Travel to Albania, Macedonia, Croatia and more

Balkan Odyssey

21 days/20 nights

2012 Tour Departure Dates:
May 4
September 7
(departure from US one day earlier than tour start date)

In 2012 Kutrubes Travel is celebrating 107 years in the business of helping people realize their travel dreams. Our home and heritage are in the Balkans and we are the first travel company to welcome travelers to our special part of the world with a unique twenty-one day journey that combines eight regions of the Balkans: Albania, Macedonia, Kosova, Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Serbia. Our knowledge and expertise in the region enables us to undertake a journey through the heart, heritage, culture and traditions of these Balkan countries. Although some of them are well established on the tourist routes of Europe and some others are just opening up to it, each of them has its own unique characteristics to offer to the traveler. Come and experience the differences and the similarities of these diverse regions, all part of the Balkan fabric. Come home with us in 2012 and celebrate our 107th birthday with us on the Balkan Odyssey Tour!

Day 1
Arrival at Mother Theresa Airport. Meet and assist to your hotel in Tirana for dinner and overnight. (D)

Day 2
Full day of sightseeing in Tirana including the Skenderbeg Square, Ethem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower, the National History Museum, the University and park, and the Martyrs Cemetery with the statue of Mother Albania. Continue to Mt. Dajti above Tirana for lunch and a panoramic view of the Adriatic. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 3
After breakfast, drive to Durres. This busy port city has one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the Balkans. Durres is one of the oldest Roman cities in the Mediterranean and the largest seaport in Albania. After our visits we drive to Berat, the oldest settlement in Albania. Its castles and fort date back more than 2400 years. Visit the Old Quarter, and the icon museum of Onoufri, Albania's master iconographer, followed by a visit to a local winery. Overnight in Berat (B, D)

Day 4
Morning departure from Berat via Elbasan for a short journey to Pogradec and Drillon Park on the shores of Lake Ohrid. After crossing the border into Macedonia, visit the Monastery of St. Naum and the springs of the lake. Then you drive towards Ohrid town on the opposite shores of this beautiful lake for overnight (B, D)

Day 5
Visits to the 11th century castle and other important ancient churches and schools of Ohrid. Orthodox Byzantine monks brought Christianity to Ohrid in the 10th century from Greece through the effort of Sts. Cyril and Methodios who crafted the Cyrilic Alphabet here. Afternoon for leisure and shopping. Overnight in Ohrid. (B, D).

Day 6
Departure from Ohrid for Skopje, the capital city of Macedonia. Skopje was an important city for the Ottomans from the end of the 14th century. The Skopje of today retains that influence and is a thriving modern city. The largest Turkish bath in the Balkans is located here and is now an art museum. Later we will visit the old Turkish bazaar and the National Museum. After lunch, departure for Prishtina, the capital of the new Republic of Kosova as of February 2008. Visit the site of the Battle of Kosova that sealed the fate of Serbia and the entire Balkan region for 500 years on June 28, 1389. Dinner and overnight in Prishtina. (B, D)

Day 7
Morning departure from Prishtina for Prizren. Visit the old part of the town and the City Museum. Then drive to the border to cross into Albania. Arrival at the northern Albanian city of Shkodra. Shkodra has been an important city for Albania for over 2,000 years. Once part of the Venetian empire, Italian influence is everywhere evident in Shkodra. Dinner and overnight in Shkodra. (B, D)

Day 8
Early morning visit Rozafa Castle (which offers wonderful views from its citadel), Mesi Bridge, and Leaden Mosque. Departure from Shkodra driving across the border into Montenegro. We will make a stop in the capital Podgorica formerly known as Titograd. Continue to the spectacular Montenegrin coast. Visit the old town of Budva and the St. Stefan Monastery. Continue to Kotorr for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 9
Depart from Scenic Kotorr with its scenic bay. The fjord lies just beyond on the coastal road to Croatia. It is the only fjord in the Mediterranean. Continue to the Montenegrin-Croatian border where you will be met by the Croatian English-speaking guide. Transfer to Dubrovnik for overnight. (B)

Day 10
Sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik (max 2h), including the old walled town. Pass through the Pile Gate and enter the Strandun to visit the Franciscan Monastery, Sponza Palace, St. Blaise's Church and the Rector's Palace. Overnight in Dubrovnik. (B, D)

Day 11
Early morning departure from Dubrovnik to Mostar, situated in the center of Herzegovina. En route to Mostar we will make a visit to the world famous religious site and shrine of Medjugorje. The year 2004 marked the rededication in Mostar of the historic bridge built by the Ottomans in 1566 and destroyed in 1993. We continue to the multicultural city of Sarajevo for overnight. (B, D)

