Highlights of Serbia Group Tour

Fly to Belgrade, Serbia's capital. On arrival, meet your transfer driver and head into the city to check-in at your hotel. Along the way, your driver will show you and tell some stories about the Western Gate of Belgrade, the famous Belgrade Arena and the monumental Palace of Serbia. This evening there will be a welcome meeting at the hotel with the tour guide. The rest of the evening is at leisure to enjoy Belgrade's gastronomy and nightlife. We recommend you take a short, leisurely walk through one of the oldest quarters towards the bohemian heart of Belgrade - Skadarlija. In this charming 19th century cobbled street you will find many numerous ‘kafanas’ where you can try delicious local specialities while listening to traditional music.

After breakfast, you will embark on a tour (driving and walking) around Belgrade, a capital city well known for its various architectural styles, dynamic history and fantastic views of one of the biggest river confluences in the whole of Europe. Start the tour visiting the Museum of Yugoslav History, a memorial complex devoted to the life and deeds of Josip Broz Tito, the political leader of Yugoslavia. Next, you will pass by the stadium of FC Red Star – the former European and World Cup champions, and proceed to the Temple of Saint Sava, Belgrade’s patron saint. Very much a symbol of the city, this impressive building can be seen from any part of the capital. After a short break at the Temple’s plateau, the panoramic tour will then take you from Slavija Square, to Saint Mark’s Church, the Serbian National Parliament and White Palace, and on to Republic Square. This most central point of Belgrade is surrounded by such cultural institutions as the National Theatre and National Museum. The tour will then head along the lively Knez Mihailo Street, the main pedestrian and shopping zone, before stopping for a visit to the Orthodox Cathedral Church of Saint Michael the Archangel. Your guide will tell you about the tavern around the corner, the oldest in the city and intriguingly known as “?” (Question Mark), before continuing on to Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress, the most important cultural-historic complex of the city, situated on the confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube. (B)

Today you will explore the most interesting sights of Vojvodina, a province in the north of Serbia. You will be driven through picturesque scenery and Serbia’s famous wine region towards the ‘Serbian Holy Land’, home to 17 functioning Serbian Orthodox monasteries. Visit the well preserved monastery Krušedol, where you’ll have the opportunity to buy wine and rakija made by the monks. The tour continues on to Sremski Karlovci- a real gem of Serbian culture and spirituality, Sremski Karlovci feels like a ‘museum town’ with its Baroque centre, the Patriarchal Court, the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and the first Serbian secondary school (gymnasium). You will finish your tour of this charming town with a visit and wine tasting at one the region’s most prominent wineries. Further on the tour, you will visit the 2021 European Capital of Culture, Novi Sad. Located on the historical border of two former empires – the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman – as a result, the capital of Vojvodina is a multi-cultural city with an interesting mix of architectural influences. On a sightseeing tour around the city, you will walk around the city’s pedestrian zone, past many interesting buildings, before following the right bank of the Danube to reach the Petrovaradin Fortress, so-called ‘Gibraltar of the Danube'. Drive back to Belgrade for an evening at leisure. (B)

Today head to central Serbia to visit the Manasija Monastery, Resava Cave and Lisina waterfalls. First up will be the Manasija Monastery (Resava) with its Church of the Holy Trinity is located in central Serbia along the right bank of the Resava river. Like a military fortification with towers, large walls and trenches, Manasija was built during the rule of Despot Stefan Lazarević in the early 15th century. The Turks conquered the monastery in the 15th century and the Austrians in the 18th, so by the 19th century the monastery had been restored twice. The Manasija floor mosaics and wall frescoes, along with various architectural styles of objects of Manasija represent a real rarity of Serbian medieval architecture and old Serbian paintings. The tour then heads to Resava Cave, which was discovered long ago and is still one of the most interesting caves in Serbia. The cave and the surrounding 11 hectares of land are considered a natural monument and thus protected by the state. Lunch will be served at a restaurant near the Lisina waterfalls, another of Serbia’s spectacular natural monuments. Return to Belgrade. (B)

Morning departure from Belgrade, heading west towards the picturesque Ovčar- Kablar Gorge towards the Tara National Park, and on to the Šargan Eight narrow gage railway. Travelling from the bottom of Šargan mountain on a route shaped like a figure eight (hence the name), you will be transported back in time while enjoying the stunning mountain scenery and numerous tunnels and viaducts. At the beginning of the 20th century, the railway used to be a part of the railway from Belgrade to Sarajevo. After enjoying the breathtaking nature, arrive at the ethno village Drvengrad (Wooden Town), built by prominent film director Emir Kusturica. The village, which includes the Mećavnik Hotel, houses, galleries, shops, a cinema and a church, is made of natural materials, mostly wood. Since 2008, the village plays host to the annual Küstendorf Film and Music Festival. After exploring Drvengrad, there will be a short drive to the famous Zlatibor Mountain, home of the first royal resort in Serbia. Here you can enjoy a relaxing walk around the quaint town centre of this picturesque air spa. In the evening, an enjoyable dinner of traditional Serbian food typical of the region will be served in the hotel. (B,D)

Departure from Zlatibor in the morning, transfer to Uvac Special Natural Reserve. The main attraction of the reserve is its population of griffon vultures. The griffon vulture is a relatively rare species of bird of prey whose population in Uvac is the biggest in Europe. The bird’s wing span is about 3 m and they can weigh up to 11 kg, making it the biggest bird in Serbia. However, the griffon vulture is not the only attraction of the reserve; for centuries, the Uvac river has been making its way through the mountains, leaving deep meanders and creating caves. The tour will take a boat trip and follow the river as it twists and turns through the impressive landscape, stopping at two caves called Ušak and Ledena (Ice). After the exciting boat trip, the tour will return to Zlatibor and visit Sirogojno, a village famous for its ethnological museum and ‘Sirogojno sweaters’ made of raw wool. Head back north and return to Belgrade for another 2 nights. (B)

Free day to further explore the city or take a private tour to another part of the country. For those interested in history and archaeology, a full day tour east following the river Danube to the impregnable Golubac Fortress and the archaeological treasures of Lepenski Vir is a must. (B)

Transfer back to Belgrade Airport today to take your return flight. (B)