Treasures of the Balkans
Treasures of the Balkans
$5395
Tour Overview
Explore Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria's hand-picked sights from Roman ruins in Sofia to a private after-hours tour of Bran Castle.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Sarajevo: Take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protectedpark just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
- Sarajevo: Meet a Bosnian War expert at the Sarajevo’s Tunnel of Hope and hear a first-hand account of the city’s 44-month siege, or learn about the conservation efforts supporting the health of local flora and fauna.
Top Rated Highlights
- Bucharest: See University Square and the former Communist Headquarters. Walk the cavernous halls of the vast Palace of Parliament.
- Bucharest: Walk the cavernous halls of the vast Palace of Parliament, learn about the history and listen to amusing tales from your Local Expert.
- Sinaia: Witness the opulent and sumptuous decor in Pele? Castle, the fairy-tale Royal summer residence, at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains.
- Veliko Tarnovo: Ascend Tsarevets, the King's Hill, crowned by a ruined medieval citadel. Enjoy the views and imagine yourself back in the days of the Crusades when this was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.
- Arbanasi: Visit a traditional 17th-century merchants' house and enjoy the acoustics in the Church of the Holy Nativity.
- Sofia: Sightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to 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.
- Skopje: Explore Square Macedonia and see the Stone Bridge before walking through the Old Bazaar.
- Tirana: Meet a local resident who will show you Skanderbeg Square and walk you through their home city as they explain what it's like to live in the Albanian capital.
- Kotor: Visit the Stari Grad, also referred to as the Old Town, perfectly positioned on a beautiful bay.
- Dubrovnik: Explore the stone-paved streets of the Old Town, see Onofrio's Fountain, Rector's Palace and the medieval city walls.
- Mostar: Learn the history and symbolic significance of Stari Most and explore the old town with your Local Expert.
- Belgrade: A Local Expert will show you St. Sava Church, Terazije Street, the national museum, national theatre, Republic Square and the Kalemegdan Fortress.
Make Travel Matter
Sarajevo: Enjoy dinner at a Sarajevan family home and savour and hear stories about their culture.
Sarajevo: Take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protectedpark just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide. This experience advances United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Authentic Dining
Bucharest: Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for your dinner.
Dubrovnik: Choose to dine at one of the varied selection of charming restaurants offered on your Dine-Around evening.
Sarajevo: Experience authentic Bosnian coffee and learn about the traditional ritual of coffee preparation.
Belgrade: Toast the culmination of your travels with dinner.
Insight Choice
Choose between two experiences in Sarajevo
Sarajevo: Meet a Bosnian War expert at the Sarajevo’s Tunnel of Hope and hear a first-hand account of the city’s 44-month siege, or learn about the conservation efforts supporting the health of local flora and fauna.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Bucharest
Location: Bucharest
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu Bucharest
Meals Included: Dinner
Your Balkan adventure begins in Romania's capital, Bucharest. Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner paired with wine at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Bucharest and Castles of Transylvania
Location: Bucharest, Bran Castle
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu Aurum, Brașov
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join a Local Expert for a tour of University Square and the former communist headquarters. Visit the Parliament Palace, one of the world's most impressive buildings. Savour a private dinner in the newly renovated Queen Mary’s Tea House. This evening, enjoy an exclusive visit to the iconic Bran Castle, said to inspire Bram Stoker's Dracula. Learn about Queen Maria of Romania, the castle's last inhabitant, explore the torture rooms, and relive the tales of Count Dracula.
Day 3: Brasov and Sinaia
Location: Sinaia, Brașov
Accommodation Name: Radisson Blu Aurum, Brașov
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel along the Prahova Valley to the elegant mountain resort of Sinaia to visit Pele�� Castle. Return through the Carpathian Mountains to the charming medieval city of Brașov. With your Local Expert, walk around Town Hall Square, lined with beautiful red-roofed houses and dominated by the Black Church.
