Small Group 2021

Bran 058 SGK 460 The Balkan Journey from Dubrovnik FROM DUBROVNIK TO BUCHAREST (VIA BiH AND BULGARIA) 19 Days including Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Sremski Karlovci, Novi Sad, Niš, Sofia, Rila, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanassi, Baile Govora, Cozia, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Targu Mures, Bucovina painted monasteries, Brasov, Bran, Sinaia and Bucharest Day 1, Friday, arrival to Dubrovnik Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Day 2, Saturday, in Dubrovnik Start the day with a walking tour of Old Dubrovnik this morning. Visit the Rector's Palace , and see the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando's Column and Sponza Palace. Next, see the Dominican Monastery and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy , one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own, enjoy the picturesque setting, shop or simply relax. Day 3, Sunday, to Mostar We continue our trip towards Mostar. Mostar is situated on the Neretva River and was named after the bridge keepers (mostari) who guarded the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva in the medieval times. The Old Bridge, built by the Ottomans in the 16th century, is one of Bosnia and Herzegovina's most recognizable landmarks, and is considered one of the most exemplary pieces of Islamic architecture in the Balkans. Day 4, Monday, to Sarajevo Travel to Sarajevo, the capital of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city of Sarajevo has been influenced by several cultures and civilizations over its long history. On your city tour, visit the Turkish Bazaar Bas Carsija , Husref Bay’s Mosque , the Olympic Stadium, and Gavrilo Princip Museum . Day 5, Tuesday, to Belgrade Today, we travel to Belgrade, Serbia. Day 6, Wednesday, in Belgrade With a history dating back more than 7,000 years, Belgrade is a fascinating city to visit. Your morning sightseeing tour includes the city's main attractions: the imposing Kalemegdan Fortress , dramatically situated at the joining of the Sava and Danube Rivers; Republic Square and Mihajlova Street; Saint Sava Temple, the largest Orthodox Church in the city; and Tito's Memorial. The afternoon is free. Day 7, Thursday, to Sremski Karlovci and Novi Sad In the morning, departure to Sremski Karlovci, the museum-city that was the center of culture and religion in Serbia during the 18th and 19th centuries. After a short stop with a wine degustation included, we continue to Novi Sad, the capital of Vojvodina. It is the administrative, economic, cultural and university center of the region, which also has the well-preserved Petrovaradin Fortress that faces the city from the other side of the Danube. Return to Belgrade. Day 8, Friday, to Niš and Sofia Today, we travel to Bulgaria. Our first stop is Niš, considered one of the oldest cities in Europe. Niš is a university center but also one of the most important industrial centers in Serbia. Continue to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Day 9, Saturday, in Sofia Today, we enjoy a complete tour of the city of Sofia. Among others, the most emblematic places are the Alexander Nevski Cathedral that dominates the city, the Church of Saint George, considered the best-preserved Byzantine church, the Russian Church of Saint Nicholas, the Banya Bashi mosque and the ruins of the ancient Serdica. In the afternoon, travel to the Rila Mountains to visit one of the most famous places in Bulgaria - the Rila Monastery . This monastery is a sanctuary of Bulgarian literature and spiritual life. Founded in the middle of the 10th century by San Iván de Rila, it played a key role in preserving Bulgarian culture and the language of the centuries. After visiting the monastery church with its impressive fresco paintings, return to Sofia. Day 10, Sunday, to Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo Leaving Sofia behind, we head toward the second largest city in Bulgaria - Plovdiv. This is a city with an ancient history. During our city tour we will see the Roman Forum and the stadium, as well as the Roman amphitheater. We will walk through the cobbled streets of the small and ancient city surrounded by houses and beautiful churches. After the visit we will cross the Balkan Mountains through the historic Shipka Pass, which played a key role in the Russian-Turkish War for the Liberation of Bulgaria. Arrival in Veliko Tarnovo - the medieval capital of Bulgaria. Day 11, Monday, to Arbanassi and Baile Govora In the morning, panoramic visit of the city of Veliko Tarnovo with a walk to Tsarevets , where the kings of Bulgaria once lived. We will walk along the oldest street in the city called Samovodska Charshia. We will proceed to Arbanassi, a small village in Bulgaria located 4 km from Veliko Tarnovo, known for its interesting architecture. In the village, we can see the Konstancalieva house and the Church of the Nativity , whose wall paintings are a work of art. Then we head to the mountain resort of Baile Govora (long transfer). Day 12, Tuesday, to Cozia and Sibiu Head to Cozia for a visit of the Byzantine style Cozia Monastery . A model of harmonious proportions, the main church is richly decorated with frescoes dating back to 1390. Then we cross the Olt Valley into Transylvania. In the afternoon we take a panoramic walk