The Balkans: Slovenia, Montenegro,
Bosnia & Herzegovina,
Croatia, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, SerbiaThis can be booked as a complete comprehensive tour of the Balkans or modules can be booked separately.
Balkans: Comprehensive Tour (all modules) 33 days
May 29-June 30 and September 1-October 3Slovenia-Croatia-Bosnia-Montenegro (ends in Tirana, Albania) (16 days)
May 29-June 13 and September 1-16Albania (11 days)
June 12-22 and September 15-25Albania-Macedonia-Kosovo-Serbia (19 days)
June 12-30 and September 15-October 3Other Module Options:
Add Bulgaria Post-Tour to Slovenia-Croatia-Bosnia-Montenegro sector: June 14-21
Add Bulgaria Post-Tour to Fall Balkans Comprehensive itinerary: October 4-11Maximum Group Size 12 People
SLOVINIA
May 29/Sep 1 Day 1 Arrival Ljubljana, Slovenia (D)
Transfer 20-30 min to Lake Bled. O/N Lake Bled - Hotel Park 4* recently renovated, located on the Lake shore in the center of the little town. (Ljubljana airport is closer to Lake Bled then to town itself).May 30/Sep 2 Day 2 Tour of Lake Bled, tour of Lake Bohinj. (B) O/N Ljubljana -
Tour of Lake Bled: visit to the castle on the cliff above the town, and the church in the little island in the middle of the lake.Drive to Lake Bohinj - about 30 min. Visit to the very old local village house left by a 90 year old women who died just few years ago. O/N Lake Bled - Hotel Park (B)
May 31/Sep 3 Day 3 Ljubljana-Portoroz/Piran (B) - Hotel Piran
Drive 1 hours and Tour of Ljubljana : walking tour of city center about 1.5 hour
Drive to Postojna Caves (about 1 hour), visit the caves by electric train – about 2 hours.
Drive to Lipica - about 30 min, visit Lipica Stud Farm (about 1.5 h) .Drive to the coast - 30 min . Unlike Portoroz which is a modern coastal resort (looks like Nice), Piran is a medieval pirate town with typical atmosphere of stony buildings and narrow streets. You can walk between the two. many options for dining here.
CROATIA Jun 1/Sep 4 Day 4 Porec (Croatia) - Rovinj - Pula - Opatija (B) - Hotel Astoria 4*
The drive today crosses Istra Peninsula to Opatija (about 2 hours). Along the way we visit local villages all located on the top of the hills (like in Provence, France); a few are turned into artist colony with lots of galleries and small craft shops.We start our day by crossing the border from Slovenia into Croatia and leaving the coast in order to explore picturesque old villages of Istria inland. We will visit Buje, Groznjan, Motovun and Visnjan before returning to the coast.
The Buje Region stretches from the river Mirna to the river Dragonja, which also marks the borderline with the Republic of Slovenia. This is an area with wavelike hills covered with vineyards, olive groves and fields sprinkled with oak, cerris and pine woods and Mediterranean meadows with wild thyme and fir trees and a karst belt full of interesting geological phenomena. Today, the entire region of Buje is the most famous winegrowing part of Istria with numerous wine cellars and farmhouses (agritourism).Groznjan, an ancient town in northwestern Istria, fifteen km from the sea, takes great pride in its wealth of tradition, cultural heritage and natural beauty, all of which is ennobled by art. Today, numerous cultural and historical landmarks serve as backdrops for cultural manifestations and entertainment. Here, one can attend frequent concerts of classical music, a jazz festival, the painting manifestation Ex Tempore, and numerous exhibitions at the municipal gallery and approximately twenty private galleries and studios. Have a walk around the area or just enjoy magnificent landscapes and views in the quiet atmosphere.
With its elegant system of towers, walls, gates and piazzas, the hilltop village of Motovun is a striking example of Venetian colonial architecture. Perched on a hill some 227m above sea level, Motovun is the most attractive town in the Istria interior. Sightseeing in Motovun is a trip to the past when the town was part of the Venetian empire. Reminders of the former Venetian rulers are everywhere: 14th century stone lions (Venice's symbol) stand sentry over the town gates and coats of arms adorn the buildings. Architect Andrea Palladio designed the late-Renaissance town church of St. Stephen. Francesco Bonazzo contributed the marble statues of St. Stephen and St. Laurence, and an unknown 17th-century Venetian produced the painting of the Last Supper behind the church's altar. Other sightseeing highlights include the Renaissance Municipal Palace, the largest secular building in Istria from that period. Notice also the water cisterns of the town in the town square with pipes that date from the 14th and 15th centuries.
Take a walk around the town walls of Motovun: The sweeping view takes in the vineyards that produce Motovun's fine Teran and Malvasija wine and the forests that hide Istria's prized white and black truffles. Passing along the cobblestone street at the foot of the hill, you will see the Gothic chapel of St. Anthony the Abbot (Sv. Anton) from the 15th century. This street leads you to the town gate decorated with a relief of the Venetian lion from 1517 with the town’s pride hiding behind it - the old town square. Partly surrounded by town walls built in the 13th and 14th century the square is adorned by a 27 meter high bell-tower, 18th century Municipal loggia, water-well and the Parish church of SS. Quiricus and Julita (Sv. Kvirik i Julita) dating from the 19th century. From the water-well, as if on the palm of your hand, there is an all-embracing view of the landscape reaching the sea - over the fields, vineyards and scattered small houses of the nearby villages.
Inhabitants of Višnjan are known as very diligent people. They cherish their fields, vineyards and cattle as their biggest treasure. They have succeeded in preserving their autochthonism and therefore they can offer a rich variety of traditional Istrian dishes, quality wines from renowned wine-makers, olive oil and many other traditional and ecological products, which you can savour in a pleasant ambience of a wine cellar, traditional inn, restaurant or agritourism.
