UNESCO Heritage Serbia with Kosovo and Metohija 1

Explore the most amazing Medieval Monasteries of Serbia : Zica Monastery, Studenica Monastery, Gradac Monastery, Djurdjevi Stupovi Monastery, Sopocani Monastery, Banjska Monastery, Velika Hoca, Zociste Monastery, Visoki Decani, Peć Patriarchate, The Holy Virgin of Ljevish Church Prizren, Monastery of Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel, Prolom Banja Spa, Devils Town, Moravski Konaci traditional settlement Velika Plana…

Day 1  Belgrade
Arrival to Belgrade, transfer to hotel and accommodation. City tour and time at leisure. Dinner with music in Skadarlija, famous Belgrade bohemian quarter. Overnight.

Day 2  Belgrade – Zica Monastery – Studenica Monastery
Drive Belgrade – Gornji Milanovac /Klatičevo village rural hoseuhold traditional lunch. Drive via Čačak to Kraljevo and Zica Monastery tour. Drive on to Studenica Monastery, the most significant endowment of Stefan Nemanya founded in the 12th century, UNESCO Heritage site. Sightseeing. Accommodation in Studenica Monastery Dormitory /accommodation quality of 3 stars hotel/. Dinner, overnight.

Day 3  Gradac Monastery – Djurdjevi Stupovi Monastery – Sopocani Monastery – Novi Pazar
After breakfast drive to Gradac Monastery, the Queen Helen of Anjou endowment. Traditional lunch in Rudno village. Drive on via Raška to Djurdjevi Stupovi Monastery and Sopocani Monastery. Sightseeing of the masterpieces of UNESCO listed Medieval frescoes. Accommodation and dinner in Novi Pazar hotel. Overnight.

Day 4  Banjska Monastery – Velika Hoca village
After breakfast drive via Raska to Banjska Monastery the endowment and the burial place of King Milutin /King Stefan Uros 2nd/, one of the most powerful rulers in Nemanjic Dynasty and the greatest builder of churches amongst all the Serb medieval rulers. Sightseeing of the monastery and drive on to Velika Hoča village, isolated Serbian ghetto in central Kosovo and Metohija. Traditional welcome by local population and accommodation in private households. Traditional lunch. Visit to Monasteries of St. Nichola’s, St. John’s, St. Archdeacon Stephen, St. Ann’s, famous Decanska vinica – Dečani Winery, the House of Hadzispasic Family…. Delicious Metohija Wines tasting in authentic wine cellar /possibility of buying delicious wines from local producers/. Afternoon Velika Hoča folklore performance, handwork and old-crafts exhibition /possibility of buying unique handwork from local artisans/. Traditional dinner, overnight.

Day 5  Zociste Monastery – Visoki Decani Monastery – Pec Patriarchate complex
After breakfast drive to nearby Monastery of St Healers Cosmas and Damien in Zočište village and tour to the 13th century Monastery reconstructed after the Albanian violent attacks and demolition in March 2004. Drive along the western part of Kosovo and Metohija to Visoki Decani Monastery, the most significant and majestic endowment of St. King Stefan of Dečani, built in 14th century. The Holy Liturgy, tour of the Monastery Complex with visit to the Icon workshop. Refreshment. Drive on to the Pec Patriarchate Complex located at the very entrance of the Rugova Gorge near Pec along the Pec Bistrica River. Visitation of the Pec Complex of four medieval Monasteries. Accommodation and dinner in Pec Patriarchate Monastery Dormitory /special regime of behaviour/ or the Pec hotel.

Day 6  Prizren – Holy Virgin of Ljevish Cathedral – Holy Archangels Monastery – Sar Mountain
After breakfast and conversation with nuns drive to Prizren. Walk along the centre of former Tzar’s Town and visit to the The Church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevish in Prizren /the Most Holy Theotokos/ one of the most important monuments of Byzantine art and architecture in Serbia, UNESCO Heritage site, whose artistic value surpasses national borders, built in the 13th century, housing monumental medieval fresco decoration heavily damaged in 2004 March attacks by Albanian extremists. Visit to the Church of St. Savior, thoroughly rebuilt after demolition. Drive on along the Prizren Bistrica River valley to the Monastery of Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel. Visitation of the ruins of former vibrant Medieval Complex built by Serbian Tzar Dušan, one of the most monumental architectural complex of holy shrines well-kept as the stronghold surrounded by walls around the whole complex that is connected with Višegrad fortification on top of the safeguarding point. Monastic refreshment. Drive on to Strpce and Brezovica villages at the foothill of fascinating Shar Mountain. Cordial welcome by local population. Accommodation in mountainous cottages and traditional households situated within the intact nature of Shar Mountain and National Park and Brezovica Ski Center. Walks “along the Tzar Dušan’s meadows” featuring breathtaking natural beauties. Traditional dinner with folklore performance, overnight.

Day 7  Gracanica Monastery – Prolom Banja Spa
After breakfast drive to Gračanica Monastery, UNESCO heritage and the famous endowment of King Milutin built in the 13th century. Sightseeing tour and short refreshment organized by local inhabitants. Afternoon drive via Podujevo and Merdare to Prolom Banja Spa. Hotel accommodation, dinner, overnight.

Day 8  Djavolja Varos Devils Town – Jagodina Museum – Velika Plana
After breakfast tour to the Devils Town, the natural phenomenon of numerous stone pyramids located in the pure natural ambiance. Visit to the Lazar’s Church. Traditional lunch on the river banks. Afternoon departure for Jagodina with brake and visit to Naïve Museum. Drive to Velika Plana and accommodation in the Moravski Konaci traditional settlement. Traditional dinner, overnight.

Day 9  Koporin Monastery – Belgrade
After breakfast visit to Koporin Monastery. Performance “Karadjordje koje kude” in Orašac village, the place of Serbian uprising led by famous Serbian leader Karadjordje. Afternoon arrival to Belgrade and hotel accommodation. Farewell dinner with music program. Overnight.

Day 10  Belgrade departure
After breakfast, time at leisure before transfer to Belgrade Airport. Departure flight and end of program.

Prices per person – double/twin occupancy :

630,00 EUR /coach transportation, minimum 40 participants/; 690,00 EUR /mini-coach transportation, minimum 20 participants/; 930,00 EUR /van transportation, minimum 6 participants/

Included : luxurious air conditioned transportation van/minibus, 6 overnights in 3* hotels, 1 overnights in rural households /facilities/, 2 overnights in Monastery dormitories /facilities/ double occupancy, meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and brunches – local specialties, entrances to all sights included in the program, Panacomp logistics, security guard and professional guidance

Application 60 days before departure /latest, due to application time for the special Blessing of the Serbian Orthodox Church/.

NOTE : Visit to Serbian Orthodox monasteries and churches are on the program free of charge, but people traditionally donate sum of the choice /please inquire for further information – thank you !