10 DAYS 4 COUNTRIES BALKANS TOUR : ALBANIA - MONTENEGRO - KOSOVO – MACEDONIA

DAY 1 HOME – TIRANA – PODGORICA

Arrival at Tirana airport. After the custom procedures, meeting with the guide and departure to Podgorica, capital of Montenegro. Overnight in Podgorica.

DAY 2 PODGORICA – CETINJE – NJEGUSI – BUDVA

After breakfast, we will take a tour of Podgorica, central part, "Millennium" bridge, Orthodox, Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, clock tower etc.. Our trip will continue towards the old capital of Montenegro, Cetinje which is located almost in the central part of the country. In Cetinje, we will visit the museum of King Nikola. Then we continue towards a small village called Njegusi to taste their delicious ham and cheese and raki (traditional alchool in the Balkans) which is developed. Njegusi is very famous for its cold cuts. Overnight in Budva.

DAY 3 BUDVA – KOTOR – PERAST – BUDVA

After breakfast, we drive towards KOTOR, medieval city declared World Heritage by UNESCO, surrounded by walls and impressive fortresses. We will visit the old area, under UNESCO protection, the Catholic Cathedral of ST. Tryphon and several historical buildings of the city. Then continue towards Perast to visit one of the two small islands that are located on the mouths of Kataro. In the evening we will return in Budva and visit the old town. Overnight in Budva.

DAY 4 BUDVA – KOLASIN – PEJA

After breakfast, departure to Kolašin, a town of Turkish origin, situated at a lovely 954 meters between the picturesque rivers Tara and Moraca. Among the beauties of its surroundings, Lake Biograd, at 1094 m. of altitude in the Biogradska Gora National Park when we will stop for a short visit. Departure along the Biogradska Gora National Park to reach the border with Kosovo where we visit the Patriarchate of Peć (UNESCO) which includes four churches, built next to each other, which today form a unique complex. The oldest and the Church of the Saints Apostles of the thirteenth century; during the 14th century the Church of San Dimitrije, the Church of the Madonna and the small church of San Nikola were built on its sides; all were then connected by a narthex. On the walls of these churches one can appreciate the entire history of medieval wall painting styles from the 13th to the 18th centuries. After the visit of the Patriarchate of Peć, we continue to the city of Peja for a short city tour. Overnight in Peje.

DAY 5 PEJA – DECANI – PRIZREN – SKOPJE

After breakfast, continue to the Decani monastery, one of the most beautiful Orthodox monasteries of the Balkans. Decani is a large monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, 12 kilometers south of the town of Peć. The monastery is on of the largest medieval church in the Balkans and contains the largest Byzantine fresco that has survived to this day. The monastery it was founded in the 14th century (1327) and is tutored under UNESCO protection. Then continue towards the city of Prizren, in the south of Kosovo. Second largest city in the country when we will visit the central medieval area with the mosque in the center, the 15th century Catholic cathedral, the Petra Bridge, etc. Departure to Skopje. Overnight in Skopje

DAY 6 SKOPJE – OHRID

After breakfast, visit the old bazaar in Skopje, fortress of Kale and the Orthodox church of St. Spas. The walk will continue with the visit of the memorial house of Mother Teresa (Albanian ethnicity). We continue towards Ohrid and visit the old town , the Samuel Fortress and a few of the orthodox Churches. Overnight in Ohrid.

DAY 7 OHRID – SVETI NAUM – BERAT

After breakfast, we depart to visit the monastery of Saint Naum, built 1000 years ago by Saint Naum. Visit the monastery and also the church inside, then continue to Berat. We will explore the attractive medieval town of Berat, situated on a hill dominating the River Osum and its gorge. Berat, is a UNESCO World Heritage town since 2008. Our visit in Berat begins from the 4th century BC castle where we will admire the Byzantine era icons in the Onufri Icon Gallery, located within the old cathedral of the town. Some of the icons date back to the 18th century, the downtown bazaar, the Bachelors mosque and the old Town. Overnight in Berat.

DAY 8 BERAT – APOLLONIA – DURRES – TIRANA

After breakfast, we will visit Apollonia which is the most important archaeological center in Albania. Apollonia was founded at the beginning of the 6th centery B.C (year 588) by the Greek colonist coming from Corinth and Corcyra and is located 12 km from Fieri. Visit the amphitheatre, and the courtyard of the Monastery where there is a Byzantine style church built in the 14th century. Here you can see some monuments like the Encircling Wall, the Monument of Agonotheteve, Odeon, Portic, the Mosaics House, Fontana, and the church of Saints Mary. We continue our trip to ancient city of Durrazzo founded in 672 B.C by Epidamnos the Illyrian king of the area who called it by his own name and named the port area after his grandson “DYRRAH”. Today Durres is one of the biggest towns and sea port of Albania. We will do sightseeing of Durres with the Roman amphitheatre and the Archeological museum. Continue to Tirana. Check In. Overnight in Tirana.

DAY 9 TIRANA – KRUJE – TIRANA

After breakfast, we will exploring the capital city Tirana. Walk along the main boulevard where are found the Main University of Tirana , President Office, Gallery of Arts . Next continue to Skanderbeg square where are found the Palace of Culture, Clock Tower, 18th century E`them Bey Mosque, National History Museum. After Tirana we start our day discovering the medieval town of Kruja, located on the slope of a mountain. An old bazaar leads you up to the castle of the National Hero Skanderbeg. Visit in the castle of the city, housing the Skanderbeg Museum and the Ethnographic museum. Return in Tirana. Overnight in Tirana.

DAY 10 TIRANA – HOME

Breakfast at hotel. Check out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport. Our services end here…