Welcome to Slovenia!
The Republic of Slovenia is at the very heart of Central Europe. This evening meet your Tour Director for a welcome reception and dinner at hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
On the morning sightseeing tour of Slovenia’s capital, we enjoy the tour of the city that is filled with churches and fin-de-siecle palaces – reminders of the town’s baroque Austro-Hungarian days. Ljubljana’s castle and Roman ruins speak of even earlier rulers. The charming old town, nestled between the castle hill and the Ljubljanica River, is reached by the Tromostovje “the triple bridge.” Here we stroll across the triple bridge and through the local market, offering typical Slovenian foods and everyday products; see the City Hall, Robba’s Fountain and visit Ljubljana Castle. We also see the famous “Dragon Bridge” – the symbol of Ljubljana.
Afternoon departure to Zagreb with short photo stops in Otočec, the picturesque island with the castle in the middle of the Krka river. Check in your tour hotel in Zagreb and enjoy local food in one of the many local restaurants in Zagreb.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
After leisurely breakfast in the late morning, we start our morning sightseeing tour of Zagreb on which we explore Gornji Grad (Upper Town), the well-preserved historical core of the city, see St. Mark’s Church, the Parliament, the Government Palace and visit the Cathedral. At noon we depart Croatia and approach the border with Hungary and drive through a landscape dotted with storks’ nests and old farmhouses. We skirt Lake Balaton, Hungary’s largest and most popular holiday resort before arriving in the Danube Valley and the twin cities that straddle it, Buda and Pest. After checking into your hotel, enjoy typical Hungarian food with entertainment in one of the local colorful restaurants.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Budapest is a graceful capital along the banks of the majestic Danube with soaring architecture, culinary delights, and a vibrant cultural scene. Comprehensive touring showcases the city’s charms. Walk along the Fishermen’s Bastion for stupendous views of the Parliament Building, and visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the largest church in Budapest. Then see Heroes Square, the Danube Embankment and the impressive Chain Bridge. The afternoon is free to explore the surprising sights and unexpected delights of Budapest on your own. Be sure to join local residents for a cup of coffee, tea and pastries at the fashionable Café Gerbeaud, located on Vorosmarty Square for over 125 years.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Leave Budapest after breakfast and travel through fertile Hungarian steppes via Szolnok and observe the changing of the plain into the rolling Romanian foothills. Cross the border into Romania in order to reach the historical capital of Transylvania – “area beyond the forest” – Cluj.
After dinner overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel. After brief morning sightseeing tour of Cluj, proceed to Sighishoara, designated UNESCO World Heritage Site for its 850 year old testimony to the history and culture of the Transylvanian Saxon. The city is also known as the birthplace of Vlad III. Tepes. The character of Count Dracula was created by Bram Stoker on basis of his life story and legend. In the afternoon, proceed to Brasov for festive dinner with entertainment.
After dinner overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Sightseeing tour of Brasov features the Town Hall and the Black Church and then, after a short drive we reach the legendary castle of Count Dracula, Bran. After visiting Bran Castle, we procede to Sinaia, one of the most beautiful mountain resorts of Romania and it Peles Castle built by Carol I of Romania as his summer residence. Late afternoon arrival to Bucharest.
After dinner overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
On a tour of the city we see the Palace of Parliament (the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon), the Metropolitan Church, Romanian Athenaeum and Arch of Triumph. We visit Harastrau Park and enjoy a guided stroll through the open-air Folk Village Museum. The rest of the afternoon is free.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Motoring South, we cross the Danube river which is the natural border between Romania and Bulgaria to proceed to Sofia.
After dinner overnight at the hotel.
Sightseeing of Sofia highlights the 3rd century St. George Church, St. Sophia Church, and the golden domed Alexander Nevski Cathedral. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Depart from Sofia and cross Bulgarian – Serbian border. Proceed to Belgrade. En route stop in Niš for a short visit. This evening, dinner is scheduled in one of the local restaurants in the bohemian part of Belgrade, Skadarlija.
After dinner overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning sightseeing of Belgrade includes Byzantine Cathedral, visit to Kalemegdan Fortress, which houses Military Museum and Museum of Princess Ljubica. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast we depart Belgrade and drive into the wildly beautiful mountain country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Afternoon arrival to the capital Sarajevo. Graced with spired minarets, it is a city of contrasts, a harmonious blend of East and West.
After dinner overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
The day starts with walking sightseeing of this half-oriental city including visit to old oriental quarter Bascarsija with its Mosques and small workshops. Later on, proceed to panoramic visit of the rest of the city and at the end visit to the War Museum Tunnel, through which Sarajevo had the only connection with the world during its siege in the Bosnian War. After saying goodbye to Sarajevo, we depart South towards the Adriatic sea. En route stop in Mostar to visit the famous newly rebuilt Old Bridge of Mostar. Drive along valley of the blue-green Neretva River to the Adriatic coast and later on along a spectacular coast to world’s well known resort of Dubrovnik.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Morning sightseeing tour will focus on the beautifully preserved medieval town with its imposing city walls. Among the highlights are the Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery, which houses one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe. The afternoon is free at your leisure to explore the narrow cobbled streets of this old city on your own. In the evening join your fellow passengers and Tour Director for a farewell dinner in one of the local restaurants in the Old city of Dubrovnik.
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Your program with us finishes after breakfast in Dubrovnik and transfer to Dubrovnik Airport.
The package rates include: