Abstract:
This 10-day journey through Serbia offers a blend of rich history, cultural experiences, and breathtaking landscapes from vibrant cities to ancient monasteries and the mighty Danube.Activities:
Explore Petrovaradin Fortress, Novi SadStroll through Novi Sad city center & Dunav Park
Discover Krušedol and Velika Remeta Monasteries
Wander Sremski Karlovci & Chapel of Peace
Visit Brankovina cultural complex
Experience Tešnjar quarter & Valjevo city highlights
Admire Oplenac Church & Royal Winery, Topola
Explore Orašac Memorial Park & ethnic village
Tour Niš Fortress & Skull Tower
Uncover Mediana archaeological site
Enjoy Golubac Fortress & Iron Gate cruise
Discover Lepenski Vir archaeological site
Experience Belgrade – Kalemegdan, Knez Mihailova, Republic Square, Skadarlija, Temple of Saint Sava
Tour description:
Day 1 – Belgrade, Nikola Tesla Airport – Novi Sad
Upon your arrival at the "Nikola Tesla" International Airport, your guide will meet you regardless of the time and whether your flight is delayed. Look for him/her in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing the name of your agency.
After an hour's drive, we arrive in Novi Sad, and immediately upon arrival, we will go on a tour of the famous Petrovaradin Fortress, which is one of the most impressive
symbols of this city and one of the largest fortresses on the Danube.
We will reach the plateau in front of the famous Clock Tower, which offers a spectacular view of Novi Sad, where we will stop for photographs, souvenirs, and to
enjoy the beautiful view of the river and the rooftops of Petrovaradin. Also located here on the fortress is the Museum of the City of Novi Sad, within which you will visit the Underground Military Galleries – a four-story communication and defense system 16 kilometers long, representing a unique attraction.
After the tour, transfer to the hotel located in the wider center of Novi Sad. Overnight stay.
Day 2 – Novi Sad
After breakfast, get to know Novi Sad! Walking from the hotel, we first arrive at the famous Novi Sad Synagogue, considered one of the most significant and beautiful buildings in Novi Sad. Continuing our walk, we reach the National Theatre, and then the imposing Cathedral in Liberty Square (Trg Slobode). From there, we go to the
nearby Zmaj Jovina Street and enter the main pedestrian zone. This leads to the oldest street in the city - Dunavska Street. At the beginning of the street is the City
Library, and across from it is the oldest house in Novi Sad, "Kod belog lava" (At the White Lion), built at the beginning of the 18th century. From Dunavska Street, we enter Dunavski Park (Danube Park), the oldest and most beautiful city park, which represents a true oasis of peace in the heart of Novi Sad.
After a few minutes of walking, we reach the Danube River. Here we will enjoy the wonderful view of the second-largest European river and the mighty Petrovaradin
Fortress.
As part of the walking tour, we will take the opportunity to visit the Museum of Vojvodina, which preserves a rich collection from this region, spanning from
prehistory to the modern age.
After the tour concludes, there will be free time. Overnight stay.
Day 3 – Novi Sad – Krušedol Monastery – Velika Remeta Monastery – Sremski Karlovci
Breakfast. Fruška Gora National Park is located just half an hour's drive from the center of Novi Sad. Besides its exceptional natural significance, it is also known as
the Holy Mountain because it is home to 16 medieval monasteries.
We first visit the pearl of Fruška Gora - Krušedol Monastery (16th century). The monastery is surrounded by the forest of the national park, separated from it by high walls. Within the walls lies a spacious courtyard that exudes peace, and inside a smaller courtyard is the sanctuary.
The next visit is to Velika Remeta Monastery (15th century), which was founded by King Stefan Dragutin and is one of the oldest Fruška Gora monasteries. Fantastic
architecture and a beautifully landscaped courtyard full of flowers create an atmosphere like a heavenly garden, providing a unique feeling.
Upon completion of the monastery visits, we will head towards Sremski Karlovci, which is situated on the right bank of the Danube River, a place that marked the
cultural, spiritual, and political history of the Serbs. The exceptionally preserved Baroque architecture combined with unusual stories about the events and people who marked the history of this place will captivate you at first sight. Sightseeing of the city center and a visit to a remarkably significant place erected in honor of the signing of peace between the Christian Alliance and the Ottoman Empire – the Chapel of Peace. Optionally, upon completion, there will be an organized lunch or free time to
choose a restaurant of your choice. After lunch, return to Novi Sad. Overnight stay.
Day 4 – Novi Sad - Valjevo
Breakfast and check-out from the hotel. After a two-hour drive, arrival in Brankovina, an extremely important cultural and historical complex of the powerful family that led the First Serbian Uprising. Also, the greatest Serbian female poet is buried in this place. After the visit, we head towards Valjevo.
Arrival in Valjevo, and before touring the city, a short break at the Jefimija restaurant in the Tešnjar čaršija (market) – the old part of the city where many Serbian films
and series were shot. After the break, a walk along the Kolubara River, through the old and new parts of the city. Sightseeing of landmarks, the Tešnjar čaršija, the
National Museum, as well as the imposing monument to Stjepan Filipović which is located on an elevation offering a view of the entire city. At the highest point of the
city, there is an excellent restaurant with traditional Serbian food and a beautiful viewpoint. Break for lunch. After lunch and a break, we go to visit Lelić Monastery,
which houses the relics of one of the greatest Serbian saints – Bishop Nikolaj.
Arrival at the 3* hotel located in the wider city center. Overnight stay.
