BALKAN ROUTE/BALKAN EXPRESS

7:30 a.m. breakfast. 8:15 a.m. short walk tour through the history of Zadar – People’s square, Five wells square, Roman forum, Foch, Kalelarga, Sea Organ, Sun salutation. We continue driving to our Pearl of Adriatic – the old town Dubrovnik. Arrival in the afternoon. You will enjoy the beauty and rich history of this old town under the UNESCO protection. Its glorious walls, with their fortresses and bastions, offer a unique walk with the view of the magical Elafiti islands. From the Onofrio fountain to the City bell tower, along its main street, Stradun and in many other small and quiet cobblestone streets, every step in this town will be an excellent experience. Walls are built to protect treasures, and in Dubrovnik this is particularly accurate, with 1,940 meters of stone surrounding one of the world’s most beautiful cities. As George Bernard Shaw stated: “If you want to see heaven on Earth, come to Dubrovnik“. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

08:00 a.m.breakfast. Upon arrival to Kotor, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the town and free time to explore on your own. The town of Kotor is famous for its nautical tradition, famous commercial fleet and imposing city walls. After the sightseeing, we will continue driving towards the peninsula of St. Stefan.

At St. Stefan, we will have time for some excellent panoramic sightseeing of this famous peninsula. Our guide will tell you the story of this beautiful place, which is today a luxurious resort. After sightseeing we proceed towards Budva.
Once at Budva, enjoy another sightseeing tour and free time. Budva is famous for its old city core and beautiful clean sandy beaches. It is a key tourist center of Montenegro. Driving to Podgorica, capital of Montenegro. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight in Podgorica.

07:30 a.m. breakfast. 08:15 a.m. departure to Ohrid, arrival during the morning on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid, the tour of the center of Christianity for Slavs. A guided tour takes us in all the main sights of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of only a handful inscribed both for their culture and natural landscape.

Walk through the Lower Gate to the Archeological Museum in the Robev Family House, and tour an exhibition of ancient artifacts, including a statue of the Goddess Isis. Continue to the 11th-century cathedral church of St. Sofia, the Ancient Theater from the 2nd century BC, and the beautiful icons at the church of St. Mary Perivleptos. Get fantastic views of Ohrid Lake from the medieval walls of Samuil Fortress. Descend to Plaosnik at the crossroads of civilizations on Ohrid Hill. Visit the burial place of St. Kliment, and the newly reconstructed church of St. Pantelejmon. End at the church of St. Jovan Kaneo, one of Ohrid’s landmarks, before visiting the fisherman’s settlement of Kaneo for a boat trip on the lake. Driving to Skopje. Arrival in the evening. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight in Skopje.

Breakfast. Discovering of Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Your guide will be waiting at the departure point, Gate Macedonia, near the main square, and you’ll start walking through the new and old part of the town, all the way to the fortress Kale. Visiting the house of Mother Theresa, square Macedonia with a monument of Alexander the Great (warrior on the horse) – 22m high, Parlament, Arch of Victory. Free time for yourselves. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight in Skopje

Breakfast. 09:00 a.m. Guided tour to Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan park. This is the place where the most distant past can be seen, and where Belgrade started as a human settlement very long time ago. It is the most logical spot to begin unfolding the unusual and exciting story about Belgrade – the ‘Crossroads of the Worlds’.

We’ll enjoy superb views at the confluence of Sava and Danube rivers, New Belgrade and Zemun.

Then we will proceed to the heart of the city, the Republic square, with the monument to Prince Michael, and buildings of National Theatre and National Museum. Short walk to Prince Michael (Knez Mihajlova) pedestrian street. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight in Belgrade.

Breakfast. 07:30 a.m. driving to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and one of the most fascinating cities in Europe. Admire the eclectic mix of architectural styles: Ottoman-era mosques hugging up to Austrian Habsburg-style neo-classical buildings. Learn from your guide about how World War I began here, as well as about the City during the war in the 1990s, the collapse of Yugoslavia, the objectives of the war, plans for the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and so much more. Visiting famous Barčaršija and do not miss to try legendary čevapi – traditional meat meal in bread. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight in Sarajevo.

Breakfast. Today we are doing the walking tour of Split – the second biggest city in Croatia and the capital of Dalmatia. We will take a walk through the heart of Split – the famous Split waterfront of Riva where you will feel the friendly and cozy atmosphere of this vibrant and lively city. The world’s most powerful man, Emperor Diocletian, was faced with the decision on where to spend the rest of his days. Of all of the known world, he chose to build his home in the heart of the region of Dalmatia, setting the first stones in place for the future city of Split.

Follow in his footsteps by exploring Diocletian’s Palace and a region home to islands, stunning natural landscapes and a wealth of culture that will defy your expectations. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight in Split.