Returning back to the sea coast we visit Poreč, a pretty little place set on a small promontory and cut into an ordered mesh of streets that dates from its time as a Roman encampment. The ancient Decumanus still runs straight through the center and the Roman forum. The Romans conquered the region in the 2nd century BC and made Poreč an important administrative center, from which they were able to control a sweep of land from the Lim Fjord to the Mirna River. Poreč’s street plan was laid out by the Romans, who divided the town into rectangular parcels marked by the longitudinal Decumanus and the latitudinal Cardo.
A short, beautiful drive will bring us to Rovinj. Originally an island, Rovinj was first mentioned in the 7th century as Ruvignio, but it is believed that the town emerged at least several centuries earlier, possibly between the 3rd and 5th centuries. It was settled by Slavs in the 7th century and began to develop a strong fishing and maritime industry. We enjoy a walking tour of Rovinj. This beautiful fishing port is in fact mostly Italian speaking. Shops line the narrow streets of the old town selling everything from local Istrian wines and grappa to the region's tasty olive oil and truffles. Above the old town stands the largest gothic church in Istria, the Basilica of Santa Euphemia. This is a culmination of a number of earlier churches, remains of which are still evident. The first, the Oratory of St Maur (who is said to have lived in a house on this site), is in scattered pieces on the north side of the basilica, a secret place of worship dating from a time when Christianity was still a clandestine religion.
We continue our journey to Pula, with its’ impressive 1st century Roman amphitheatre overlooking the harbor northeast of the old town. Built entirely from local limestone, the amphitheatre was designed to host gladiatorial contests and could accommodate up to 20,000 spectators. The Roman walls mark the eastern boundary of old Pula. We follow these walls south and continue down Giardini to the Triumphal Arch of Sergius. This majestic arch was erected in 27 BC to commemorate three members of the Sergius family who achieved distinction in Pula. Until the 19th century the arch was backed by the city gate and surrounded by walls that were pulled down to allow the city to expand beyond the old town. The pedestrian street beyond the arch, Street Sergijevaca, winds right around old Pula. We will follow the street to the ancient forum the town’s central meeting place from antiquity through the Middle Ages.
Later we continue to Opatija, the oldest established and still one of the most popular Croatian resorts town, in the best tradition of seaside magnificence. A Rijeka businessman built the first villa here in 1844, and after a visit by the trend-setting wife of the Austrian Emperor, the town was promoted as a handy health resort for aristocratic Austrians.
Jun 2/Sep 5 Day 5 Opatija to Plitvice Lakes (UNESCO) (B) - Hotel Jezero 4*
Drive to Plitvice Lakes - about 3h. First part of our drive will follow the coast. We will pass through Rijeka, one of the busiest town, harbor and shipyard on the Croatian coast, then we go around Kvarner Bay - the biggest bay in Croatia, before leaving the coast to turn into the country side by going over the mountain range of Velebit. We reach the Plitvice Lakes, where sixteen lakes, each at different levels, join each other in a series of cascading waterfalls. Surrounded by dense woods, the region (on UNESCO's List of World Natural Heritage sites) is a natural phenomenon of rare and unique beauty. We will take a walk through the National Park of Plitvice Lakes. Wooded paths follow the succession of lakes and waterfalls where streams burst out of rocks creating a unique place. The colors of the pools are reminiscent of Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. Overnight Plitvice Lakes - (B, D)
Jun 3/Sep 6 Day 6 Drive Plitvice - Zadar - Sibenik - Trogir/Split (B) - Hotel Peristil (within the Palace walls), Hotel President or Marjan ( on the main promenade by the sea about 100m from the entrance to the palace) .We start with a drive to Zadar (approx 3 hrs), the ancient capital of Dalmatia and a typical Venetian old town. This large town has a historic center crowded on to a tapered thumb of land, jutting north into the Adriatic. The town has a variety of architectures and styles, where lone Corinthian columns stand alongside Romanesque churches. Zadar was part of Italy until 1947, and, though fast diminishing, you will find the Italian influence still strong and Italian widely spoken, particularly amongst the older people. The city has much of the vibrancy of an Italian coastal town.
While in Zadar we visit the Archaeological Museum, which has a neatly displayed collection of Roman relics, pre-Christian, Roman and medieval finds from nearby Nin, as well as fragments of sculpture from most of the local churches. We will also see the Roman Forum from the 2nd century BC, the 9th century pre-Romanesque church of St Donatus, as well as St Elias church.
Next is Šibenik (approx 1 hr drive) located in an area of several hundred inlets which are spread out to the open blue sea, forming many channels, bays and droves of rare beauty. Especially lovely are the inlets posted in front to the open sea, with their rocky cliffs and deep abrasions which are very picturesque Sibenik and its beautiful surroundings occupy a unique place. In its district, the renowned beauties of the Dalmatian coast are further enriched by the most indented coastline with exuberant stony landscapes. The river Krka has forced its way through a very picturesque canyon, and from its source to its’ end possesses wonderful waterfalls.
In the town itself, located on the shore stand its pride - the Cathedral of St. Jacob, which for its beauty made its way to UNESCO Heritage List. The building of the church started in 1402, though plans on its construction had already begun in 1298. Church is in Gothic style and multitude of very famous Venician and local craftsman worked on it.
Our last visit today will be to the medieval town of Trogir, a suburb of Split, (approx 30 min drive) which has changed little over the years, and is today one of the most beautiful towns on this coast. Life revolves around Narodni Trg, a creamy-white square flanked by the Cathedral, Communal Palace and Loggia. We will see the Venetian Cathedral of St Lovro, (UNESCO) built from the 13th to 15th centuries on the Place of Ivana Pavla, one of the finest architectural works in Croatia. Lots of choices for dinner here.
