Hidden Treasures of the Southern Balkans

Welcome to Albania! After arriving at Tirana International Airport, transfer to your hotel in Tirana. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure and take in the city's vibrant atmosphere; wander its colorful streets or unwind before your adventure begins. 

Overnight stay in Tirana. 

*Optional: Taste of the Balkans – Traditional Dining Experience: Discover the region through its flavours with three traditional meals enjoyed throughout your journey. Sample authentic local cuisine in welcoming surroundings and experience the culinary traditions and hospitality that form an essential part of Balkan culture. 

Please note: you will travel approximately 20 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. Travel via Elbasan, an ancient city that once played a key role along the historic Via Egnatia, the route connecting Durrës with Thessaloniki and Istanbul. Continue to St. Naum Monastery, beautifully set on the shores of Lake Ohrid. The monastery is famous for its remarkably preserved Byzantine frescoes, picturesque gardens, and a truly spectacular setting. This historic location offers the perfect blend of culture, history, and breathtaking natural beauty that will stay imprinted in your memory long after you've left.  

We continue the day by visiting the UNESCO-listed town of Ohrid, one of North Macedonia's most enchanting destinations, where eastern and western influences converge in a unique architectural landscape. Visit landmarks including the Orthodox Cathedral, the 11th-century Church of St. Sofia, and the Roman Theatre.  

Overnight stay in Ohrid.

Please note: you will travel approximately 160 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. Journey through the lush plains around Resen, home to some of the largest apple orchards in the Balkans, before arriving at Heraclea Lyncestis. During the guided tour, we will explore one of North Macedonia's best-preserved ancient cities. Founded in the 4th century BC, this remarkable location is home to beautifully preserved mosaics, Roman baths, an ancient theatre, and the remains of an early Christian basilica. 

Continue to Kalambaka, nestled beneath the spectacular rocks of Meteora. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure and explore the picturesque city at your own pace.

Overnight stay in Kalambaka.

Please note: you will travel approximately 280 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. We start the day by finding our way to the Meteora Monasteries, built atop one of Greece's most extraordinary landscapes. An extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage site, these remarkable monasteries have served as a place of peace and solitude since the Middle Ages. This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in their setting and soak up the breathtaking panoramic views across the valley below. 

Continue to Thessaloniki, one of Greece’s most vibrant cities,  for a walking tour. Here you will experience the fascinating blend of Byzantine heritage and modern life - highlights include the Arch of Galerius, the Rotunda, St. Demetrius Church, the White Tower, and the city's renowned museums. 

Overnight stay in Thessaloniki.

Please note: you will travel approximately 230 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a tour of Lake Kerkini National Park, one of Greece's premier birdwatching destinations and an important wildlife sanctuary. Visit the Kerkini Monastery before enjoying free time for lunch as you marvel at the area’s breathtaking scenery.

Cross the border into Bulgaria and continue to Bansko, nestled at the foot of the UNESCO-listed Pirin Mountains. Embark on a scenic drive through the Pirin National Park in Banderishka Valley, surrounded by alpine forests and spectacular mountain landscapes.  You will have the opportunity to go for a light hike or peaceful walk in the national park.

Overnight stay in Bansko.

Breakfast at the hotel. You'll start the day by discovering the Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most treasured Orthodox monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 10th century by Saint John of Rila, admire its preserved frescoes and striking architecture while discovering centuries of history in the serene surroundings of the Rila Mountains. 

Continue to Sofia for a panoramic city tour of Bulgaria’s vibrant capital and one of Europe’s oldest cities. Discover the remains of Ancient Serdica and St. Nedelya Square before passing landmarks including the Royal Palace, National Theatre and Sofia University. Admire the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the Balkans. 

Overnight stay in Sofia.

Please note: you will travel approximately 150 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a free day to discover Sofia at your own pace. Wander through the city's elegant boulevards, relax in one of its leafy parks or explore its cafés, museums and lively neighbourhoods.

Alternatively, step back through centuries of Bulgarian history with our optional excursion to Plovdiv*, where Roman heritage, colourful architecture and atmospheric old streets are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Overnight stay in Sofia.

*Optional: Day excursion to Plovdiv: wander through one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited cities and a UNESCO-listed treasure. Discover its beautifully preserved Roman Theatre, stroll along one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets, and explore the colourful Revival-era Old Town before enjoying free time for lunch and shopping at your own pace.

