Spiritual Highlights of Serbia and Macedonia

Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport - Belgrade full day

Arrival in Belgrade at Nikola Tesla International Airport. Meeting with the guide and transfer to the capital city. On our way to this amazing city, we will stop to visit Zemun, the most southern point of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. Visit the Gardoš Tower which rises on the right bank of the Danube and it is the natural lookout to the area across the river. Located on the slopes of the hill with its tower and preserved old architecture, Gardoš is the major historical landmark of Zemun and one of the puzzle parts of the Belgrade tour. Lunch in a nice restaurant on the river shore. Upon arrival in the „White City“ (Serbian translation of the city name), we set off for the sightseeing tour, commencing with the leisurely walk along Knez Mihailova street, the main pedestrianized area containing numerous boutiques and cafes. We continue into the leafy area of Kalemegdan park and Kalemegdan fortress, where you will enjoy the best view of the city and the river Sava and Danube confluence. The fortress is home to many monuments such as numerous gates, towers, walls from Roman and medieval times, as well as Turkish and Austrian. By bus, we continue to explore rich art-deco style state buildings within the city centre and the very masterpiece of Serbian-Byzantine architecture, Saint Sava Temple, the second-largest Orthodox temple in the world. In the evening, we will have dinner in an old, bohemian part of the city, Skadarlija and enjoy great traditional cuisine in a national restaurant.

Meals: Lunch, dinner

After breakfast, enjoy the full day of activities that will stay in your memory forever. We drive along Fruška Gora National Park, known as „The Serbian Athos“ because of its monasteries which are built and stand proudly in this area. Our first stop for today is the baroque Krušedol Monastery, dedicated to the Annunciation of the Holy Virgin. Due to its wealthy historical treasury, famous iconostasis, and many other relics, Krušedol Monastery is considered one of Serbia's most significant monasteries. After the visit, we departed to Sremski Karlovci, a small baroque town on the Fruška Gora slopes and on the bank of the Danube, one of the most important spiritual and cultural centres of Serbia. Sightseeing of the city: Patriarchy Residence, Orthodox Cathedral, Theological School, and The Chapel of Peace. Visit one of the most famous wineries in Sremski Karlovci where you will enjoy quality wines from this area and a snack.

Some time at leisure until we go to the magnificent Petrovaradin Fortress, located on the Petrovaradin cliff, above the right bank of the Danube River. Petrovaradin Fortress is a symbol of Novi Sad and one of the best-preserved fortifications, and also, the second largest in Europe. After an interesting story about it and a gorgeous view of the city, we will sit down in a beautiful restaurant on the Danube shore to have a late lunch. We will finish this exciting day by walking a sightseeing tour in the city centre of Novi Sad. Back to Belgrade. Boat ride with dinner along the rivers. Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After an earlier breakfast, we check out from the hotel in Belgrade and head to visit Manasija monastery, Among the green hills of the vivid Resava cave, surrounded by magnificent towers of the medieval fortress, there is a monastery which fortification falls into the top achievements of Serbian architecture, and its frescoes into the line of greatest domains of Serbian medieval painting. Lunch in a beautiful restaurant near Buk Waterfall. Continued to Ravanica Monastery, the principal and the largest endowment of Prince Lazar who intended it for his burial church and was buried here after the tragic Battle on the Kosovo Field held on St. Vitus Day, 28 June 1389 between the Serbian and the Ottoman armies. After the visit, we drive to Kraljevo city, a city in which seven Serbian medieval kings were crowned, which is now a place where one can hop in a hand-made vessel and join “The Merry Race” down the Ibar river. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner in a nice traditional restaurant in the city center. Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, we head to visit Zica Monastery, the most beautiful monastery in Serbia which is the foundation of the Serbian King Stefan Nemanja, the First-Crowned. Presents the first seat of the Serbian Archbishopric. After that, we will visit another beautiful monastery, Studenica, dedicated to the Presentation of the Holy Virgin. This monastery is the mother church of all Serbian temples. Unique lunch in the monastery shelter. Way to Kopaonik mountain, the most popular skiing resort in Serbia. Dinner in a nice restaurant. Overnight.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, we leave this wonderful mountain and head to Djavolja Varos (eng. Devil’s Town). Tall stone formations of Djavolja Varoš are actually a group of petrified wedding guests, or at least that is what a legend tells, were nominated for one of the new seven wonders of nature. The nearby springs – Zito vrele (Wheat spring) and Djavolja Voda (Devil’s water), with extremely acid water have well known miraculous properties. A path leads to the stone sculptures and viewpoints offering a spectacular view of the surrounding nature. Lunch in a restaurant in this magnificent area. Drive to Skopje and check in at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

After breakfast, We will visit Skopje’s landmarks: Fortress Kale, Old Bazaar, Mustafa Pasha Mosque and the church of St. Savoir (Sveti Spas). with the most significant Macedonian revolutionary Goce Delchev and also for the wooden crafted masterpiece of the iconostasis. Then we will head to the natural landmark of Skopje – Canyon Matka, where the 14th century St. Andrew monastery is located. After lunch in the nearby restaurant, we will drive to Mount Vodno, to visit the 12th-century church of St. Panteleimon, where the Lamentation of Christ fresco.

After breakfast, we will head to Tetovo to visit the Colourful Mosque and Arabati Baba Tekḱe. Our next stop will be St. John Bigorski monastery, originally dating from 1020 AD. After our lunch in the restaurant, we will head to Debar to visit the female monastery St. George Victorious. Driving by the Debar lake and river Radika we will continue south to the town of Ohrid.

After breakfast, we will explore the Old Town and visit Plaosnik, the first Slavic University, founded by St. Clement, wherein the 9th century has established the centre of Slavic literacy. We will also visit the nearby Tsar Samuil’s fortress, the Ancient Theatre and the church St. John of Kaneo, the symbol of Ohrid and the church St. Sofia.

After breakfast, we will drive (Optional: boat ride depending on the weather) to the 10th century St. Naum monastery. Then we’ll drive through Galicica mountain to Kurbinovo's church of St. George. Our next stop will be Bitola, we will visit St.Dimitrij church, Bitola’s landmark the Wide Alley and the catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. We will drive to our hotel on the mount of Pelister.

After breakfast, we will visit the 12th-century monastery of Treskavec, and then we head back north to Skopje to Marko's Monastery, which was built in the 14th century by King Marko. We will visit the Stone Bridge, ‘’Macedonia Square’’ and ‘’Mother Teresa Memorial’’.

After breakfast, drive to the airport Skopje or back to Belgrade for your departure arrangements.

The tour includes:
• 2 nights in 4* hotel in Belgrade, 1 night in 4* hotel in Krajevo, 1 night in 4* hotel in Kopaonik, 3 nights in 4* hotel in Skopje, 2 nights in 4* hotel in Ohrid and 1 night in 3* hotel in Pelister on BB basis.
• Lunch and dinner meals each day
• Licensed English speaking guide during the whole trip
• Transfer with high-quality bus according to the itinerary
• Entrance fees according to the program

The tour does not include:
• Tips
• Personal expenses
• Beverages during lunches

Optional: • Boat trip from Ohrid to St. Naum