Day 5 – Valjevo – Topola – Orašac - Niš
Breakfast and check-out from the hotel. This is followed by a drive lasting 2 hours.
Arrival in Topola, a town situated in the picturesque heart of Šumadija, in the so-called Karađorđe's Town. We will visit the museum dedicated to the insurgent and
his participants, as well as the old church, Karađorđe's endowment, which features a beautifully carved iconostasis. We then go to the Church of St. George, the mausoleum of the Karađorđević family, on the top of Oplenac. The church dominates its position atop the hill and is surrounded by a well-maintained park and
forest. It is unique because it is covered in mosaics (40 million pieces in 15,000 shades). The church also houses a lavish crypt with the remains of 25 members of
the Karađorđević family, including King Peter II, the last Serbian king, whose remains were recently brought here. We will not miss a visit to the House of Peter I the Liberator, which today houses a museum gallery with exhibits related to the life of this dynasty.
After the visit, we go to the Royal Winery, where we will have the opportunity to taste wines. This is where the old press from the king's time is located, including the oldest barrels that were a wedding gift to King Aleksandar I and Queen Maria. The museum exhibition also features the oldest Serbian wine cellar.
Next, we head to Orašac, but first, for refreshment and lunch at the ethnic tavern and cottages "Karađorđev vajat" on the hill above Orašac. This is the first
ethnic village built in Šumadija. Excellent food prepared according to traditional recipes, fresh air, an altitude of 380m, and wonderful Šumadija landscapes will rest your eyes and soul.
After lunch, we will descend to Marićevića Jaruga, where we continue with the historical narrative. This is the place where the agreement to raise the First Serbian Uprising was made and Karađorđe was elected as the leader of the uprising. Then, we will visit the museum and the entire complex of the Orašac Memorial Park which is located nearby.
Upon completion, the journey continues south to Niš, one of the oldest cities in the Balkans. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 6 – Niš
Breakfast. Sightseeing of the most important landmarks: a visit to the Niš Fortress, a very important cultural and historical structure that dominates the urban core of
the city. At the fortress, we will also visit the Ćele Kula ("Tower of Skulls"), a monument from the First Serbian Uprising which was built by the then Turkish authorities in Serbia as an act of vengeance, using the skulls of fallen Serbian warriors. Visit to the monument of Šaban Bajramović, the world-famous Balkan King of Jazz. Departure towards Mediana, an archaeological site from the late Roman period. Upon completion of the sightseeing, free time. Overnight stay.
Day 7 – Niš – Golubac Fortress - Iron Gate – Lepenski vir - Belgrade
Breakfast and check-out from the hotel. After a 3-hour drive, we arrive at Golubac Fortress. Built at the very entrance to the Iron Gate (Đerdap) Gorge, surrounded by
interconnected towers and ramparts, in a very inaccessible location, it held a significant position in the conquest plans of the Ottomans. After visiting the fortress,
we continue our journey by bus towards Donji Milanovac. Transfer to Captain Miša's Hill (Kapetan Mišin breg) for lunch with excellent Serbian and Vlach specialties. From this, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Serbia, we enjoy the view of the Danube and the special atmosphere of this area. After lunch, a bus ride to Tekija. Here, we will board a boat to begin our cruise through Đerdap, the deepest gorge in Europe and the largest national park in Serbia. We will pass through Mali Kazan (between which the depth of the water is an incredible 90 meters!), you will see old signal stations, the head of King Decebalus on the Romanian side, as well as
the famous Trajan's Plaque on our side which can only be seen from the water! After the cruise ends, we travel by bus to Lepenski Vir. We will visit the archaeological
site 9,500 years old! Numerous scientific studies have confirmed that this place is actually the cradle of European civilization! This site was the center of one of the
most important Neolithic cultures. From 6,500–8,800 B.C., a settlement of at least a hundred residential and sacred buildings stood on it. Incidentally, this settlement is older than Ancient Greece, than the pyramids in Giza, Egypt (2,560 B.C.) or any other known ancient city (Jerusalem, Beirut, Damascus and Aleppo in Syria, Byblos
in Lebanon). A two-hour drive follows, after which we arrive in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade. Check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 8 – Belgrade
Breakfast. We start a panoramic and walking tour of the city, accompanied by a guide.
We will visit the heart of the city, the green Kalemegdan Park and the historic fortress that rises above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. We will take a walk, enjoying the most beautiful views and exploring numerous historical monuments, gates, and buildings. Next, we will walk along Knez Mihailova Street, the main
pedestrian zone of the city, surrounded by historic buildings, street musicians, and elegant shops.
At the end of the street is Republic Square (Trg Republike), the central square of Belgrade. We head to Skadarlija, the bohemian quarter and a symbol of Belgrade. Skadarlija became Belgrade's bohemian quarter in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when actors, writers, and painters moved to this part of the city, and the Skadarlija taverns became the gathering place for the most famous names of the Belgrade cultural scene. Today, in Skadarlija's restaurants, you can experience a part of Belgrade's bohemian past while enjoying traditional Serbian cuisine and listening to old-time music.
Break for lunch. After lunch, our final destination will be Vračar and the imposing Temple of Saint Sava (Hram Svetog Save), one of the three largest Orthodox Christian churches in the world. We will tour the temple with a local guide. Return to the hotel and free time. Overnight stay.
Day 9 – Belgrade
Breakfast. Free day in Belgrade for individual exploration of the city. Overnight stay.
Day 10 – Belgrade, Airport Nikola Tesla
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time until departure to the airport. End of program!
Price for a minimum 16 persons!