Description

Tour Name: Highlights of Balkan
Tour Distance: 2340 km
Tour Duration: 8 Days 7 Nights
Starting Point: Sofia
Days/ Date Brief Itinerary Meals BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER
DAY
Sofia – Thessaloniki (Bulgaria – Greece), 310 km 4 hours’ drive
In the morning we leave Sofia for Rupitе. This is the place where Baba Vanga (Grandmother Vanga – one of the most famous prophets of the World.) had received people for almost 20 years before she passed away. Rupite is a sacred place, suggested to her by the forces from above. When Vanga was asked why she chose this site to spend the rest of her life and to build the temple she said mysteriously: “I have my time here. This site is very special. I use it like an accumulator and it gives me energy and power. A terrible fire burned there in the past and a great secret is hidden in the ridge above us.”
Following a lunch break, we leave for Thessaloniki, Greece. After we pass the border, we arrive in Thessaloniki. The name of the city comes from Alexander the Great’s half-sister. It was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon. Thessaloniki is Greece’s 2nd major economic, industrial, commercial and political centre. It is the only city in Greece that has ministry building (Ministry of Macedonia) outside of capitol. In Thessaloniki we will visit Ataturk’s house (the founder of the Republic of Turkey), the White Tower, St. Dimitrios Cathedral, the Statue of Alexander the Great, Venezelo and Constantine statues, Vardar, Eleftherios, Macedonia and Aristotle Squares.
We will check into the hotel in Thessaloniki at the end of the tour. In the evening, we can go to a Greek Tavern, listen to music and enjoy Greek bouzouki. (Extra)
NO
YES
YES
1
Rupite Local
Anatolia Hotel
Seasonal Salad, Lentil Soup, Meatballs, Dessert
Open Buffet or Fixed Menu
HOTEL
Anatolia Hotel
4*
DAY
Thessaloniki – Bitola – Ohrid (Greece – Macedonia), 290 km 4 hours’ drive In the morning we leave Thessaloniki for Bitola. In Macedonian language Bitola means monastery. When we arrive there we will enjoy a nice stroll on Shirok Street (Wide Alley); we will visit the Old Bazaar (Ottoman Bazaar), the new mosque and Isaac Celebi Mosque. We will also see the Military School where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk graduated and we will visit the Ataturk Museum. After some time spent nicely in the monastery, we leave for Ohrid. Ohrid is in the World Heritage list of UNESCO. It is settled next to Ohrid Lake. In the city we will visit Ottoman houses, Ottoman Bazaar, Ali Pasha Mosque, Haydar Pasha Mosque, St. Panteleimon Church, Hagia Sofia Church and Roman Theatre. We will have a shopping break in Sycamore Square. Check into the hotel and overnight in Ohrid.
YES
YES
YES
2
Hotel
Bitola Local
Hotel Aleksandrija
Open Buffet
Seasonal Salad, Chicken Soup, Local food, Fruit
Open Buffet or Fixed Menu
HOTEL
Hotel Aleksandrija
4*
DAY
Ohrid – Tetovo – Skopje (Macedonia), 180 km 3 hours’ drive
In the morning we leave Ohrid for Skopje. Our first stop will be Tetovo. We will visit Alaca Mosque which has been decorated by Ottoman ladies the way they liked it and then will be Harabati Tekke. After our lunch in Tetovo we leave for Skopje.
When we arrive in Skopje, we will see the Stone Bridge built in the time of Mehmet II on the Vardar River, Alexander the Great Statue, King Samuel Statue and Mother Theresa Memorial. We will have a shopping break in Skopje Bazaar. After the break, we check into the hotel to stay overnight in Skopje. Macedonian spectacular night is extra for the ones who like to see more of Macedonian culture.
YES
YES
YES
3
Hotel
Tetovo Local
Skopje Old Centre
Open Buffet
Seasonal Salad, Grilled Lamb, Dessert
Traditional Meatballs or Beans
HOTEL
Ibis Hotel
4*
DAY
Skopje – Prizren – Budva (Macedonia – Kosovo – Albania – Montenegro), 370 km 6 hours’ drive
In the morning we leave for Prizren. There we will see Bistrica, Gazi Mehmet Pasha and Sinan Pasha Mosque. We will travel to Montenegro through Albania.
