A fascinating touring experience over eight full days through the untouched countryside, scenic railways, an array of cultural and historical monuments, vibrant cities and meals featuring organic food & great wines. Find out why the “Lonely Planet” has marked Serbia one of “Europe’s best-kept secrets”, recently naming it one of their top 10 must-see places in Europe.

Day 1

Arrival day: Belgrade to Zlatibor (BD) (approx. 250 km)

Upon meeting with your tour guide at the Belgrade airport, you’ll be transferred to Zlatibor, Serbia’s oldest mountain resort at an altitude of 1.500 m. On the way to Zlatibor, we’ll take a break at the Ovcar-Kablar Gorge, a stunning natural site dubbed the “Serbian Holy Land”, where picturesque Christian Orthodox monasteries are densely packed along the Morava river. Arrive at Mt. Zlatibor for late dinner and accommodation at 4* spa-hotel “Mona”, our comfortable holiday base for the next 4 nights.

Day 2

Mokra Gora, Šargan Eight vintage railway, Mećavnik village (BL)

We depart the hotel for a scenic ride on the “Šargan 8” narrow-gauge railway which once linked Belgrade and Dubrovnik. Experience breathtaking landscapes of Mokra Gora mountain from this vintage train that is quite unusual in yet another way: in order to make a rapid ascent, the train passes through 22 tunnels in just over 15 kilometers making a “figure-eight“ – hence its name!

Our journey ends at Mećavnik village (a.k.a. “Drvengrad”), initially built up by the renowned film director Emir Kusturica for filming purposes. Nowadays it operates as a holiday resort featuring traditional timber built Serbian houses. Film festivals are also hosted here every summer. The visit includes an al fresco lunch (if the weather is favorable). After lunch, we’ll return to Zlatibor. Free time at your disposal for exploring the resort’s delights, including a traditional outdoor market offering local products.

Day 3

Uvac Canyon, Sirogojno open-air Museum (BD)

This morning, we’ll experience the outstanding beauty of the Special Nature Reserve where the river Uvac weaves in spirals through rugged limestone cliffs and wild woodland, famed as the habitat of the rare eagle and griffin-vulture bird species. Our excursion includes a short scenic boat trip exploring the river and the entrance to the stunning caves with its 7 km long underground network of amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations. Morning at Uvac ends with free time spent at the riverbank and a chance for a leisurely picnic or snack in a local restaurant.

We’ll continue the journey by bus heading to Sirogojno village to see authentic 19th-century Serbian homesteads originating from the region of “Staro Selo” (Old Village). The village is a fully operational open-air museum, also renowned for producing quality handmade knitwear. Traditional early dinner featuring exclusively organic, home-made products from the area is served on-site prior to the return to Zlatibor.

Day 4

Tara National Park, River Drina Gorge & Lake Perućac (BD)

Today’s journey starts with traveling through picturesque mountain plains before reaching Tara National Park for a scenic woodland hike. According to old tales, the mountain was named after the Slav god Tar who settled there because of the area’s fascinating natural beauty. An easy walk to a vantage point will reward us with beautiful views of the Drina River as it meanders through the green valleys.

We then transfer to the River Drina for a two-hour cruise through the narrow gorges and across stunning Lake Perućac. Our day will end at the most photographed spot in Serbia – a solitary house perched on a rock in the middle of the riverbed.

Day 5

Zlakusa Potteries, Oplenac Royal Complex & Winery (BL)

Upon leaving Zlatibor, we’ll follow the valley of river Đetinja to the village of Zlakusa, well known for its handmade pottery traditions. Here, numerous family-run shops daily produce huge varieties of pottery items using a 400-year old technique that is passed on from generation to generation, involving hand wheel clay shaping and baking in open-fire ovens. Zlakusa’s visit also includes “Terzica Avlija”, a private museum run by a local family that has spent a lifetime preserving rural lifestyle, culture, and customs of Serbia’s heartland.

We’ll continue the journey to the village of Topola to see the Serbian Royal Residence at the top of  Oplenac Hill, where the stunning St. George’s Church and the Mausoleum of the Karađorđević royal family stand proudly overlooking serene landscapes. We’ll start with a homage to the site of the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottomans led by the local hero Karađorđe Petrović, who was later to become the patriarch and the founder of the Karađorđević royal bloodline.

As we’re moving towards the hilltop, the five-domed white marbled edifice will appear in front of our eyes. The church was built up as a blend of Serbian and Byzantine architecture and possesses the impressive interior mosaic work.

After the visit to the church, we’ll head to the Royal Winery, where some of the best vines were once produced. Our tour of Oplenac completes an on-site wine tasting and a traditional Serbian lunch at a nearby restaurant. Arrival to 3* hotel “Argo” in Belgrade in time for evening snack at your leisure and overnight.

Day 6

Belgrade (BL)

Serbia’s vibrant, cosmopolitan capital is immersed in history dating back to the Ancient Roman era. Today, it is renowned as a popular short break destination, famed as much for its outstanding value-for-money and night-life, as for its extreme hospitality.

We set off for a full day’s sightseeing tour of Belgrade commencing with a leisurely stroll along Knez Mihajlova Street, the main pedestrianized area containing numerous boutiques and cafés; we then continue into leafy Kalemegdan park and fortress area, which affords us an opportunity to enjoy some of the best views of the city and the river Sava & Danube confluence. The fortress, which not only boasts monumental proportions, is also an important cultural and historic complex in Belgrade.

Explore rich art-deco style state buildings within the city center and the masterpiece of Serbian-Byzantine architecture, the Church of St. Sava, the second-largest Orthodox temple in the world. Finally, we’ll discover medieval art at the Gallery of Frescos.

After the visit to the gallery, we’ll have a lunch in an authentic restaurant in the cobble-stoned street named Skadarlija, Belgrade’s Bohemian quarter, featuring delicious Serbian specialties – a selection of skilfully grilled meats and fresh salads brought right from a nearby market, all washed down with refreshing local beer and wines. After lunch, you’ll have enough time to explore in the city at your own pace before returning to the hotel or continuing to attend a concert at an unbeatable price!

Day 7

Sremski Karlovci & Novi Sad (BD)

Today we depart to visit two of the most beautiful places in Vojvodina. This journey includes some of the most scenic stretches of the river Danube, including the Fruška Gora National Park, renowned for its baroque towns, picturesque villages and beautiful vineyards. Stopping at Sremski Karlovci, a charming bank-side Danube town, for a brief sightseeing tour of the compact center and the “Chapel of Peace“, before wine and honey tasting at a typical local wine-producing household.

Enjoy some free time to wander around before continuing to the Petrovaradin fortress where the Austria-Hungarian Empire established its border outpost against the Ottomans some 300 years ago. We’ll reach its top on foot in just 20 minutes and take in great views of the city and river Danube.

In Novi Sad, the cosmopolitan Vojvodina province capital and home to an array of contrasting ethnic cultures, we’ll enjoy a leisurely stroll through the pedestrianized center during which we’ll visit the main cathedral, the Orthodox Church and national courthouses. Our excursion ends with a visit to a nearby traditional farm, quite specific to Vojvodina – built on the outskirts of town and consisting of the main building, adjacent barns, patio, and the “summer kitchen“. We’ll enjoy our farewell dinner in the beautiful authentic surroundings accompanied by a live acoustic band.

Day 8

Departure from Belgrade, Belgrade’s Airport (B)

Breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Transfer to the Nikola Tesla Airport.

Supplement for single room: 85 EUR

For closed groups departures on request!

What’s included:

• Accommodation for 7 nights on BB basis
• Meals as described in the itinerary
• Travel in a modern air-conditioned coach
• Excursions, entrance fees, and taxes as stated
• Services of professional & licensed English-speaking guide

What’s excluded:

• Flights to/from Belgrade
• Drinks
• Personal costs of the passengers
• Other costs not mentioned in the program

General information:

Please note the above itinerary is subject to amendments, sometimes without prior notification. We regret that the tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility or walking difficulties. We require a minimum number of guests in order to operate this tour. In case of cancellation, customers will be offered 7 nights accommodation as described at Zlatibor and in Belgrade, along with daily credit towards booking separate excursions from our program offered locally.