Full refundRisk-free of deposit reservations! until July 23, 2021

Dear National Trust Traveler, EXPERT GUEST LECTURER We invite you on a journey to a part of Europe that few travelers have visited, yet it is an area with a long and eventful history, magnificent cultural monuments and old towns, many of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a vibrant and flourishing contemporary culture and lifestyle, and stunning scenery. Parts of the former Yugoslavia, now independent countries, Serbia, - Herzegovina and Montenegro are a fascinating microcosm of Western and Eastern, European and Ottoman Turkish, Christian and Islamic influences. Their architecture, art, customs and cuisine reflect this rich diversity. Located in the western part of the Balkan peninsula, a strategic position that was throughout history a crossroads between Europe and the East, this territory became the home of Slavic tribes, starting in the 6th century AD. But before and after the arrival of the Slavs, the area was coveted and occupied by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottoman Turks, Venetians, Austrian, German and Hungarian magnates.

We are privileged to have as our guest lecturer one of the world’s foremost Byzantine scholars, Dr. Helen C. Evans, the Mary and Michael Jaharis Curator for Byzantine Art Emerita at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and adjunct professor at Columbia University. Her knowledge of the region, coupled with her warm and engaging personality, will add immeasurably to the breadth and depth of your learning experience.

Our journey of discovery begins in Belgrade, the bustling and urbane capital of Serbia, known for its vibrant cultural scene, situated at the confluence of the Danube and Sava Rivers. During our Dr. Helen C. Evans, as the Mary and Michael stay we will visit its most important historic landmarks, including the formidable Kalemegdan Jaharis Curator for Byzantine Art Emerita at Fortress, one of the largest fortifications in Europe, and venture to nearby Novi Sad, a city with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, has traveled a rich heritage, designated the 2021 European Capital of Culture. extensively in major cities of the Byzantine Empire, including those of Serbia and Croatia. From Belgrade, we will travel to the Serbian countryside to visit medieval monasteries whose sublime Byzantine frescoes are among the artistic treasures of the country. Included are the great At The Met, she curated the award–winning monasteries of Studenica and Sopocani, both listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. We will exhibitions The Glory of Byzantium (843-1261) then enter the beautiful land of Bosnia-Herzegovina, where we will explore its two most alluring in 1997, Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261- and magnificent cities, and Mostar. In Mostar, its iconic landmark, the exquisite 1557) in 2004, Byzantium and Islam: Age of single-arch stone Stari Most (Old Bridge), originally built in the mid-16th century, welcome Transition in 2012, and most recently Armenia! visitors. Traveling through the lovely wine-producing countryside of Herzegovina, we will arrive in in 2018. The New York Times, the Wall Street Montenegro. The focus of our exploration will be the old towns around the incredible Bay of Kotor, Journal, the Washington Post, Apollo Magazine where high mountains come down to the sea to form the only fjord-like waterway in southern and others have praised the exhibitions as Europe. among the most important cultural events of their years. The catalogue of her exhibition The countries in our itinerary suffered damage during the Yugoslav conflict of the 1990s but, as Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261-1557) won they are accustomed to adversity in their long histories, they have revived and re-established the award for the best book on Byzantine art of themselves. Join National Trust Tours and discover their many treasures. its year. Byzantium and Islam: Age of Transition won the World Book Award for the best new Best regards, book in Islamic Studies from The Ministry of Culture and Religious Guidance, Tehran, The Islamic Republic of Iran. Dr. Dr. Evans has taught courses on Byzantine and Armenian art at New York University and Columbia University, where she is adjunct professor. She has lectured widely in Europe and America. She Meg Annacone-Poretz, MTA received her B.A. with Honors from Newcomb Director, National Trust Tours College of Tulane University and her M.A. and Ph.D. from The Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. She has been president of The P.S. National Trust Tours is pleased to be working with Thalassa Journeys, the successor to Travel International Center for Medieval Art (ICMA) Dynamics International, the company with which National Trust for Historic Preservation offered and the Association of Art Museum Curators distinctive educational journeys for over four decades. So that you may reserve with peace of (AAMC) and AAMC Foundation. She is a Fellow mind, we will refund your deposit in full for cancellations received by July 23, 2021. Relaxed cancellation fees also apply. of the Medieval Academy of America.

