5 DAY PILGRIMAGE TO BELGRADE AND NOVI SAD

DAY 1:

Our flight to Serbia departs at 15:35 pm from Eletherios Venizelos International Airport. Arrival at Nikola Tesla International Airport at 16:15 pm. Once we’ve picked up our luggage our tour guide and bus take us directly to our hotel. Free time to get a small taste of the capital of Serbia, Belgrade which means “White City” in English. If you have not been to Belgrade, this city will surprise you. European metropolis in the heart of the Balkans, Belgrade is proudly standing between two different worlds, East and West, never being one nor the other, with its unique mixture of the both. It is said that Belgrade is the Berlin of the Balkans. Also known as the most prospective city in Europe, Belgrade is a hip dynamic city which embraces visitors from all around the world. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2:

After breakfast our guide will take us on an all day tour of Belgrade. Our first stop will be the city’s Fortress. Built on a white ridge above the confluence of two big rivers, the Sava and Danube, destroyed and rebuilt over and over for 16 centuries, the fortress still stands as the symbol of Serbia’s capital. During our tour of the fortress we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Ružica Church. The original church was built in the early 15th century, while the modern one was adapted in 1869 and fully reconstructed in 1925. It is dedicated to the Nativity of Mary. With its location within the fortress and water spring of Saint Petka, attracts constant crowds throughout the year. From there we will walk down the city’s most famous street Knez Mihailova. One kilometer long, Knez Mihailova Street is included in 1979 on the list of Spatial Cultural-Historical Units of Great Importance, and as such it is protected by the Republic of Serbia. The street follows the central grid layout of the Roman city of Singidunum (Roman name for Belgrade), as one of the main access roads to the city corresponds to the modern street today. Our day will also have a stop at the Parliament Building, the former Palace and the magnificent Cathedral of Saint Savas. Considered the largest Church in the Orthodox world, it’s dedicated to the founder of the Orthodox faith in Serbia, Saint Sava. The church is built over the tomb of the saint. A visit to this sacred building is a must. Free time for coffee and to take a break and enjoy the atmosphere. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3:

After breakfast we will begin our day at one of the largest national parks in the Balkans, Fruska Gora. Among Serbians, it’s referred to as the “Jewel of Serbia” due to its largely pristine landscape and protection effort, as well as the “Mount Athos of Serbia”, due to a big number of monasteries, 16 to be exact! All of these monasteries are considered Unesco Heritage Sites. During our stay we will have time to visit a few of these gems. Our next stop of the day will be the second largest city in the county, Novi Sad. Built on the banks of the Danube, we will walk down the picturesque street of Zmaj Jovina where we will discover hidden little shops and squares. From there it’s off to the nearby town of Sremski Karlovci with it’s beautiful traditional homes and small alleys. Originally home to an ancient Roman fortress, the town peaked as a major cultural and spiritual centre during the 18th century, a legacy still visible in its beautiful baroque edifices. Sremski Karlovci is also famous for its local wines. During our visit we will have a traditional Serbian lunch with music and wine at a local restaurant. Before our return to Belgrade, we’ll stop off for a visit to the church of Saint Nicholas located in the center of the town. Return to Belgrade and free time. Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

DAY 4:

After breakfast we will spend our entire day exploring the capital’s “Old City” or Stari Grad as the locals call it.  Located in the center of Belgrade, it’s stone walkways are filled with cafes and restaurants. It’s well worth visiting the Churches of Archangel Michael, Saint Alexander Nephski and Saint Mark. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 5:

After breakfast we’ll have a little free time for some last minute shopping and it’s off to the airport for our return flight to Athens. Flight time 12:20 pm and arrival in Athens at 14:50pm.

Included:

• Airfare Athens – Belgrade – Athens with direct flights.
• Airport and fuel tax.
• Transportation during our stay with air conditioned tour buses.
• 4* hotel accommodation.
• Breakfast and dinner during our stay.
• Tour guide.
• Begrade municipal tax
• Travel insurance.

Not included:

• Entrance fees to museums and archaeological sites.
• Tips and luggage transport.
• Drinks during our meals.

Notes:

• Passports must be valid at least 6 months before the date of our return.
• There is a possibility of our program altering due to unexpected reasons. In such cases our agency will do it’s best to alter the program to still include all sites, or even add other sites to the program.