CROSSROADS of EUROPE: Exploring Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro July 14-22, 2021
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CHAMBER MUSIC JOURNEYS Beyond the ordinary HELLAS CROSSROADS OF EUROPE: Exploring Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina & Montenegro July 14-22, 2021 Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina September 29 – October 12, 2020 T his is 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, Bosnia-Herze- govina and Montenegro are a fascinating microcosm of Western and Eastern, European and Ottoman Turkish, Christian and Islamic influences. Their archi- tecture, 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, Ro- mans, Byzantines, Ottoman Turks, Venetians, Austrian, German and Hungarian magnates. 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 Bay of Kotor, Montenegro the Danube and Sava Rivers. During our stay in the city, we will visit its most important historic landmarks, including the formidable Kalemegdan Fortress, one of the largest fortifications in Europe, built on a hilltop facing the rivers. We will also take an excursion to Novi Sad, a city with interesting architecture and a rich cultural heritage. From Belgrade, we will travel to the Serbian countryside to visit medieval monasteries whose sublime frescoes are among the artistic treasures of the country. Included are the great monasteries of Studenica and Sopocani, both listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. We will then enter the beautiful land of Bosnia-Herzegovina, where we will explore its two most alluring and magnificent cities, Sarajevo and Mostar. After the civil war in the 1990s, when Sarajevo was besieged, the city’s fabled historic center has been re- stored and is as lively as ever, its stone-paved alleyways lined with artisanal shops and cafes. In Mostar, its iconic landmark, the exquisite single-arch stone Stari Most (Old Bridge), originally built in the mid-16th century across the banks of the Neretva River, and the restaurants that line the river’s banks below the landmark bridge welcome visitors. Traveling through the lovely wine-producing countryside of Herzegovina, we Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade, Serbia will arrive in Montenegro. It may be the smallest country of the three in our itinerary in size and population, but Montenegro is big in scenic splendors and charming historic towns. Moreover, the country is blessed with a coast that is among the most beautiful as in the Mediterranean. The focus of our exploration will be the old towns around the incredible Bay of Kotor, where high mountains come down to the sea to form the only fjord-like waterway in southern Europe. Along the bay’s shores maritime towns grew during the Middle Ages that became wealthy and powerful. Kotor’s and Perast’s walls and stone mansions speak loudly of these bygone years. The three countries in our itinerary suffered damage during the Yugoslav con- flict of the 1990s, but the damage has been repaired, and as they are ac- customed to adversity in their long history, they have re-established themselves. Come to discover their treasures. Sveti Stefan, Montenegro Fresco painting in the Manasija Monastery, 15th–century, Serbia In the Old Town of Sarajevo Heritage Site, begun in 1190 in a spot of high CROATIA mountains and dense forests, consists of Novi Sad Sremski Karlovci three churches, the most important of which is the one dedicated to the Virgin Mary. An Belgrade elaborately carved doorway leads to the BOSNIA church’s interior, which is adorned with and frescoes are among the best to survive HERZEGOVINA SERBIA anywhere from the Byzantine period. After lunch in the picturesque town of Novi Pazar, Sarajevo Kraljevo visit Sopocani, also a UNESCO World Heritage Visegrad Site, built around 1260, and decorated by Mostar Blagaj painters from Constantinople. It prospered for Stolac several centuries until it was destroyed in MONTENEGRO 1689, later meticulously restored. Return to Trebinje Dubrovnik Perast our hotel in Kraljevo in the late afternoon. Motor route Meals: B, L, D Air route Tivat Kotor Budva Day 7 ~ KRALJEVO/VISEGRAD/ ITINERARY Day 4 ~ BELGRADE SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina Tour in the morning the imposing Kalemegdan Leave Kraljevo in the morning to enter Bosnia- Day 1 ~ DEPART THE USA Fortress, built on a hilltop, that affords fine Herzegovina. In the pretty village of Visegrad Depart the United States for Belgrade, Serbia. views of the Danube River. Continue to the we see the magnificent bridge that spans the Old Town to visit the Palace of Princess Drina River, built in 1571, now a UNESCO Day 2 ~ BELGRADE, Serbia Ljubica, perhaps the city’s finest