TREASURES OF SERBIA

Tour by bus
7 days / 6 nights

1st day: BELGRADE
Arrival in Belgrade. Transfer and checking into the hotel. In the evening, strolling down to the old bohemian quarter Skadarlija, the most popular tourist attraction, with its old taverns, traditional restaurants and art galleries, and dinner in one of the famous restaurants with live „old-town music” and traditional local cuisine. Overnight in the hotel.

2nd day: BELGRADE
After a breakfast, leaving the hotel for a city sightseeing: a walk through Kalemegdan park with Belgrade fortress, Orthodox Cathedral, Knez Mihailo’s Street to the Republic Square with the National Theatre, the National Museum, and the monument of Knez Mihailo; panoramic sightseeing of Student Square, Terazije Square, famous for its Terazije Fountain and Moskva Hotel, Nikola Pasic Square, with the magnificent buildings of the Parliament, Old Royal Court and New Royal Court, Knez Milos Street with some of the city’s greatest architectural masterpieces, St Sava’s Temple, the largest orthodox church in the world, famous for its huge dome; Dedinje, a quarter with the most beautiful and expensive houses, the home of the royal family Karadjordjevic; “House of flowers“, the mausoleum of former Yugoslav president Tito, with the Museum of Yugoslav History, and New Belgrade, the part of the city build completely in the 2nd half of the 20th century, representing the best of the modern Belgrade architecture. Visiting Zemun, the most charming place in the city, small picturesque town stretched along Danube river bank. Lunch in one of Zemun’s famous boat/raft restaurants, famous for local specialties. Walking tour for exploring Zemun’s narrow streets, old churches and houses and stroll along the Danube shore. Returning to the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

3rd day: BELGRADE – FRUŠKA GORA – KRUŠEDOL – SREMSKI KARLOVCI – NOVI SAD - BELGRADE
After a breakfast, departure from Belgrade and heading to a picturesque mountain Fruška Gora, a natural reserve and the oldest national park in Serbia, as well as the “Holy Mountain“ of Serbia with its 17 Serbian Orthodox monasteries from 16th century and visit to the most important and the most beautiful one - Krušedol Monastery. Visit to Sremski Karlovci, a town of great historical and cultural importance, and a guided tour through this charming small town with its baroque and neoclassical architecture: St. Nicolas Cathedral, the Four Lions Fountain, the oldest Serbian Grammar School and the Patriarchy Residence. A visit to the town includes wine-tasting of its famous “Bermet“, a sweet, dessert wine in one of its numerous wine cellars. The tour continues to Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city. Visiting Petrovaradin fortress, a fortification built by Austrians in the 17th and 18th century, and the old city center with its most important attractions: Liberty Square, City hall, the Cathedral of Novi Sad, St George’s church, the Matica Srpska Museum. Lunch in a traditional restaurant with a local cuisine on the Danube river. Free time for a walk through the town’s vibrant streets, a gallery or museum visit, … Returning to Belgrade. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

4th day: BELGRADE – MANASIJA – RAVANICA – LAZARICA – LJUBOSTINJA – VRNJACKA BANJA
After a breakfast, departure from Belgrade. Visiting monastery Manasija, an impressive medieval compound surrounded by massive walls and towers. It was founded in early 15th century by Despot Stefan Lazarević, Serbian ruler, knight of the Order of Dragon, educator and patron of arts and culture. The monastery was the center of literature, transcripts writing and translation works in medieval Serbia, with its „Resava School Of Transcription“, famous and respected all over Europe. The Manasija frescoes are among the greatest achievements of medieval painting. Visiting monastery Ravanica, founded during the 1370s by Prince Lazar. The monastery is prominent for its important historical role, as well as for its architecture, ornamental sculpture and painting. After Prince Lazar`s relics were rested there, following his death in the famous battle of Kosovo, the monastery became a center of pilgrimage. Lunch in a local restaurant. Continuing the journey to Kruševac, the capital of medieval Serbian state during the rule of Prince Lazar and his endowment Church Lazarica. The church was built from 1370 to 1374, as the main church in the court of Prince Lazar, in the Moravian style with beautiful polychromic façade and rich ornamental decoration. Continuing journey and visiting the beautiful monastery Ljubostinja. The legend says that the monastery was built on a site where Princess Milica met Prince Lazar for the first time. It was built on the turn of the 13th and 14th century, in Moravian style with extraordinary ornamental decoration. After the battle of Kosovo, when Lazar was killed, Milica became a nun in this monastery, along with a number of other widows of Serbian noblemen. Continuing the journey to Vrnjacka Banja, one of the most renowned and beautiful spas in Serbia. Checking into the hotel. Dinner and overnight.

