This two-day tour is combination of local experience, gourmet and hiking. First day is planned for Niš, an economic and cultural center of South Serbia, which is a true representative of relaxed way of life in the south, while second day is all about nature and hiking, to the highest peak of central Serbia, in the Balkan Mountain, Midžor (2168m).

You’ll meet #YourSerbiaHost in the morning at your hotel or other place of your stay in Belgrade. Straight from Belgrade we drive to Niš, administrative center of South Serbia and third biggest city in the country. The city has long history, all the way from Roman Naisus, when it was a birth place of Constantine the Great, Roman Emperor from the IV century. Immediately after we reach the city we’ll blend in with locals in relaxed atmosphere of Kazandžijsko sokače (Coppersmith’s alley), which once was an alley with various stores of hand crafted goods, mostly coppersmiths, while today it’s an alley with cafes and restaurants where locals go for long chats over coffee or meal. After this break we’ll go to the biggest landmark of the city, Niš fortress, built by Ottoman Turks during their long rule in these areas. Today, fortress is an open venue for locals which serve as a park, a stage for concerts or as a place for night life. From fortress we’ll continue to the most unique historical memorial in Niš, notorious Skull tower, which was made by the order of Turkish pasha in the beginning of the XIX century, where skulls of Serbian rebels were built-in to serve as warning. At this moment it’s already time for lunch, so we are leaving Niš on our way to the mountain, close to the city is local wine cellar in village Malča, where we’ll stop by to have a lunch and wine tasting. They have unique way for aging their wines, in amphora, the same as Romans did. From this place we continue to the Balkan Mountain and our destination for the day, village Balta Berilovac and guesthouse Villa Babin zub, where we’ll have an overnight in cozy and authentic village accommodation with homemade food and warm hospitality of family Ćirić. If you prefer more luxurious accommodation with spa facilities you can stay in 4* Hotel Stara Planina.

In the morning of the second day after homemade breakfast (or breakfast in the hotel) we’ll drive to the point where our hike to Midžor will start. The hike itself lasts 5 to 6 hours and the trail doesn’t require any technical skills, but certain level of physical fitness is expected if you want to enjoy this hike, the reason for this are several long and steep ascents on the trail. Hiking shoes are recommended as well as poles and some cover from wind and sudden rain, which can come out of nowhere. If we are lucky we’ll come across wild horses during the hike, since this part of Balkan Mountain is well known for herds of wild horses. When we finally reach the summit and the highest peak of Balkan Mountain (2168m), which is located on the very border between Serbia and Bulgaria, you’ll have fabulous views everywhere around you. The return path to the starting point is the same trail just in the opposite direction. After we get back to pick up our vehicle we’ll get down from the mountain and go for another local lunch, well deserved one.

After we finish with lunch our journey continues to Belgrade through towns Knjaževac and Zaječar in East Serbia. We arrive to Belgrade in the evening.

Useful information:

Guesthouse Villa Babin zub is 3* categorized, with en suite bathrooms and all necessary amenities. If you require more luxurious accommodation you can choose to stay in Hotel Stara Planina which is a 4* hotel with spa facilities. You can select between those two options during booking process.