Dubrovnik to Santorini

Welcome to the beautiful city of Dubrovnik, the jewel of the Dalmatian Coast. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. Explore the charming old town, surrounded by city walls, and visit the 15th-century Rector's Palace. If time permits, venture out to the Elafiti Islands, each boasting unique attractions from quiet hikes and clean beaches to friendly locals.

Leave Dubrovnik behind and embark on a private transfer to the World Heritage-listed city of Kotor in Montenegro. Explore the city's crooked alleyways, mingle with the locals, and visit the 12th-century Cathedral. Later, take a cruise on the Kotor Fjord, the longest fjord south of Scandinavia, and enjoy the city's unique night-time perspective.

After breakfast, drive across the border into Albania. Our first stop is the city of Shkoder, where you will have time to explore Rozafa Castle. Continue to Tirana, Albania's capital, and take an orientation walk to get your bearings. Experience the city's unique mixture of cultures and customs, from its traffic to its nightlife, and explore its mosques, citadels, and Ottoman architecture.

Today, take a half-day trip to the mountain village and former Albanian capital of Kruja. Explore the citadel and the famous bazaar area, and perhaps visit the excellent ethnographical museum. Return to Tirana and explore its many museums, including the National History Museum and the Et'hem Bey Mosque, which sits right on the city's main square.

Travel by public bus to Berat, known as the town of a thousand windows. Enjoy an afternoon guided tour of the town and the looming fortress, the kala, built during the 13th century. The walk to the castle is steep and slippery, so proper footwear is recommended. The views from the top across Berat and the Osum river valley are well worth the effort.

Travel by private bus to Ohrid in North Macedonia, situated on Europe's oldest lake. Discover the town's historic sites and religious monuments, and embark on a scenic cruise on the turquoise waters of Lake Ohrid. The town is said to have once been home to 365 churches, earning it the nickname 'the Macedonian Jerusalem'.

Explore the vast Lake Ohrid, shared between Albania and North Macedonia. Visit the popular Macedonian Orthodox Church of Sveti Jovana Kaneo, situated on a rocky outcrop above the town, overlooking the lake. Explore the ancient Tsar Samoil's Fortress, which stands on the top of Ohrid Hill and looks across the town.

Hop onto a public bus to Skopje, North Macedonia's capital city. Explore the city's Byzantine domes, Turkish baths, and neo-classical buildings. Visit the Daut Pasha Hamam and the Museum of the City of Skopje, housed in the old Railway Station, a unique piece of history. Enjoy the city's vibrant atmosphere and sample delicious local cuisine.

Venture out to Matka Canyon, a deep ravine cut into the Suva mountains by the Treska River. Explore the canyon's sights by boat, visit St Andrew's Monastery, and see the Vrelo cavern, one of the most impressive caves in the world. Return to Skopje and spend the rest of the day exploring this exciting city at your own pace.

Continue your adventure with a bus ride to the town of Bitola, located near Pelister National Park. Explore the stunning greenery in Pelister on an easy 2-hour hike of the park's lower trails. Visit the information centre to learn more about the endemic flora and fauna. Return to Bitola for the night.

Travel with private transport to the border with Greece and then continue to Kastoria. This medieval town sits on the western shore of Lake Orestiada, surrounded by limestone mountains. Take an orientation walk along the labyrinthine lanes, and consider visiting the unspoilt Spilia tou Drakou, one of the most impressive caves in Greece.

Head out early today for a hike along a lush trail within Mount Olympus, Greece's first national park. The mountain is famous in Greek mythology as the dwelling of the twelve Olympian gods, headed by Zeus. Enjoy a refreshing swim in a beautiful waterfall if it's a hot day. The rest of the day is free for you to continue enjoying the surrounding countryside or simply take in the view of the mountain from the nearby beach.

Board a public bus to Athens, the beating heart of Greece, and the centre of the ancient world. Explore the city's historic sites, including the ancient Acropolis, the National Gardens, and the original Olympic Stadium. Enjoy a delicious dinner of Greek cuisine and a shot (or two) of ouzo.

Travel by metro to the port of Piraeus, then catch a relaxing scenic ferry to Syros. One of the Aegean's most underrated islands, Syros features typical whitewashed houses, farms, terraced fields and gorgeous sandy beaches. Your leader will take you on a wander through the main town of Ermoupolis, home to well-preserved neoclassical mansions and 19th-century tenement blocks.

Board a two-hour ferry to Mykonos, a beautiful island known for its decadence, style, and nightlife. Join your leader for a walk through the maze-like old town and be captivated by the quintessential Greek Isles vista of squat white houses brightly juxtaposed against the cerulean sea. Later on today, head to one of Mykonos' many beaches, which are some of the nicest in Europe.

This morning, take a half-day trip out to the nearby island of Delos, one of the most important archaeological and mythological sites in the Greek Islands. A living museum, the wealthy built mansions in the town that developed around Apollo's sanctuary, decorating them with luxurious frescoes, mosaics and statues. Later on, you might like to head to one of Mykonos' many beaches for a relaxing afternoon.

Take another ferry and arrive on the spectacular southern island of Santorini. Discover the hilltop ruins of Ancient Thira and its fascinating Prehistoric Museum, as well as the archaeological site of Akrotiri. Check out the range of restaurants and shops in the island's capital, Thira, and try some of the island's delicious food.

In 1500 BC a volcanic eruption sank the centre of Santorini, forming one of the most significant geological formations on the planet - the awe-inspiring caldera. Today, make an excursion along the crater rim, starting in Thira town and walking through little villages all the way to Oia, passing steep cliff faces and experiencing breathtaking views along the way.