DAY 1:  DEPART USA on an overnight flight to  Belgrade.

DAY 2: BELGRADE

Arrive in Belgrade, where you are met by our professional tour escort and transferred to your hotel. On first impression you would never know that the capital of Serbia, has emerged from a decade long war, which decimated its economy and destroyed tourism. The city is alive with crowded streets, bustling cafes, brimming stores and warm, welcoming people.   Rest of the day is at leisure to become acclimated to a new time zone, to relax and explore the city which will not impress the casual visitor with its grand proportions, but will forever tie him with its invisible bonds. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner in Skadarlija, world known bohemian part of Belgrade with ancient houses and cobbled streets, where you can enjoy both the tasty, traditional Serb meal and experience string bands playing music and traditional old town songs in the outdoor cafes.  Moments spent in Skadarlija with friendly and relaxed Belgradians will be mementos always remembered with a smile.   Overnight Belgrade. (D)

DAY 3 : BELGRADE

Our panoramic tour visits most of the important sights including Slavija Square, Yugoslav Drama Theatre, Parliament, City Hall, Terazije with the old fountain, Republic Square, National Theatre, University Complex, Church of St. Marko, Church of St. Petka, Saborna Crkva, Konak Knjeginje Ljubice, and  St. Sava  Cathedral.  We also visit  Kalemegdan, the historic Belgrade fortress with its massive defensive walls from the 15-18th  In the afternoon we have a reception at the Patriarchy.  Tonight the group will have a performance in Belgrade, followed by dinner.  Overnight Belgrade. (B.D.) centuries.

DAY 4 : TOPOLA, OPLENAC, ARANDJELOVAC

We start the day with a visit to Royal tradition of Serbia and the town of Topola, in the hilly Sumadija region, where we visit Karadjordje’s Residence, and the parish church of Virgin Mary, before we arrive at Oplenac to see the fascinating church of St. George built by King Peter I. Here we celebrate Divine Liturgy.  We visit the Royal Mausoleum, which is the burial sight for the members of the Karadjordjevic Dynasty. On the way back to Belgrade we continue to Arandjelovac, famous for its white marble, mineral waters, clay, and the spa, Bukovacka Banja. Lunch today is at restaurant Aleksandar, one of the best in Serbia. 2004 is the 200 year anniversary of the First Serbian Uprising. We visit the place of the uprising, and participate in the commemoration program. Overnight Belgrade. (B.L.)

DAY 5 : CENTRAL SERBIA

Today we visit Zica, also founded by Stefan Nemanjic, and the first seat of the Serbian Archbishopic. The church is dedicated to the Ascension of the Lord and displays frescoes from the Raska school.    Then explore the jewel of the Serbian Monasteries- Studenica, set on the beautiful deeply wooded and untouched by commercialization Mount Radocelo.

Throughout the history of medieval Serbia, Studenica was the most prominent and revered monastery. It served as the residence of Stefan Nemanjic, and his son Rastko, better known as St. Sava. King Stefan Nemanjic unified Serbian lands, bringing Serbia first independence and  international recognition. He also established the Serbian Orthodox Church and founded many churches, including the Serbian monastery of Hilandar on Holy Mountain in Greece.   We visit the monastery Studenica and its three churches and have lunch there. Overnight in Kopaonik. (B.D.)

DAY 6 : SOUTHERN SERBIA

We start our tour with a visit to Raska, Monastery Djurdjevi Stupovi, the endowment of the Great Zupan Stefan Nemanja that lies on the top of a woody elevation overlooking the panorama of the city of Novi Pazar, and Petrov’s Church.   Then on to Sopocani Monastery, the medieval Serbia’s most brilliant monument, containing frescoes that many prominent art historians have described as the best works in the Byzantine style. Tonight you have a performance on Kopaonik.  Overnight Kopaonik. (B.D.)
 

DAY 7 :  TRADITIONAL SERBIA

As we head back to Belgrade this morning we visits  two very beautiful and historically important monasteries, Manasija, known in the Middle Ages as Resava, founded by Despot Stefan, the son of Prince Lazar, and Ravanica, built around 1380, an endowment of Prince Lazar.  Enroute we see the city  of Krusevac, founded in 1371, when it was chosen by Prince Lazar during his princedom to be the capital, and today it reaffirmed its place among the former Yugoslavia’s most industrially and economically developed, yet culturally preserved cities.  Krusevac is the city of youthful drive, enthusiasm and energy, ready to take Serbia into the 21st century, while being careful to retain its strong ties to Serbian traditions.   Overnight Belgrade. (B.)

DAY 8 : VOJVODINA

Today we visit Novi Sad and Petrovaradin Fortress and Sremski Karlovci, where we have our final performance. The farewell dinner tonight is in one of the many “splavs” waterfront restaurants Belgrade is so well known for. Overnight Belgrade.(B.D.)  

DAY 9- RETURN to the USA 

or  continue on to Montenegro or Western Hercegovina  (B)