8 days the enchanting balkans - scott dunn

8 Days The Enchanting BalkansTravel date 12 - 19 October 2019

TOUR INFORMATIONTHE ENCHANTING BALKANS

Raffles City Tower #10-03, 250 North Bridge Road, Singapore 179101 | Tel: +65 3158 6530 | Travel Licence No: [email protected] | www.scottdunn.com

Day 1 12 Oct (Sat) Arrive in Belgrade

Day 2 13 Oct (Sun) Belgrade / Novi Sad / Sremski Karlovci / Belgrade

Day 3 14 Oct (Mon) Belgrade / Drvengrad / Zlatibor

Day 4 15 Oct (Tues) Zlaibor / Visegrad / Sarajevo

Day 5 16 Oct (Wed) Sarajevo / Monstar

Day 6 17 Oct (Thurs) Monstar / Perast / Koror / Sveto Stefan

Day 7 18 Oct (Fri) Sveti Stefan / Cetinje / Mount Lovcen / Sveti Stefan

Day 8 19 Nov (Sat) Sveti Stefan / Bar / Skadar Lake / Podorica / Departure

ITINERARY DAY BY DAY

The Balkan peninsula is a region of contrasts rich in cultural and historical heritage of different epochs and civilizations, natural wonders and stunning landscapes.

Experience the mystery, the mystique, the turbulent past and the intact nature of the region, starting off in the vibrant and cosmopolitan Belgrade (once the capital of former Yugoslavia), then travel to Bosnia-Herzegovina’s UNESCO cities (Visegrad and Mostar). Discover the tremendously rich history of the cities and wander the cobble-stone old towns with a blast from the past.

Winding things up on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro (one of the world’s top travel destinations in 2019) with carefully selected hotel collections, Aman Sveti Stefan is part of the rich history – a fortified 15th Century village converted to a stunning exclusive luxury resort. Each room, suite and villa are individually design due to its uniqueness, will definitely end your journey with a remarkable indulgence.

INTRODUCTION

• Immerse yourself in the historical and UNESCO sites throughout the journey

• Boat tours on the beautiful islands and churches in Perast

• End the journey with luxurious boutique hotel, Aman Sveti Stefan

• All meals & beverages included (except for premium wine & hard liquor)

• Small group size of maximum 16 people

• Accompanied by Scott Dunn’s Travel Concierge

• Tipping to Guide, Driver & Porter included

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance included

SPECIALS

DEPARTURE DETAILS• Land Tour Price:

Twin Sharing: S$ 9,980/- Single Supplement: S$ 2,480/-

• Airfare (subject to availability) Economy from S$ 2,196/- Business from S$ 6,617/-

• Deposit amount: S$ 2,000/ per person

• Registration Closing Date: 12 Jul 2019 or when tour is fully subscribed

• Travel date: 12 - 19 Oct 2019

• Early Bird Offer: First 4 rooms booking enjoy complimentary room upgrade from Cottage to Deluxe Cottage at Aman Sveti Stefan (twin bed would be arranged as an extra bed)

DAY 02 - 13 OCT (SUN) - BELGRADE / NOVI SAD / SREMSKI KARLOVCI / BELGRADE

Start the day for day-trip to Novi Sad (second largest city in Serbia). Take a stroll from the 18th century Liberty Square down the Zmaj Jovina street, the picturesque 19th century promenade that is today the heart of the town. The main street leads to the lovely Danube Park, the oldest nature park in Novi Sad. You would also visit the Petrovaradin Fortress known as the ‘Gibraltar of the Danube’ which once was a significant military fort of the Austro-Hungarians at time of Napoleon’s conquests; the fort’s mysterious underground keeps intriguing explorers from around the world.

Continue to drive towards Sremski Karlovci for the charming little town which is known after its baroque style buildings that are of immense importance to Serbian history and culture. Visit also the honey & wine museum and enjoy educational tasting of three different types of honey and three different local wines.

