Small Group 2021

Corvin Castle 066 SGK 540 The Great Balkan Fairytale from Zagreb FROM ZAGREB TO BUCHAREST (VIA BiH AND HUNGARY) 24 Days including Zagreb, Plitvice, Split, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Sremski Karlovci, Novi Sad, Budapest, Timisoara, Hunedoara, Alba Iulia, Sibiu, Sighisoara, Targu Mures, Bucovina painted monasteries, Brasov, Bran, Sinaia and Bucharest Day 1, Sunday, arrival to Zagreb Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Day 2, Monday, in Zagreb This morning enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral , Parliament, and the Government Palace. The rest of the day is free to explore the winding streets of the Old Town. Day 3, Tuesday, to Plitvice and Split Travel to spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park . Have your camera ready as you take a walking tour around several of the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. Then we continue our journey to Split. Day 4, Wednesday, in Split Enjoy a city tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace , a UNESCOWorld Cultural Heritage site. Finally, see the remnants of Split's Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle and the Cathedral. Day 5, Thursday, to Korčula Today we head to the island of Korčula. Upon arrival free time to enjoy this beautiful island. Day 6, Friday, to Dubrovnik The beautiful medieval town Korčula has streets arranged in the shape of a fish bone, which ensures the flow of fresh air and protects from strong winds. According to legend, the famous adventurer Marco Polo was born here. After the visit, head to Dubrovnik. Day 7, 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 8, 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 9, 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 10, Tuesday, to Belgrade Today, we travel to Belgrade, Serbia. Day 11, 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 12, 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 13, Friday, to Budapest Today we travel to Hungary and the capital city of Budapest. Upon arrival free time at leisure. Day 14, Saturday, in Budapest In 1873, the twin cities of Buda and Pest joined with ancient Obuda to form a new, unified city, Budapest. Charming and beautiful, the city was declared a World Heritage site in 1987. Your morning sightseeing tour includes views of all the main attractions: The Parliament, Royal Palace, and the Castle Hill area, Fisherman's Bastion , Matthias Church , Heroes' Square, and Gellert Hill with its Citadel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore this exciting city on your own. Day 15, Sunday, to Timisoara In the morning departure to Timisoara. Romania’s third-largest city (after Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca) is also one of the country's most attractive urban areas, built around a series of beautifully restored public squares, and lavish parks and gardens. With western Romania's nicest hotels and finest restaurants, it makes a perfect base for exploring the Banat region. Day 16, Monday, to Hunedoara, Alba Iulia and Sibiu In the morning we travel to Hunedoara, where iron has been extracted since the Iron Age. One of its most memorable buildings is the Corvin Castle , a fine example of secular Gothic architecture with spiky, spooky fantasy topped with asymmetrical pointed towers and turrets. Continue to the city of Alba Iulia, a symbol of national unity in Romania. Built on 13th century foundations, the imposing Habsburg citadel is star-shaped with seven bastions and successive walls. Head to Sibiu for overnight.