-
Zagreb, Croatia
Detailed Itinerary: Balkans Journey
Day 1: Depart from London to Zagreb
Flight: Morning flight from London Heathrow (7:30 AM) to Zagreb Franjo Tuđman Airport (arrive at 10:30 AM local time).
Transfer and Check-in: 11:30 AM - Check into your hotel in central Zagreb.
Afternoon Activity: Explore the Upper Town (Gornji Grad), including St. Mark’s Church and Lotrščak Tower (1:00 PM - 3:30 PM).
Lunch: Enjoy traditional Croatian dishes such as štrukli (3:30 PM - 4:30 PM).
Evening: Visit the Museum of Broken Relationships and take a leisurely walk around Ban Jelačić Square (5:00 PM - 7:30 PM).
Dinner: Dine at a local restaurant featuring Zagreb’s specialties (8:00 PM - 9:30 PM).
Day 2: Zagreb Highlights
Morning: Relax in Maksimir Park and visit the Zagreb Zoo (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM).
Lunch: Try local Croatian sausages and pastries at Dolac Market (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM).
Afternoon: Discover the Museum of Naive Art and shop for traditional Croatian lace and wooden toys (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM).
Evening: Enjoy a wine tasting featuring Croatian varietals (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM).
Zagreb (3 Days) – Hearty inland cuisine with Austro-Hungarian influence
Day 1
Starter: Strukli (baked or boiled dough with cheese and cream)
Main: Sarma (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice)
Dessert: Orahnjača (walnut roll)
Alcoholic Drink: Plavac Mali wine
Hot Drink: Mint tea
Cold Drink: Cedevita (vitamin drink popular in Croatia)
Day 2
Starter: Stuffed peppers
Main: Pasticada (slow-cooked beef in wine sauce)
Dessert: Fritule (mini doughnuts with raisins and brandy)
Alcoholic Drink: Rakija (fruit brandy)
Hot Drink: Sour cherry tea
Cold Drink: Peach juice
Day 3
Starter: Soparnik (Swiss chard pie, traditional Dalmatian dish also found in Zagreb markets)
Main: Turkey with mlinci (baked turkey with flatbread noodles)
Dessert: Makovnjača (poppy seed roll)
Alcoholic Drink: Dingac wine
Hot Drink: Forest berry tea
Cold Drink: Sok od bazge (elderflower syrup drink)
-
Split, Croatia
Day 3: Zagreb to Split
Morning Train: Depart Zagreb at 8:00 AM; arrive in Split by 1:00 PM.
Transfer and Check-in: 1:30 PM - Check into your hotel.
Afternoon Activity: Explore Diocletian’s Palace, including the Peristyle and St. Domnius Cathedral (2:30 PM - 5:30 PM).
Dinner: Sample fresh seafood along the Split Riva (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM).
Day 4: Split and the Dalmatian Coast
Morning: Take a boat trip to Blue Lagoon for swimming and relaxation (8:30 AM - 12:30 PM).
Lunch: Return to Split for Dalmatian peka dishes (1:00 PM - 2:30 PM).
Afternoon: Visit the Ivan Meštrović Gallery and explore Marjan Hill for scenic views (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM).
Evening: Enjoy a Klapa singing performance with dinner (7:30 PM - 9:30 PM).
Split (2 Days) – Seafood-rich Dalmatian coast
Day 4
Starter: Scampi buzara (shellfish in garlic, white wine, and tomato)
Main: Black risotto (cuttlefish ink risotto)
Dessert: Rafioli (almond-filled pastry from Dalmatia)
Alcoholic Drink: Prošek (Dalmatian dessert wine)
Hot Drink: Sage tea
Cold Drink: Chilled plum juice
Day 5
Starter: Pag cheese and prosciutto
Main: Roast lamb on a spit
Dessert: Paprenjaci (spiced cookies with honey and pepper)
Alcoholic Drink: Maraschino liqueur (cherry liqueur from Zadar, near Split)
Hot Drink: Linden tea
Cold Drink: Mineral water
-
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 5: Split to Dubrovnik
Morning Transfer: Private car ride along the Dalmatian Coast (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM).
