Great Balkan Adventure from Sofia to Tirana

4.5

Languages spoken: English

Duration: 8 days

Difficulty: Easy

Minimum age: 3

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More information

Highlights

Bulgaria: Sofia | Rila monastery
Macedonia: Skopje | Tikvesh wine region | Bitola | Ohrid city and lake - UNESCO sites
Kosovo: Grachanica monastery | Pristina | Prizren
Albania: Tirana

All about the trip

8 days tour which covers central Balkan countries Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania.

This tour is designed to cover western Balkan countries. With start from Bulgaria, you will visit the Bulgarian capital Sofia and picturesque Rila monastery. Albanian capital Tirana is the last point, but in between, you will spend several days in Macedonia, with one day excursion to the youngest European country Kosovo and visits to the most famous destinations in Macedonia, the capital Skopje, Tikvesh wine region, Bitola and Ohrid and Ohrid lake - UNESCO sites.

Solo traveler ? No problem ! We have an option for you - ask for more information before you book.

What is included in the price

Transportation according the itinerary by car, minivan or minibus;
7 nights accommodation at 4* hotels, including daily breakfast and hotel taxes;
1 x wine tasting with lunch at local winery;
Services of an English speaking driver and local host for the whole tour;
Guided tours at Sofia, Skopje, full day to Kosovo, Ohrid and Tirana;
Visits as described in the program, excluding admission fees;
1 bottle of water per person / per day complementary.

What is not included in the price

Supplement for accommodation in SGL room - 225 € (on request, to be required and paid during the booking process - included in the price for solo travelers)
Supplement for HB (dinner x 7) when minimum 3 persons on tour - € 154 per person (on request, to be required and booked in advance)
Pre or post tour accommodation and airport transfer(s) are on your own.
Any other meal (lunch or dinner)
Gratuities for the driver/guide (not obligatory)
Personal travel insurance

Instructions

Child price valid only when accompanied by two adults.

What to take with you?

A small bag or rucksack
Personal ID or Passport
Additional drinking water
Energy snacks
Sun protection, e.g. a hat or sun cream

Itinerary

DAY 1: Rila monastery and welcome to Macedonia
	Departure towards one of the most famous monasteries in Bulgaria - Rila monastery, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit to the monastery and afternoon drive towards Macedonian border. Accommodation at hotel Ibis Skopje center 4* or similar.
DAY 2: Skopje and Matka valley
	Full day Skopje city tour with local guide. Walking in the city center and Skopje old bazaar, visit to Mother Teresa Memorial house (inside). Afternoon visit to Matka valley and lake and possibility to have a boat ride to the entrance of cave Vrelo, one of the deepest underwater caves in Europe. Back to Skopje, evening at leisure. Overnight in Skopje, hotel Ibis Skopje center 4* or similar.
DAY 3: Tour to Kosovo
	Full day tour to Kosovo, the youngest European country, with local guide. Visit to Grachanica monastery (inside) site protected by UNESCO. Coffee break at the capital Pristina and afternoon drive and visit to the picturesque town of Prizren. Back to Skopje in the evening. Overnight in Skopje, hotel Ibis Skopje center 4* or similar.
DAY 4: Vodno mountain and Tikvesh wine region
	Day starts with visit to nearby mountain Vodno and St. Panteleimon monastery at village Nerezi (inside) Drive towards the biggest wine region in Macedonia - Tikvesh. Visit to the biggest ancient site in Macedonia - Stobi, dating from 1st century AD.
	Afternoon visit to a local winery where you will feature a taste of our historically significant Vranec followed by four wines of your choice, as well as fresh concept dishes that continue to create culinary memories for new diners and our favorite regulars.
	Departure towards Bitola for overnight.
DAY 5: Bitola, Prespa lake and Galichica NP
	Morning walking tour in Bitola, the second biggest town in Macedonia with visit to Heraclea Lynkestis anceint site near Bitola. Later on departure towards the second biggest lake in Macedonia, Prespa lake, with coffee stop and drive across Galichica NP, with spectacular views of both Prespa and Ohrid lakes. Arrival in Ohrid in the afternoon. Evening at leisure and overnight in Ohrid, hotel Aqualina 4* or similar.
DAY 6: Ohrid and Ohrid lake
	Ohrid and Ohrid lake are part of UNESCO World heritage. Walking tour in the old town of Ohrid with local guide and visits inside to some of the most important Ohrid sights - The Ohrid fortress (inside) the Holly area of Plaosnik with new St Klement’s church (inside) the small church of St John in Kaneo (outside) and the cathedral church of St Sofia (inside). Afternoon at leisure in Ohrid old town. Overnight at hotel Aqualina 4* or similar.
DAY 7: St. Naum and welcome to Albania
	Morning drive along the lake and arrival at St. Naum monastery complex, with its unique church, originally built by St. Naum in 9th century, Visit to the monastery and free time to enjoy nature and possibility to have an unforgettable 40 minutes boat ride above the springs of Black Drim river (boat fee apply - to be paid on the spot)
	Afternoon drive towards Albanian capital Tirana, with stop at Elbasan. O/N in Tirana, hotel Mondial 4* or similar.
DAY 8: Tirana
	In a morning Tirana walking tour with local guide and visit to the National museum (inside).
	Transfer to Tirana airport or Durres port is possible with supplement.
	End of the tour.

Where do we meet and where will the trip end?

Meeting place:

You will be picked up from your hotel in Sofia. Please let us know the name of your hotel during the booking process.

Final destination:

You will be dropped off at your hotel in Tirana. Please let us know the name of your hotel during the booking process.

Cancellation Policy - Strict

Cancellation more than 30 days, prior to the starting date. Clients are automatically refunded the full booking price.
Cancellation within 30 to 10 days prior to the starting date. Clients are entitled to a 50% refund of the booking price.
Cancellation less than 10 days prior to the starting date. No refunds.

The full Terms and Conditions are available on our website.