Arrive in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, on suggested flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), a private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

At 18:00, join Iain and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing, followed by dinner.

(D)

Following a talk by Iain after breakfast, explore Belgrade beginning with a visit to Kalemegdan Fortress in Stari Grad, the city’s historic centre. Overlooking the confluence of the River Sava and Danube, the fortress has been a strategic stronghold for centuries, shaped by Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian rule.

After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town and visit the Zemun District, known for its distinct character. Once an independent town, Zemun’s quaint streets and Mediterranean-like charm reflect its unique history.

Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

(BL)

This morning, travel to Vinča, east of Belgrade, and learn about the Turdaș–Vinča civilisation that inhabited southern Europe between 5400 and 4500 BCE. Discovered by Serbian archaeologist Miloje Vasić in 1908, the Vinča-Belo Brdo archaeological site is one of the most significant prehistoric settlements in Europe and is notable for its well-preserved ceramics, tools and figurines, with evidence of early metallurgy.

Return to the hotel in the mid-afternoon. The evening is at leisure.

(BL)

After breakfast, travel north to Petrovaradin Fortress, known as the “Gibraltar on the Danube”. Built in the 17th century by the Austrians as a defence against the Ottomans, the fortress features intricate underground tunnels, expansive walls and a unique clock tower with reversed clock hands.

Continue to Novi Sad and explore the old town, where the Habsburg influence is evident in the elegant architecture. See Freedom Square, home to the neo-Gothic Cathedral of Saint Mary, the city’s largest church visit the Bishop’s Palace, a classicist-style residence of the Serbian Orthodox Bishop of Bačka.

Return to Belgrade in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(B)

Today, explore Golubac Fortress, a medieval fortified town on the south side of the Danube River with a turbulent history. The fortress is renowned for successfully fending off more than 120 enemy attacks. Before its construction, the site was home to a Roman settlement. In the Middle Ages, it became the focal point of numerous conflicts, particularly between the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary. The fortress changed hands several times, and was controlled at various points by the Turks, Bulgarians, Hungarians, Serbs and Austrians. It wasn’t until 1867 that the fortress was handed over to the Serbian Prince, Mihailo Obrenović III.

Continue to Svilajnac. After checking in to the hotel, enjoy some time at leisure before dinner.

(BD)

Check out of the hotel and depart for Manasija monastery, a Serbian Orthodox monastery located in central Serbia, near the town of Despotovac. Founded in the early 15th century by Despot Stefan Lazarević, the monastery was built in the Morava style, an ecclesiastical architectural style that flourished in the Serbian Late Middle Ages.

Continue to Studenica monastery, one of the largest and richest Serbian Orthodox monasteries, founded by Stefan Nemanja in the 12th century and well-known for its collection of 13th- and 14th-century Byzantine-style fresco paintings.

Arrive in Vrnjačka Banja in the early evening and enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

(BD)

Depart Vrnjačka Banja and drive to the Serbian/Bosnian border and checkpoint. Following visa and passport formalities, continue to Višegrad in Bosnia and Herzegovina. See the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most iconic landmarks in the region. Visit also Andrić’s Town, a cultural and historical project designed by renowned film director Emir Kusturica, which celebrates the works of Nobel Prize-winning author Ivo Andrić.

Continue through the Romanija Mountains to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the “Jerusalem of Europe”, a name that reflects its rich cultural and religious heritage.

(BLD)

After a morning talk by Iain, discover the historic centre of Sarajevo and its harmonious blend of mosques, churches and synagogues. Visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral, the centre of Catholic worship in the city, and the Church of the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel. See the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the largest historical mosque in Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of the most representative Ottoman structures in the Balkans, and stroll along the bustling Baščaršija district, with its Ottoman-era architecture, vibrant markets and traditional handicrafts.

After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to relax or to explore the city at own pace.

(BL)

This morning, walk to the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina for a guided tour of the museum’s collection, including the Sarajevo Haggadah, a 600-year-old Jewish manuscript and one of Bosnia’s most prized relics.

Continue to the Museum of Sarajevo 1878–1918, near the Latin Bridge, where Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Explore exhibits detailing Bosnia’s history under Austro-Hungarian rule.

After some free time for lunch, visit the Ashkenazi Synagogue, Sarajevo’s only functioning synagogue. Built in 1902 in the Moorish Revival style, it reflects the architectural trends of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to further explore Sarajevo at your own pace.

