Situated on the crossroads between the East and West, the territory of modern Serbia has always been the site of significant events. Various nations stormed through it; the civilizations collided here and numerous warriors crossed their swords here. Each of them left their marks in the cultural diversity of the country and you’ll be able to explore most of them on this amazing tour.

Day 1:

Belgrade Airport – Belgrade (D) approx. 20 km

Arrival to Belgrade. Accommodation in a hotel; dinner and overnight in Belgrade.

Day 2:

Belgrade – Niš (BD) approx. 290 km

After breakfast, departure to Nis, the ancient Naissus.  The first destination is the Manasija Monastery, one of the most beautiful Serbian medieval monasteries. Its impressive walls leave visitors speechless. At the beginning of the 15^th century, it represented the seat of the Serbian Renaissance and was a cultural center of the country. From there, we continue towards Nis. Ancient Naisus was a birthplace of Constantine the Great, the Roman emperor who marked the history of the late Roman Empire and, at least, one of 16 emperors born at the territory of modern-day Serbia. We start our visit to Nis with the Archeological Hall of the National Museum that safeguards an amazing exhibition of ancient objects found in the town and its vicinity. The pearl of the town is the Fortress of Nis, built at the beginning of the 18^th century, and it is one of the best-preserved Ottoman fortresses in the region. Although it is the monument of Islamic architecture, the fortress reveals many remains from earlier epochs – Roman and Byzantine. After the walk through the center of modern Nis, accommodation in a hotel; dinner and overnight in Nis.

Day 3:

Niš – Mediana – Plocnik – Empress Town – Niš (BD) approx. 235 km

We start with a visit to Mediana, the summer residence of the Roman emperors from the 4^th century. During the reign of Constantine the Great, Mediana became the place of rest, enjoyment and healing, as well as, temporary residence of the emperors and high statesmen. Our next destination is the Neolithic settlement in Plocnik. Archeological discoveries from the beginning of this century point to the fact that this is the oldest metallurgy site in the world! Not only that the ore was once melted here, but also copper jewelry was made, so that’s why this was considered the oldest jeweler’s shop in the world. From here, the road takes us to another exceptional site – Caricin grad (Empress’ Town). It was built by Byzantine emperor Justinian in the first half of the 6^th century. He wanted to build a magnificent town near the place of his birth. It was administrative and ecclesiastical centre of the Middle Balkans. After visiting the site, we return to Nis. Dinner and overnight in Nis.

Day 4:

Niš – Žiča monastery – Studenica Monastery – Kruševac (BD) approx. 330 km 

This day is completely dedicated to the Serbian medieval heritage. From Nis, the road takes us westwards. The first destination is the Zica Monastery. It was built by the first Serbian king at the beginning of the 13^th century, who made it the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church and coronation church of the Serbian kings. From the Zica Monastery, through the Valley of the Kings, we reach the Studenica Monastery – “the mother of the Serbian monasteries”. It was built at the end of the 12^th century. Its main church, the Church of the Virgin, represents a unique combination of Romanesque and Byzantine art. Since 1986, Studenica has been under the protection of UNESCO. We end the day in Krusevac, the town that was a Serbian capital on the eve of the Ottoman conquest. We shall visit the fortress, from which the Serbian army lead by the ruler, prince Lazar, departed towards the legendary battle against the Ottomans that took place on the Kosovo field in 1389. After the sightseeing of the town, accommodation in a hotel. Dinner and overnight in Krusevac.

Day 5:

Kruševac – Felix Romuliana – Zaječar – Kladovo (BD) approx. 250 km

After breakfast, depart to Gamzigrad. Felix Romuliana is one of the most significant Roman sites outside the Italian territory. In fact, it is an imperial palace from the end of the 3^rd century. It was built by Emperor Galerius with the aim to be his residency after his withdrawal from the throne. The citizens of Felix Romuliana were the last to witness the apotheosis, the symbolic ascension of the emperor and his mother among the gods. The most important objects from this site are kept in the National Museum in Zajecar, which is our next destination. After visiting the museum, we depart to Kladovo. In this town at the bank of the Danube, there is a fortification that was built in the 16^th century by the Ottomans as a base for their intrusions on the territory of the Hungarian Kingdom. A couple of kilometers downstream from Kladovo there are humble remains of originally impressive construction – Trajan’s Bridge across the Danube built at the beginning of the 2^nd century. It resisted neither people nor time and, consequently, only one pillar has remained on our side. After visiting this site, accommodation in a hotel. Dinner and overnight in Kladovo.

