All About Balkans

from $719/per person

Join on a discovery of all the iconic cities and highlights of the Balkans – Sofia, Skopje, Belgrade, Sarajevo, Tirana – from ever-popular and lively Croatian coast to the calming serenity and charm of Albania and Montenegro. A cultural adventure with a stunning natural beauty as a backdrop, encompassing the top highlights the Balkans have to offer, including mystical floating monasteries of Meteora; a bird’s nest of a wonder – home of the infamous Oracle of Delphi, and even the Acropolis overlooking a famous capital of the ancient world, Athens. This Balkans tour touches on many cultures that have existed in the Balkans at different times in its ancient history, and portrays their beautiful interaction to all keen travellers.

Download Pre-Departure File Arrival Details Airport Transfer

Duration

12 Day

Destination(s)

Balkans

Starts in / Ends in

Sofia / Athens

Departs on

Saturdays

Hotel Rating

4 Star

Average Tour Group Size Avr. Group Size

35-40 Pax

Download Pre-Departure File

Arrival Details

Airport Transfer

Sight Visited

Athens
Athens
You will fall in love with the perfect combination of culture, history and the dynamic contemporary life in one of the oldest cities in the world.
Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of the southeast European country of Serbia.
Budva
Budva
Budva is a town in Montenegro and known for best nightlife on the Adriatic Sea.
Delphi
Delphi
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
This complex is one of the most beautiful and strongest fortified systems in Europe, but the lively streets show that there is more! Party in a 13th Century fortress anyone?
Kalambaka
Kalambaka
Kalambaka is a small town in Greece, built on the feet of the Meteora.
Kotor
Kotor
Kotor is a coastal town in Montenegro and well-known for its World heritage medieval structures.
Mostar
Mostar
Mostar is a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and known for the iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge).
Ohrid
Ohrid
Ohrid is a large town in Macedonia on the shore of Lake Ohrid and a UNESCO heritage site since 1980.
Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo is the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its main cultural, economic centre.
Shkodra
Shkodra
Shkodra is the fourth largest city in Albania and one of the oldest places in the Balkan peninsula.
Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of Macedonia and it lies in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula.
Sofia
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria.ıt has rich history from Roman and Ottoman Empires.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city of Greece and has a rich history from the Roman period.
Tirana
Tirana
Tirana is the capital and largest city of Albania.It is also culturel and economical center of the country.
Trebinje
Trebinje
Trebinje is the southernmost city in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 28 km far from Dubrovnik.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Sofia

Welcome to Sofia! Look out for the Travel Talk sign at the airport for your transfer to the hotel. We have an informal welcome meeting at the hotel with our guide at 19:00pm. After we get all the crucial information about the tour, around 20:15pm we go for optional group dinner.

Included Activities; Welcome Meeting
Optional Activities ; Group Dinner

Day 2: Sofia, Belgrade

After a substantial breakfast, we we make our way to Belgrade.With impressive views over the Danube and Sava rivers, the Belgrade Fortress and the Kalemegdan Park together form the heart of the capital, hosting all sorts of cultural and sporting events for generations. We make our way towards the main pedestrian street, Knez Mihailova, one of the prettiest and most vibrant areas of Belgrade, filled with cafes, shops and charming sites. We will get to see the impressive sights of the Republica and Castle Square, Istanbul Gate and the Clock Tower, pass through the Leopold or Dungeon door, and visit all the other incredible landmarks Belgrade has in store.

Included Activities; Guided Belgrade City Tour,
Meals; Breakfast

Day 3: Belgrade, Sarajevo

After a substantial breakfast, we hop on the bus for Sarajevo; Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital. As one of the most historically interesting and diverse cities in Europe, Sarajevo has been through it all. It is where the Western and Eastern Roman Empire split and where the people of the Roman Catholic’s, Eastern Orthodoxy’s and the Ottoman’s met, lived and warred. Today, Sarajevo has physically recovered from most of the damage caused by the Yugoslav War; but there are still many reminders with bullet holes on the buildings. Sarajevo is a cosmopolitan European capital with a unique Eastern twist, making it a delight to visit. The walking tour will cover the fascinating history and background of Bosnia, as well as the old town - Bash Town, the Latin Quarter, Gazi Husrev Bey Mosque – one of the world’s finest examples of Balkan architecture with Islamic influences, and all the hidden corners, small shops and stalls.

