TRIPS

Balkan Odyssey

$ 1,595.00

10 days/ 9 nights Sofia (Bulgaria), Thessaloniki (Greece),Bitola – Ohrid – Tetovo – Skopje(Macedonia), Prizren – Budva – Kotor (Montenegro), Dubrovnik, Mostar (Croatia), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Belgrade (Serbia)

Description

DAY 1 Sofia
Arrival. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Sofia.

St George Hotel

DAY 2 Sofia (B)
Full day sightseeing tour of Sofia.

Your day start with a visit to Boyana Church, a UNESCO listed site, followed by a visit to the National Historical Museum. Here you will see many collections of artifacts of Balkan history. Then you will go to Pancharevo Lake for a lunch break (food at your own expense) and rest in nature. The tour will continue with a visit of the Museum of Communism. Proceed to the city center and go across the National Palace of Culture. See the ancient St. George Rotunda, the Administration of the President, the National Archaeological Museum, the 16th century Banya Bashi Mosque, St. Nedelya (old metropolitan cathedral), the National Theater and the former Royal Palace (now housing the National Revival Art Gallery and the Ethnographic Museum). Also see the Russian Church St. Nikolay, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, and The National Assembly Square where the impressive Tsar Osvoboditel (King Liberator) monument was erected in 1907 by the Italian sculptor Arnoldo Zocchi. Admire the National Art Gallery The Holy Synod, Saint Sofia Church, The Bulgarian National Gallery for Foreign Art, and the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the biggest one in Bulgaria and, according to many, the most spectacular building in Sofia. The tour ends at Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

DAY 3 Sofia – Thessaloniki (Bulgaria – Greece) (B/L/D)
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. (Optional)

Anatolia Hotel

DAY 4 Thessaloniki – Bitola – Ohrid (Greece – Macedonia) (B/L/D)
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.

Hotel Aleksandrija

DAY 5 Ohrid – Tetovo – Skopje (Macedonia) (B/L/D)
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.

Ibis Hotel

DAY 6 Skopje – Prizren – Budva (Macedonia – Kosovo – Albania – Montenegro) (B/L/D)
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.

Hotel MB

DAY 7 Budva – Kotor – Dubrovnik (Montenegro – Croatia) (B/L/D)
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.

Hotel Lapad

DAY 8 Dubrovnik – Mostar – Sarajevo (Croatia – Bosnia and Herzegovina) (B/L/D)
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 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.

Hotel Grand Sarajevo

DAY 9 Sarajevo – Belgrade (Bosnia and Herzegovina – Serbia) (B/L/D)
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.

Jump Inn Hotel

DAY 10 Belgrade (Serbia) (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight home.



Between 6 - 10 passengers
$1595
Land only per person based on sharing accommodation

  • Double/Twin Sharing: $1595
  • Triple Sharing: $1525
  • Single Supplement: $495

Between 11 - 16 Passengers
$1475
Land only per person based on sharing accommodation

  • Double/Twin Sharing: $1475
  • Triple Sharing: $1405
  • Single Supplement: $495

More than 17 Passengers
$1355
Land only per person based on sharing accommodation

  • Double/Twin Sharing: $1355
  • Triple Sharing: $1295
  • Single Supplement: $495

Additional information

OVERVIEW

No other European region contains as many ethnic groups as the Balkans. The highlands and the storied past of this region have sheltered abundant World Heritage monasteries, unique painted churches, and museum-like towns left by the waves of migrating Goths, Huns, Avars, Slavs, Bulgars and Byzantines that swept across the territory. Begin in Sofia, Bulgaria and head to the Greek city of Thessaloniki named after Alexander the Great’s half-sister. Enter Macedonia and visit Bitola, Ohrid and its capital Skopje. Travel to Montenegro through Albania and explore Budva and Kotor before heading to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Back on road to Mostar and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina before finishing our journey in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia as well as of the former Yugoslavia.

DEPARTURE

Group departure guaranteed for minimum 2 travelers.

HOTELS

As indicated in the itinerary.

INCLUSIONS

– 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

EXCLUSIONS

International Airfare/train ticket, Call 1-888-887-1688 to get a quote from your home city
– Drinks taken during meals
– Tips for the guide
– Tips for driver
– Hotel minibar
– Personal spending

QUESTIONS

Should you have any further questions, please call 1888-887-1688 for assistance.

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