Jun4/Sep 7 Day 7 Split (B)
Morning take a guided walk around the old part of Split, a very vibrant city of shouting stall owners, in-transit travelers, and white-suited sailors who give it a noisy, night-on-the-town feel. We will see its famous Theater house, visit the local market and walk around brand new sea front “Riva”. At the heart of all of this, hemmed in by sprawling estates and a modern harbor, lies Diocesan’ Palace, some of the most outstanding classical architecture in the world which we will enjoy visiting today.The Roman Emperor Diocesan spent his declining years in an enormous palace that he had built near his birthplace, Espalatos, in Dalmatia. With the passing centuries the original architecture of the palace has been altered, but the people of the city, later called Spalato, and then Split, were able to use the structure of the palace, damaging it as little as possible, under Byzantine, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian rule. Thus, a harmonious city came into being within the Roman walls. We will see the peristyle of the palace, Diocletian's mausoleum, Jupiter's temple, the colonnades along the streets, Early Croatian churches, Romanesque houses, the gates of Andrija Buvina and architectural works by Juraj Dalmatinac which all have remained in a good state.
Afternoon is free for you to enjoy Split by yourself.
Jun 5/Sep 8 Day 8 Full day Excursion to Hvar. Return to Split for overnight. (B)
This morning we take the ferry for a 90 min ride to the Island of Hvar. Even by Dalmatian standards Hvar’s history seems unusually ‘dense’. Originally a Greek colony, the island has been the temporary property of different rulers like Hungary, Genoa, Bosnia and Dubrovnik, and like the rest of Dalmatia, it only achieved a period of relative peace and stability under the Venetians. Its harbor is now alive, with a constant hum of activity, with a creamy-brown piazza in the middle, flanked by the Venetian Arsenal, and culminating in the skeletal campanile of Hvar’s Cathedral. Upon arrival we will have a walking tour of the town of Hvar. We will first go through the narrow streets to the 15th Century Franciscan Monastery followed by the visit to the Renaissance Cloister. The old Rectory houses today a collection of lace, manuscripts, and books. The church also contains remarkable collection of paintings. We visit later the St Stephen’s Cathedral and the Arsenal, a thick walled fortress overlooking the harbor, where Europe’s oldest community-theater has been opened in 1612.Afternoon will be free. Evening return by ferry back to Split .
BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA
Jun 6/Sep 9 Day 9 Split - Medjugorje (pilgrimage site in Herzegovina) - Mostar-Sarajevo (B) - Hotel Astra Garni, Astra or Europa Garni 4* (less than a block from the old bazaar).
In the morning we enjoy a breathtaking drive first along the central Dalmatian coast and then though the bare-stone mountains of Herzegovina. After a short drive, we will arrive in Medjugorje, a small village and a pilgrimmage site for the past 24 years. In 1981, several of the local children received the messages of Virgin Mary, and since then, this has been a place of supposed miracle, which draws many believers. We will visit the big local church and the area where the miracle supposedly happened.Continue to Mostar. The historic town of Mostar, spanning a deep valley of the Neretva River, developed in the 15th and 16th century as an Ottoman frontier town and during the Austro-Hungarian period in the 19th and 20th centuries. Mostar has long been known for its old Turkish houses and Old Bridge, Stari Most, after which it is named. The bridge is in the heart of town. Mostar means bridge-keeper as it was guarded at the time.
The old Turkish bridge once was the only means uniting the city over the emerald waters of the Neretva River. The original bridge was wooden, built at the beginning of the 15th century, and it was a very important link between the two parts of Herzegovina, not only strategically but also in respect of trade linking the sea to the interior. This soon brought the urgent need to replace the old unsafe wooden chain bridge with a new one which could meet the growing requirements. The construction began in 1557 and continued for nine years. The bridge is the masterpiece of Hajrudin, a pupil of the he renowned architect, Sinan. The year of the completion was 1566. Tall and white, with its graceful arch, it appears to be cut from the single huge stone slab. It is 13.5 feet wide and 60ft high and its stone arch is slightly less then 90ft long.
In the 1990 conflict, however, most of the historic town and the Old Bridge were destroyed. The Old Bridge was recently rebuilt and many of the edifices in the Old Town have been restored or rebuilt with the contribution of an international scientific committee established by UNESCO. The Old Bridge area, with its pre-Ottoman, eastern Ottoman, Mediterranean and western European architectural features is an outstanding example of a multicultural urban settlement. The reconstructed Old Bridge and Old City of Mostar is a symbol of reconciliation, international cooperation and of the coexistence of diverse cultural, ethnic and religious communities.
A walking tour of Mostar will include a visit to the ancient city dating to the 16th/17th centuries, a visit inside a traditional house dating to this period, a visit to the recently rebuilt Mostar Bridge, the emblem of the city. We will enjoy the lively atmosphere of the old bazaar. Lunch break in Mostar (pay on your own) and then drive 2 hours along the canyon of the river Neretva and through the Bosnian Mountains to Sarajevo - capital of Bosnia and Hezergovina.
Jun 7/Sep 10 Sarajevo (B) - Hotel Astra Garni, Astra or Europa Garni 4* (less than a block from the old bazaar)
Morning walking city tour of the old part of the town. This magical town with all its charms will take you instantly back to Ottoman times. Here we visit beautiful Ottoman mosques, old quarters and the authentic Turkish “carsija” where we can watch different craftsman making their product sitting in from of their shop, we can try typical local deserts in its oriental sweets shops, cafes and traditional Bosnian food in many “cevapdzinica” all around old bazaar. Sarajevo is also a town in which for more then 400 years mosques, orthodox churches, roman-catholic churches and synagogues have been standing together, we will visit the oldest mosque, and the main Catholic and main Orthodox churches. We will also see the place where Austro-Hungarian prince Franc Josef was assassinated (believed to be the cause of WWI) . Overnight in Sarajevo – Many restaurants close to hotel.CROATIA
Jun 8/Sep 11 Day 11 Sarajevo - Počitelj - Dubrovnik (B) - Hotel Argentina 5*, Excelsior 5* or Imperial Hilton 5* (traditional buildings with breathtaking view of the sea; walking distance from the old city) .
Morning drive through the canyon and then delta of River Neretva to the coast (1h) and then to Dubrovnik (1h). Our first stop will be in the picturesque little village of Pocitelj, perched on a hillside above the river. This unique settlement, listed as a UNESCO heritage site by recent reconstruction has returned to its original form. Besides its stunning oriental architecture and Ottoman feel, Pocitelj hosts the longest operating art colony in southeast Europe. In the middle ages, Počitelj was the administrative centre and centre of governance of Dubrava župa (county), and its westernmost point, which gave it major strategic importance. It is supposed that the fortified town and its attendant settlements were built by Bosnia's King Stjepan Tvrtko I in 1383.
