June 10- June 19, 2024
| Non-Refundable Deposit (due now), Deposit is +$100 after May 1 | 2nd Pmt | Balance | Total |
| $ 1000 per person, shared room | 738 euro | 738 euro | 2475 |
| $1000 Single Room supplement | 1033 euro | 1033 euro | 3065 |
* Deposits are discounted if paid before May 1, 2024. After, they are $950 (shared) $1050 (single)
** Deposits are non-refundable
*** If you have never traveled with Travel Clubs International before, please schedule a call with tour organizer Sherry Mila via email. This is a private travel club, therefore participation is by invitation only.
ITINERARY: (subject to change)
June 10, 2024 Day 1 (Slovenia) Arrival at Ljubljana airport (LJU). Transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Overnight: Ljubljana.
June 11, Day 2 (Slovenia) Ljubljana – Bled. Overnight: Bled.
Ljubljana: walking tour around Slovenia’s charming capital. Hopping from one coast of Ljubljanica river to another, we’ll check the main sights: The Dragon Bridge, Prešern’s Square with the Franciscan Church, the famous Triple Bridge, The Church of Saint Nicholas, and an impressive Baroque palace – the Town Hall. After the walking tour, we’re absolutely sure that you’ll fall in love with Ljubljana.
Bled: A sightseeing tour of Bled features the charming town with the lakeshore and imposing Bled Castle. It is perched on a cliff high above the lake with a view of a romantic little island with its church and mysterious wishing bell. Optional: a Pletna boat ride and, at the island, visit the Bell Tower and the church
June 12, Day 3 (Slovenia – Croatia) Bled – Postojna cave – Piran. Overnight: Rovinj or Poreč
Postojna Cave: We’ll take a train to the magical underground world where during an hour-and-a-half-long guided tour, you will learn about all of the most important karst features: the largest, 16-meter-high stalagmite known as the Skyscraper, the crystal white symbol of Postojna Cave – the Brilliant, the oldest underground post office in the world and the most famous secretive animal – the olm or the human fish.
Piran: the most beautiful town in Mediterranean Slovenia. The old port town with remnants of a medieval wall is protected as a cultural and historical monument. We’ll explore the charming Tartini Square and climb up to Saint George’s Cathedral to enjoy the beautiful view from above.
June 13 Day 4 (Croatia) Pula – Opatija – Plitvice Lakes National Park. Overnight: Plitvice.
Pula: Both laidback and cosmopolitan, Pula will capture you with its amazing architecture, a wealth of historical sites, and near-intact Roman monuments. We’ll visit the sixth-largest surviving Roman arena, one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in Croatia, and other main sights: The Temple of Augustus, and Arch of the Sergii, which will give you an impression that you’ve stepped back in time.
Opatija: It was a popular holiday resort in the 19th century when Croatia was still a province of the Austrian Empire. The Austrian aristocracy discovered this jewel of the Adriatic, so close to their own homes in Austria, and decided to build beautiful villas close to the sea. We’ll walk along the famous Lungo Mare, a 12 km long path along the shore, and check different architectural styles, including Renaissance, Venetian, and Baroque. Free time for lunch in one of the restaurants by the sea, for which Opatija is widely known and praised.
Plitvice Lakes National Park: Enjoy a 3-hour guided tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park, a wonderland of 16 interconnecting lakes flanked by thundering waterfalls and a vast primeval forest. This area, known as a geological and hydrological phenomenon, is celebrated as one of Europe’s most beautiful natural sights, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
June 14, Day 5 (Croatia) Plitvice Lakes National Park – Šibenik – Split – Mostar. Overnight: Mostar.
Šibenik: a typical medieval Venetian city. We’ll walk around and check out the most important sights, including the UNESCO-protected Cathedral of Saint James. Šibenik is a perfect place for a break on our way to Split.
Split: walking tour along the cobbled streets of the Old Town featuring the historic inner city with its dominating Roman influence, built around the 4th-century Palace of Diocletian. This spectacular palace, a precious example of Roman architecture, is one of the largest and best-preserved in the world. We’ll see the remains of the Cathedral of St. Domnius, built in the Middle Ages, and the Temple of Jupiter with its headless black sphinx guarding the entrance. You’ll have time to discover the town independently or stroll along the scenic waterfront promenade.