Accommodation: Square Nine Hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

DAY 01 - 12 OCT (SAT) - SINGAPORE BELGRADE

Flight:

Accommodation: Square Nine HotelMeals: Lunch & Dinner included

11 Oct - Singapore / Istanbul TK 55 2335/0525+1 (10h 50m)

12 Oct - Istanbul / Belgrade TK 1081 0740/0820 (1h 40m)

ITINERARYTHE ENCHANTING BALKANS


Upon arrival, drive approx. 40 mins to Belgrade city centre for panoramic sightseeing and visit to the city’s three most prominent sites. Visit Museum of Yugoslavia - the famed ‘House of Flowers’ (the resting place of former Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito and one of the most visited sites in the Serbian capital). Continue to Temple of St. Sava, the biggest Orthodox Church on the Balkans and the second biggest in the world, that is built on the Vracar plateau (believed to be the location where the remains of St. Sava were allegedly burned in 1595 by the Ottoman Empire’s Sinan Pasha). After that, reach the Belgrade Kalemegdan Fortress – the landmark of the city which was built over a long period of time from the 2nd to the 18th century right on the confluence of two big rivers – the Danube and the Sava River.

In the late afternoon, transfer to hotel for check-in and be treated to a welcome dinner.

DAY 03 - 14 OCT (MON) - BELGRADE / DRVENGRAD / ZLATIBOR

Transfer towards Western Serbia, known after its gorgeous mountains, rivers, magnificent viewpoints and vivid landscapes, precisely the ethno village of Drvengrad (in English meaning ‘The wooden town’) and Mt. Zlatibor (popular Serbian mountain resort known after its exquisite beauty, pleasant climate and vast pastures).

After a 4-4.5 hrs drive from Belgrade (en-route refreshment stops included), arrive at the Drvengrad – unique ethno village, the authentic little wooden houses with stone foundations offer a mix of local Serbian tradition, architecture, art and beautiful nature.

After lunch, explore the stalls selling typical local products such as traditional hand-knitted fabrics, hand-made pottery, food products, spirits and various other artisan handicraft.

Accommodation: Hotel TronikMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

ITINERARYTHE ENCHANTING BALKANS

DAY 04 - 15 OCT (TUES) - ZLATIBOR / VISEGRAD / SARAJEVO

In the morning, transfer towards Visegrad and Sarajevo and cross the border to the town of Visegrad – a place of turbulent history and home to the UNESCO-enlisted Bridge over the Drina River (built in the Ottoman-era) which was popularized by the Nobel prize winner Ivo Andric in his novel ‘The Bridge on the Drina’. Visegrad is also known after the Andricgrad complex – a townlet within the town of Visegrad projected by the famous film director Emir Kusturic (just like the Drvengrad) and inspired by works and character of Ivo Andric’s novel. Andricgrad is actually a vision of how Visegrad would have looked like today if the Renaissance and other historical periods had not gone by. Be greeted by an English-speaking local guide and taken on a 1-1.5h private walking tour inclusive visits to the famed Visegrad bridge but also the Andricgrad complex.

After lunch, continue 2hrs transfer towards the town of Sarajevo – the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Accommodation: Hotel TronikMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included


DAY 06 - 30 OCT (WED) - SARAJEVO / MOSTAR

Walk around the central part of Sarajevo with visits to the Bascarsija quarter. Cafes and small handicraft shops selling handmade copper products, jewelry, traditional pottery and ethnic costumes are on the sidewalks. You would also visit Morica Han, a caravanserai which once provided accommodation, meals and storage for merchants and travelers, the City Hall, Gazi Husrev Bey’s Mosque but also the Latin Bridge and the exact spot where Gavrilo Princip assassined Franz Ferdinand in 1914 (an event said to be the trigger of World War I). Afterwards, have a ‘war tour’ of Sarajevo while visiting the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum, which kept Sarajevo supplied with arms and food during the three-year siege in the 1990’s war.

After lunch, drive approx. 2-2.5 hrs towards the town of Mostar. Walk along the Mostar Old Bridge (UNESCO site) and the cobblestone Ottoman quarter. Visit the Koskin Mehmed Pasha Mosque as well as the Turkish House – one of the most representative monuments of the Ottoman residential architecture.

Accommodation: Hotel Mepas Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

DAY 06 - 17 OCT (THURS) - MONSTAR / PERAST / KOTOR / SVETI STEFAN

This morning, we will start early to cross the border and transfer to Montenegro for approx. 4 hrs drive. On the way, we will visit the UNESCO-enlisted Bay of Kotor (often called Europe’s southernmost fjord with towering peaks surrounding rocky coastline and dotted with centuries-old seaside towns).