The walled town of Počitelj evolved over the period from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. Architecturally, the surviving stone-built parts of the town are a fortified complex, in which two stages of evolution may be observed: mediaeval, and Ottoman. It is possible to see and visit : the Fort, moscue of Sisman Ibrahim-Pasha, Medresa (Muslim religious high school), Hamam (Turkish baths), Sahat-Kula (clock tower).
Arrival in Dubrovnik by lunch time. Rest of day independent.
Many restaurant choices close by; the hotel restaurants are over priced.Jun 9/Sep 12 Day 12 Dubrovnik (B)
Morning walking tour of the old walled heart of Dubrovnik. All motor vehicles are banned from the center and our bus drops us outside the Pile Gate. We will visit the Franciscan Monastery, housing one of the world's oldest pharmacies, the old harbor, St Laurence Fortress, the Sponza and Rector's Palaces and other points of interest in this best preserved European walled city.Afternoon, You may wish to cross to one of the local islands. The most popular islands are Kolocep, Lopud, and Šipan, which are easily reachable by boat from Dubrovnik. Afternoon free . O/N Dubrovnik
MONTENEGRO
Jun 10/Sep 13 Day 13 Dubrovnik - Kotor (Montenegro) (B) - hotel Marija 3* (inside the city walls )
We continue our drive along the Adriatic coast to Montenegro and to the town of Kotor (2h). We enjoy a marvelous drive around beautiful Boka Kotorska Bay, passing by many old fishing villages, churches, monasteries, marinas and beaches.Walking tour of Kotor UNESCO (about 2h). This museum town, (UNESCO site), was inhabited even at the times of the Illyrians and Romans. However, our walk through the city will take us back to medieval times, as most of the monuments we can observe now are from the 14th to 18th centuries. In the Middle Ages, this natural harbour on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro was an important artistic and commercial centre with its own famous schools of masonry and iconography. Strong walls surround the city, a renaissance tower stands on the main square, and there are numerous churches and lovely houses still remaining. We will see the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, St. Luka Church, St. Mihail Church, and many more. A large number of the monuments (including four Romanesque churches and the town walls) were seriously damaged by the 1979 earthquake but the town has been restored, largely with UNESCO's help.
Jun 11/Sep 14 Kotor- Njegusi - Cetinje (the old capital )-Budva (B) – Hotel Avala 5*at the entrance to the walled city.
Morning, we drive approx 2 hrs to the old Njegusi village in the mountains, birth place of Njegoš, ruler of the country in the second half of the 19th century. He was also the head of the Orthodox Church and a leading poet and writer whose achievements are still taught in the schools of Sebia and Montenegro. . This drive is exceptional !!!! Just up into the mountains directly from the coast with the full view of the whole Boka Bay from the top.Continue drive (approx 1 hr) to Cetinje, once the capital of Montenegro, passing by Mount of Lovcen, where we can spot the impressive Mausoleum of Peter II Petrović - Njegoš, decorated with a statue done by the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrović. This is an absolute pride of the people of Montenegro. The town was founded in 1482, when Ivan Crnojević, the last ruler of the medieval country of Zeta, built here a palace for himself as well as a church. Cetinje stayed the heart and soul of Montenegro all the way up to WW1. In Cetinje we will visit the royal palace of King Nikola II, the last King of Montenegro. The palace contains both a beautiful small museum as well as the Monastery of St. Petar.
In the afternoon we will return to the coast driving to Budva - bit more then 1 h.
Budva is one of the oldest inhabited places in the area, known since Illyrian times. The town of Budva we see now is medieval and is definitely the most attractive place on the Riviera. Budva has a fortified old part of the town with the typical architecture of narrow streets and stone buildings placed around the main cathedral. This area is now used as a gathering place for tourists, containing many shops and taverns. Budva also has several attractive beaches. Rest of day independent. Many restuarants in the old town.Jun 12/Sep 15 Day 15 Budva - Shkodra- Tirana (B) - Theranda Hotel
Morning drive along Adriatic coast passing Montenegro resorts of Becici, Petrovac, Milocer, Sv. Stefan before crossing the border into Albania, just south from the Lake Skadar (approx 2-2.5 hr drive to border crossing). We will stop at one for photos and cafe break on one of the lovely patios overlooking the sea.One more hour drive to the first town in Albania we will visit, Shkodra, sitting on its shores . Shkodra, is the most important town of northern Albania and the Illyrian capital in the 3rd century BC. Shkodra has been an important city for Albania for over 2,000 years. Once part of the Venetian empire, Italian influence is everywhere evident in Shkodra. Visit Rozafa Castle, from where spectacular panoramic view can be admired all around. It is a place that you can truly feel the supremacy the Illyrians would have felt against enemies standing in front of such an imposing fortress.
Lunch stop is in Shkodra by the lake of Shkodra, the largest in the Balkans. Afterwards, we visit the Marubi Museum (a master photographer at the end of the 19th century). It has an exposition of old prints, starting with the oldest photograph in the Balkans that was taken in 1856. This gives us an opportunity to experience the authentic life of people 150 years ago through the print exposition. Next, we visit the Mesi Bridge, an old bridge built in the mid 18th century that has beautiful mountain scenery as a backdrop.
Continue drive to Tirania (2 hrs). Transfer to hotel.
Jun 13/Sep 16 Day 16 Depart Tirana, if ending your travels here.
ALBANIA
Jun 12/Sep 15 Day 15 Arrival in Tirana. Transfer to Theranda Hotel.