Included Activities; Sarajevo City Tour
Meals; Breakfast

Day 4: Sarajevo, Mostar,Trebinje

Today, we drive for amazing Adriatic shore, Mostar! As we arrive in this dreamland, we pay a visit to the Old Town of this Herzegovina pearl, see the iconic Old Bridge – Stari Most, and the old čaršija (market). Learn all about how the UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Old Bridge, which is now called the "New Old Bridge" although it dates to the 16th century. While the beautiful old town has been restored to its former beauty, if you stroll outwards, you can still see the marks left by war. In the afternoon, we continue along the coast until we reach Trebinje, an 18^th century town located 28km from Dubrovnik. Overnight in Trebinje.

Included Activities; Mostar Walking Tour
Meals; Breakfast

Day 5: Trebinje, Dubrovnik, Trebinje

Get ready for a full day Dubrovnik! After the breakfast we depart for Croatia. It’s time to discover the “Pearl of the Adriatic", Dubrovnik. With its well-preserved majestic walls encircling the whole town and its sea of terra-cotta roof tiles, giving life to the King’s Landing, the whole town is an amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site. We start our guided walking tour of impressive Old Town and learn all about the millennial history of this incredible town with influences of the Romans, Byzantine, Ottomans and Venetians. We walk inside the mighty walls, visit the castle overlooking the port, and all the beautiful attractions and swim or drink around Dubrovnik, shore of Adriatic Sea to cool off. In the evening, we return to Trebinje for overnight.

Included Activities; Guided Dubrovnik City Tour
Meals; Breakfast

Day 6: Trebinje, Kotor, Budva

After the breakfast, we leave Bosnia and Herzegovina and our first stop is Kotor, Montenegro with its calming natural beauty and characteristic architecture. Following a walking tour of the old town with our expert local guide, we make our way to the popular touristic hub of the region, Budva.

Included Activities; Guided Kotor City Tour, Budva Walking Tour
Meals; Breakfast

Day 7: Budva, Tirana, Ohrid

We hit the roads following breakfast, next stop is Albania! . A panoramic city tour of Tirana will embrace Ethem Bey Mosque, one of the best preserved and most beautiful samples of Albanian architecture; as well as the Clock Tower, and the Skanderbeg Square – the town centre, named after the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. Moving forward, the journey will continue towards Macedonia. As we arrive in Ohrid, we’ll check into the hotel and rest up after a long day or you can have an optional famous Balkan night.

Included Activities; Panoramic City Tour of Tirana, Ohrid Walking Tour
Optional Activities; Balkan Night with Dinner,
Meals; Breakfast

Day 8: Ohrid, St.Naum, Skopje

Today, we start the day with a guided Ohrid City tour.In the afternoon, we drive for Monastery Saint Naum built on a high rocky cliff over the shore of the most southern point of Ohrid Lake. Monastery Saint Naum is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia, which also represents one of the first monuments of Slavic church architecture. You have also chance to swim in this place. After the visit of St.Naum, we travel to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, for our overnight stay.

Included Activities; Guided Ohrid City Tour, St.Naum visit
Meals; Breakfast

Day 9: Skopje, Thessaloniki

Eat up this morning as we then hit the streets to discover the beauty of Skopje in the morning with a sightseeing tour of the town. As we make our way to the main square along the popular Macedonia street and learn about the diverse history of the ancient settlement, we visit the Memorial House of Mother Teresa – Skopje native and Noble Peace Prize winner; and reach Macedonia square. Look around closely as the square hosts many buildings and monuments representing the cultural heritage and history of Macedonia, including museums, sculptures, the famous statue of Alexander the Great, and even an Arch de Triumph. We make our way up to the outstanding Fortress Kale, overlooking the busy square at the heart of the capital, and continue towards the Old Bazaar passing over the famous Stone Bridge, and witness incredible churches and mosques along the way such as Mustafa Pasha Mosque, The church of St Spas (Holy Salvation), Chifte Amam and more. In the afternoon, we drive for Thessaloniki for overnight stay.

