14 day tour around Balkan, exciting destinations, bring home wonderful memories of Balkan Pearls.
Itinerary
DAY 01 APT - LJUBLJANA
DAY 02 LJUBLJANA – BLED – ZAGREB
DAY 03 ZAGREB – PLITVICE - ZADAR
DAY 04 ZADAR – MOSTAR – SARAJEVO
DAY 05 SARAJEVO – BELGRADE
DAY 06 BELGRADE – NIS – SOFIA
DAY 07 SOFIA – RILA MONASTERY – THESALONIKI
DAY 08 THESSALONIKI – KALABAKA
DAY 09 KALABAKA– METEORA – OHRID
DAY 10 OHRID – BERAT
DAY 11 BERAT – TIRANA
DAY 12 TIRANA – KOTOR – BUDVA
DAY 13 BUDVA – DUBROVNIK
DAY 14 DUBROVNIK – APT
Desription
DAY 01 ARRIVAL APT – LJUBLJANA (25 km)
Transfer to Ljubljana the capital of Slovenia, the city where old meets new Ljubljana.
Ljubljana is a picturesque city boasting a wealth of attractions. The curving Ljubljanica River, lined in outdoor cafes, divides the city's old town from its commercial hub.
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Ljubljana
DAY 02 LJUBLIANA – BLED – ZAGREB (250 km)
Lake Bled: one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Bled is often mentioned as the pearl of the Alpine region. It is unique with its emerald-green lake, a church on the island in the middle of the lake and a medieval castle from the 11th century, perched on a cliff above the lake. You will take the Bled’s typical “pletna” boat to the island. Bled Castle: a medieval castle built on a precipice above the city of Bled in Slovenia, overlooking Lake Bled.
Afternoon drive to Zagreb: the capital and largest city in Croatia, and a typical Central European town.
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Zagreb
DAY 03 ZAGREB – PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK – ZADAR (270 km)
Sightseeing tour of Zagreb to see the Lower Town, the Marshal Tito’s Square, the Croatian National Theatre, Upper Town (include one way funicular ride), the Cathedral of Assumption, the City Museum, the Dolac Market, the Stone Gate and St Mark's Church.
Afternoon drive to Plitvice National Park which was granted UNESCO World Heritage since the year 1979. The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen lakes, inter-connected by a series of waterfalls, and set in deep woodland populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and rare bird species.
After the visit transfer to Zadar
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Zadar
DAY 04 ZADAR – MOSTAR – SARAJEVO (417 km)
In the morning visit of Zadar, a city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, is known for the Roman and Venetian ruins of its peninsular Old Town. There are several Venetian gates in the city walls. Surrounding the Roman-era Forum is 11th-century St. Mary’s Convent, with religious art dating to the 8th century. There’s also the grand, 12th-century St. Anastasia’s Cathedral and the round, 9th-century pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donatus.
Mostar: a beautiful valley bedded between high mountains of Herzegovina, known for its famous bridge built by the Ottoman empire, a single span stone bridge crossing the Neretha river.
After the visit transfer to Sarajevo
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Sarajevo
DAY 05 SARAJEVO – BELGRADE (300 km)
In the morning Sightseeing tour of Sarajevo to see the Bascarsija, the Gazi Husrev Mosque, the Old Orthodox Church of St Archangel’s Mikhail and Gabriel, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Old Jewish Temple. Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum: was built on a historic private house whose cellar served as the entrance to Sarajevo Tunnel. The "house" museum is exhibiting archival materials including war photographs, military equipment, flags and military uniforms, flotsam and jetsam
After the visit transfer to Belgrade
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Belgrade
DAY 06 BELGRADE – NIS – SOFIA (400 km)
In the morning visit Belgrade the capital of the southeast European country of Serbia. Its most significant landmark is the Beogradska Tvrđava, an imposing fortress at the confluence of the Danube and the Sava rivers. The fort is a testament to the city’s strategic importance to the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, Serbian and Austrian empires, and it's now the site of several museums as well as Kalemegdan, a vast park.
Afternoon transfer to Sofia with a stop to Nis, Serbia's third-largest metropolis is a lively city of curious contrasts, where Roma in horse-drawn carriages trot alongside new cars, and posh cocktails are sipped in antiquated alleyways
After the visit transfer to Sofia
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Sofia
DAY 07 SOFIA – RILA MONASTERY THESSALONIKI (370 km)
Sightseeing tour of Sofia to see the Archeological Museum, The National Art Gallery, the Russian church, the Military club, the Parliament Square, the Tsar Liberator Monument, the Sofia University, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St Sophia Church and the Boyana Church (include entrance).
