Ffestiniog Travel

Friday 11 May to Saturday 26 May 2012

Following the success of previous tours, we invite you to discover the beauty of the Balkans in this enticing tour of Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro as you experience truly unforgettable train journeys such as the renowned Šargan Eight, unbelievable scenery and mythical charming cities.

Day 1   Fly to Ljubljana

Fly from Stansted to Ljubljana - capital of Slovenia, a picturesque city set in a stunning location. Our city centre hotel provides an ideal base to explore this lovely city.

Day 2   Lake Bled

This morning we take the first of our memorable train journeys in the Balkans west to Sežana, continuing along a scenic byway to the lakeside resort of Bled. Time for lunch in the village and you have the opportunity to take an optional walk through the incredible Vintgar Gorge. Return by road to Ljubljana.

Day 3   Zagreb, capital of Croatia

After a leisurely morning in Ljubljana, we take an afternoon train along the stunning Sava Valley to Zagreb for an overnight stay. Our hotel is situated close to the station where we take our evening meal together tonight as a group.

Day 4   Zagreb to Belgrade

There’s time for just a little sightseeing in Zagreb before we continue by lunchtime train and cross the Serbian border to reach Belgrade. Transfer to our hotel which isn’t in a central location – this is deliberate because those nearer the station are older properties whilst ours is new with modern facilities. Evening meal included.

Day 5   Free day in Belgrade

Belgrade is well worth a day’s sightseeing and the hotel is but a short tram or bus ride from the centre (transport fares are ridiculously cheap). The park and fortress overlooking the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers are especially attractive, as is the shopping street with its pavement cafés opposite the park entrance. Evening meal included at our hotel.

Day 6   Zlatibor

Transfer to the station. We depart Belgrade taking the scenic rail line south towards Montenegro. At Užice we transfer to a coach, continuing our journey onwards to the mountain resort of Zlatibor, our base for two nights. Hot buffet evening meal included on both nights.

Day 7   Mokra Gora and the Šargan Eight

A rare chance to experience one of Europe’s most spectacular pieces of railway engineering. This narrow gauge railway line historically linked Belgrade with Dubrovnik until its closure in 1974. The most scenic part, the Šargan Pass from Mokra Gora, is now run by the Serbian state railway as a tourist attraction. Our exhilarating three hour excursion on the train is an amazing experience. Climbing over the Pass in a series of hairpins, spirals and a figure of eight loop, which gives the line its name, the train stops at many enthralling points for photo opportunities. Lunch is included today as are visits to the wooden village of Mecavnik and the narrow gauge railway collection at Požega.

Day 8   The Bar Railway

After a transfer to Užice, we continue along the scenic line to Bar on the Montenegro coast. Montenegro is the newest of the independent countries of former Yugoslavia. Until 1959 there were no standard gauge railways here and the line we use today wasn’t completed until 1976. An interesting curiosity here is that, although Montenegro is not in the EU, the euro is the unit of currency. On arrival, we have a coach transfer to our hotel and, once again, evening meal is included.

Day 9   The beautiful Dalmation Coast

Travelling onwards to Dubrovnik our journey today by private coach is a pleasing way to experience the changing scenery and dramatic coastlines of Croatia. The five star Hotel Argentina, our base for the next two nights, has wonderful views of the city and coastline and is a short walk from the city walls.

Day 10   Free day in Dubrovnik

Justifiably so, Dubrovnik is proud of its World Heritage status and this wonderful city has so much to offer you during your time at leisure here. The medieval walled city is an enchanting place to meander and relax or you may wish to spend leisurely time along the coast.

Day 11   Onwards to Bosnia

After a free morning we continue northwards by road to the port of Ploče where we connect with the late afternoon train across the border to the historical city of Mostar in Bosnia for an overnight stay. We have a short bus transfer to our hotel.

Day 12   Mostar’s famous old bridge

A leisurely visit to the old town today where you can see how the areas around the bazaar and bridge have been sympathetically rebuilt. Later on during the day we continue by train through typical Alpine scenery to Sarajevo. Evening meal included.

Day 13   At leisure in Sarajevo

The Ottoman influence is prevalent throughout Bosnia and particularly so in Sarajevo where the main shopping street is a bazaar and minarets dominate the skyline. Moving on from the ill-fated past, the accent now is optimistic, upbeat and hospitable. Evening meal included.

Day 14   Return to Zagreb

Departing Bosnia we return to Croatia and an overnight stay in Zagreb. As we make our way, the scenery changes from mountains to pleasant wooded valleys.

Day 15   Back to Ljubljana

After a free morning, we take the afternoon train to Ljubljana.

Day 16   Heading for home

Time to relax before your afternoon flight to Stansted.