Tour

Treasures of the Balkans - Classic Group
from USD 5600

Insight Vacations

Tour Code: E966M27
Vacation Type: Regional
Brochure:
Duration: 16 Days
Countries: Croatia, Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, Romania, Montenegro

Explore the former Communist headquarters of Romania in Bucharest, see Bulgaria’s Roman ruins in Sofia and marvel at Bosnia’s Tunnel of Hope in Sarajevo. After exploring the medieval city of Brașov, take the mountain roads to the Transylvanian border and join a private visit of Bran Castle after hours - better known as Dracula’s haunted abode in Bram Stoker’s infamous novel, followed by private dinner. Delve into the myths and legends before adventuring onwards to Mostar, where a Local Expert guides you through the city’s iconic sights ahead of a Sarajevo Dine at Home experience. Sit down with a Sarajevan family for a feast of local delicacies, traditional Bosnian coffee and tales of local life before your adventure ends in Belgrade.



Map Treasures Balkans Guided Tour 2025

Transfer Airport

  • ARR Chargeable Transfer Bucharest Airport to Hotel
  • Arrival Transfer Bucharest Airport to Hotel
  • DEP Chargeable Transfer Hotel to Belgrade Airport
  • Departure Transfer Hotel to Belgrade Airport

Td Tips

  • Prepaid Gratuities E966

Gold Seal Protection

  • Gold Seal Protection

Dining Summary

  • 8 Dinner (D)
  • 15 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Dinner with Wine (DW)

Choice Highlights

  • Choose between two carefully selected activities
  • Sarajevo: Take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protected park just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
  • Sarajevo: Meet an expert on the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope and learn about the 44-month siege of the city.Alternatively, take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a picturesque park just beyond the city.

Additional Included Highlights

  • Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
  • Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
  • If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.

Authentic Dining

  • Bucharest: Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for your dinner.
  • Dubrovnik: You will be offered a varied selection of charming restaurants to choose from for your Dine-Around Evening.
  • Sarajevo: Experience authentic Bosnian coffee and learn about the traditional ritual of coffee preparation.
  • Belgrade:  Toast the culmination of your travels with dinner.

Insight Choice

  • Sarajevo: Take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protected park just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
  • Sarajevo: Meet an expert on the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope and learn about the 44-month siege of the city.Alternatively, take a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a picturesque park just beyond the city.

Insight Experiences

Bran: Learn about the story of the infamous Count Dracula during a private after-hours visit to Bran Castle, following a traditional dinner.

Make Travel Matter

Sarajevo: You are invited into a Sarajevan family home for a dinner and drinks. Savour the warm hospitality and authentic cuisine as you hear inspirational stories about their culture. This experience advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Top Rated Highlights

  • Bucharest: During sightseeing with your Local Expert see University Square and the former Communist Headquarters.
  • Bucharest: Walk the cavernous halls of the vast Palace of Parliament, learn about the history and listen to amusing tales from your Local Expert.
  • Sinaia: Witness the opulent and sumptuous decor in Peleș Castle, the fairy-tale Royal summer residence, at the foot of the Bucegi Mountains.
  • Veliko Tarnovo: Ascend Tsarevets, the King's Hill, crowned by a ruined medieval citadel. Enjoy the views and imagine yourself back in the days of the Crusades when this was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom.
  • Arbanasi: At the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arbanassi, visit a traditional 17th-century merchants' house and enjoy the acoustics in the Church of the Holy Nativity.
  • Sofia: Sightseeing with your Local Expert takes you to St. Sofia Church, across the square from the golden domed St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archaeological complex, dominated by the church of St. George Rotonda.
  • Skopje: Visit the capital of Macedonia with your Local Expert, explore Square Macedonia and see the Stone Bridge before walking through the Old Bazaar.
  • Tirana: Meet a local resident who will show you Skanderbeg Square and walk you through their home city as they explain what it's like to live in the Albanian capital.
  • Kotor: Visit the Stari Grad, also referred to as the Old Town, perfectly positioned on a beautiful bay.
  • Dubrovnik: Explore the Pearl of the Adriatic with your Local Expert. Walk the stone-paved streets of the Old Town to see Onofrio's Fountain, Rector's Palace, Sponza Palace, and the medieval city walls.  Admire the Franciscan monastery.
  • Mostar: Learn the history and symbolic significance of Stari Most and explore the old town with your Local Expert.
  • Belgrade: A Local Expert will show you St. Sava Church, Terazije Street, the national museum, national theatre, Republic Square and the Kalemegdan Fortress.

