Discover the cultural landscapes of Serbia on this tailor-made tour, travelling by private car with a driver-guide.
Explore the incredible medieval monasteries of Fruska Gora National Park, admire the well-preserved mosaic floors of Felix Romuliana and travel on a unique scenic railway - the historic Sargan Eight - which cuts through the beautiful mountain landscape in a figure of eight.
Our “Cultural Landscapes” itineraries are tailor-made holidays offering greater in-depth explorations with highly qualified experienced private driver/guide throughout.
Fly to Serbia’s capital and transfer to your centrally located Belgrade hotel. On the drive into the city your driver will give you an overview of some of the sites you will pass such as the Western Gate of Belgrade, the famous Belgrade Arena and the monumental Palace of Serbia.
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Belgrade with your private guide. Begin the day at the Museum of Yugoslavia- devoted to the life and deeds of the famous communist leader, Josip Broz Tito, and ultimately his final resting place in the House of Flowers Mausoleum. Move on to the hill of Vračar, where Saint Sava Temple is situated. This symbol of Belgrade, with its white and gold exterior beautifully dazzling in the sunlight, has a prominent place in the Belgrade skyline, reflecting the strong faith of the Serbian nation. The afternoon is dedicated to the city's central area passing by the Serbian National Parliament, Republic Square, Knez Mihailo Street and onto the mighty Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park, the most important cultural-historic complex in the city and situated on the confluence of Sava and Danube rivers. Dinner is included tonight on the famous Skadarlija Street. (B,D)
Venture out of the city today on a guided tour of Novi Sad and the Fruska Gora region. Drive through the Fruska Gora National Park, where the rolling landscape is dotted with 17 medieval monasteries which were built to safeguard Serbian culture and religion. The nearby town of Sremski Karlovci is rich with Baroque and Neo-classical buildings and was the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the Habsburg Monarchy. Sample wine and honey that is unique to the region. Continue on to Novi Sad, Serbia’s second city and capital of the autonomous province of Vojvodina. Chosen as the European capital of Culture in 2022, the heart of this laid-back city is the pedestrian thoroughfare Zmaj Jovina, with its many shops and cafes. The city is presided over by the Petrovaradin Fortress, also known as the ‘Gibraltar of the Danube’. Return to Belgrade in the late afternoon. (B, wine tasting)
Depart eastwards towards the town of Kladovo, on the banks of the Danube. En-route visit mighty Golubac Fortress - a recently restored and Hungarian built fairy-tale castle, wonderfully set off by its location in the rugged landscape at the head of the Đerdap Gorge and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful castles along the river’s length. Continue to Lepesnki Vir - an important Mesolithic archaeological site dating from between 6700-5500 BC, before taking to the water for a 1 hour private spped boat tour on the Danube. Zip along the natural border between Romania and Serbia to see the magnificent Iron Gate gorge where, carved in stone, the statue of the former Dacian ruler and ancestor of the Romanians, Decebalus, presides. On the Serbian side of the river, the Trajan plaque commemorates the emperors final conquest of Dacia. End the day in Kladovo. (B)
Depart for the town of Vrnjacka Banja, making several stops en-route including the UNESCO listed archaeological site of Felix Romuliana, also known as Gamzigrad, built during the late 3rd and early 4th centuries AD as a grand imperial palace complex by the Roman Emperor Galerius. Felix Romuliana served as a lavish residence and mausoleum for the emperor and his family. The site covers an extensive area and includes various structures such as temples, palaces, baths, and fortifications. Continue on to Resava Cave. The cave was discovered in 1962 and stretches over 4.5 kilometres, although only around 800 meters are open to the public. One of the highlights is the Magic Spring, a small underground lake with crystal-clear water that reflects the stunning formations above. Arrive in Vrnjacka Banja, a popular spa town famous for its mineral springs and abundant green spaces. Stroll along the river front in the early evening. (B)
Spend the day visiting Serbia’s most treasured monasteries, both UNESCO protected. First stop is Sopocani Monastery, famed for its colourful wall frescos from the 13-14th Century. Afterwards, head on to the magnificent Studenica Monastery, the largest and richest Orthodox monastery in Serbia, with its impressive collection of Byzantine-style frescoes. Return to Vrnjacka Banja to spend the night. (B)
Drive towards Zlatibor, making various stops en-route.Travel on to Mokra Gora for a train journey on the unique Sargan 8 mountain railway; an old-fashioned narrow-gauge railway which cuts dramatically through the picturesque mountain landscape and folows a figure of 8 shape-hence the name. Continue to the ethno village of Drvengrad, built by the prominent Serbian film director Emir Kusturica for his film 'Life is a Miracle'. This kooky theme park of sorts where streets are named after famous film stars and the Stanley Kubrik theatre plays Life is a Miracle on repeat. Continue on to Zlatibor to overnight. Zlatibor is a small mountain town surrounded by the sloping Zlatibor mountains (more hills really). Dinner is included at the hotel tonight. (B,D)
Head out to the Uvac Nature Reserve today for a boat ride to try and catch a glimpse of one of the 60-65 pairs of Griffon Vultures that nest around Zlatar mountain. The griffon vulture is a relatively rare species of bird of prey whose population in Uvac is the biggest in Europe. The vultures are not the only attraction of the reserve however; for centuries the Uvac river has been making its way through the mountains, leaving deep meanders and creating many caves. Return to Zlatibor via ‘Sirogojno’ an open-air museum which depicts the homes and lives of people from the region over the centuries and on to Mileseva Monastery, known for one of the most famous frescoes in Serbian culture, the ’White Angel’. Return to Zlatibor for a ride on the Gold Gondola, a 10 minute cable car ride to the top of Tornik Mountain, for beautiful views of the surrounding rolling hills. Return to the hotel for dinner. (B,D)
Travel to Oplenac via the Ovcar-Kablar Gorge. Oplenac is the unofficial capital of the Karadjordjevic dynasty. It features the magnificent mausoleum of the royal family and the church of St.George which is one of the most beautiful orthodox churches in the country. The inside of the church is covered with must see mosaics from floor to ceiling. Along the route, make a stop at Aleksandrovic Winery for a spot of excellent Serbian wine tasting. Travel back to Belgrade for your final evening in the capital. (B, wine tasting)
Bid farewell to your driver/guide and transfer to the airport for the flight back to the UK. (B)
Price Includes
Price Excludes
Price Includes
Price Excludes
By clicking ‘accept’, you consent to our use of cookies to improve our website experience. See our privacy policy for full information. Accept