Private Europe Tour (MAC002) Historic Yugoslavia Heritage Route: Austria - Slovenia - Croatia - Bosnia - North Macedonia (10 Days 9 Nights)

See You Again welcomes you at Vienna International Airport, then takes you on a 380 km journey to the Republic of Slovenia—a land of breathtaking geographical beauty with stunning lakes, mountains, and rich arts and culture. Arrive in Bled, a resort town nestled beside the lake and the Julian Alps, Slovenia's most famous lake, often referred to as the Pearl of the Alps.

hotel Overnight Bled, Slovenia

Today, take a boat ride to admire the beauty of Lake Bled. The lake was formed by the erosion of the Bohinj Glacier during the Ice Age. Even more interestingly, the water in the lake comes not from melting glacier ice, but from multiple underground thermal springs, making the lake water crystal clear and preventing it from freezing in winter.

Cruise past Bled Castle, perched on a lakeside cliff. It is the oldest castle in the area, gifted by German Emperor Henry 2 as a residence for Bishop Albuin of Brixen in 1004.

In the afternoon, depart for Ljubljana. Visit the central Prešeren Square, the city's most significant square, featuring a statue of France Prešeren, Slovenia's renowned poet and a symbol of patriotism and freedom. Near the square stands a Franciscan church in Art Nouveau style.

Near the square stands the eye-catching pink Franciscan Church, which took about 14 years to build in Art Nouveau style, housing a library dating back to the 13th century with approximately 55,000 books. See the 3 famous bridges around the square in Ljubljana, notably the Dragon Bridge built in 1901—one of the earliest large reinforced concrete bridges in Europe, adorned on both sides with Art Nouveau dragon statues. Stroll around the courtyard of Ljubljana Castle, a medieval castle set on a hill above Ljubljana's city center, originally built to protect the realm from Ottoman invasions and rebellions. Today, Ljubljana Castle has become an important cultural attraction and a scenic lookout offering panoramic views of nearly the entire city. Overnight in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

In the morning, depart on a 150 km journey to Croatia. Explore Zagreb, the pearl of the Adriatic, rich in history and filled with a magical charm that makes it hard to believe the city emerged from crisis not so long ago. Zagreb is a city of arts and culture that has flourished since the 11th century. Today, Croatians enjoy a typical European lifestyle, and getting around Zagreb is very convenient with dozens of tram lines crisscrossing the city. Zagreb consists of the UPPER TOWN, built in the 17th century with the Stone Gate as its symbol; the LOWER TOWN, built in the 19th century; and the modern New Town, developed after World War II.

Visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, built in Neo-Gothic style, and explore the central city market (DOLAC MARKET), a colorful historic open-air market selling flowers, ornamental plants, and fresh fruits at very affordable prices. We take you into the UPPER TOWN to see St. Mark's Church (ST.MARKS CHURCH), famous for its tiled roof depicting medieval coats of arms, an iconic symbol of Zagreb.

Visit the historic St. Catherine's Church. This area is also home to the Presidential Palace (PRESIDENT PALACE).

Enjoy the panoramic viewpoint overlooking Zagreb with its sea of brick-red roofs across the city, and shop along the city's main shopping street. Overnight in Zagreb, Croatia.

Day 4 PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK - ZADAR In the morning, we take you to Plitvice Lakes National Park (PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK), one of eight national parks in Croatia and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1972. The park covers an area of over 3,000 square kilometers, featuring 16 cascading lakes linked by wooden footbridges that wind between the lakes and waterfalls flowing gently into the waters everywhere. You will notice lush, eternally moist moss, and schools of fish swimming in crystal-clear water reflecting the blue sky, surrounded by shady valleys and towering trees. Marvel at THE PLIVICE WATERFALLS, the largest in the park. Then stroll down to DONJA JEZIRA to enjoy a boat cruise on JEZERO KOZJAK lake, fully taking in the beauty of the lakes and valleys. We spend about 6 hours exploring the waterfalls. Afterward, depart for Zadar, traveling approximately 180 km. Soak in the charming atmosphere of Zadar, pass by the 9th-century Church of St. Donatus, and experience the SEA ORGAN, an architectural musical instrument powered by the sea waves crashing against marble steps and underwater pipes to create harmonious melodies, designed by architect Nikola. Overnight in Zadar, Croatia.

Day 5 ZADAR - SPLIT Depart for Split (SPLIT), traveling a distance of 160 km. Explore Split and see the 15th-century Renaissance-style town hall and historic houses. We take you to People’s Square, the commercial and administrative center back in the 15th century. Stop to see famous architectural sights such as the Venetian-Gothic relief carvings at Cambi Palace and the Renaissance Town Hall, commissioned by Emperor Diocletian, who wished to build a palace for his retirement in 295, which took 10 years to construct. This palace is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the central hall with walkways connecting to other rooms, and explore the spacious courtyard (Peristyle), surrounded on 3 sides by granite columns and connected by arches exquisitely decorated with carved floral motifs. Admire the Cathedral Belfry and the altars of Saint Domnius and Saint Anastasius inside the cathedral. Visit People's Square and see the statue of Gregory of Nin, Croatia's first religious leader.

