Day 1 - Depart USA
Board your overnight flight (not included).

Day 2 to Day 3 - Budapest the Queen of the Danube
Welcome to Hungary, unique in Europe for its language and culture! Transfers to your hotel depart from Budapest Ferihegy International Airport at 10:00, 13:00, 15:30. Later, join your Tour Director for a Welcome reception, drinks and a light meal. After a restful night’s sleep, join a local expert for a drive up to Gellert Hill. Gaze out over the Danube dividing Buda from Pest - the two sides linked by the Chain and Elizabeth Bridges. Then ascend Buda’s Castle District to visit Matthias Church with its gargoyles and colourful mosaic-patterned roof. Admire the immense facades of the Parliament building from the Fisherman’s Bastion. Over in Pest, drive down Andrassy Boulevard and visit Heroes’ Square. The afternoon is yours to relax or hit the shops of bustling Váci utca. (Welcome Reception / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4 to Day 5 - Puszta Palic and Belgrade
Head south today across the vast wilderness of the Puszta, where cowboys rustle up goulash under the stars. Cross the border into Serbia and arrive in Palic around lunch time. See the unusual water tower, then stretch your legs down by the lake to admire the Art Nouveau buildings. On past the riverside fortress at Novi Sad now, to reach the Serbian capital. In the morning, join a local expert to see the city’s main attractions: St Sava Church, Terazije Street, the National Museum and National Theatre in Republic Square. Finish your tour at the imposing Kalemegdan Fortress, situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube Rivers. This afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6 to Day 7 - Scratch the Surface of Sarajevo
Head southwards today through the remote villages and spa resorts which nestle in the forested Bosnian mountains. Your destination is Sarajevo, a town with a turbulent past - in 1914 it was the site of the assassination that sparked WWI and more recently, it endured the longest siege in modern military history. The next morning your guided sightseeing tour shows you the Bacarsija, the cobbled old town market where the city was founded by the Ottomans in the 15th century. Admire Gazi Husrev-beg’s Mosque and the Olympic Stadium before visiting the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum, revered by the locals as an inanimate war hero. Shop or explore at your own pace this afternoon. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 8 to Day 9 - Mostar and Dubrovnik Pearl of the Adriatic
Drive to Mostar and walk across the famous Stari Most , reconstructed after being almost completely destroyed during the war. The cobbled old town stretches on both sides of the bridge and is filled with shops selling Turkish style souvenirs. Now follow the marvellous gorge of the River Neretva down to the sparkling Dalmatian coast and the fortified port of Dubrovnik. Tonight choose from a selection of fine restaurants for your dining pleasure. Wake up ready to experience what George Bernard Shaw described as ‘Paradise of Earth’. A guided sightseeing tour in the Old Town explores the stone-paved streets inside the 16th century bastions. See Onofrio’s fountain and the Rector’s Palace, the city walls, as well as the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. Then time at leisure. (Buffet Breakfast / Dine Around / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 10 - Kotor and the Albanian Capital of Tirana
Just over the border, visit the old town of Kotor, perched beside the only European fjord outside of Norway. Then through the spectacular scenery of Montenegro and the mysterious emerging country of Albania. Continue to the warm hearted capital of Tirana for a guided sightseeing tour. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 11 - Ohrid one of Europe's best kept Secrets
Straddling the Macedonian border, Lake Ohrid forms a bowl in the middle of surrounding mountains, its shores dotted with monasteries and villages. Stay in the pretty lake side resort town of Ohrid where a local expert shows you the narrow streets of the Old Town. As twilight falls, the cafe-lined promenades are perfect for a summer evening stroll. (Buffet Breakfast)

Day 12 to Day 13 - Skopje and Sofia the City that grows but never Ages
First stop is in the Macedonian capital city of Skopje to see the main square, the churches, mosques and old Turkish buildings. Cross the north of the country to the Bulgarian border and continue to Sofia, known as the ‘city that grows, but never ages’. In the morning, sightseeing with a local expert takes in the St Sofia Church across the square from the golden domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archaeological complex, dominated by the church of St. George Rotonda. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take an optional excursion to the magnificent Rila Monastery? (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 14 - Veliko Turnavo the City of the Tsars
Cross the Balkan Mountains to the old capital city of Veliko Turnovo. Join your local expert for a stroll along Gurko Street with its cascade of restored old houses. Enjoy unparalleled views down to the Monument of the Assens - symbol of the city. A highlight is the visit to the Tsaravets Fortress, housing a host of archeological remains and a reminder of the town’s former imperial status. At the UNESCO World Heritage village of Arbanassi, visit a traditional 17C merchants’ house and hear the enchanting acoustics in the Church of the Holy Nativity. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)

Day 15 to Day 16 - Sinaia Brasov and Scouting for the Count in Transylvania
Cross the Danube Bridge into Romania and ascend the Prahova Valley to reach the elegant alpine resort of Sinaia. Visit Peles Castle, former summer residence of Romania’s first royal family and admire the lavish rooms filled with art, armour and tapestries. Continue on to Brasov for the night. See the sights of Brasov in the morning with a resident expert. Then discover if the popular image of Dracula’s castle is true, or, like the vampire story itself, only a myth, as you visit Bran Castle – said to be the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s book. Continue to Sighisoara for a guided tour of this enchanting medieval gem. See the Clock Tower and Vlad Dracul’s house before returning to Brasov. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner / Buffet Breakfast)

Day 17 - Eclectic Bucharest
Drive down to the Romanian capital of Bucharest. Your sightseeing tour includes views of University Square and the former Communist Headquarters plus a visit to the immense Parliament Palace, one of the largest buildings in the world. Tonight enjoy an end-of-tour Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Celebration Dinner)

Day 18 - Return to USA
Your tour ends after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Henri Coanda International Airport at 06:30 and 10:00. (Buffet Breakfast)

This is a variant of Insight Vacations President's Tour, designed by Insight Travel Forum members. It proved so popular, we just had to put it in the brochure for past and future Insight travellers.

• A Welcome Reception with light informal meal (WR)
• 16 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 1 Dine-Around (DA), 1 Celebration Dinner (CD) and 6 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Headsets for all guided visits and walking tours
• Enjoy the unique comfort of Insight’s luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room and on-board restroom
• Insight Traveller Welcome pack
• Airport transfers at scheduled times on Day 2 and Day 18 (Should your flights not coincide with these transfers, please make your own way to/from the airport)

• Budapest: Enjoy skyline views from Gellert Hill. Walk through the cobbled streets of the medieval Castle Hill district. See the Parliament and visit Heroes’ Square in Pest.
• Palic: Admire the Art Nouveau buildings down by the lake.
• Belgrade: See all the main sights with a guide including the imposing Kalemegdan Fortress.
• Sarajevo: Tour the Bacarsija to see the Mosque and Olympic Stadium.
• Mostar: Walk across its famous bridge, explore the old town.
• Dubrovnik: See Onofrio’s Fountain, Rector’s Palace and the city walls. Admire the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.
• Kotor: Visit the old town situated on its fjord.
• Tirana: Enjoy a guided sightseeing tour.
• Ohrid: Walk through the cobbled streets with a guide.
• Skopje: See the churches, mosques and old Turkish buildings.
• Sofia: See the Cathedral, churches, and Soviet-era buildings.
• Veliko Turnovo: Walk along Gurko Street, see the Monument of the Assens.
• Transylvanian Alps: Enjoy guided tours of Brasov and medieval Sighisoara
• Bucharest: See University Square and the former Communist Headquarters.

Budapest: Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge
Belgrade: Moskva
Sarajevo: Europe
Dubrovnik: Dubrovnik Palace
Tirana: Sheraton
Ohrid: Belvedere
Sofia: Hilton
Veliko Turnavo: Yantr
Brasov: Aro Palace
Bucharest: Hilton Athenee

Extra nights per person in Budapest:
Corinthia Hotel Budapest: in twin room $126; in single room $220; in triple room $121
Intercontinental: in twin room $118; in single room $185; in triple room $116
Sofitel Budapest: in twin room $136; in single room $220; in triple room $132

Extra nights per person in Bucharest:
Hilton Athenee: in twin room $112-$147; in single room $191-$262; in triple room $108-$139

• Check visa requirements for this tour.
• Departures on May 17 and 24 will stay at an alternative hotel of similar standard in Belgrade.
• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

For Insight Vacations terms and conditions, please click here.

* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.