Well-being

  • Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
  • Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

  • Radisson Blu Bucharest
  • Radisson Blu Aurum, Brașov
  • Yantra, Veliko Tarnovo
  • Grand Millennium Sofia
  • Skopje Marriott
  • Hilton Garden Inn Tirana
  • TQ Plaza, Budva
  • Kompas Dubrovnik
  • Swissotel Sarajevo
  • Radisson Collection, Old Mill Belgrade
Day 1 Welcome To Bucharest

Welcome to Bucharest! Join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Bucharest

Day 2 Bucharest And Castles Of Transylvania

Join a Local Expert for sightseeing to view University Square and the former communist headquarters. Visit the immense Parliament Palace, one of the most impressive buildings in the world. Enjoy a delicious private dinner in the recently renovated Queen Marie’s Tea House. This evening after the crowds have left enjoy a private visit to the iconic Bran Castle, said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula. Learn about Queen Marie of Romania, the last inhabitant of the castle, visit the torture rooms and relive the tales of the infamous Count Dracula.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Aurum, Brașov

Day 3 BraȘov And Sinaia

Travel along the Prahova Valley to the elegant mountain resort of Sinaia to visit Peleș Castle. Admire the lavish rooms filled with art, armour and tapestries. Return through the Carpathian Mountains to the charming medieval city of Brașov, founded in 1211 by the Teutonic Knights. With your Local Expert, walk around Town Hall Square, lined with beautiful red-roofed houses and dominated by the Black Church.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Radisson Blu Aurum, Brașov

Day 4 Veliko Tarnovo

Cross the Danube into Bulgaria and continue to Veliko Tarnovo, the City of the Tsars, where houses cling to the cliffs of the River Yantra, making it one of the country's most beautiful towns. In the evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Yantra, Veliko Tarnovo

Day 5 To Sofia Relaxed Start

Meet your Local Expert to climb up to the ruined Tsarevets Fortress, a reminder of the town's former imperial status. Enjoy the stunning views over the old Bulgarian capital and the Yantra Valley. Arbanasi is one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful villages and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The frescoed churches and fortified dwellings offer a unique insight into the former wealth and spiritual commitment of the settlement. Visit a traditional 17th-century merchant's house and the Church of the Holy Nativity. Cross the Balkan Mountains to Bulgaria's modern day capital of Sofia. On arrival, sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you to St. Sofia Church, across the square from the golden domed St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archaeological complex, dominated by the church of St. George Rotonda.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Grand Millennium Sofia

Day 6 Sofia At Your Pace Relaxed Start

Enjoy the day at your leisure. Perhaps visit the Rila Monastery to enjoy a fascinating insight into the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria?

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Grand Millennium Sofia

Day 7 Skopje

Cross the border and continue to the North Macedonian capital of Skopje, an ultra-modern city juxtaposed by an ancient bazaar, where Turkish influences can still be seen and felt. Enjoy sightseeing with a Local Expert.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Skopje Marriott

Day 8 Lake Ohrid And Tirana

Making your way to the border, stop by the scenic Lake Ohrid for lunch. Cross into Albania and journey to Tirana, renowned for its friendly locals.  Continue to the landmark Skanderbeg Square for an insider’s look at the Albanian capital with a Local Expert.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Tirana

Day 9 Journey To Montenegro’s Budva

Soak up Montenegro’s natural beauty as you drive towards Budva where you will have the day to explore 'Montenegro's Miami'. Head to Stari Grad (the Old Town) surrounded by 15th-century ramparts to explore its labyrinthine lanes and small squares where you could choose to sit back and watch the world go by.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: TQ Plaza, Budva

Day 10 Kotor And Dubrovnik

Journey to the Old Town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to the fortified port of Dubrovnik.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Kompas Dubrovnik

Day 11 Dubrovnik Sightseeing Relaxed Start

Join a Local Expert for a morning of exploring the stone-paved streets within the 16th-century bastions. See Onofrio's Fountain and the Rector's Palace, the city walls, and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. The rest of the day is free for you to immerse yourself in the beautiful surroundings. Perhaps enjoy an Optional Experience to a stunning town on the Adriatic coast, Cavtat, where you can wander along the pine-forest paths beside the crystal-clear sea and visit a local winery. This evening, choose from a fine selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around evening.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Kompas Dubrovnik

Day 12 Mostar And Sarajevo

Journey to Mostar, where your Local Expert will guide you to the famed Stari Most, the Old Bridge, a 16th-century Ottoman landmark painstakingly reconstructed after near destruction in the 1990s conflict. Stroll the cobbled streets of the Old Town, lined with shops offering traditional handicrafts and artisanal treasures. Continue along a scenic route to Sarajevo for your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience: a warm welcome into a Sarajevan family home. Over authentic dishes, hear personal stories that illuminate the city’s resilience and cultural heritage, helping preserve its traditions for future generations.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Swissotel Sarajevo

Day 13 Sarajevo, City Of Culture

Explore Sarajevo with Insight Choice. Choose to meet an expert on the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo’s astonishing Tunnel of Hope. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience for a nature walk to the spring of the Bosna River, a protected park just beyond the city, led by a conservation guide. The rest of the afternoon is for you to explore as you wish.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Swissotel Sarajevo

Day 14 The Serbian Capital Of Belgrade Relaxed Start

Trace your way along the Drina River, that lies on the border of Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Take in beautiful landscapes of lush, green mountains that create magical forest canyons, winding your way through deep valleys as you make your way to Belgrade.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Radisson Collection, Old Mill Belgrade

Day 15 The Best Of Belgrade Relaxed Start

Join a Local Expert to see the best of Belgrade including Terazije Street, the national museum and national theatre in Republic Square, as well as a visit to the famous St. Sava Church. Finish your sightseeing at the Kalemegdan Fortress, situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before joining your fellow travellers for dinner this evening.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Radisson Collection, Old Mill Belgrade

Day 16 Farewell Belgrade

Your journey through the Balkans has come to an end. All that’s left is to say a fond doviđenja as you bid your new friends farewell.

Duration: 1 Day

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