Belgrade

After breakfast, we’ll begin our tour of Serbia’s beautiful capital. We’ll start with the symbol of the old city, Kalemegdan Fortress, which stands at the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers and was built during the Ottoman Empire as a fortification to protect against enemies, the Nebosja Tower, which served as the prison and place of execution for Rigas Feraios, and we’ll continue on to the Ruzica and Agia Paraskevi churches. We’ll see Republic Square, the National Theater, the famous mansion of Princess Ljubica, the hotel—a city landmark—and, of course, Saint Sava, the largest Orthodox church in the Balkans. The interior of the church is a bit <cold>, but you’ll discover its hidden corners, the old wood-carved iconostasis of the sanctuary of Saint Sava, and stunning mosaics of Serbian hagiography. We’ll also visit the Tito Memorial Center, dedicated to the great leader, as well as City Hall and the Parliament. In the afternoon, we invite you to join us for a unique optional activity. First, we’ll take a bus for a panoramic tour along the Danube in the Zemun district, one of the city’s most picturesque areas, followed by a cruise on the Sava and Danube rivers. Return to the hotel and free time at your leisure.

Breakfast, and then we’ll depart (optional) for the city of Novi Sad, the capital of Vojvodina and Serbia’s second-largest city. It is an economic hub and is particularly well-known for its university. It is built on the banks of the Danube and was founded to serve as a stopover for trade. During our tour, we’ll see Petrovaradin Fortress, with its beautiful view of the Danube River, Slobodan Square, the cathedral, City Hall, and we’ll have free time on the main pedestrian street. Next, we’ll visit the provincial town of Sremski Karlovci, located just 5 km from the city, where we’ll have the opportunity to see the historic seat of the Patriarchate and the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. This is a place of special spiritual and cultural significance, as the world’s first literary magazine was published there. On our way back to Belgrade, we’ll enjoy a route of exceptional natural beauty. In the afternoon, you’ll have free time in the city. Be sure to visit the large pedestrian street on Knez Mihailova Street, with shops offering both affordable and high-quality items. Alternatively, you can visit the large Usche shopping center in New Belgrade, where you’ll find all the well-known European brands. In the evening, we recommend a night out in the city’s bohemian district, the famous Skadarlija—one of the most beautiful areas, where nightlife lasts until the early morning hours and you’ll find restaurants, bars, and clubs. The area will remind you of the old Ladadika district in Thessaloniki. Street musicians singing traditional Serbian songs add a special touch to the cobblestone streets.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast and explore the city however you like. If you’re the adventurous type, join us on another optional day trip to Timisoara, Romania, 148 km from Belgrade. During our visit to the 2023 European Capital of Culture, we’ll visit the city’s most important sights, such as Victory Square (also known as Opera Square), the Orthodox Cathedral, the Bastion, Freedom Square, the Old City Hall, the Synagogue, Union Square, the Catholic Cathedral, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Presidential Palace, the statue of the Holy Trinity, and more. In Timișoara, we’ll encounter a mix of cultures and religions. It was the first European city to use horse-drawn trams (1869) and electric street lighting (1889). This is where the 1989 revolution against the regime of the time began. After the city tour, you’ll have free time to have lunch and explore the city on your own. Return to Belgrade in the late afternoon.

Breakfast and departure for the historic city of Niš, located on the banks of the Nišava River. It is the third-largest city in the country and is known as the birthplace of Constantine the Great. A brief tour of the city, followed by a drive to the Serbia-Macedonia border. With the necessary stops along the way, we arrive in our city in the evening.