Ancient Greece & Western Balkans - 9 days Tour by On The Go Tours

9 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 80 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Starts

Athens, Greece

Ends

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Highlights

Athens – Explore the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum

Delphi – Visit the Temple of Apollo and ancient ruins

Kalabaka – Admire the Meteora monasteries and scenic rock formations

Thessaloniki – Discover the White Tower and the Arch of Galerius

Sofia – Tour the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and St. Sofia Basilica

Skopje – Walk across the Stone Bridge and see Kale Fortress

Prizren – Stroll through Ottoman-era streets and view Prizren Castle

Tirana – View Skanderbeg Square and the Et’hem Bey Mosque

Kotor – Wander the old town and climb the Castle of Kotor

Dubrovnik – Roam the medieval city walls and admire coastal views

Skopje – Walk across the Stone Bridge and see Kale Fortress

Prizren – Stroll through Ottoman-era streets and view Prizren Castle

Tirana – View Skanderbeg Square and the Et’hem Bey Mosque

Kotor – Wander the old town and climb the Castle of Kotor

Dubrovnik – Roam the medieval city walls and admire coastal views

Itinerary

PARTIALLY GUIDED TOUR: Experience ancient Greece and the Western Balkans on this 9-day tour, beginning in Athens with visits to the Acropolis and Delphi, followed by the monasteries of Meteora and the cultural richness of Thessaloniki. Journey through Bulgaria to explore Rila Monastery and Sofia’s landmarks, then continue to Skopje and Matka Canyon in North Macedonia, and the Ottoman heritage of Prizren in Kosovo. Travel through Tirana and the coastal town of Kotor in Montenegro before the journey concludes in Dubrovnik.

day 1 - Arrival in Athens

Upon arriving at Athens Airport, proceed with your transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend at your leisure.

Please note: This tour is conducted in English. However, depending on the mix of the group, touring may also be bilingual, in one additional language as well as English.

OverNight:Athens

day 2 - Exploring Athens & the Acropolis

After breakfast, we will meet at the designated location to begin the morning Athens Sightseeing Tour. This tour offers a chance to witness the striking contrasts that make Athens so captivating. Expert guides will lead you to the Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympic Games, where we will make a short stop.

As we continue, we'll pass by notable landmarks such as the Prime Minister's residence (formerly the Royal Palace) with its Evzone guards in colorful uniforms, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament and the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy of Athens, the University, the National Library, and Constitution Square (Syntagma).

A visit to Athens is incomplete without exploring the Acropolis, a symbol of democracy in the Western world. There, we'll marvel at the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Pericles, including the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and of course, the Parthenon, described by the ancient Greeks as a place where "there is harmony between material and spirit" and "restores order in the mind." After the tour, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Please note: Departure is approximately at 08:00, with a return around 13:30.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Athens

day 3 - Discover Delphi & Kalabaka

Athens - Delphi - Kalabaka. After enjoying breakfast, we will embark on a bus trip to Delphi, celebrated for its ancient archaeological sites. Here we will discover the famous Temple of Apollo and other historic ruins.

After, we will proceed through Central Greece to Kalabaka, a town situated beneath the striking rock formations of Meteora. We will marvel at the stunning monasteries of Meteora, perched atop cliffs, as you spend the night in this scenic town.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hr 36 min & 339 km

Meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

OverNight:Kalabaka

day 4 - Meteora & Thessaloniki

Kalabaka - Thessaloniki. Begin the day with breakfast, and then we will head to the UNESCO-listed Meteora Monasteries. where we will take in the stunning views and explore these remarkable Byzantine structures perched on cliffs. Afterward, we travel to Thessaloniki, a city celebrated for its historical depth and lively cultural scene. We will visit notable sites like the White Tower and the Arch of Galerius. Later you will have time to relax in Thessaloniki.

Approximate travel time and distance: 2 hr 50 min & 238 km

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Thessaloniki

day 5 - Thessaloniki to Sofia

Thessaloniki - Sofia (Bulgaria). We start our day with breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a scenic drive to Sofia. Along the way, we will visit the Rila Monastery, an architectural and spiritual masterpiece nestled in the Rila Mountains. As the largest and most renowned Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, Rila Monastery is famous for its intricate frescoes, stunning architecture, and tranquil mountain surroundings.

