Travel to the Balkans

Macedonia, Kosova and Greece

10 days/9 nights

2011 Tour Departure Dates:
May 17, 25
September 14, 22

This tour can also be arranged anytime. Contact us and let us know when you'd like to go.

Visit the little known Macedonia and Kosova combined with ancient and modern Greece. The different cultures and traditions make this tour unique. Kosova became an independent country on February 17, 2008. Explore its past and recent history. Macedonia remains one of Europe's last undiscovered countries: a natural paradise of mountains, lakes, and rivers. Most travelers that visit Greece do not see the north. Beautiful Thessaloniki is Greece's second largest city that rises from its bay in the form of an amphitheatre on the slopes of Mt. Khortiatis. Come with us in 2011 and celebrate our 106th birthday on this unforgettable tour.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN SKOPJE
Upon your arrival at Skopje Airport you will be met and assisted by your guide. Transfer to a 3* hotel. On the way you will have an orientation tour of the city. Overnight in Skopje.

DAY 2: SKOPJE
Sightseeing tour of Skopje including the Memorial House of Mother Theresa (born in Skopje in 1910); the Mustapha Pasha Mosque (built in 1492); the Church of Holy Salvation, famous for its 19th century woodcarvings; the Fortress, and; the Old Bazaar, with its tiny shops, hamams (Turkish-style baths) and caravanserais showing aspects of life in Ottoman time. In the afternoon, you will drive to Nerezi to see St. Panteleon's Monastery, famous for its frescoes from the 12th century. Overnight in Skopje.

DAY 3: SKOPJE - UROCHEVAC - PRISHTINA
After breakfast departure for Prishtina. Coffee break in Urochevac. En route you will have a short stop at the field where the battle of Kosova took place in 1389. The Ottomans triumphed over the Christian forces sealing the fate of the Balkans for over 500 years. Visit the Tomb of Sultan Murad II and the Grachanica Monastery, founded by the Serbian King Stefan Milutin in 1321. Drive to Prishtina, the capital city of the new Republic of Kosova established in February 2008. Visit the Kosova Museum, the 19th century Clock Tower, the eleven-foot-tall statue of the US President Bill Clinton, inaugurated recently in one of the main boulevards of Prishtina that bears his name. Overnight in Prishtina.

DAY 4: PRISHTINA - PRIZREN - MAVROVO
Morning departure for Prizren, considered as the jewel in the crown of Kosova and a "must-see" for any visitor. Visit the Prizren League House, where the representatives from all the Albanian-inhabited territories convened to demand autonomy from the Ottoman Empire; the Sinan Pasha Mosque (built in 1615); Our Lady of Ljeviš Church, built in the 12th century by Stefan Nemanja, and; the medieval fortress of Prizren, which was once the capital of Serbian Empire. Leave Prizren for Mavrovo National Park. Overnight in Mavrovo.

DAY 5: MAVROVO NATIONAL PARK - STRUGA - OHRID
Visit the Bigorski Monastery, famous for its 19th century woodcarvings. Continue along the rivers Radika and Black Drin. Sightseeing tour of Struga including the Cave Churches in Kalishta and Radozda and the Museum of Natural History. Overnight in Ohrid.

DAY 6: OHRID
Morning sightseeing tour of Ohrid. Visit the City Wall, which is the biggest preserved fortification in the country; the Ancient Theater; the Church of St. Sophia (11th -14th C.), which houses one of the richest collections of 11th century frescoes in Europe; the Icon Gallery of Ohrid, rated among the best collections of icon art in the world, and; St. Clement's University (now under reconstruction), which was an important cradle of education in Medieval Europe. Overnight in Ohrid.

DAY 7: OHRID - NATIONAL PARK OF GALICHITSA - ST. NAUM
Trip to the Galichitsa National Park and along the Eastern coast of Lake Ohrid. Visit the 9th century St. Naum Monastery followed by a boat ride in the Springs by the Monastery. It is in this region that the Early Christian Orthodox Bishops created the Cyrillic alphabet in about 900 AD. Overnight in Ohrid.

DAY 8: OHRID - BITOLA - THESSALONIKI
Departure for Thessaloniki. Short stop in Bitola to see the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncenestis, founded by Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. On the way to Thessaloniki you will visit the ruins of Pella, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedonia. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

DAY 9: THESSALONIKI - SKOPJE
Morning sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki visiting the Archaeological Museum; the White Tower, a defensive structure from the 15th century, and; the monumental Church of Saint Demetrios. Overnight in Thessaloniki.

DAY 10: DEPARTURE
Transfer to Thessaloniki Airport. Departure.

TOUR PRICE:

Land Cost Per Person
(double occupancy)

10 travelers: $1445
8 travelers: $1522
6 travelers: $1832
4 travelers: $2142
2 travelers: $3067
1 traveler: $5257

Single Supplement: $370

Price Includes:

Meet and assist upon arrival at the airport
Airport transfers in each city
9 nights accommodation in 3* hotels
Daily breakfasts
English speaking guide throughout
Transportation by private car or minibus
All entrance fees related to tour program
Porterage at hotel and airport

Price Does Not Include:

International airfare (unless otherwise arranged)
Lunches and dinners
Departure and custom fees
Gratuities and individual daily expenses
Additional beverages
Travel insurance
Trip cancellation
Medical and luggage insurance are recommended for coverage against 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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