Balkan Explorer

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4.5 Based on 2 Reviews

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COVID-19protected
Trekking
Food tour
Local culture
Cultural, religious and historic sites

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duration 10 days
tour type Group
age requirement 16+ yrs
max group size 14
guiding method Live Guide/Instructor

Starts Sofia, Bulgaria
Ends Sofia, Bulgaria

Tour with Flexible Booking Policy

Change dates It is free to change your tour start date within 30 days of departure.
Choose a different tour Select a new tour run by the same tour operator within 30 days of departure.

HIGHLIGHTS Download trip notes

Discover Skopje and Sofia two of the Balkan's most vibrant capitalsBulgaria's UNESCO world heritage Rila MonasteryMacedonia's Tikvesh wine region and alluring Lake OhridVisit Prizren, Kosovo's culture capitalNatural beauty, ancient sites and traditional Balkan cuisine

Starting and ending in Sofia, the Balkan Explorer trip is a guided food trip that takes 10 days. You will be touring through Bitola, Melnik, Prizren and 4 other destinations in Macedonia, Bulgaria and Kosovo. Balkan Explorer is a small group trip which will include accommodation, transport and others. Please check the package includes section for more details.

Discover the rich history of Bulgaria, Macedonia and Kosovo, where influences from the East and the West collide. This trip showcases some of the cultural highlights of the central part of the Balkans, famous for ancient civilization traces, UNESCO world heritage monasteries and churches and the vibrant, laidback capital cities of Sofia and Skopje. Having been under numerous influences throughout the ages, both Bulgaria and Macedonia have an eclectic history where different cultures have all left their mark. But a visit to this region of the Balkan Peninsula would not be complete without experiencing the contrasting natural beauty it has to offer: national parks, high mountains, fertile valleys, famous wine regions and the peaceful, alluring Lakes Ohrid and Prespa – they are all part of this comprehensive itinerary.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

4.5 - Excellent

Based on 2 reviews

Anonymous
On Sep 05 2018

5 - Excellent

Great way to explore the region

“This is a very nice trip, with no time to get bored. We visited 3 counties in 10 days from the biggest to the smallest cities in the region. It was an interesting contrast. We explored several, churches, monasteries, mosques, UNESCO sites and restaurants. This part of the world is not yet so discovered, it often felt we are the only tourists from abroad. We learn a lot about the history of the area thanks to our skilled leader and tried some local food specialties. The portions are huge there!We had a lovely group that added to the positive experience.”

Anonymous
On Jun 28 2018

4 - Very Good

Great trip

“As the trip title suggests, this is great way to explore Macedonia, with a couple of days in Bulgaria and a day in Kosovo thrown in. The trip took in a good mix of cities, small towns, national parks and lakes (and a lot of churches, monasteries and mosques!) and included local visits to wineries and a beekeeper's; all well guided/hosted. Although the trip is a leisurely one, the itinerary is very full which was great for the amount we saw and did in 10 days, but did mean that we had less free time than other trips I've been on. The trip was well planned and organised with only a couple of longer drives (needed to see as much as we did) and all the staff and local guides were great. Overall it was a great trip through some beautiful and fascinating countries and I would love to go back to the region.”

ITINERARY Expand All

Day 1: Start in Sofia, Bulgaria. After the meeting with the leader, we go for a welcoming dinner.
Day 2: Transfer to Melnik stopping at UNESCO sites Boyana Church and the famous Rila Monastery en route. Free afternoon upon arrival into Melnik.
Day 3: Transfer to Macedonia. After lunch we visit the ancient city of Stobi and enjoy wine tasting over dinner in a winery of the famous Tikveš wine region.
Day 4: Drive to Bitola to visit the archaeological site of Heraclea and enjoy a walking tour of the city with free time in the evening.
Day 5: Pelister NP walk, Beekeepers farm and lunch in Dihovo, transfer to Lake Ohrid via Lake Prespa and Galičica NP.
Day 6: A full day in Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Dinner in a family home in Kuratica village.
Day 7: Transfer to Kosovo via Tetovo and Šar Planina NP. Lunch in Varvara and a walking tour in Prizren.
Day 8: Visiting the UNESCO’s Gračanica Monastery before arrival to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, followed by a walking tour of the city.
Day 9: Osogovo monastery visit while transferring back to Sofia for a city tour and a farewell dinner.
Day 10: End Sofia.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Accommodation

9 nights comfortable hotels, all rooms en suiteGroup normally 4 to 14, plus leader. Min 16 yrs.Travel by private air-conditioned minibus ,All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinnersAll accommodationTransfers for group flights

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

Any international flights to/from Sofia are not included in this price. We always recommend that you arrive 1 day prior to your tour starting date.
Travel insurance is not included in this Balkan Explorer tour. Travel insurance is mandatory to buy. We recommend purchasing it from World Nomads.

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