building World Heritage Site. The bridge was celebrated Arrive in Belgrade. The capital of Serbia and dating from the Ottoman period; the Nikola in the novel, Bridge on the Drina, by Ivo Andric, the former Yugoslavia, Belgrade commands a Tesla Museum, dedicated to Nikola Tesla, one who won the Nobel Prize for literature, in 1961. superb strategic position at the confluence of the most prominent scientists of the of the Continue to Sarajevo, the fabled capital of of the Sava and Danube Rivers. The site on modern era, known for his pioneering work on Bosnia-Herzegovina, one of the loveliest cities which the city stands has been inhabited wireless communications, alternating electricity in the Balkans. Built around a wooded since the Neolithic Period. Greeks, Illyrians, supply, X-rays and many other fields; and the highland and along the banks of a river, the Celts Romans, Byzantines, Ottoman Turks and royal compound in Dedinje, with its Royal and area around Sarajevo was inhabited since many others dominated the city through its White Palaces that feature beautifully deep antiquity, followed by Romans, long history. Today, Belgrade is a vibrant city decorated rooms and halls. The residences Byzantines and Slavs. In 1428, it fell to the of broad tree-shaded boulevards and of King Peter II, after WWII the palaces were Ottoman Turks, who held it until 1878, when it fashionable boutiques, cafes and restaurants. taken over by the communist regime of became a possession of Austria-Hungary. It Accommodations for the next three nights will Yugoslavia and used as official residences. was under the time of Turkish rule that be at the historic Hotel Moskva. Enjoy a In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Yugoslav Sarajevo became a prosperous and multi- welcome dinner in the evening. History, whose collections chronicle the ethnic city, as attested today by its mosques, Meals: D eventful history of Yugoslavia. Enjoy free time churches and synagogues.Hotel Europe. to discover the city’s vibrant café life. Meals: B, L, D Meals: B, L Day 3 ~ BELGRADE/NOVI SAD/ Day 8 ~ SARAJEVO SREMSKI KARLOVCI/BELGRADE Day 5 ~ BELGRADE/MANASIJA/KRALJEVO Sarajevo suffered during the 1990s war, but Drive to the city of Novi Sad, driving through Leave Belgrade in the morning for the the damage has been repaired and now the beautiful country of gentle rolling hills monastery of Manasija. Built in 1406-18 in a city’s restored old historic center is as planted with vineyards. Designated the 2021 forested valley, Manasija became soon after its vibrant, attractive and welcoming as ever. European Capital of Culture, the first construction an important cultural and literary Explore the Old Town in the morning, with its non-European Union city to receive this center. Massive defensive walls and imposing covered markets and maze of stone streets, coveted prize, Novi Sad, founded on a bend towers surround the monastery, which is alleyways and squares, lined with workshops of the Danube, played an important role in dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The interior of the of coppersmiths and other artisans, cafes Serbian history. Starting in the 18th century, church is decorated with expressive frescoes. and restaurants. Visit the Svrzo House, an it became a major cultural and learning Nearby is the Resavska Cave, a large cave that outstanding example of 16th century Turkish center, earning the nickname as the “Serbian was carved into the limestone by subterranean architecture, its rooms furnished as they used Athens.” Tour the picturesque old section and rivers some 80 million years ago. Considered to be; the Gazi-Husrevbey Mosque, built in the huge Petrovaradin Citadel, which towers the country’s most important cave, it is 1531 for the governor of Bosnia Gazi Husref; over the Danube. The hill on which the citadel renowned for its fantastic display of multi-color the City Hall, the city’s finest building of the stands was originally fortified by the Romans stalactites, stalagmites and tone waterfalls. Austro-Hungarian era (1898); and the spot and then the Byzantines. The present structure Continue to the attractive town of Kraljevo, where, in 1914, Gavrilo Princip assassinated dates from the 17th century, and has been where we will stay for the next two nights. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the called the “Gibraltar on the Danube.” Also visit Hotel Crystal. Habsburg throne of Austro-Hungary, an event the Matica Gallery, the oldest Serbian cultural Meals: B, L, D that started World Wat I. The afternoon is free institution, which houses art treasures. On the to make your own discoveries of this return to Belgrade, stop at Sremski Karlovci, Day 6 ~ STUDENICA fascinating city.