Other 2022 tours from Thalassa Journeys in which you may be interested:

An Epic Voyage: Semi-Circumnavigation of Antarctica, aboard the new luxury expedition ship, Minerva, February 6 – March 13, 2022 The Island World of New Zealand, aboard the new luxury expedition ship, Minerva, March 10-– 25, 2022 Passage from Scotland to Iceland, aboard the new luxury expedition ship, Vega, May 4 – 16, 2022 Undiscovered Greek Islands, aboard the 48-guest yacht, Elysium, September 23 – October 3, 2022 From Prehistory to the Roman Period: Perspectives on Greek Civilization, aboard the 48-guest yacht, Elysium, October 21 –- November 2, 2022

Please call National Trust Tours at 888.484.8785 to reserve your space.

Cover: Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina JOURNEY CROATIA HIGHLIGHTS Novi Sad Sremski Karlovci Travel with and learn from Dr. Helen C. Evans, a renowned scholar of Belgrade Byzantine culture. BOSNIA and Discover masterpieces of Byzantine SERBIA and other art at the UNESCO World HERZEGOVINA Heritage sites of Studenica & Sopocani Monasteries. Sarajevo Visegrad Kraljevo Visit other UNESCO World Heritage Mostar Sites including the Bridge at Visegrad Blagaj Stolac and the old towns of Mostar and Kotor. MONTENEGRO Trebinje Enjoy Dubrovnik Perast the breathtaking natural beauty Motor route of all the countries on this itinerary. Air route Tivat Kotor Budva

ITINERARY Romans and then the Byzantines. The present work on wireless communications, alternating structure dates from the 17th century, and has electricity supply, X-rays and many other fields; been called the “Gibraltar on the Danube.” Also and the royal compound in Dedinje, with its Wednesday, September 22, 2021 visit the Matica Gallery, the oldest Serbian cultural Royal and White Palaces that feature beautifully DEPART THE USA institution, which houses art treasures. On the decorated rooms and halls. Once the Depart the United States for Belgrade, Serbia. return to Belgrade, stop at Sremski Karlovci, one of residences of King Peter II, after WWII the the prettiest small towns of Serbia, whose squares palaces were taken over by the communist Thursday, September 23 and streets are lined with impressive old buildings. regime of Yugoslavia and used as official BELGRADE, Serbia Meals: B, L residences. In the afternoon, visit the Museum Arrive in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and the of Yugoslav History, whose collections chronicle former Yugoslavia. The city commands a superb Saturday, September 25 the eventful history of Yugoslavia. Enjoy free time strategic position at the confluence of the Sava BELGRADE to discover the city’s vibrant café life. and Danube Rivers, and has been inhabited Tour in the morning the imposing Kalemegdan Meals: B, L since the Neolithic Period. Greeks, Illyrians, Fortress, built on a hilltop, that affords fine views Celts, Romans, Byzantines, Ottoman-Turks and of the Danube River. Continue to the Old Town to Sunday, September 26 many others dominated the city through its long visit the Palace of Princess Ljubica, perhaps the BELGRADE/MANASIJA/KRALJEVO history. Today, Belgrade is a vibrant city of broad city’s finest building dating from the Ottoman Leave Belgrade in the morning for the tree-shaded boulevards and fashionable period; the Nikola Tesla Museum, dedicated to monastery of Manasija. Built in 1406-18 in a boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Nikola Tesla, one of the most prominent scientists forested valley, Manasija became soon after its Accommodations for the next three nights will of the of the modern era, known for his pioneering construction an important cultural and literary be at the historic Hotel Moskva. Enjoy a welcome dinner in the evening. Meals: D