Jun 13/Sep 16 Day 16 Tirana (B, D) - Theranda Hotel
Morning half day tour of the capital, including Ethem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower and the National Historic Museum. We visit two old houses where two master artists live. The Buneci house, built in the 17th century, is the house of a master cooper craftsman and there are displays of his life’s work in the living room. The house of Albanian master painter Sali Shijaku, built in the 15th century, displays his paintings as well. A free afternoon for more exploration on your own. Dinner with a performance by the National Ensemble of Albania.Jun 14/Sep 17 Day 17 Tirana - Kruja - Durres (Total drive time 2.5 -3 hours.) (B, D) - Hotel Ani
After breakfast, travel to Kruja, a small town perched high on the face of a hill, the center of the Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Turks under the leadership of Albania’s national hero Scanderbeg. Visit the fortress of Kruja, the Scanderbeg Museum, Ethnographic Museum, and the old bazaar full of local handicrafts. Traditional Albanian lunch in Kruja. Arrive in Durres in the early afternoon in time to visit the Amphitheatre and Archeological Museum. Dinner in a traditional restaurant with live music.Jun 15/Sep 18 Day 18 Durres - Elbasan - Pogradec-Tushemisht (Total drive time 4-4.5 hours) (B, D) -Hotel Perla
Morning departure for Elbasan, visit Elbasan Castle (interesting as it is the only castle in the country given to a private entity which has proved very successful in preserving and restoring this monument). Along the way, we stop for refreshments. Continue on to Pogradec, on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Lunch is at Villa Art (pay direct), which used to be the old fishing villa of the dictator. After lunch we proceed to the small village of Tushemisht to explore the traditional village life in this picturesque area of the country. A short drive to the other side of the lake reveals the mosaics and archeological sites on the top of a hill around the lake in Lin village. Traditional Koran Fish dinner at Hotel Sirena by the lake.Jun 16/Sep 19 Day 19 Pogradec - Korca - Voskopoja - Korca (Total Drive time 3 hours) (B, D) Hotel Regency
After breakfast, we depart for Korca where we visit the Museum of Medieval Arts and the Mosque of Mirahori, one of the oldest in the country, built in 1469. Afterwards we depart for Voskopoja, one of the most important towns in the European part of the Ottoman empire during the beginning of the 18th century. Testament to this are the first printing house in the Balkans in 1720, the Academia of Voskopoja founded in 1744, the famous Basilicas, and the painted house walls by famous Albanian painters including David Selenica and the Zeografi brothers. We visit a number of monuments and churches with frescoes that have been restored. Lunch in Voskopoja, pay direct. Afterwards, we return to Korca, where you are left at leisure to explore this important town of southern Albania. Of particular interest is the old Korca bazaar opposite our hotel. Overnight in Korca.Jun 17/Sep 20 Day 20 Korca - Gjirokastra (Total drive time 5 hours) (B, D) Hotel Kalemi
After an early breakfast, we depart for Gjirokastra, a museum city and UNESCO heritage site. We drive through breathtaking scenery in the mountainous areas of Leskovik and Kolonja, stopping in Permet for an early lunch. Gjirokastra is the birthplace of the former iron-fisted dictator of Albania, Enver Hoxha. We visit the pre-Ottoman citadel which houses a weapons museum and ex-political prison. Afterwards, free to stroll around town, where many of the buildings retain their original wood and stone work. Overnight in one of the characteristic houses of Gjirokastra, a restored, small family-run guest house called Kalemi.
Jun 18/Sep 21 Day 21 Gjirokastra - Saranda - Butrint - Saranda (Total Drive time 2-2.5 hours) (B, D) Hotel Kaonia
After breakfast we drive to Saranda. On the way, there will be a quick visit to the Blue Eye, a fresh water spring in the shape of an eye, hidden among dense vegetation. A beautiful and relaxing natural site. We stop at the Mesopotam Church where carvings of mythological creatures can be viewed. Afterwards, we proceed to Saranda for a lunch stop. In the afternoon, we visit the World Heritage site of Butrint, Albania’s most important archaeological site and one of the most important sites in the Mediterranean as it provides proof of continuous inhabitation for thousands of years, forming layers upon layers of civilizations. We have dinner at the Lekursi Castle, where the Island of Corfu and the Bay of Saranda can be admired.Jun 19/Sep 22 Day 22 Saranda (B)
A free day in Saranda to relax on the beautiful Ksamil beach, you can take a boat trip or independently take a day trip to Corfu. The Ksamil Islands are beautiful and the beaches unspoiled. In the town center, the ancient ruins are thought to be one of the earliest Jewish Synagogues in Albania, approximately dating to the 4th century AD. Overnight in Saranda.Jun 20/Sep 23 Day 23 Saranda - Vlora (Total drive time 5 hours) (B, D) Hotel Pavarsia
A morning departure takes us north along the Albanian Riviera towards the coastal town of Vlora, where important events in the struggles for freedom and independence have taken place. We will make a stop for refreshments at the coastal town of Himara and several other small coastal villages. We will likely stop to visit a village house or possibly a school at the village of Bosh. A stop for lunch at the beautiful mountain gorge of Llogara before arriving in Vlora. In Vlora, we visit the Independence Museum, situated in the original house that was the seed of the first independent Albanian government.Jun 21/Sep 24 Day 24 Vlora - Apollonia - Berat (B,D) (Total drive time 4 hours) (B, D) Hotel Pavarsia
We depart early from Vlora towards the ancient city of Apollonia, founded in 558 BC by settlers from Corfu and Corinth. It is among the finest archaeological sites of the Mediterranean. We will have a tour of the library of this Roman site and view the beautiful Odeon, along with a visit to the Old Monastery nearby, which serves as an Archaeological Museum. Next we proceed to the beautiful museum town of Berat, sometimes called “the city of a thousand windows.” It is one of the most attractive Albanian towns and must see for anyone. Lunch in Berat. After lunch, we go sightseeing in Berat: the Fortress, Onufri Museum (an old Orthodox church which displays many of the iconic paintings by Onufri and his followers) and several churches and mosques. In the downtown area, we visit the Leaden Mosque, the King's Mosque, the Bachelor's Mosque and the Alveti Tekke. We will then visit an Albanian Winery to taste one of the best local Albanian wines.Jun 22/Sep 25 Day 25 Berat - Tirana (2 hrs). Transfer to airport
MACEDONIA
Jun 22/Sep 25 Day 25 Berat to Ohrid (Macedonia) (B, D retaurant with music) – hotel Milenium 4*
Drive to Ohrid (approx 4 hrs), passing Elbasan and then around Lake Ohrid from the north side, crossing the border into Macedonia very close to the town of Struga, a town located at the mouth of the river Black Drim into Lake Ohrid.Afternoon free. You may like to visit National Museum - the House of the Robev Family, a work of art dating from 1863 and housing a significant collection of exhibits from the Ohrid area and prehistory, the antique period and the Middle Ages; or the Ethnological Museum - the Urania House, on your own.