Check-in: 12:30 PM - Check into your hotel in Dubrovnik.
Afternoon Activity: Walk along Dubrovnik’s city walls and visit the Old Town, including Rector’s Palace (1:30 PM - 5:30 PM).
Dinner: Enjoy traditional Croatian dishes such as pasticada at a local konoba (7:00 PM - 9:30 PM).
Day 6: Dubrovnik Exploration
Morning: Take a cable car to Mount Srđ for panoramic views (9:00 AM - 11:30 AM).
Lunch: Savor fresh oysters from Ston (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM).
Afternoon: Visit Lokrum Island and relax on its beaches (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM).
Evening: Dinner by the sea and enjoy Croatian wines (7:00 PM - 9:30 PM).
Day 7: Dubrovnik Relaxation
Morning: Relax on Banje Beach or take a kayaking tour around the city walls (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM).
Lunch: Try black risotto at a seaside restaurant (12:30 PM - 2:00 PM).
Afternoon: Free time to explore or shop for local crafts (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM).
Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner in Dubrovnik’s Old Town (7:00 PM - 9:30 PM).
Dubrovnik (3 Days) – Elegant coastal flavors with Mediterranean flair
Day 6
Starter: Pogacice (savory cheese biscuits)
Main: Peka (meat or seafood and vegetables baked under a bell-like lid)
Dessert: Dubrovnik rozata (caramel custard, Dubrovnik’s answer to crème brûlée)
Alcoholic Drink: Pelinkovac (herbal liqueur)
Hot Drink: Herbal tea
Cold Drink: Berry syrups
Day 7
Starter: Pasticada spring rolls (fusion twist on the classic)
Main: Istrian fuži with truffles (hand-rolled pasta with truffle sauce)
Dessert: Dubrovnik cake (walnut, almond, and chocolate layered cake)
Alcoholic Drink: Malvazija istarska (white wine from Istria)
Hot Drink: Wild thyme tea
Cold Drink: Lemonade
Day 8
Starter: Pasticada s njokima (classic stew with potato dumplings, served smaller as a starter portion)
Main: Istrian stew (meat, potatoes, and spices)
Dessert: Kremsnita (vanilla custard slice)
Alcoholic Drink: Biska (mistletoe rakija)
Hot Drink: Rosehip tea
Cold Drink: Apricot juice
-
Belgrade, Serbia
Day 8: Dubrovnik to Belgrade
Morning Flight: Depart Dubrovnik at 9:00 AM; arrive in Belgrade by 11:00 AM.
Transfer and Check-in: 12:00 PM - Check into your hotel.
Afternoon Activity: Visit Kalemegdan Fortress and explore the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM).
Dinner: Try Serbian cuisine such as čevapi with rakija (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM).
Day 9: Belgrade Cultural Immersion
Morning: Visit the Nikola Tesla Museum and stroll along Knez Mihailova Street (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM).
Lunch: Enjoy burek with yogurt at a local bakery (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM).
Afternoon: Relax at Ada Ciganlija, Belgrade’s river island (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM).
Evening: Wine tasting and traditional Serbian music at a local tavern (7:00 PM - 9:30 PM).
Belgrade – Day 1
Starter: Pasulj Čorba (bean soup with smoked meat)
Main Course: Ćevapi (grilled minced meat sausages served with flatbread and onions)
Dessert: Krempita (custard cream cake)
Alcoholic Drink: Rakija (fruit brandy, often plum)
Hot Drink: Srpska Kafa (Serbian-style Turkish coffee)
Cold Drink: Kisela Voda (sparkling mineral water)
Belgrade – Day 2
Starter: Prebranac (baked beans with onion and paprika)
Main Course: Sarma (cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and rice)
Dessert: Šampita (fluffy egg white and sugar meringue on pastry base)
Alcoholic Drink: Serbian Wine
Hot Drink: Black Coffee
Cold Drink: Homemade Raspberry Juice
-
Prague, Czech Republic
Day 10: Belgrade to Prague
Morning Flight: Depart Belgrade at 8:00 AM; arrive in Prague by 11:30 AM.
