UAE National Day Special Serbia Tour Package

Arrive Belgrade meet & greet by rep get transfer to hotel- Over night at hotel

Breakfast at hotel-We start the tour from your accommodation, and we head towards New Belgrade, on the other side of the Sava River. Built as a new part of the town, after WWII and during the socialist regime, it has many impressive buildings. Ex-Central Committee of the Communist Party, Federal Executive Council, also known as Palace of Federation, Genex Tower or Western Gate of Belgrade, Sava Center, one of the biggest congress halls in this part of Europe, etc.

We continue to Zemun, the northern area of Belgrade, characteristic for its Central European appearance, charming quarters, cobblestone streets and fish restaurants on the banks of the Danube River. First stop is Avijatičarski Trg, where the old city of Zemun begins. This square, with the massive monument to WWII heroes, is surrounded by Zemun’s oldest elementary school building and the Air Force Ministry, one of the finest examples of modernism in pre-war Yugoslav architecture. We have a ride through the main street called Gospodska Street, where we have a chance to see some beautiful examples of Zemun architecture: the Post Office, Hotel Central, Town’s Museum, the House with a Sundial, etc.

Then we park at Stara Kapetanija, on the banks of the Danube and start our walking tour through the heart of old Zemun. We walk along the bank of the Danube River – Zemun Promenade, where under the shade of the century-old plane trees numerous old fish restaurants have situated. Passing by the oldest Orthodox church of St. Nicholas from the 17th century we climb the Gardos Hill – the heart of Old Zemun, with its curvy cobblestone streets and small houses that will give you an impression that Zemun itself is a melting pot of Mediterranean and Middle European cultures. We reach the top of the hill where the remains of the Zemun citadel are still standing with Millennium Tower in the center, Zemun’s central landmark. The romantic construction, built in a mixture of historical styles at the end of the 19th century, served to mark the most Southern point of the Austro-Hungarian empire.

The majestic view from the top of the tower will leave you breathless: Zemun Old Town from above, but also the confluence of the two rivers and Belgrade Fortress on the other side. We go down the Gardos Hill to the town center, and we reach the Main City Square, where an everyday market is situated. Old buildings including the Bishop’s Office and the central city Roman Catholic Church of the Blessed Virgin from the 18th century are surrounding the square. We walk further to the Magistarski Trg, where the city administration buildings are standing since the 19th century – Magistrate’s Building and the Town Hall, where the only replica of the city’s coat  of arms is displayed.

We finish our walking tour here, enter the vehicle, and continue our ride. We cross the Gazela Bridge and head for Dedinje – Belgrade’s most luxurious residential area, where we can see the Museum of Yugoslav History and House of Flowers – the resting place of Josip Broz Tito, a leader of second Yugoslavia. We will visit all three venues: the May 25 Museum, the House of Flowers ( not included fee payable on spot ) and the Old Museum and familiarise ourselves with the cultural heritage of the former country of Yugoslavia, with particular emphasis on the social history of the socialist period. After that, we will leave the city, and head towards Avala, Belgrade green mountain. Situated less than 20km south of the city center, it is one of the most popular green areas of Belgrade, a perfect spot for recreation, picnic or just enjoying nature. Entirely covered with wood, it serves as home to many birds and animal species. We drive through green forests until we reach the highest spot of Avala.

In 1930’s Aleksandar I King of Yugoslavia decided to destroy a medieval fortress of Žrnov that was situated here, to build the largest monument in the kingdom – Monument to the Unknown Hero. For this job he engaged his court artist, world-renowned sculptor Ivan Mestrovic who indeed created a majestic structure, made of black marble with colossal sculptures, to resemble Antique tombs. We’ll hear some exciting stories about the way it was constructed and the symbolism of the very monument. After that, we go down to the second largest hilltop of Avala 440m high, where Avala tower is situated.( not included fee payable on spot ). Built in the 1960s as a TVtower it was the biggest concrete structure and the tallest structure in the entire Balkans. During the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, the tower was bombed and destroyed. It was reconstructed according to the same plans and reopened for visitors. The two elevators take us up to 123m with a viewpoint from which you stay breathless: you can see Central Serbian province of Sumadija, but also entire Belgrade including the confluence of the two rivers and the province of Vojvodina behind. After a short break, we get back into the vehicle, and we head towards Belgrade.

