Semi-Private Balkans Tour: Dubrovnik to Athens / Corfu in 14 Days
Duration
14 days
Group Size
1 to 10 people
Ages
2 - 90
yrs
Languages
English
Tour Overview
Visit the UNESCO world heritage sites (Mostar, Kotor, Decan Monastery, Ohrid, Berat, Gjirokaster, Meteora,), be amazed by the stunning mountain formations in Kalabaka, and walk through the narrowed streets in the Stone city of Gjirokaster. This small group tour explores some of the most important destinations in each of the seven Balkan countries; Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo, N. Macedonia and Greece.
Additional information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- All participants are responsible for having their own health/travel insurance.
- Tour’s schedule or itinerary may be affected/adopted due to; weather, Acts of God, labour strikes, bank holidays, site temporary closure/renovation or other external forces outside the Company’s contro
- Please note that prices are calculated on double/twin/triple/quadruple room occupancy in a 3 stars hotel accommodation.
- Tips are not a must in Albania or the Balkans, however, our recommendation is to tip the tour leader/driver as an international practice to tip good service.
Pickup
What's included
Private transportation
Hotel pick up in Dubrovnik
Entry tickets for the ‘’will be visited’’ sites
Tourist taxes
International car insurance, Road Taxes, Petrol
Professional tour leader
Breakfast: 13
BB (Accommodation and Breakfast) for all overnights, in 3 star hotels
Hotel drop off in Athens
Other
Other
Other
Itinerary
After having experienced the unique medieval town of Dubrovnik (by yourself) be ready to get soaked up into your Balkan adventure. At 07:30 am you will be picked up from your hotel in Dubrovnik by our local representative (driver) who will shuttle you to the border where you will meet your tour leader.
Overnight in Mostar
After breakfast we will drive from Mostar to our next destination Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today’s itinerary includes walking on uneven terrain, while visiting some of the ruins during our Sarajevo tour. You can still see many reminders of the Yugoslav War in bullet holes and cannon marks all around town. The tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We will visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem.
Overnight in Mostar
Breakfast:
Our tour continues towards Kotor (Montenegro), a UNESCO world heritage site. We will wander through the maze of narrow, cobblestone streets crisscrossing the old town. This street plan seems quite chaotic, but it was created this way on purpose. The intention was to confuse intruders who came to plunder the town, while nowadays it characterizes the city. Many of the old buildings and churches have small plaques on it with their dates of construction and original use.
Overnight near Montenegrin Riviera
Breakfast:
Our first destination for today is Budva in Montenegro, a popular tourist destination, famous for its beaches, gorgeous nature and old characteristic buildings. The city is separated between an old and new part. On the one hand, in the New Budva, there are many modern buildings, offices, shopping malls, restaurants and bars. On the other hand, in the Old Budva, there is the historical centre and many sights to visit, such as the St. Ivan church, the small church of St. Mary and the medieval splendours of the old town, which we will visit on this tour.
Overnight in Shkoder
Breakfast:
Our first destination for today is one of the best slow food Agro-tourism farms in the Balkans. We will take a tour around the farm. In addition, we will learn about the story of this farm and how it created jobs for more than 400 people in the surrounding area. The farm collects, elaborates and preserves regional bio fresh local products. We will also learn how this family business adapted some old communist buildings to serve as storage for local-made bio products. You will have some free time to enjoy a traditional lunch or buy some fresh produce products from the farm.
Overnight in Prizren
Breakfast:
After breakfast we will continue our tour towards Gjakova. The city has the oldest and largest bazaar of Kosovo. Even though, it got destroyed during the first Balkan wars, the second world war and the Kosovo war, the bazaar got rebuilt again to its old state and is a nice place to enjoy a meal or to take a look at the stores that sell traditional handmade crafts from local artisans and producers
Overnight in Prizren.
Breakfast:
Our main destination for today will be Kruja, a historical city symbol of the Albanian resistance against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire during the XV century. Kruja is situated in central Albania on a rocky mountainous terrain about 560 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Sarisalltik Mountain. Walking through the narrow streets and the wooden houses of Kruja’s Medieval Old Bazaar (one of the biggest and oldest in Balkans) gives you a sense of a passage through the history.
Overnight in Tirane
Breakfast:
Today we will discover Tirana, the capital of Albania. Meet with your local companion, and enjoy a unique experience in the city while learning more about the city's culinary treasures.
Overnight in Tirana
Breakfast:
Today we will depart towards North Macedonia. Struga will be our first stop. We will have a quick drink by the beautiful source of Drini River, one of the longest in Western Balkans. After a short visit in Struga we will drive towards Ohrid
Overnight in Ohrid
Breakfast:
Our first stop for today will be St Naum. The monastery of St. Naum carries the name of a holy place. It is situated right at the source of River Crni Drim, which flows through Lake Ohrid. This monastery complex is part of the National Park Galicica and belongs to one of the strictly protected areas. Crystal clear, spring water reflects both the surrounding greenery and the mountain peaks in the background
Overnight in Berat
Breakfast:
Berat is known as the town of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other. The city’s life began in the 6th-5th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. Later, in the 3rd century B.C., it was turned into a castle city known as Antipatrea. Uniquely today, residents still live inside of the castle walls.
Overnight in Gjirokaster.
Breakfast:
Today we will visit Gjirokaster, also known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage is situated in Southern Albania on the eastern side of mountain “Mali i Gjere”. Gjirokastra resembles a fortified city where every single house is like a small fortress. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century A.D., and is considered as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans. Every five years Gjirokastra becomes the capital of the Albanian folklore and traditional music, where passionate folklore ensembles gather in the “stone city” and perform their traditional music, dances and show off their costumes.
Overnight in Gjirokaster.
Breakfast:
Our first destination for today would be Ioannina, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful landscapes. As we wander through the cobbled streets of the old town, you'll be transported back in time. The remains of the Byzantine and Ottoman eras are evident in the architecture, with ancient walls and charming houses. Our next stop will be the imposing Ioannina Castle, which dates back to the Byzantine era. Within the castle walls, we'll find a labyrinthine network of narrow streets and historic buildings. As we wander through the vibrant streets, you'll encounter charming cafes, inviting you to savor traditional Greek cuisine and local delicacies
Overnight in Kalabaka.
Breakfast:
our tour leader will drop you off at your hotel in Athens. We hope this has been a wonderful experience with great memories of these 7 West Balkan Countries to cherish for a lifetime.
Breakfast:
FAQ
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
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