Abstract:
This 6-day itinerary showcases the best attractions and natural beauty of Serbia, providing a mix of cultural experiences, historical sites, and stunning landscapes.Activities:
Danube cruise through Iron GatesVisit to Golubac Fortress
Exploring the archaeological site Lepenski Vir
City tour of Belgrade
City tour of Novi Sad
Visit to Petrovaradin Fortress
Wine tasting in Sremski Karlovci
Visit to Rajačke Pimnice
Visit to the royal complex Oplenac
Tour description:
A three-day Danube cruise through history represents a journey through the cultural and natural gems of Serbia, offering an unforgettable experience that leads youthrough the country's most beautiful landmarks starting from Belgrade, passing the mighty Smederevo and Golubac fortresses, and entering the spectacular Djerdap Gorge (the Iron Gates) as the longest and deepest river gorge in Europe; on this journey, you will discover the secrets of Lepenski Vir, one of Europe's oldest urban
settlements, as well as Trajan's Board, an indelible Roman trace in the rock, while enjoying a panoramic sail, 4-star hotel accommodation, and a rich program including
professional guides, archaeological excursions, wine tastings, and wellness treatments, making this cruise the perfect blend of culture, relaxation, and exploration
for any lover of history, nature, or adventure.
Day 1 (Thursday) - Belgrade, Nikola Tesla Airport – Belgrade
Upon your arrival at "Nikola Tesla" International Airport, your driver will be waiting for you regardless of the time. Look for them in the arrivals hall with a sign bearing the
name of you. Don't worry even if your flight is delayed, we monitor it and will adjust accordingly. There are no additional costs for flight delays.
Optional:
If the group arrives early, a guide can meet them at the airport to introduce them to the city with a panoramic walking tour immediately upon arrival.
You will visit the heart of the city, the green park Kalemegdan, and the historical fortress that rises above the confluence of the Sava and the Danube. Then we will walk down Knez Mihailova Street, the city's main pedestrian zone. At the end of the street is the Republic Square, the central square of Belgrade. Our final destination will be Vračar and the imposing Temple of Saint Sava, one of the three largest Orthodox Christian churches in the world. Only after the tour will we arrive and check into the 4* hotel (Hotel Nobel Palace or similar). Free time. Overnight stay.
Day 2 (Friday) – Belgrade – Smederevo – Ram – Golubac – Đerdap Gorge - Tekija – Kladovo (240km)
After breakfast (lunch package) check out from the hotel. Your driver will be transfer you to the meeting point for passengers at the pier in Belgrade (Karađorđeva Street, next to Branko’s Bridge) is scheduled for 07:15, followed by check-in and boarding. Breakfast on board during the cruise. The full-day cruise begins from the Belgrade Fortress, offering beautiful views of the confluence of the Sava and the Danube and the panorama of the capital city. The sailing continues past the mighty walls of Smederevo Fortress, then along the mouth of the Great Morava River and the medieval Ram Fortress, at the point where the Danube is at its widest in Serbia. The ship then glides past Silver Lake and Veliko Gradište, all the way to the impressive Golubac Fortress guarding the entrance to Đerdap National Park – this area is also known as the Iron Gate. Upon entering the Đerdap Gorge, we sail through the longest and deepest gorge in Europe. Here, the Danube shapes magnificent landscapes, while natural beauties and cultural-historical monuments unfold before passengers: the archaeological site Lepenski Vir, Donji Milanovac, the tallest stone sculpture in Europe – the statue of King Decebalus, and Trajan’s Plaque, carved into the rock almost two millennia ago. The ship docks in Tekija. A short bus transfer follows to Kladovo. Accommodation is provided at the Aquastar Danube Hotel 4*, and the day concludes with dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 (Saturday) – Kladovo
Breakfast. Free time for Spa activities (pools, sauna, etc.) or participation in one of the optional excursions:
EXCURSION 1: Kladovo – Archaeological Museum – Fetislam Fortress – Roman Diana – Đerdap Hydroelectric Power Plant – Kladovo (4h).
The program begins with a visit to the Đerdap Archaeological Museum, which preserves significant evidence of diverse prehistoric, Roman, and medieval cultures
along the Danube. Afterwards, we explore the Fetislam Fortress – one of the most important military fortifications in this part of the Balkans, built during the 16th
century, now restored and transformed into a venue for cultural events and manifestations. This is followed by a short visit to the Roman fort Diana, a strategically important military base constructed at the beginning of the 2nd century, which served to control the Danube and defend the borders of the Roman Empire.
We continue sightseeing with a visit to the Đerdap Hydroelectric Power Plant, the largest infrastructural project in Europe at the time of its construction in 1974, which
significantly altered the course of the Danube, the position of local settlements, and the fate of many cultural and historical monuments in the surrounding area. The
excursion concludes at the hotel with light refreshments and a tasting of selected local wines.
EXCURSION 2: Kladovo – Vratna – Rajačke Pimnice – Kladovo (8h).
Arrival at the village of Vratna and visit to the three highest natural stone bridges in Europe, located above the river of the same name. Near this natural phenomenon
stands the Vratna Monastery, which according to tradition dates back to the 14th century. Continuation of the journey via Negotin to the village of Rajac and a visit to the Rajačke Pimnice. According to official data, the complex consists of more than 160 grouped structures built into the ground and used for wine production and
storage. This wine-growing region is renowned for its exceptionally high-quality wine. After the tour, wine tasting and lunch follow.
