Secrets of the Balkans

SECRETS OF THE BALKANS

Indicative itinerary subject to changes until the departure date

Day 1 Skopje

Arrival in Skopje. Transfer to the hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, free time to start discovering the capital of Macedonia, the city of a thousand sculptures, as there is one every few steps, each more exaggerated than the last. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 2 Skopje / Mavrovo / Ohrid

Breakfast. Departure for the Matka Gorge, located west of Skopje and covering approximately 5000 hectares. It is one of Macedonia's most popular outdoor destinations and home to several medieval monasteries. Then departure for Mavrovo National Park, where unique nature and Macedonia's highest mountains await you. After visiting the monastery of Saint Jovan Bigorski, continuation to the city of Ohrid, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 3 Ohrid / Sveti Naum / Ohrid

Breakfast. Departure for the city center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where you will get your first impressions during a boat trip to the Kaneo Church, probably the most famous place in Macedonia for taking photos. From here, explore the city on foot. Time at leisure. In the afternoon, visit the monastery of Sveti Naum, built on a rocky cliff on the southernmost shore of Lake Ohrid, one of the most important shrines of the Macedonian Orthodox Church. Return to Ohrid. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 4 Ohrid / Berat / Tirana

Breakfast. Departure from Macedonia towards Albania. Arrival in the city of Berat, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and also called the city of a thousand windows. Visit the fortress, which is still inhabited today. Continuation to the capital, Tirana. City tour. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 5 Tirana / Shkodra / Lake Scadar / Virpazar

Breakfast. Departure north to the city of Shkodra, the largest in northern Albania. Visit to the Rozafa fortress, one of the largest fortifications in the Western Balkans. Then, cross the border with Montenegro to reach Lake Scadar and take a boat trip. See not only the enchanting nature, but also Montenegro's “Alcatraz,” an abandoned prison island. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 6 Virpazar / Cetinje / Njegusi / Perast / Kotor / Virpazar

Breakfast. Departure for Cetinje, the former capital of Montenegro. The old embassy buildings still tell the story of the metropolis of a state that was once considered the poorest kingdom in Europe. Visit to the royal palace. Then, continuation to the village of Njegusi, where you can taste the famous raw ham. In the afternoon, after an impressive descent along one of the most spectacular roads in the country, arrival in Perast. Boat trip across Kotor Bay to the island of the monastery of Our Lady of the Rocks. Visit to the city of Kotor with its St. Trifun Cathedral, one of the oldest churches in Europe and the oldest in the former Yugoslavia. Return to Virpazar. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 7 Virpazar / Pec

Breakfast. Departure for the beautiful Moraca Gorge, with a stop to take beautiful photographs. Continuation to the border with Kosovo to reach the city of Pec. Dinner and accommodation.

Day 8 Pec / Pristina / Skopje

Breakfast. Before leaving the city of Pec, visit the Patriarchate Church, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Departure for Pristina for a panoramic tour of the city. Continuation to the border with North Macedonia to reach Skopje. Upon arrival, tour of the city, the historic center with the Kale Fortress, St. Spas Church, and the Grand Bazaar, as well as the new city with the Alexander Fountain and Mother Teresa's House. In the evening, traditional dinner accompanied by music at a local restaurant. Accommodation.

Day 9 Skopje

Breakfast. Transfer to the airport.