Highlights of four Balkan countries in a week

Pick up from your hotel in Skopje and morning visit to Vodno mountain, located to the southwest of the capital city Skopje. The highest point of the mountain is at Krstovar peak on 1066m where so called Millennium cross was built at year 2000. Vodno is a favorite destination for all Skopje citizens for hiking, trekking or simply walking in the nature.

Near the village of Gorno Nerezi and only 20 min drive from Skopje city center, high on the forested slopes of Vodno mountain, the 12th century church of St. Panteleimon is founded. It is one of the oldest and most important churches in Macedonia, built and painted in 1164 under the patronage of Byzantine Prince Alexios Komnenos whose name is made immortal by being carved in marble, right above the entrance in the church. It was dedicated to St. Panteleimon, the protector of health.

Later on drive towards central part of Macedonia and Tikvesh wine region. Stop and visit to Stobi.
Stobi or Stoboi was an ancient town of Paeonia, later conquered by Macedon, and finally turned into the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris It is located near Gradsko, Macedonia, on the main road that leads from the Danube to the Aegean Sea and is considered by many to be the most famous archaeological site in North Macedonia. Stobi was built where the Erigon (Crna River) joins the Axios (Vardar), making it strategically important as a center for both trade and warfare. Well preserved Roman amphitheater, unique mosaics, the Baptistery and many more makes this site most see.

Macedonia’s vineyards heartland, Tikves, has produced wine since the 4th century BC. It features rolling vineyards, lakes, caves and mountains, plus archaeological sites and churches. It’s especially beautiful at dusk, when the fading sunlight suffuses soft hills laden with millions of grapes. Tikves’ local grapes generally retain an ideal sugar concentration (17% to 26%). Tikves is the most well-known wine region in Macedonia. It is located in the very heart of the country and stretches along similar latitudes as the Bordeaux region in France, Tuscany region in Italy and the Napa Valley region in California. The wine district is situated on around 2,000 sqm of fertile land, surrounded by mountains on three sides.

Wine tasting (3 kind of wines paired with 3 traditional meals) at the local winery restaurant

Arrival in Bitola late afternoon and overnight at 4* hotel. 

Meals: Wine tasting and lunch at the local winery

Full day tour from Bitola to Ohrid, visiting Prespa lake, Galichica National park and St Naum monastery.

Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of Macedonia. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba, Nidže and Kajmakčalan mountain ranges. The city stands at an important junction connecting the south of the Adriatic Sea region with the Aegean Sea and Central Europe, and is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational center. It has been known since the Ottoman period as "The City of The Consuls", since many European countries had consulates in Bitola. The main pedestrian street called "Shirok sokak" its two squares, the Clock tower and Bitola old bazaar are must see locations.

The ancient site of Heraclea is located only few kilometers from the center of Bitola. it was established in 3rd century BC by Philip II, the father of Alexandar the Great. Heraclea was a strategically important town during the Hellenistic period, as it was at the edge of Macedon's border with Epirus to the west and Paeonia to the north, until the middle of the 2nd century BC, when the Romans conquered Macedon and destroyed its political power. The Romans divided Macedonia into 4 regions and Heraclea was in the province of Macedonia Prima. The main Roman road in the area, Via Egnatia went through Heraclea, and Heraclea was an important stop. The prosperity of the city was maintained mainly due to this road. Objects discovered from the time of Roman rule in Heraclea are votive monuments, a portico, thermal (baths), a theatre and town walls.

Galicica National park is spread between Prespa and Ohrid lakes and It stretches over an area of 227 square kilometers. Spectacular drive on the narrow road gives you panoramic views of both lakes. The floral life in the Galičica National Park represents over 1600 species, of which many relicts and endems have the final frontier of its range exactly on the mountain Galičica. There is characteristically presence of up to now 13 discovered local endems on Macedonian side to be found exclusively on the slopes of Galičica and nowhere else.

Afternoon drive along the lake to the monastery complex of St Naum which is located on the south part of Ohrid lake and it is part of Galichica national park. Near the monastery, which is founded by St. Naum at 9th century, you can enjoy a boat ride above the springs of the river Black Drim which flows into Ohrid lake (with supplement, to be paid on the spot)

Upon arrival in the city of Ohrid, accommodation and overnight at 4* hotel in the city.

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

In a morning guided walking tour in Ohrid old town. Because of its religious importance Ohrid is also known as "Jerusalem on the Balkans". Its old town and plenty of churches and other sites are just part of the walking tour.

Ohrid is known for once having 365 churches, one for each day of the year. The city is rich in picturesque houses and monuments, and tourism is predominant. In 1979 and in 1980 respectively, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid were accepted as Cultural and Natural World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Ohrid is one of only 28 sites that are part of UNESCO's World Heritage that are Cultural as well as Natural sites.

The Holly area of Plaosnik is the place where the first Slavic university was established by St Clement at 9th century. The area is home of the remain of an early Christian basilica and now days the new St. Clement's church is built on remains of the old church from 9th century.

