38 days in Eastern Europe Itinerary

The capital and largest city of Serbia, cosmopolitan Belgrade sits on the confluence of the Sava and the Danube rivers.

Discover out-of-the-way places like Strand and Dorcol. Escape the urban bustle at Special Nature Reserve Obedska Bara and Ada Ciganlija. Venture out of the city with trips to Podrum Probus (in Sremski Karlovci) and Hram Sveta tri jerarha (in Novi Sad). There's lots more to do: contemplate the long history of Kalemegdan, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Crkva Svetog Marka, admire the striking features of Cathedral Church, and relax and rejuvenate at some of the top local wellness centers.

For photos, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, read Belgrade day trip planning site.

Copenhagen, Denmark to Belgrade is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Copenhagen in June, with highs in Belgrade at 31°C and lows at 18°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Sat) early enough to drive to Zlatibor.

Start off your visit on the 2nd (Sun): find something for the whole family at Dino Park, then identify plant and animal life at Uvac Special Nature Reserve, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Transfiguration Church. Here are some ideas for day two: explore the fascinating underground world of Stopica Cave and then Head underground at Potpecka Pecina.

For ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and other tourist information, read Zlatibor day trip planner.

Traveling by car from Belgrade to Zlatibor takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or do a combination of train and bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Tue) so you can drive to Tara National Park.

Step off the beaten path and head to National Park Tara and Mecavnik.

For more things to do, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, read Tara National Park trip itinerary maker site.

You can drive from Zlatibor to Tara National Park in an hour. On the 7th (Fri), you'll travel to Sarajevo.

Nearly destroyed by war during the 1990s, the riverside city of Sarajevo now serves as one of the region's major educational, cultural, and commercial hubs.

Step out of the city life by going to River Rafting & Tubing and Vukov Konak. Discover out-of-the-way places like Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and ARK D-0: Tito's Nuclear Bunker. There's still lots to do: don't miss a visit to Sarajevo Memorial for Children Killed during Siege, contemplate the long history of Old Sarajevo Clock Tower, relax and rejuvenate at some of the best spas, and admire the sheer force of Skakavac.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, photos, and more tourist information, read Sarajevo travel route planner.

Traveling by car from Tara National Park to Sarajevo takes 3 hours. In July, daytime highs in Sarajevo are 32°C, while nighttime lows are 16°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Mostar.

Famed for its 16th-century bridge, Mostar boasts a rich cultural and architectural heritage.

Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Apparition Hill and Old Bazar Kujundziluk. Step out of the city life by going to Nature Park Hutovo Blato and Beach under The Old bridge. Venture out of the city with trips to Kravica (in Studenci) and Medjugorje (Missionarie della Famiglia Ferita Maria & Statue Of the Queen of Peace). There's still lots to do: snap pictures at Old Bridge (Stari Most), learn about winemaking at Andrija Wine Cellars, make a trip to Mehmed Karadoz Moschee, and take some stellar pictures from Hum.

To see photos, ratings, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read our Mostar vacation site.

You can drive from Sarajevo to Mostar in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train; or take a bus. Traveling from Sarajevo in July, things will get somewhat warmer in Mostar: highs are around 39°C and lows about 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 14th (Fri) so you can go by car to Kotor.

Perched on the edge of a fjord-like bay rimmed by rugged mountains, Kotor grew around a medieval settlement purposely built like a maze.

Kick off your visit on the 15th (Sat): contemplate the waterfront views at Bay of Kotor, then see what you can catch with a fishing tour, and then get in touch with nature with Montenegro Travel Club. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take a memorable drive along Kotor-Lovćen Road & Viewpoint, then kick back and relax at Dobreč Beach, and then kick back and relax at Plavi Horizonti Beach.

Plan my trip to Kotor with suggested itineraries provided by Inspirock.

Traveling by car from Mostar to Kotor takes 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In July, plan for daily highs up to 38°C, and evening lows to 20°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Shkoder.

