Balkan Kaleidoscope
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 14-day journey through the heart of the Balkans, where history, culture, and natural beauty intertwine. This multi-day tour will take you through the vibrant cities, charming towns, and serene monasteries of Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, and Macedonia. From the bustling streets of Sofia and Belgrade to the tranquil beauty of Rila Monastery and Matka Canyon, every day brings a new adventure. Explore the rich history of Sarajevo, the architectural wonders of Dubrovnik, and the cultural heritage of Tirana. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a foodie, this tour has something for everyone. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable Balkan adventure!
Included
Overnights in comfortable 3*** hotels - all overnights are based on double rooms with private WC/shower
When planing the size of your luggage please have in mind that some of the hotels do not have elevators
If we cannot match you with another person to share a room, Single supplement is a mandatory payment.
The trip is coordinated by a tour leader from Penguin Travel, who is responsible for the logistics of the tour – updating you on the daily itinerary, arranging your passport checks at the border-crossings, handling the check-ins at each hotel, communicating with the driver and arranging the local guides as scheduled in the program. Detailed information about the countries and some of the sites will be presented by the local city guides included in the itinerary.
13 Breakfasts.
Other meals are not included to give you maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat.
vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat
Sarajevo – the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mostar whose old part is a World Heritage Site
Dubrovnik – the masterpiece of the Adriatic, the sea and commercial rival of Venice, under the auspices of UNESCO
The picturesque Kotor Bay and the town of Kotor, forming a beautiful ensemble of natural, historic and cultural heritage, under the auspices of UNESCO
Visoki Decani Monastery with the largest medieval church in the Balkans, under the auspices of UNESCO
Tirana – the capital of Albania
Ohrid – a medieval literary center and the last capital of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. Together with the Ohrid Lake the town is under UNESCOs protection
The type of the vehicle of the tour depends on the size of the group – for groups of up to 8 people you will travel in a minibus (8+1) with the tour leader being also the driver; for groups larger than 8 pax your vehicle will be a bigger bus with a separate driver.
all transport according to the itinerary in a comfortable tourist A/C minibus
airport transfers on days 1 and 14 (there is an additional charge for transfers on different dates pre- or post-tour. It's not possible to arrange transfers to/from other places than airport-scheduled hotel-airport)
Destinations
Sofia
Trebinje
Dubrovnik
Ohrid
Skopje
Tirana
Matka
Mostar
Belgrade
KotorMap
Attractions
Dervish House
Osman-paša Resulbegović mosque
National Park of Drilon
Sokol grad
Square „Macedonia“
Skopje Zoo
Old Bridge MostarDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Sofia
- Sofia - Arrival day
- More
- Arapovo Monastery
- More
Welcome to Sofia, the vibrant capital of Bulgaria! Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel where you can settle in and rest. If you're up for some exploration, we suggest a day trip to the serene Rila Monastery or the historic city of Plovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery. The choice is yours!
Day 2 – Day 2: Sofia to Belgrade
- Sofia
- Belgrade
- More
After breakfast, we'll depart for Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Upon arrival, we'll embark on a walking tour of the city center, visiting Saint Michael's Cathedral, Belgrade's Fortress in Kalemegdan Park, and Skadarlija Street, known for its vibrant restaurants and shops. The rest of the day is yours to explore this fascinating city at your own pace.
Day 3 – Day 3: Belgrade to Sarajevo
- Belgrade
- More
- Sarajevo City Hall
- Vječna vatra
- More
Today, we'll journey to the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo. After checking into our hotel, we'll explore the city's rich history and culture, starting from Pigeon Square, visiting the City Hall, and paying our respects at the Eternal Fire. The rest of the day is yours to discover the city's unique blend of Eastern and Western influences.
Day 4 – Day 4: Exploring Sarajevo
- Istočno Sarajevo
- More
- Sarajevo City Hall
- Tunnel of Hope
- More
Today is yours to explore Sarajevo at your leisure. You can visit the Tunnel of Hope, a symbol of the city's resilience during the Sarajevo siege, or the Abandoned Bobsled Track, a remnant of the 1984 Winter Olympics. If you prefer a more relaxing day, why not indulge in a traditional hammam experience at the Isa Begov Hammam Hotel? The choice is yours!
