10 Day Wine Tour Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia – Discover the forgotten wine country of Serbia

Program

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL SOFIA – BULGARIA (20 km) (D)

Today you arrive at the largest city in Bulgaria, Sofia. After arrival you will be transferred to your hotel and you will complete the check-in formalities. The Bulgarian capital is a city with a very long history, a city full of Orthodox churches, Ottoman mosques, Roman ruins and old communist monuments, museums, art galleries, cafes and restaurants. In the afternoon you will participate in an easy group walking tour of the central part of the city with the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the ancient ruins of Serdica (the old name of the city), the St. Nedela Church. At the end of the afternoon you are expected in one of the most beautiful rooftop bars in the city with a view of the centre. After this you are expected for dinner in a wine restaurant.

Overnight.

DAY 2 – SOFIA – PAZARDZHIK – STAROSEL – PLOVDIV (230 KM) (B, L, D)

Today, after breakfast, you will leave Sofia. This day you will participate in a total of 3 wine tastings at very different wineries whereof a wine workshop in Plovdiv which owns a winery just outside this city. Each of the three wineries has its unique character which you will discover after visit. The first stop of the day is at a beautiful winery near Pazardzhik, producers of the famous Enira brand. After this wine tasting you will leave for the second winery of today. This winery pays tribute to the original masters of the wine. In fact, the tasting room imitates a Thracian tomb. After tasting the unique wines of this winery, you will depart for Plovdiv. Here you visit the wine workshop of a beautiful winery located just outside the city. After walking around the centre, you are expected for dinner in one of the great restaurants in the charming old town of Plovdiv.

Overnight.

DAY 3 – PLOVDIV – BRESTOVITSA – PANAGYURISHTE – SOFIA (178 KM) (B, L)

In the morning, you will depart to the village of Brestovitsa where you will visit a local winery and participate in a wine tasting. This winery is located in the fertile Thracian lowlands, a country known for making the divine drink with centuries of history. It is a classic example of a French cellar, built on the idea and project of French engineers. The wine cellar processes hand-harvested grapes, which then ferment according to the classic standards for quality wines. Strict hygiene and control are maintained at every stage of production to maintain the distinctive flavour of the ripe grapes typical of this region. You will also taste a particularly good mavru wine. After this, continue to Panagyurishte to today’s second winery that attaches great importance to preserving the ancient Orthodox traditions of winemaking. This is a great opportunity to taste some selected wines from this lowland. Later in the afternoon, travel back to Sofia.

Overnight.

DAY 4 – SOFIA – POTRKANJE – NIS (270 KM) (B, L)

In the morning, after breakfast, you will leave Sofia and depart for the second largest city in Serbia, Nis. Serbia is a unique and forgotten wine country with ancient wine traditions and located outside the paths of mass tourism such as neighbouring Croatia. The first stop is the city of Potrkanje. Just outside this city is one of the best wineries in Serbia. Here you will participate in a wine tasting and taste some wines. The traditions here have been passed down from generation to generation of famous winegrowers and cellar men, so that knowledge is preserved. Carefully selected grape varieties are grown on a total area of ​​15 hectares: Vranac, Cabernet Sauvignon, Muscat Hamburg, Chardonnay, Rain Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. After visiting this winery, you will travel to Nis. First you take a panoramic walk and see some interesting sights of this little-visited city. Then you will visit a beautiful wine cellar that represents a unique ancient synthesis of the wine routes that have crossed here. You will be told the story of this extraordinary blend of tradition and culture of Roman emperors, Serb rulers and ancient wine masters. The vineyard extends over approximately 2 hectares of land and is located between the Malčanska River and the Niš-Svrljig road. A visit to this winery gives the visitor a true wine journey through time by visiting four wineries: The Roman house, the Nemanjic house, the Serbian house and the contemporary winery (modern house). Dinner.

Overnight in Nis.

