Romania and the Balkans with Albania

Welcome to Bucharest. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel and information about the start of your tour will be provided.
You will have free time until the beginning of our services.

03:00 p.m. – Panoramic city tour, including the historic quarter and the impressive Palace of the Parliament. You´ll have free time afterward to explore on your own. Dinner will be included.

IMPORTANT:
-If you requested additional nights, your room will be ready upon arrival at the hotel, but your trip guide will only contact you when the included activities begin. At the reception, you will find an information board with our staff’s telephone number and hours of assistance. Until then, you have free time to enjoy at your leisure. The hotel staff can assist you with any information you need.

Note: The schedules provided in this itinerary are indicative. The guide may adjust them as needed to enhance the trip experience.

Total distance covered: 325 km.

Scenery: Beautiful landscapes featuring the Carpathian Mountains and small, picturesque villages along the way.

Note: Sinaia is in the mountains, so we recommend warm clothes and comfortable shoes.

08:00 a.m. – Departure from Bucharest. We’ll leave the bustling metropolis and head toward the mountains, where we’ll enjoy beautiful Alpine landscapes.
10:30 a.m. - Sinaia. We’ll explore the gardens of the Peles and Pelisor Castles (we’ll only visit the gardens as the castle interiors are closed on Mondays).

12:00 p.m. – Departure from Sinaia. We’ll continue through high mountain regions.
01:00 p.m. - Bran - Arrival at the 14th-century fortress known as "Dracula’s Castle" (tickets included). You´ll have time for lunch and to explore the charming town center after.

03:30 p.m. – Departure from Bran. As we journey on, you’ll observe the unique architecture of some villages, reflecting the influence of German settlers in the region.
05:45 p.m. - Sighisoara - Arrival at this beautiful walled medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight, where you´ll enjoy a special dinner at Count Dracula’s restaurant, located in the house where Vlad the Impaler was born.

Note: At times, due to heavy tourist traffic, there are long delays in accessing Bran Castle, which may cause a significant delay in the arrival time to Sighisoara.

Note: Hotel capacity in Sighisoara is limited. On certain dates, accommodation may be provided in Sibiu (departing from Sighisoara after dinner). In these cases, the stop in Biertan will be replaced with a visit to the city of Alba Iulia.

Total distance covered: 395 km.

Scenery: Beautiful and varied landscapes, with little villages en route.

Note: From November to March, due to shorter days and monument opening hours, we won´t be able to visit the interior of the church in Biertan. However, we will make a brief stop to view it from the outside.

09:00 a.m. – Departure from Sighisoara. In Transylvania, there are many fortified churches in areas that were historically inhabited by people of German origin. Some of these churches are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and we’ll visit one in Biertan.
09:45 a.m. - Biertan - Arrival to visit the fortified church (tickets included).

10:45 a.m. – Departure from Biertan.
12:15 a.m. - Sibiu - Arrival in this important economic and cultural center, which was once the capital of Transylvania. Take some time to stroll through its bustling narrow streets and squares and enjoy lunch.

02:30 p.m. – Departure from Sibiu. We’ll drive along the highway through picturesque agricultural regions.
04:15 p.m. - Hunedoara - We will visit the impressive Hunedoara Castle (tickets included), considered the most beautiful castle in Romania.

05:15 p.m. – Departure from Hunedoara.
07:45 p.m. - Timisoara. This city, with Roman origins, is home to diverse communities. Its beautifully restored classical and pedestrian center is perfect for an evening stroll.

Total distance covered: 170 km.

Note: Please have your passport handy, as it will be required at the Serbia border.

08:30 a.m. – Departure from Timisoara. We’ll journey through pleasant landscapes as we head towards Serbia. The border crossing may occasionally cause some delays.
11:30 a.m. - Belgrade. We’ll take a city tour of this lively capital situated at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava. We’ll explore the bustling city center, the parliament, and enjoy a stroll through the Kalemegdan Fortress. The tour also includes a visit to the Museum of Yugoslavia, where Tito’s Mausoleum is located. You’ll have free time in the afternoon to further explore the city at your own pace.

Distance traveled: 295 km
Scenery: forests, mountains, rushing rivers, and small towns. Strong contrasts mark our journey through Bosnia.

Note: Keep your passport close to you, as we will cross the border into Bosnia.

08:00 a.m. – Belgrade. Departure. We begin our beautiful journey traveling to the region of Vojvodina.

09:15 a.m. – Sremska Mitrovica. Arrival in this city with a pleasant historic center on the banks of the Sava River. Once one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire, it served as the capital of the province of Pannonia. Entrance to the Imperial Palace of Sirmium is included, offering insights into this period.

10:30 a.m. – Departure from Sremska Mitrovica. We continue toward Bosnia, traveling through beautiful landscapes along the Drina River. Border crossing (delays are possible). Stop en route for lunch. The road continues across the Republic of Srpska—the Serbian Republic of Bosnia—passing through small villages, forests, and hills.

5:30 p.m. – Sarajevo. Arrival in the late afternoon. Time to explore the historic center, where you can stroll through the enchanting bazaar, the old Ottoman market known for its architecture, oriental atmosphere, and traditional shops. Dinner included.

Total distance: 280 km

Scenery: Spectacular landscapes with mountains, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and picturesque villages. Arrival in Dubrovnik features stunning coastal views.

