Proudly guarding the Danube, the once twin cities of Buda and Pest show off every architectural style from Baroque to Art Nouveau. With its rickety trams and turn-of-the-century feel you’ll be charmed by its past while you cure your hangover at the multitude of hot baths.
Highlights
Relax in the 15th Century thermal spas
Take panoramic photos from the scenic Buda castle
Go to Sziget rock and indie festival in August
Bus to Novi Sad – 7 hours
Novi Sad is Belgrade’s little sister. Smaller but no less buzzing, the city centre is as beautiful as it is ancient. Beer is cheap and plentiful, and friendly bars line the pavements. That’s aside from the the Petrovaradin Fortress, which is home to EXIT festival and its 200,000 revellers every July!
Highlights
Visit the beautiful beach by the Danube
Admire the ancient architecture and views
Check out the cheap beer and amazing local bars
Bus to Belgrade – 2 hours
The capital of Serbia won’t disappoint you. Visitors from surrounding countries come here for the all-night party scene and friendly atmosphere. Tourists also come to see the world’s largest Orthodox church or just wander around the bohemian town centre of a bygone era.
Highlights
Visit the 18th Century Belgrade Fortress
Climb the cobbled streets of Skadarlija
Float down the Danube on the splavovi party boats
Bus to Sarajevo – 7.5 hours
Immerse yourself in the culture clash that is Sarajevo, with its bustling markets, colourful streets and friendly people. This historic city has a distinctly Turkish feel, adding to its unique atmosphere. They say no one ever visits Sarajevo just once – you’ll leave understanding why!
Highlights
Wander round the Ottoman quarter & explore the Turkish Bazaar
Take a tour with a local guide to find out about the city’s turbulent history
Sample crazy Bosnian nightlife (with some compulsory Rakja)
Bus to Mostar – 5 hours
Mostar is a bucket list destination. It’s Bosnia at its most beautiful. The famous bridge which links two sides of the river was destroyed in the war, but it’s been carefully rebuilt to its former glory since then. Discover once war-torn town built itself back up – you’d never know from it’s friendly people, beautiful buildings and amazing food and drink.
Highlights
See the famous Mostar Bridge
Visit the mosque that sits above the river Neretva
Shop for handmade crafts in the bazaar
Bus or Private Transfer to Kotor – 6 hours
Nestled amongst the mountains and hidden from the ocean behind a stunning bay, Kotor is framed by mountains for spectacular views to rival any other. Relax by the crystal clear waters or just wander round the old town and drink local wine. It’s an idyllic place to chill out after a busy few days.
Highlights
Hire a boat and sail round the beautiful Kotor bay
Take a trip out to the beautiful Lovcen National Park just a few miles away
Take the bus to Perast and visit Our Lady of the Rocks monastery
Bus to Dubrovnik – 3 hours
Dubrovnik is an absolute pearl with its wonderful marble streets and Baroque buildings, totally recovered after being bombed in 1991. You won’t be anything but awe-struck at its beauty, a medieval city perched against the Adriatic and positively beaming with charm.
Highlights
Take a Game of Thrones Tour to discover Kings Landing
Enjoy fresh sea food in the paved courtyards of the old town
Sip cocktails at the Hard Jazz Café
The quickest way to get to and from the UK will be to book a flight. Travelling by train from the UK to Budapest is possible (but involves a few night trains), but travelling back by train/bus from Dubrovnik will take you a long time, so bear that in mind!
If you’d prefer to fly back from Split (rather than Dubrovnik) then you can include the bus back to Split at check-out.