Discover Five Countries

Day 1: DUBROVNIK AIRPORT – DUBROVNIK

Arrival in Dubrovnik, transfer and an overnight stay at the hotel.             

Day 2: DUBROVNIK - PODGORICA

After breakfast, a half-day sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik. The walls of Dubrovnik encompass a perfectly-preserved complex of public, private, sacral, and secular buildings representing all periods of the city’s history, beginning with its founding in the 7th century. Particular mention should be made of the city’s main street Stradun, the Rector’s Palace, the church of St. Blaise, the Cathedral, three large monasteries, and City Hall. The Republic of Dubrovnik was the center of a separate political and territorial entity and was proud of its culture, its achievements in commerce, and especially of its freedom, preserved through so many tempestuous centuries. In the afternoon, our journey continues to Podgorica. This city lies on 5 rivers: Zeta, Moraca, Ribnica, Cijevna and Sitnica. Besides its many theaters, Podgorica also offers historical sites: Sahat – Adžipaša Osmanagić fortress, the walls of Nemanjić town, the ruins of the ancient town of Duklja, the Old Town, and Vezir Bridge. Overnight at the hotel in Podgorica.     

Day 3: PODGORICA - BUDVA - TIRANA

Departure for Budva and Saint Stefan. Apart from being famous for nearby St. Stefan’s island, the Old town of Budva, which lies on a small peninsula, is known as a treasure trove of cultural heritage with its narrow streets and squares, famous buildings, and churches. In the afternoon, we continue on to Tirana, the capital of Albania. Overnight stay at the hotel in Tirana.         

Day 4: TIRANA - OHRID

Morning sightseeing of Tirana – Albania’s capital since 1920. It lies almost exactly midway between Rome and Istanbul, and its architecture has been influenced by both, as well as by Russia. The city tour of Tirana begins at Skënderberg Square, a great open space in the heart of the city. Most of the sites are located near the Main Square, such as the National History Museum, the Mausoleum of former President Enver Hoxha, the Palace of Culture, the Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower. Afternoon departure for Ohrid, a lake on the border with Macedonia. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Ohrid, which is not only the center of Macedonian culture but for all Slavic nations as well. Settlements around Ohrid, churches along the banks of Ohrid Lake, and springs of the Crni Drim River complement the magical beauty and attractiveness of Ohrid. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Ohrid. Afternoon free for leisure.         

Day 5: OHRID

After breakfast, a half-day sightseeing tour of Ohrid. Rightfully referred to as “The Jerusalem of the Balkans”, Ohrid has an abundance of churches, with walls that are decorated with wonderful frescoes dating back to the 11th, 13th, 14th, and 19th centuries. Afternoon free for leisure and individual exploration. Overnight stay at the hotel in Ohrid.     

Day 6: OHRID - SKOPJE

After breakfast, we leave for Skopje. In the afternoon, a sightseeing tour of Skopje. The capital of Macedonia is divided by the Vardar River into two parts: Slavic and Ottoman. Visit the Stone Bridge, DautPashin amam (Turkish bath), Feudal tower, Isa-Bey’s Mosque, Mustafa-Pasha Mosque, the Old Skopje bazaar (marketplace), Skopsko Kale fortress, St. Nikita Monastery, and St. Spas church. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel in Skopje. 

Day 7: SKOPJE - VRNJAČKA BANJA

After breakfast, we leave for Vrnjačka Banja, a famous Serbian spa and sophisticated travel destination. On our way to Vrnjačka Banja, we visit the Žica Monastery (founded by the Serbian King Stefan “the First Crowned” at the beginning of the 13th century) and Studenica (founded by Stefan Nemanja, who took monastic orders there choosing the name Simeon), which is considered to be the crowning achievement of medieval culture and art in Serbia. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel in Vrnjačka Banja.    

Day 8: VRNJAČKA BANJA - KRUŠEVAC - BELGRADE

Travel to Kruševac. Kruševac was founded in the late 14th century as the capital city of Prince Lazar’s Serbia, and soon became its military, cultural, and economic center. A visit to Ljubostina Monastery on the way to Kruševac. After the visit to Kruševac, we leave in the afternoon for Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel in Belgrade.

Day 9: BELGRADE

After breakfast, a half-day sightseeing tour of Belgrade. The capital of Serbia is situated where the Sava River flows into the Danube. We visit various city quarters, including New Belgrade on the left bank of the Sava River, the luxurious residential area of Dedinje, and the picturesque Old Town. En route between these stops, we will pass next to St. Sava Church, Slavija Square, Belgrade Palace, the ‘New Court’, City Hall, the Federal Parliament, Terazije Street, the National Theatre, the National Museum, the University, and more. A highlight of the tour is our brief visit to the archaeological and historical site of Belgrade Fortress. Situated at Kalemegdan, the remains of the old city’s fortifications from the 1st to the 18th centuries offer a spectacular panoramic view of the Sava and Danube confluence. Afternoon free for leisure. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel in Belgrade.   

Day 10: BELGRADE - SARAJEVO

Continue through the Pannonian lowland to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Drive through Drina River valley to cross the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina. Upon arrival, a sightseeing tour of Sarajevo, a city of rich and fascinating culture and home to Muslims, Croats, Turks, Jews, and Serbs. Sarajevo and its diverse social and cultural tapestry show unique links that exist between the East and the West. Visit Baščaršija, oriental Svrzo's house, and the Princip Bridge. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11: SARAJEVO - MOSTAR - DUBROVNIK

On the way to Dubrovnik, drive through the beautiful Neretva Valley and visit Mostar. Situated between Sarajevo and Dubrovnik, Mostar is the main urban center of Herzegovina and was founded by the Turks in the 15th century. During the sightseeing tour, explore the UNESCO-protected Old Town, once the center of the city’s Islamic culture, and visit Mostar’s famous 14th-century bridge, which was destroyed in 1566 and painstakingly rebuilt. We continue following the Neretva River until we reach the Adriatic Sea. Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12: DUBROVNIK - DUBROVNIK AIRPORT

Free time until the transfer to the Dubrovnik airport.