Balkan Tour 2022

Upon arrival at Dubrovnik Airport, transfer to the hotel. Meet the Tour Director, dinner and overnight. (D)

Morning sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik, included on the UNESCO List of World Cultural Heritage. You will visit Franciscan Monastery with Europe’s third oldest pharmacy, the Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral. Departure for Tirana as we drive inland via Budva, crossing the Albanian border at Shkodra, once the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom (3rd century BC). Dinner and overnight in Tirana. (B, D)

Morning sightseeing tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania, including Skender Bey Square, the Mosque of Ethem Bey and a visit to the National Museum representing the flow of Albanian history and housing the finds from archaeological sites across the country. Afternoon departure for Ohrid, driving via Elbasan and crossing the North Macedonian border at Cafasan. Dinner and overnight in Ohrid. (B, D)

Full day in the lakeside resort of Ohrid, classified as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Through the activity of St Clement and St Naum of Ohrid, the first pan-Slavic University in Europe, the famous ‘Ohrid Literary School’ was founded here. Morning sightseeing tour includes the Church of St Sofia (11th century) the most eminent medieval monument in North Macedonia with magnificent Byzantine fresco paintings and St Clement Church with its icon of Annunciation. In the afternoon a short drive to visit St Naum Monastery built on the shores of Lake Ohrid in 900 AD and dedicated to the Slavic missionary and educator St Naum of Ohrid. Dinner at a local restaurant. Return to hotel for overnight. (B, D)

Morning departure for Skopje. Sightseeing tour of Skopje, including the Kale Fortress, the Church of the Holy Saviour with its iconostas, one of the finest samples of traditional walnut woodcarving, Old Bazaar and Stone Bridge. We drive to the slopes of the Vodno Mountain where we visit the Monastery of St Panteleimon with its 12th century iconostas and frescoes ranking among the highest achievements of Byzantine art of this period. Dinner and overnight in Skopje. (B, D)

Morning departure for Kolašin, driving via Peć and Berane and along the impressive Morača River Canyon. Afternoon arrival at Kolašin, spreading on the left bank of the Tara River, situated at the altitude of 954m. The whole area is surrounded by the thick pine forest of the Bjelasica Mountain and is a popular skiing and air spa resort. Dinner and overnight in Kolašin. (B, D)

Morning departure for Cetinje where we visit King Nikola’s Museum, once the residence of the Montenegrin King Nikola I Petrović. Continuation to Kotor, classified as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, where we visit its Romanesque cathedral dedicated to St Tryphon, the town’s patron saint. We continue to Dubrovnik driving along the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik. (B, D)

Breakfast, followed by departure transfer to Dubrovnik Airport. (B)