We will then take time to explore its rich history and artistic treasures before continuing our journey. Once in Sofia, we will check into our hotel and relax after a day of exploration, enjoying an overnight stay in this vibrant city.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hours 32 minutes & 292 km

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Sofia

day 6 - Exploring Sofia & Transfer to Skopje

Sofia - Skopje (North Macedonia). After breakfast, we immerse ourselves in Sofia's rich cultural heritage with a guided tour of the city's major landmarks. We will begin with a visit to the impressive Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a monumental symbol of Bulgarian Orthodoxy, followed by the historic St. Sofia Basilica, one of the city's oldest churches. Continue our exploration at the National Art Gallery and the Presidential Palace, renowned for their remarkable architecture and ceremonial importance.

After the Sofia tour, we head to another Balkan nation, North Macedonia, and it's capital of Skopje. Upon arrival, we will embark on a comprehensive city tour to discover highlights such as the ancient Kale Fortress with its panoramic views, the iconic Stone Bridge crossing the Vardar River, the lively Macedonia Square featuring a grand statue of Alexander the Great, and the historic Mustafa Pasha Mosque. Later we will conclude our day with a relaxing evening at our hotel in Skopje.

Approximate travel time and distance: 3 hr 32 min & 244 km

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Skopje

day 7 - Kosovo & Albania

Skopje (Macedonia) - Prizren (Kosovo) - Tirana (Albania). After breakfast, we begin our journey to Tirana. On the way, we make a scenic stop at Matka Canyon, famous for its breathtaking landscapes and peaceful lake.

We will continue travelling to Prizren, a charming city in Kosovo, another Balkan country. Known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture and vibrant cultural life, Prizren offers attractions such as Prizren Castle with its panoramic views, the beautiful Sinan Pasha Mosque, the serene White Drin River, and the lively Sadrvan Square.

Here, you can spend some time shopping for local handicrafts and enjoying traditional cuisine before we complete the drive to Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania. Upon arrival in Tirana, we embark on a panoramic city tour. After this, check into the hotel and enjoy an overnight stay in this bustling city.

Approximate travel time and distance:3 hr 30 mins 285 km

Please note: The city tour can be rescheduled for the next morning based on the guide's recommendation. Key sights include Skanderbeg Square, the striking Skanderbeg Statue, the elegant Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the historic Clock Tower.

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Tirana

day 8 - Tirana to Kotor & Dubrovnik

Tirana (Albania) - Kotor (Montenegro) - Dubrovnik (Croatia). Begin the day in Tirana with breakfast before we set off for Montenegro and Croatia, heading towards Dubrovnik.

Our first stop is the historic city of Kotor, where a local guide will reveal the city's fascinating secrets. As we explore Kotor's enchanting highlights, including the medieval Castle of Kotor on the city walls, the beautiful Triphun Cathedral, the intriguing Archive Museum, and the famous Wall of Shame, all of which narrate the city's rich history. Kotor Bay, celebrated for its stunning natural beauty and cultural importance, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After our tour of Kotor, you will enjoy some free time to take in the scenic views and local ambiance before we proceed to Dubrovnik. Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, we will check in at our hotel and relax in this captivating city, renowned for its breathtaking old town and clear waters.

Approximate travel time and distance:3 hr 30 mins & 293 km

Meals:1 Breakfast

OverNight:Dubrovnik

day 9 - Dubrovnik

After your final breakfast, depending on your departure flight time, you might have some time for some last-minute shopping, exploring, or relaxation before transferring to the airport for your onward flight. Safe travels!

Meals:1 Breakfast

Ancient Greece & Western Balkans - 9 days

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What's Included

Accommodation

8 nights in 3 star hotels

Meals

8 breakfasts & 1 dinner

Transport

Airport arrival transfer on day 1 & departure airport transfer on day 9Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle

Others

Services of English-speaking tour guides for included sightseeing - please note that depending on the make-up of the group, guiding may be bilingual, in another language as well as EnglishGuided sightseeing in Athens, Delphi, Meteora, Thessaloniki, Sofia, Skopje, Tirana & KotorNote: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner, and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

Entrance

Entrance fees for museums and sites as per the itinerary

What's Excluded

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