Balkan tour Croatia, Serbia, Bolgaria, N.Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro 12d/11n
Balkan tour Croatia, Serbia, Bolgaria, N.Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro 12d/11n
FROM ONLY3500 €
Overview
This tour of the Balkans covers 5 countries Croatia, Serbia, N.Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro and five of its capital cities Zagreb, Belgrade, Sofija, Skopje and Tirana. It brings you to important places of former Yugoslavia´s president Tito. Then takes you to somehow less visited but beautiful and interesting Bulgaria and then back to former Yugoslavia into Northern Macedonia. Its mountains and lakes will make you feel you are in the Alps, Orthodox churches and mosques will tell you you´re not. You´ll see some of the finest examples of medieval remains of the Otoman presence in the Balkans, you´ll see Venetian influences and their fine architecture. And you are going to realize ancient Greeks and Romans have considered this part of Europe rich and must have. Yes, from historical view point this tour is an eye opener. You´ll see some of the finest parts of Adriatic coast line and you´ll end up in magnificent bay of Kotor. In the area of Dubrovnik, which gives you the opportunity to extend your stay on the Adriatic in one of the fine towns of this area.
PRICE: based on the number of people in your group
- 6000 euro per person when two traveling
- 4700 euro per person when four traveling
- 4000 euro per person when six traveling
- 3500 euro per person when eight traveling
- Single room supplement 1000 euro
TOUR DATES: on request
All departures between Nov 1st and March 31st are 10% discounted.
Itinerary
DAY 1 ZAGREB AIRPORT – ZAGREB
Meet your guide at Zagreb Airport for a transfer to a centrally located Hotel Palace 4* or similar for two nights. Check-in, relax take some time for yourself after a long flight.
In the afternoon join your guide for an orientation walk in the historical center of Croatian capital city followed by a welcome dinner.(D)
DAY 2 ZAGREB – KUMROVEC – ZAGREB
In the morning see more of this interesting town. The walking tour takes you to Zagreb Gradac, the upper town, and castle area, nowadays the political center of the city and the whole of the country. Continue to Dolac, a lesser town with a lively market area. Browse the stalls for some typical products, your guide will have suggestions for your lunch.
You´re free for dinner, this evening.(B)
DAY3 ZAGREB – BELGRADE
Head east this morning, following the first highway built in former Yugoslavia.
Reach Belgrade in early afternoon and join the local guide for the city tour that will include the visit to former Citadel or Kalemegdan, St.Sava Orthodox church, Tito´s grave ex-Yugoslavia museum and more.
Your Hotel Moskva 5* or similar for one night is centrally located.
Round up the short visit to Serbian capital city with a fabulous dinner in lively bohemian quarter of Skadarlija.(B,D)
DAY 4 BELGRADE – SOFIJA
Capital city to capital city, we could say. Our destination today is Sofia, the Bulgarian capital for two nights. We´ll reach it early afternoon, after a comfortable journey on Serbian and Bulgarian highways. You’re located in Rosllyn Thracia Hotel Sofia 4* or similar.
You´ll join the local guide for a tour that will cover all of the city´s landmarks of past and present. Stroll along the Vitosha boulevard in search for some Bulgarian street food and souvenirs. Your guide/driver will take you for a dinner in a local restaurant.(B,D)
DAY 5 SOFIJA – PLOVDIV
After breakfast head further east to visit Plovdiv, historically the most important Bulgarian town. Known in the west as Philipopolis, after his founder King Philip of Macedonia, who established it in 4th century B.C., played an important role in this part of the world and in the history and formation of Bulgarian nation. Local guide will present its glorious past, showing you ancient Greek and Roman ruins and wonderfully preserved and renovated old town in all its Otoman looks.
Return to Sofija in the afternoon for a free evening.(B)
DAY 6 SOFIJA – RILA MONASTERY – SKOPJE
Our journey continue on Bulgarian soil, but we´re headed south today. Our first destination is Rila Monastery, UNESCO´s World Heritage Site. Rila Monastery from 10th century always was and still is a cultural, religious and spiritual centre of Bulgarian national consciousness and its Orthodox Church. Visited by almost a million people a year, makes it the top attraction in this part of Europe.
After the visit, we´ll continue west, towards Northern Macedonia and its capital city, Skopje for one night Alexander Square Boutique Hotel 4* or similar. Today´s dinner is in a typical Macedonian restaurant. (B,D)
DAY 7 SKOPJE – MATKA CANYON – OHRID
We´ll visit the Matka canyon this morning. Just a few kilometres out of Skopje you´ll find yourself surrounded by unspoiled nature in the National park of Treska river.
Then well continue towards Ohrid, town and lake of the same name, probably the biggest attraction of Northern Macedonia, referred as a “Jerusalem of the Balkans”. We´ll check in for two nights to a centrally located waterfront Hotel Royal View 4* or similar. Free evening tonight to try local restaurants. (B)
DAY 8 OHRID
Looking forward for a full relaxing day on the lake? This is exactly what we´ve planned for today. A short walking tour with the local guide will cover Ancient teather, Church of St. Sofia, Samuil’s fortress and Church of St.John at Kaneo, a nice boat ride and a lunch in a local restaurant. The rest of the day is yours, to relax by the water or shop around town.(B,L)
DAY 9 OHRID-ELBASAN-TIRANA
We´ll leave N.Macedonia behind today in order to discover a new country on our tour. Albania, mysterious country, that was almost hermetically sealed for many decades of communist oppressions, is now a lively country; its population can not hide how happy they are the regime is just a past. To reach its capital city, Tirana we are going to cross some mountain passes on extremely scenic route.
