Best Of Western Balkan Tour

The Balkans is a land of such great diversity and textures that one gets the blown up by the colors, cultures, hospitality, food and landscape. On our Balkans tours we trace the scene of medieval Europe with nationalities originating from, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania & Macedonia. Set off on a trip through the heartland of Albania & Macedonia. Enjoy the colorful houses of Tirana and the marbled streets of Dubrovnik.

Day 1: Airport – Dubrovnik City

Meet our representatives at Dubrovnik Airport, departure for Dubrovnik. Sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik, included on the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage. You will visit the Franciscan Monastery with Europe’s third oldest pharmacy, the Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik. Hotel 4*

Day 2: Dubrovnik – Budva / Montenegro – Shkodra/ Albania

Departure for Shkodra Albania; we drive inland to Budva known for its Old City encircled by walls from the Venetian period. Continuation to Shkodra, once the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom (3rd century B.C.). Diner Overnight in Hotel Tradita or Carmen  Shkoder

Day 3: Shkoder- Kruja- Tirana

After breakfast we will drive to Kruja, you will see examples of an age of unbounded creativity. Your tour begins with the visit to Kruja–one of the biggest cities in Northern Albania is the “city of history” and the best known as hometown of Albanian’s National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. Visit to the Castle, Skanderbeg Museum and Ethnographic Museum. After the visit of the castle, is free for you to explore Kruja’s old bazaar with authentic and antique shops. Lunch and continue to Capital City of Albania Tirana Begin the Tour of Tirana City. It starts with a visit at Skanderbeg Square, followed by a stop at the Mosque of Et`hem Bey built in 1830. The Opera House (National Theater of Opera and Ballet) looks over the Scanderbeg Square. A walk in the main boulevard provides a close sight of the City Hall and a number of Governmental buildings, on both sides. We’ll have dinner at a traditional restaurant and then explore the nightlife of Tirana, walking in the ex-block area known as “the forbidden town” where the villas of the communist’s leaders are still standing next to trendy boutiques, expensive jewelry shops and active local pubs. Overnight in Tirana

Day 4: Tirana – Elbasan- Ohrid / Macedonia

After breakfast before the drive to Elbasan, Visit the new opened Atonic bunker, the Bunk’art2 museum in Tirana opened to the public describing it as a museum throwing light on political persecution during the Albanian communist era. The museum – called Bunk’Art 2 – is also intended as a memorial to the tens of thousands of people who were imprisoned and executed by the communist regime. Travel east to Elbasan, stopping en route at the remains of a Turkish fort. Continue into Macedonia and the town of Ohrid, situated on the east shore of Lake Ohrid. This Unesco world heritage site is known as the ‘Macedonian Jerusalem’ due to its large number of churches. The enormous lakes renowned for the clarity of its water.  Stay at the Hotel Tino or similar for 2 nights.

Day 5 Ohrid:

Morning City tour. See St Sophia Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Macedonia, the Church of St Clement at Plaoshnik, where the first university in Europe was founded, and the Gallery of Icons, which has the largest collection of icons in the world. Afternoon visit to the Monastery of St Naum. Its position on a rocky overhang provides excellent views across the lake. Overnight in Ohrid Hotel Riviera or Millennium

Day 6: Ohrid – Skopje

Morning departure for Skopje, the capital of Macedonia and a birth place of Mother Theresa. Sightseeing tour, of Skopje. including the Kale Fortress, Church of the Holy Savior with its iconostasis, one of the finest samples of traditional walnut woodcarving, Old Bazaar and Stone Bridge. We drive to the slopes of the Vodno Mountain where we visit the Monastery of St. Panteleimon with its 12th century iconostasis and frescoes ranking among the highest achievements of Byzantine art of this period. Dinner and overnight in Skopje.

Day 7: Skopje – Kolasin / Montenegro

Morning departure for Kolašin, driving via Peć and Berane and along the impressive Morača River Canyon. Afternoon arrival at Kolašin, the town spreading on the left bank of the river Tara, situated at the altitude of 954 m. The whole area is surrounded by the thick pine forest of the Bjelasica Mountain and is a popular skiing and spa resort. Dinner and overnight in Kolašin.

Day 8: Saturday Kolasin – Cetinje – Kotor

Morning departure for Cetinje where we visit King Nikola Museum, once the residence of the Montenegrin King Nikola I Petrović. Continuation to Kotor, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site, where we visit its Romanesque Cathedral dedicated to St . Triphun, the city’s patron saint. We continue the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Dinner and overnight in Kotor.

Day 9: Kotor – Dubrovnik Airport Departure

Breakfast followed by departure transfer to Dubrovnik Airport

Including: Transfers with Modern A/C private car/ bus or minibus with driver on tour, Good standard Accommodation at 3*,4*hotels BB ,parking costs and road tolls, Professional English-French-German-Italian-Russian or Spanish speaking local guide throughout the  tour, all the museum entry fee.