Best of Serbia in one week - SMALL GROUP

Day 1: Arrival in Belgrade 

Arrival at "Nikola Tesla "International Airport. Regardless of your arrival time on day 1 of the tour, we'll wait for you at the airport. Our guide will meet you in the arrivals hall with your name on the signboard. In case your flight is delayed, there is no reason to worry. We will monitor your flight, and our guide will meet you accordingly. There are no additional charges for flight delays. After a short ride of 20 minutes, you'll be in the city's center. Check-in at the hotel, take the rest of the day to get more familiar with Belgrade, walk around or follow your guide's recommendation for dinner. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are arriving in Belgrade a few days before the tour departure, you can book additional nights with us, at the same hotel, for a surcharge of 40€ (Standard package), 60€ (Superior package), or 80€ (Premium package). Prices are per person, per night, in a double or twin room. Overnight: Belgrade

Day 2: Belgrade city tour, free afternoon & optional bohemian night

Breakfast. After breakfast, we'll start with our Belgrade sightseeing tour. Today we're going to show you almost the most important sights in the city. We'll start at the daunting Belgrade Fortress, dramatically perched above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Built between the 1st and 18th centuries, this Fortress witnessed major defensive battles. We'll check the Victor Monument, the Monument of Gratitude to France, the Zindan Gate, the Chapel of Saint Petka, the Clock Gate, and the Clock Tower. Once we finish with the Fortress, we will start our panoramic ride through New Belgrade - Belgrade's largest municipality, with its impressive modern architecture. Here we will see some remarkable buildings, such as the Ex-Central Committee of the Communist Party, Federal Executive Council, also known as the Palace of Federation, Genex Tower or Western Gate of Belgrade, Sava Center, Belgrade Arena, and many more. After New Belgrade, we'll reach Zemun, the northern area of Belgrade, characteristic of its Central European appearance, charming quarters, cobblestone streets, and fish restaurants on the Danube river banks. Its curvy cobblestone streets and small houses will give you the impression that Zemun is a melting pot of Mediterranean and Middle European cultures. After Zemun, we'll drive through Dedinje, Belgrade's most luxurious residential area, before we reach the imposing Saint Sava Temple, one of the world's largest Orthodox churches. After the sightseeing tour, time this afternoon on your own. Maybe check out Nikola Tesla's museum and the National Museum, or wander around the central streets. In the evening, visit the Old Bohemian Quarter of Skadarlija, frequently compared to Montmartre in Paris, both in appearance and its artistic atmosphere. It's a perfect opportunity to get more familiar with traditional Serbian cuisine and the famous Belgrade nightlife. (Optional = 25€ per person) Overnight: Belgrade

Day 3: Western Serbia: The House on Drina river, Šargan Eight train & The Wooden City 

After breakfast, it's time to hit the road toward Western Serbia, known for its wild and untouched nature, tasty cuisine, and friendly and hospitable people. Our first stop is a world-famous attraction, "The House on Drina" - an isolated house made of logs on a river stone. After a photo stop and refreshments, we will continue our trip to the famous Šargan Eight. A unique narrow-gauge railway nowadays serves only for amusement. We will pass and stop at several viewpoints during our ride, from which one can see fabulous views over Mokra Gora. Authentic cars with wooden seats, wood-burning stoves, and characteristic rattling sounds will take us back to 1925 when this railway was put into operation. The next stop is Wooden City. The famous director Emir Kusturica (two times Palme D'Or in Cannes winner) decided to build it during the shooting of his film "Life is a miracle." He chose to convey ruined wooden chalets from the mountain's slopes, restore them, and form a new settlement. After we have fed our eyes and souls with beauty, we will finish our day in Kraljeve Vode, the tourist center of Zlatibor mountain. The region of Zlatibor is famous for its healthy air, folk architecture, native culture and traditions, wealthy and diverse ethnic heritage, widely-renowned culinary specialties, healthy food, and a balmy climate. After the check-in, you'll have free time to enjoy and relax. Overnight: Zlatibor

Day 4: Western Serbia: Zlatibor Mountain & Uvac Special Nature Reserve 

Breakfast. Departure from Zlatibor in the morning and transfer to Uvac Special Natural Reserve. After only one hour of driving, we'll find ourselves in the pure beauty of Uvac Canyon. For centuries, the Uvac River has been making its way through the mountains, leaving deep meanders and creating caves that attract many tourists. If we're lucky, we'll get a chance to see the mighty griffon vulture, whose population in Uvac is the largest in Europe. The bird's wingspan is about 3 m, and it can weigh up to 11 kg, thus making it the largest bird in Serbia. We will take a boat trip and follow the river as it twists and turns through the impressive landscape. We'll not leave the Reserve before taking some fantastic photos from the viewpoints overlooking the canyon. When we return to Zlatibor, if you want, you can take a ride on Zlatibor's "Gold Gondola Lift" (optional). It's the longest such panoramic lift in the world. Free afternoon to enjoy and relax. IMPORTANT NOTE 1: In case of bad weather or insufficient water level for the cruise to be conducted, we'll replace the cruise with a jeep ride to the beautiful viewpoints. IMPORTANT NOTE 2: If you want to see the viewpoints, there are around 25 minutes of uphill hiking. It's not recommended for older, overweight, or people with any kind of walking disabilities. Another option is to sit in the boat while the rest of the group returns from the photo session at the viewpoints. Overnight: Zlatibor