Here we will make a stop for a traditional Serbian lunch, in one of the oldest restaurants in the area. Coming back from Avala, we visit Vračar area, where we can see one of Belgrade’s most prominent landmarks – The Church of St. Sava (also known as St. Sava Temple, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. Shortstop for taking pictures. Trough Slavija Square, we will enter Nemanjina Street with almost all state governmental institutions: Government Building, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Staff of Serbian Army, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Finance, the State Court, etc. – all being beautiful examples of Belgrade’s pre-war architecture. After that, we have a ride through Kralja Milana Street, the city’s artery where some significant buildings are situated, such as Old and New Royal Palaces. We pass by Nikola Pasic Square, with a monument to the first Prime Minister of Kingdom of Yugoslavia and we stop in front of the Parliament Building where we make a short break for taking pictures.

Then we walk between the Old and New Royal Palaces where we can hear the stories about the two dynasties that ruled Serbia in the 19th and 20th centuries. Then we reach Terazije Square with its recognizable 19-th century white stone fountain and one of the most beautiful buildings in the city – the Moskva Hotel. We continue our ride and reach Republic Square, the heart of the capital, where the most prestigious cultural institutions in the city are situated – the National Museum and the National Theater and Opera buildings with an equestrian monument to the most important city and state ruler from the 19th century – Knez Mihajlo.

We reach Studentski Trg, where we leave the vehicle and start the walking part of our tour. We walk through Kalemegdan, the oldest and largest park in the city center. Starting from Leopold’s Gate, we will pass by the remains of the Roman castrum – Singidunum and medieval walls built upon it – Zindan Gate, Despot’s Gate, Jakšića tower, all dating back to 15 century. We will visit two Orthodox churches placed in this part of the fortress: Chapel of St Petka and Ružica Church ( Virgin Mary Church ). Entering the Upper town ( Gornji grad ), we will see the magnificent sight of the confluence of two rivers: the Sava and the Danube.

We will continue our walk through the Upper town: the Victor monument by world-renowned sculptor Ivan Meshtrovic, one of Belgrade landmarks, Roman well, the King’s gate and Sava promenade, the Damat Ali Pasha Tomb, Clock Gate ( Sahatkapija ) Clock Tower ( Sahatkula ). Passing by Military Museum and through Istanbul’s gate ( Stambol gate ), we will leave the fortress behind us entering the Kalemegdan park once again. There is a Monument of Gratitude to France by Ivan Mestrovic in the park and a large number of busts, representing the famous Serbian man of letters.

Through the pedestrian street Knez Mihajlova, we will reach the Republic square once again passing by many interesting examples of civil architecture from the 19th and 20th century, such as Serbian Academy of Science and Arts.” Overnight at Hotel. (Entrance fee- be paid directly–for House of Flowers-3EUR, Avala Tower-3EUR PP)

Breakfast at Hotel “Enjoy a whole day, complete Northern Serbia experience, and get to know everything about the area on this tour. Choose between a private and a small shared group, both with live, professional guiding, and an air-conditioned vehicle. You’ll visit one orthodox monastery in a region known as ‘The Holy Mountain of Serbia,’ a lovely baroque town of Sremski Karlovci, the mighty Petrovaradin Fortress, and the second-largest city in Serbia – Novi Sad. You’ll have the chance to fell the unique atmosphere of multi-ethnic and multi-cultural Vojvodina – the ‘melting pot’ with more than 25 ethnic groups and six languages in official use. And last but not least, you’ll get the chance to taste some unique, locally-produced wine. Your trip will begin with pick up from your hotel/accommodation in Belgrade, and we head toward the Northern Serbian province of Vojvodina.

An hour of our ride we will spend enjoying the colorful landscapes of the Pannonian plain and hear stories about the turbulent history of this area. Home to more than 25 ethnic groups, with six official languages in use, Vojvodina represents a diversity unheard of in the rest of the country. Fine chernozem soils make Vojvodina the agricultural heart of Serbia, and the region supplies much of the country’s wheat and corn (maize). They have a saying in Vojvodina: “if you drop a button into the ground, next spring, you will harvest a full coat.” FRUŠKA GORA: We reach Fruška Gora, the only mountain in this region, covered with woods and filled with vineyards on the lower slopes, one of 5 National parks in Serbia but also one of the oldest and best wine regions. The thick Lyndon forests served as a perfect hiding place for 17 medieval Orthodox monasteries that have nested within it. KRUŠEDOL