Jun 23/Sep 26 Day 26 Ohrid (B) – hotel Milenium 4*
Situated on the shores of Lake Ohrid at 695m above sea level, the town of Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe, built mainly between the 7th and 19th centuries. The town was known in prehistoric and classical times under the name of Lychnidos - the City of Lights. Slavs gave it the name of Arida in 10th century, and it became a major center of culture and art for this area. It has the oldest Slav monastery (St Pantelejmon) and more than 800 Byzantine-style icons dating from the 11th to the end of the 14th century. After those of the Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow, this is considered to be the most important collection of icons in the world. It is the cradle of Slavic written language and literature, from where the alphabet called Cyrillic was created by brothers Cyril and Methody and then spread all over the Slavic world.Morning walking tour around the old town-museum of Ohrid (UNESCO site).
Out of endless number of monuments and churches – Ohrid is also known as “City of 365 churches“, we will visit the most important ones such as Tsar Smuili fortress from 10th century, St. Kliment from 13th century St. Sophia from 11th, and St. Panteleimon from 9th. We will also visit one of the most valuable museums of icons in the world.St. Sofia, the cathedral church of the Ohrid Episcopate, with its outstanding architectural construction and invaluable frescoes dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, was the seat of the Archbishop.
Plaosnik, an early Christian complex and the spiritual and cultural source of Ohrid with preserved, restored and exposed architectural remains-parts of the original monastic complex from the period of St. Clement, as well as before and after him. St. Clement, a classic Orthodox Byzantine church, dominating the Old Town, demonstrates the link between Byzantine and Italian Renaissance art. At Plaoshnik, in the 9th century, St. Clement of Ohrid founded the first University of Europe and educated 3.500 students. It was the first Slavonic University, the cradle of the literacy and culture the Slavonic clergy.
Sv. Bogorodica Perivlepta, the Church of the Holly Mother of God Perivleptos dating from 1295, with its remarkable architecture and frescoes is one of the best known monuments of its kind not only in Macedonia, but also worldwide.
The Antique Theatre - the oldest antique theatre in Macedonia, built for- among other things- gladiatorial combats, has been reconstructed to house theatrical performances and concerts.
Afternoon tour to Sv. Naum Monastery by boat.
Jun 24/Sep 27 Day 27 Ohrid – St. Jovan Bigorski - Skopje (B) - Hotel Arka or BW Turist 4* ( in the pedestrian zone)
Drive from Ohrid north, through the mountains and villages, following Albanian border. Beautiful scenic mountain road will first take us to Monastery of Sv. Jovan Bigorski, famous for its iconostasis carved in wood and by its particular nice location on the slope of the mountain.St. Jovan Kaneo - a church dating from the 13th century situated on a small promontory which juts out into th e lake at the western end of the Old Town, poetry engraved on a rock and well knovn both in Macedonia and worldwide. It provides spectacular panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains, Samuil Fortress.
Next, we will pass through the National Park of Mavrovo - biggest in Macedonia, made famous by its lake, river, gorges and waterfalls.
Upon arrival in Skopje, we will explore the town .Skopje is not only the capital but also the largest city in the Republic of Macedonia. It is located in a valley, on both sides of River Vardar and traces back to over 2000 years of history when it was known as Skupi. Your exploration of this historic city starts with a walking tour the old part of the town “"Charshi"” where the Stone Bridge - a symbol of Skopje built by Turks in 15th C, is located. Here you visit some of the marvels which include the Church St. Spas, (famous for its marvelous iconostas from 17thC), the Old Bazaar, Fortress Kale (with walls dating back from the 6thC), Mustapha Pasha Mosque (a marvel of Ottoman architecture erected in 1492 with the earliest wall paintings), Daut Pasa Bath (a masterpiece of Islamic civil architecture from the 15thC).
We will walk through the old part of the town “Charshi”, where there is Stone Bridge - a symbol of Skopje built by Turks in 15th century. We will visit the church of St. Spas, with its marvelous iconostas first from 17th century, Old Bazaar, Fortress Kale whose first walls date to the 6th century, Mustapha Pasha Mosque – one of the most beautiful objects of Ottoman architecture erected in 1492 with the earliest wall paintings, Daut Pasha Bath, a masterpiece of Islamic civil architecture from the second half of 15th century.
KOSOVO
Jun 25/Sep 28 Day 28 - Drive Skopje - Prizren- Monastery Gračanica - Pristina (Kosovo) (B, D) - Hotel Baci or Afa 4*
Morning we drive north crossing the border to Prizren (2 hrs). Prizren is a true open air museum, one of the most beautiful towns of Kosova. It is situated on the slopes of the Sharr Mountains and on the banks of the river Bistrica. Thanks to its preserved architecture, this town with houses built under the Kalaja is a special curiosity. It is rich in dwelling quarters and houses with balconies facing gardens full of foliage. Numerous narrow, winding streets cut the whole town up, giving the town an oriental physiognomy. The craftsmen of Prizren are well known for their beautiful gold and silver articles, embroidery, the Prizren cloth, knives, and other folk handcrafts, trades which Prizrenians have preserved throughout the centuries. Prizren was established at a convenient locality as an important trading town, through which passed old roads towards the Adriatic coast and the interior of the Balkan peninsula.Graves and artifacts of Illyrian Dardans were found in Prizren's vincity, which shows that the area of Prizren has been inhabited since ancient times. It was for a while the center of the Serbian Empire. During the Byzantine rule, Prizren was known as Prizdrian. The Ottomans occupied Prizren on June 21, 1455, and that is when the oriental urban development of Prizren began. From all the cities of Kosova, Prizren has best preserved the architectural physiognomy of the past.
