Compare A Chronicle of Russian Cuisine and Culture by MIR Corporation vs Balkan Essentials - 7 Days by Serbia Tour Operator

Days 1-4: Moscow

Meals: B, M, D

Accommodation: Shared accommodation

Attend a master cooking class at Moscow’s Taste of Russia, where expert chef/instructors lead a hands-on lesson in purchasing and preparing classic Russian dishes; then dine together on your creations. Take a cook’s tour of Moscow, dropping in at the lavish pre-revolutionary Eliseyevsky food store; the canteen at John the Baptist Convent, where the nuns make the best bread in town; and Perlov’s Tea House, to learn about the history of tea- drinking in Russia. Sip Russia’s premium vodka, Crystal, on a private tour and tasting at the Cristall Vodka Museum. And of course, explore UNESCO-listed Red Square and the Kremlin.

Days 5-10: St. Petersburg

Meals: B, M, D

 Accommodation: Shared accommodation

Admire the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 18th century St. Petersburg, Peter the Great’s summer palace, and beautiful blue Catherine’s Palace. Meet a St. Petersburg celebrity chef and take a class with him, preparing traditional Russian specialties. Indulge in some Soviet nostalgia with an exploration of Ryu Moch Nii, vodka bars for the workers. Sample kvas, a popular Russian drink with ancient roots made from fermented brown bread, and dine in places that Dostoevsky and Gogol might have eaten. Venture to an organic farm that supplies LavkaLavka, a modern whole-foods collective, with some of their products. And enjoy a festive home-cooked dinner at a dacha in the company of its St. Petersburg owners.

Please note:

If you are arriving in Belgrade a few days prior to the tour departure, you can book additional nights with us, at the same hotel, for a surcharge of $55 (Standard package) or $90 (Premium package). Prices are per person, per night, in a double room.

Day 1: Arrival to Belgrade

Upon arrival in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, you will be welcomed by your driver and escorted to your hotel. On the short coach ride from the Nikola Tesla airport, sit back, relax and enjoy the sights of New Belgrade with its prominent ‘blocks’ - a classic example of Socialist architecture, built after World War II - and modern business centres, including the imposing Ušće Tower. Along the way, your driver will show you and tell some stories about the Western Gate of Belgrade, the famous Belgrade Arena and the monumental Palace of Serbia. Checkin at your hotel.

Use your free time to rest and prepare for the trip. At 7pm in the hotel reception, you will be greeted by your guide who will introduce himself and provide you with detailed information about the entire trip. You will also meet the other travellers in the group. For the rest of the evening, we recommend you take a short, leisurely walk through one of the oldest quarters towards the bohemian heart of Belgrade - Skadarlija. In a charming 19th century cobbled street you will find many numerous ‘kafanas’ where you can try delicious local specialties while listening to traditional music. Overnight.

Day 2: Belgrade Sightseeing

After breakfast, you will embark on a tour (driving and walking) around Belgrade, a capital city well known for its various architectural styles, dynamic history and fantastic views of one of the biggest river confluences in the whole of Europe. Start the tour visiting the Museum of Yugoslav History, a memorial complex devoted to the life and deeds of Josip Broz Tito, the political leader of Yugoslavia. Next, you will pass by the stadium of FC Red Star - the former European and World Cup champions, and proceed to the Temple of Saint Sava, Belgrade’s patron saint. Very much a symbol of the city, this impressive building can be seen from any part of the capital. After a short break at the Temple’s plateau, the panoramic tour will then take you from Slavija Square, to Saint Mark’s Church, the Serbian National Parliament and White Palace, and on to Republic Square. This most central point of Belgrade is surrounded by such cultural institutions as the National Theatre and National Museum. The tour will then head along the lively Knez Mihailo Street, the main pedestrian and shopping zone, before stopping for a visit to the Orthodox Cathedral Church of Saint Michael the Archangel, which is located just across from the Building of Patriarchate. Your guide will tell you about the tavern around the corner, the oldest in the city and intriguingly known as “?” (Question Mark), before continuing on to Kalemegdan Park and Belgrade Fortress, the most important culturalhistoric complex of the city, situated on the confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube.

Day 3: Belgrade - Šargan Eight - Woodentown - Zlatibor

Breakfast and checkout. Morning departure from Belgrade, heading west towards the picturesque OvčarKablar Gorge, through which the West Morava river meanders. The tour will continue on to Tara National Park, and you will have time to reflect on its beauty from aboard the authentic, retro ‘Nostalgia’ train which runs along the narrowgauge heritage railway, Šargan Eight. Travelling from the bottom of Šargan mountain on a route shaped like the number eight (hence the name), you will be transported back in time while enjoying the stunning mountain scenery and numerous tunnels and viaducts. At the beginning of the 20th century, the railway used to be a part of the railway from Belgrade to Sarajevo. After enjoying the breathtaking nature, you will arrive at the ethno village Drvengrad (Wooden Town), built by prominent movie director Emir Kusturica. The village, which includes the Mećavnik Hotel, houses, galleries, shops, a cinema and a church, is made of natural materials, mostly wood. Since 2008, the village plays host to the annual Küstendorf Film and Music Festival and Drvengrad has been visited by the likes of Johnny Depp, Monica Belucci, Jim Jarmusch and many others.

After exploring Drvengrad, there will be a short drive to the famous Zlatibor Mountain, home of the first royal resort in Serbia. Here you can enjoy a relaxing walk around the quaint town centre of this picturesque air spa. In the evening, an enjoyable dinner of traditional Serbian food typical of the region will be served in the hotel. Overnight.