MONASTERY: Fruška Gora, or “The Serbian Holly Mountain,” as it is often referred to, is a home for 17 active Orthodox monasteries. The monasteries were founded during the period of wars and migrations caused by Turkish occupation. They became vital communities that ensured that Serbian identity and Orthodox religion would survive through difficult times. Founded in the early 16th century, Krušedol is probably the most important one. Despite the large-scale destruction on several occasions, some original paintings remain on the dome’s pillars, while frescoes and icons are dating back to the mid-1700s. The church contains the remains of many members of the Serbian noble Branković family, as well as King Milan Obrenović (died 1901). SREMSKI KARLOVCI: A quiet, Baroque town where time has stopped will impress you with its small houses, Baroque churches, palaces, gardens, and fountains. It has an impressive history as well: in 1699, a peace treaty between Christian European forces and Ottoman Empire was signed here, putting an end to Ottoman conquest of Europe.

The town was a religious and educational center of the Serbs for more than 250 years, which makes it one of the most critical places in Serbian history. First, we will visit the Chapel of Peace, where the peace treaty was signed. Then we’ll stroll through the streets of Karlovci down to the main square. Here we will see the Four Lions Fountain, The Karlovci Gymnasium (High School), Town Hall, Roman Catholic Church, Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, Patriarchy, the Serbian Orthodox Theological Seminary. In one of the oldest wine cellars in the city, we’ll taste the most famous product of the area: the Bermet wine. THE WINERY:

Our next stop will be the famous Bajlo winery. Bajlo family has a winemaking tradition longer than 250 years. Present owners are the fourth generation in the business, so we believe that they are the right address for us to get acquainted with the Bermet, Serbian wine that even made it to Titanic. Bermet is a unique kind of locally-produced aromatic dessert wine. Its delightful sweet taste is easy to underestimate, although it holds around 15-18% of alcohol! Mostly prepared as red wine, it was quite trendy within the European royal families in the 15h century, and it was exported to the United States in the late 19th century. We’ll hear stories about the history of wine-making in Sremski Karlovci, discover the secrets about Bermet production that every family keeps for themself, and we will learn why they say that Bermet is “the best wine for men, but when a lady drinks it” We will make sure that we don’t leave the cellar before we sample some of this sweet nectar, for which they say that even mighty Maria Theresa was extremely fond of. THE FORTRESS:

Next, we’ll visit the mighty Petrovaradin Fortress, nicknamed ‘Gibraltar on the Danube.’ One of the largest strongholds in Europe, still preserved, covers the surface of 100 ha. Built by the Austrian Empire in the 17th-18th centuries, it played a significant role in defending the Middle European countries from Ottoman attacks. We’ll walk through the fortress, passing through some of its gates, and we’ll see the most exciting places on the top of it like City Museum, Old Military Barracks, and the Clock Tower. We’ll enjoy the view over the Danube and the city of Novi Sad. NOVI SAD: Novi Sad is the second-largest city in Serbia, with its typical Middle European appearance and proud history of being a cultural and intellectual center of the Serbs in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, for which it earned a name – Serbian Athens. Here we’ll see the most famous sights: the Museum of Vojvodina and Dunavski park – the largest green area in the city, the beautiful Neo-Romantic Serbian Orthodox Bishop’s Palace. We will not miss the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. George from the 18th century, with its valuable iconostasis painted by famous Serbian painter Paja Jovanovic.

We’ll walk through the main street further on, enjoying the 18th and 19th-century architecture, as well as endless rows of cafes and restaurants, until we reach Liberty Square, a central point in the city. Here we’ll find The Town Hall, Roman Catholic Cathedral, Finance Palace, and the Neo-Classical edifice of oldest city hotel called Vojvodina. Finally, we’ll pass by the Serbian National Theater and reach the city Synagogue, a beautiful Hungarian Secession-style building, one of the largest European synagogues to be preserved. After that, we’ll take a break, and you can enjoy your free time in Novi Sad. Perhaps, take your guide’s advice for a traditional Serbian lunch (at own expense), go shopping, visit The Museum of Vojvodina, or wander around the streets of Novi Sad. At the arranged time, get back into the vehicle and head back to Belgrade.” Overnight at Hotel

Breakfast at hotel- check out and fly back home after memorable trip