When we are in Montenegro, our first stop will be Budva with its colourful nightlife and fabulous beach. Budva is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Sea coast. We will have a nice walk around Budva Stari Grad (Old Town) and we will visit the castle there. You can even have a coffee break with the beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea. We will check into our hotel in Budva and stay there overnight.
YES
YES
YES
4
Hotel
Tiran Local
Hotel MB
Open Buffet
Pizza, Local dessert
Fixed Menu
HOTEL
Hotel MB
3*
DAY
Budva – Kotor – Dubrovnik (Montenegro – Croatia), 120 km 2:30 hours’ drive
In the morning we leave for Dubrovnik. On our way we will enjoy the great scenery of Kotor Gulf and the lovely panoramic view of Dalmatia. Then we will proceed to the best-preserved medieval city of Dubrovnik, another place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage. Dubrovnik is also called Ragusa Croatia. In Dubrovnik we will see Francis Monastery, the Rector’s Palace, the City Gates and Old Town Square with the towers. After the free time in the Old Town, we will leave for our hotel.
YES
YES
YES
5
Hotel
Dubrovnik Local
Hotel Lapad
Open Buffet
Seasonal Salad, Local food, Fruit
Open Buffet or Fixed Menu
HOTEL
Hotel Lapad
4*
DAY
Dubrovnik – Mostar – Sarajevo (Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina), 270 km 4:30 hours’ drive
We leave our hotel for Sarajevo in the morning. Our first stop will be the village of Pocitelj, which is the first Turkish settlement on the Adriatic coast
YES
YES
YES
6
Hotel
Mostar Local
Hotel Grand Sarajevo
in the 16th century. You can get a small gift from the village. Our second stop will be Mostar. The name of the town comes from the bridge (Mostar Bridge) which was built by Ottomans in the 16th century. You may see the most interesting traditions of the city – jumping from the bridge into the river. This is for the girls to be convinced that boys are in love with them. We check in our hotel and we go to Bascarsija which has been settled in the Ottoman period. The name comes from Turkish language and means ‘main bazaar’. We will have free time there.
We will check into our hotel and stay overnight.
Open Buffet
Seasonal Salad, Meatballs, Fruit
Fixed Menu
HOTEL
Hotel Grand Sarajevo
3*
DAY
Sarajevo – Belgrade (Bosnia and Herzegovina – Serbia), 400 km 5:00 hours’ drive
We leave for Belgrade. Belgrade means ‘black and white’. It is also known as the capital of culture and sport. Belgrade was the capital of former Yugoslavia, now it is the capital of Serbia. We will start our tour where Sava and Danube River meet. We will see Kalemegdan (Castle Square), Stambol (Istanbul) Gate, Military Museum, Clock Gate and Museum, Nebojsa Tower. We will walk on the famous Knez Mihailova Street with lots of cafes and famous shops. St. Sava Church and Republic Square are also in our list of places to see. We will check into our hotel and stay overnight. You can enjoy the famous night life of Europe in Belgrade.
YES
YES
YES
7
Hotel
Istanbul Restaurant
Jump Inn Hotel
Open Buffet
Seasonal Salad, Chicken Soup, Local food, Fruit
Fixed Menu
HOTEL
Jump Inn Hotel
4*
DAY
Belgrade – Sofia (Serbia – Bulgaria), 400 km 4:30 hours’ drive
After breakfast we leave for Belgrade. We will use Nis highway to go to Sofia. At noon we arrive at Sofia. Our city tour in Sofia includes St. Nedelya Church, the Rotunda Church of St. George, the Russian Church, St. Sophia Church, Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the Parliament, the University of Sofia and National Palace of Culture. After visiting these places our tour is over.
YES
YES
NO
8
Hotel
Sofia Local
Open Buffet
Salad, Soup, Local food, Fruit
Included Services in the package
– Hotel accommodation and breakfast
– Comfortable transportation
– Lunch and dinner with a small bottle of water
– One bottle of small water daily
– Professional guide
– Tips for the hotels
– Tips for restaurants
– City and tourist tax
– Entrance fees
Not included in the fee
– Drinks taken during meals
– Tips for the guide
– Tips for driver
– Hotel minibar
– Personal spending
Extras
– Thessaloniki Sirtaki (Food and Drink, 20 €)
– Privately held boat tours