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Day 1-2: Tirana, Albania
Starting your Albanian vacation with an afternoon arrival, our small group tour begins with a delightful dinner at a restaurant that specializes in serving traditional local food.
Day 2 is a full day tour, including Et'hem Bey Mosque (beautiful and unusual exterior frescoes), the Clock Tower, and the National Historic Museum. We also visit the area of Tirana called Blloku (“The Block”), the location of former Communist dictator Enver Hoxha and politburo members had their villas.
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Day 3: Tirana-Durres - Berat
The exploration of exceptional Albanian tour sites continues in Durres where we visit the Amphitheatre (built by the Romans in 2nd century AD and one of the largest in the Balkan Peninsula) and an excellent Archeological Museum. Our tour then continues to Berat where we enjoy the old town (Mangalem district) which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
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Day 4: Apollonia - Vlora -Saranda
Our tour group visits the ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia, founded in 558 BC before continuing our Albanian travel adventure to Vlora where we visit the independence museum and explore the town with our knowledgable guide.
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Day 5: Saranda-Butrint -Saranda
This morning we will explore the ancient ruins in the center of the city including what is considered to be one of the earliest Jewish Synagogues in Albania dated approximately to the 4th century AD.
This afternoon we visit the World Heritage site of Butrint, Albania’s most important archaeological site with ruins that show both Hellenic and Roman origins.
Our tour group then returns to Saranda for an independnet afternoon. You can bask in the mediterranean sun on the beautiful Ksamil beach or explore the town at leisure. Special dinner at Lekursi Castle.
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Day 6: Saranda - Gjirokastra
Depart this morning to Gjirokastra, a museum city and UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its well preserved Ottoman architecture.
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Day 7: Gjirokastra - Korca
In Korca visit the National Museum of Medieval Arts and the Mosque of Mirahori, one of the oldest in the country, built in 1469.
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Macedonia
Day 8: Korca - Voskopoja – Pogradec-Ohrid
We explore fascinating Voskopoja which was once one of the most important towns in the European part of the Ottoman empire. We'll pass through the quaint village of Tushemisht, close to Macedonian border.
Our guided tour group will then travel into Macedonia to the beautiful city of Ohrid on the shores of Lake Ohrid.
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Day 8-9: Ohrid
Our small group of The Balkans will explore the town of Ohrid, Macedonia, on foot. Situated on the shores of Lake Ohrid at 695m above sea level, the town is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe.
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Day 10-11: Ohrid-St. Jovan Bigorski-Skopje
A scenic drive through the mountains and villages, following along the border with Albania, will take us to the Monastery of St. Jovan Bigorski (famous for its beautiful wood carved iconostasis) before reaching Skopje with its 6th century fortress and 15th century stone bridge.
Full day visit of Skopje.
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Day 12: Skopje-Tirana
If you are leaving the tour today, transfer to Tirana by private car. Overnight in Tirana.
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Day 13: Depart
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Or Continue to Kosovo
Day 12: Skopje - Prizen - Pec (Peja)
Leaving Skopje early, our group travels into Kosovo for a walking tour of the town of Prizren where our knowledgeable guide will highlight its beautiful archaeological heritage including the old Turkish Bath, Stone Bridge, Fortress and other remarkable architectural features. The Kosovo tour also includes the magnificent UNESCO monasteries: Visoki Decani and the Patriarchate of Pec (Peja) which includes four fresco-decorated churches, a library and a treasury.
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Day 13: Pec-Tirana
If you are leaving the tour today, transfer to Tirana by private car. Overnight in Tirana.
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Day 14: Depart
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Or Continue to Serbia
Day 13: Pec (Peja) Novi Pazar-Kopaonik
We cross the border into the southern Serbian town of Novi Pazar, a predominately Muslim community. Enjoy a walking tour of Old Town--very Turkish; and visit another UNESCO site, Sopocani Monastery, one of the best monasteries in Serbia. Sopocani, built by the first Serbian medieval dynasty of Nemanjici during the peak of 13th century fresco painting, was the first Serbian Monastery to be listed on UNESCO.
And continue to Kopaonik.
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Day 14: Monastery Studenica - Sirogojno-Zlatibor
Start with a drive to Monastery Studenica (UNESCO site), founded by Stefan Nemanja. This is considered to be the crowning achievement of medieval culture and art in Serbia
Then beautiful drive through the countryside to the open-air museum village of Sirogojno.
Continuing our journey, we ascend to Mount Zlatibor, a National Park of golden pines, after which it got its name (Zlatan - golden,Bor – pine tree).
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Day 15: Belgrade
This morning drive to Belgrade with en-route stops in the towns of Oplenac and Topola.
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Day 16-17: Belgrade
Two full days touring including a walking tour of the main square, the fortress of Kalemegdan, the bohemian/artist quarters of Skradarlija, Tito's Complex and New Belgrade.
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Day 18: Depart Belgrade
