Day 1 SARAJEVO (BiH)

Includes transfers from Sarajevo airport to your hotel followed by late afternoon welcome drink and welcome dinner. Our lodging Hotel President 4* or similar (two nights) is located in the centre of the town and in the heart of Sarajevo’s bazaar Baščaršija. (D)

Day 2 SARAJEVO

Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a junction point of East and West, multi-cultural and multi religious. It’s a colourful town full of coffee houses, restaurants and shops, a gracious and congenial people that defy expectations. Our morning begins with a local guide tour of the city. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore Sarajevo on your own.(B

Day 3 SARAJEVO – MOSTAR – DUBROVNIK (Cro)

After breakfast departure for Mostar. Mostar is the main city of the southern part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, situated on the banks of the Neretva river. Under the Ottoman Empire, Mostar became an important trading hub, where Jews, Christians and Muslims traded and lived side by side. The result was that Mostar became a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. The centrepiece of Mostar is the Old Bridge, commissioned by the Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century. Destroyed during the war in 1993 the bridge was rebuilt using the original materials and reopened in 2004. After lunch transfer to the city of Dubrovnik on the Adriatic Sea. Our Hotel Lapad 4* or similar is positioned in a picturesque Lapad bay. Evening at your leisure. (B)

Day 4 DUBROVNIK

We start the morning with a panoramic stop. Originally called Ragusa, Dubrovnik was founded in the 7th century on the southern part of what is now the Old Town by Greco-Roman refugees from Epidaurum (modern day Cavtat). Initially subject to Byzantium, the city was long under Venetian control, and then effectively became an independent city-state under the kingdom of Hungary and later the Ottoman Empire. It was one of the most powerful economic centres in the Adriatic. Dubrovnik’s magnificent walls had been constructed from 12th to the 17th century. Our morning begins with a walk along these walls, followed by local guide tour of the city. Afternoon and evening on your own. (B

Day 5 DUBROVNIK – BOKA KOTOR BAY – LOVČEN – KOLAŠIN (MN)

Morning departure for Montenegro. Montenegro is the smallest ex-Yugoslavian Republic that is rich with history and wild natural beauty. We will visit the bay of Kotor which is an UNESCO heritage site and is the biggest fjord in the Southern Mediterranean. We will enjoy spectacular mountains rising directly from the sea to reach the town of Kotor which is rich in its maritime heritage. Kotor was passed hand to hand among different armies and conquerors, walled by the Venetians and fashioned by fortifications which were added by the Austrians, etc. Moving forward we will take the scenic road to Lovčen Natural Park and stop for lunch. After lunch we will proceed through the mighty canyon of Morača River and arrive to Kolašin Natural Park where we will stay for two nights. Dinner is included. We will stay in the 4* Hotel Bianca or similar in Kolašin. (B,D)

Day 6 KOLAŠIN

We will start the full day excursion to the heart of Montenegro’s mountains to reach the canyon of river Tara, second only to the Grand Canyon in the USA. We will enjoy the famous view on the bridge over the river and have the opportunity to try out one of the most spectacular zip lines in Europe. Next, we will continue towards Durmitor Mountain and visit the famous Black Lake by the town of Žabjak, where we will have an included lunch. Return to the hotel in evening hours. Leisure time in Kolašin. (B,L)

Day 7 KOLAŠIN – SHODRA – TIRANA (AL)

We will depart Kolašin and pass by the capital of Podgorica to reach the lake of Skadar, the biggest lake in the Balkans. From there, we will cross the border to Albania which is a mysterious country that was hermetically closed from the rest of the world under the regime of the communist dictator Enver Hoxa until the late 80’s. Albania is rich in spectacular landscapes and full of ancient history that was dominated by Illyrian tribes then incorporated into the Roman Empire to be overtaken by the Ottomans, etc. We will stop in the ancient city of Skhodra for lunch and then proceed with a very picturesque drive to the capital of Tirana, where we will stay for one night in Tirana International Hotel, 4*or similar. Dinner is included in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 8 TIRANA – ELBASAN MOUNTAINS – OHRID(MK)

From our hotel in the very center of Tirana, we will start our walking tour with the local guide covering the historical center of the city including the famous Skenderbeu Square. From there we will continue to the Mother Theresa Square passing by the Parliament and the Presidential Residency of Albania.

After some free time for lunch we will leave and drive across the countryside with magnificent views of the mountains which reveal the meaning behind the name “Land of the Eagles”, as the Albanians call its land. After reaching the city of Elbasan which is famous for its medieval castle we will continue our drive towards the border of the Republic of Macedonia. Reaching the border, we will enjoy the wonderful views of another jewel of the Balkans, the marvelous Lake Ohrid. After the border crossing, we will reach the town of Ohrid. Our lodging for two nights is the waterfront Hotel Royal View 4* or similar. Tonight enjoy a dinner in a local restaurant with traditional Macedonian dishes. (B,D)

Day 9 OHRID (MK)

After breakfast we meet our local expert guide in Ohrid and visit the Roman Amphitheater built for the gladiator fights and visit some of the 365 churches of Ohrid. Ohrid was the place where the disciples of the Saints Cyril and Methodius founded the first Slavic university in the world. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore on your own. (B)

Day 10 OHRID-BITOLA-HERACLEA-METEORA (GR)

Early departure from Ohrid to drive on a scenic road towards historic town of Bitola where we stop for a short visit. On our drive to the Greek border, we will stop at the ruins of the ancient Roman town of Heraclea. After crossing the border we will continue to the scenic town of Meteora and check into our Hotel Dellas Boutique 4* or similar for one night. Afternoon is reserved for a visit of one of most famous “hanging” monasteries on the sandstone rocks above Meteora called Varalaam. This place is notorious also for appearing in a James Bond movie. Dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 11 METEORA-DELPHI-ATHENS (GR)

This morning we drive to Delphi, the ancient centre of the world and famous Temple of Apollo, once home to a legendary Oracle who was deciding the fate of the ancient kings and their kingdoms. After seeing the archaeological site and the museum with experienced local expert we will continue our drive across Peloponnese peninsula towards Athens, where we will arrive in the late afternoon hours. Checking in to the Hotel Elia Ermoue 5* or similar for two nights. Evening free. (B)

Day 12 ATHENS (GR)

After breakfast, we will meet our local guide and go for the sightseeing of the ancient city of Athens. We will visit the Acropolis with the famous Parthenon and enjoy the marvellous views of the city underneath. We will also enjoy the birthplace of democracy at the Parthenon. After, we will descend into the old town of Athens called Plaka with its lively streets full of restaurants and shops to enjoy the atmosphere, some shopping and great Greek food offered by many street restaurants. Afternoon at your leisure.
Farawell dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 13 ATHENS-ATHENS AIRPORT (GR)

Transfer to Athens airport for outbound flight .(B)