Balkan Peninsula: 8 Countries – Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy (14 Days)

Meet at Toronto Pearson Airport at the designated time. Your professional Mandarin-speaking tour leader will accompany you on a comfortable flight to Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

After arriving in Bucharest, begin your city tour right away. Highlights include Revolution Square, the Old Town with its beautiful architecture, the charming Lipscani Street, the Arch of Triumph, the Liberation Monument, the Patriarchal Cathedral, and the Palace of the Parliament, which was originally the royal palace. Dinner will be served at the famous local restaurant Cara Cu Bere. Overnight at Hilton Garden Inn or a similar hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then drive to the famous Peles Castle, once the royal residence of Romanian kings. This lavish palace is a masterpiece of Baroque and Rococo styles, and is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. After lunch, continue to Bran Castle, legendary for its connection to the Dracula myth and also a filming location for Twilight. Outside the castle, you can browse the well-known street lined with local handicrafts and souvenirs. After dinner, overnight at Hilton Garden Inn or a similar hotel.

After breakfast, depart for Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Visit the stunning Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans, known for its golden domes and breathtaking interior. The city tour also includes the Sofia Monument, Parliament Building, and St. Nicholas Church. Dinner and overnight at Crowne Plaza Hotel or a similar hotel.

After breakfast, travel to the famous Rila Monastery, built in the 10th century. This impressive complex is a masterpiece of medieval architecture. After lunch, head to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Highlights include the iconic Stone Bridge built in the 15th century, the Old Bazaar, and the Mother Teresa Memorial House — Skopje is her birthplace. Also visit the famous St. Panteleimon Church, built in the 12th century, known for its world-renowned fresco, The Lamentation of Christ. Dinner and overnight at Limak Skopje Luxury Hotel or a similar hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Ohrid, located in southwestern Macedonia and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. This is one of Macedonia’s top attractions, often called the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” for its over 365 churches and historical sites. Explore the well-preserved medieval old town and the crystal-clear Lake Ohrid. Visit Ohrid Old Town and its famous cathedral. Overnight at Hotel Izgrev Spa & Aquapark or a similar hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, enter Albania’s capital, Tirana. Visit Skanderbeg Square, the Clock Tower, and the National History Museum. After lunch, head to Budva — an independent city in Montenegro, once a Greek colony. Known for its stunning coastal scenery and laid-back atmosphere, Budva is also a cultural and historical gem over 2,500 years old. The old town is full of ancient sites, fortresses, churches, and temples, but feels less commercial than nearby Kotor. On arrival, tour Budva Fortress and the Old Town. After dinner, check in and rest. Overnight at Hotel AMI Budva Petrovac or similar.

After breakfast, drive to Kotor, a historic coastal town in southern Montenegro with the deepest harbour in Southern Europe. The old town is enclosed by medieval walls, and its narrow squares and ancient churches are paved with cobblestones. After lunch, continue to Dubrovnik, Croatia — a medieval city in the country’s south, famous for its sculptures and traditional architecture. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Cavtat or similar.

Enjoy breakfast, then explore Dubrovnik: visit the palace, monastery, Church of the Saviour, Europe’s oldest pharmacy, and the main square. Walk along the city walls to take in panoramic views of the entire old town and the sparkling Adriatic Sea. After lunch, drive along the Adriatic coast to the ancient city of Split. Dinner and overnight at Amadria Park Hotel or similar.

After breakfast, take a city tour. Visit Diocletian’s Palace, built by the Romans in the 2nd century, the Roman bell tower, the Golden Gate, and ancient Egyptian statues. After lunch, head to Trogir, nicknamed “Little Venice” for its charming coastal vibe. Connected by a small bridge to the mainland and another island, Trogir was once ruled by the Venetians in the 14th century. Stroll through the old town to see the stone-built town hall, the 13th-century church, and the famous Old Town Gate. Later, continue to Zadar, a port city on Croatia’s western coast by the Adriatic Sea. Overnight at Amadria Park Hotel or similar.

After breakfast, visit Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site since 1979. Known for its stunning karst landscape and crystal-clear lakes, the park has sixteen lakes in upper and lower clusters connected by countless waterfalls — a breathtaking natural wonder that feels like a fairyland. After lunch, drive to Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, a city with over 900 years of history. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Westin Hotel or similar.

After breakfast, explore Zagreb’s Kaptol and Gradec districts: see the 105-metre-tall twin-spired St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ban Jelačić Square, Stone Gate, St. Mark’s Church, the Parliament Building, and the Governor’s Palace. Then, head to Lake Bled — Slovenia’s most famous glacial lake, formed about 14,000 years ago by glacial movements from the Alps. Located northwest of Ljubljana, Lake Bled is a popular spot for summer retreats, vacations, and winter sports. The Church of the Assumption sits on the lake island, and Bled Castle perched on the cliffs is a favourite photo stop. Continue to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, once named by Time magazine as one of Europe’s most beautiful capitals. Dinner and overnight at M Hotel or similar.

After breakfast, visit the Old Town nestled between the Ljubljanica River and the castle hill. Highlights include the Town Hall, Roman Fountain, Triple Bridge, the twin-spired St. Nicholas Cathedral, and the striking pink Franciscan Church. After lunch, head to Postojna Cave, the world’s second-largest karst cave, formed over 700 million years. Hop on a small train to venture deep inside, where dramatic stalactites and stalagmites are lit to create magical scenes. Then, drive to Venice, Italy, enjoying beautiful European landscapes along the way. Overnight at Anthony Palace Hotel or similar.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the international airport for your flight back home to Toronto.