Central Balkans Explorer: 12 Days on the "Egnatia Route"

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival - Tirane.
1 stop
Tirana (Pass by)
Pickup from Tirana International Airport and transfer to the city. Leisure day.
Day 2
St. Naum Monastery (UNESCO) - Ohrid (UNESCO).
2 stops
1
Monastery of Saint Naum
After breakfast we will continue to Ohrid Lake via Elbasan. It was a very old and important city in the Ancient Via Egnatia Road that used to connect Durres to Thessaloniki and Istanbul. We will visit the St. Naum Monastery in Ohrid lake. Lunch break.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
2
Ohrid
Then drive to the beautiful town of Ohrid, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its mixture of western and oriental architecture including the Orthodox Cathedral, the 11th century church of St Sofia as well as the Roman theater.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Bitola - Kalabaka/Meteora (UNESCO).
1 stop
3
Bitola
After breakfast we will continue to Bitola.The road leads to the city of Resen and the biggest apple orchards in this part of the Balkans. First we will visit the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, the best preserved ancient city in Macedonia. Built in the 4th century BC, and conquered by the Romans 2 centuries later. Heraclea Lincestis is famous for its beautiful mosaics, antique theater and roman baths. First excavations were taken after the First World War and then was discovered the beauty and importance of this ancient city – the Roman baths, Episcope basilica, Synagogue, portico, Roman theater – in which in modern times plays and music concerts are held. Lunch break. Then you’ll drive to Kalambaka, a lovely city with beautiful gardens and magnificent views of the Meteora rocks.
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Meteora - Thessaloniki (UNESCO).
2 stops
4
Meteora
After breakfast we will continue to Meteora, for a visit to the fascinating cliff-top monasteries. The cliffs, which average a height of 1,000 feet, were first inhabited in the 9th century by a group of hermit monks who lived on the rock towers. In the 11th and 12th centuries, basic monasteries were built and by the 14th century the great monastery of Meteoron was constructed. The difficult access gave the monks an ideal refuge, as well as protection during the Turkish occupation. Today 6 monasteries remain out of the original 20. Views of the entire valley from the magnificent rock towers, and the peace of the surroundings, make this a unique place to visit. Lunch break.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
5
Thessaloniki
Then we will head to Thessaloniki and have a walking tour. Thessaloniki is one of the best places to visit not only for city breaks but also for longer holidays! And that is because Thessaloniki is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the numerous Byzantine monuments, but it is also a beautiful modern European city full of life! Walking you to visit (from outside) Galerius Arch (Kamara), Rotunda, Archaeological Museum, St. Demetrius church, Museum of Byzantine Civilization, White Tower.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Kerkini Lake National Park - Bansko Pirin National Park.
2 stops
6
Kerkini Lake
After breakfast, we will depart to Kerkini Lake National Park. It is an artificial reservoir in north-east Greece that was created in 1932. Lake Kerkini is one of the premier birdwatching sites in Greece, as it is situated along the migratory flyway for birds en route to the Aegean Sea, the Balkan region, the Black Sea, the Hungarian steppes and beyond. Visit to Kerkiri Monastery then Lunch break.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
7
Bansko
Afterward we will continue to the border crossing point with Bulgaria where we will proceed to Bansko. Bansko, where you will enjoy the stunning Pirin Mountains, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site. A scenic drive that will take us to the Banderishka Valley near the famous ski town of Bansko. The route winds through breathtaking mountain landscapes and alpine forests. Possibility for walking or light hiking in National Park, or enjoy the Thermal waters of Banja.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Rila Monastery (UNESCO) - Sofia.
2 stops
8
Rila Monastery
After breakfast, we will continue to visit Rila Monastery, where we will enjoy the beauty of the Rila monastery and its surroundings. You will be captured by the changing colors of the monastic church and the residential parts. Rila Monastery, is the main cultural/religious Treasury of Bulgaria, is blooming like an evergreen and magnificent flower in the bosom of Rila Mountain, in the place where the rivers Drushlyavitsa and Rilska join. Founded in the first half of 10 c. by the heavenly protector of the Bulgarians Saint John of Rila, the monastery is a cradle, a pillar and a repository of the Bulgarian spirit even today. Lunch break.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
9
Sofia
Then continue to Sofia for a panoramic tour of the Bulgarian capital, an 8,500-year-old city once called “My Rome” by Emperor Constantine the Great. We will explore the Forum of Ancient Serdica and its Roman archaeological remains, followed by St. Nedelya Square, where Orthodox, Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim places of worship stand side by side, symbolizing religious coexistence. The tour continues through Alexander I Square, past the Royal Palace, National Theatre, Parliament, and Sofia University, before visiting the Church of St. Sofia and the impressive Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church on the Balkan Peninsula.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Sofia. Leisure day.