Rila Monastery: the second biggest monastery on the Balkans Peninsula. Throughout the centuries it has always been the spiritual, educational and cultural center of Bulgaria.
After the visit transfer to Thessaloniki
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Thessaloniki
DAY 08 THESSALONIKI – KALAMBAKA (230 km)
In the morning visti of Thessaloniki the Greek port city on the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. Evidence of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history remains, especially around Ano Poli, the upper town. The ruins of Roman Emperor Galerius’ 4th-century palace include the Rotunda that has been both a church and a mosque. Much of the city center was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1917. The rebuilt 20th-century city has a modern European layout.
After the visit transfer to Kalabaka
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Kalabaka
DAY 09 KALABAKA– METEORA – OHRID (290 km)
In the morning transfer and visit the Meteora Monasteries: Serene, spiritual, magical, mystical, extraordinary, breathtaking, immense, inspiring, and impressive. These are only some of the words people very often use in an effort to describe the Meteora phenomenon. A trip to Meteora offers the unique experience of nature’s grandeur in conjunction with history, architecture and man’s everlasting desire to connect with the Divine.
After the visit transfer to Ohrid
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Ohrid
DAY 10 OHRID – BERAT (170 km)
In the morning visit of the city, UNESCO heritage site since 1980. Ohrid is a small resort city on the hilly shores of Lake Ohrid in the southwest of the Republic of Macedonia. In the city’s compact old town, medieval churches, monasteries and open-air ruins stand alongside traditional houses with red-tiled roofs. The massive walls of the centuries-old Samoil’s Fortress, at the top of the hill, dominate the city skyline.
After the visit transfer to Berat
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Berat
DAY 11 BERAT – TIRANA (130 km)
In the morning city tour: Berat is a city on the Osum River, in central Albania. It's known for its white Ottoman houses. On a hilltop, Berat Castle is a huge compound now inhabited by townspeople. Within its walls are Byzantine churches, the Red Mosque and the Onufri National Museum, with Christian icons. East is the Ethnographic Museum, in an 18th-century house, displaying traditional crafts and part of a reconstructed medieval bazaar.
After the visit transfer to Tirana. Upon arrival start exploring this vibrant city of Tirana, the heart and capital of Albania, like all other European metropolises has a never-ending movement and energy. The journey might begin by visiting the key spots such as Sheshi Skënderbej, Mosque of Et’hemBey (built between 1798 and 1812), the 35 m high Kulla e Sahatit (the Watch Tower), castle of the Roman emperor Justinian (A.D. 520), the monumental Tomb of Kapllan Pasha and the Ura e Tabakëve. A visit to the National History Museum will leave wonderful memories.
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Tirana
DAY 12 TIRANA – KOTOR – BUDVA (220 km)
In the morning Transfer to Kotor with a stop to Sveti Stefan island for photo.
Upon arrival sightseeing tour of Kotor to see the Old City of Kotor, the Clock tower, the Napolean’s Theatre, the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, the Church of St Luke, Drago, Pima and Grgur Palace, the Maritime Museum and the Ancient City Walls.
Afternoon drive Budva old town and sightseeing tour of Budva to see the Old Town, the Fortress Citadel, the Church of St. Ivan and St. Trinity.
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Budva
DAY 13 BUDVA – DUBROVNIK (100 km)
Transfer to Dubrovnik: the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, a standout attraction and perfectly preserved baroque city-state range from baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum. Paved with limestone, the pedestrianized Stradun (or Placa) is lined with shops and restaurants. It's known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16th century.
Accommodation at hotel
Dinner and Overnight in Dubrovnik
DAY 14 DUBROVNIK – APT (22 km)
Time to bid farewell to these exciting destinations and bring home wonderful memories of Balkan Pearls! Departure to Cilipi Airport for final flight home back.
Key word: balkantour,ljubljana,zagreb,mostar,sarajevo,belgrade,thesaloniki,kotor,dubrovnik,tirana
Meta data description: 14 day tour around Balkan, exciting destinations, bring home wonderful memories of Balkan Pearls.
