Balkan Peninsula: 8 Countries – Romania, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy (14 Days)

Assemble at Toronto Airport at the designated time, accompanied by a professional Chinese-speaking tour leader, and board a luxury aircraft to the capital of Romania, Bucharest.

Upon arrival in Bucharest, proceed directly to a city tour. First, visit Revolution Square, the Old Town with its charming architecture, Lipscani Street, the Arch of Triumph, the Memorial of Rebirth, and the Patriarchal Cathedral, as well as the Palace of the Parliament, originally an imperial palace. Dinner will be served at the renowned local restaurant Cara Cu Bere. Overnight at Hilton Garden Inn or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the famous Peles Castle, the lavish residence of the Romanian royal family, a masterpiece of Baroque and Rococo architecture, and one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. After lunch, drive to Bran Castle, the legendary vampire castle and filming location for the movie Twilight. Outside the castle is a famous street filled with handicrafts and souvenirs. Dinner will be served, and overnight stay at Hilton Garden Inn or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest Eastern Orthodox church, renowned for its golden splendor and considered the most beautiful church in the Balkans. City sightseeing includes the Sofia Monument, the National Assembly, St. Nicholas Church, and the Parliament building. Dinner will be served, and overnight stay at Crowne Plaza Hotel or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to visit the famous 10th-century Rila Monastery, renowned for its stunning and grand church complex. After lunch, proceed to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Visit Skopje’s landmark – the Stone Bridge, built in the 15th century. Continue to the Old Bazaar and the Mother Teresa Memorial, the first home of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Later, visit the famous Church of St. Panteleimon, built in the 12th century, housing the world-renowned 12th-century frescoes – The Lamentation of Christ. Dinner will be served, and overnight stay at Limak Skopje Luxury Hotel or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the southwestern part of North Macedonia to visit the 1979 UNESCO World Heritage site – the Old Town of Ohrid, North Macedonia’s most famous tourist attraction. With over 365 church ruins, it is known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans.” Explore the well-preserved medieval town and the crystal-clear waters of Lake Ohrid. Visit Ohrid Old Town and its famous cathedral. Overnight stay at Hotel Izgrev Spa & Aquapark or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, enter the capital of Albania, Tirana, and visit Skanderbeg Square, the Clock Tower, and the National History Museum. After lunch, drive to Budva – a municipality in Montenegro that was once a Greek colony. This destination is not only picturesque and a popular resort but also a city with over 2,500 years of culture and history. The Old Town features numerous historic sites, fortresses, temples, and churches. Budva Old Town is well-preserved and less commercialized than Kotor, offering a leisurely atmosphere. Upon arrival, visit Budva Castle and the Old Town. After dinner, check in to the hotel for rest. Overnight stay at Hotel AMI Budva Petrovac or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Kotor, a coastal city in southern Montenegro. It is the deepest natural harbor in Southern Europe and features a walled Old Town with cobblestone squares and ancient churches. After lunch, continue to Dubrovnik in Croatia, a medieval city in southern Croatia, renowned for its beautiful statues and traditional architecture. After dinner, check in to the hotel for rest. Overnight stay at Hotel Cavtat or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the palace, monastery, Church of the Savior, one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies, and the main square. Climb the city walls to enjoy panoramic views of the entire old town and soak in the Adriatic Sea scenery under the blue sky. After lunch, travel to the medieval Adriatic coastal city of Split. After dinner, check in to Amadria Park Hotel or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy city sightseeing. The Diocletian’s Palace, built by the Romans in the 2nd century AD, features a Roman clock tower, the Golden Gate, ancient Egyptian statues, and more. After lunch, travel to Trogir, a historic town on the Adriatic coast known as “Little Venice.” The town is connected by a small bridge linking the mainland and another main island. Occupied by the Venetians in the 14th century, stroll through the old town to admire the stone-built town hall, its 13th-century churches, and the famous Presbyterian Gate. Afterwards, drive to Zadar, a western Croatian port city facing the Adriatic Sea. Overnight at Amadria Park Hotel or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, travel to Plitvice National Park. Designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 1979, it is world-famous for its diverse terrain and ever-changing lakes. The park features sixteen natural lakes divided into upper and lower lake regions, with crystal-clear waters. Countless waterfalls cascade over the karst terrain, creating unique and breathtaking scenery that seems almost otherworldly. After lunch, drive to the capital city, Zagreb, which has a history of over nine hundred years. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Westin Hotel or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, explore the Kaptol and Gradec districts: the 105-meter-tall twin-towered Cathedral – St. Mary’s Cathedral, Jelacic Square, and of course take photos at the Stone Gate, St. Mark’s Church, the Parliament, and the Presidential Palace. Then proceed to Lake Bled, Slovenia’s most famous glacial lake. Formed approximately 14,000 years ago by the glacial movements of the Alps, it is located northwest of Ljubljana and serves as a popular summer, vacation, and winter sports destination at the foot of the Julian Alps. Key photo spots include St. Mary’s Church on the lake island and Bled Castle on the lakeside cliffs. Continue to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, praised by Time magazine as one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe. Dinner and overnight at M Hotel or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Old Town, located between Ljubljana and the hill with the ancient castle. Highlights include the Town Hall, Roman Fountain, Triple Bridge, the twin-towered St. Nicholas Cathedral, and the red Church of St. Francis, all of which are captivating. After lunch, proceed to the Postojna Cave, the world’s second-largest cave system with a history of 700 million years. Upon arrival, take a small train into the cave, where jagged rock formations combined with soft lighting create breathtaking natural scenes. Then drive to Venice, Italy, enjoying the beautiful European landscapes along the way. Overnight at Anthony Palace Hotel or a hotel of similar standard.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer by coach to the international airport for check-in and return to your home city.