THE ULTIMATE BALKANS ITINERARY 15N/16D

DAY 1: Arrival in Bucharest – Romania’s Grand Capital of History & Architecture

Welcome to Bucharest, Romania’s dynamic capital blending Belle Époque elegance, Communist grandeur, and a blossoming arts scene. After your airport transfer and check-in, begin your exploration with a guided visit to the Palace of the Parliament—the world’s heaviest and second-largest administrative building, a staggering feat of modern history and architecture.

Later, take a walking tour through Bucharest’s Old Town (Lipscani District), known for its cobblestone streets, local handicrafts, antique shops, and artisan boutiques. Admire restored 19th-century buildings, cozy book cafés, and hidden Orthodox chapels nestled amid the buzz.

In the evening, enjoy a traditional Romanian dinner, featuring dishes like sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls), mămăligă (polenta), and papanasi (cheese doughnuts), accompanied by local wine or plum brandy (țuică).

Dinner & Overnight in Bucharest

DAY 3: Sinaia & Brașov – Castles, Carpathians, and Craft Traditions

After breakfast, journey into the scenic Carpathian Mountains for a stop in the elegant alpine town of Sinaia. Your main highlight here is a guided tour of Peleș Castle, one of Romania’s most magnificent national heritage monuments. Nestled amid forested hills, this 19th-century neo-Renaissance castle stuns with its stained glass, carved woodwork, and ornate halls—a true fairy-tale residence of Romanian royalty.

Continue to Brașov, the heart of Transylvania, where cobbled streets, medieval Saxon architecture, and vibrant artisan life await. Explore Brașov’s Old Town, visit the iconic Black Church—the largest Gothic church in Romania—and stroll down Rope Street, one of the narrowest lanes in Europe.

Wrap up the day browsing local markets for hand-carved woodcraft souvenirs, embroidered Transylvanian textiles, and traditional Romanian ceramics—perfect mementos of your cultural journey.

Dinner & Overnight in Brașov

DAY 2: Bucharest – Museums, Markets & Village Traditions

Deep Dive into Romanian Heritage

Spend your morning at the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant or the National Art Museum (housed in the former Royal Palace), both offering a rich introduction to folk crafts, textiles, icons, and royal collections.

Then visit the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum—an open-air complex showcasing authentic homes, windmills, and churches from rural Romania. It’s perfect for understanding Romania’s regional architectural diversity and craft traditions.

Later, stroll through Calea Victoriei, one of Bucharest’s most elegant boulevards, lined with neoclassical buildings, luxury boutiques, and artisan shops.

Optional experiences:

• Attend a Romanian folk music performance

• Join a craft or embroidery workshop

• Explore Obor Market, one of the oldest and liveliest local food and spice markets

Dinner & Overnight in Bucharest

DAY 5: Sibiu – Romania’s Crafts Capital and Open-Air Folk Museum

Spend the day exploring Sibiu, a cultural gem renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and vibrant artisan community. Begin with a visit to the ASTRA Museum of Folk Civilization, Romania’s premier open-air museum and national heritage site, showcasing traditional rural life through historic houses, workshops, and authentic crafts from across the country.

Return to Sibiu’s charming Old Town, where narrow streets lead you to meet skilled leatherworkers, potters, and woodcarvers practicing time-honoured crafts. This immersive experience offers a unique opportunity to purchase exquisite handmade souvenirs directly from the artisans.

Dinner & Overnight in Sibiu

DAY 6: Cross into Bulgaria – Veliko Tarnovo’s Royal Past & Folk Crafts

This morning, cross the majestic Danube River, entering Bulgaria, a country rich in medieval heritage and folk traditions. Your first stop is the historic hilltop town of Veliko Tarnovo, once the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

Tour the imposing Tsarevets Fortress, a symbol of Bulgaria’s royal past, with panoramic views over the Yantra River. Then wander down Samovodska Charshia, a lively street where traditional crafts come alive—browse artisan shops and watch demonstrations of wood carving, copperwork, and embroidery. You’ll even have the chance to try your hand at a Bulgarian folk craft workshop, guided by a local master.

Dinner & Overnight in Veliko Tarnovo

DAY 7: Etar Open-Air Museum & Plovdiv – Crafts and Ancient Civilizations (UNESCO)

Begin your day with a visit to the enchanting Etar Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, nestled in the Balkan Mountains. This living museum recreates a 19th-century Bulgarian village, where you’ll watch artisans practice traditional crafts like wood carving, pottery, weaving, and copper-smithing—perfect for cultural travellers and heritage enthusiasts.

