Balkan Tour

Day 2 – Sarajevo, Mostar to Dubrovnik
After breakfast we head to Mostar. The most important city in the Herzegovina region because it is considered its cultural and economic capital. There you will be greeted by a local English-speaking guide that will take you on an hour-long tour of the city. You will have an opportunity to hear about the rich history of the city, see the Old Bridge (which, together with the old town, has been on the list of UNESCO protected cultural heritage since 2005) from the 16th century. The architecture here presents a symbol of tolerance: a shared life between Muslims, Christians and Jews. The bridge combines the two religiously divided sides of the town, Christian and Muslim side. After the tour you will have 2 and a half hours of free time. After free time in Mostar, continue your journey to Dubrovnik. After check-in, join your fellow travelers for dinner. Leisure is a great way to end the day. (B, D)
Day 3 – Dubrovnik
On a morning walking tour of Old Dubrovnik visit the Rector’s palace and see the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando’s Column, Sponza palace, the Dominican monastery, and Franciscan monastery with its pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is free. (B)
Day 4 – Dubrovnik, Kotor, to Budva
Breakfast. Drive to Kotor Bay. Boat ride to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks – pearls of Boka Bay, artificial islet of Our Lady of the Rocks with the sailors sanctuary of the same name. The small island is built by the constant laying of rocks, which began in the mid-XV century. Return to the mainland and continue driving to the beautiful Mediterranean town of Kotor. Enjoy the views of the historic core of the city protected by UNESCO, accompanied by a local guide; The city walls – The city gate – Old Town center – St. Tryphon’s Cathedral – Church of St. Nicholas – Church of Our Lady of Health – Duke’s Palace – Napoleon Theatre. Free time for lunch in Kotor. Drive to Budva in the afternoon. Tour of Budva: Budva is rich in historic monuments. Old Town lies on a small peninsula and represents a treasure chest of culture heritage. Crossed with narrow streets and squares are famous buildings, Holy Trinity church, the grave of writer Stjepan Mitrov Ljubiša, churches of St. Ivan, Santa Maria in Punta and St.Sava. Rest of the morning is free to explore the town. Dinner at your hotel to end this day. (B, D)
Day 5 – Cetinje and Lovćen
Breakfast. The starting point this morning is Cetinje, the old capital of Montenegro. The city is located in the same karst field located in the southern part of the country, at the foot of the mountain Lovćen. In Cetinje there are 3 major Christian relics: Hand of St. John the Baptist, particle of the Holy Cross and the icon of the Virgin Filermosa.City tour with a guide: Cetinje Monastery – Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary – Biljarda (residence of Njegoš) – Bishop Danilo’s Mausoleum at Eagle rock – Historical and Art Museum in the building of the Government House – the National Museum in the Castle of King Nikola – Royal Theatre. Free time to explore, following the departure on tour of King Nikola. The trip continues to Lovćen National Park – the mountain range of unusual configuration, a masterpiece of nature that Montenegrins affectionately called Olympus. At the top of Lovćen is Njegoš’ Mausoleum, which was built according to the instructions of our artist Ivan Meštrović. Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Free time in Budva. Overnight stay. (B)
Day 6 – Virpazar, Shkoder to Tirana
After breakfast trip to Virpazar which includes going to the Skadar Lake, the largest lake in the Balkans and the National Park. Board a boat and sail the lake. Have lunch with three kinds of fish. In the afternoon we continue towards the Albanian border. Driving along the Skadar Lake and crossing the border. Departure in the city of Shkoder, one of the oldest Albanian cities which is located 17 kilometers from the border. Some tourists say that Skadar is the true soul of Albania with its narrow streets and ancient houses that are united with stone walls and modern buildings, therefore this is a city where you will see the true spirit of Albania. We will pass near Skadar Fort Rozafa. The following is a short tour of the central part of the city with a guide: Al`zamil mosques – the main city promenade Rruga Kole Idromeno – Masjid Abu Bakr – Orthodox Greek church dedicated to St. Dimitriju- Statue of Mother Teresa. Have some free time to explore on your own. Departure for Tirana. Arrival in Tirana in the evening. Accommodation in a hotel. Short orientation tour of the city. Dinner and overnight stay. (B, L, D)
Day 7 – Tirana and Kurje
After breakfast we departure to Kruje, one of the most important Albanian cities since it is the hometown of Skanderbeg. Kruje was in the 15th century the capital of Albania, and it extends to the slope of the hill Sarisalltik. Upon arrival starts a short tour of the city with a guide: Skanderbeg Museum, located in the majestic fort on a rocky slope – Ethnographic Museum, which is located in a traditional house built in the mid-18th century. Return to Tirana. We will go into the city center on a pedestrian tour of the city’s major attractions: Skanderbeg’s market with the most famous monument of the Albanian hero – Opera House – the building of the National Bank of Albania – Ethem Bey Mosque – National History Museum – town promenade street Murat Toptani – Catholic Cathedral of St. Paul – Tirana Pyramid built by Enver Hoxha – a clock tower – Parliament – Tirana University – main avenue Boulevard Dëshmorët e Kombit. Free time to explore Tirana. Overnight stay. (B, D)
Day 8 – Ohrid and Struga
Breakfast. Departure for Macedonia. Crossing the Albanian – Macedonian border, and the continuing the road to Ohrid. Arrival in Ohrid – one of the oldest European settlements under UNESCO protection. A tour of the city of Ohrid with a guide: Turkish buildings- Church of Saint Sophia – preserved basilica from the 11th century. Continuation of the visit: Church of Saint Kliment – known Samuil’s Fortress with a beautiful view of Lake Ohrid (one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe) – the old basilica – Church of St. Ivan – Ali Pasha mosque. Check in to your hotel. Excursion to nearby Biljana springs, a short tour with stories and legends related to the spring, with included trip to the village of Struga, and continue to village Vevčani with dinner at a traditional Macedonian restaurant. Overnight stay. (B, D)
Day 9 – Debar and Skopje
Breakfast. Check out from hotel and drive to Debar with a visit to the monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski – over 1000 years old monastery dedicated to John the Baptist. The monastery is isolated and surrounded by beautiful nature and is one of the most beautiful tourist sites of Macedonia. After the visit continue to drive to Skopje. Arrival in Skopje in the afternoon. After hotel check-in sightseeing with a guide: City fortress Kale – Mosque of Mustafa Pasha – Church of the Holy Savior, which is partly built underground – Bit Pazar (Skopje old market) – Daut Pasha hamam (Turkish bath) – Old stone bridge – Town Museum – the former old rail – the birthplace of Mother Teresa in front of which is a bust, the modern part of the city. After the visit, dinner at your hotel to balance this beautiful day. (B, D)
Day 10 – Belgrade
Breakfast. Check out. Departure for Belgrade. Arrival in Belgrade in the afternoon. Upon arrival follows a panoramic view of New Belgrade: Belgrade Doors – Belgrade Arena – Sava Centre. It follows the sightseeing with a guide: Boulevard of Revolution – the famous Parliament Terazije – Square of the Republic and the legendary horse – Knez Mihailova street; the main shopping and tourist street of Belgrade – old Belgrade fortress Kalemegdan – Clock Tower – Roman Well – Baroque Doors – Medieval tower Nebojša – Church Ružica. Accommodation in a hotel. Free time to explore the town. We recommend a look at the estuary of the river Sava and the Danube, which extends from the Kalemegdan fortress or visit the military museum in the fortress. Dinner and overnight stay. (B, D)
Day 11 – Novi Sad to Zagreb
Breakfast. Departure to Novi Sad. Upon arrival in Novi Sad, tour of the city with a guide; Freedom Square – Cathedral – City Hall – Roman Catholic Church of St. Mary – Serbian National Theatre – Zmaj Jovina pedestrian zone – Petrovaradin Fortress. Continue to Zagreb.Enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, the Parliament, and the Government Palace. The rest of the day is free to explore the winding streets of the Old Town. Dine at your hotel on the last evening of this great tour. (B, D)
Day 12 – Travel Croatia homeward journey
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. (B)