Dinner at the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 4 (Sunday) – Kladovo – Lepenski Vir – Golubac Fortress – Belgrade (240km)
Breakfast. Departure by bus at 09:30. Drive along the Danube with a photo stop at the viewpoint above the Kazan. Arrival at the archaeological site Lepenski Vir, one
of the oldest urban settlements in Europe and the world, representing the greatest achievement of the Mesolithic culture (6500 BC). After the visit, a lunch break follows
at the ethno restaurant Kapetan Mišin Breg. Continuation of the journey and a sightseeing stop at Golubac Fortress, built in the mid-14th century, repeatedly destroyed, restored, and expanded as a border fortification between Serbia, Hungary, and Turkey. Planned arrival in Belgrade in the evening hours. Your driver will be
waiting for you in Belgrade to take you to your hotel. Free time. Overnight stay.
Day 5 (Monday) –Belgrade
Breakfast. A free day in Belgrade for individual exploration of the city. Overnight stay.
Extension day
Day 6 (Tuesday) –Belgrade – Sremski Karlovci – Petrovaradin Fortress – Novi Sad
Breakfast. After a one-hour drive, we arrive in Sremski Karlovci, situated on the right bank of the Danube River, a place that has marked the cultural, spiritual, and
political history of Serbs. Among other things, it is known for its numerous wineries. Sightseeing of the city center and its greatest landmarks (Four Lions Fountain,
Gymnasium, Patriarch's Court, Theological School).
Optional: If the group wishes, it is possible to visit one of the wineries in Sremski Karlovci, and we suggest Vinum Winery, which is known for numerous awards from international wine competitions. It is focused on creating top-quality, unique wines in limited series. The winery produces wines exclusively from the territory of Fruška Gora, specifically the narrower region of Sremski Karlovci. After the winery, we continue towards Novi Sad, where we arrive after a half-hour drive. Novi Sad is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Serbia, and by size, it is the largest city in this part of Serbia called Vojvodina. A guided walk through the city center with a tour of the greatest landmarks. After the tour, free time for lunch and enjoying the beautiful center of this city. After the break, and for the very end, we go to the incredible Petrovaradin Fortress, which offers a fantastic view of the Danube River and the city of Novi Sad. A guided tour with a story about the significance and history of the fortress. Departure for Belgrade in the evening hours. Arrival at the hotel and free time. Overnight stay.
Extension day
Day 7 (Wednesday) –Belgrade – Topola – Oplenac – Royal winery
Breakfast. The tour starts from Belgrade at 8.30. Arriving in the town of Topola we first visit the Karadjordje Town, a spot which once was fortress built by Karadjordje,
the founder of the Karadjordjevic dynasty during his reign. Nowadays you can see the residence with the tower and Church of Holy Mother also known as Karadjordje's
Church. Here we will learn about the town’s importance in Serbian history and see the remains from the time of the First Serbian Insurrection against the Ottomans
(1804-13). In the church, we will see the splendid iconostasis with its meticulous carvings.
Atop the forested Oplenac hill sits one of the nicest sights in the whole of Serbia – the mausoleum church of the Karadjordjević royal house. From the outside the five- domed church is covered in shiny white marble while inside of it visitors admire hundreds of scenes done in mosaics, all of them copies from medieval Serbian monasteries. In its crypt we will see more mosaics as well as graves of 25 members of the Karadjordjević dynasty.
Next door is the house of king Petar I, today a part of the museum with royal portraits and interesting historical items.
After that, we will have a wine tasting at the Royal Winery. The equipment from the royal time became part of the museum setting. A special museum attraction is the
oldest barrels from this cellar, personal gifts to King Petar from 1906 and barrels from 1922, wedding gifts to King Aleksandar I and Queen Marija. In the museum, a setting is the oldest Serbian wine cellar with a quantity of preserved archive wines, in the original package in three sizes (with a recessed bottom and royal coat of arms) from 1931 to 1957.
After wine tasting, we head for our lunch. Karadjordjev Vajat is an authentic ethno restaurant located in the historic village of Orašac, where the 1804 insurrection
started. Standing at 380m above sea level, the wood and brick complex enjoys beautiful views of Sumadija’s rolling hills. After our lunch, we will visit Karadjordje’s
monument, see the memorial village school as well as the Marićevićа Jaruga gully where the insurrectionists gathered.
We will return to Belgrade in the evening hours. Overnight stay.
Day 6/7/8 – Belgrade - Belgrade, Nikola Tesla Airport
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time until departure for the airport. End of program!
*Extension day 1 – 130€
The prices of an optional excursion to Sremski Karlovci, Novi Sad and Petrovaradin Fortress.
*per person in 1/2 room in the group of minimum 6 persons (adults).
Included in the price:
- Transfer according to the program
- Accommodation based on BB in Hotel Nobel Palace 4* in Belgrade, 1 night
- A licensed tourist guide
- Travel agency organization fees
Not included in the price:
- Wine tasting at Winery Vinum – 4 wine labels + appetizer (cheese and homemade meat products) – 15€ per person
- Lunch
- Costs not mentioned in the program
- Other personal costs
**Extension day 2 – 180€
The prices of an optional excursion to Topola i Oplenac.
*per person in 1/2 room in the group of minimum 6 persons (adults)
Included in the price:
- Transfer according to the program
- Accommodation based on BB in Hotel Nobel Palace 4* in Belgrade, 1 night
- A licensed tourist guide
- Travel agency organization fees
- Royal Complex entrance fee
- Wine tasting at Royal winery
- Entrance fee to Orašac
- Lunch + 2 drinks at the etno restaurant Karađorđev Vajat
Not included in the price:
- Costs not mentioned in the program
- Other personal costs
