Dubrovnik to Tirana; Tour of 5 Balkan countries in 8 Days
Surround yourself with the beautiful nature around Skadar lake, go back in history while walking through the old streets in Budva and admire the breath-taking Stari Most bridge on this 8-day tour of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania. All countries have their own characteristics and charm, unique UNESCO sites, rural villages and national parks.
ItineraryDay 1: Pick-up in Dubrovnik (Croatia) – Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina)Pass By: Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Dalmatia
After having experienced the unique medieval town of Dubrovnik (by yourself) be ready to get soaked up into your Balkan adventure. At 09:00 am you will be picked up from your hotel in Dubrovnik by our local representative (driver) who will shuttle you to the border where you will meet your tour leader for this experience.
Stop At: Mostar, Mostar, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
After crossing the border to Bosnia & Herzegovina we will head towards the city of Mostar.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Old Bridge (Stari Most), Mostar Bosnia and Herzegovina
We will, of course, visit the iconic Old Bridge also known as Stari Most, part of UNESCO world heritage and built in a typical Islamic architectural style in the 16th century
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar, Stari Most, Mostar Bosnia and Herzegovina
We will also wander through the Old Bazaar with its colourful streets and lively atmosphere. The city has stones with “Don’t Forget” all around the town, commemorating the city’s history. Mostar combines the old with the new, which you will notice while wandering through the streets. There are several beautiful old mosques, bustling Turkish bazaars, and a maze of cobbled alleyways.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Blagaj tekija, Blagaj village Localita Blagaj, Blagaj 88201 Bosnia and Herzegovina
We will also visit the Blagaj monastery, a little bit outside of the city, on the foot of a cliff, with beautiful blue waters in front of it. Blagaj is a small Ottoman medieval town in Herzegovina with its stunning nature and imposing spring of river Buna.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Mostar, Mostar, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
In the afternoon you will have some free time to explore and wander around Mostar, this splendid UNESCO site
Duration: 1 hour
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Mostar
Day 2: Mostar – Sarajevo – Mostar Stop At: Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Sarajevo Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
After breakfast we will drive from Mostar to our next destination Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today’s itinerary includes walking on uneven terrain, while visiting some of the ruins during our Sarajevo tour. You can still see many reminders of the Yugoslav War in bullet holes and cannon marks all around town. The tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We will visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Latin Bridge, Obala Kulina Bana, Sarajevo 71000 Bosnia and Herzegovina
We’ll make sure to visit the Latin Bridge and learn the story about how WWI was triggered right here, in the heart of Sarajevo. The bridge received its name because it connected the right bank of the Miljacka with the Catholic quarter of the city, which was informally called "Latinluk" in Ottoman times.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight in Mostar
Day 3: Mostar – Kotor ((Montenegro)Stop At: Kotor, Kotor, Kotor Municipality
Our tour continues towards Kotor (Montenegro), a UNESCO world heritage site. We will wander through the maze of narrow, cobblestone streets crisscrossing the old town. This street plan seems quite chaotic, but it was created this way on purpose. The intention was to confuse intruders who came to plunder the town, while nowadays it characterizes the city. Many of the old buildings and churches have small plaques on it with their dates of construction and original use.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Church of St. Luke, Trg Sv. Luke, Stari grad, Kotor, Kotor Municipality 85330 Montenegro
We will visit the Saint Luke’s church which has a great significance for the locals because it represents unity to them.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kotor
Day 4: Kotor – Budva – Sveti Stefan – Shkoder (Albania)Stop At: Budva, Budva, Budva Municipality
Our first destination for today is Budva in Montenegro, a popular tourist destination, famous for its beaches, gorgeous nature and old characteristic buildings. The city is separated between an old and new part. On one hand, in the New Budva, there are many modern buildings, offices, shopping malls, restaurants and bars.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Saint Ivan Church, Budva, Budva Municipality Montenegro
On the other hand, in the Old Budva, there is the historical centre and many sights to visit, such as the St. Ivan church, the small church of St. Mary and the medieval splendours of the old town, which we will visit on this tour.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Sveti Stefan, Sveti Stefan, Budva Municipality
On our way to Albania we will make a stop near Sveti Stefan, historically a fishing town on a small island near the coast. However, nowadays it is not possible to visit the island anymore as it has turned into an exclusive residential resort. Even while standing on the coast, Sveti Stefan is a sight for sore eyes – worth a picture
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Shkoder, Shkoder, Shkoder County
From Montenegro, we will cross the border to Shkoder, Albania. The city is situated in the north-western part of Albania, giving its name to the biggest lake in the Balkans. It is one of the oldest cities in Albania, with a history of a thousand years of habitation. The oldest wall of the Shkodra castle dates from the 1st millennium BCE. The Roman historian Livy cited the town as the capital of the Illyrian king Gent, who fought the Romans in 168 B.C.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Rozafa Castle, Rozafa, Shkoder Albania
We will visit Rozafa castle offering tremendous scenery of the lake and the three rivers melting all together in the Adriatic Sea. The city’s architecture is highly influenced by the Venetian style and if you are lucky enough to join the tour of Shkodra in February you might experience the carnival festival. Most of the guests are surprised to learn that most of the Venetian masks are handmade and produced in Shkodra. The city’s favourable geographic position has always been an important trading mark through the centuries, making it possible for different civilisations to encounter.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight in Shkoder
Day 5: Shkoder – Prizren (Kosovo)Stop At: Prizren, Prizren
We will continue our tour towards Prizren, considered as the cultural capital of Kosovo, mixing its rich history, incredible nature, religious tolerance and gastronomic delights. Prizren has played an important role in the region as an Illyrian settlement and a crossroad for the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, contributing to the unique architecture of the city. The river flows through the heart of the old town and under the many bridges that crisscross the city. If you are looking to experience a lively international experience you should visit Prizren during August when the medieval city becomes home to one of the most famous short film festivals in the world named Dokufest. The best way to explore the town is by wandering through the streets passing by elegant medieval houses that fight for your attention. Filigree artisanal techniques for precious metals are Prizren’s joy and pride.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sinan Pasha Mosque, Sheshi Shadervan, Prizren Kosovo
If you have to choose just one mosque to visit then visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, rich in arabesque colour and pattern.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Kalaja Fortress, Kalaja, Prizren 20000 Kosovo
The view from the fortress on the hill above the town offers a great panorama of this astonishing town
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight in Prizren
Day 6: Prizren – Pristina – Skopje (N. Macedonia) – Ohrid Stop At: Pristina, Pristina
Before heading towards N. Macedonia, we will visit the capital of Kosovo, Pristina. We will visit the Newborn monument, symbol of the independence and being a young new country. We will walk towards the main boulevard in the capital. Sheshi Nena Tereza is a nice street to stroll through and enjoy a coffee at one of the bars. Here we will also pass the Skanderberg square with the statue of Skanderberg himself, the national Albanian hero
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Skopje, Skopje, Skopje Region
Our tour continues towards Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. The city has European, Ottoman and even Asian influences
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: The Stone Bridge, Skopje 1000 Republic of North Macedonia
The Stone Bridge connects the new part to the old part of the city. Impossible to miss in Skopje is the Alexander the Great Statue in the center.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Skopje Art Bridge, Skopje Center, Skopje 1000 Republic of North Macedonia
Another bridge that stands out is the Art Bridge that leads to the Archaeological Museum. The bridge is lined with flamboyant street lanterns and statues of Macedonian artists and musicians.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Old Bazaar, Skopje, Skopje Republic of North Macedonia
We will wander through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, the biggest one in the Balkans, that combines the modern way of living with centuries of history.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ohrid
Day 7: Ohird – Berat – TiraneStop At: Ohrid, Ohrid, Southwestern Region
Ohrid is one of the most seductive destinations in N. Macedonia, indicated as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings where inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys. The Lake was named by the Romans as “Lyhnidas” (the Light Lake). The city of Ohrid (UNESCO world heritage) an important centre of Orthodoxy.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ohrid, Ohrid, Southwestern Region
We will continue our tour and visit the famous view point of church of St. John, the church of St. Nicolas and the mosque Halveti Hayati Tekke. Ohrid became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. During the Ottoman Empire the city grew on the hills and surrounding areas by the lake. The houses were built with a very specific architecture that created narrowed streets, tunnels and tiny yards on the hilly terrain, making it possible for every house to have a good view of the lake
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Berat, Berat, Berat County
Our next destination is Berat, known as the town of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other. The city’s life began in the 6th-5th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. Later, in the 3rd century B.C., it was turned into a castle city known as Antipatrea. Uniquely today, residents still live inside of the castle walls.
