Small Balkan round trip

Pick up from your hotel for full day Skopje and Matka lake tour

Skopje is the capital and largest city in Macedonia. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic center. The territory of Skopje has been inhabited since at least 4000 BC; remains of Neolithic settlements have been found within the old Kale Fortress that overlooks the modern city center. River Vardar, the longest Macedonian river is dividing the city into the old part, located on the left bank of the river and the modern part of Skopje, located on the right bank.

The Old Bazaar is situated on the eastern bank of the Vardar River, stretching from the Stone Bridge to the Bit-Pazar.] As one of the oldest and largest marketplaces in the Balkans, it has been Skopje's center for trade and commerce since at least the 12th century. Beside its importance as a market place, the Old Bazaar is known for its cultural and historical values. Although Ottoman architecture is predominant, remains of Byzantine architecture are evident as well, while recent reconstructions have led to the application of elements specific to modern architecture. The Old Bazaar is still home to several active mosques, two churches and a clocktower.

The Fortress Kale is located on the eponymous hill, in the very center of Skopje, on the left bank of the river Vardar and partly in the western part of the bazaar. According to the information so far, the area on which today's fortress is located was inhabited since the prehistoric times, i.e. sometime around IV to III millennium BC. The fortress was again inhabited sometime around the 7th to 6th century BC. This settlement was protected by walls and existed sometime until the IV or III century BC.

The Mother Teresa Memorial House is dedicated to the humanitarian and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mother Teresa can be found in her hometown Skopje, where she lived from 1910 to 1928. Construction of the house began in May 2008. The project was financed by the Government of Macedonia and carried out by the Ministry of Culture. It is a modern, transformed version of Mother Teresa's birth house with a multifunctional but sacral character. Inside the house, part of her relics are preserved, which were transferred to Skopje with the support of the Roman Catholic Church of Skopje. There is a museum that includes realistic sculptures of Mother Teresa and members of her family. One sculpture shows Mother Teresa as a ten-year-old child, sitting on a stone and holding a pigeon in her hands.

Later on drive towards Matka canyon and lake
Covering roughly 5,000 hectares, Matka is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in Macedonia and is home to several medieval monasteries. The Matka Lake within the Matka Canyon is the oldest artificial lake in the country. A lot of possibilities to escape from city life here - you can take a boat trip to the entrance of cave Vrelo or alternatively, hop aboard a kayak or raft and see river Treska canyon by water. Or simply you can walk along the lake and enjoy the nature.

Overnight at 4* hotel in Skopje

No meals included 

Departure to Kosovo, the youngest European country. Officially the Republic of Kosovo, is a partially-recognized state in Southeastern Europe. On 17 February 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared its independence from Serbia. It has since gained diplomatic recognition as a sovereign state around 100 UN member states.

Geographically defined in an area of 10,887 km2, Kosovo is landlocked in the center of the Balkans and bordered by the uncontested territory of Serbia to the north and east, Macedonia to the southeast, Albania to the southwest and Montenegro to the west.

Grachanica monastery is 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.

As the Kosovo capital and the biggest city, Pristina is the seat of the eponymous municipality and district. You will have a chance to walk in the main pedestrian zone and feel the vibrant life of this city.

Picturesque town of Prizren is located on the south-eastern part of the country and it is designated as the historical capital of Kosovo. A lot of Christian and Muslim monuments make this town unique. Prizren is one of the oldest settlements in Kosovo and the western Balkans. Prizren has been traditionally identified with the settlement of Theranda in Roman Dardania. The Sinan Pasha Mosque is an Ottoman mosque and one of remarks of Prizren. It was built in 1615 by Sofi Sinan Pasha, bey of Budim. The mosque overlooks the main street of Prizren and is a dominant feature in the town's skyline.

Overnight in Prizren, hotel 4*

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Border crossing to Albania and drive on the mountain roads of north Albania. Arrival in Kruje in the afternoon. 

Kruje is a town and a municipality in north central Albania. Located between Mount Krujë and the Ishem River, the city is only 20 km north from the capital of Albania, Tirana. Kruje was inhabited by the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Albani. 