Upon arrival to Tirana, our local guide will take us for a walking tour of the city and a visit to Archeological Museum.
After check in to our centrally located Hotel International 5* or similar, we´ll enjoy a dinner in a local restaurant, and will be surprised of the quality of Albanian wines.(B,D)
DAY 10 TIRANA-KRUJE-SKADAR-KOTOR
This morning we´ll drive to Kruje, the medieval Albanian capital, the home of the Museum, dedicated to Albanian national hero, Skenderbeg. A picturesque town offers nice scenery and good shopping for some local souvenirs.
After early lunch we´ll continue north, bypassing Skadar, the border town on the border lake of the same name and then towards Adriatic cost. We´ll enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery all the way to Montenegro and further along the coast to town of Kotor for two nights in Hotel Cattaro 4* or similar.(B)
DAY 11 KOTOR – NJEGOŠI – LOVČEN – KOTOR
Montenegro was an independent principality and then a kingdom between 1696 and 1918. The village where its ruling dynasty is coming from, and Mount Lovčen, where the mausoleum of Petar Petrovič Njegoš, the most famous Montenegro prince and poet is buried, is our next adventure. Steep country road will take us to the mountains just above the town to visit these two places so important for the Montenegro´s history and culture.
We´ll return to Kotor in the afternoon to explore and enjoy this unique coastal town. It belonged to Venetian Republic for over 300 years, many fortifications and other buildings are still there; the main reason Kotor is on UNESCO´s World Heritage sight list.
In the evening enjoy the exquisite farewell dinner in a local restaurant.(B,D)
DAY 12 KOTOR- TIVAT/DUBROVNIK AIRPORT
Sad but true, your Balkan tour is over, your guide/driver will take you to Tivat or Dubrovnik airport at your desired time. If you would wish to remain in Dubrovnik for a day or two, we´ll take you to your hotel.(B)
Towns and places
- Zagreb
- Kumrovec
- Belgrade
- Sofia
- Rila Monastery
- Skopje
- Matka Canyon
- Ohrid Lake
- Elbasan Mountains
- Tirana
- Kruja
- Kotor
- Njegoši village
- Lovčen mountain.
What's included?
- Transportation in luxury passenger mini-van with extra leg room
- Transfer to Zagreb hotel from Zagreb/Trieste/Ljubljana/Venice airport (other airports available for extra cost)
- Dubrovnik or Tivat airport transfer out on Day 12
- 11 nights hotel accomodation based on double/twin bed occupancy in a 4 or 5 star hotels
- Full time professional English speaking driver/guide while on the tour
- Local Guides in Zagreb,Belgrade, Sofia, Plovdiv, Skopje, Ohrid and Tirana.
- Orientational guided walk of Kumrovec, Njegoši, Lovčen,...
- All breakfasts, 6 dinners with drinks, 1 lunch with drinks,..
- Entrance fees to Kumrovec Open-Air museum, Ex-Yu Museum in Belgrade, Rila Monastery, Ohrid St.Sofia, Tirana Archeological Museum, Kruja Fortress and Njegoš Mausoleum.
- Organization, basic insurance and VAT.
Highlights
- Visit Zagreb central farmers market
- Visit Kumrovec, former Yugoslav president´s Tito's birthplace and enter his birth house
- Visit Belgrade bohemian district Skadarlija
- Bulgarian capital Sofia stroll
- Roman Ruins of Plovdiv
- Experience Rila Monastery mosaics
- Matka Canyon Boat ride
- Ohrid Old town Architecture
- Tirana Archeological Museum
- Kruje Fortress photo stop
- Kotor bay scenerry
- Lovčen Mountain Mausoleum
Map
Getting there
Balkan tour begins: Zagreb, Croatia
Transfer from Ljubljana, Trieste, Zagreb or Venice airport on Day 1
Other airports on request.
Balkan tour ends: Kotor, Montenegro
Transfer to Dubrovnik or Tivat airport on Day 12
Why travel with us?
Private travel – gives you a highly personalized and unforgettable experience that you won’t find on a large group tour. Traveling on a private tour is extremely suitable in this unprecedented times.
Unique itineraries– Our carefully designed itineraries are a wonderful blend of the major sites and delightful places that we’ve discovered off the beaten paths, where you’ll find fewer tourists.
All included – no optional hidden cost excursions.
Best value – our lower prices and high quality make us a great choice for an escorted private tour.
The best historic hotels, most are 4 star or 5 star, dating from previous centuries, located inside historic districts to maximize your free time on tour.
The best small restaurants where local eat and great wines – all included, as much as you like. No pre-fixed group menu’s, you dine alla cart.
Exceptional native tour guides and local guides – experienced, informative, attentive and fun! Essential to an authentic experience!
Leisurely pace – your average day on tour begins at 9am and there is ample free time for your own explorations daily.
Airport transfer– Choose your arrival airport. Flexibility is one of our motos, so we´ll be glad to pick you up from nearby airports and bring you to/from your hotel.
Driving time-we want you to experience your destinations on foot, not from the highway. On average we spend two-three hours a day or less traveling, along scenic roads wherever possible. Our vehicles are modern luxury passenger mini-vans with extra leg room and extremly comfortabile when traveling even longer distances.