Balkan Gems

18th May - 16th June 2020(29 nights)pdfdownload

 





Serbia, Slovenia and southern Hungary

Explore very contrasting countries as we travel through regions of the Balkans.

Slovenia is a country with many famous sights; Lake Bled, Postojna Caves, beautiful Adriatic coastline and the wonderful Lipizzaner white horses of the Vienna riding school, these are all included in our tour along with the fantastic lesser known locations of Ptuj and Catez; we also have visits to the Adria Motorhome factory and Rogaska Crystal workshops.

Serbia is a complete unknown for most people but don’t expect to be disappointed by a visit or to feel unsafe, and do get there before too many others discover its charms. We mix the unspoilt nature of the Serbian Zasavica Reserve with the wonder of the Mokra Gora National Park along with discovering the old & modern history of vibrant Belgrade.

Intermixed between Slovenia and Serbia are some specially selected stops in undiscovered parts of Hungary to give an alternative aspect of a visit to this fascinating country.

Throughout the tour an above average number of group meals are included to enjoy the varied cuisine of all three countries.

Day 1 – Monday 18th May 2020
We meet at a campsite on the Italian Adriatic coast near to Trieste. This evening join with the Tour Directors and your fellow travellers for an informal drinks reception and tour briefing.

Day 2 – Tuesday 19th May
This morning we cross into Slovenia and have just a short journey to arrive at the Lipica stud farm, home of the famous Lipizzaner white horses of the Vienna riding school. There will be time for you to wander around before we enjoy a guided stables tour and then follow this with a presentation of the elegant display for which these horses are world famous. Following departure from Lipica we travel to the Slovenian Adriatic coast and to our first Slovenian campsite where we have dinner arranged for tonight. 40 miles

Day 3 – Wednesday 20th May
A free day to explore along the coast; Piran a beautiful old town with stunning sea views is an easy bus ride away from our campsite.

Day 4 – Thursday 21st May
This morning we drive to Postojna Caves. 50 miles Here we will take a tour of the world famous cave system. Once inside a railway whizzes us through the first 2km of tunnels before starting our walking tour of the vast and fantastic rock formations. After this wonderful experience, we re-join our motorhomes to continue our journey to our campsite in the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. 40 miles

Day 5 – Friday 22nd May
A full days sightseeing tour of Ljubljana. Our English speaking guide will assist us to get the most out of this lovely old city with a rich history and some fascinating architecture. Lunch is included in a city restaurant.

Day 6 – Saturday 23rd May
Our drive today takes us to the north of Slovenia and beautiful Lake Bled where our campsite is located right on the edge of the lake. 60 miles 

Day 7 – Sunday 24th May
This morning we meet at the lakeside for coffee and a slice of the Lake Bled cake, then we are transported by the unique Pletna boats to the lakes island. Here everyone will have time to explore and visit the Church (entry fee payable locally) before re-joining the Pletna boats to be transported back to the campsite.

Day 8 – Monday 25th May
A free day. There are lovely lakeside walks available directly from the campsite or simply relax in pleasant surroundings.

Day 9 – Tuesday 26th May
Have you ever wondered how a motorhome is built? This may be answered today with our tour of the Adria Motorhome production line on-route to our next campsite. Based in Catez our campsite is part of a Hotel & Spa complex where we have dinner arranged for this evening. 60 miles

Day 10 – Wednesday 27th May
A full day to enjoy all the spa and swimming pools attached to the campsite (some spa facilities may require an additional payment locally).

Day 11 – Thursday 28th May
Our drive today takes us to Ptuj in Slovenia’s west and we are now getting close to the Hungarian border. On route we stop to learn about one of Slovenia’s oldest exports with a visit to the Rogaska Crystal workshop. Ptuj is Slovenia’s oldest town and we are staying a pleasant 20-minute riverside walk from the historic centre. Our campsite is part of the Thermal Ptuj complex and this evening we have dinner arranged in one of its nearby restaurants. 60 miles

Day 12 – Friday 29th May
This morning we take a leisurely walk into the old town to meet our local guide who will take us around the interesting streets, this will be followed by a light lunch. Later we visit Slovenia’s largest and oldest wine cellar. We will be given a guided tour of the cellars and visit the secure storage which are holding vintage wines from 1917, then tastings of a selection of wines. You will have the opportunity to purchase any number, which can be carried or taxied back to the campsite.

Day 13 – Saturday 30th May
A free day to relax around the campsite and thermal complex.

Day 14 – Sunday 31st June
We leave Slovenia and cross into an area of Hungary found by few tourists. However, don’t expect to be disappointed, we will be staying at Baja, located on a spur of the Danube and with a lovely old town centre. This evening we get to sample Hungarian food in a local restaurant over-looking the river. 220 miles

Day 15 – Monday 1st June
A free day and opportunity to explore Baja, just a short walk from our campsite.