1 stop
Sofia (Pass by)
Leisure Day. Optional: Day trip to Plovdiv (UNESCO) (B)
Day 8
Skopje - Matka Kanyon (optional FOC)
2 stops
10
Skopje
After breakfast we will cross the border and head to its capital Skopje. After arrival we will have a lunch break then a walking tour. Walk through the landmarks of the old part of Skopje, starting with the Skopje Castle placed on a hill, which gives a view to the old and the new part of Skopje. Then continue with walking down toward Mustafa Pasha Mosque (1492) and the church of Holy Savior (18th Century), then to the historical district known as the Skopje’s Old Bazaar characterized by architectural mixture of churches, mosques, inns, baths, many craftsmen’s shops, old buildings, restaurants and pubs and small shops.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
11
Matka Canyon
In the afternoon we will continue to Matka Canyons. Matka is a gorge in which a rich complex of medieval buildings survives, including churches, monasteries and remnants of a fortress (the medieval town of Matka). There are dozens of caves and large numbers of endemic plants and animals. The Canyon covers an area of around 5.000ha and is located 15km south-west of Skopje. Return to Skopje.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Gadime Cave - Gracanica Monastery (UNESCO) - Pristine.
3 stops
12
Marble Cave - Gadime Cave
After breakfast we will depart for Kosovo stopping first at Gadime Cave. The mouth of the Marble Cave in Gadime is nowhere to be seen. The cave is alive and bursting with activity, with explorers, archaeologists, biologists and cave divers unearthing the secrets of two million years of natural history, Gadime is being left behind. Under protection from the Kosovo government since 2011 as a natural monument of “special importance,” Gadime’s exploration has been stunted by lack of management and funding, allegations of corruption, and careless treatment of the cave’s natural environment.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
13
Gracanica Monastery
We continue to visit the superb 14th century Orthodox Church founded in 1321, a triumph of Byzantine architecture and part of the Kosovo Medieval Monuments protected by UNESCO. Afterwards proceed to Pristina. Lunch break, then city tour.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
14
Pristina
Arrival in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital. After check in, we visit the centre of the city, National Theatre, Mother Teresa Square, Pristina University, Pristina Museum, the Clock Tower dates back to the 19th century, Bazaar Mosque, Orthodox Church, etc. and the Ethnographic Museum situated in a typical house of Ottoman architecture beautifully stocked with artefacts which testify to the traditions and way of living of the people in Kosovo.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Decani Monastery (UNESCO - Gjakova – Prizren).
3 stops
15
Decan
After breakfast, we will visit the Monastery of Decani, located alongside the Lumbardhi river at the mouth of the gorge. The monastery was built in the mid 14th century. Although the buildings suffered damage during the Turkish occupation, the beautiful 14th-century frescoes were completely preserved.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
16
Gjakova
Afterward continue to and drive to Junik, where we will have a short stop to see the characteristic houses called “Kulla”. The reeve of the village was the chair of the Junik Ode. In the architectural front, the Junik Ode is a typical Dukagjinian tower, encompassing fortification elements. Gjakova which lies on the banks of the River Erenik. Visit its main sites including the old bazaar and clock tower, church, etc. Lunch break.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
17
Prizren
Afterward continue to the city of Prizren, probably the most attractive town in Kosovo with superbly preserved buildings from the Ottoman era. We visit the castle which is one of the oldest in the Balkans (more than 3 millenniums part of ancient Dardania), built to protect the city from attacks, the ornate catholic church, orthodox church, Bajrakli Mosque and the old Turkish Hammam among other sights. Prizren is an absolute highlight of any visit to Kosovo and to see the old houses of the old town in low light as the sun sets is a delight.
2 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 11
Durres - Tirana.
2 stops
18
Durres
After breakfast, we will continue the tour by enjoying the wonderful panorama of White and Black Drini River Valleys. Then we will arrive at Durres for lunch break. Walking tour of Durres to enjoy the sites of Amphitheater (the largest one in the Balkans), Byzantine phorum, ancient walls, etc.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
19
Tirana
In the afternoon transfer to Tirana. Walking tour of Tirana.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 12
Departure
1 stop
Tirana International Airport (Pass by)
After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to Tirana Airport for departure. End of Service. (B)

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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