Treasures of the Balkans - 16 Days

This is a variant of Insight Vacations President's Tour, designed by Insight Travel Forum members. It proved so popular, we just had to put it in the brochure for past and future Insight travellers

INCLUDED FIRST CLASS SERVICES

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director

• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours

• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom

• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage

• Insight Traveller Welcome pack

• Airport arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 17 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport)

Day 1 - BUDAPEST AT LEISURE

Welcome to Hungary! Transfers to your tour hotel depart Budapest Airport at 10:00, 13:00, 15:30 hours. This evening get to know your Tour Director at a Welcome Reception, which includes a drink and a light meal.

Hotel: Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge

Meals: Welcome Reception

Day 2 - BUDAPEST SIGHTSEEING

A local guide acquaints you with this grand metropolis. Begin with a view across the Danube from the Citadel atop Gellert Hill. Then ascend to the heart of Buda’s Castle District to visit Matthias Church and take in the vista of the Parliament building from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Cross the Danube to the Pest district to visit Heroes’ Square and drive down Andrassy Boulevard. The afternoon is at leisure.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 3 - BUDAPEST – PALIĆ – BELGRADE

Head south today across the vast wilderness of the Puszta, where cowboys rustle up goulash under the stars. Cross the border into Serbia and arrive in Palić around lunch time. See the unusual water tower, then stretch your legs down by the lake to admire the Art Nouveau buildings. On past the riverside fortress at Novi Sad now, to reach the Serbian capital

Hotel: Beograd Art Hotel/Nevski

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 4 - BELGRADE SIGHTSEEING

Join a local guide to see the city’s main attractions: St Sava Church, Terazije Street, the National Museum and National Theatre in Republic Square. Finish your tour at the imposing Kalemegdan Fortress, dramatically situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers. Enjoy free time this afternoon.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 5 - BELGRADE – SARAJEVO

Your route today winds southwards through the remote villages and spa resorts which nestle in the forested Bosnian mountains. Your destination is Sarajevo - in 1914 it was the site of the assassination that sparked WWI and more recently, it endured the longest siege in modern military history.

Hotel: Europe

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 6 - SARAJEVO SIGHTSEEING

This morning your guided sightseeing tour shows you the Bacarsija, the cobbled old town market where the city was founded by the Ottomans in the 15th century. Admire Gazi Husrev-beg’s Mosque and the Olympic Stadium before visiting the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum, revered by the locals as an inanimate war hero. Explore or shop at your own pace this afternoon.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 7 - SARAJEVO – MOSTAR – DUBROVNIK

Drive to Mostar and walk across the famous Stari Most (Old Bridge), reconstructed after being almost completely destroyed during the war. The cobbled old town stretches on both sides of the bridge and is filled with shops selling Turkish style souvenirs. Now follow the marvellous gorge of the River Neretva down to the sparkling Dalmatian coast. Tonight choose from a selection of restaurants for your dining pleasure.

Hotel: Dubrovnik Palace

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around

Day 8 - DUBROVNIK SIGHTSEEING

A guided sightseeing tour in the Old Town explores the stone-paved streets inside the 16th century bastions. See Onofrio’s fountain and the Rector’s Palace, the city walls, as well as the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. Then time at leisure.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 9 - DUBROVNIK – KOTOR – TIRANA

Over the border in Montenegro, visit the Old Town of Kotor, perched beside the only European fjord outside of Norway. Continue into Albania to the capital of Tirana.

Hotel: Sheraton Tirana

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 10 - TIRANA – OHRID

After a guided sightseeing tour of Tirana head for the Albanian border and cross into Macedonia. Stay in the pretty lake side resort of Ohrid. A local expert shows you the narrow streets of the Old Town, lined with restaurants and cafes - perfect for a summer evening stroll.

Hotel: Belvedere

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 11 - OHRID – SKOPJE – SOFIA

First stop is in the Macedonian capital city of Skopje to see the main square, the churches, mosques and old Turkish buildings. Cross the north of the country to the Bulgarian border, and continue to the capital, Sofia for dinner at your hotel.

Hotel: Kempinski

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 12 - SOFIA SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing with a local guide takes in the St Sofia Church across the square from the golden domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archaeological complex, dominated by the church of St. George Rotonda. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take an optional excursion to the magnificent Rila Monastery?

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 13 - SOFIA – VELIKO TURNAVO

Cross the Balkan Mountains to Veliko Turnovo, the ‘City of the Tsars’. Join your local guide for a stroll along Gurko Street with its cascade of restored old houses and views down to the Assens Monument. Then visit to the Tsaravets Fortress, housing a host of archeological remains. At the UNESCO World Heritage village of Arbanassi, visit a 17C merchants’ house and hear the acoustics in the Church of the Holy Nativity.

Hotel: Yantra

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 14 - VELIKO TURNOVO – SINAIA – BRASOV

Cross the Danube at Ruse and continue into Romania. Ascend the Prahova Valley to reach the elegant alpine resort of Sinaia. Visit Peles Castle, former summer residence of Romania’s first royal family and admire the lavish rooms filled with art, armour and tapestries. Continue on to Brasov.

Hotel: Aro Palace

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Dinner

Day 15 - TRANSYLVANIA EXCURSION

See the sights of Brasov with a guide this morning. Then discover if the popular image of Dracula’s castle is true, or, like the vampire story itself, only a myth, as you visit Bran Castle – said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s book. Continue to Sighisoara for a guided tour of this enchanting medieval gem. See the Clock Tower and Vlad Dracul’s house before returning to Brasov.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast

Day 16 - BRASOV – BUCHAREST

Drive down to the Romanian capital .Your sightseeing tour includes views of University Square and the former Communist Headquarters plus a visit to the immense Parliament Palace, one of the largest buildings in the world. Tonight enjoy an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.