Day 16 – Tuesday 2nd June
We leave Hungary for now and arrive in Serbia at our first Serbian campsite located near to Sremska Mitrovica, an area renowned for its nature. This evening we get a first taste of Serbian food with a group meal in a nearby restaurant. 150 miles

Day 17 – Wednesday 3rd June
Today we visit ‘Zasavica Reserve’. This is a phenomenon of nature’s beauty and a rare example of somewhere remaining to experience natural wetlands supporting a diversity of flora & fauna in an untouched environment.

Day 18 – Thursday 4th June
A free day to relax in rural surroundings.

Day 19 – Friday 5th June
Moving on we travel from the nature of Sremska Mitrovica to the National Parks of the Zlatibor region. 140 miles

Day 20 – Saturday 6th June
An excursion through the Mokra Gora National Park today, including taking a local narrow gauge railway journey. Lunch is in a local restaurant.

Day 21 – Sunday 7th June
A free day to explore the local surroundings, much of which is within walking distance.

Day 22 – Monday 8th June
We leave Serbia’s rural areas and travel to its capital Belgrade. Our campsite is set on the outskirts of the city overlooking the river Danube. 150 miles

Day 23 – Tuesday 9th June
A full day excursion of Belgrade where Serbia’s old and new history will be discovered with the help of our local English speaking guide, including an insight into Marshal Tito’s life and leadership of Yugoslavia. Lunch is included in a city restaurant.

Day 24 – Wednesday 10th June
Another full day excursion, this time focussing on the river Danube and in particular the stunning area of the Djerdap National Park where the river dramatically narrows to pass through the Kazan Gorge. A light lunch is taken in a local restaurant.

Day 25 – Thursday 11th June
A free day to relax or return to Belgrade for further exploration and local shopping. There are easy bus links from nearby our campsite to the city centre.

Day 26 – Friday 12th June
Time to say goodbye to Serbia as we return to Hungary. 210 miles

Day 27 – Saturday 13th June
Our campsite is one of the best in Hungary, complete with a full complex of indoor and outdoor swimming pools. There are also a number of walking opportunities of all levels in and around the local woodlands surrounding the campsite.

Day 28 – Sunday 14th June
A very short journey today as we make our way to the Tanycsarda Ranch where we will be staying on the ranch’s own private camping area. This afternoon we are taken on a tour of the surrounding Puszta (Plains) in horse-drawn carriages. 30 miles

Day 29 – Monday 15th June
No need to get up early this morning to prepare breakfast as you’ll be treated to a traditional Hungarian Buffet Breakfast in the Ranch. After breakfast use the remainder of day to visit the stables, enjoy the surroundings and relax in preparation for tonight. This evening we meet in the ranches dining area for our Farewell Dinner of the ‘Kings Feast’ accompanied by local wines. After our meal we move to the Ranch display arena for a spectacular show of horsemanship and bravery, and at the end of the evening it is no more than just a short stroll back to our motorhomes for the night.

Day 30 – Tuesday 16th June
The tour ends this morning. If the Tour Directors are returning to Calais you may accompany them (at your own cost) on a route and timing of their choosing, or you may make your own way on from here.

PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £0000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £0000

DEPOSIT £000

INCLUDED IN PRICE

  • 29 Campsite nights with electric hook-up
  • Transport for Excursions/Events as per the Itinerary
  • Entrance fees on Excursions/Events as per the Itinerary
  • Tour information Pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
  • Michelin Country Maps for Slovenia & Serbia
  • Services of Tour Directors, travelling in their own motorhome

Excursions, Events & Meals

  • Welcome Reception
  • Entry to Lipica Stud Farm, guided tour & riding presentation
  • Dinner at Slovenian restaurant with wine
  • Entry to the Postojna Caves
  • Excursion into Ljubljana, including lunch
  • Dinner at Lake Bled with wine
  • Lake Bled Coffee and Cake
  • Pletna Boat ride
  • Visit to Adria Motorhome factory
  • Dinner at Thermal Catez with wine
  • Entry to Thermal Catez swimming complex
  • Visit to Rogaska Crystal factory
  • Dinner at Ptuj with wine
  • Guided walking tour of Ptuj, including light lunch
  • Wine tasting and cellar visit at Ptuj
  • Dinner at Hungarian restaurant with wine
  • Dinner at Serbian restaurant with wine
  • Visit to Zasavica Reserve
  • Tour of Mokra Gora National Park including narrow gauge train journey
  • Lunch in Mokra Gora
  • Guided Tour of Belgrade including city Lunch
  • Tour of Danube river including light lunch
  • Access to Hungarian Thermal Spa
  • Tour of the Puszta in Horse-Drawn Carriages
  • Hungarian Buffet Breakfast
  • Access to ranch stables
  • Tanycsarda evening Show of Horsemanship
  • Farewell Dinner of the “Kings Feast” with local wines

This tour starts at Trieste in Italy, but if you would like to travel on the outward journey with the Tour Directors please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf

OPTIONAL  PACKAGE

  • Return Dover/Calais Ferry with 60-day Flexible Ticket + Club Class Lounge
  • Seven additional camping nights with electric hook-up starting in Kent on Monday 11th May and followed by Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, 2 x Lake Garda in Italy and 1 additional night at Trieste.
  • Group Dinner in German campsite
  • Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
  • Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £000 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £000