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Peregrine Travel Centre

Premium Dubrovnik to Bucharest

Premium Dubrovnik to Bucharest

From $ 11,975 AUD

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Description

Discover the beauty and history of the Balkans on this 18-day tour that travels from Dubrovnik in Croatia through Bosnia and Herzegovina and onto the lively nightlife of Belgrade in Serbia, through the heart of Transylvania and on to Bucharest. Along the way you’ll sample excellent wines, learn about the war years, stop by the famed Old Bridge of Mostar, discover Tara National Park’s spectacular scenery, and traverse medieval fortresses and fairytale castles. This tour combines battle zones, mountain scenery, bunkers and bars and melds the past with the present to create an adventure that ticks all the boxes.

Trip Name
Premium Dubrovnik to Bucharest
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
18
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Take a scenic steam train ride through Tara National Park’s forests and mountains on a historic railway that forms part of the famous Ciro trail connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea, a Premium Exclusive Experience.
  • Explore Balkan history, discovering Saxon villages with fairytale scenery, medieval Old Towns with pretty market squares, and Orthodox monasteries where you'll taste the famous Tvrdos wine made by its monks.
  • Step into another world as you walk through ancient halls and hear the myths and legends surrounding some of the most impressive castles in Eastern Europe – Bran and Peles.
  • Dive deep into one of the oldest salt mines in Europe, in use for about 2,000 years. Spanning more than 43 kilometers (27 miles), Turda Salt Mine contains a huge array of attractions – from an amusement park to a contemporary art museum to an underground lake.
  • Tour one of the best-kept secrets in former Yugoslavia, Tito's nuclear bunker, which was built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and his top military advisors.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk., MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Many sites, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays). We recommend checking the opening times of anywhere you're interested to visit and making reservations where required/possible.