Friday, September 24 BELGRADE/NOVI SAD/ SREMSKI KARLOVCI/BELGRADE Drive to the city of Novi Sad, passing through beautiful country of gentle-rolling hills planted with vineyards. Designated the 2021 European Capital of Culture, it is the first non-European Union city to receive this coveted prize. Novi Sad was built on a bend of the Danube and played an important role in Serbian history. Starting in the 18th century, it became a major cultural and learning center, earning the nickname as the “Serbian Athens.” Tour the picturesque old section and the huge Petrovaradin Citadel, which towers over the Danube. The hill on which the citadel stands was originally fortified by the Sveti Stephan, Montenegro Bay of Kotor, Montenegro center. Massive defensive walls and imposing later meticulously restored. Return to our hotel in attractive and welcoming as ever. Explore the towers surround the monastery, which is Kraljevo in the late afternoon. Old Town in the morning, with its covered dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The interior of the Meals: B, L, D markets and maze of stone streets, alleyways church is decorated with expressive frescoes. and squares, lined with workshops of Nearby is the Resavska Cave, a large cave that Tuesday. September 28 coppersmiths and other artisans, cafes and was carved into the limestone by subterranean KRALJEVO/VISEGRAD/ restaurants. Visit the Svrzo House, an rivers some 80 million years ago. Considered the SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina outstanding example of 16th-century Turkish country’s most important cave, it is renowned for Leave Kraljevo in the morning to enter Bosnia- architecture; the Gazi-Husrevbey Mosque, built in its fantastic display of multi-color stalactites, Herzegovina. In the pretty village of Visegrad we 1531 for the governor of Bosnia Gazi Husref; the talagmites and tone waterfalls. Continue to the see the magnificent bridge that spans the Drina City Hall, the city’s finest building of the attractive town of Kraljevo, where we will stay for River, built in 1571, now a UNESCO World Austro-Hungarian era (1898); and the spot near the next two nights. Heritage Site. The bridge was celebrated in the the , where in 1914, Archduke Franz Hotel Crystal. novel, Bridge on the Drina, by Ivo Andric, who won Ferdinand was assassinated, an event that Meals: B, L, D the Nobel Prize for literature in 1961. Continue to started . The afternoon is free to make Sarajevo, the fabled capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, your own discoveries of this fascinating city. You Monday, September 27 one of the loveliest cities in the Balkans. Built may wish to visit the new War Childhood Museum, STUDENICA around a wooded highland and along the banks which portrays the experiences of children during & SOPOCANI MONASTERIES of a river, the area around Sarajevo was inhabited the 1990s conflict. Drive through magnificent scenery to explore two since deep antiquity, followed by Romans, Meals: B medieval monasteries that are considered Byzantines and Slavs. In 1428, it fell to the Serbia’s best. Studenica, a UNESCO World Ottoman Turks, who held it until 1878, when it Thursday, September 30 Heritage Site, begun in 1190 in a spot of high became a possession of Austria-Hungary. It was SARAJEVO/MOSTAR mountains and dense forests, consists of three under the time of Turkish rule that Sarajevo Leave Sarajevo in the morning for Mostar. churches, the most important of which is became a prosperous and multi-ethnic city, as Conquered by the Ottoman-Turks in the 15th dedicated to the Virgin Mary. An elaborately attested today by its mosques, churches and century, Mostar is built along the banks of the carved doorway leads to the church’s interior, synagogues. Hotel Europe. Neretva River and surrounded by high mountains. which is adorned with frescoes that are among Meals: B, L, D With its cobbled alleyways and characteristic the best to survive anywhere from the Byzantine architecture, it is Bosnia-Herzegovina’s most period. After lunch in the picturesque town of Wednesday, September 29 picturesque town. The centerpiece is its Novi Pazar, visit Sopocani, also a UNESCO World SARAJEVO world-famous stone bridge that spans the river in Heritage Site, built around 1260, and decorated Sarajevo suffered during the 1990s war, but one arch, originally built in 1566. During our by painters from Constantinople. It prospered for the damage has been repaired and now the overnight stay in Mostar at the Hotel Pansion City several centuries until it was destroyed in 1689, city’s restored old historic center is as vibrant, Star, we will admire the bridge and its Fresco painting in the Manasija Monastery, 15th–century, Serbia surroundings, and explore the town’s old section, around 400 BC, later becoming a prosperous a UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Roman town. Continue to Perast, a valuable Kajtaz House, Mostar’s most historic house. possession of Venice starting in the early 15th Meals: B, L, D century. Continue along the inner shore of the bay to Kotor, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Friday, October 1 Site. Explore its stone-paved streets, lined with MOSTAR/BLAGAJ/STOLAC/ impressive palaces and other buildings all TREBINJE, Bosnia-Herzegovina/ enclosed within its formidable walls. TIVAT, Montenegro Meals: B, L Travel today to Montenegro, driving through the wine country of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Stop at Sunday, October 3 Blagaj, a town set in a spectacular setting below TIVAT/SVETI STEFAN/BUDVA/TIVAT a ruined 14th-century castle; Stolac, a village Drive south in the morning to Sveti Stefan, built on a steep bank; and Trebinje, where we perhaps Montenegro’s quintessential spot. will have lunch before continuing to Tivat in A small island, surrounded by the deep blue Montenegro. Founded in the Middle Ages on the waters of the Adriatic Sea, Sveti Stefan is now shore of the spectacular Bay of Kotor, the only connected to the mainland by a causeway, About Serbian cuisine fjord-like waterway in southern Europe, Tivat is a 60 years ago the entire island, with its cluster of lovely town of old-stone mansions and a stone houses lining the narrow alleyways, was profusion of sub-tropical trees and flowering converted to a luxury resort hotel. Continue to plants. Accommodations for the next three nights Budva, a pretty seaside town, whose old quarter OPTIONAL EXTENSION will be at the Regent Montenegro, a beautiful is enclosed by walls. The town’s main square is TO DUBROVNIK hotel, which faces the bay. fronted by the churches of Sveti Ivan and Sveti Meals: B, L Trojica (Holy Trinity). The Archaeological Museum Extend your exploration of the Western exhibits artifacts from Budva’s ancient Greek and Balkans by visiting Dubrovnik for two Saturday, October 2 Roman past. Return to the hotel to spend the days. Set on a rocky peninsula jutting TIVAT/PERAST/KOTOR/TIVAT afternoon at leisure. In the evening, enjoy a into the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is one Spend the morning at leisure to relax and enjoy farewell dinner at a restaurant in Tivat. of Europe’s best preserved and loveliest the hotel’s grounds and facilities. Depart the Meals: B, D hotel for lunch at one of the area’s best medieval cities, and a designated restaurants, housed in a converted stone mill in Monday, October 4 UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within its the seaside village of Morinj. The restaurant TIVAT/DUBROVNIK, Croatia/USA ramparts the city contains landmarks has been operated by the same family for 200 Transfer in the morning to the airport of of great beauty. Details on this years. Following lunch, explore the shore of the Dubrovnik, only a few miles away, for the return extension are available upon bay and its historic towns. Drive by Risan, the flight home. registration. oldest settlement in the bay, founded by Greeks Meals: B Manasija Monastery, a medieval jewel in Serbia In the Old Town of Sarajevo

Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade Bascarsija square, Bosnia HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS At Thalassa Journeys, we share in the universal joy of the arrival of vaccines proven effective against Covid-19, and we look forward to a time when their widespread distribution allows us to return to travel free of concern. Because our primary interest will always be the safety and well-being of our travelers, we continue to implement strict health and safety protocols. We highly recommend that our travelers receive a vaccine before joining the program and to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test. We also require an agreement to follow specified protocols during the trip, which include wearing a face mask in social settings. Working in concert with our hotels and ground providers overseas, we ensure that recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and other governing bodies are strictly followed. Guests will be pre-registered at hotels to avoid lines at check-in, and luggage will be disinfected upon arrival. All hotels follow strict protocols of cleanliness and frequent disinfection. Tour vehicles carry less than half of their seat capacity. Drivers and Tour Guides wear face masks and have been tested for Covid-19. The temperature of guests, guides, drivers and field staff will be taken each morning, and while on excursions, guests will be provided with a sterilized whisper audio device that aids not only in hearing the tour guide but also in practicing social distancing. All of the restaurants on our program have been certified by local authorities as Covid-19 safe and will offer outdoor dining in many circumstances. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions, and know that as conditions evolve, we will continue to place your safety first. TRAVEL WITH A SMALL GROUP When you travel with Thalassa Journeys, you will travel with a small group of like minded travelers. Each of our programs normally consists of 18-22 persons. Traveling with a small group fosters a genuine sense of camaraderie, intimacy and exclusivity. The small size also allows for privileged access to places, less crowding at the sites and restaurants, and more meaningful discussions and interaction with the accompanying expert guest lecturer and local guides. RATE Please call National Trust Tours $5,990 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: $1,090 at 888.484.8785

to reserve your space PROGRAM

INCLUSIONS ■ Fine hotel accommodations: three nights at the Hotel Moskva in Belgrade; two nights GENERAL INFORMATION

