Balkan Taste Tour
Tirana International Airport / Podgorica Airport Return Flight
Tirana, Berat (UNESCO), Ohrid (UNESCO), Skopje, Prizren, Decan Monastery Unesco, Peja, Rozaje, Kolasin, Podgorica, Budva – Podgorica
8 Days
All year
Airport – Tirana
Meet at Tirana International Airport and transfer to Tirana City. Accommodation at the hotel and afterwards we take a city tour of the major sites of Tirana, including the colorful buildings for which the Albanian capital is now popular for.
Overnight in Tirana.
Tirana – Old town of Berat (UNESCO) (2 hrs)
After breakfast depart for Berat, the pride of Albanian antiquity and architecture. The UNESCO city forms a wonderful combination of eastern and western cultures, costumes and traditions. The architecture of the old houses, with large windows that overlook the town, is the first think that impresses the visitors.
First stop: the Citadel. It overlooks the river and the modern city as well as the old Christian quarter across the river. The citadel can be reached by a steep road and is still inhabited. Inside the walls, you can visit ruined mosques and several medieval Orthodox churches, all intact and with restored frescoes and icons. Onufri National Museum is located in the inner part of “Saint Mary Church” in Castle of Berat. This Museum offers a collection of 173 belonging to the found of Albanian Churches and Monasteries.
Traditional dinner and Overnight in Berat.
Berat – Ohrid (UNESCO)
After breakfast we leave Albania and enter another Balkan country –Macedonia.
We spend the day by the shores of lake Ohrid. This immortal city is the sublime lakeside point that for many represents the culmination of the Macedonian experience, a kingdom of light and water, a repository of ancient ruins from Macedonia’s earlier kingdoms. Ohrid’s major attractions are all located within a remarkably concentrated and eminently walkable area, among and above the narrow streets of the Old Town lined with restaurants and cafés perfectly suited for relaxing in the cool summer evenings. We visit the old churches, the Amphitheater and enjoy a boat ride in the lake.
Ohrid – Capital city of Macedonia, Skopje (3 Hrs)
After the breakfast we depart to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia for a tour of the main sites. This is the birth town of Mother Teresa and many parts reflect her history.
Visit the old Turkish bazaar, Mahmut Pasha Hammam, the memorial house of Mother Teresa, stone bridge and the Macedonia Plaza. Overnight in Skopje.
Skopje – Culture & History in the UNESCO town of Prizren (3hrs)– Religious details at the Decan Monastery Unesco (1hrs) – Peja (30 min)
After breakfast we drive to visit Prizren, through the beautiful Sharri Mountains. Prizren is a true open air museum, one of the most beautiful towns of Kosovo which has best preserved the architectural style of the past. The craftsmen of Prizren are well known for their beautiful gold and silver articles and other folk handcrafts. Take a short tour and we suggest traditional lunch here in the old town.
Further we reach the Monastery of Peja, This monastery complex is a wonderful example of the Orthodox religious architecture and art part of UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must for anyone visiting Kosovo. Guided tour of the monastery.
Peja – Panoramic drive through the mountain areas of Rozaje – Famous ski resort & touristic village of Kolasin (3hrs)– Cultural visits in the Montenegrin capital city, Podgorica (1hrs)
After breakfast a long drive through magnificent natural beauty of the North West Kosovo and Montenegro takes us to Kolašin which is Montenegro’s most famous ski resort, and its capital Podgorica.
Podgorica – Budva – Podgorica
After Breakfast we continue on another panoramic drive towards Budva.
Budva is rich in historic monuments. The Old town lies on a small peninsula and represents a treasure chest of culture heritage.
The Budva coast is 21 km long with 17 beaches. It is among the most beautiful coasts in the world and this is the place where we will have arranged dinner and overnight.
Afterwords we drive to visit the Old City of Kotor a well preserved urbanization typical of the Middle Ages, built between the 12th and 14th century. Medieval architecture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage have made Kotor an UNESCO listed “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site.
Than we return to Podgorica for overnight.
Podgorica– Airport
Free time to explore the capital before transfer time. Drive towards the airport for the return flight.