Day 1 - Dubrovnik
Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and a transfer will bring you to your hotel. Your adventure begins at 6 pm for a welcome meeting with your leader and group. If you arrive early, you might like to head out and explore Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town, which is surrounded entirely by city walls and easily covered on foot. Although Dubrovnik experienced devastation during the war in the early 1990s, the restored Old Town remains one of the most picturesque places, surrounded by ramparts and the Adriatic Sea. Maybe take a self-paced stroll through town to discover the 15th century Rector's Palace and the stunning baroque churches. After your meeting, join your leader and fellow travellers for dinner at a local restaurant showcasing Croatia’s traditional cuisine.
Day 2 - Mostar
Today, you’ll cross the border and travel into Bosnia and Herzegovina, stopping at several scenic destinations along the way. Your first stop is Trebinje, where you’ll join your leader for a walk around the compact Old Town and its market square, followed by a stop at an Orthodox monastery to taste the renowned Tvrdos wine. After, head to Mostar, a picturesque old town home to numerous stone millhouses and quaint cobbled streets. But the star attraction is the world famous Stari Most (Old Bridge) which spans the Neretva River connecting the two sides of the city. Find a spot for lunch and then get to know the town in the company of an expert local guide – including why the locals have such a strong connection to coffee.
Day 3 - Sarajevo
Leave Mostar this morning and make your way toward Sarajevo, stopping in Konjic along the way. Here, you’ll discover one of the best-kept secrets of former Yugoslavia – Tito's nuclear bunker. Built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and his top military personnel, this military bunker has only recently opened to the public. Step back in time on a guided tour of the bunker and learn about Yugoslav history and what life was like in the not-so-distant past. After exploring the bunker, continue to Sarajevo and settle into your hotel.
Day 4 - Sarajevo
Head out on a city tour through Sarajevo with a local guide this morning to get to know your surroundings and learn more about this historical city. With some free time to explore at your own pace after, you might taste your way through the market stalls of Bascarsija, visit one of the museums dedicated to the Yugoslav War or take a cable car up Trebevic Mountain for views of the city. Wrap up the day with a cooking lesson in a charming Austro-Hungarian building. You’ll learn how to make Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most beloved dish – pita, including how to hand-roll and coil the dough to create the distinctive shape. After, enjoy a hearty traditional meal of sogan dolma, stuffed paprika) and, of course, your freshly made pita, too!
Day 5 - Zlatibor
Today, travel to Serbia, with a stop in the small town of Visegrad. Here, a 16th-century bridge that inspired the Nobel Prize winning literary work ‘The Bridge on the Drina’ dominates the horizon. From Visegrad, you’ll head to Drina Canyon for a warm welcome to Serbia – a boat tour with local food tasting. After your scenic lunch, you’ll board a steam train in Mokra Gora National Park for a scenic ride through forests and mountains. Served by one the last operational steam trains in Europe, this stretch of historic railway is part of the renowned Ciro trail, connecting Belgrade and the Adriatic Sea. Tonight, you’ll stay near the town of Zlatibor in your Feature Stay accommodation – a group of wooden chalets with a swimming pool and views of the surrounding countryside.
Day 6 - Zlatibor
Hop on board the longest gondola ride in the world today – the Gold Gondola, spanning 9000 m (29,530 ft) in length. Take in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and lakes before exploring the area on foot. After your ride, drive through the winding roads toward Sirogojno village, known as one of the most beautiful villages in the country and declared as a Cultural Monument of Exceptional Importance in Serbia. Recharge with a lunch break before a special experience in the village meeting local artisans. Check out their pottery, blacksmiths and cooper’s workshops, and basket weaving, then visit the Knitters Museum, where all products are still traditionally handmade. This is your opportunity to buy meaningful souvenirs and support the locals in the community.
Day 7 - Belgrade
Leave Zlatibor behind today and head to Belgrade. When you get to arrive, kick off your visit with a walking tour to discover the best of the city, from Republic Square and Knez Mihailova Street to Kalemegam Park and the Belgrade Fortress, where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet. This afternoon is free, so you might like to visit the city market or catch a trolleybus to Zemun – a Bohemian neighbourhood known for its cafes along the riverside promenade. Tonight, perhaps join your group for a farewell dinner as you toast to the end of your trip together.
Day 8 - Belgrade
The day is yours to enjoy Belgrade and all it has to offer, including incredible Turkish coffee at a kafana – these traditional coffee houses date back to the Ottoman era. Since this adventure is a combination of trips, you will have a meeting at your hotel at 6pm this evening to meet your new leader and any new travellers joining you for the next part of your adventure. Then step out into Belgrade for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 9 - Timisoara
This morning, travel by private vehicle to Timisoara, crossing the Serbia-Romania border. Timisoara is a park-filled city where an uprising of local people sparked the Romanian Revolution in 1989. This saw the fall of the country’s Communist regime – reflecting the broader political change seen across Eastern Europe at the time. On a guided walking tour, you’ll take in some of Timisoara’s most significant sights – including the grand and aptly named Victory, Liberty and Union Squares – and learn more about the city’s history.
Day 10 - Sibiu