Day 6:

Kladovo – The Iron Gate – Lepenski Vir – Golubac – Viminacium – Belgrade (BD) approx. 300 km

After breakfast, we set sail along the Đerdap Lake. The lake was created with the construction of the biggest hydroelectric power plant in Europe. Many consider Iron Gate Gorge to be the most beautiful section on the entire Danube flow of almost 3,000 kilometers. During the two-hour ride, you’ll enjoy the exceptional landscapes and see the monuments from different periods.

The Iron Gate Gorge is the cradle of one of the oldest European civilizations that lived there almost 8,000 years ago. During the visit to Lepenski Vir, you’ll learn about the life of prehistoric people in this part of Europe. The road leads us further through the gorge towards Golubac, where we’ll make a photo break. Golubac is one of the best-preserved Serbian medieval fortresses built in the 14^th century to guard the entrance to the gorge.

Before arrival to Belgrade, we shall visit another exceptional site from the period of the Roman domination over these territories. Viminacium was the seat of the Roman province Moesia Superior and, later, also a bishopric. It offers a stunning experience – a visit to the underground world. After visiting the complex, departure to Belgrade; dinner and overnight in a hotel.

Day 7:

Belgrade – Sremska Mitrovica – Novi Sad – Petrovaradin – Belgrade (BD)  approx. 250 km

We’ll change the direction and head towards the west to Sremska Mitrovica. The present-day town was built on a site of the ancient Sirmium, one of four Roman capitals. The Roman emperors resided there during their military campaigns against the barbarians (the famous movie “Gladiator” was not fair to this town; Emperor Marcus Aurelius died here during the war with the German tribes, not near Vienna!). Four emperors were born in Sirmium and its vicinity.

We shall visit the museum, where the most important ancient objects are kept, the remains of the imperial palace, and then we shall have a walk through the centre of this charming town. After Mitrovica, we go to Novi Sad. In the first place, we shall visit the Fortress of Petrovaradin, the second-largest fortification in Europe. Its underground military galleries are particularly interesting. They represent a defense system almost 20 kilometers long. The highlight of the day will be a visit to the Museum of Vojvodina, where we shall have the opportunity to see three almost completely preserved Roman parade military helmets from the 4^th century. After this, we’ll return to Belgrade. Dinner and overnight in Belgrade.

Day 8:

Belgrade (BD) approx. 30 km

Getting to know the capital – Belgrade is one of the oldest cities in Europe. It changed different rulers, empires, and each of them shaped the city in their own way. We shall start from the oldest part – Belgrade Fortress. For centuries, it was a target of various conquerors, whilst its defenders protected it at any cost. We shall see the Roman monuments, medieval walls, the remains of the Ottoman architecture, Austrian modernization of the fortress, and, finally, bunkers from the communist period. We shall walk on the fortress, but also get under it. The rest of the day we’ll spend sightseeing in the city center and getting to know the most interesting institutions and buildings, as well as, people who used to live there. A visit to Belgrade without seeing Skadarlija, a bohemian quarter, is not complete. Therefore, we’ll finish the day in one of the traditional restaurants. Overnight in Belgrade.

Day 9:

Belgrade and Zemun (BD) 

It is not possible to get to know Belgrade only by walking, so we shall take a bus tour through the city quarters that are outside the center. This ride will take us to Vinca, the most significant Neolithic site in our country. The settlement emerged in the 5^th millennium BC and it represented a metropolis of very rich culture. Vinca is a term that nowadays designates the summit of the Neolithic culture in Europe. We are still on the bank of the Danube, only upstream in Zemun. Since the ancient Taurunum, Zemun and Belgrade existed in parallel until 1934 when they merged together in one metropolis. We shall visit Gardos Tower and the remains of the medieval fortress. At the end of the tour, we shall have a farewell lunch/dinner at the bank of the Danube with traditional fish specialties.

Day 10:

Belgrade – Nikola Tesla Airport (B) approx. 20 km

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and time at leisure until transfer to the airport.

*END OF THE PROGRAM*

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