After lunch, enjoy sightseeing in Perast. It is home to numerous palaces and fortresses built between 1420 and 1797), there are also two islands characterizing Perast: the St. George Island with a picturesque Benedictine abbey built in the center and the island of Our Lady of The Rock (the only man-made island in the Adriatic). Hop on a boat to visit the Island and its beautiful church.

We will also explore the town of Kotor. During the Byzantine era Kotor was fortified with impressive city walls, which stretch 4.5km along the shoreline of the Kotor Bay. Discover the tremendously rich history of the city written by the Venetians, Ottomans and Christians while wandering its cobble-stone old town centre and atmospheric squares and visiting the St. Tryphon Cathedral.

ITINERARYTHE ENCHATING BALKANS

DAY 07 - 18 OCT (FRI) - SVETI STEFAN / CETINJE / MOUNT LOVCEN / SVETI STEFAN

Start the day to the town of Cetinje (former royal capital of Montenegro) and the National Park Lovcen (home to the Mausoleum of Montenegro’s greatest ruler set at 1,675m above sea level). Its urban development, which is strongly connected with flows of Montenegrin history, has succeeded to produce a unique architectural entity reflecting almost all eclectic styles from the 19th century up to present day and representing an important cultural, religious and historical center for Montenegrins. We will also visit the impressive Museum of King Nikola, home to a valuable collection of medals, weapons, decorated furniture, portraits and other items from the 19th century.

Accommodation: Aman Sveti Stefan Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included


Continue 45-60min transfer towards the Sveti Stefan isand in Montenegro for hotel check-in and relax.

Accommodation: Aman Sveti StefanMeals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included

DAY 08 - 19 OCT (SAT) - SVETI STEFAN / BAR / SKADAR LAKE /PODGORICA / DEPARTURE

Visit to the coastal town of the Bar Old Town after leaving the beautiful Sveti Stefan resort. Enjoy sightseeing of the largest and most important medieval archaeological site in the Balkans with a cultural-historical heritage of outstanding significance. As a site of the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, the Old Town Bar covers an area of 4.5 hectares with around 600 public and private edifices that prove the existence of different epochs of the Mediterranean history.

Transfer to the Skadar Lake National Park. Indescribable and in many ways unique, with its size of 391 km² shared between Montenegro and Albania, it is the largest lake on the Balkan Peninsula. Due to its geographic position and sub Mediterranean climate, it is one of the most important habitats of swamp birds in Europe, right after the river Danube delta. Hop on a boat and enjoy a private lake cruise during which you’d encounter beautiful and peaceful nature, rare and endangered birds and tales of ancient times with the backdrop of sleepy fishing villages.

After lunch, drive around 30 mins to the Podgorica airport for your flight.

ITINERARYTHE ENCHATING BALKANS


Flight:

19 Oct - Podgorica / Istanbul TK 1088 2005/2245 (1h 40m)

03 Nov - Istanbul / Singapore TK 54 00200/1750+1 (10h 50m)

Arrive in Singapore on 20 Oct (Sun)

Accommodation: N/AMeals: Breakfast & Lunch included

• Accommodation on twin or double sharing basis

• Professional English local guides

• All tours & transfers

• Entrance Fee

• Meals as stated including beverages (except premium wine & hard liquor)

• 1 tour concierge from Scott Dunn

• Comprehensive Travel insurance with emergency evacuation benefits

COST INCLUDES

• Airfare as quoted separately

• Visa (if required)

• Personal expenses such as laundry, bar bills etc.

COST EXCLUDES

PRICE INFORMATIONNAMIBIA FLY-IN SAFARI


HotelsLand tour price per person

Twin share Single SupplementBelgrade: Hotel Square NineZlatibor: Grand Hotel TorniSarajevo: Hotel PresidentMostar: Hotel MepasSveti Stefan: Aman Sveti Stefan

S$ 9,980/- S$ 2,480/-

Airline Airfare price per person

Turkish Airline (TK) Singapore / Istanbul / BelgradePodgorica / Istabbul / Singapore

Economy ClassS$ 1,517 + tax S$ 679 = S$ 2,196/-

Business Class: S$ 5,750 + tax S$ 867 = S$ 6,617/-

* These prices are based on minimum 10 people travelling together.

*Airfare & Taxes are calculated as of 20 Nov 2018 and subject to change & availability. Should you wish to explore alternative flying routes, do consult our friendly consultants.

8 days the enchanting balkans - scott dunn

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