The Balkans Real Food Adventure

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Description

Summary

Starts
Dubrovnik
Duration
9 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy

Description

Embark on an unforgettable multi-day tour through the heart of the Balkans, exploring the rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes of Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. From the ancient fortifications of Dubrovnik to the spiritual monasteries of North Macedonia, this journey offers a perfect blend of guided tours, local culinary experiences, and free time to explore at your own pace. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and the company of fellow travelers as you discover the hidden gems of this fascinating region.

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Included

4 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 2 dinners

vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, meat

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All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative 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 group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative.

Your group leader or local representative 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 aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

EUROPEAN LEADERS:

Intrepid 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.

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.

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Lustica - Olive oil farm visit

Njegusi - Smokehouse visit & tasting

Shkoder - Rozafa Fortress visit

Prizren - Leader-led city tour

Pristina - Serbian barbecue lunch

Pristina - Leader-led city tour

Pristina - Gracanica Monastery visit

Debar - St Jovan Bigorski Monastery visit

Kuratica - Home-cooked dinner

Ohrid - Green Market

Prespa - Agriturismo visit & tasting

Prespa - Home-cooking demonstration

Dihovo - Home-cooked lunch

Dihovo - Beekeeper farm visit

Tikves - Wine tasting

Stobi - Stobi archaeological site

Skopje - Leader-led walking tour with traditional sweets

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Private Vehicle

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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.

Hotel (8 nights)

hotel: 8 night(s);

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Destinations

District of Prizren
The aerial view of Dubrovnik, a city in southern Croatia fronting the Adriatic Sea, Europe.Dubrovnik
Aerial view of Samuel's Fortress and Plaosnik at Ohrid in North Macedonia.Ohrid
Panoramic view of Skopje town with Vodno hill in the background.Skopje
Tivat - town in MontenegroTivat
Bitola - town in North MacedoniaBitola
Kotor -  in MontenegroKotor

Map

Attractions

Photo of The Ancient Theatre among the Roman ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis in Bitola, Republic of Macedonia.Heraclea Lyncestis
Стоби, Vodovrati, Municipality of Gradsko, Vardar Region, North MacedoniaWinery „Stobi“
Tikvesh Winery, Kavadarci, Minicipality of Kavadarci, Vardar Region, North MacedoniaTikveš Winery
LušticaLuštica
Bigorski Monastery St John the Baptist, Rostushe, Municipality of Mavrovo and Rostusha, Polog Region, North MacedoniaBigorski Monastery St John the Baptist

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Dubrovnik

  • Dubrovnik - Arrival day
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  • Fort Royal
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Welcome to Dubrovnik, a stunning stone town encircled by ancient fortifications. Despite the devastation it faced in the early 1990s, the restored Old Town remains as charming as ever. With the Adriatic Sea as a backdrop, Dubrovnik is picturesque and full of character. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6:30 pm. If you arrive early, take a stroll inside the city walls. After the meeting, enjoy dinner and get to know your fellow travelers. Croatian cuisine varies by region, but charcuterie is a favorite. Try the specially prepared meats if you get the chance. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar).

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Njegusi, Tici, and Kotor

  • Kotor
  • Dubrovnik
  • Tivat
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  • Kotor Fortress
  • Lipa Cave
  • Muzej grada Perasta
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After breakfast, cross into Montenegro and visit Njegusi, renowned for its smoke-dried hams and cheeses. Stop at a smokehouse to learn about their centuries-old production process and enjoy a tasting. Next, visit an olive farm in Tici, near Kotor, to discover the art of olive pressing and taste organic olive oil. Back in Kotor, explore the town's crooked walkways or climb the hills to see the ruined fortification walls. Enjoy a free night with an optional dinner at a Kotor wine bar. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar).

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Rozafa and Prizren

  • District of Prizren
  • Kotor
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Bid farewell to Montenegro and head to Kosovo. Your first stop is Rozafa Fortress in Albania, a significant historical site from the 15th century. In the afternoon, arrive in Prizren, Kosovo's second-largest city, known for its cultural and ethnic diversity. Spend the rest of the day exploring Prizren at your own pace, taking in the orange rooftops and impressive mosques and churches. For dinner, ask your leader for local restaurant recommendations. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar).

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Prizren, Pristina, and Ohrid

  • Ohrid
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  • Popova Šapka
  • Bigorski Monastery St John the Baptist
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Begin with a guided tour of Prizren, passing through the vibrant bazaar. Continue to Pristina, Kosovo's capital, for another guided tour. Enjoy a special Kosovo-Serb barbecue prepared by local hosts. Explore the Gracanica settlement and monastery before heading to North Macedonia. Visit the St Jovan Bigorski Monastery, known for its spiritual significance, then drive to Ohrid for the evening. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar).

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Ohrid and Kuratica

  • Ohrid
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  • Old City Park
  • National park „Galičica“
  • Kitino Fort
  • Ancient Macedonian Theatre of Ohrid
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Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest lakes and human settlements, offers a wealth of historic sites and religious monuments. Explore the town's streets and churches, or join an optional day trip to Ohrid Lake and the mystical Sveti Naum Monastery. Visit Tzar Samoil’s Fortress and the ancient Roman theatre. The Sveti Jovana Kaneo Church, perched on a rocky outcrop, is a must-see. In the evening, head to Kuratica for local hospitality and a home-cooked meal, including homemade rakija. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar).

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Ohrid, Lake Prespa, and Bitola

  • Bitola
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  • Heraclea Lyncestis
  • Aquarius Beach
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After breakfast at the green market, drive to Lake Prespa, a popular spot for Macedonian holidaymakers. Visit a local apple farm to taste fresh produce, then head to Dolno Dupeni for a cooking demonstration and lunch in a local home. Continue to Bitola, where you can relax in cafes or explore the Old Bazaar. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar).

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Dihovo and Bitola

  • Bitola
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  • Heraclea Lyncestis
  • Dupeni Beach
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Visit Dihovo, a village at the foothills of Mt Pelister, to learn about beekeeping and enjoy a honey tasting. Have a home-cooked meal in a traditional villa, with ingredients sourced from the family's private gardens. Return to Bitola in the afternoon, where you can opt for a guided tour of Heraclea Lyncestis, an ancient town founded by Philip II of Macedonia. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar).

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Bitola, Stobi, and Skopje

  • Skopje
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  • Winery „Stobi“
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Start the day with a visit to the Stobi archaeological site, once the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris. Continue to the Tikves wine district for a tasting of local wines paired with cheeses and cured meats. Arrive in Skopje in the late afternoon for a guided walking tour of the city center, sampling traditional Macedonian sweets along the way. Enjoy a final dinner in Debar Maalo, Skopje's bohemian heart. Accommodation: Hotel (or similar).

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Skopje

  • Skopje - Departure day
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With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time. If you wish to spend more time in Skopje or explore the fascinating Matka Canyon, speak to your booking agent.

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