Essence of the Balkans

Bine ați venit! Welcome to Bucharest. On arrival, transfer from the airport to your hotel and take time to relax. This evening, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception.

This morning, take in the highlights of Bucharest before travelling towards Braşov. Relax as the scenery transforms from city streets to rolling hills and dense Transylvanian forests. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Begin the day with a guided walking tour through Brașov’s charming medieval streets, discovering key landmarks as your guide shares the city’s rich history and enduring legends. Later, travel to the iconic Bran Castle, famed for its Dracula lore. With VIP entry, skip the lines and explore the castle’s atmospheric rooms and intriguing stories. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Today, travel to Veliko Tarnovo, pausing along the way for lunch at a local spot. On arrival, check in to your hotel before enjoying dinner this evening.

Explore Veliko Tarnovo on a guided tour, including a visit to the impressive Tsarevets, which served as the Second Bulgarian Empire's primary fortress. Enjoy a memorable Insider Experience before continuing to Sofia, where dinner awaits at your hotel, accompanied by a traditional folk show.

Insider Experience – Orthodox A Cappella Choir

Be welcomed into an intimate Orthodox a cappella performance inside one of Veliko Tarnovo’s historic churches. Surrounded by centuries-old harmonies, this rare experience offers a deeply moving connection to Bulgaria’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

Discover Sofia on a guided walking tour this morning, or choose to join an optional excursion to the Rila Monastery.

Enhance Your Journey – Full-Day Visit to Rila Monastery with Lunch

Journey into the forested Rila Mountains to visit the magnificent Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most revered spiritual site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 10th century by Saint Ivan of Rila, the monastery sits dramatically in a mountain valley and is renowned for its striped arcades, vivid frescoes and tranquil courtyard. Explore this remarkable complex before enjoying lunch amid the serene alpine surroundings.

Enjoy a leisurely morning before travelling to Skopje. On arrival, join a local guide for a walking tour through the heart of the city. Visit the The Church of the Ascension of Jesus and the elegant Mustafa Pasha Mosque, two of Skopje’s most iconic landmarks. This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Relax and enjoy the changing scenery as you travel into Albania, stopping along the way for a local lunch. On arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Enjoy a relaxed morning before setting out to explore Tirana, Albania’s vibrant capital. Stroll through the city’s colourful streets, uncover its layered history, and visit landmarks such as Skanderbeg Square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the lively Blloku district. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at leisure.

Travel to Budva for lunch before continuing on to the beautiful town of Kotor. Step inside the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Kotor on a guided walking tour, where narrow cobblestone streets and elegant Venetian architecture reveal centuries of history. Afterwards, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure in this stunning coastal town.

Begin the day with a memorable Insider Experience. This evening, come together with your fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner, marking the conclusion of your Balkan journey.

Insider Experience – Perast and Olive Oil Tasting in Luštica Bay

Discover the coastal elegance of Perast, known for its Baroque architecture and sweeping views across the Bay of Kotor. Take a boat ride to the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks to visit its historic church, before continuing to Luštica Bay for a visit to a traditional olive oil estate and a guided tasting of regional varieties.

After breakfast, depart Kotor and travel to Dubrovnik for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Today, your adventure through the Balkans comes to an end. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.