Continue your journey to Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and a UNESCO Creative City of Culture. In the afternoon, stroll through the charming Old Town, with its cobbled streets, colourful 19th-century houses, and well-preserved Roman Theatre. Discover the spiritual side of Bulgarian art at a local icon painting gallery or workshop.

Dinner & Overnight in Plovdiv

DAY 8:  Rila Monastery (UNESCO) & Sofia – Sacred Sites and Capital Culture

Depart Plovdiv for a scenic mountain drive to the awe-inspiring Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Bulgaria’s most sacred spiritual landmark. Nestled in the Rila Mountains, this 10th-century Eastern Orthodox monastery is famed for its vibrant frescoes, wooden carvings, and peaceful cloisters.

In the afternoon, arrive in Sofia, Bulgaria’s eclectic capital. Explore highlights such as the majestic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, and delve into the country’s rich heritage at the National History Museum, home to Thracian gold treasures and medieval artefacts.

Dinner & Overnight in Sofia

DAY 10: Lake Ohrid (UNESCO) – Spiritual Serenity & Artisan Traditions

Journey to the jewel of North Macedonia—Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its crystal-clear waters and rich spiritual heritage. Explore this ancient lakeside town known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans,” once home to 365 churches, one for each day of the year.

Stroll through Ohrid’s cobbled streets and picturesque harbour, stopping by artisan shops in the lakeside crafts village. Visit a traditional paper-making workshop that still uses a 2,000-year-old technique, and watch how handmade paper is created from tree bark and natural fibres.

End the day at the stunning Saint Naum Monastery, dramatically set on a rocky outcrop over the lake. Marvel at its frescoes, peacocks, and serene atmosphere—one of the region’s most beloved spiritual sites.

Dinner & Overnight in Ohrid

DAY 12: Gjirokastër & Butrint (UNESCO) – Stone Cities and Ancient Civilizations

Travel deeper into southern Albania and arrive in Gjirokastër, a striking UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Stone City." Wander its steep cobbled streets lined with Ottoman-era mansions and explore the imposing hilltop Gjirokastër Castle, which offers sweeping views of the Drino Valley. Learn about the town’s layered past, including its role as the birthplace of communist leader Enver Hoxha.

Continue toward the Ionian coast to visit the Butrint Archaeological Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient city, once Greek, Roman, and Byzantine, is now a lushly overgrown open-air museum filled with temples, theatres, and mosaics surrounded by wetlands.

En route, enjoy a local olive oil tasting and stop at a stone-carving workshop, where master artisans keep traditional techniques alive.

Dinner & Overnight in Sarandë

DAY 13: Into Montenegro – Kotor Bay & Old Town Charm (UNESCO)

Depart Albania via a scenic drive along the Albanian Riviera, passing dramatic coastal cliffs and turquoise waters. Cross into Montenegro, a country of fjord-like bays and fortified towns, and arrive in the spectacular Bay of Kotor—a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wander the cobblestone lanes of Kotor’s medieval Old Town, encircled by Venetian walls and watched over by soaring limestone peaks. Explore its Maritime Museum, which chronicles the town’s seafaring history and pirate tales. Pause to admire the cathedral of Saint Tryphon and browse local artisan shops.

Discover hand-painted ceramics, lacework, and other traditional Montenegrin crafts in family-run ateliers tucked into the stone alleys.

Dinner & Overnight in Kotor

DAY 14:Into Bosnia & Herzegovina – Mostar’s Living Heritage (UNESCO)

Embark on a picturesque journey through the Dinaric Alps and into Bosnia & Herzegovina, arriving in the enchanting town of Mostar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich blend of Ottoman and Balkan cultures.

Marvel at the breathtaking Stari Most (Old Bridge), gracefully arching over the emerald Neretva River—a symbol of resilience and unity. Explore Mostar’s Old Bazaar (Bazar Kujundžiluk), where artisans sell intricate copperware, filigree jewelry, and colorful handwoven wool rugs in centuries-old storefronts.

Enjoy a hands-on experience with a local craftsman in a traditional workshop, where time-honoured techniques are used to forge, shape, and engrave metal by hand.

Dinner & Overnight in Mostar

TOUR SUMMARY

Embark on an unforgettable 16-day journey through the heart of the Balkans, uncovering a rich tapestry of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, national heritage landmarks, and vibrant arts and crafts traditions across seven captivating countries. Begin in Romania, exploring the elegant castles of Sinaia, the medieval charm of Brașov and Sighișoara, and the artisan hubs of Sibiu. Cross into Bulgaria to visit the historic towns of Veliko Tarnovo and Plovdiv, the iconic Rila Monastery, and experience traditional woodcarving and embroidery. Continue to North Macedonia, where Skopje’s Ottoman bazaars and Lake Ohrid’s 365 churches offer a glimpse into spiritual and cultural life.

