The Balkans
Essential Serbia
Photo credit: Dragan Bosnic, Branko Jovanovic, Srdjan Veljovic, NTOS archive
From the Danube to the Balkans
Overview
Halfway between the Adriatic and the Black Sea in southern Europe, Serbia encompasses gentle valleys, roughhewn mountains, venerable Roman bastions, and ancient rock-faced roads along with an irresistible capital city, Belgrade. Begin in the capital and spend the next eight days circling Serbia in search of ancient Roman ruins, imposing Ottoman fortresses, scenic natural wonders, beautiful Orthodox monasteries, and outstanding wines — all while visiting three UNESCO-listed sites en route.
Travels to: Serbia
Map
Itinerary
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Days 1-2: Belgrade (Serbia)
After arrival and a night at a centrally located hotel, start your exploration of Serbia with a full day tour of the capital, Belgrade. Belgrade has been the capital of Serbia since 1403, when the Despot Stefan, son of Prince Lazar, moved his palace here. Today, Belgrade is a dynamic and sophisticated city of 1.7 million, swiftly becoming one of the hippest places in Europe.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Drive through New Belgrade, full of both Communist and modern apartment blocks
- Stop by the old Gardos Tower in Zemun
- Pay a visit to the Memorial Complex of Josip Broz Tito, the infamous president of former Yugoslavia
- Tour some of the oldest residences in the city, including Princess Ljubica’s Residence
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Day 3-5: Kladovo, Rajac, Nis
Set off on a circular exploration of the country beginning with a drive along the biggest gorge of the Danube River on the way to Kladovo, visiting the ruins of Viminacium and the famous Iron Gates on the way. Then, stop in the small town of Rajac to learn more about Serbia’s winemaking traditions before exploring Nis, an important crossroads during Roman times dotted with reminders of Serbia’s eventful history.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Explore the ruins of Viminacium, former provincial capital and one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire
- Pay a visit to the Iran Gates, a massive gorge that forms part of the boundary between Romania and Serbia
- Tour the medieval Golubac (“Pideon”) Fortress in the Djerdap National Park
- Discover the remains of Lepenski Vir (“Lepena Whirlpool”), one of the oldest settlements in Europe
- Gather at a local wine cellar in Rajac for a tasting of the delightful varietal wines of the region including Zacinak, Gamay, and Riesling
- Explore the ruins of the UNESCO-listed Felix Romuliana, one of the largest and best preserved sites from the Late Roman Period
- Visit the beautiful 18th-century Nis Fortress, one of the most important monuments of Ottoman rule in the Balkans
- Discover the white marble churches and stone buildings of the UNESCO-listed Studenica Monastery
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Days 6-8: Novi Pazar, Topola, Belgrade
Explore Novi Pazar, the center of Bosniak culture in Serbia, before completing your circle of Serbia and heading back to Belgrade. On the way, pay a visit to the UNESCO-listed Sopoćani Monastery and the town of Topola. During your last full day in Belgrade, head out to the municipalities of Grocka and Smederova for visits to some wineries and historical sites. Your tour will conclude with a transfer to the airport on the last day.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Tour the UNESCO-listed Sopoćani Monastery, with it’s restored Church of the Holy Trinity and outstanding frescoes
- Explore Topola, where a Serbian revolutionary was chosen as the leader of the First Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Empire in 1804
- Enjoy wine tastings in Topola and Smederovo
- Stop at the Neolithic archeological site of Vinca Belo Brdo, one of the largest prehistoric settlements in all of Europe
- Visit the Smederova Fortress, an impressive fortified city finished in 1430
Dates & Prices
Please note:
- Private trip prices vary by season and are subject to hotel availability for your travel dates.
- Listed prices below are based on double occupancy and a 2 traveler minimum.
- Hotel upgrades, additional nights, and solo traveler prices are available on request.
Land tour price, per person, starting from:
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2024 Dates
Available: January - DecemberTour, double occupancy$4,395Single supplement$895
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2025 Dates
Available: January - DecemberTour, double occupancy$4,495Single supplement$945
What's Included
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Tour Includes
- Shared accommodations in well-located superior tourist class hotels throughout the itinerary. All room types, even in upgraded properties, are standard entry-level doubles or twins; please call for room category upgrade pricing and information.
- Meals as noted in the itinerary: Daily hotel breakfasts and 2 dinners. All lunches and most dinners are left independent to allow exploration.
- Services of experienced, English-speaking driver throughout the program, who also serves as your national guide – handling the excursions in each town.
- One arrival and one departure airport transfer. (Additional arrival and departure transfers are available at additional cost.) MIR arranges for travelers to be met on arrival and seen off on departure whether we make your airfare arrangements or not.
- Ground transportation throughout itinerary by private van or car (type of vehicle depends on the size of your party). Note, one vehicle and driver will be used throughout the itinerary.
- Guided sightseeing tours and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary.
- Complete pre-departure electronic document that includes detailed packing suggestions, Assistance booking your custom flight arrangements (on request; please note that international airfare is not included in the land tour cost).
- Electronic final update bulletin, with any late news, updates and important information.
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Not Included
- International airfare or taxes/fuel surcharges.
- Meals not specified as included on the itinerary.
- Single supplement charge, if requested or required.
- Items of a personal nature (phone calls, email, laundry, alcohol, excess baggage, etc).
- Baggage handling.
- Gratuities to local guides, drivers, porters and other service personnel.
- Visa/passport fees if required (U.S. passport holders do not require any visas for this program).
- Expenses incurred as a result of delay, modification or extension of a tour due to causes beyond MIR’s control.
- Travel and trip cancellation insurance.
Activity Level
Level 3: Medium
Insurance is required and you will be required to show proof of insurance.
It is important to keep in mind that less developed parts of Serbia may not be up to the standards North American travelers expect. Services are improving in the region; nevertheless you may encounter problems with plumbing, bureaucratic service, road conditions, unpaved sidewalks, uneven surfaces and steps, and availability and quality of public restrooms. Some areas, relatively speaking, have seen few travelers and the infrastructure is not yet fully developed.
While this program is designed to be the most comfortable possible for travel in this region, this is an adventuresome trip. It is rated as rigorous touring due to the daily walking involved, some long driving days, the conditions of some roads, and the overall shortcomings of the tourism infrastructure. This itinerary features a significant amount of touring on foot. Many streets are cobblestone, and some attractions are only accessible via steep staircases. Museums rarely have elevators. Flexibility and a sense of humor are essential components of the enjoyment of your trip.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this schedule is accurate. However, trip itineraries are always subject to change. We do our best to inform you in advance of any changes, but due to the nature of travel in this country, this may not always be possible.
Gallery
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1/8 Cathedral of St. Sava in Belgrade, Serbia. Lisa Peterson -
2/8 Belgrade Fortress, Serbia. B. Jovanovic
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3/8 Local tastes in Serbia. Dragan Bosnic
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4/8 Freedom Square in Novi Sad, Serbia. Ljubisa Nesovanovic
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5/8 Serbian wines in Rajačke Pimnice, Serbia. Ljubisa Nesovanovic
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6/8 Novi Sad town square, Serbia. B. Jovanovic
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7/8 Serbian Church, Serbia. Peter Guttman
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8/8 A birds's-eye view of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Photo credit: Dragan Bosnic, Branko Jovanovic, Srdjan Veljovic, NTOS archive.