Day 4: Veliko Tarnovo
Location: Veliko Tarnovo
Accommodation Name: Yantra, Veliko Tarnovo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue to Veliko Tarnovo. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Day 5: To Sofia Relaxed Start
Location: Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanasi, Sofia
Accommodation Name: Grand Millennium Sofia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Meet your Local Expert to visit Tsarevets Fortress for stunning views. At the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arbanasi, visit a traditional 17th-century merchant's house and the Church of the Holy Nativity. Cross the Balkan Mountains to Sofia and join a Local Expert to explore.
Day 6: Sofia at Your Pace Relaxed Start
Location: Sofia, Rila Monastery
Accommodation Name: Grand Millennium Sofia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy your day at leisure. Perhaps visit the Rila Monastery to gain fascinating insights into Bulgaria's largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery.
Day 7: Skopje
Location: Skopje
Accommodation Name: Bushi Resort & Spa, Skopje
Meals Included: Dinner
Cross the border and continue to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, for sightseeing with a Local Expert.
Day 8: Lake Ohrid and Tirana
Location: Lake Ohrid, Tirana
Accommodation Name: MAK Albania, Tirana
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Making your way to the border, stop by the scenic Lake Ohrid. Cross into Albania and journey to Tirana. Continue to the landmark Skanderbeg Square for an insider’s look at the Albanian capital with a Local Expert.
Day 9: Journey to Montenegro’s Budva
Location: Budva
Accommodation Name: TQ Plaza, Budva
Meals Included: Breakfast
Soak up Montenegro’s natural beauty as you drive towards Budva, where you will have time to explore 'Montenegro's Miami'. Head to Stari Grad (the Old Town), surrounded by 15th-century ramparts to explore its labyrinthine lanes and small squares, where you could choose to sit back and watch the world go by.
Day 10: Kotor and Dubrovnik
Location: Kotor, Dubrovnik
Accommodation Name: Kompas Dubrovnik
Meals Included: Breakfast
Journey to the Old Town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the fortified port of Dubrovnik. At night, you may choose from a fine selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around evening.
Day 11: Dubrovnik Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Location: Dubrovnik, Cavtat
Accommodation Name: Kompas Dubrovnik
Meals Included: Breakfast
Join a Local Expert to see Onofrio's Fountain and the Rector's Palace, the city walls and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.
Day 12: Mostar and Sarajevo
Location: Mostar, Sarajevo
Accommodation Name: Europe, Sarajevo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Journey to Mostar. With your Local Expert, see the famous Stari Most, the Old Bridge. Explore the cobbled streets of the Old Town, stretching on both sides of the bridge and filled with shops selling traditional handicrafts. Follow the scenic route to Sarajevo. A unique and rewarding insight into the local way of life awaits, as you are invited into a Sarajevan family for dinner and wine.
Day 13: Sarajevo, City of Culture
Location: Sarajevo
Accommodation Name: Europe, Sarajevo
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Sarajevo with Insight Choice. Choose to meet an expert on the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo’s astonishing Tunnel of Hope. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience for a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protected park just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide. The rest of the afternoon is for you to explore as you wish.
Day 14: The Serbian Capital of Belgrade Relaxed Start
Location: Belgrade
Accommodation Name: Radisson Collection, Old Mill Belgrade
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trace your way along the Drina River, that lies on the border of Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Take in beautiful landscapes of lush, green mountains that create magical forest canyons, winding your way through deep valleys as you make your way to Belgrade.
Day 15: The Best of Belgrade Relaxed Start
Location: Belgrade
Accommodation Name: Radisson Collection, Old Mill Belgrade
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Join a Local Expert to see the best of Belgrade. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before joining your fellow travellers for dinner this evening.
Day 16: Farewell Belgrade
Location: Belgrade
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your journey through the Balkans has come to an end. All that’s left is to say a fond doviđenja as you bid your new friends farewell.