Day 4: Zlatibor - Višegrad - Sarajevo

Breakfast and checkout. The tour continues to Bosnia and Herzegovina and a short drive takes you to Višegrad, where Emir Kusturica used his imagination and creativity to build Andrićgrad (also known as Stone Town). It is a cultural centre with numerous buildings and facilities built on the banks of the Drina River near the famous bridge (a monument under the protection of UNESCO). The bridge is referenced in the title of Ivo Andrić’s novel The Bridge on the Drina and in honour of the Nobel Prize winning author, Kusturica’s town was called Andrićgrad (literally translated as Andrić’s Town). In Andrićgrad, the tour will stop for lunch at an unusual restaurant called Zlatna Moruna, the interior of which is decorated with frescoes by wellknown artist Bisenija Tereščenko.

After lunch, the tour will continue on to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Checkin at the hotel. After a short rest, the Sarajevo sightseeing tour will start, covering all the main sights including: Vijećnica or Sarajevo City Hall, the building of which was finished during the AustroHungarian period; the old downtown of the city called Baščaršija; the historical and cultural centre of Sarajevo with authentic shops and souqs from the Ottoman era; the Orthodox Church from the 16th century; the Gazi Husrevbey mosque; the Sahat Tower from the 17th century; and the first public toilet in Europe. Next you will head on to the Latin Bridge where Gavrilo Princip shot the successor to the AustroHungarian throne Franz Ferdinand, consequently starting the First World War. After crossing the bridge, you will reach Bezistan, a market complex from the 16th century, and then on to the main pedestrian zone Ferhadiya with the Sarajevo Synagogue from 1580 and a Catholic cathedral from 1881. Return to the hotel and overnight.

Day 5: Sarajevo - Mostar - Blagaj - Trebinje

Breakfast and checkout. Drive to one of the most beautiful cities of the Balkan Peninsula, Mostar. During the walking tour, you will visit the symbol of the city, Balkan TOP 10 and the most photographed sight in the country - the Old Bridge (a UNESCO protected landmark). You will then proceed to Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, the Crooked Bridge and the old tanner’s quarter Tabhana. Free time in Mostar for getting lunch on the banks of the Neretva River, with an amazing view of the bridge that rises above you.

The excursion continues to Blagaj (a site on the UNESCO Tentative List), an old town from the 15th century where the Kosača noble family ruled. Blagaj was also the crib of Islam of today’s Bosnia and Herzegovina, when dervish Sari Satluk built a khanqah at the riverhead of Buna. During the short tour, enjoy the view of the monastery located in a fairytale environment, beneath the cliffs, on the shores of the emerald green river Buna.

The next destination of the day is Trebinje, a picturesque town with a wonderful mix of sights originating from a mix of different cultures. The tour starts with a visit to Arslanagića Bridge, a dream for artists and photographers alike; this stone bridge with its peaceful atmosphere will take you 400 years back in time. During the leisurely walk through the narrow streets of the old town, you’ll see the most important sights of Trebinje as you make your way to the so called ‘Poet’s Square’ where you can sit under the 115 year old trees, which are the symbol of the town. In this beautiful town, Emir Kusturica, the world famous movie director, made one of his last movies, with Monica Belluci in the leading role. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 6: Trebinje - Perast - Kotor - Dubrovnik

Breakfast and checkout. This day is devoted to the Republic of Montenegro, a country that boasts of rich heritage and immense natural beauty. The Bay of Kotor with its unique landscape is a mustsee location for more than 500 cruisers per year. On the way to the marvellous Kotor, you will make a stop at the town of Perast, a little settlement baroque in style. From Perast, you’ll start a relaxing boat ride along the Bay of Kotor to the picturesque island of Our Lady of the Rocks. This manmade island is home to a church with valuable paintings by local artists, silver votive tablets and a famous votive tapestry.

After the boat ride, you will arrive in Kotor, an old Mediterranean town that dates back to the 12th and 14th century. A walking tour will allow you to explore this UNESCO site, including the churches of Saint Nicholas and Saint Luke, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon and other cultural moments. You will have free time to continue wandering around the old paved town, or have lunch in a restaurant on one of romantic squares.

The next destination is Dubrovnik, one of the most significant monuments in the world and one of Europe’s best preserved walled cities, known since the 7th century. The old town is surrounded by a 2 km long wall that gives a great opportunity to see old Dubrovnik from above during a one hour relaxing walk; the city’s churches, fortifications and monuments are a real mustsee. Dubrovnik has enchanted a lot of famous persons to devote their pieces of art to the city, thus in this city of marble and light coloured stone, you will find numerous art galleries and unique shops. In the historical centre of Dubrovnik, you will visit the main street Stradun, the main square Placa, Pile Gate, the Rector’s Palace, Sponza Palace, the walls of the Old Town, the church of Saint Blaise, the cathedral, the Jesuit church, Orlando’s Column, Big Onofrio’s Fountain, the city port and other hidden gems. Hotel checkin and overnight.

Day 7: Departure

Breakfast and hotel checkout. As most of our clients decide to extend their trip within their own organisation, transfer to the airport at the end of the tour is not included in the overall price. Any guests who would like Serbia Tour Operator to organise a departure transfer on their behalf are welcome to contact us. End of services.

Please note:

Wishing for MORE TIME IN DUBROVNIK? If you would like to spend a few more days in the world-famous destination, you can book additional nights with us, at the same hotel, for a surcharge of $105 reg.s / $140 high.s (Standard package) or $135 reg.s/ $180 high.s (Premium package). Prices are per person, per night, in a double room.