Included Activities; Skopje Guided City tour
Meals; Breakfast

Day 10: Kalambaka, Meteora, Delphi

After breakfast,we will have a panaromic Thessaloniki tour and then we depart for Kalambaka, the gateway to Meteora, famous for its breath-taking scenery and ageless monasteries, almost suspended between the earth and sky. The town hosts one of the largest and steepest complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, literally named as “middle of the sky”. The World Heritage-listed site is out-of-this-world with its unique landscape of immense monolithic pillars and huge rounded boulders, and one of the most visited locations in Greece. Each monastery has a central courtyard surrounded by chapels and living cells of monks, who have inhabited the region since the 11th century – for far less than the first inhabitants from 50,000 years ago. Later in the afternoon, we hop on the bus for Delphi.

Included Activities; Meteora tour
Meals; Breakfast

Day 11: Delphi, Athens

Starting off with a hearty breakfast, we go out to discover Delphi and all its wonders. Built high atop the cliffs with spectacular scenery, the town made its name in ancient Greek mythology. Chosen as the centre of the earth, ancient Greeks built the Sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi – where the famous Oracles of Delphi resided. The priestesses gave advice to generations for more than a thousand years, and are commonly referred as the most powerful woman of the classical era. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delphi had a tremendous influence in the ancient world, uniting many city-states under the Hellenic spirit, displayed in rich monuments built by many various Greek city-states. Delphi holds a monumental significance in history, and has a place in Hollywood for good reason. In the afternoon, we depart for Athens. As you get your bearings and all the information you need about the capital from your guide, we arrive at our hotel to freshen up before the optional group dinner. We finish it off Greek style, bring in the mezes, it’s time to do some Sirtaki!

Included Activities; Delphi tour
Meals; Breakfast

Day 12: Athens

Our trip will end after we say goodbye to our new friends over breakfast, and check-out of the hotel in Athens at 11.00am.

Meals; Breakfast

All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers not wishing to pay a single supplement will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement needs only be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. The supplement must be paid in addition to the tour fee. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

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Price ($)

Sat 23 Mar 2019

Wed 3 Apr 2019

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$1438 $719

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Per person in twin share room $719

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All About Balkans

Sight Visited

Athens

Athens

Belgrade

Belgrade

Budva

Budva

Delphi

Delphi

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik

Kalambaka

Kalambaka

Kotor

Kotor

Mostar

Mostar

Ohrid

Ohrid

Sarajevo

Sarajevo

Shkodra

Shkodra

Skopje

Skopje

Sofia

Sofia

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki

Tirana

Tirana

Trebinje

Trebinje

ITINERARY

Day 1: Sofia

Day 2: Sofia, Belgrade

Day 3: Belgrade, Sarajevo

Day 4: Sarajevo, Mostar,Trebinje

Day 5: Trebinje, Dubrovnik, Trebinje

Day 6: Trebinje, Kotor, Budva

Day 7: Budva, Tirana, Ohrid

Day 8: Ohrid, St.Naum, Skopje

Day 9: Skopje, Thessaloniki

Day 10: Kalambaka, Meteora, Delphi

Day 11: Delphi, Athens

Day 12: Athens

Start

End

Status

Price ($)

The tour price and the local payment cover the following services:

Accommodation

Meals

Transportation

Airport Transfer

Guide

What is not included in the tour price and local payment?

HOTEL VEGA - SOFIA

ABBA HOTEL - BELGRADE

HOTEL EXCLUSIVE - SARAJEVO

SPA HOTEL TERME - SARAJEVO

HOTEL VIV - TREBINJE

HOTEL NAR - TREBINJE

HOTEL LEOTAR - TREBINJE

HOTEL HEC RESIDENCE - BUDVA

HOTEL VERDE COMPLEX - PODGORICA

HOTEL OASIS - PODGORICA

HOTEL AURA - OHRID

HOTEL PARK GOLDEN VIEW - OHRID

HOTEL FLAMENGO - OHRID

HOTEL PANORAMIKA DESIGN - SKOPJE

HOTEL BEST WESTERN - SKOPJE

VEGA HOTEL ROTONDA - THESSALONIKI

VARONOS HOTEL - DELPHI

HERMES HOTEL - DELPHI