12-Day Balkan Discovery: Paris to Prague, Budapest, Sarajevo, Zurich (Prague Castle, Dubrovnik Cruise)

We will depart for Switzerland in the morning, first passing through Basel - situated at the intersection of France, Germany and Switzerland - before arriving in Lucerne. Finally, we'll go to Zurich where we will stay the night.
 
 

After breakfast we'll go out into beautiful Zurich, the financial capital of Switzerland. Our first stop will be Lake Zurich for some of the best photo opportunities of the day, followed by a trip to Schaffhausen to see Rhine Falls.
  
Then we'll take the mountain roads back across the German border to see the Black Forest and Lake Titisee. The optional lunch by the lake includes pork knuckle and authentic black forest cake. We'll return to Frankfurt in the evening.

We'll depart in the morning, reaching the Czech border in the early afternoon and Prague by dusk. Commonly referred to as Golden Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic is a resplendent vision of Old World glory.
  

Your Prague adventure begins with a spectacular walk along the coronation path of the kings and queens of old Bohemia. We'll start at the top of Castle Hill in the Hradcany District and then visit Prague Castle, official residence of the president of the republic, and according to Guinness Book of World Records, the largest ancient castle in the world. Fees for the castle also include admission to Golden Lane, a street of 11 historic houses situated inside the castle complex, and the imposing St. Vitus Cathedral. Crossing the Charles Bridge, we'll enter the old quarter and see the Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square, which has played host to both uprisings and executions, and remains the political and cultural heart of the city to this day.

After lunch in the square, we will make the scenic transfer from Prague to the hotel in or near the Slovakian capital of Bratislava.
  

After breakfast we'll depart for Budapest, the capital of Hungary.

Major attractions on our tour include Heroes' Square, featuring statues of the Seven Chieftains of the Magyars and other important national leaders, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; the Hungarian Parliament Building; Elisabeth Bridge; Fisherman's Bastion; and Matthias Church. You will then have the option of joining the scenic Danube River cruise. We'll spend the night in Budapest.
  

We'll drive to the Croatian capital Zagreb, whose buildings are still well preserved despite having gone through several military incursions. This ancient city is full of beautiful Gothic architecture with exquisitely crafted detailing. Together with its Mediterranean cuisine and locally produced wines, as well as friendly Croatian hospitality, Zagreb is sure to be a wonderful experience. You will visit the city's highlights such as Zagreb Cathedral, the Ban Jelacic Square, and the Church of St. Mark.
 

Enjoy a guided tour to Plitvice Lakes National Park, consisting of 16 lakes joined by waterfalls, walkways, and hiking trails. In the dense mountains, layers of travertine barriers create a natural dam, forming fairy tale lakes. The calcium carbonate rich water has a special silver color, mirroring the trees on its surface. The views are stunning.
 

Accommodations for the evening are in Zadar or a nearby city.

After breakfast we'll do some sightseeing in the ancient city of Zadar. This city retains the narrow streets and buildings of medieval times, infused with a strong religious atmosphere. Close to the waterfront, you can admire the modern Sea Organ and Sun Salutation, an amazing solar light display. Then we'll drive to Split, the second largest city in Croatia. The city has many ancient Roman style buildings dating back over 1,700 years. The most famous are the ruins of Diocletian's Palace, built in the fourth century AD.



 



Accommodations for the evening are in Dubrovnik or a nearby city.

People fall in love with Dubrovnik at first sight. This culturally and historically rich city is more recently known as the filming location for King's Landing in Game of Thrones. But the real stars of the show are Dubrovnik Old Town, the city walls, Lovrijenac Fortress, Rector's Palace, and the Franciscan Monastery. You can also take a cable car to up to the mountain for an aerial view of the city below (own expense).

 



Accommodations for the evening are in Dubrovnik or a nearby city.

The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the focus of today’s itinerary. Our first stop: Pocitelj, the stepped medieval fortress, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will also see stunning Blagaj with its Dervish Monastery nestled in a 200 meter high cliff, surrounded by crystal clear streams. Then we head to the ancient city of Mostar, to cross the magnificent ancient arch bridge and capture the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river. After visiting this ancient city of poetry and paintings, we'll drive to our hotel for the evening, in or near Sarajevo.
 

Sarajevo was once an important gateway to the East. This city, which combines different religions and cultures, has a very unique European style. Its profound historical imprint, which includes the assassination at Latin Bridge that caused the First World War, and the Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures Line, can still be found in the Old Town. The rebirth and transformation of Sarajevo is reflected in the modern architecture of the new city. After our visit, we'll cross the border back into Croatia.
 

Accommodations for the evening are in or near Vinkovci.

Departing in the morning we'll first visit Pecs. Located between the Danube and the Drava, it is one of the most attractive cities in Hungary, with a pleasant climate and long history. Pecs also features a magnificent museum and the best Turkish ruins in the country. Pecs is known for music, opera, and ballet. The highlight is the Pecs Cathedral towering over central Szent Istvan Square. We'll drive back to Budapest in the afternoon.