Note: Please bring your passport, as we will be crossing into Croatia.In the morning, we’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Sarajevo, a captivating city known as the “Jerusalem of Europe” for its coexistence of multiple religions. Mosques, churches, and synagogues showcase its rich diversity. We’ll explore the old town’s strong Ottoman influence, highlighted by a magnificent 500-year-old mosque and a beautiful fountain.

11:15 a.m. – Sarajevo. Departure. We travel through breathtaking mountain and valley landscapes.

01:45 p.m. – Mostar. Free time to stroll and have lunch in this charming city, with its enchanting historic center and iconic stone bridge that unites and separates the Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic communities.

4:30 p.m. – Mostar. Departure. We continue our journey across the rocky and mountainous landscapes of the historic region of Herzegovina toward Croatia.

7:30 p.m. – Dubrovnik/Cavtat. Arrival. Dinner included.

Note: Depending on the date, accommodation may be in Dubrovnik or in Cavtat, a coastal town nearby.

09:00 a.m. - We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide in the morning. We will undoubtedly be in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, perched on a cliff, surrounded by walls and kissed by the Adriatic Sea. Its intact historic center is a jewel of world architectural heritage. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a stunning view of the city from a scenic viewpoint along the road. The tour includes tickets to the Franciscan Monastery, home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and the Assumption Cathedral. We’ll also take a boat trip to Lokrum, a small island just 15 minutes away that is home to the ruins of an eleventh-century Benedictine monastery, a popular setting for the series Game of Thrones. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner will be included.


Note: On some occasions, accommodation may be in Cavtat, a coastal town near Dubrovnik. From November to March, there is no boat service to Lokrum, so we will not visit the island during these months.

Distance traveled: 295 km
Scenery: Stunning views along the Adriatic coast. The Bay of Kotor offers some of the most beautiful landscapes in Europe. Picturesque villages along the route. Later, Albania reveals a more rural character with its own strong identity.

Note: Keep your passport close to you. We will cross the borders into Montenegro and Albania.

7:30 a.m. – Dubrovnik. Departure. Early morning drive toward Montenegro. Border formalities (sometimes lengthy). We take a ferry across the stunning Bay of Kotor.

10:30 a.m. – Kotor. Arrival (time may vary depending on border procedures). Free time to stroll in this beautiful walled city with strong Venetian influence, set in a magnificent natural setting.

12:00 p.m. – Departure from Kotor. We continue along the scenic coastal route.

1:00 p.m. – Budva. A beautiful walled enclave surrounding the medieval city. Time to walk along its sandy beaches, take photos, and enjoy lunch.

2:30 p.m. – Departure from Budva. We continue along the coast toward Albania. Arrival at the border and border formalities (which may be lengthy). Time at the border for coffee and currency exchange. We then continue on smaller roads before reaching Albania’s capital.

8:00 p.m. – Tirana. Arrival. Dinner and accommodation.

Note: The road linking Montenegro with Tirana has very heavy traffic, especially during the tourist season, which can sometimes cause significant delays.

From the vibrant energy of Tirana, we travel to the stone and light embrace of Berat, the city of a thousand windows. But first, we’ll stop in Elbasan and Belsh. Elbasan was a key stop on the ancient Via Egnatia, the Roman route that connected Durres with Constantinople. Today, Elbasan blends Ottoman ruins with a modern atmosphere. Belsh, located in the center of the country in the Elbasan region, is famous for its unique lake landscape. It is part of the Dumre plateau, home to more than 80 natural lakes formed by karst processes. This area is ideal for ecotourism and relaxation in a peaceful rural setting.

Arrival in Berat. Panoramic tour included with a local guide. Ottoman houses clinging to the hillside, the silent fortress, and narrow streets full of history invite us to begin the journey with an open soul. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit a local home and enjoy coffee and sweets with a local family. Free time. Traditional dinner included to savor the Albanian heart.

After breakfast, our route takes us to the breathtaking Osum canyon, where water carves impossible landscapes and nature breathes with force. Here we’ll enjoy a light walk, and those who wish may experience the adventure of rafting. We then continue to Gjirokastra, the “stone city” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where time seems to stand still. Dinner included at the hotel.

The day begins with the mystical beauty of the Blue Eye, a spring that seems to hide a piece of sky within the earth. We continue to the Butrint National Park, where ancient myths and Greco-Roman ruins blend with nature. We’ll visit the archaeological site with a guide and take a gentle walk through the natural park, discovering birds, wetlands, and green tranquility. After the visit, before continuing the route, we’ll make a short technical stop in Butrint to rest. On the way, we’ll make a brief stop at the Brataj Bridge, an Ottoman jewel over the Shushicë River, perfect for photos and a last pause on the route. Arrival in Vlorë, where the Adriatic and the Ionian meet in an endless embrace. Free walk at sunset and an evening to dine to the slow rhythm of the sea. Dinner included.

The day begins with a visit to the archaeological site of Apollonia, surrounded by columns and silence, ruins and olive trees. We then continue to Durrës, a lively Mediterranean city with its Roman amphitheater and bustling streets. Lunch included to savor the coastal flavors. Our last stop is the serene Preza Fortress, where the views bid a gentle farewell to the Albanian landscape. Return to Tirana with hearts full of light, stone, and water. Arrival in Tirana at the end of the afternoon. Accommodation.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.

Note: Please be aware that the hotel check-out time is usually 10:00 a.m. You can leave your luggage in reception upon check-out, allowing you to explore the city without carrying your bags. You can retrieve your luggage at your convenience later in the day. If you require additional time to use your room, we recommend booking an extra night at the end of your tour.