The Balkan Dream From Ljubljana to Belgrade

( 5 Star )

Visit: LJUBLJANA, BLED, POSTOJNA, ZAGREB, PLITVICE, SPLIT, KORČULA, DUBROVNIK, KOTOR, BUDVA, SHKODER, TIRANA, ELBASAN, OHRID, SKOPJE, NIŠ AND BELGRADE

Upon arrival to Venice, Trieste or Ljubljana airport transfer to hotel.

This morning, we will first head to Bled, beautifully set in the Julian Alps. A sightseeing tour of Bled features the charming town, the lakeshore, and a visit to the imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. After the visit of Bled return to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, for a walking tour. See the sights of the old city center, including the picturesque open-air Central Market, Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba's Fountain.

After breakfast, we head to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe – Postojna Cave. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward, continue to Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia.

This morning enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, Parliament, and the Government Palace. The rest of the day is free to explore the winding streets of the Old Town.

Travel to spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park. Have your camera ready as you take a walking tour around several of the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. Then we continue our journey to Split.

Enjoy a city tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Finally, see the remnants of Split's Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle and the Cathedral.

In the afternoon, we head to the island of Korčula. Upon arrival free time to enjoy this beautiful island.

The beautiful medieval town Korčula has streets arranged in the shape of a fish bone, which ensures the flow of fresh air and protects from strong winds. According to legend, the famous adventurer Marco Polo was born here. After the visit, head to Dubrovnik

Start the day with a walking tour of Old Dubrovnik this morning. Visit the Rector's Palace, and see the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando's Column and Sponza Palace. Next, see the Dominican Monastery and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own, enjoy the picturesque setting, shop or simply relax.

First travel to the Bay of Kotor, the deepest fjord in Southern Europe and stop in the city of Kotor to visit this beautiful town. Stroll the Weapons Square and admire the city bulwarks before continuing the journey to Budva. The Budva riviera is the center of Montenegrin tourism, known for its well preserved medieval walled city, sandy beaches and diverse nightlife. Budva is 2,500 years old, which makes it one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast.

Following the Montenegrin coast and its spectacular landscapes we enter Albania and visit Shkoder, a cultural center and one of the oldest cities in Albania. The city tour includes a visit to the Mosque, views of the Rozafa castle, as well as other points of interest in the city. In the afternoon the trip will take us to Tirana, the capital of Albania.

The panoramic city tour of Albania’s capital includes views of 'The Albanians' - the mosaic in front of the Museum of National History, the Statue of Skanderbeg in Skanderbeg Square, the 'Et'hem' Mosque with the Clock tower, the monument to Mother Teresa and other monuments of the city. Rest of the day free at leisure.

Today we travel along the old ‘Egnatica’ road to Elbasan to visit the Castle. We continue to Struga, famous for being the place where you can see the Black Drin river flowing out of Lake Ohrid. Then we continue to Ohrid, the city that has its place on the UNESCO list for its natural, cultural and historical values.

In the morning, we visit Ohrid, also known as "the Jerusalem of the Balkans" with its 365 churches. A town of vast history and heritage was honored as UNESCO heritage site in 1980. Nestled between high mountains up to 2,800 m and Lake Ohrid, it is not only a place of historic significance but also of outstanding natural beauty, it is the jewel in North Macedonia's crown. Continue to Skopje where we take a walking tour of the North Macedonian capital city upon arrival. Skopje has been occupied by many different peoples since its foundation. However, the group that left the greatest mark was the Ottomans. The Ottomans ruled North Macedonia for hundreds of years and built a large number of mosques and other buildings. The visit of Skopje includes the Mother Teresa Memorial House, dedicated to the humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mother Teresa.

Today we travel to Serbia. Our first stop is Niš, considered one of the oldest cities in Europe. Niš is a university center but also one of the most important industrial centers in Serbia. Continue to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.

With a history dating back more than 7,000 years, Belgrade is a fascinating city to visit. Your morning sightseeing tour includes the city's main attractions: the imposing Kalemegdan Fortress, dramatically situated at the joining of the Sava and Danube Rivers; Republic Square and Mihajlova Street; Saint Sava Temple, the largest Orthodox Church in the city; and Tito's Memorial. The afternoon is free.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight

Inclusion

4* and 5* hotels
Daily breakfast
Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
Airport transfers
Professional English-speaking Tour Director throughout
Licensed local guides
Entrance fees included where indicated in bold letters
Luggage handling at hotels
Service charges and hotel taxes

Sightseeing Tours Included:

Ljubljana
Bled (Bled Castle)
Postojna (Postojna Cave)
Zagreb (Cathedral)
Plitvice (Plitvice Lakes National Park)
Split (Diocletian’s Palace)
Korčula
Dubrovnik (Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery)
Kotor
Shkoder (Mosque)
Tirana (Et’hem Mosque)
Elbasan (Elbasan Castle)
Ohrid
Skopje (Mother Teresa Memorial Center)
Belgrade (Kalemegdan)

Exclusion

International airfares
Optional activities
Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
Personal equipment
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
Travel and medical insurance
Any items not mentioned as included

Note

Hotel list:

Ljubljana: Hotel Radisson Blu Plaza 4* or similar
Zagreb: Hotel Westin 5* / Sheraton 5* / Dubrovnik 4* or similar
Split: Hotel Briig 4* or similar
Korčula: Hotel Liburna 4* / Marko Polo 4* or similar
Dubrovnik: Hotel Valamar Lacroma 4* / Argosy 4* or similar
Budva: Hotel Adria 4* or similar
Tirana: Hotel Tirana International 4* or similar
Ohrid: Hotel Unique Resort & Spa 4* or similar
Skopje: Hotel Holiday Inn 5* or similar
Belgrade: Hotel Moskva 5* / Hotel Prag 4* or similar

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