In Albania, discover the timeless stone cities of Berat and Gjirokastër, and the ancient ruins of Butrint, before traveling along the Riviera into Montenegro to explore Kotor’s walled Old Town and its maritime legacy. Journey into Bosnia & Herzegovina, where the legendary Stari Most Bridge in Mostar stands as a symbol of resilience and heritage, and end in Croatia with the stunning Adriatic jewel of Dubrovnik—a living museum of medieval splendour, coral jewellery, and Konavle folk traditions. This immersive cultural tour offers a rare opportunity to experience the Balkans through its architecture, storytelling, and the hands of its artisans.

DAY 11: Into Albania – Berat, the City of a Thousand Windows (UNESCO)

Cross the border into Albania via a scenic mountain route, taking in panoramic views of lakes, valleys, and rugged terrain as you descend into one of the country’s cultural gems—Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Often called the “City of a Thousand Windows” for its white Ottoman-era houses stacked on the hillside, Berat is a living museum of Albanian architecture and heritage. Explore the historic Mangalem and Gorica quarters, then visit the Onufri Icon Museum, housed in the 18th-century Church of the Dormition, showcasing the luminous Byzantine-inspired icons of Albania’s master painter, Onufri.

In the afternoon, engage with local artisans in embroidery studios, where you can witness traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Dinner & Overnight in Berat

Detailed Itinerary Best Time: May to Mid-June/ September to Early-October

DAY 9:  Into North Macedonia – Skopje’s Heritage and Handicrafts

Depart Bulgaria and journey westward as you cross the border into North Macedonia, arriving in the vibrant capital city of Skopje. Begin with a panoramic visit to the Skopje Fortress (Kale), offering sweeping views over the Vardar River and insight into the city’s layered history from Roman to Ottoman times.

Wander through the atmospheric Old Bazaar, one of the oldest and largest marketplaces in the Balkans, where East meets West. Discover traditional crafts as you browse stalls of hand-hammered copperware, delicate filigree jewellery, and colourful textiles—perfect keepsakes of your cultural adventure.

Conclude the day at the Memorial House of Mother Teresa, a moving tribute to Skopje’s most famous native and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Dinner & Overnight in Skopje

City of 1000 windows, Berat photo by David Stanley from Wikimedia commons licensed under CC by SA-2.0

DAY 15:  Dubrovnik, Croatia – Walled Wonders & Artisan Heritage (UNESCO)

Cross into Croatia and arrive in the stunning coastal gem of Dubrovnik, famously known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic” and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enter the perfectly preserved Old Town, encircled by monumental stone ramparts that offer panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea.

Walk atop the city walls, soaking in the views of terracotta rooftops and baroque architecture. Visit the elegant Rector’s Palace, once the seat of power in the Republic of Ragusa, and explore the Franciscan Monastery, home to one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies.

Stroll down Stradun, the main promenade, and shop for exquisite local embroidery, handmade coral jewellery, and traditional Konavle folk costumes, crafted using age-old techniques passed down through generations.

Dinner & Overnight in Dubrovnik

Sibiu Museum Photo by Andrei Kokelburg from Wikimedia commons licensed under CC by SA-3.0

National Museum of Peasants Photo by Neoclassicism Enthusiast from Wikimedia commons licensed under CC by SA-4.0

DAY 4: Bran Castle & Sighișoara – Legends and Living Traditions (UNESCO)

Start your day with a visit to the legendary Bran Castle, famously associated with the Dracula myth and perched dramatically in the Carpathian Mountains. Tour its medieval rooms and corridors while uncovering the real and fictional history behind this iconic fortress.

Continue your cultural journey to Sighișoara, one of the best-preserved UNESCO-listed medieval citadels in Europe. Walk through cobbled lanes lined with colourful buildings, clock towers, and centuries-old churches. Immerse yourself in the town’s artisanal spirit by watching local craftspeople carve traditional wooden toys or paint intricate Easter eggs, preserving Transylvanian folk art.

Dinner & Overnight in Sighișoara

Sighisoara Citadel Photo by Guillaume Baviere from Wikimedia commons licensed under CC by SA-2.0

DAY 16:  Departure from Dubrovnik or Optional extension to Belgrade - Serbia

After breakfast, enjoy some free time for last-minute souvenir shopping or a relaxing stroll along the Adriatic coast. Unwind on the beach, sip a final Croatian coffee, or explore any corners of Dubrovnik Old Town you may have missed. Possible extension to Belgrade in Serbia.

Later, transfer to Dubrovnik Airport for your onward journey.

TOUR ENDS