DAY 1 SARAJEVO AIRPORT – SARAJEVO

Your Balkan tour starts in iconic town of Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Hercegovina. Upon arrival to its international airport meet your guide for the transfer to your centrally located Hotel President 4* or similar for two nights. In the afternoon join your guide for an orientation walk of City center, its main attraction Old bazar Bascarsija, historic and cultural center of the town. Enjoy a welcome drink and fabulous welcome dinner. (D)

DAY 2  SARAJEVO

Start your day with the in depth tour of Sarajevo with the local guide. Beside all of the main atractions in town, that will include Catolic Cathedral, Orthodox church and the Mosque, located practicaly on the same block, you´ll be taken also to the sad but famous Tunnel of Hope, used by citizens of Sarajevo as a supply and escape route in and out of the city during the siege of Sarajevo in the nineties. You´ll also stand on the spot, where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serbian anarchist Gavrilo Princip.

Your afternoon and evening is free to explore and shop in this unique town. (B)

DAY 3  SARAJEVO – KONJIC – MOSTAR – KOTOR

We travel south today, our final destination being Kotor in Montenegro. But, we are going to visit two sites in Bosnia and Hercegovina on the way.

Our first stop is s little country town of Konjic, where Tito, former Yugoslavian dictator had his nuclear shelter build. It was designed to host 350 people to be used as military command center and shelter. Built between 1953 and 1979 inside the hill, over 4 billion US$ spent, is now in use as an exhibition room for modern art.

Our second stop today is Mostar. Its beautiful bridge over the Neretva river, the fine example of Islamic architecture in the Balkans, built in 16th century was destroyed during the war in the nineties. Rebuild in 2004 now looks exactly as when made; a lot of original stones have been used to rebuild it. The Mostar Old Bridge is now on the UNESCO´s World Heritage Sight list.

After spare time for lunch in Mostar we´ll continue south through the magnificent mountain scenery into Montenegro to reach Adriatic coast in the historic city of Kotor. We´ll check in for one night in Hotel Catarro 4* or similar and enjoy a good dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)

DAY 4 KOTOR – NJEGOŠI – LOVČEN – KOLAŠIN

After breakfast you are free to explore this unique coastal town on your own. 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.

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. Later, we are going to enjoy some more scenic drive into Durmitor mountains, to the mountain resort town of Kolašin Hotel Bjanca 4* or similar.(B,L,D)

DAY 5 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. Return to the hotel in evening hours. Leisure time in Kolašin. (B,D)

DAY 6 KOLAŠIN – SHKODER – TIRANA

We have about 230 kilometers to cover today. We are going south,bypassing the Montenegro capital city, Podgorica, then crossing the border into Albania, for long time completely isolated country under severe communist regime. Now its a vibrant and lively country, quickly rising out of years of oppression. Our first stop is going to be Shkoder, the historical town on the lake of the same name. We´ll spend some time to explore it, have some lunch, then continue to Tirana, the capital city for one overnight. Your Hotel International 5* or similar is centrally located.(B)

DAY 7 TIRANA – OHRID

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 and Archeological Museum. 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 their 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. (B)

DAY 8 OHRID

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. Finish your tour with a lunch in the waterfront restaurant and a private boat ride to return to hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore on your own.(B,L)

DAY 9  OHRID – BITOLA – METEORA

Early departure from Ohrid to drive on a scenic road towards historic town of Bitola where we stop for a short visit. Just out town there´s a most important archeological site of present Northern Macedonia the ancient town of Heraklea Lyncestis,founded by Philip the Macedon in 4th century B.C. The centuries of presence of different civilizations, from Greek to Roman and Bizantine are seen in layers.

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 10  METEORA – BUTRINT – GJIROKASTER

We are going to enjoy the magnificent Balkans mountainous scenery on our way towards Adriatic coast. Then, we´ll follow it north in order to cross into Albania again. We´ll stop at the Archeological site of Butrint, since 1992 on the UNESCO´s World Heritage Site list. Many famous man from antiquity have stayed or visited this place, Emperor Hadrian among them.

After a visit with a local guide, well continue north and inlands to a UNESCO heritage town of Gjirokaster for one overnight. Your Hotel Argjiro 4* or similar is centrally located. (B)

DAY 11 GJIROKASTER – BERAT – TIRANA

After a morning orientational walk in Gjirokaster we´ll continue north through Albanian hills, to reach Berat, a well preserved town from the Otoman times. Local guide will take us for a tour of the town, there will be time to shop for last Albanian souvenirs.

After lunch we´ll continue to Tirana for our last evening together and lively farewell dinner.(B,D)

DAY 12 TIRANA-TIRANA AIRPORT

Your guide/driver will take you to the Tirana airport at your desired time.(B)