Visit 6 UNESCO sites in 4 Balkan countries for 9 unforgettable days with Balkan Pearls Travel and Tours.
Itinerary
DAY 01: SKOPJE AIRPORT – SKOPJE
DAY 02: SKOPJE -OHRID
DAY 03: OHRID –BITOLA - KALAMBAKA
DAY 04: KALAMBAKA – METEORA – IONNIAN
DAY 05: IOANNINA– GJIROKASTRA - SARANDA
DAY 06: SARANDA –VLORA – BERAT
DAY 07: BERAT – DURRES- TIRANA
DAY 08: TIRANA – KRUJA – SHKODER - BUDVA
DAY 09: BUDVA – KOTOR – PODGORICA
Desription
DAY 01: SKOPJE AIRPORT – SKOPJE
Upon arrival in airport, welcome from local guide and drive to Skopje city.
SKOPJE - the capital city of Macedonia - that lies in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, at the crossroad of important communications, a city with a 2000 years old tradition. Skopje is a very attractive tourist destination with its fortress, cultural and historical monuments, archaeological sites, sport halls, caves in the canyon of the River Treska and Lake Matka and a health spa in the eastern part of the city.The town with the beautiful quay of the Macedonian river “Vardar”, the narrow streets in the Old Bazaar which is the biggest bazaar preserved in the Balkans today, the town is internationally famous for being the birthplace of Mother Teresa.
Check in Hotel, accommodation and overnight
**Dinner in Hotel or Local restaurant
3 course menu drinks not included
DAY 02: SKOPJE -OHRID Breakfast in hotel
After breakfast drive to Ohrid with a stop in Tetovo.
Upon arrival in Ohrid start the tour
Visit Ohrid -Situated on the shores of Lake Ohrid, the town of Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe. Built mainly between the 7th and 19th centuries, 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.
Check in Hotel, accommodation and overnight
**Dinner in Hotel or Local restaurant
3 course menu drinks not included
DAY 03: OHRID –BITOLA - KALAMBAKA Breakfast in hotel
Drive to next destination Bitola city where to must visit:
Ancient town "Heraclea Lyncestis" -Famous for its dazzling mosaics, ancient theater and Roman baths, Heraclea is the most vividly preserved city from the surviving Ancient Macedonian Empire in the country.Heraclea Lyncestis was an ancient Macedonian city situated 2 km south of the present-day town of Bitola, Republic of Macedonia. It was founded by Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the 4th century BC, after he had conquered the surrounding region of Lyncestis and incorporated it into his kingdom of Macedon. The city was named in honor of the mythological Greek hero Heracles. The epithet Lyncestis means "the Land of the Lynx" in Greek.
After the lunch drive to Kalabaka, Greece,
Check in Hotel, accommodation and overnight
**Dinner in Hotel or Local restaurant
3 course menu drinks not included
DAY 04: KALAMBAKA – METEORA – IONNINA in hotel
Weak up with the magnificent view from the Meteora monasteries.
Get the bus and visit them form closer: In a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks settled on these 'columns of the sky' from the 11th century onwards. Twenty-four of these monasteries were built, despite incredible difficulties, at the time of the great revival of the eremetic ideal in the 15th century. Their 16th-century frescoes mark a key stage in the development of post-Byzantine painting.
Afternoon drive to Ioannina
Ioannina, the capital of Epirus, spreads out around beautiful Lake Pamvotida. The natural environment, the climate and character of the town are defined by this stretch of water – the area’s trademark. The lake, with its still waters and its small island, is a natural monument, around which the entire area lives and breathes. The strong cultural traditions of the town, home to a number of great novelists and poets, and the artistic and intellectual events which are organized throughout the year, give visitors the opportunity to get to know the roots of the intellectual life of Epirus.
Check in Hotel, accommodation and overnight
**Dinner in Hotel or Local restaurant
3 course menu drinks not included
DAY 05: IOANNINA– GJIROKASTRA - SARANDA hotel
Today leave Greece to explore Albania.
After 1 h driving we are in Gjirokstara, the city under Unesco
Gjirokastra perched on the eastern side of the Wide Mountain (Mali i Gjërë), the city began as a fourth century castle, which is today the greatest castle in the whole country. Gjirokastra is known as “The City of Stone,” and some of the main tourist attractions are old houses, built by stone to resemble small castles, and streets paved with cobblestone. While visiting, you can visit the Ethnographic Museum, located in the house where the former communist dictator EnverHoxha was born.
After lunch drive to Saranda and visit Butrint archeological park.
