mountain, one of Serbia’s best-known mountain resorts. Check into your hotel, then enjoy a stroll through the small centre and the fresh mountain air. In the evening, a dinner of regional specialities presents the flavours of Western Serbia.
Overnight in Zlatibor Mountain.

After breakfast and check-out, travel to Drvengrad (Wooden Town), an ethno village created by film director Emir Kusturica. Built mainly of wood, it features traditional-style houses, a small church, a cinema, galleries, and a hotel in a unique mountain setting.
Continue to the heritage Sargan Eight railway for a nostalgic ride on the narrow-gauge “Nostalgia” train. The track, shaped like a figure eight, passes through tunnels and across viaducts, with several viewpoints over the surrounding mountains.
Cross into Bosnia and Herzegovina and stop in Visegrad to visit Andricgrad, a cultural complex built near the famous bridge on the Drina River, known from the Nobel Prize-winning novel “The Bridge on the Drina”. After lunch, drive to Sarajevo and check into your hotel.
Overnight in  Sarajevo.

This morning you explore Sarajevo, a city of diverse cultures and religions. Start at the Eternal Flame memorial, then walk along Ferhadija Street to see the Sacred Heart Cathedral and an Orthodox church, reflecting the city’s multi-confessional character.
Continue into Bascarsija, the old bazaar district, where you taste local specialities such as burek or ćevapi and experience Bosnian coffee culture. Along the way, you visit landmarks such as Vijećnica (City Hall), the Latin Bridge, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, and the nearby Bezistan market. Round off the tour with a piece of baklava before enjoying a free afternoon to explore Sarajevo at your own pace.
Overnight in Sarajevo.

After check-out, leave Sarajevo and drive to Mostar, one of the most picturesque towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On a walking tour, you see the UNESCO-listed Old Bridge, the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, the Crooked Bridge, and the old tanners’ quarter.
Visit a traditional workshop in the old town to learn about the long-standing craft of copperwork and see how decorative items and jewellery are made. Afterwards, enjoy some free time for lunch by the Neretva River with views of the bridge.
In the afternoon, continue to Trebinje. Visit the hilltop Hercegovacka Gracanica church for wide views over the town and surrounding hills, then head to the centre to see Arslanagića Bridge and Poet’s Square with its plane trees before checking into your hotel.
Overnight in Trebinje.

In the morning, visit Trebinje’s local market, where you can sample cheeses, cured meats and seasonal fruit from small producers and feel the atmosphere of everyday life in Herzegovina.
Then cross into Montenegro and continue to Perast, a small baroque town on the Bay of Kotor. From here you can take a short boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks, a man-made islet with a church known for its paintings and votive silver plaques.
Back on shore, drive to Kotor, a UNESCO-listed old town surrounded by impressive walls. On a walking tour you see the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, churches of Saint Nicholas and Saint Luke, and the main squares, followed by free time to continue exploring or have lunch. In the late afternoon, continue along the coast to Dubrovnik and check into your hotel.
Overnight in  Dubrovnik.

Today you discover Dubrovnik, often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic”. A guided walking tour takes you along Stradun, past Placa Square and Pile Gate, to the Rector’s Palace and the old harbour, while your guide shares stories of the Republic of Ragusa and modern film locations.
After the tour, the rest of the day is free. You might walk a section of the city walls, take the cable car to Srđ Hill for panoramic views or enjoy lunch in one of the old town’s many restaurants. In the evening, an optional sunset cruise on a replica karaka galleon offers beautiful views of the illuminated walls from the sea.
Overnight in  Dubrovnik.

After check-out, drive along the scenic Dalmatian coast with views of islands, vineyards and small villages. Stop in Ston, known for its long defensive walls and oyster farms, where you have time for a short walk and an oyster tasting if you wish.
Continue onto the Peljesac Peninsula, one of Croatia’s key wine regions, for a visit to a local winery. Taste Plavac Mali, the peninsula’s signature red, and learn more about traditional winemaking on the rocky slopes above the sea. In the late afternoon, arrive in Split, check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
Overnight in  Split.

This morning, transfer to the port and board a high-speed catamaran to Hvar, one of Croatia’s most popular islands. During the crossing, enjoy the views of the Adriatic and nearby islands.
On arrival in Hvar Town, take a walking tour through the historic centre with its main square, Renaissance Cathedral, Benedictine Convent and Franciscan Monastery. The rest of the day is free: you can join a boat trip to the Pakleni Islands, walk to a nearby bay for a swim or relax over a leisurely lunch in a local restaurant. In the late afternoon, return to Split by catamaran and back to your hotel in Split.

After check-out, leave the coast and drive inland to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a guided walk you follow wooden paths past a chain of turquoise lakes and waterfalls set among forested hills. There is time to enjoy the scenery and have a simple lunch or snack near the park.
In the late afternoon, continue to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. After check-in, enjoy a free evening to take a short walk through the centre or try one of the local restaurants.
Overnight in Zagreb.