at the Hotel Crystal, Kraljevo; two nights at PAYMENT SCHEDULE: A deposit of $1,000 per person is required to reserve your space on the tour. Final payment is due 60 days the Hotel Europe, Sarajevo; one night at prior to departure. Payment can be made by personal check or charged to a credit card. CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS: the Hotel Pansion City Star, Mostar; three Deposits will be refunded in full on cancellations received by July 23, 2021. Cancellations received between July 24 and August 22, 2021 are subject to a 40% cancellation fee (60% refund). Cancellations received on nights at the Hotel Regent Montenegro, Tivat. or after August 23, 2021 are subject to a 75% cancellation fee (25% refund). Requests for cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be made for any part of this program in which you choose not to participate. ■ American breakfast each morning at the hotels. INSURANCE: We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses ■ Eight lunches and six dinners at local in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to covered restaurants, with soft drinks, wine or beer. illness or accident. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. USI Travel Insurance Services offers a plan designed specifically for National Trust Tours ■ Airport/hotel transfers and handling of travelers, providing coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Travel Delay, Baggage Delay, Baggage Loss, Emergency luggage in Belgrade and Tivat. Medical and more. Plus, you can upgrade your plan with Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) coverage for the utmost flexibility. CFAR allows you to cancel your trip for ANY reason at all and be reimbursed up to 70% of your pre-paid, non-refundable trip ■ Transportation from Belgrade to Tivat, as per costs (conditions apply, see plan for details). For additional information, please contact National Trust Tours at (888) 484-8785. the itinerary, with private air-conditioned, ITINERARY: The itinerary, accommodations and arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of Thalassa Journeys. RESPONSIBILITY: Please read carefully the following terms and conditions, which constitute the sole, legally enforceable Wi-Fi equipped motor coach. agreements between the traveler and Thalassa Journeys and the tour’s sponsoring organization. Thalassa Journeys and the tour’s ■ Tours and excursions as described in the sponsoring organization act solely as agents for the traveler with respect to all transportation, hotel and other tour arrangements. In that capacity, we exercise all reasonable care possible to ensure the traveler’s safety and satisfaction, but, we neither assume nor itinerary with professional English-speaking bear any responsibility or liability for any injury, death, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity arising in connection with the guides. services of any ship, airplane, train, automobile, motor coach, carriage or other conveyance, or the actions of any third-party, involved in carrying the traveler or in affecting these tours. We are not responsible for damages, additional expenses, or any other ■ Entrance fees to museums and other sites losses due to cancellation, delay or other changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, civil disturbances, acts or mentioned in the itinerary. threats of terrorism, travel warnings or bans, termination or suspension of war risks or other carrier insurance, quarantine, acts of God or other causes beyond our control. All such losses must be borne by the traveler, and tour rates provide for arrangements only ■ All local taxes and service charges. for the time stated. In the event of cancellation, delay or rescheduling mandated by any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, ■ Tips to guides, drivers and porters. the traveler shall have the option of accepting in lieu of the original tour such rescheduled tour or other substituted tour(s) as may be ■ The services of an experienced Thalassa offered by us, or else, receiving a refund of as much of such advance tour expenditures as we are able to recover on the traveler’s behalf from carriers, third-party tour vendors, etc., but, we shall not have any obligation or liability to the traveler beyond the Journeys tour manager. foregoing. We reserve the right to make alterations to the tour’s itinerary and to substitute hotels, transportation methods, or ■ Complete departure material. lecturers if this is required. We reserve the right to cancel, delay, or reschedule any tour prior to departure, and, so long as this is not due to any of the aforesaid causes beyond our control, the traveler shall be entitled to a full refund of all monies paid to that point if he/she so desires. No refund shall be made for any unused portion of any tour. By forwarding their deposit(s), the traveler certifies NOT INCLUDED: Airfare; travel insurance; items of that he/she and/or their dependents, minors or others covered thereby do not have any mental, physical or other condition of disability that could create a hazard for them or other travelers. We reserve the right to decline to accept or to decline to retain any a personal nature; any items not mentioned in the person as a member of any tour should such person’s health, condition or actions adversely affect or threaten the welfare or safety Itinerary and the Program Inclusions. of other travelers or impede the tour. Baggage or valuables brought on the tour shall be transported, handled or stored at the traveler’s risk entirely, and, we shall bear no liability or responsibility for any damage or other loss thereto. Resolution of any disputes arising hereunder shall be affected exclusively in the state or federal courts presiding in the City of Orlando, FL, pursuant to applicable Florida law. RATES: Tour costs are based upon current airfares, tariffs, and currency values. While we do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, they are subject to change. CST 2138603-50 ST 42048 Join Dr. Helen C. Evans on this unique journey, Crossroads of Europe: Exploring Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro September 22 - October 4, 2021

Novi Sad Petrovaradin fortress, Serbia

FOR RESERVATIONS AND INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL NATIONAL TRUST TOURS AT 888-484-8785