Butrint, ancient Buthrotum, is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in southwest Albania. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. The present archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city’s development. The National Park comprises a high diversity of natural, semi-natural and artificial habitats, such as freshwater marshes, reed beds, Mediterranean forests and maquis, arable lands and fruit-tree terraces, as well as coastal waters with rocky and sandy coast, open halophytic lands, etc, which make the Butrint area one of the most important areas for biodiversity in Albania.
Check in Hotel, accommodation and overnight in Saranda.
**Dinner in Hotel or Local restaurant.
3 course menu drinks not included.
DAY 06: SARANDA –VLORA – BERAT hotel
Continue the trip to Vlora through the amazing Albania Riviera
Albanian Riviera running along the Ionian Sea, begins north of Lukove, Qeparo, Himara, Borsh and ends at Llogara National Park. The area is a major nightlife, ecotourism, and elite retreat destination in Albania. It features traditional Mediterranean villages, ancient castles, Orthodox churches, secluded turquoise beaches, mountain passes, seaside canyons, coves, free flowing rivers, underwater fauna, caves, and orange, lemon, and olive groves.
After a short stop in Vlora continue to Berat afternoon city tour.
Berat the 2,413 years-old city known as Antipatrea, is under the protection of UNESCO. Berat is a treasure-trove of Albanian history, culture and a testament to the country’s tradition of religious harmony. The three major neighborhoods of the old city are Mangalemi, Gorica, and Kala, where the castle itself is located and is made unique by the fact that people continue to live inside of it. The post-Byzantine monumental Cathedral of Shën Maria (Saint Mary) today houses a museum of works by the famous iconographers of the 16th century: Onufri and his son Nikolla. There are over 100 icons on display and they also include works of other artists such as Joan Çetiri, OnufërQiprioti and many anonymous painters. Ottomans occupation has left its mark as well.
Check in Hotel, accommodation and overnight in Berat.
**Dinner in Hotel or Local restaurant
3 course menu drinks not included
DAY 07: BERAT – DURRES- TIRANA
After breakfast drive to Tirana with a short stop to Durres city.
Durrës the biggest seaport of the country. It is the most ancient city in Albania, with almost 3,000 years of history, foundation dates back to 627 B.C. The most important attraction in Durrësi is the amphitheater of the Roman Emperor Adrian with 15,000 seats, the second biggest amphitheater in the Balkans. Also the Archeological Museum is one of the most important of its kind and is of great interest to visitors.In addition to its historical value, Durrësi is also a beautiful place for family vacation, due to its sandy beaches, hotels and metropolitan feel.
Afternoon explore this vibrant city of Tirana
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 SheshiSkënderbej, 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, the Archeological Museum, and the National Gallery of the Arts will leave wonderful memories.
Check in Hotel, accommodation and overnight Tirana
**Dinner in Hotel or Local restaurant
3 course menu drinks not included
DAY 08: TIRANA – KRUJA – SHKODER - BUDVA
Today we will drive North Albania. Our first stop will be in Kruaj .
KRUJA is a medieval town located 32 km northwest of Tirana and 20 minutes from Tirana international Airport. In Kruja you can visit national ethnographic museum and Skanderbeg museum, both located in Kruja castle. It was from this fortress that Albania’s hero – George Kastrioti Skanderbeg – defended the country from Ottoman invasion over a period spanning three decades. From the castle you haves views of the Adriatic Sea. Kruja is one of Albania’s most important and popular tourist attractions
After the tour drive toward Shkodra to Montenegro.
Shkodra, it is one of the oldest cities of Albania, founded in the 4th century B.C. as the center of the Labeat tribe of Illyrians.Shkodra’s main tourist attraction today is Rozafa Castle, surrounded by the waters of three rivers, the Drini, Buna and Kiri. The castle bears a popular local legend. But worth to be visited is also the city center, theMarubi Atelier of Photography and Mesi Bridge.
Check in Hotel, accommodation and overnight Budva
**Dinner in Hotel or Local restaurant
3 course menu drinks not included
DAY 09: BUDVA – KOTOR – PODGORICA
In the morning we visit to the old town of Budva andwalking/sightseeing tour with the local guide.
After that we approaching town of Kotor – UNESCO site. Walking-sightseeing tour in the old town and later short trip to Perast. On arrival in Perast a small picturesque town the group will board the tourist boat for a short trip to the island of Gospa – manmade island in 15th century and visit to the church dedicated to Our Lady.
Afternoon drive to Podgorica airport for departure back home.
(Group should be 2 h before flight departure)
End of our service!
