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Treasures of the Balkans

Summary:

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 ...

Duration
16 Days
Countries
8
Next Departure
22-Apr-2024
Starting at
USD 5,325.00
Price per day
USD 333.00

  • Overview
  • Dates and Details
  • Map, Destinations
  • Insight Vacations
Operator
Insight Vacations
Tour
Treasures of the Balkans
Categories
tour category

Summary

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.

Map: Treasures of the Balkans (Insight Vacations)

Short Itinerary / Route

Day 1
Welcome To Bucharest
Day 2
Bucharest And Castles Of Transylvania
Day 3
Brasov And Sinaia
Day 4
Veliko Tarnovo
Day 5
To Sofia Relaxed Start
Day 6
Sofia At Your Pace Relaxed Start
Day 7
Skopje
Day 8
Lake Ohrid And Tirana
Day 9
Kotor And Dubrovnik
Day 10
Dubrovnik Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Day 11
Dubrovnik, Paradise On Earth Relaxed Start
Day 12
Mostar And Sarajevo
Day 13
Sarajevo, City Of Culture
Day 14
The Serbian Capital Of Belgrade Relaxed Start
Day 15
The Best Of Belgrade Relaxed Start
Day 16
Farewell Belgrade

Travel Countries (8): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia

Travel Cities (12): Belgrade, Brasov, Bucharest, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Lake Ohrid, Mostar, Ohrid, Sarajevo, Skopje, Sofia, Tirana

Highlights

Dining Summary

  • 9 Dinner with Wine (DW)
  • 14 Breakfast (B)

Choice Highlights

  • Choose between two carefully selected activities
  • Sarajevo: Take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protected park just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide.
  • Sarajevo: Meet an expert of the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope and hear a first-hand account of when the city was under siege for 44 months. Alternatively, take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a picturesque park just beyond the city.

Additional Included Highlights

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Authentic Dining

  • Bucharest: Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for your Welcome Dinner served with wine.
  • Dubrovnik: You will be offered a varied selection of charming restaurants to choose from for your Dine-Around Evening.
  • Sarajevo: You are invited into a Sarajevan family home for a dinner and drinks. Savour the warm hospitality and authentic cuisine as you hear inspirational stories about their culture.
  • Sarajevo: Experience authentic Bosnian coffee and learn about the traditional ritual of coffee preparation.

Insight Experiences

  • Bran: Learn about the story of the infamous Count Dracula during a private after-hours visit of Bran Castle, followed by dinner.
  • Sarajevo: Meet an expert of the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope and hear a first-hand account of when the city was under siege for 44 months. Alternatively, take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a picturesque park just beyond the city.

Make Travel Matter

  • Dubrovnik: Visit the workshop of Deša, an organisation founded following the Siege of Dubrovnik to help refugees and women who were victims of violence. They have grown to be an important educational centre, workshop and an advocate for women’s rights. Through its meaningful work Deša continues to act as a safe space for women to support one another, provides training opportunities and sponsors the revival of traditional crafts. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality.
  • Sarajevo: Take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protected park just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide.

Top Rated Highlights

  • Bucharest: During sightseeing with your Local Expert see University Square and the former Communist Headquarters.
  • Bucharest: Walk the cavernous halls of the vast Palace of Parliament, learn about the history and listen to amusing tales from your Local Expert.
  • Sinaia: Witness the opulent and sumptuous decor in Peleș Castle, the fairy-tale Royal summer residence, at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains.
  • Veliko Tarnovo: Ascend Tsarevets, the King's Hill, crowned by a ruined medieval citadel. Enjoy the views and imagine yourself back in the days of the Crusades when this was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.
  • Arbanasi: At the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arbanassi, visit a traditional 17th century merchants' house and enjoy the acoustics in the Church of the Holy Nativity.
  • Sofia: Sightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to St. Sofia Church, across the square from the golden domed St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archaeological complex, dominated by the church of St. George Rotonda.
  • Skopje: Visit the capital of Macedonia with your Local Expert, explore Square Macedonia and see the Stone Bridge before walking through the Old Bazaar.
  • Ohrid: Walk the cobbled, narrow streets of the Old Town.
  • Tirana: Meet a local resident who will show you Skanderbeg Square and walk you through their home city as they explain what it's like to live in the Albanian capital.
  • Kotor: Visit the Stari Grad, also referred to as the Old Town, perfectly positioned on a beautiful bay.
  • Dubrovnik: Explore the Pearl of the Adriatic with your Local Expert. Walk the stone-paved streets of the Old Town to see Onofrio's Fountain, Rector's Palace and the medieval city walls. Admire the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.
  • Mostar: Learn the history and symbolic significance of Stari Most and explore the old town with your Local Expert.
  • Belgrade: A Local Expert will show you St. Sava Church, Terazije Street, the national museum, national theatre, Republic Square and the Kalemegdan Fortress.

Well-being

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

Travel Package

 

Coming from

 

Going to

Tour...

Bucharest

Arrow Going To

Belgrade

Group ToursThis is an Organised Group Tour: the itinerary has been predefined by the tour operator. The tour destinations, duration, accommodations, departure dates and the price are fix. You can join, enjoy and meet other people.

Memberships and Financial Protection

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