Serbia in 10 Days Private Tour

DAY 1-Meeting, Topola Town, Oplenac Royal Mausoleum and Village Home Stay

After your guide meets you at the airport, bus/train station or wherever we agree to meet you will continue straight to Šumadija to the town of Topola. Renewal of the modern Serbian state commenced here in 1804. On the tip of Oplenac hill you’ll visit the Royal mausoleum, a church where 27 members of the royal family are buried. From this point onward you are only enjoying Šumadija wine. First, you’ll stop by the King’s Winery, established in the 1930s by a Serbian king. After this one you’ll visit the most prominent Serbian winery Aleksandrović. As a grand finale of the day you’ll have a local lunch with wine tasting at a young family owned winery, whose young winemakers will be your host during the meal. 

Rest of the day we’ll spend in the household House of Čolović. Warm hosts from the guesthouse will show you firsthand how local people live in Serbian villages nowadays. 

DAY 2-Zlatibor Mountain

Second day will start with rich and tasty homemade breakfast which is a treat for all senses. After you say goodbye to your hosts we’ll drive towards West Serbia and iconic Zlatibor Mountain where you’ll enjoy pure nature. First stop is Gold Gondola, the longest panoramic gondola in the world. After the gondola ride, you’ll continue towards the rural area of the mountain. Next is Stopića Cave, then after the cave you’ll head to the village Sirogojno, where the ethnological open-air museum Old Village is settled. From Sirogojno we move on to Gostilje Waterfall where a 20m water dropdown creates a wonderful scene and cold water makes pleasant refreshment on hot summer days

Lunch and finish of the day is again in a rural area at guesthouse Pećinar which is managed by the Pećinar family for six generations.

DAY 3-Sargan Eight Train and Višegrad

If the voices of birds don’t wake you up, the smell of Zlatibor food will. After breakfast you’ll head to Mokra Gora town. Here you’ll experience the most attractive narrow track railway in this part of Europe, the famous Sargan Eight Train. After you get off the train, you’ll leave Serbia and cross to Bosnia to visit Višegrad. The town with a famous bridge over river Drina dating from the XVI century. You’ll hear a story about Yugoslavian writer Ivo Andrić who wrote the novel with the same name Bridge Over Drina and won the Nobel Prize in 1962. Here you’ll get on a boat and take a ride on Drina River, to see the town and the old bridge from the water. For lunch, you’ll try ćevapi Bosnian way, in a local tavern.

After lunch you’ll return to Mokra Gora and to Drvengrad-Mećavnik (Woodentown) ethnic village. The complex is the creation of our famous film director Emir Kusturica. Hotel Mećavnik**** is your accommodation for the night and you have the rest of the day for yourself.

DAY 4-Tara National Park, Kadinjača Memorial, Golija Mountain, Monastery Studenica

The day ahead will combine different activities and experiences. First, you’ll get into the heart of Tara National Park to admire views over Perućac Lake and Drina River from Banjska Stena observation deck. To get there you’ll walk for a short while through the forest which is older than human kind. From Tara Mountain we’ll take you to the village Perućac on the very Drina river, where you’ll walk along the shortest river in Europe, river Godina. The river is 365m long, hence the name Godina (Year). From Perućac you’ll stop next in Bajina Bašta, a town famous for its house in the middle of Drina River. Here, by the Drina River House you’ll enjoy the views from a nearby restaurant’s terrace where you’ll have lunch. 

While driving over a mountain pass, we’ll stop to show you a memorial complex Kadinjača dedicated to WWII battle between German nazzi troupes and Yugoslavian partisans. This memorial complex is considered to be one of the best preserved communist memorials in the world. 

The trip continues with a scenic drive over picturesque Golija Mountain. Final destination for the day is the most famous Serbian medieval monastery – Studenica. You’ll spend the night in the monastery’s guesthouse, which is a unique chance to get a glimpse of monastic life. Even though the accommodation is in line with monastic life, essential commodities in the guesthouse rooms come as a standard. Each room is equipped with an en-suite bathroom and Wi-Fi is widely available in all rooms. 

As an alternative to the guesthouse in the monastery we can organize an overnight in the nearby village and the Radočelo Guesthouse. 

DAY 5-Studenica, Žiča, Vrnjačka Banja, Niš

In the morning of the 5th day you’ll explore Studenica Monastery. This UNESCO world heritage site, dating from the XII century is considered as the most beautiful Serbian monastery. Its churches, architecture and frescoes, together with spirituality and heritage are the cornerstones of Serbian Orthodox Church. From Studenica you’ll get down to the valley of river Ibar, also known as The Valley of Kings, thanks to numerous endowments built by Serbian medieval rulers. Here we’ll stop for lunch in a special place, a local tavern run by the same family for 200 years. After lunch next stop is the monastery Žiča from the XIII century. Here you’ll learn about its unique purpose and about the reasons for its different appearance to other Serbian monasteries from the same period. 

Next place on the agenda for the day is Vrnjačka Banja, the famous Serbian spa town. Serbia has plenty of mineral and thermal springs, but Vrnjačka Banja is the oldest and most known one. Once in the town, we’ll take you for an unusual experience. You’ll walk its majestic parks and conduct a “water tasting”. 

