TREASURES OF THE BALKANS

Assemble at Changi Airport for our flight to Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic.  

Unveil the secrets within the walls of old town Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich with hidden gems and beautiful architecture.  Stepping through Pile Gate, we take  step back in time and immerse in the grandeur and beauty of the old town. 

Stroll down Stradun, the main street and see the beautiful 16th century Saviour Church.  The Fransican Monastery is home to one of the world’s oldest pharmacies.  See Onofrio’s Fountain, Orlando Column, the Rector’s Palace and also the King’s Landing made famous by the ‘King of Thrones’ series.   

Enjoy a day trip to Montenegro with its awe-inspiring landscapes.  The Bay of Kotor, the only natural fjord of its kind, made the list of ‘The World’s most beautiful bays’.    

The old town of Kotor lies in the shadows of St John’s Hill.  Admire the amazing sights of its fortification which are skillfully crafted into the natural steep slopes of the hill.  Stroll through medieval quarters, bustling marketplace and beautiful Renaissance buildings.  Visit the St Tryphon Cathedral to admire 14th century frescos and Venetian gold treasures.   Next, visit ‘Our Lady of the Rocks’ which sits on a man-made island in the middle of the waters.   

Drive to the Peljesac Peninsula towards the village of Ston.  Amazing stonewalls over 5km longs climb up to the hilltop Pozvizd Fortress and follow the line of the isthmus to meet up with the walls of nearby Mali Ston.  Fortified with ten round and thirty rectangular towers, these walls are a sight to behold. 

In Mali Ston, travel by boat to visit the oyster beds and tasting of oyster and mussel. Drive through the majestic gorge of the River Neretva to Mostar, a beautiful village in Bosnia & Herzegovina.  

Drive through the majestic gorge of the River Neretva to Mostar, a beautiful village in Bosnia & Hercegovina.  Admire the most celebrated bridge in the Balkans, Stari Most (old bridge) which was reconstructed after the war.  The cobbled old town extends on both sides of the bridge and bustles with trinket sellers.      

Split, the second largest city in Croatia and the cultural centre of Dalmatia is not to be missed!  Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace sits in The Inner City with its intriguing maze of cobblestone streets.  The Peristyle, located in the eastern part of the palace is considered the most beautiful square in the city.  

Enjoy lunch cooked from traditional Dalmatian recipes and ingredients at an ethno village. Explore the village and enjoy some tasting of local produce as well.  

Zadar is the proud owner of the world-famous Sea Organ, an installation of 35 pipes of various lengths, diameters and slopes.  Nearby is the Greeting to the Sun, made of 300 multi-layered glass solar panels in the shape of a circle.    

Move inland towards the beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site).  Walk on the wooden promenades to take in the breathtaking scenery of this natural phenomenal marvel of sixteen terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation which are joined in a series of majestic waterfalls and where every turn leads to even more beautiful scenery. (Note: Visit to Krka National Park will be arranged in event of bad weather and closure of Plitvice National Park)  

Travel to Istria, a heart-shaped peninsula often considered Croatia’s most amazing region. Be charmed by rolling hills, fertile plains and hilltop villages.  

Learn all about truffles in this region from a truffle hunting experience in the forest. Savour an explosion of flavours during our truffle lunch.  

Continue to the most beloved town, Rovinj, one of the last true Mediterranean fishing ports. Delight in the picturesque silhouette of Rovinj characterized by high houses, narrow paved streets and small squares.  

Enjoy the open market where fresh produce from the region is tantalizingly displayed. Stroll through old, cobbled alleys in the old town perched on an elevated peninsula surrounded by Venetian terracotta roofs and crowed by the 18th century Church of St Euphemia.    

Visit Postojna Caves, the two-million-year-old, twenty-seven kilometers long system of subterranean caves. Enjoy a ride on the electric train into the cave for a guided walk through a series of halls with unforgettable limestone formations. Travel to Zagreb, the capital and largest city of Croatia.  

Enjoy a guided tour of the fortified Upper Tower, admire the multicoloured roof of St Mark’s Church, the Cathedral, National Theatre and University.  Drive around Lower Town, also known as ‘New Zagreb’, built during the 19th & 20th centuries.  

Ljubljana is one of Europe’s smallest capitals.   Admire some top sights in this picturesque capital.  Cross the Triple Bridge, Joze Plecnik’s most famous masterpiece and part of the urban planning of the city center. The symbol of the city is well represented by the Dragon Bridge.  Explore open air market, St Nicholas Cathedral, Robba Fountain as we stroll amongst beautiful baroque architecture and discover the charms of the capital.  

Be charmed by Lake Bled, the pearl of the Julian Alps.  Admire the emerald-green lake. The little church on the island in the middle of the lake and the 11th century medieval castle perched on a cliff above the lake. It is time to bid farewell to The Balkans and travel home with fond memories of the sights, sounds, and stories we have collected on this incredible journey.