DAY 5 – NIS – OPLENAC – BELGRADE (244 KM) (B, L)

After breakfast, take a morning drive to the central part of Serbia to visit the Shumadija region. Here you will explore the city of Topola, once home to the royal family of Serbia and Yugoslavia. First you visit a winery with a magical view over the generous vineyards. Then you take part in a wine tasting here. Afterwards, explore the Royal Mausoleum and Saint George Church, with beautiful mosaics. Then, visit a second winery not far from the first winery you visited today, and taste fine wines from the Oplenac region. Then you will be served a traditional lunch. In the afternoon you will travel to the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, for a panoramic walk. Free evening.

Overnight in Belgrade.

DAY 6 – BELGRADE – SREMSKI KARLOVCI – NOVI SAD (109 KM) (B, L)

After breakfast, leave Belgrade and travel to a winery near the town of Sremski Karlovci. Here you will be offered a wine tasting in an authentic wine cellar and a traditional brunch. After this you will visit the local honey museum where you will get a short lecture about quality of life when using honey products. Free time for shopping and individual sightseeing program. In the afternoon, depart for Novi Sad, the capital of the Serbian province of Vojvodina. Here you can stroll along the Dunavska (Danube) and Zmaj Jovina Street, the main walking areas of the city and you can see the Town Hall, the Freedom Square, the Mary Church, the Katolicka porta, the house of Mileva Einstein – the woman from Albert Einstein, and finish at the Petrovaradin Fortress, built by the Austrians in the 17th and 18th centuries to defend themselves against the invasion of the Ottoman Empire. Novi Sad is also called the “Gibraltar of the Danube” because of its location on this unique and majestic river. Today the fort is known for one of the most prestigious European music festival “Exit”.

Overnight in Novi Sad.

DAY 7 – NOVI SAD – SLAVONSKI BROD – BRODSKI STUPNIK (209 KM) (B, L, D)

In the morning, after breakfast, you will cross the border to Croatia. You make a first stop in Slavonski Brod. Here you can see the fortress of Brod, a beautiful cultural heritage. The fortress was built in the 18th century by the Archduchy of Austria to create a defence against the Ottoman Empire. After a short city tour, travel on to nearby Brodski Stupnik and become a guest at a beautiful wine hotel, located in a picturesque wine-growing village in the heart of Slavonia’s lowlands. The winery offers traditional delicacies and has its own winery. Surrounded by the beautiful vineyards of the Dilj hills, you will enjoy traditional dishes and typical wines from the surrounding region. Lunch, dinner and accommodation.

Overnight.

DAY 8 – BRODSKI STUPNIK – MOSLAVINA – ZAGREB (200 KM) (B, L)

After breakfast you will travel to the Moslavina region, full of picturesque towns, family farms and amazingly beautiful wildlife. The local vineyards are all about the native white variety Škrlet, a light and fresh dry wine with floral aromas. There are also the usual continental varieties typical of Central Croatia: Graševina, Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, Furmint, Muscat, Pinot noir, Blaufraenkisch. Today’s excursion is for the truly curious wine lover looking for new experiences off the beaten track, but also for those who love rural tranquillity. Specialties you can taste on this excursion include: Moslavina version of orange wines, especially Škrlet, homemade brandy (cherry, honey, peach, strawberry, cornelian), combined with cheese and meat. Then you travel to Zagreb, free evening.

Overnight.

DAY 9 – ZAGREB (B, L)

After breakfast, take a relaxing walk in the morning from the modern Donji Grad, or Lower Town. The current street pattern dates from the 19th century. This area is home to many urban and historical monuments of the city. After this you will continue to Gornji Grad or the upper town. In this older part of the city there are two medieval settlements, Gradec and Kaptol. One of the highlights of the upper town is the high double spiers of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, an old church dedicated to the Ascension. Free afternoon to explore the rest of the city on your own. Tonight, is a farewell dinner in a wine restaurant in this beautiful city.

Overnight in Zagreb.

DAY 10 – ZAGREB – ZAGREB AIRPORT (16 KM) (B)

After breakfast, and depending on your flight times, you will get a transfer to the airport for your flight back home… or an extension of your trip to one of the other beautiful wine countries near Croatia like Montenegro or Slovenia. Ask us about the possibilities for a non-binding customized quote.