Welcome to Serbia – and specifically to Valjevo, part of the Kolubara District in western Serbia. This scenic city is famous for its twin centres, divided by the river Kolubara, and for its cultural treasure: the National Museum of Valjevo. Spend your first day pottering around Valjevo, which lies on the banks of four rivers, including Gradac, the cleanest river in Europe.
On day two, you’ll be whisked away on an off-road tour through the Toblerone-shaped Valjevo Mountains and the cinematic Trešnjica River Gorge, part of a designated nature reserve. Pause and enjoy lunch with the locals in one of the village households, before visiting a monastery: Ćelije Monastery founded in the 13th century, perhaps. Enjoy overnight accommodation by the banks of the River Drina, which forms a large portion of the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.
The next day, embark on an off-road trip via Mount Tara to Zlatibor Mountain, enjoying a rural lunch in Drvengrad ethno village, on Mokra Gora. After a delicious dinner and an overnight stay on Zlatibor Mountain, you’ll hop back in your vehicle to explore the old village of Štitkovo and Uvac Lake, with dinner and accommodation in the Uvac area.
On day five, travel across the country to Mount Durmitor via Jadovnik Mountain and follow the Lim River Canyon to enter Montenegro, breaking for a picnic lunch amid impressive scenery (don’t forget your camera). Enjoy dinner and an overnight farm stay near Bijelo Polje, before waking up early to discover the highest villages in the Balkans: Bosaca and Mala Crna Gora (2,000m high).
Exploring is hungry work, so you’ll have lunch in the pretty village of Trsa, 1,450m above sea level; if there’s time, add on a visit to the awe-inspiring Modro, Poscensko and Valovito glacial lakes. Dinner and a cosy stay in Zabljak will have you refreshed and raring to go the next day: try hiking or horse-riding near Zabljak and Sinjajevina Mountain. Travel to Kolasin, a laid-back town in northern Montenegro, and relax with a delicious dinner and an overnight stay.
Perched 960m above sea level, Kolasin is Montenegro’s main mountain resort. Day eight will take you on an off-road expedition to Podgorica, Montenegro’s cultured capital city; stroll around, admiring the handsome architecture and clean rivers or find out why Donkey Farm in Martiniće, near Podgorica, is a favorite picnic spot, before enjoying a local dinner (sample meat from the Balkan grill, pickled cabbage and stuffed peppers) and a good night’s kip. Spend your last day hiking in Lovćen National Park, before heading to the Adriatic Coast for dinner and your last night’s stay.
Perched at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, soulful Serbia will wow you. From its meadow-wrapped mountains and crystalline lakes to its charming cities, fascinating culture and tempting cuisine, Serbia has surprises galore...
Meet the little country with a very big heart. This characterful charmer in Southeast Europe rewards visitors with dramatic mountains, Adriatic coastline beaches, rugged national parks, delicious food and wine – and much, much more...