Duration: 1 day 6 hours
Stop At: Berat Castle, Rruga Mihal Komnena, Berat 5001 Albania
Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communist era in Albania.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: National Iconographic Museum Onufri, Located in the Inner Part of Saint Mary Church in Berat Castel, Berat Albania
Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Gorica Bridge, Berat 5001 Albania
We will continue our tour and visit the Gorica Neighbourhood.
Duration: 20 minutes
Meals included:
•
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tirana
Day 8: Day tour of TiranaStop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
We will start our adventure by discovering Tirana, the capital of Albania. Tirana offers a great combination of very interesting museums, historic sites, national parks, mountains. Ottoman, Italian and communist style architecture all clashing with each other, but offering a great pleasure to wander through.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Skanderbeg Square, At the center of Tirana, Tirana Albania
We will walk towards Skanderbeg Square, named after the Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. The main square is surrounded by the National Museum, the Bank of Albania, the Opera house, Skanderbeg Statue, Ethem Beu Mosque and fancy bars.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: BunkArt 2, Rruga Abdi Toptani, Tirana Albania
After strolling around the bustling streets of Tirana, we will visit BUNKART, one of the most interesting museums in Tirana. Initially designed as a nuclear bunker offering shelter to the Albanian communist supreme leader Enver Hoxha and his close party members during the cold war. The bunker was kept strictly secret to the general public until 2016, when the Albanian government decided to initiate an interesting project that converted the nuclear bunker into a museum. BUNKART is a video museum exhibition dedicated to the history of the Albanian communist army and to the daily lives of Albanians during the regime.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Rruga Murat Toptani, Tirana Albania
Our tour continues towards Tirana Castle, found in the city center. The castle is now a pedestrian street where modern and tradition perfectly merge creating one of the fanciest areas of modern Tirana
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Blloku, Tirana Albania
Our last attraction for this tour will be the colorful, lively and vibrant Blloku Neighborhood. Not to be missed is Tirana’s delicious food varieties, from the tasty and cheap street food to the finest gourmet options.
Duration: 30 minutes
Meals included:
•
No accommodation included on this day.
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level"
"This tour requires some hiking experience and good physical condition."
"This tour departs early in the morning; thus, we would recommend you to eat breakfast before the tour departure or to take some food with you."
"Mount Çika: elevation up to 765m, hiking 4 hours one way."
"St. Andreas Bay: elevation up to 553 m, hiking 4 hours one way."
"Mule or horse caravan, to carry heavy luggage from Llogara to St. Andreas Bay, is available on request with an extra charge of 80 Euros per horse/mule"
"Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff"
"Social distancing enforced throughout experience"
"Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized"
"Guides required to regularly wash hands"
"Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms"
"Please note that due to rapid changes of the pandemic worldwide, measures and governmental restrictions on travel safety might change."
"This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund"
"This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund"
"This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Duration: 8 Days
Start location: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Traveler pickup is offered
At 09:00 am you will be picked up from your hotel in Dubrovnik by our local representative (driver) who will shuttle you to the border where you will meet your tour leader for this experience.
Airports- Dubrovnik Airport, Dubrovnik Croatia
Cancellations and refunds:
All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
Portugues
Español
English