Day 12
Full day sightseeing of Sarajevo. Sarajevo was once well regarded as the open-minded and tolerant home to all of the three of the major ethnic persuasions of the Balkans. In 1984, a very cosmopolitan Sarajevo played host to the Winter Olympic Games. Overnight in Sarajevo. (B, D)

Day 13
Departure from Sarajevo for the journey to historic Split on the Adriatic. The scenery en route is typical of the mountainous Balkan countryside dotted with century old villages, herds of animals important for the populace, and many old churches and mosques. Arrival in Split, the largest Croatian city on the Adriatic and the heart of Dalmatia. Overnight in Split. (B, D)

Day 14
Morning visit to Diocletian's Palace, one of the most imposing Roman ruins of the ancient world and built as his retirement palace 295-305 AD. Visit the Peristyle, the vestibule, and the Temple of Jupiter. Leave Split for Plitvice. Overnight. (B, D)

Day 15
Full day sightseeing in Plitvice National Park, a series of 16 pristine lakes with spectacular cascading waterfalls. Spend time in this magical forest hiking the wooden walkways, enjoy the scenery, and pause to feel and experience the tranquility. Overnight in Plitvice. (B, D)

Day 16
Morning departure from Plitvice for the scenic drive to Slovenia. Continue into the Julian Alps, which Slovenia shares with Italy, to the fashionable resort of Bled situated on a crystal-clear idyllic lake. Time to enjoy the fairy tale setting. Overnight in Bled where we take the boat ride to the island and the church with the belfry and the "bell of wishes". (B, D)

Day 17
Morning departure from Bled to Ljubljana, the vibrant, tiny, capital city of Slovenia once known as the Roman town Emona, where we take a short walking tour visiting the bridges, markets, and colorful buildings downtown. Continue for a short drive to Croatia's capital, Zagreb, for overnight. (B, D)

Day 18
Morning sightseeing of Zagreb. Visit the older historic Upper Town with its neo-gothic Assumption Cathedral, the famous St. Marks Church, the colorful market, and old Banski Dvori Palace. In the afternoon, travel from the Croatian border to Novi Sad. Novi Sad is the capital of the province of Vojvodina, the autonomous province of Serbia, and an historic city on the Danube. Explore the streets of Novi Sad and visit the Petrovaradin citadel. Visit town museum of Sremski Karlovci and nearby monastery of Krusedol, first founded in 1509. Continue to Belgrade for overnight. (B)

Day 19
Morning departure to Mt. Avala and Oplenac - Topola. Visit the memorial of the Karadjordjevic Dynasty and home of King Petar I. He was the leader of the first Serbian uprising against the Turks in 1804 and the founder of the Karadjordjevic Dynasty. Wine tasting in the King's cellar. Lunch in a village household. Visit the monastery of Vracevsnica. Dinner and overnight in a rural household.

Day 20
After breakfast, visit the Kalemegdan fortress, Republic Square, National theatre, National museum, Knez Mihajlova street, Terazije Square, Federal Assembly, Nikola Tesla museum, Belgrade museum, Ivo Andric house, St. Marco's Church, St. Sava Temple, Memorial center Josip Broz Tito. Dinner in Skadarlia, the city's Bohemian quarter with cobblestone streets and folkloric restaurants that often offer evening open-air performances. Overnight. (B, D)

Day 21
Breakfast. Transfer to airport for departure. (B)

TOUR PRICE:

Land Cost Per Person:
(double occupancy)

10 - 14 travelers: $4515
8 travelers: $5011
6 travelers: $5640
4 travelers: $6860
2 travelers: $8373

Single supplement $960

This tour operates with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 14 travelers.

Kutrubes Travel has SPECIAL AIRFARES - Contact us for details.

Kutrubes Travel also offers a variety of other tours throughout this region. Contact us for detailed itineraries and descriptions.

Price Includes:

Motor coach and services of driver and guide throughout
Accommodation at 3 and 4* hotels on half board basis
Entrance fees
Airport transfers
Local taxes

Price Does Not Include:

Airfare (unless otherwise arranged)
Departure and custom fees
Gratuities and individual daily expenses
Additional beverages
Travel insurance
Trip cancellation
Medical and luggage insurance are recommended for coverage against all unforeseen circumstances

Payment and Refund Policies

If you have any questions or you'd like to book this trip, please contact us.

Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to.

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