Day 5: Western Serbia: Sirogojno Ethno village, Stopića Cave & Gostilje Waterfall 

After breakfast, we'll visit Sirogojno, a village famous for its ethnological museum and "Sirogojno sweaters" made of raw wool. You will see the Ethnological exposition of the open-air museum known as the Old Village. Following, we will visit Stopica Cave. Though it's not lavish with speleothems, it does have some unique geological features. This limestone cave with a massive entrance is home to several "siga," or limestone tubs of different sizes and depths. They are some of the largest of their kind, with some as deep as seven meters (23 feet). The next site for today is Gostilje Waterfall. This popular escape and picnic spot on the outskirts of Zlatibor is dominated by a 20m-high waterfall that morphs into a series of scenic miniature cascades accessed by steps and footbridges. After that, we'll have an optional traditional lunch made of specialties in the Zlatibor region (not included). After this exceptional experience, the tour will return to Belgrade, where we will arrive late in the afternoon. Free time. Overnight: Belgrade

Day 6: Northern Serbia: Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci 

After breakfast, we shall make a trip to the City of Novi Sad. On our way to the second-largest city in Serbia, we shall stop at the nearby town of Sremski Karlovci, the center of Serbian culture in the 18th century. Strolling through this picturesque town's cobbled streets will lead us to the first Serbian High School, which gave Serbian people several great writers and poets. Along the way, we shall pay a visit to the Old Patriarch's Court and theological complex – Assembly Church and Theological lyceum. Being in the very heart of the famous wine region, why not visit one of the well-respected wine cellars? We'll try Bermet wine, the most famous product in the area. Our next stop is the second-largest fortress on the Danube river – Petrovaradin, one of the most important strategic points in the perpetual war between the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman Empires. We shall be introduced to the legends of underground passages before we continue to "Serbian Athens", as the City of Novi Sad is known. As we stroll among great cultural institutions and historic buildings, we shall visit the oldest part of Novi Sad, the Zmaj Jovina pedestrian zone. Here we shall get introduced to the rich history of Novi Sad as we see the monument to Svetozar Miletic, the famous Novi Sad Cathedral, Episcopal Church... After our sightseeing, we will enjoy a traditional Serbian three-course lunch in one of the most famous restaurants in the area. (not included). Enjoy your free afternoon and discover Novi Sad independently. Return to Belgrade. Free time. Overnight: Belgrade

Day 7: Eastern Serbia: Golubac Fortress & Iron Gate Gorge 

After breakfast, we continue our tour further to Serbia's very east, to its border with Romania. We'll spend two hours on the ride enjoying the beautiful landscapes and listening to interesting stories about this part of the country. Our first stop for the day is the Golubac fortress. This defensive complex was used to defend many kingdoms through the centuries. Golubac is the perfect fairy-tale castle, wonderfully set off by its location in the rugged landscape at the head of Đerdap Gorge. There are nine towers in all, each between 20 and 25m high. With the fortress's interesting position leaning over the Danube, they make Golubac undoubtedly one of the most beautiful castles along the 2850km Danube odyssey from source to the Black Sea. Following this, we will reach our next stop – Lepenski Vir. The early settlement of Lepenski Vir was first uncovered in 1965. The works brought to light sacred architecture and monumental sculptures from one of the oldest Danube cultures, dating back to 7,000-6,000 BC, also marking the beginning of Europe's civilization. After the museum, we will stop in a unique, authentic restaurant with a fantastic view overlooking the Danube to enjoy a traditional lunch made of specialties of the cuisine of Eastern Serbia (not included). We believe you will have a completely different aspect as we return to Belgrade in the evening hours. Overnight: Belgrade

Day 8: Depart Belgrade & Serbia

Breakfast. Free time until your flight. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of services. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are departing from Belgrade a few days after the tour end, you can book additional nights with us, at the same hotel, for a surcharge of 40€ (Standard package), 60€ (Superior package), or 80€ (Premium package). Prices are per person, per night, in a double or twin room. If you decide to extend your stay, your departure transfer will still be included.