(B)

After breakfast, visit the Historical Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, showcasing the region’s history from the Middle Ages to modern times, with a focus on the anti-fascist struggle during World War II.

Continue to the Sarajevo Tunnel of Hope, built during the 1993 Siege of Sarajevo in the Bosnian War. Connecting Dobrinja and Butmir, the tunnel provided a lifeline for food, supplies and humanitarian aid while offering civilians an escape route.

After lunch at a local restaurant, return to the city centre to visit Gallery 11/07/95. Established in 2012, the gallery memorialises the Srebrenica genocide with photographs and archival material documenting the town before, during and after the tragedy.

(BL)

Today, travel to Mostar, the historic capital of Herzegovina and the fifth-largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Renowned for its Ottoman-era architecture, the city was named after the mostari, the bridge keepers of that time, and is famed for its Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of 16th-century Islamic architecture, commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent.

Explore the Old City on foot and visit the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, erected in 1618 with colourful glass windows and botanical dome, and the Mostar Cathedral.

Check in to the hotel in the late-afternoon and enjoy some free time before dinner at a local restaurant.

(BD)

Depart the hotel and travel to Trebinje, the southernmost city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. En route, visit the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Hercegovačka Gračanica, a copy of the Gračanica monastery in Kosovo. The monastery was built according to the last wish of the prominent poet and diplomat Jovan Dučić (1871-1943), who wanted to be buried on a hill above Trebinje in a church like “one in Kosovo”.

Then, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the St. Paul and Peter Church, a historic Orthodox monastery dating back to the 4th century.

This evening, enjoy dinner at a local winery.

(BLD)

Check out of the hotel and travel to Montenegro, a country strongly influenced by the Illyrians, Romans and Venetians. In Perast, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and discover the city’s charming baroque architecture, picturesque waterfront and rich maritime history.  Visit the iconic islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island built by piling rocks and sinking old, captured ships filled with stones. Learn also about the Baroque paintings of Tripo Kokolja, a famous 17th-century artist from Perast.

Arrive in Tivat in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

(BLD)

Following a morning talk, drive to Cetinje, the former royal capital of Montenegro and the location of several national institutions, including the official residence of the president of Montenegro. Visit Cetinje Monastery, founded in 1484 by Prince Ivan Crnojević of Zeta and home to important relics, and King Nicholas Museum, located in the castle of the Petrović Njegoš royal family.

Enjoy lunch in Njeguši, the birthplace of Petar II Petrović Njegoš and famous in recent times for the production of smoked ham and cheese.

Return to Tivat driving through the scenic Kotor Serpentine and marvel at the views over Kotor Bay.

The remainder of the afternoon and the evening are at leisure.

(BL)

In the morning, transfer to the Montenegrian/Albanian border and checkpoint. Following visa and passport formalities, continue to Shkodër, the traditional capital of northern Albania, for lunch.

Arrive in Tirana, the capital city of Albania, in the afternoon and enjoy some free time before dinner at a local restaurant.

(BLD)

Following a morning talk, explore Tirana, beginning at the National Archaeological Museum, the first museum founded after the second World War in the country which houses exhibits from Prehistoric and Classical times up to the Middle Ages and Modern period.

Continue to Skanderbeg Square, the city’s central plaza named after Albania’s national hero. Marvel at the Et’hem Bej Mosque and Clock Tower, iconic landmarks surrounding the square.

After some free time for lunch, explore the Museum of Secret Surveillance, also known as House of Leaves, to learn about Albania’s history under Enver Hoxha’s regime. End with a visit to Bunk’Art 2 Museum, a transformed nuclear bunker from the dictator’s era now serving as an art space.

Enjoy the evening at leisure.

(B)

Today, visit Durrës, one of Albania’s oldest cities, founded in the 6th century BCE by Greek colonists. Once a major port and trade hub in the Roman period, Durrës flourished as an economic centre, connecting the Adriatic with inland trade routes. Explore the Roman amphitheatre, among the largest in the Balkans, and discover the remains of the Byzantine forum, with its columns and open marketplace, as well as the ancient city walls that once fortified this historic coastal city.

Tonight, celebrate the conclusion of the tour with a farewell dinner with Iain and fellow travellers.

(BLD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those returning home today, make your way to Tirana Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including a private airport transfer, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)