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Day 1: 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.
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Day 2: Tirana-Durres - Berat
Tour the capital of Tirana, including Et'hem Bey Mosque (beautiful and unsual exterior frescoes), the Clock Tower, and the National Historic Museum.
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 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 6: 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 7: 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: 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 9: 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.
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Day 10: Skopje-Tirana
If you are leaving the tour today, transfer to Tirana by private car. Overnight in Tirana.
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Day 11: Depart
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Or Continue to Kosovo
Day 10: 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 11: Pec-Tirana
If you are leaving the tour today, transfer to Tirana by private car. Overnight in Tirana.
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Day 12: Depart
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Or Continue to Serbia
Day 11: Novi Pazar
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, the medieval Monastery Studencia.
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Day 12: Sirogojno-Zlatibor
A beautiful drive through the countryside to the open-air museum village of Sirogojno.
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Day 13: Belgrade
A nostalgic journey on the route taken by the old narrow gauge steam engine Starganska Osmica, we travel a 15 km section by diesel train, crossing breath-taking scenery while traversing 10 bridges, 20 tunnels and many viaducts. The train makes a few stops for refreshments and photo opportunities.
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Day 14-15: 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 16: Depart Belgrade
