Small Group 2021

Timisoara 068 SGK 550 The Great Balkan Fairytale from Ljubljana FROM LJUBLJANA TO BUCHAREST (VIA BiH AND HUNGARY) 26 Days including Ljubljana, Bled, Postojna, 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, Friday, arrival to Ljubljana Upon arrival to Venice, Trieste or Ljubljana airport transfer to hotel. Day 2, Saturday, in Ljubljana This morning, we will first head to Bled, beautifully set in the Julian Alps. A sightseeing tour of Bled features the charming town, the lakeshore, and a visit to the imposing Bled Castle , perched on a cliff high above the lake. After the visit of Bled return to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, for a walking tour. See the sights of the old city center, including the picturesque open-air Central Market, Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba's Fountain. Day 3, Sunday, to Postojna and Zagreb After breakfast, we head to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe – Postojna Cave . Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward, continue to Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. Day 4, 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 5, 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 6, 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 7, Thursday, to Korčula Today we head to the island of Korčula. Upon arrival free time to enjoy this beautiful island. Day 8, 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 9, 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 10, 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 11, 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 12, Tuesday, to Belgrade Today, we travel to Belgrade, Serbia. Day 13, 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 14, 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 15, Friday, to Budapest Today we travel to Hungary and the capital city of Budapest. Upon arrival free time at leisure. Day 16, 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 17, 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 18, 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