Remains of the Ancient theatre could be found in the heart of Ohrid old town. The Ancient theatre of Ohrid was built in 200 BC and is the only Hellenistic-type theatre in the country, as the other three in Scupi, Stobi and Heraklea Lynkestis are from Roman times. It is unclear how many people the original theater used to seat, as only the lower section still exists. The open theater has a perfect location: the two hills that surround it keep it protected from winds that could interfere with acoustics during performances.

Situated on a small cliff right above the lake, this unique church is landmark of Ohrid. Saint John the Theologian, Kaneo or simply Saint John at Kaneo is a Macedonian Orthodox church overlooking Lake Ohrid. The church is dedicated to John of Patmos, the writer of Revelation, who has been by some considered to be the same person as John the Apostle. The construction date of the church remains unknown but documents detailing the church property suggest that it was built before the year 1447. Archaeologists believe that the church was constructed some time before the rise of the Ottoman Empire very likely in the 13th century.

The Ohrid fortress is known as "Samuilova tvrdina" or The fortress of Tsar Samuil. it is on the highest part of the hill where Ohrid is situated. According to recent excavations by Macedonian archaeologists, it was contended that this fortress was built on the place of an earlier fortification, dated to the 4th century BC, which was probably built by King Philip II of Macedonia.

In the afternoon drive towards Albania and its capital Tirana. 

Overnight in Tirana, hotel 4* 

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Tirana is located in the center of Albania enclosed by mountains and hills with Mount Dajt elevating on the east and a slight valley on the northwest overlooking the Adriatic Sea in the distance. Due to its location at the Plain of Tirana and the close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea, the city is particularly influenced by a Mediterranean seasonal climate. It is among the wettest and sunniest cities in Europe, with 2,544 hours of sun per year. 

Guided walking tour in the city center and later on drive towards Shkodra in the north part of Albania. 

Shkodra is one of the most populous cities of the Republic of Albania and the capital of the eponymous municipality and county. It is one of the most ancient cities in the Balkans and exerts strong cultural, economic and religious influences in Northern Albania. Its location has been of strategic importance throughout its history. It has often helped the city to its wealth or made it the subject of conflicts between foreign powers.

Coffee break in the city center and walking at the main pedestrian zone in the city.

Border crossing and drive along the Montenegro coastline with stop by Sveti Stefan.
Sveti Stefan is a small islet and 5-star hotel resort on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro, approximately 6 kilometers southeast of Budva and one of the most famous sites in the country.

Arrival and overnight in Budva, 4* hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Drive to Kotor bay and Kotor Old town. 

Kotor and its old city located in so called Gulf of Kotor and it is on our way driving along the unique Bay of Kotor, one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. Some have called it the southernmost fjord in Europe, but it is a ria, a submerged river canyon. The old Mediterranean port of Kotor is surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period. Together with the nearly overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen, Kotor and its surrounding area form an impressive landscape. Stop by and possibility for individual visit to the old town.

Free time in the city and possibility to have a ride with Kotor cable car to Lovchen mountain. 

The Bay of Kotor, also known as the Boka, is the winding bay of the Adriatic Sea in southwestern Montenegro and the region of Montenegro concentrated around the bay. It is also the southernmost part of the historical region of Dalmatia. The bay has been inhabited since antiquity. Drive along the unique Boka Kotorska bay with a photo stops and afternoon drive to Montenegro mountains and Durmitor NP. 

Durmitor is a true gem of Montenegro, included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The park covers an area of more than 39,000 hectares. It features 48 mountain peaks over 2,000 meters high, 18 scenic lakes (which locals call «mountain eyes»), and the impressive Tara River Canyon — the deepest in Europe.

Accommodation at the 4* hotel in Zabljak

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning visit to Tara canyon and bridge. 

Slicing through the mountains at the northern edge of the national park, the Tara River forms a canyon that is 1300m deep at its peak (the Grand Canyon plummets a mere 200m deeper). The best views are from the water, and rafting along the river is one of the country's most popular tourist activities. 

The famous Tara bridge was designed by engineer Mijat Trojanović and built between 1937 and 1940 in the kingdom of Yugoslavia. This 365-metre-long bridge has five arches; the largest span is 116 meters. The roadway stands 172 meters above the Tara River. At the time of its completion, it was the biggest vehicular concrete arch bridge in Europe.

Drive towards Kosovo on the scenic road across mountain Prokletije. 

Pec or Peja is the fourth largest city of Kosovo and seat of Peja Municipality and Peja District. It is situated in the region of Rugova on the eastern section of the Accursed Mountains along Peja's Lumbardh in the western part of Kosovo.

In medieval times the city, then commonly known under its Serbian name, was the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1346. The Patriarchal monastery of Peć is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Medieval Monuments in Kosovo.

Later on drive to Prizren, picturesque city located on the foothills of Shara mountain. 

Overnight at 4* hotel in Prizren.

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Drive towards Pristina, the Kosovo capital. Walk in the city center and free time. Later on stop and visit to Grachanica monastery. 

This unique Serbian Orthodox monastery located in the small village of Gracanica. It was built by the Serbian king Stefan Milutin in 1321 on the ruins of a 6th-century basilica. The monastery was declared a Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance in 1990, and on 13 July 2006 it was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List under the name of Medieval Monuments in Kosovo.

Border crossing back to Macedonia and arrival in Skopje in the afternoon.

End of the program

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel