Dubrovnik to Athens
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable 15-day journey through the heart of the Balkans, exploring the rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultures of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece. From the enchanting city of Dubrovnik to the ancient wonders of Athens, this multi-day tour offers a perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites, picturesque towns, and breathtaking natural wonders as you travel through this captivating region. With comfortable accommodations, guided tours, and plenty of free time to explore at your own pace, this tour promises an enriching and memorable experience. Join us on this incredible journey and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Included
14 breakfasts
vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat
All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Shkoder - Rozafa Castle
Kruja - Day Trip
Kruja - Skanderbeg Museum
Kruja - Fortress Visit
Berat - Walking tour with a local guide
Berat - Castle Visit
Ohrid - Lake Ohrid Boat Cruise
Skopje - Matka Canyon visit and Boat Ride
Pelister National Park - Hike in Pelister National Park
Mt Olympus National Park - Orlias Waterfall Hike
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION:
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE BASIS:
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
CHECK-IN TIME:
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION:
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
FACILITIES:
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Hotel (10 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hostel with ensuite facilities (1 night)
hotel: 10 night(s), guesthouse: 2 night(s), home-stay: 1 night(s), hostel: 1 night(s);
TRANSPORT IN EUROPE:
Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
LONG TRAVEL DAYS:
As we cover lots of ground on this trip, expect some long travel days on local trains and buses. This is an opportunity to mix with the locals and enjoy the scenery out the window. Travel schedules are known to change with little notice. Not all transport may have air conditioning.
Public bus , Private vehicle , Taxi , Boat
Destinations
Kruje
Litochoro
Shkoder
Dubrovnik
Athens
Ohrid
Skopje
Tirana
Bitola
KotorMap
Attractions
Mount Olympus National Park
Robev Family House
Old City Park
Et'hem Bej Mosque
Acropolis Museum
Ohrid City Park
Kotor Fortress
Mustafa Paša
Monastery of St Dionysios in Olympus
Shkodra Castle
Macedonian Holocaust Museum
Athens National Garden
Byzantine Museum of Kastoria
Kotor
Dragon's Lair
Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik
Canyon Matka
Castle of Kruja
Church of St. Sophia
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Museum of Contemporary Art
Ancient Macedonian Theatre of Ohrid
Square „Macedonia“
House of Leaves Museum
Plaža Sveti Jakov
Vodno
Skopje Zoo
Vrelo Cave
Berat Castle
Ploče Gate, Dubrovnik
Parthenon
Panathenaic StadiumDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik - Arrival day
- More
- Dominican Monastery
- Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik
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Welcome to the enchanting city of Dubrovnik, where your Croatian adventure begins. This stunning city, known for its white stone architecture and historic city walls, offers a perfect blend of history and beauty. After a welcome meeting at 6 pm, take some time to explore the charming old town. If you arrive early, consider visiting the serene Elafiti Islands, where you can enjoy peaceful hikes and pristine beaches. Discover the city's rich history by visiting the Rector's Palace, monasteries, and baroque churches. Accommodation will be provided at a comfortable hotel in Dubrovnik (or similar).
Day 2 – Day 2: Dubrovnik to Kotor
- Kotor
- Dubrovnik
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- Kotor Fortress
- Kotor
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Leave the coastal beauty of Dubrovnik behind as you journey to the picturesque town of Kotor in Montenegro. Nestled in a secluded bay, Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a rich history dating back to the 5th century. Explore the charming alleyways and visit the 12th-century Cathedral, the South Gates, and Armoury Square. In the afternoon, embark on a scenic cruise along the Kotor Fjord, the longest fjord south of Scandinavia. As night falls, admire the beautifully illuminated city walls. Accommodation will be arranged in Kotor (or similar).
Day 3 – Day 3: Kotor to Tirana
- Tirana
- Kotor
- Shkoder
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- Shkodra Castle
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Cross the border into Albania, a land of diverse cultures and warm hospitality. Your first stop is Shkoder, where you'll explore the historic Rozafa Castle, a fortress with roots in Illyrian times. Continue your journey to Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania. Upon arrival, enjoy an orientation walk to get acquainted with the city's unique blend of Italian and Turkish architecture. Discover the colorful buildings and lively atmosphere that define Tirana. Accommodation will be provided in Tirana (or similar).
Day 4 – Day 4: Tirana and Kruja
- Tirana
- Kruje
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- Et'hem Bej Mosque
- Fortress of Justinian
- House of Leaves Museum
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Embark on a half-day excursion to Kruja, a mountain village and former capital of Albania. Explore the historic citadel and vibrant bazaar, and visit the ethnographical museum housed within the fortress. Return to Tirana for lunch and spend the afternoon exploring the city's museums and landmarks. Don't miss the National History Museum and the Et'hem Bey Mosque, a symbol of Albania's religious freedom. Accommodation will be in Tirana (or similar).
Day 5 – Day 5: Tirana to Berat
- Tirana
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- Berat Castle
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Travel to Berat, known as the 'town of a thousand windows,' and one of Albania's most picturesque destinations. Enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO-listed Mangalemi district and the imposing Berat Castle, which dates back to the 13th century. The climb to the castle is steep, but the panoramic views of Berat and the Osum River valley are worth the effort. Accommodation will be arranged in Berat (or similar).
Day 6 – Day 6: Berat to Ohrid
- Ohrid
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- Plaoshnik
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Journey to Ohrid, a city on the shores of Europe's oldest lake. Known as the 'Macedonian Jerusalem,' Ohrid boasts a rich history and numerous religious monuments. Take an orientation walk through the vibrant Old Bazaar and enjoy a scenic cruise on Lake Ohrid, surrounded by mountains and charming villages. Accommodation will be provided in Ohrid (or similar).
Day 7 – Day 7: Explore Ohrid
- Ohrid
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- Kitino Fort
- The Bay of Bones
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Spend a day exploring the wonders of Ohrid and its surroundings. Visit the iconic Sveti Jovana Kaneo church, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the lake. Discover the ancient Tsar Samoil's Fortress and the Roman theatre, which hosts performances in the summer. For a peaceful retreat, head to the Sveti Naum Monastery, set amidst beautiful grounds by the lake. Accommodation will be in Ohrid (or similar).
Day 8 – Day 8: Ohrid to Skopje
- Skopje
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- Mustafa Paša
- Macedonian Holocaust Museum
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Travel to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, where history and modernity blend seamlessly. Explore the city's Ottoman past with visits to the Daut Pasha Hamam and the Holocaust Museum. Wander through the atmospheric Carsija neighborhood and admire the iconic stone bridge over the Vardar River. Accommodation will be arranged in Skopje (or similar).
Day 9 – Day 9: Matka Canyon
- Skopje
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- Stone Bridge
- Square „Macedonia“
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Venture to Matka Canyon, a stunning natural wonder near Skopje. Explore the canyon's medieval monasteries, caves, and diverse wildlife. Consider a boat trip to discover the depths of Vrelo cavern, or hike the scenic trails along the canyon. Return to Skopje for a free afternoon to explore the city further. Accommodation will be in Skopje (or similar).
Day 10 – Day 10: Skopje to Bitola
- Bitola
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- The Tose Proeski Memorial House
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Travel to Bitola, a charming town near Pelister National Park. Embark on a gentle hike through the park's lush forests, taking in the breathtaking scenery and fresh mountain air. Learn about the park's unique flora and fauna at the information center. Return to Bitola for the night, where accommodation will be provided (or similar).
Day 11 – Day 11: Bitola to Kastoria
- Kastoria Regional Unit
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- Dragon's Lair
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Cross the border into Greece and arrive in Kastoria, a medieval town on the shores of Lake Orestiada. Explore the town's Byzantine churches and Ottoman-style architecture on an orientation walk. Take a leisurely stroll along the lakeside and consider visiting the impressive Dragon Cave. Accommodation will be arranged in Kastoria (or similar).
Day 12 – Day 12: Kastoria to Litochoro
- Litochoro
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- Δασάκι Μεσοποταμίας
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Enjoy a free morning in Kastoria, perhaps visiting the Neolithic lakeside village of Dispilio. After lunch, travel to Litochoro, a town at the base of Mount Olympus. Take a short orientation walk and relax on the beach at Plaka. Accommodation will be provided in Litochoro (or similar).
Day 13 – Day 13: Mount Olympus
- Litochoro
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- Mount Olympus National Park
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Embark on a hike in Mount Olympus National Park, exploring lush trails and discovering beautiful waterfalls. Consider visiting the monastery of St Dionysios on your way back to town. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps relaxing on the nearby beach. Accommodation will be in Litochoro (or similar).
Day 14 – Day 14: Litochoro to Athens
- Athens
- Litochoro
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- Acropolis of Athens
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Travel to Athens, the vibrant capital of Greece. Explore the city's rich history, including the iconic Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Wander through the National Gardens and witness the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square. Accommodation will be provided in Athens (or similar).
Day 15 – Day 15: Departure from Athens
- Athens - Departure day
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Your tour concludes in Athens, with no scheduled activities for the day. You are free to depart at any time or extend your stay to explore more of this fascinating city. Our team is happy to assist with additional accommodation if needed.
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