Head to Sibiu after breakfast, stopping on the way to visit Sarmizegetusa Regia – the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Dacia. Romania’s answer to Stonehenge, Sarmizegetusa Regia was a centre of religious, military and political significance until it was invaded by the Romans in 102 AD. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest and most mysterious historical sites in Romania. After touring the site with a local guide, continue to Sibiu, where you’ll get acquainted with the cobbled streets and squares on a guided walking tour. Sibiu is known for its creative, bohemian atmosphere, rich history and architecture. Explore what remains of the city’s medieval walls and towers, cross the legend-shrouded Bridge of Lies and take in the grandeur of Brukenthal National Museum before a free evening.
Day 11 - Sibiu
This morning head to the outskirts of the city to explore ASTRA Village Museum. Set across 96 acres surrounding a sparkling lake, this open-air living museum seeks to preserve, showcase and celebrate Romanian folk culture and traditional ways of life. Wander the grounds to discover reconstructed old dwellings, windmills and workshops and learn how Romanian people of centuries past grew food, raised families and made a living. The afternoon is free to visit the Orthodox Cathedral or admire the slightly less imposing (but equally magnificent) Gothic Lutheran church. Alternatively, grab a covrigi (a tasty Romanian pretzel), wander the old town and snap photos of the colourful, Wes Anderson-style architecture.
Day 12 - Coltesti Village
Depart Sibiu and head to Alba lulia – one of the oldest cities in Romania. It is home to an 18th-century citadel with a history that dates to Roman times. Shaped like a seven-point star, the fortress features a collection of ornate gates and vantage points, as well as numerous museums and cafes. Wander the cobbled streets with an expert guide to hear more about what went on within these ancient walls over the last two millennia. Next, drive to the Trascau Mountains to reach Coltesti and check in to Szekler Mansion – your exclusive Feature Stay. This evening, sit down for a traditional meal which might feature hearty bowls of borsch or goulash, locally made cheese and sarmale (smoky, meat-filled cabbage rolls).
Day 13 - Sighisoara
On your way to Sighisoara today, stop off at the Turda Salt Mine. This huge subterranean space was renovated and opened to the public in the early 1990s and resembles an alien planet or a Bond villain’s lair. Don’t forget to pack a sweatshirt – it gets chilly 119 m down! When you resurface, head to the nearby town Medias, where you can catch a glimpse of the Trumpeter Tower, a medieval structure with a distinctive tilt. Finish your journey in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Sighisoara – your home for the next two nights and the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the historical figure and inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Explore the colourful streets of Sighisoara’s old town on a guided walk and then enjoy a free evening.
Day 14 - Sighisoara
Start your day by visiting the UNESCO World Hertiage site Biertan, home to a 15th century fortified church perched high on a hill in the centre of town. Then, drive to Malancrav for lunch in a bucolic setting – the Saxon village was once owned by one family, the Apafis, and populated with German farmers. Maybe see the Apafi Mansion and the 14th-century church that features the oldest wall paintings in Transylvania. Head back to Sighisoara after your sightseeing and spend the rest of the day exploring as you wish.
Day 15 - Brasov
After breakfast, set off for Brasov, making a pit stop at Saschiz fortified church along the way. The Saschiz Fortified Church is a 15th-century Gothic-style Lutheran church renowned for its massive defensive walls and historic clock tower, built by the Saxons to serve both religious and protective purposes. Next, you'll visit Bran Castle – perhaps Romania’s most famous attraction, given its associations with the tale of Count Dracula. Vampire myths aside (it was never actually home to Vlad the Impaler or Bram Stoker), the forested surroundings and lofty location of this 14th-century castle is a great setting. This evening you’ll reach Brasov and have dinner together at a local restaurant.
Day 16 - Brasov
Your tour of Romanian castles continues with Peles. Built in the late 19th century, the neo-Renaissance creation is even more extravagant on the inside than it is on the outside. Return to Brasov and, in the afternoon, join your leader for a walk, learning about the city’s most notable sights. You’ll see the remnants of the old medieval fortifications, the Black Church – damaged in the 1689 Great Fire but now restored – and the wedge-shaped Council Square, lined with historic buildings. Round the day off with the Romanian sweet treat of chimney cake (or kurtoskolacs as the locals call it).
Day 17 - Bucharest
Today, you have a free morning in Brasov. Maybe seek out tiny String Street, which is 44 inches at its narrowest point or indulge in some Romanian sweet treats like papanasi (a sweet cream doughnut topped with blueberry jam). Depart the city and head for lunch in the Prahova Valley, where you’ll tour a local winery known for its sparkling rose in the mountain town of Azuga. Hit the road one last time, reaching Bucharest in the late afternoon.
Day 18 - Bucharest
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you’d like to spend some more time in Bucharest, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
15-05-202601-06-2026AUD $ 14,090-
22-05-202608-06-2026AUD $ 13,230-
19-06-202606-07-2026AUD $ 12,095-
04-09-202621-09-2026AUD $ 13,930-
11-09-202628-09-2026AUD $ 14,030-
18-09-202605-10-2026AUD $ 14,790-
14-05-202731-05-2027AUD $ 12,575-
21-05-202707-06-2027AUD $ 12,575-
04-06-202721-06-2027AUD $ 12,575-
23-07-202709-08-2027AUD $ 11,975-
20-08-202706-09-2027AUD $ 12,575-
03-09-202720-09-2027AUD $ 12,970-
10-09-202727-09-2027AUD $ 12,970-
17-09-202704-10-2027AUD $ 12,970-

Accommodation

Comfortable Hotel (16 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle, train

Map

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