Balkan Winter 2020-21

YES! You’re in Budapest, baby! Ready for a wintry Balkan adventure? Good news – you’ve come to the right place. Meet your Topdeck trip mates at dinner tonight and gear up for an awesome couple of weeks. Excitement levels: 1000/10.

Next stop, Timisoara. Quick fact: some call it 'Little Vienna'. Today we'll get the lay of the land on a walking tour before hitting up the Old Town neighbourhood. Don't miss the Romanian Orthodox Cathedral - especially after dark.

We’re off to Bucharest. To get your bearings, we’ve got a driving and walking tour on the cards today. Later tonight, enjoy a group dinner and share travel stories. Get stoked, you’ve got a free day in buzzing Bucharest tomorrow.

Day four is a free day. Our suggestions? The Palace of Parliament (it’s pretty big – you can’t miss it), the Cismigiu Gardens (if the lake is frozen over, get your skates on) and the Bucharest Arc de Triomphe. So. Much. To. See!

The charming and historical Sofia is up next on our Balkan bucket list. But to break up the day, we’re stopping at Veliko Târnovo for some pics. It’s one of Bulgaria’s oldest towns and houses the impressive Tsarevets Fortress. Once in Sofia, become best friends with the city on a walking tour and work up an appetite for dinner this evening.

Free day to explore this gem of a capital city. Hot tip: get on down to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and make sure you go inside too. You can thank us later. But for the main event, let’s go skiing (optional). We’ll make our way to Borovets ski resort where you can hit the slopes, whatever your ability. Ready to shred?

Survived the après-ski and want a second day skiing? We’ve got you covered (optional). For non-skiers, take a scenic open-air lift ride and hike to the Seven Rila Lakes in Rila Mountain (optional). It’ll be a view to remember. There’s also the chance to visit the beautiful Rila Monastery (optional). Talk about spoilt for choice!

Serbia here we come! Curl up on the coach as we cruise into Belgrade. Once we arrive, we’ll show you how to explore this city like a pro. Later, why not hit the town? YOLO is the motto after all.

Why not take a trip along the banks of the mighty Danube and into Belgrade's Old Town district to investigate the local hot spots? Belgrade Fortress, the bohemian hub Skadarlija and Republic Square are also waiting to be explored.

This morning we’ll pay a sobering visit to the Srebrenica Memorial (which honours the victims of the 1995 genocide) before we move on to Sarajevo. Here, we’ll follow our local guide and learn all about the city’s war-torn past. Tonight, discuss everything you’ve learned over dinner. This one’s on us.

Take it easy today – you’ve got a free day to spend soaking up the sights and sounds of Sarajevo. Looking for some local eats? Why not try cevapi, Bosnia’s take on the kebab?

Get excited – on day twelve, we’ll make our way to one of the most beautiful parts of Eastern Europe. Yep, we’re looking at you, Plitvice Lakes National Park! In the right conditions, the park’s waterfalls freeze over and the trees get covered in a blanket of snow, turning it into a real-life winter wonderland.

Tear your heart away from the beautiful Plitvice Lakes as we make tracks to Budapest. See the sites on an included driving tour before tucking in to one last dinner with your travel pals.

So long Budapest, it’s been real. Until next time!