5th day: VRNJAČKA BANJA – ŽIČA – STUDENICA – NOVI PAZAR – SOPOĆANI – DJURDJEVI STUPOVI – ST. PETER`S CHURCH – VRNJAČKA BANJA
Breakfast. Visiting the monastrery Žiča built in early 13th century by Nemanjić dynasty’s rulers. The monastery of Žiča, also known as the „Great Church“ or „Mother of Churches“ because it was the center of the state and church institutions – it became the first seat of the Serbian Archbishopic and the coronation church of the independent state. Passing by a 13th-century castle Maglič, a stronghold located high on the ridge, protecting the road for centuries. Continuing the journey through the “Valley of Lilac”, famous for a romantic love story between Prince Uroš I and his bride Princess Helen of Anjou. Visiting the monastery Studenica, the most famous of all Serbian monasteries built in the late 12th century, by Stefan Nemanja, the founder of the medieval Serbian state. The monastery had the important historical role in medieval Serbia and was its a cultural, spiritual and educational center. It is the largest and the richest Orthodox monastery in Serbia and for its beautiful architecture and frescoes, is considered as one of the most beautiful Serbian monasteries. Continuing the journey to Novi Pazar, and visiting the old town, place where oriental and western intervene, creating a unique style and rich and diverse cultural heritage. Lunch in a local restaurant serving traditional dishes. Visiting the monastery Sopoćani, an endowment of King Stefan Uroš I of Serbia, built in the second half of the 13th century, near the source of the river Raška in the region of Ras, the centre of the Serbian medieval state. Sopoćani frescoes are considered by many experts as the most beautiful frescoes of European art from 13th -14th centuries. Visiting the monastery Djurdjevi Stupovi, built in the 8th decade of the 12th century. The external appearance of this single-nave temple with a tripartite sanctuary, a nave with lateral vestibules and a narthex, flanked by two towers, emanates a spirit of western Romanesque building. Visiting the St. Peter`s church, one of the oldest preserved churches in Balkans dating from the Byzantine era. Returning to Vrnjacka Banja. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

6th day: VRNJAČKA BANJA – OVČAR-KABLAR GORGE – NIKOLJE – TOPOLA-OPLENAC – BELGRADE
Breakfast. Departure to Ovčar-Kablar gorge, one of the most beautiful river gorges in Serbia, carved into a mountainside, with 10 Serbian old monasteries and chapels scattered among the cliffs. The first ones were built in early 14th century when Mount Athos suffered from the raids of the Catalan Grand Company and Serbian monks fled and found their refuge here. The monasteries were significant for the preservation of the national identity and heritage and rich in manuscripts, painting, architecture and crafts. Visit to monastery Nikolje, once the main cultural center of Ovčar-Kablar gorge, with its famous school of transcription during the 16th and 17th century. The journey continues to Topola, important historical place where Karađorđe Petrović, a Serbian revolutionary, was chosen as the leader of the First Serbian Uprising. Visit to a memory complex Karadjordje’s town, built in the period 1811-1813 by Karadjordje, consisting of Family house (now museum), Tower and Church of Our Blessed Lady. Visit to Oplenac, where on top of the hill the church dedicated to St. George Church was erected by King Peter I in 1907, as his endowment and as the mausoleum of the Royal Family Karađorđević. The church is considered as one of the most beautiful churches in Serbia and, especially valuable is its interior iconography created in a luxurious mosaic technique. Lunch in a local restaurant with traditional specialties. As Topola and Oplenac are located in the very heart of Sumadija, in the vineyards area, the area is famous around the world for high-quality and delicious wines. Visit to Royal winery where visitors can experience the Royal tradition of making and tasting wines. Departure to Belgrade. Arrival in hotel. Dinner and overnight.

7th Day: BELGRADE
Breakfast. Checking out of the hotel. Transfer to the airport.