Transfer and Check-in: 12:00 PM - Check into your hotel in central Prague.
Afternoon Activity: Take a walking tour of Prague’s Old Town Square, including the Astronomical Clock (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM).
Lunch: Enjoy Czech cuisine, such as svíčková (marinated beef) (4:00 PM - 5:00 PM).
Evening: Attend a performance at the National Marionette Theatre (7:00 PM - 8:30 PM).
Day 11: Prague Exploration
Morning: Visit Prague Castle, including St. Vitus Cathedral and Golden Lane (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM).
Lunch: Sample Czech beer and roast pork with dumplings (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM).
Afternoon: Relax in a beer spa for a unique wellness experience (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM).
Evening: Take a dinner cruise along the Vltava River (7:00 PM - 9:30 PM).
Day 12: Prague and Czech Glass
Morning: Visit a Czech glass and crystal factory for a guided tour and shopping (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM).
Lunch: Try goulash with bread dumplings at a local pub (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM).
Afternoon: Explore the Jewish Quarter, including the Old Jewish Cemetery (2:00 PM - 4:30 PM).
Evening: Enjoy a farewell Czech dinner with traditional live music (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM).
Prague – Day 1
Starter: Bramboráky (crispy Czech potato pancakes with garlic and marjoram)
Main Course: Svíčková na smetaně (beef sirloin in creamy vegetable sauce with dumplings)
Dessert: Trdelník (chimney cake dusted with sugar and cinnamon)
Alcoholic Drink: Pilsner beer (Czech classic, crisp and refreshing)
Hot Drink: Čaj (tea, usually herbal or fruit-infused)
Cold Drink: Kofola (Czech cola with herbal notes)
Prague – Day 2
Starter: Grilovaná klobása (grilled sausage, often served with mustard and bread)
Main Course: Vepřo knedlo zelo (roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut – a Czech staple)
Dessert: Medovník (layered honey cake)
Alcoholic Drink: Slivovice (plum brandy)
Hot Drink: Medový čaj (honey tea)
Cold Drink: Malinovka (raspberry soda)
Prague – Day 3
Starter: Smažený sýr (fried cheese, often served with tartar sauce)
Main Course: Pečená kachna s červeným zelím (roast duck with red cabbage and dumplings)
Dessert: Koláče (Czech sweet pastries with fruit or cheese fillings)
Alcoholic Drink: Becherovka (herbal liqueur, often served as a digestif)
Hot Drink: Horká čokoláda (thick Czech-style hot chocolate)
Cold Drink: Mineral water (sparkling or still, often enjoyed with meals)
-
Bratislava, Slovakia
Day 13: Prague to Bratislava
Morning Train: Depart Prague at 8:00 AM; arrive in Bratislava by 1:30 PM.
Transfer and Check-in: 2:00 PM - Check into your hotel.
Afternoon Activity: Visit Bratislava Castle and explore the Old Town (2:30 PM - 5:00 PM).
Lunch: Try Slovak bryndzové halušky (sheep cheese dumplings) (1:30 PM - 2:30 PM).
Evening: Dine at a Slovak restaurant and enjoy local wines (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM).
Day 14: Return to London
Morning Flight: Depart Bratislava at 9:00 AM; arrive in London by 10:30 AM.
End of Trip.
Bratislava – Day 1
Starter: Kapustnica (sauerkraut soup with smoked meat and mushrooms)
Main Course: Bryndzové Halušky (potato dumplings with sheep cheese and bacon)
Dessert: Šúľance (sweet rolled potato dough with poppy seeds or walnuts and sugar)
Alcoholic Drink: Slivovica (plum brandy)
Hot Drink: Tatranský Čaj (herbal liqueur often served hot like a tea)
Cold Drink: Kofola (Slovak cola alternative with a herbal twist)