Overlooking the town, on a hill that dominates over the Prizren plateau, is the Kalaja Fortress of Prizren (Kalaja e Prizrenit). The fort dates from the 11th century and was built to protect Prizren from attacks. Kalaja is a true labyrinth of underground tunnels. The Ottoman Turks occupied it in 1455 and kept soldiers in it for centuries. Kalaja today fits into the old town setup. The Bajrakli Gazi Mehmet Pasha's mosque is the oldest monument of Islamic art in Prizren. The inscription above the entrance states it was built in 1561. This mosque has a square base and numerous windows, while the main veneration niche (mihrab) and the pulpit (mimber) are made of marble. A hexagonal mausoleum (medresa) has been built in the courtyard of the mosque which Mehmet Pasha earmarked as his grave. Mehmet Pasha also built a Turkish bath in the town, which is built of cut stone and large bricks, in extremely harmonious proportions.
One of the oldest standing structures in Prizren is the Sh'nm'ria Levishka Church. Built originally as a Roman Catholic Church and one of the primary churches of the Catholics of the region, Levishka was later converted to an Eastern Orthodox Church.
In the center of the town, on the bank of river Bistrica, stands the house in which in 1878, the League of Prizren was organized. It was an assembly of representatives of all Albanian inhabited regions that demanded autonomy from the Ottoman Empire. This event was the starting point of the Albanian liberation movement which eventually led to the declaration of the independence of Albania in 1912. The house archives many of the documents relating to the League of Prizren.
Continue onwards to Pristina (2 hrs). Enroute visit the Monastery of Gracania (UNESCO) with its monastery church devoted to Annunciation. The monastery was an endowment of King Milutin and was built in the early 14th century. Its architectural structure represents the apex of Serbian building that followed in the spirit of Byzantine tradition. This monastery stands apart as a work of harmonious proportions and extraordinary beauty.
Then drive to the countryside of Pristina to see the famous church devoted to Annunciation. The monastery was an endowment of King Milutin and was built in the early 14th century. Its architectural structure represents the apex of Serbian building that followed in the spirit of Byzantine tradition. However, this monastery also stands apart as a work of harmonious proportions and extraordinary beauty.
Next visit the 1389 Kosovo Battlefield and Sultan Murat’s grave (both about 15 min away from Pristina ). The battlefield is considered as starting point of the fall of Serbian medieval state and expansion of Ottomans to the Balkans where they stay for nearly 600 years !!) There is just one modern monument - but it is worth stopping for the story ! Also very near by is the grave of of Ottoman Sultan Murat killed by Serbian nobleman Milos Obilic in his tent during the battle.
- well part of the grave as his body was taken to Konstantinopolis and only the heart and blood remain here.Stroll along the streets and the main square of Pristina located right in the heart of the town.
SERBIA
Jun 26/Sep 29 Day 29 Pristina - Pec - Visoki Decani - Kopaonik (Serbia) (B, D) - Hotel Tadz 4* Novi Pazar
Morning drive to the north side of Kosovo and exit into Serbia. The monasteries of the region of Kosovo and Metohija are of exceptional value. In the late Middle Ages, this region was the center of the Serbian State and the Church.Our first stop will be the Patriarchate of Peć ( 2h - 81 km drive). The complex stands on its own in this area with its four churches. The oldest, dedicated to the Holy Apostles, was built in the mid 13th century, while the last one, devoted to St. Nicholas, dates back to the first half of the 14th century. The Patriarchate of Peć plays a major role in the Church and State history of Serbia.
We drive another 20 km to Monastery Visoki Decani , the most monumental building in medieval Serbia - the church devoted to Christ the Pantocrator at Dečani Monastery. King Stefan Dečanski initiated its building, while his son, the famous Emperor Stefan Dušan completed the work of his father in the 13th century. Dečani church boasts the richest and best preserved sculpture in the Romanesque-Gothic style, a lavish portal, and decorative windows. It bears witness to the regal origins of the Nemanjić’s and the rulers’ families of the founders. What makes this monastery exceptional is also its treasury, a safekeeping of precious old icons and other objects of superb value. The monastery is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Later, we will cross the border itno Serbia and a scenic drive down along the valley of the River Ibar, to the top of the mountain to Kopaonik (about 2.5 hr drive). Kopaonik is a National Park with unparallel natural beauty and a wide variety of flora and fauna. From the foothill up to the mountain peak the types of vegetation change, there are oak, beech, fir and spruce trees and many others. Kopaonik is the biggest mountain in central Serbia, with the mountain ridges spreading 82.7 km in length and 63 km in width. The ridges begin at Kosovska Mitrovica, running to the north-west over a series of peaks higher than 1600m. The highest part of the range is called “Ravni Kopaonik”, with the highest peak being “Pančićev vrh” (Pančić Peak), at a height of 2017 meters.
Pec - UNESCO listed in 2006 -complex of 4 churches , build from 1220 to 1330 , seat of the Serbian church starting from second half of 13 century and the crown church for Serbian kings.
Visoki Decani - UNESCO listed in 2006 - burial church of Serbian King Stefan Uros Nemanja , building started 1327 and lasted 8 years -beautiful mason and fresco works.
