15-Nights Treasures of the Balkans - Small Group

15 nights from: $6,620

Treasures Of The Balkans - Small Group
Explore the former Communist headquarters of Romania in Bucharest, see Bulgaria’s Roman ruins in Sofia and marvel at Bosnia’s Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo. After exploring the medieval city of Bra ov, take the mountain roads to the Transylvanian border and join a private visit of Bran Castle after hours - better known as Dracula’s haunted abode in Bram Stoker’s infamous novel, followed by private dinner. Delve into the myths and legends before adventuring onwards to Mostar, where a Local Expert guides you through the city’s iconic sights ahead of a Sarajevo Dine at Home experience. Sit down with a Sarajevan family for a feast of local delicacies, traditional Bosnian coffee and tales of local life before your adventure ends in Belgrade.


Dining Summary

• 6 Dinner (D)
• 15 Breakfast (B)
• 3 Dinner with Wine (DW)

• 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 an expert of the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope and hear a first-hand account of when the city was under siege for 44 months. Alternatively, take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a picturesque park just beyond the city.

• 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.

• Bucharest: Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for your dinner.
• Dubrovnik: You will be offered a varied selection of charming restaurants to choose from for 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.

• Sarajevo: Meet an expert of the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope and hear a first-hand account of when the city was under siege for 44 months. Alternatively, take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a picturesque park just beyond the city.

• Bran: Learn about the story of the infamous Count Dracula during a private after-hours visit of Bran Castle, followed by dinner.

• Sarajevo: You are invited into a Sarajevan family home for a dinner and drinks. Savor the warm hospitality and authentic cuisine as you hear inspirational stories about their culture. This experience advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 & 11: Reduced Inequalities & Sustainable Cities and Communities.
• 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.

• Bucharest: During sightseeing with your Local Expert see University Square and the former Communist Headquarters.
• 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: At the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arbanassi, 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: Visit the capital of Macedonia with your Local Expert, explore Square Macedonia and see the Stone Bridge before walking through the Old Bazaar.
• Ohrid: Walk the cobbled, narrow streets of the Old Town.
• 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 Pearl of the Adriatic with your Local Expert. Walk the stone-paved streets of the Old Town to see Onofrio's Fountain, Rector's Palace and the medieval city walls. Admire the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.
• Mostar: Learn the history and symbolic significance of Stari
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North Macedonia, the only state to secede from Yugoslavia without bloodshed, finally fell victim to the Balkan curse in 2001. The country's ethnic Albanian minority, which increased with the influx of refugees from neighboring Serbia and Kosovo, took up arms against the North Macedonian government and demanded greater autonomy. Most of the clashes took place in the northern part of the country, though there were bombings in the capital, Skopje, as well. Macedonia Travel
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Since a Western-brokered peace deal in 2001, however, the situation in North Macedonia has been relatively stable and visitors should not experience any troubles. As the country grows economically, its capital of Skopje has seen a number of urban developments, including the addition of office complexes, shopping malls and international hotels.