Mostar: a medieval town in northern Herzegovina. We’ll view the compelling reconstructed Old Bridge, a staunch symbol of freedom on the Neretva River and a UNESCO-protected landmark. We will proceed to Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, the Crooked Bridge, and the old Tanner’s Quarter Tabhana. Enjoy your free time in Mostar for lunch on the banks of the Neretva River, with an amazing view of the bridge that rises above you.
June 15, Day 6 (Croatia – Bosnia) Mostar – Sarajevo – Višegrad. Overnight: Zlatibor.
Sarajevo: We’ll start from the picturesque Turkish Bazaar (Bascarsija), an old trading place with artisan workshops. We’ll check many examples of splendid Ottoman architecture around the city center. The city is truly a “living history museum” where mosques built by the Ottomans sit alongside buildings created by the Austro-Hungarians and the Orthodox Churches. We’ll see the Gazi Husrev-bey Mosque, the most prominent Islamic structure in the country, one of the world’s finest examples of Ottoman architecture. We will also check the Sebilj Fountain, one of Sarajevo’s Old Town’s most famous landmarks, The City Hall, and the famous “Spite House”. We’ll drive past the now-neglected stadium from the 1984 Winter Olympic Games and the Gavrilo Princip Museum. On our walk, look for the poignant Sarajevo Roses, flower-shaped memorials in the pavement filled with red cement, one of the few reminders left of the war.
Višegrad: here we will see the famous Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, a UNESCO site and the most beautiful example of Ottoman architecture in the Balkans. Also, we’ll have a lunch stop in Stone Town, another interesting project made by Emir Kusturica.
Šargan Eight train: 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 in time.
June 16, Day 7 (Bosnia – Serbia) Šargan Eight train – WoodenTown. Overnight: Belgrade.
Wooden Town: 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 slopes of the mountain to restore them, equip them with luxurious facilities, and to form a new settlement. Quirky flourishes are everywhere: the Stanley Kubrick cinema shows Kusturica’s films, and vintage cars are parked on twisting streets named after celebrities such as Bruce Lee and Diego Maradona (about whom Kusturica made a fascinating documentary).
June 17, Day 8 (Serbia) Belgrade City tour and optional “Bohemian night”. Overnight: Belgrade.
Belgrade City tour and optional “Bohemian night”: 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, Monument of Gratitude to France, Zindan Gate, The Chapel of Saint Petka, 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 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, spend this afternoon on your own. You could check out Nikola Tesla’s Museum and/or 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 EUR per person)
June 18, Day 9 (Serbia) Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci tour, with wine tasting. Overnight: Belgrade.
Novi Sad & Sremski Karlovci tour, with “Bermet” wine tasting: 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 be introduced to the rich history of Novi Sad as we see the monument to Svetozar Miletic, the famous Novi Sad Cathedral, the 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.
June 19, Day 10 (Serbia) Transfer from the hotel to the airport. Departure from Belgrade airport (BEG)
VEHICLE: 20-seater Mercedes Sprinter
INCLUDED:
- Airport transfers from Ljubljana airport to the hotel
- Airport transfer from hotel to Mostar airport
- Airport transfer from hotel to Belgrade airport
- Private transfers according to the itinerary
- Accommodation in 4* centrally located hotels, according to the itinerary, in 4 double/twin rooms
- English-speaking guide throughout
- All fuel costs, parking fees, and road tolls
- Tour leader FOC
NOT INCLUDED:
Meals (bring cash/credit)
Tips for drivers and guides ($5 per driver per day, $10 per guide per day)
International flights. Please book your flights arriving into LJU only AFTER you have placed your tour deposit.
BOOKINGS:
All bookings are by Sherry Mila, sherry.kumar@TravelClubsInternational.com Our itineraries are available to all Eurocircle members and Travel Clubs International members, as well as our partner organizations. If you have never traveled with us before, please email Sherry Mila to schedule a phone call prior to deposits.
Travel Clubs International 