What's Included
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Local Expert Guides
Local experts will guide you through various locations, providing insights and historical context.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Tips at hotels and restaurants are included, so you don't have to worry about tipping.
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Porterage
Porterage is included, meaning your bags will be carried and delivered to your hotel room.
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Complimentary Wi-Fi
Stay connected with complimentary Wi-Fi on the coach and at hotels (where available).
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights match the itinerary start and end dates.
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Luxury Coach
Travel in comfort on Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for use throughout the day.
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Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, a local specialty representing the destination.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as visiting the Rila Monastery or the town of Cavtat are not included and may incur additional costs.
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Flights
Flights to and from the tour start and end locations are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Additional Transfers
Transfers outside the scheduled times or for additional nights' accommodation are not included and may be purchased separately.
Mode of Transport
Travel in luxury on Insight's air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Transfers are available at scheduled times if your flights match the itinerary start and end dates.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest, Radisson Blu Aurum in Bra?ov, Yantra in Veliko Tarnovo, Grand Millennium Sofia, Bushi Resort & Spa in Skopje, MAK Albania in Tirana, TQ Plaza in Budva, Kompas Dubrovnik, Europe in Sarajevo, and Radisson Collection, Old Mill Belgrade.
Dining Summary
- 7 Dinner (D)
- 15 Breakfast (B)
- 2 Dinner with Wine (DW)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Bran: During a private after-hours visit of Bran Castle, learn about the story of the infamous Count Dracula, followed by dinner.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Summary
- Visit the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest • Pele? Castle in Sinaia • Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo • Church of the Holy Nativity in Arbanasi.
- City tours of Bucharest, Brasov, Veliko Tarnovo, Skopje, Tirana, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Sofia, Belgrade and Budapest, all with Local Experts.
- Welcome Dinner in Bucharest • Dinner at Bran Castle • Dine-Around options in Dubrovnik • Home Hosted dinner in Sarajevo • Celebration Dinner in Belgrade.
Taste Bosnian coffee in Sarajevo.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Sarajevo visit?
In Sarajevo, you have the option to meet an expert on the Bosnian War for a visit to the Tunnel of Hope, or you can join a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, led by a conservation guide. Additionally, you will be invited into a Sarajevan family home for dinner to experience authentic cuisine and hear inspirational stories about their culture. ...more ...less
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What is the significance of the visit to Bran Castle?
The visit to Bran Castle is significant as it includes a private after-hours tour where you will learn about the story of the infamous Count Dracula. This experience is enhanced by a traditional dinner, providing a unique insight into the history and legends associated with the castle. ...more ...less
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What kind of dining experiences can I expect on this tour?
The tour includes a variety of dining experiences such as a private dinner in Queen Mary’s Tea House in Bucharest, a Dine-Around evening in Dubrovnik with a selection of charming restaurants, and an authentic Bosnian coffee experience in Sarajevo. Additionally, there are dinners with wine included in the itinerary. ...more ...less
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How does the tour support sustainable travel practices?
The tour supports sustainable travel practices through experiences like the nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, which advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land. Additionally, the dinner with a Sarajevan family supports Goals 10 and 11: Reduced Inequalities and Sustainable Cities and Communities. ...more ...less
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What are some of the highlights of the tour in Dubrovnik?
In Dubrovnik, you will explore the stone-paved streets within the 16th-century bastions, see Onofrio's Fountain, the Rector's Palace, the city walls, and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. There is also an optional experience to visit the town of Cavtat, where you can enjoy the Adriatic coast and visit a local winery. ...more ...less
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
Reviews of this operator
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
Treasures of the Balkans
16 Days Starting in Bucharest, Romania and ending in Belgrade, Serbia
Visiting: Bucharest, Bran Castle, Sinaia, Brașov, Veliko Tarnovo, Arbanasi, Sofia, Rila Monastery, Skopje, Lake Ohrid, Tirana, Budva, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Cavtat, Mostar, Sarajevo, Belgrade ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