Hotel: Hilton

Meals: Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner

Day 17 - BUCHAREST

Your tour ends after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Henri Coandă International Airport at 06:30 & 10:00.

Meals: Buffet Breakfast
 

Most Insight tours already include a host of bonus highlights and comprehensive sightseeing. There may also be an exciting array of optional excursions which will turn an already amazing experience into the trip of a lifetime! These are entirely optional and can be booked through your Tour Director/Local Representative at the commencement of your tour. The following is a general list for guidance and budgeting purposes only. Actual optional excursions and prices will be advised by your Tour Director at the beginning of your tour.

ALBANIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY

An expert local guides us takes through the complicated but fascinating historical twists that shaped this little known country and its people. Everyone – from Illirians to WWII partisans - are represented in beautiful exhibits sourced from the many archeological sites across the country. Especially interesting is the section covering Albania in the late 20th century. The museum shop is an excellent place to shop for traditional crafts.
Adult Price: EURO 20
Code: TIR01

EXCURSION TO SZENTENDRE WITH MICRO MUSEUM

We travel north, past the Roman Ruins of Aquincum, to the picturesque Baroque village of Szentendre. An orientation tour guides us through this architectural treasure trove to the main square – an excellent place from which to explore. Szentendre’s cobbled streets house a delightful array of craft-shops as well as a number of art museums and galleries. Perhaps visit the Micro Museum, where the exhibits can only be viewed under a microscope.
Adult Price: EURO 25
Code: BUD01B

CILIPI FOLKLORE SHOW

Hear the church bells calling for Mass and see the locals dressed in their Sunday best slowly heading to church. A joyful celebration takes place in the church square following the Mass where the locals in colourful costumes perform songs and dances from the village and the region. You will have a chance to browse the market for authentic local souvenirs and enjoy the rhythm of Dalmatian music. (Only available on Sundays).
Adult Price: EURO 29
Code: DBV03

CHARM OF OLD SARAJEVO

For centuries Sarajevo has always been a place where East met West, where different peoples and religions lived close to one another. Start with a light lunch in the old Bas-carsija quarter. You will then be guided through the biggest mosque of the Balkans. In the impressive Old Synagogue, see the legacy of the Sefardies who found a new home in Sarajevo after expulsion from Spain. Round it all up by learning how to prepare and properly drink a Turkish coffee - a real ceremony in this part of the world.
Adult Price: EURO 30
Code: SAR05

DANUBE CRUISE WITH DRINKS

The most leisurely way to discover this fairy-tale city is a guided cruise on the Danube with a glass of fine Hungarian wine in your hand. See Margaret Island, the Houses of Parliament, Castle Hill with the Fisherman’s Bastion, the Royal Palace, the Citadel and the University. Note: Occasionally, a lavish. gourmet buffet meal of Hungarian specialties and unlimited drinks will be offered for EURO 55
Adult Price: EURO 35
Code: BUD03

HOME HOSTED DINNER

Enjoy the unique opportunity of stepping inside a Sarajevo resident's home to savour the warm hospitality and the tasty local cuisine. There will be no more than several guests with each family, ensuring a cosy and memorable evening.
Adult Price: EURO 45
Code: SAR06

BULGARIAN FOLKLORE SHOW WITH DINNER

Dinner with folklore program in a traditional folklore style restaurant with delicious Bulgarian cuisine and wine.
Adult Price: EURO 48
Code: SOF02

ROMANIAN DINNER AND ENTERTAINMENT

Introduce yourself to Romania's cuisine with original old recipes served in one of the oldest and most popular restaurants in Bucharest! Enjoy the aroma of home-made bread fresh from the oven, try the tastes of Bukovina and Transilvania, and wash it all down with local beers and wines. Maybe even join the locals as they dance and sing the night away. A great beginning to our adventure!
Adult Price: EURO 48
Code: BUC02

RILA MONASTERY WITH LUNCH

Optional excursion to the magnificent Rila Monastery, the largest and most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. The monastery was built at the site where the holy man went into exile, and, in one form or another it lasted through the ages to delight the visitor till today with its imposing beauty.
Adult Price: EURO 50
Code: SOF01

SERBIAN HERITAGE WITH DINNER

Driving through picturesque Sumadija region we reach Topola, a stronghold of Karadjordje - the founder of Serbian royal dyinasty. King Peter of Serbia created an Endowment there, a complex that includes an amazing Church of St. George, the burial place of the the Karadjordjevic Dynasty. Every square inch of its interior is decorated with mosaics – over 40 million pieces in 15 thousand nuances faithfully depict the most beautiful medieval Serbian frescoes. See family memorabilia displayed in the summer home of King Alexandar and Queen Marija. Stop as well in Old Konak before heading for spa town of Arandjelovac to enjoy a lavish dinner of local foods and drinks.
Adult Price: EURO 52
Code: BLG04

SUNSET CRUISE AND DINNER

Sit back and enjoy a relaxing cruise around the fabled bay of Dubrovnik. The mighty city walls rise straight from the cliffs that once upon a time were part of yet another island of the Adriatic. A dinner of seaside specialties will be washed down with local drinks (wine and grappa being the most famous) as the sun sets over the splendid city. We will moor in the old town harbour and have another look at Dubrovnik by night – when the crowds are gone and the locals come out for a stroll. (The operation of this tour is dependent on weather conditions and in some cases the cruise will be operated during the day with lunch).
Adult Price: EURO 53
Code: DBV02