Breakfast at the hotel. Cross the border into North Macedonia and continue to its capital, Skopje, for a guided walking tour through the historic heart of the city. Take in panoramic views from Skopje Fortress before exploring Mustafa Pasha Mosque, the Church of the Holy Saviour and the atmospheric Old Bazaar, where historic buildings, traditional artisan shops and lively cafés reflect centuries of Ottoman and Balkan heritage.

Continue to Matka Canyon, a spectacular gorge renowned for its dramatic scenery and natural beauty. Discover medieval monasteries, historic churches and the remains of an ancient fortress while immersing yourself in one of North Macedonia’s most picturesque landscapes. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Macedonian lunch* and sample some of the country’s local flavours.

Overnight stay in Skopje.

*Optional: Traditional Lunch in North Macedonia:  Enjoy a traditional lunch in North Macedonia and discover the country's rich culinary traditions. Sit down to a delicious three-course meal in Skopje, accompanied by bottled water, and experience an authentic taste of local hospitality.

Please note: you will travel approximately 245 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, cross into Kosovo to discover a fascinating blend of natural wonders, medieval heritage and vibrant city life. Begin with a visit to Gadime Cave, Kosovo’s longest cave system, and venture underground to admire remarkable stalactites, stalagmites and striking rock formations shaped by millions of years of geological activity. Continue to the UNESCO-listed Gracanica Monastery, a 14th-century landmark celebrated for its Byzantine architecture, rich history and spiritual significance.

End the day with a guided tour of Pristina, Kosovo’s vibrant capital. Discover Mother Teresa Square, the National Theatre, Clock Tower, Bazaar Mosque and Ethnographic Museum, alongside other landmarks that showcase the city’s fascinating cultural and architectural heritage.

Overnight stay in Pristina.

Please note: you will travel approximately 90 km today.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, discover Kosovo’s rich cultural heritage as you journey through some of its most fascinating historic towns. Begin with a visit to Visoki Decani Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled at the entrance to the Decani Gorge. Founded in the 14th century, this remarkable Orthodox monastery is renowned for its beautifully preserved medieval frescoes and rich religious and cultural heritage. 

Continue through the Dukagjin region, stopping briefly in Junik to admire its traditional stone tower houses. Continue to Gjakova, a historic town on the banks of the Erenik River, where you’ll explore the charming Old Bazaar, historic Clock Tower and other architectural treasures reflecting its Ottoman past. 

End the day with a tour of Prizren, one of the Balkans’ best-preserved Ottoman centres. Wander its charming old streets and discover Prizren Fortress, historic churches, the Bajrakli Mosque and beautifully preserved Turkish Hammam.

Overnight stay in Prizren.

*Optional: Traditional Lunch in Kosovo: Enrich your day with an optional traditional lunch in Kosovo. Enjoy a delicious three-course meal featuring authentic local flavours while experiencing the country's renowned hospitality. It’s the perfect way to finish up your journey through Kosovo's rich cultural heritage. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, journey through western Albania, enjoying spectacular views over the White and Black Drin River valleys. Continue to the historic coastal city of Durres for a guided walking tour of one of Albania’s oldest cities. Discover its remarkable archaeological heritage, including the largest Roman amphitheatre in the Balkans, the Byzantine Forum and the ancient city walls, uncovering centuries of history along the Adriatic coast.

Continue to Tirana for a guided walking tour through the historic and modern heart of Albania’s lively capital. Explore its vibrant streets and discover the landmarks, architecture and atmosphere that reflect the city’s rich cultural heritage and dynamic character. In the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Albanian dinner* and sample the country’s authentic local flavours. 

Overnight stay in Tirana. 

*Optional: Traditional Albanian Dinner: End your day with an optional traditional dinner, the perfect opportunity to discover the country's rich culinary traditions. Enjoy a delicious three-course meal accompanied by a local drink, with an additional coffee or tea, while soaking up the welcoming atmosphere of Albanian hospitality.

Please note: you will travel approximately 240 km today.

Breakfast* at the hotel. At the scheduled time, transfer to Tirana International Airport for your departure flight back to the US. 

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Please note: you will travel approximately 20 km today.