Balkan Kaleidoscope
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 14-day journey through the heart of the Balkans, immersing yourself in the rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes of this captivating region. This multi-day tour takes you from the bustling streets of Sofia to the serene beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the historic charm of Serbia, the coastal allure of Montenegro, and the vibrant energy of Albania. Explore iconic cities, marvel at ancient architecture, and soak up the local atmosphere in traditional bazaars. With guided city tours, ample free time for independent exploration, and comfortable accommodations, this tour offers a perfect blend of structured activities and personal leisure. Whether you're a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or a nature lover, this tour has something for everyone.
Included
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 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.
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 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)
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
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Sofia
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Sofia
- Sofia - Arrival day
- More
Welcome to Sofia, the vibrant capital of Bulgaria! Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel where you can settle in and relax. The rest of the day is yours to start exploring this fascinating city at your own pace.
Day 2 – Day 2: Journey to Belgrade
Day 2 – Day 2: Journey to Belgrade
- Sofia
- Belgrade
- More
After breakfast, we'll set off for Serbia's capital, Belgrade. Upon arrival, a local guide will take us on a city tour, introducing us to the city's rich history and vibrant culture. After the tour, enjoy some free time to explore further on your own before we retire for the night in our Belgrade hotel.
Day 3 – Day 3: Discover Sarajevo
Day 3 – Day 3: Discover Sarajevo
- Istočno Sarajevo
- Belgrade
- More
Today, we journey to the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina - Sarajevo. A local representative will guide us through the city's intriguing mix of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and modern influences. After the tour, you'll have free time to delve deeper into Sarajevo's captivating history and culture.
Day 4 – Day 4: Exploring Sarajevo
Day 4 – Day 4: Exploring Sarajevo
- Istočno Sarajevo
- More
Spend the day soaking up the unique atmosphere of Sarajevo. A walking tour will take us through the city's historic center, where mosques and a traditional Turkish bazaar offer a glimpse into the region's oriental past. The rest of the day is yours to explore at your leisure before we spend another night in Sarajevo.
Day 5 – Day 5: Mostar, Blagaj Tekija, and Trebinje
Day 5 – Day 5: Mostar, Blagaj Tekija, and Trebinje
- Trebinje
- Mostar
- Istočno Sarajevo
- More
- Dervish House
- Stari Most
- More
Our journey today takes us to Mostar, renowned for its old houses and the iconic Old Bridge, a symbol of peaceful coexistence in the Balkans. We'll also visit the historic Sufi monastery of Blagaj Tekija, before ending the day in the charming town of Trebinje, where we'll spend the night.
Day 6 – Day 6: Dubrovnik Delights
Day 6 – Day 6: Dubrovnik Delights
- Trebinje
- Dubrovnik
- More
- Osman-paša Resulbegović mosque
- More
Today, we head to the stunning city of Dubrovnik. A guided walking tour will introduce us to the city's historic heart, including the Pile Gate, Stradun Street, and various monasteries and palaces. The afternoon is yours to continue exploring before we settle in for the night in our Dubrovnik hotel.
Day 7 – Day 7: Montenegro Magic
Day 7 – Day 7: Montenegro Magic
- Dubrovnik
- Herceg Novi
- Kotor
- More
- Sokol grad
- More
Our Balkan adventure continues as we cross into Montenegro. We'll visit the old town of Herzeg Novi before heading to the stunning Kotor Bay. A walking tour in Kotor will introduce us to its historic landmarks, after which we'll retire for the night in this charming city.
Day 8 – Day 8: Scenic Drive to Pec
Day 8 – Day 8: Scenic Drive to Pec
- Kotor
- More
We start the day with a scenic drive above Kotor Bay, offering breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea. We then continue to the border with Kosovo, ending our day in the lively town of Pec, where we'll spend the night.
Day 9 – Day 9: Monastery Visit and Prizren Exploration
Day 9 – Day 9: Monastery Visit and Prizren Exploration
Day 9: Monastery Visit and Prizren Exploration
Our day begins with a visit to the Visoki Decani Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We then continue to the historic town of Prizren, where a walking tour will introduce us to its key landmarks. We'll spend the night in Prizren.
Day 10 – Day 10: Tirana Treasures
Day 10 – Day 10: Tirana Treasures
- Tirana
- More
Today, we drive to the vibrant capital of Albania, Tirana. A walking tour in the afternoon will introduce us to the city's key landmarks, including Skanderbeg Square and the residence of Enver Hoxha. The rest of the day is yours to explore before we spend the night in Tirana.
Day 11 – Day 11: Ohrid Odyssey
Day 11 – Day 11: Ohrid Odyssey
- Ohrid
- Tirana
- More
- National Park of Drilon
- More
We continue our journey to Macedonia, where we'll spend the afternoon exploring the picturesque town of Ohrid. A walking tour will take us to key landmarks like Samuil’s fortress and the churches of St. John Kaneo and St. Pantaleimon. We'll spend the night in Ohrid.
Day 12 – Day 12: Matka Canyon and Skopje Sightseeing
Day 12 – Day 12: Matka Canyon and Skopje Sightseeing
- Skopje
- Ohrid
- More
- Square „Macedonia“
- Skopje Zoo
- More
Today, we'll admire the natural beauty of Matka Canyon before heading to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. An afternoon walking tour will introduce us to the city's unique architecture and vibrant bazaars. We'll spend the night in Skopje.
Day 13 – Day 13: Return to Sofia
Day 13 – Day 13: Return to Sofia
- Skopje
- Sofia
- More
We depart Skopje and head back to Sofia, where you'll have the rest of the day free to explore the city at your own pace. Whether you choose to revisit your favorite spots or discover new ones, Sofia is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Day 14 – Day 14: Departure
Day 14 – Day 14: Departure
Day 14: Departure
After breakfast, we'll transfer you to the airport for your departure. As you bid farewell to the Balkans, you'll carry with you a treasure trove of memories from this unforgettable multi-day tour.
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