Balkan Tour – Ending in Belgrade

We’ll see (exterior visit) the impressive Palace of the Parliament, the Arch of Triumph, the elegant Revolution Square, and the lively Lipscani Old Town, with its cafés and historic buildings. We’ll also include entrance and a visit to the Romanian Village Museum, an open-air museum located in Herăstrău Park, which brings together authentic houses, churches, and mills from all regions of the country. This tour highlights the diversity and richness of Romanian rural life and traditions. Lunch included. Free afternoon.

Brașov – Departure. We leave the Saxon city to discover some of Romania’s most unique architectural treasures: its fortified churches, declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their architecture and richly decorated medieval frescoes. 8:45 a.m. Hărman Fortified Church (entrance included) – Arrival. We’ll visit the first church on our route, built in the 13th century by the Saxons. Its defensive walls, towers, and medieval frescoes bring to life the communities that once sought refuge here during times of siege. 9:30 a.m. Hărman – Departure. 9:45 a.m. Prejmer Church (entrance included) – Arrival. Also built by the Saxons in the 13th century, this is the largest and best-preserved fortified church in Romania. Its massive walls, casemates, and passageways reflect the defensive role of these structures, which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 10:30 a.m. Prejmer – Departure. We continue our journey through spectacular landscapes of forests and mountains toward the region of Romanian Moldavia. Lunch included en route. 2:30 p.m. Lacul Roșu (Red Lake) – Arrival. Time to stroll along this picturesque mountain lake, surrounded by forests and named for the reddish hue of its waters. 3:30 p.m. Lacul Roșu – Departure. Shortly after, we’ll make a brief stop at one of Romania’s most breathtaking natural sights, the Bicaz Gorges, where the road winds between sheer rock walls rising up to 300 meters. 5:30 p.m. Piatra Neamț – Arrival. Known as “the Pearl of Moldavia,” this city offers a charming historic center with lively streets and a welcoming atmosphere. Free time to explore.

Gura Humorului – Departure. We leave this lively spa town and head once again toward Transylvania, the legendary heart of Romania. 11:15 a.m. Bistrița – Arrival. Founded by German settlers in the 12th century, this historic city welcomes us with its elegant pedestrian center filled with terraces, cafés, and buildings that recall its Saxon past. Free time to stroll through the main square, discover its Gothic church, enjoy lunch, and soak up the local atmosphere. 1:00 p.m. Bistrița – Departure. We continue our route through rolling hills, vineyards, and forests that feel as though they were taken from a medieval tale. 4:00 p.m. Sighișoara – Arrival. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this walled medieval town is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved in Europe. Its defensive towers, colorful houses, and cobblestone streets transport visitors straight back to the Middle Ages. This evening, we’ll enjoy a very special dinner at Count Dracula’s restaurant, located in the birthplace of Vlad Țepeș, the historical figure who inspired the Dracula legend. An unforgettable experience that blends history, myth, and gastronomy in a truly unique setting

We’ll visit the Monasteries of Krusedol and Novo Hopovo, founded by the influential Brankovic family. We’ll continue to Sremski Karlovci, one of the oldest cities in the country, dating back to 1308 when it was known as Karom. Its beautifully preserved historic center features neoclassical architecture. We’ll visit the Museum of Beekeeping and Winery Živanović, where lunch and a wine tasting will be included. We’ll then proceed to Novi Sad, the second-largest city in Serbia, located along the banks of the Danube, known for its diverse architecture that reflects its rich history. A highlight is the Petrovaradin Fortress, considered one of the largest in Europe and a masterpiece of 18th-century European military architecture, often referred to as "The Gibraltar of the Danube."

At its peak, the city was home to 40,000 inhabitants. Here, we’ll admire the Roman roads, as well as the remnants of ancient temples, streets, plazas, amphitheaters, palaces, hippodromes, and thermal baths. Our next stop will be the Manasija Monastery, one of the most important monuments of medieval Serbian culture. Surrounded by towering walls, the monastery’s church still preserves its 15th-century frescoes. We’ll continue to Nis, the third-largest city in Serbia, with a rich Roman heritage. This is where Constantine the Great was born. Overnight accommodation will be here.

We’ll then continue to the Studenica Monastery, the largest in Serbia, nestled in the mountains. Founded in 1190, it boasts a stunning ensemble of wood and plaster buildings, with its interior walls adorned with Byzantine frescoes. Lunch will be included. Afterward, we’ll head to Kraljevo, a charming town in central Serbia, surrounded by mountains and rich in history and culture. The town is known for its beautiful main square, dominated by a monument to Serbian warriors and its medieval fortress.

Afterward, we’ll continue to the village of Topola to discover its fascinating history. On Oplenac Hill, we’ll see St. George´s Church, founded by King Peter I of Yugoslavia. This church serves as the mausoleum of the Serbian and Yugoslav royal house and later Yugoslavia until 1945. We’ll then return to Belgrade for accommodation.