The Trip of Your Lifetime: from Greece to Serbia
If you have not visited Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia yet but find all of the above inciting to explore, you can cover big European distances in 11 care-free days with one of our bestselling experiences in the region.
We’ve decided to showcase one of our tours today because it has proven such a fantastic European holiday for so many of our travelers. It combines a visit to Athens, Meteora, Tirana, Budva, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split, Mostar, Sarajevo and Belgrade – all the iconic cities across five European countries. Not rushed or too densely packed; rather inspirational, convenient and unique.
Today we’d love to share how the five countries came together under one experience and a few special gems about each destination that makes your holiday a trip of a lifetime.
Greece: Athens & Meteora
Athens was an easy choice to include in this tour – this is a city steeped in history and has some of the largest collection of Greek ruins and artifacts in the world. Here, you have a choice of exploring the city yourself, or take an advantage of the Half Day Acropolis Tour or Corinth Canal Tour. If you feel adventurous, visit the Agora – Athens Central Market, heading to the Temple of Poseidon after or admire the Temple of Zeus, see the Tower of the Winds or visit the Kanellopoulos Museum. This city will make you want to come back!
With our tour, we head to Meteora, spending an evening in the nearby traditional Greek village of Kalambaka, which is snuggly nestled in front of some gigantic rock formations. It’s worthwhile staying overnight for the view! No matter where you go, traveling always involves admiring local sunrises and sunsets. And Meteora is in a whole separate category of amazing that other destinations cannot even begin to fathom. These extraordinary rock formations of the Meteora crowned by Byzantine monasteries create a magical backdrop for the start of your holiday.
Albania: Tirana
Montenegro: Budva & Kotor
Here you can also visit the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, built in 1166, the Church of Saint Nicholas and hike up to the Kotor Fortress.
Croatia: Dubrovnik & Split
After some good rest, we travel a short distance to Split and have a walking tour of the city visiting Diocletian Palace – a Roman imperial palace. We will walk the southern part of palace, the Bronze Gates, through the Vestibul of the Emperor’s Palace, The Mausoleum, St. Dujam’s Cathedral, Cathedral Treasury, Temple of Jupiter, St. Martin’s Church (Golden Gate) and conclude the tour at the fruit square and visit the Venetian castle, Milesi Palace and the Monument of Marko Marulic. This is a rich day full of discoveries!
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Mostar & Sarajevo
Mostar was the most heavily bombed settlement in Bosnia during the war, but it has since been rebuilt, which we are very excited about. We visit the famous Stari Most Bridge, originally built by the Ottomans in 16th century. It was the great architect Mimar Hajrudin who succeeded with the impossible mission to cross the Neretva River with a single span stone bridge. Afterwards, we drive to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s small but vibrant capital, a town situated in a beautiful valley in the high mountains of Herzegovina.
Here, a guided tour of Sarajevo is waiting. We love exploring this city! Twenty years after the end of a devastating war, Sarajevo is slowly asserting itself as one of Europe’s most beautiful and interesting cities. Here, you can experience the mix of east and west, dotted with minarets, mosques, bazaars and the aroma of coffee. As you enjoy your day here, in the evening, taste a simple but delicious meal in Bascarsija, Sarajevo’s old bazaar. And try the local specialty of bosanski cevapi (grilled minced meat mixed with mild spices). Optional tours of the Tunnel of Hope and Vrelo Bosne are available for the afternoon as well.
Serbia: Belgrade
This is a part of the world not many get to really experience. You are going to love it.
In the afternoon we have a guided tour of Belgrade visiting the city’s wide boulevards and squares, and the historic and green heart of Kalemegdan Park. The park is home to Kelmegdan Fortress, which has overlooked the Danube River here for centuries. While Belgrade hurtles towards a brighter future, its chaotic past unfolds before your eyes as you walk the city – socialist blocks are squeezed between art nouveau masterpieces, and remnants of the Habsburg legacy contrast with Ottoman relics and socialist modernist monoliths.
If you want help planning your holiday or have any questions about this experience, just reach out on 1800 242 353 or chat live online.