Final destination for the day is Niš, the economic and cultural center of the south and third biggest city in Serbia. Overnight is in Hotel Sole***. You’ll have the rest of the day to explore Niš on your own. Tips and recommendations will be provided. 

DAY 6-Niš Tour, Wine Cellar, Felix Romuliana, East Serbia

The time spent in Niš will create emotional reactions after visiting to several sights. The first one is the notorious WWII concentration camp Red Cross where Germans held Jews and communists imprisoned. The second one is a unique place, the Skull Tower. This memorial from the XIX century is actually a tower where skulls of Serbian revolutionaries were built-in by the Ottomans. In between two sights we’ll take you to a relaxing exploration of the Niš Fortress and central streets of Niš. Here you’ll soak in the local relaxed atmosphere in the Coopersmith’s alley where we’ll take a short break. 

From Niš you’ll continue to East Serbia. En route we will stop first at a winery which has a unique process for wine aging. The same process Romans used when they were in these areas. Mora about this tradition you’ll learn during the winery tour. In the winery you’ll have lunch in combination with their wines. Next stop is Felix Romuliana, a UNESCO Roman palace from the IV century, built by Roman Emperor Galerius. In this one-of-a-kind archaeological site you’ll have a chance to wander Roman remains without people walking in queues around you.

Overnight is in Hotel Jezero**** on the shores of Bor Lake. Here you’ll have a chance to relax in the hotel’s pool after an exciting day or to enjoy a stroll around the area. 

DAY 7-Hotel Option 

Another option (with a supplement) for overnight stay in this region is a luxurious Hotel Ramonda**** which is located at the foot of the Rtanj Mountain.

DAY 8-Iron Gate Gorge, Belgrade

From Bor Lake (or Rtanj Mountain) you’ll continue further to the very east of Serbia, to its border with Romania. The biggest gorge of Europe is located there, the famous Iron Gate Gorge. You’ll take a boat ride with a local captain through the most beautiful part of the gorge to the Tabula Traiana, a Roman memorial plaque from the I century. After the boat ride you’ll get back on the road and we’ll take you to a local household, Captain Misa’s Hill where you’ll have lunch typical for this area. After lunch the drive continues upstream till the archaeological site Lepenski Vir dating from 8000 BC. From there you’ll continue to the Golubac Fortress, located at the very entrance to the gorge where Danube is widest on its entire stretch (7km from side to side).

In the evening you’ll reach Belgrade and Hotel City Savoy**** (two nights). 

DAY 9-Belgrade Exploration

We’ll take you first to Belgrade fortress, the most iconic Belgrade landmark. Then from the fortress we move to other part of the city, posh Dedinje. You’ll visit House of flowers, which is eternal home of former Yugoslavian president Tito. #YourSerbiaHost will explain how Tito’s cult was nurtured during his life, but also long after he was gone. From controversial Yugoslavian dictator’s tomb we’ll take you to a holy place, to St. Sava church. This the biggest Orthodox tempWe’ll take you first to Belgrade Fortress, the most iconic Belgrade landmark. Then from the fortress we move to another part of the city, posh Dedinje. You’ll visit the House of Flowers, which is the eternal home of former Yugoslavian president Tito. #YourSerbiaHost will explain how Tito’s cult was nurtured during his life, but also long after he was gone. From the controversial Yugoslavian dictator’s tomb we’ll take you to a holy place, to the St. Sava Church. The biggest Orthodox Church in the Balkans is dedicated to a true saint who was born in the XII and who brought autonomy to the Serbian Orthodox Church in the XIII century.

When this part of exploration is finished we’ll take you to a restaurant in the neighborhood, where local food is prepared in a modern manner. After lunch we’ll switch to the other side of the river, to Zemun. This old part of the city was actually a separate town till 1934. Strolling along the Danube promenade or walking to the Gardoš Hill, with a drink in one of the local cafes will make you feel like a local.

Rest of the day you are free to explore Belgrade on your own. Tips and recommendations will be provided.le in the Balkans is dedicated to true saint who was born in the XII and who brought autonomy to Serbian Orthodox Church in the XIII century. 

When we finish this part of exploration we’ll take you to a restaurant in the neighborhood, where local food is prepared in modern manner. After lunch we’ll switch to the other side of the river, to Zemun. This old part of the city was actually separate town till 1934. Stroll along Danube promenade or walk to the Gardoš hill and drink in one of the local cafe’s will make you fill like a local. 

Rest of the day you have free to explore Belgrade on your own. Tips and recommendations will be provided.

DAY 10-Fruška Gora and Novi Sad

After breakfast you will travel straight to Vojvodina region and its sole mountain Fruška Gora. Here you’ll visit monastery Krušedol from the XVI century and then you’ll continue to the town of Sremski Karlovci. Next stop is Petrovaradin Fortress, where you’ll learn why it took 88 years for the complex to be completed. Lunch and gastronomy part of the day is planned in a small wine cellar where the wine maker is also a cook. He will serve his homemade food and match it with his fine wines. 

After lunch it’ll take only 15 minutes to reach Hotel Centar**** where you’ll stay overnight. You have the rest of the day free to enjoy Novi Sad on your own. Tips and recommendations will be provided.

On the last day we’ll say farewell at the airport or we can take you to the bus/train station in Belgrade (or Novi Sad). Depending on your travel arrangements you can spend some time exploring Novi Sad before you leave.