Novi Pazar - capital of southern area of Serbia called Sandzak - lot of Muslim minority. Old town , very Turkish - more like Bosnia . Located here is one of the best monasteries in Serbia - Sopocani - the first one of all Serbian Monasteries
listed on UNESCO list ( the peak of the fresco painting of the East -13th century - build by first Serbian medieval dynasty of Nemanjici.Jun 27/Sep 30 Day 30 Monastery Studenica (UNESCO) - Sirogojno (B,D) – Hotel Ethno Village Staro Selo
Our first visit will be Monastery Studenica (UNESCO site), founded by Stefan Nemanja. This is considered to be the crowning achievement of medieval culture and art in Serbia. The monastic complex consists of the fascinating Church of the Virgin (1183 - 1196), the Church of SS Joachim and Anne (also known as the King's Church) and the Church of St. Nicholas, a simple single-nave building. The monastery circle contains monuments raised over a period of 130 years, and several Serbian rulers had a hand in their construction. At the start of this period, the young Serbian feudal state under Stefan Nemanja was consolidating its independence, and by King Milutin's reign it had reached the height of its political, cultural and economic power. The strengthening of the medieval state and of its ruler's might is naturally reflected in these monuments.Continuing our journey we will ascend to Mount Zlatibor, a National Park of golden pines, after which it got its name (Zlatan - golden, Bor – pine tree). A short drive through the beautiful countryside will take us into an area where the vegetation will change its look, giving you the impression that you are in a jungle. Here you can find unique flora and fauna, such as the Omorica, the rarest of the pine trees endemic to this area.
We will visit the unique and very charming ethno village of Sirogojno. It is an open-air museum of traditional architecture, as well as an exhibition of handicrafts and world famous hand-knitted clothes.
Dinner – typical local food and overnight in Sirogojno village on the mountain of Zlatibor.
Jun 28/Oct 1 Day 31 Belgrade (B) - Hotel Majestik 4* (very traditional, in the very center, right in the pedestrian zone)
This morning, after a one hr drive from the village, we will take a nostalgic journey by the old steam engine “Šarganska Osmica” for 15km, crossing breathtaking scenery through 20 tunnels, 10 bridges and across many viaducts. Once, this narrow gauge train, affectionately known as the Ćira (Chira), used to be the only traveling solution for the people of the area. The train cut its path through the astonishing landscapes of Serbia and Bosnia, on its way from Belgrade to Sarajevo, and further on to Dubrovnik. Now it is possible to ride a 15km part of it, famous for its curves in the shape of the number 8 that made it possible to climb the steep slopes of the mountains Šargan and Mokra Gora. The track was reconstructed in 1999. During the ride, the train makes a few stops, one of which lasts 20 minutes to let you take some fabulous photographs, enjoy the views, or have a refreshment in the cafe of a tiny and charming 'railway station'.Afternoon drive through central Serbia, to Belgrade, the capital. We will arrive there early in the evening. Many restaurant choices near the hotel.
Jun 29/Oct 2 Day 32 Belgrade (B,D) – Hotel Majestik 4*
Morning a city tour of Belgrade, capital of Serbia since 1403, when Despot Stefan, son of Prince Lazar, moved his palace here. We will start our tour by walking from the elegant Republic Square, where we will make a close inspection of its architectonic monuments such as the National Theatre and the National Museum. We will stroll along unavoidable Knez Mihajlova Street – the main shopping and meeting place, in order to see a few other masterpieces of Belgrade's architecture, such as the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. We will then visit the oldest quarters of the 19th century, including the 'Question mark sign' Inn, Princess Ljubica's Residence (now housing a permanent exhibition of original furniture), as well as the Patriarchy and the Orthodox Cathedral.Walking through the streets of the old part of town we will arrive to the fortress of Kalemegdan, which is the symbol of Belgrade, situated where the River Sava flows into the Danube. Our visit to the fort will start with the Upper fortress area. It includes well-preserved artillery structures dating from the mid-18th century, as well as a medieval fortification - an acropolis with original or partly reconstructed ramparts, gateways, towers and the excavated ruins of a 15th century castle. A few Turkish monuments and some ancient Roman remains also lie in this area. In this section of the fortification complex we will see the elegant 18th century Baroque Clock Tower and the Roman Well. Our tour of the Eastern Ward includes the Rose Church of Our Lady, along with a panoramic view of the Lower fortress and its monuments - the Nebojsa Tower, the Baroque Gate of Karl VI, and the remains of the medieval metropolitan palace.
Enjoy dinner in the atmosphere of the local bohemian quarters of Skadarlija, with typical food and music.
Jun 30/Oct 3 Day 33 Home Transfer to the airport for flight home.
PRICES based on min 6 people, US dollar estimates as o 10/8/08
Module One: Slovenia-Croatia-Bosnia-Montenegro (ends in Tirana, Albania) (16 days)
May 29-June 13 and September 1-16
3736 euro (a(approx $5152), single room supplement: 488 euro ($675)Module Two: Albania (11 days) June 12-22 and September 15-25
Day 15-25 1303 Euro (approx $1800), single room supplement: 192 Euro (approx $265)Module Three: Albania-Macedonia-Kosovo-Serbia (19 days) June 12-30 and September 15-October 3
2726 euro (approx $3760); single room supplement: 385 euro ($535)Substantial Discount for All 3 Modules
Balkans: Comprehensive Tour (all modules) 33 days
May 29-June 30 and September 1-October 3
6168 euro (approx $8506); single room supplement: 799 euro ($1103)Inclusions: accommodation and meals as indicated, arrival/departure transfers, accompanying escort (different one for each country), transport by ac mini van, monument entrance fees.
Does Not include: international flight, travel insurance, tips, personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, drinks
NOTES
Distances, driving and roads: In all areas there are hardly any highways. It is always some local or mountain roads. In one respect it is nice as you are always passing through local villages and you are truly seeing the countryside. In the other respect progress is very slow and you can not travel big distances in a day.
Hotels: are good - but not luxury hotels. Suggested hotels are based on their location, local charm and identity. We are trying to avoid big hotel chains and we are using as often as possible small family run hotels with a personal touch. In some parts of Balkan we are not in a position to choose - some of the places we go to, have just one option.
All of the countries of Western Balkan (with the exception of few resorts on the Croatian coast) are not very crowded with tourists, so there are many opportunities for interaction with locals. Professional local guides are provided (different in each country) so you always have the local story, the local customs and culture.
(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
inquire@originalworld.com
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94942all text & photos © 1997-current, Barbara Sansone
