Balkan Dreams end Bulgaria

Arrival in Zagreb. We’ll be ready to transfer you to your hotel. Our guide will join us with the group from Slovenia around lunchtime. In the afternoon, at around 04:00 p. m. (time may vary), we’ll embark on a panoramic tour with a local guide (included), giving us the opportunity to admire the city´s two hills, the upper town, and the new neighborhoods of Croatia’s capital. Dinner will be included.

We’ll depart early in the morning to travel to Bosnia. Border formalities may take some time. As we drive through certain areas, we’ll be reminded of the tragic war of the 1990s. Our journey will take us through the majoritySerb territory of Bosnia, with our first stop in Banja Luka. Here, you’ll have time to explore the capital of the autonomous entity of Republika Srpska, the second largest city in Bosnia after Sarajevo, known for its fortress and Orthodox cathedral. There will be time for lunch. We’ll then continue to Jajce, arguably the most beautiful town in Bosnia, celebrated for its cultural diversity, mosque, fortress, and impressive waterfall (admission included). After some time to explore, we’ll proceed to Sarajevo, arriving in the evening. You’ll have the opportunity to stroll through the historic center and visit the charming Bazaar, an old Ottoman market renowned for its architecture, oriental ambiance, and traditional shops. Dinner will be included.

In the morning, we’ll enjoy a guided sightseeing tour in Sarajevo, a captivating city known as the "Jerusalem of Europe" due to its coexistence of several religions. Mosques, churches, and synagogues showcase its rich religious diversity. We’ll explore the old town´s strong Ottoman influence, highlighted by a magnificent mosque over 500 years old and a beautiful fountain. After our visit, we’ll continue through an area of stunning beauty to Mostar, with its enchanting historic center and iconic stone bridge that separates the Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic communities. You’ll have time for lunch and a stroll through the city. We’ll then proceed to Croatia, where border procedures may take a while. We’ll arrive in Dubrovnik at the end of the day. Dinner will be included.

We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide in the morning. We will undoubtedly be in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, perched on a cliff, surrounded by walls and kissed by the Adriatic Sea. Its intact historic center is a jewel of world architectural heritage. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a stunning view of the city from a scenic viewpoint along the road. The tour includes tickets to the Franciscan Monastery, home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and the Assumption Cathedral. We’ll also take a boat trip to Lokrum, a small island just 15 minutes away that is home to the ruins of an eleventhcentury Benedictine monastery, a popular setting for the series Game of Thrones. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner will be included. Note: On some occasions, accommodation may be in Cavtat, a coastal town near Dubrovnik. From November to March, there is no boat service to Lokrum, so we will not visit the island during these months.

We’ll set off early for Montenegro. After completing border procedures, we’ll enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and the Bay of Kotor. We’ll take a ferry across the bay to Kotor, where you’ll have time to explore this beautiful walled town with its strong Venetian influence. Next, we’ll stop in Budva, a charming walled village surrounded by the sea, for lunch. Then we’ll travel to Albania. After customs procedures, we’ll go to the capital, Tirana, where you’ll have some free time to explore. Dinner will be included.

Today, we’ll embark on a panoramic tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania, visiting its mosques, the Clock Tower, and the ministries. Around midday, we’ll head inland, passing through Albania’s tall mountain scenery and little villages. Enjoy the beautiful countryside around Lake Ohrid, which forms the border with Macedonia. We’ll continue to the Republic of Macedonia (border procedures) and stop for lunch in Struga, a picturesque town on the lake´s shores. We’ll then proceed to Ohrid, a city rich in Ottoman influence and a designated World Heritage Site. You’ll have time to explore the Plaosnik Monastery, or the ancient university founded in the ninth century. Dinner will be included.

We’ll journey through Macedonia into Greece, with a stop in Bitola, a city rich in history and charm, known for its Ottoman and neoclassical architecture. You’ll have time to stroll along Širok Sokak, a lively area filled with cafes, restaurants, and shops. After completing border formalities, we’ll enter Greece, where the northern region is deeply influenced by Slavic and Ottoman culture and features rugged landscapes. Our journey will continue to the Meteora region. Just outside Kalabaka, we’ll stop in Kastraki, a picturesque village offering stunning views of the valley, where you’ll have time for lunch before going to the Meteora Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We’ll drive through the entire valley and include admission to one of the most famous cliffside monasteries. Arrival in Kalabaka, with dinner included.

We’ll journey through northern Greece, taking in the beautiful mountain scenery as we head towards the Aegean Sea. Our first stop will be in Thessaloniki, where we’ll have time to explore and enjoy lunch in Greece’s secondlargest city. Afterward, we’ll continue into Bulgaria, crossing the border into the region of Bulgarian Macedonia. Here, we’ll visit Melnik, a picturesque museum town nestled among stunning landscapes and renowned for its wine production. We’ll conclude our day in Sandanski, a charming spa town known as the birthplace of Spartacus where we’ll stay for the night. Dinner will be included.

We’ll visit the stunning Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its fortresslike appearance and beautiful forest surroundings. We’ll then continue to Sofia, arriving by late morning. After lunch, we’ll take a guided tour of Bulgaria’s capital, where we’ll see the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Russian Church, the Mosque, and the city´s squares and avenues, showcasing Stalinist architecture. You’ll have free time afterward to explore the city at your leisure.

After breakfast, our journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful lasting memories.