Day 6 MOSTAR - BLAGAJ - DUBROVNIK In the morning, travel 170 km to Mostar (MOSTAR), Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mostar is a city that suffered heavy bombing and severe impacts during the war between Serbs and Croats. As the country's fifth-largest city, it sits along the Neretva River (NERETVA), which serves as a cultural dividing line between two communities: the east bank is predominantly Islamic, home to mosques and Turkish houses, while the west bank is Roman Catholic, home to churches and clergy residences. Today, Mostar is one of the most beautiful and renowned cities in Bosnia. The name Mostar comes from “THE BRIDGE KEEPERS”, meaning the bridge keepers who guarded the bridge spanning the Neretva River. Visit the Turkish House (TURKISH HOUSE), one of only a few remaining in Mostar, still owned today by Bosnians of Turkish descent. Enjoy free time to stroll around and shop for souvenirs at your leisure. In the afternoon, travel 15 km to Blagaj (BLAGAJ) to admire the Blagaj waterfall flowing out of a cave beneath the mountain, with crystal-clear waters cascading beautifully over layered rocks. Travel 135 km when ready to continue to Dubrovnik (DUBROVNIK), a World Heritage city bordering Bosnia and Herzegovina. We drive along the scenic Adriatic coastline, where you will be captivated by the coastal scenery and clusters of vibrant orange-tiled roofs dotting the shoreline. Overnight in Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Day 7 DUBROVNIK - BUDVA Explore Dubrovnik, the capital of Dubrovnik-Neretva County in southern Dalmatia (DALMATIA), inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and ranked among the most beautiful traveler paradises in the world. Admire panoramic views of Dubrovnik situated along the Adriatic coast. The Old Town is encircled by ancient fortified walls 190 meters long, standing as an iconic city landmark as renowned as the Grand Canyon or the Grand Canal of Venice. We take you to the cable car station at an altitude of 400 meters to enjoy iconic scenic views of orange-tiled rooftops against the stunning Adriatic Sea. Enjoy a stroll around town and shop for souvenirs. Afterwards, travel 90 km to Budva (BUDVA), Montenegro, a coastal town on the Adriatic Sea once ruled by bishops. Today home to a population of around 60,000, it is the tourism hub of Montenegro, boasting well-preserved medieval fortified walls and gorgeous sandy beaches. With a history of over 2,500 years, it is one of the oldest settlements on the ADRIATIC coast. Overnight in Budva, Montenegro.

Day 8 PRIZREN - PRISTINA In the morning, travel 270 km to Prizren (PRIZREN), the former historical center of the Serbian Empire and a historic city in Kosovo bordering North Macedonia and Albania. The town is situated on the slopes of the Sar Mountains. Then visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque (SINAN PASHA MOSQUE), built in 1615 and recognized as a "Monument of Culture."

Visit the Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš (CHURCH OF OUR LADY OF LJEVIS), inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. This Serbian Orthodox church was built in the 13th century by the Serbian King Stefan Milutin. Following the Ottoman conquest in the 14th century, the church was converted into a mosque, before being converted back into a church in the early 20th century.

In the afternoon, visit Visoki Dečani Monastery (MONASTERY DECANIT), a monastery built during the medieval period of the Serbian Empire by the Serbian King Stefan Dečanski (KING STEFAN DECANSKI). It is the most important monastery in Serbian Orthodoxy, and Serbia still considers it part of its heritage even though it is located in Kosovo. The monastery has been under legal protection by Serbia since 1947. Tour the interior of the church to see exceptionally well-preserved frescoes (FRESCO) depicting Christian history and the spread of Christianity in the region (photography prohibited).

Then travel 90 km to Pristina (PRISTINA), the capital of Kosovo. Explore Pristina, a city that still retains a strong atmosphere of Soviet-era communism.

Visit Pristina's Skanderbeg Square (SKANDERBEG MONUMENT), the city clock tower, and the remaining Soviet-style architecture. Overnight in Pristina.

Day 9 PRISTINA - SKOPJE Travel 95 km to Skopje (SKOPJE), the capital and largest city of North Macedonia, serving as the political, cultural, and economic hub of the country. In the past, it was also the capital of Serbia and Bulgaria. After Macedonia gained independence from Yugoslavia, the Macedonian government extensively redeveloped the city, revitalizing Skopje into a vibrant and beautiful European capital. Visit Macedonia Square (MACEDONIA SQUARE) and see the Monument to Alexander the Great (ALEXANDER THE GREAT), erected to commemorate 20 years of national independence. Admire Porta Macedonia (PORTA MACEDONIA), built as a symbol of over 20 years of independence, and take photos at the Stone Bridge (STONE BRIDGE), built around the 6th century by Byzantine Emperor Justinian (JUSTINIAN - reigned 527-565). Walk across the Stone Bridge (STONE BRIDGE) over the Vardar River into the Old Bazaar area, filled with traditional shops influenced by Ottoman Turkish rule for approximately 500 years. Afterwards, enjoy free time for shopping and exploring the city at your leisure. Overnight in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Day 10 SKOPJE

Today, we arrange airport transfer according to your flight schedule, wishing you a safe and memorable journey back to Thailand.

hotel Overnight City: Split, Croatia