Its geographic location has made Shkoder, one of Europe's oldest cities, an important cultural and economic center of the Balkans over the years.

Get in touch with nature at Rana e Hedhun and Valbona Pass. You'll discover tucked-away gems like Shengjin Beach and Komani Lake. There's much more to do: explore the historical opulence of Rozafa Castle, stop by Margjelo- Filigran Albania, pause for some serene contemplation at Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity, and admire the landmark architecture of Former Palace of King Nikola I.

For where to stay, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, go to the Shkoder day trip planning site.

You can drive from Kotor to Shkoder in 2.5 hours. Another option is to take a bus. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Shkoder when traveling from Kotor in July, with lows around 25°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 21st (Fri) so you can drive to Tirana.

Tirana, the largest city in Albania, represents one a lively and fast-paced metropolis.

Step off the beaten path and head to 1001 Albanian Adventures and Patok Lagoon. Step out of the city life by going to The Beach Bar and The Cave of Pellumbas. Change things up with these side-trips from Tirana: Statue of George W. Bush (in Fushe Kruje), Bulevardi Republika (in Berat) and Durres Amphitheatre (in Durres). There's lots more to do: get engrossed in the history at Bunk'Art 1, see the interesting displays at House of Leaves, make a trip to Skanderbeg Square, and explore the historical opulence of Preza Castle.

To see other places to visit, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Tirana day trip planning website.

Getting from Shkoder to Tirana by car takes about 2 hours. Other options: drive; or take a train; or do a combination of train and shuttle. Traveling from Shkoder in July, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be slightly colder in Tirana, with lows of 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 24th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Mavrovo.

Escape the urban bustle at Mavrovo National Park and Duf Waterfall. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Resort Mavrovo and Old Mavrovo Church. Change things up with a short trip to Monastery St. Jovan Bigorski in Gostivar (about 40 minutes away).

For other places to visit, ratings, photos, and other tourist information, go to the Mavrovo trip itinerary site.

Getting from Tirana to Mavrovo by car takes about 4 hours. Traveling from Tirana in July, things will get little chillier in Mavrovo: highs are around 34°C and lows about 17°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 27th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Pristina.

Long regarded as a gray and traffic-congested provincial town with little tourist appeal, Pristina today possesses a youthful vibrance and a newfound sense of sophistication, as the result of the city's large community of foreign functionaries.

On the 28th (Fri), get interesting insight from BEAR SANCTUARY Prishtina, then walk around Germia Park, then don't miss a visit to Heroinat Memorial, and finally pause for some photo ops at Newborn Monument. On the 29th (Sat), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: get advice or help at Pristina National Library, soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers, and then take an in-depth tour of Ethnographic Museum (Muzeu Etnologjik).

To find reviews, where to stay, traveler tips, and more tourist information, read our Pristina trip itinerary maker site.

Traveling by car from Mavrovo to Pristina takes 2.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sat) so you can go by car to Pec.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Patriarchate of Pec and Rugova Canyon. Visiting Rugova Mountains and Mirusha Waterfalls will get you outdoors. Step out of Pec with an excursion to Visoki Decani Monastery in Decan--about 36 minutes away.

To see maps, photos, reviews, and other tourist information, go to the Pec itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Pristina to Pec takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 1st (Tue) early enough to drive to Skopje.

A melting pot of cultures from Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Yugoslavian rule, Skopje serves as the nation's eclectic capital.

Get in touch with nature at Explore Macedonia Daily Tours and Lake Matka. You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Church of St. Panteleimon and Holy Savior Church. And it doesn't end there: take a stroll through Old Bazaar, Skopje, don't miss a visit to Phillip II of Macedon, and explore the stunning scenery at Matka Canyon.

To find ratings, other places to visit, photos, and other tourist information, read our Skopje trip itinerary builder tool.

Getting from Pec to Skopje by car takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: take a train; or do a combination of car and bus. In August in Skopje, expect temperatures between 38°C during the day and 18°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Fri) so you can fly back home.