Day 5 – Day 5: Sarajevo to Mostar and Trebinje
- Mostar
- Blagaj
- Trebinje
- More
- Dervish House
- Old Bridge Mostar
- More
We'll start our day with a visit to Mostar, renowned for its Old Bridge - a symbol of peaceful coexistence in the Balkans. Next, we'll visit the historic Sufi monastery Blagaj Tekija, nestled at the source of the Buna River. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in the charming town of Trebinje, where we'll spend the night.
Day 6 – Day 6: Trebinje to Dubrovnik
- Trebinje
- Dubrovnik
- More
- Špilja Vjetrenica
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Today, we'll journey to the stunning city of Dubrovnik. We'll start with a walking tour of the historic part of the town, visiting the Pile Gate, Stradun Street, and the Franciscan Monastery. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site at your own pace.
Day 7 – Day 7: Dubrovnik to Kotor
- Dubrovnik
- Kotor
- Perast
- More
- Sokol grad
- More
Our Balkan adventure continues in Montenegro. We'll drive along the breathtaking Bay of Kotor, often compared to Italy's Cinque Terre and the French Riviera. We'll stop at the historic city of Herzeg Novi and the picturesque town of Perast before reaching Kotor, where we'll explore the city's fortress walls, St. Luka Square, and St. Trifon's Cathedral.
Day 8 – Day 8: Kotor to Pec
- Kotor
- More
Today, we'll drive up the scenic road above the Kotor Bay, offering breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea. We'll then continue to the border with Kosovo and spend the night in the vibrant town of Pec.
Day 9 – Day 9: Pec to Prizren
- District of Prizren
- More
We'll start our day with a visit to the Visoki Decani Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Serbian King Stefan Decanski in the 14th century. We'll then continue to Prizren, the second-largest city in Kosovo, where we'll explore the Sinan Pasha Mosque, Our Lady of Ljevis, and the Old Stone Bridge.
Day 10 – Day 10: Prizren to Tirana
- Tirana
- District of Prizren
- More
- Tanners' Bridge
- Skanderbeg Square
- More
Today, we'll drive to Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania. We'll explore the city's rich history and culture, visiting Skanderbeg Square, Tanner's Bridge, and the residence of Enver Hoxha, the former communist leader of Albania. The rest of the day is yours to explore this fascinating city at your own pace.
Day 11 – Day 11: Tirana to Ohrid
- Ohrid
- Tirana
- More
- Monastery of Saint Naum
- Ohrid City Park
- Kitino Fort
- More
We'll start our day with a visit to the Monastery of St. Naum of Ohrid, where we'll enjoy the scenic view of Ohrid Lake. We'll then head to the city of Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we'll spend the afternoon exploring the city's rich history and culture, including Samuil's Fortress and the churches of St. John Kaneo and St. Pantaleimon.
Day 12 – Day 12: Ohrid to Skopje
- Skopje
- Ohrid
- Matka
- More
- Old Bazaar
- Square „Macedonia“
- More
Today, we'll drive to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. On the way, we'll stop at the stunning Matka Canyon, the oldest artificial lake in the country. Upon arrival in Skopje, we'll explore the Old Bazaar, the largest marketplace in the Balkans, and the curious and controversial statues around Macedonia Square.
Day 13 – Day 13: Skopje to Sofia
- Skopje
- Sofia
- More
We'll depart for Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Upon arrival, you'll have the rest of the day to explore the city at your own pace. Whether you choose to visit the city's numerous museums, stroll through its parks, or sample its vibrant nightlife, Sofia is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Day 14 – Day 14: Departure
Day 14: Departure
Today marks the end of our unforgettable journey through the Balkans. After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for your departure. We hope you've enjoyed this multi-day tour and look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure!
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