The National Museum "George Castrioti Skanderbeg", also known as the Skanderbeg Museum or the Kruja Museum, is located in Krujë and is one of the most important and visited museums in Albania. The museum was built at the end of the 70's and was inaugurated on November 1, 1982.

Arrival in Tirana, the Albanian capital late afternoon. 

Accommodation and overnight at 4* hotel in Tirana.

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Full day tour to central Albania and the city of Berat.
Berat is a city on the Osum River, in central Albania. It's known for its white Ottoman houses. On a hilltop, Berat Castle is a huge compound now inhabited by townspeople. Within its walls are Byzantine churches, the Red Mosque and the Onufri National Museum, with Christian icons. East is the Ethnographic Museum, in an 18th-century house, displaying traditional crafts and part of a reconstructed medieval bazaar.

Back to Tirana for overnight.

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Departure towards Macedonia. Drive along the Albanian side of Ohrid lake and the city of Pogradec. 

Border crossing and arrival to St Naum monastery. 

The monastery of St. Naum is situated right on the border with Albania and 29km south of Ohrid, in extraordinary nature and near the springs of Black Drim river. It is named after the medieval Saint Naum who founded it and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Macedonia.

In the afternoon drive towards the city of Ohrid, UNESCO site.

Accommodation and overnight in Ohrid, hotel 4*.

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Full day in Ohrid with walking tour in the old town.

Because of the religious importance and its numerous churches and monasteries, Ohrid is also famous under the name “Macedonian Jerusalem”. According the history facts, there used to be 365 churches – a church for each day! In 12th century, the city was also the seat of Archbishop of Ohrid. Since 1979 the city and the lake of Ohrid are under protection of UNESCO.

According to recent excavations by Macedonian archaeologists, Ohrid fortress of Tsar Samoil 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.

Saint John the Theologian, Kaneo or simply Saint John at Kaneo is a Macedonian Orthodox church situated on the cliff over Kaneo Beach 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 Apostole. The construction date of the church remains unknown but documents detailing the church property suggest that it was built before the year 1447.

St Sofia church is one of the most important Byzantine churches in Macedonia and the biggest church in Ohrid. The current church was built on the foundations of a metropolitan cathedral demolished in the first decade of the 6th century. It was basically rebuilt in the last decade of the 10th century as a patriarchal cathedral in the form of a dome basilica.

Free afternoon in Ohrid old town.

Overnight in Ohrid, hotel 4*

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel

Morning drive towards Bitola, the second biggest town in Macedonia. 

Bitola, also known as the town of consuls, lies at an altitude of 600 m above sea level, in the southern part of Pelagonija Plain. About two kilometers from the center of the city, like a large statue from the time of Filip II of Macedon stands the ancient city of Heraklea. Bitola got its present name during the time of the Macedonian Tsar Samuel. Pelister Mountain is found on the outskirts of Bitola. Its richness in flora and fauna makes Pelister a National Park, with well-known ski resort and the two small lakes known as “ Pelisterski Oci ” ( Pelister Eyes ).

Visit to Heraclea Lyncestis ancient site 

Heraclea Lyncestis is an ancient Macedonian city located 2 km from Bitola. Founded in the middle of the IV-th century B.C. by Philip the Macedon, Heraclea existed for over a millennium as an important strategic point. In the middle of the II-nd century B. C. the Romans conquered Macedonia, destroying its political power, making it a province, disintegrated it into four districts. Heraclea which belonged to the fourth district, prospered a lot during this time, mainly due to Via Egnatia road, on which this town was an important station. From the Roman period in Heraclea, today we can see several buildings such: Roman baths, the portico of a courtroom, Theatre, and parts of other buildings within the town walls.

In the afternoon arrival to the most famous wine region of Macedonia - Tikvesh 

Because of smooth climate and plenty of sunny days, grapes and wine producing is traditional occupation for the locals ever since ancient times. High quality grape types such as Sauvignon, Vranec, and Merlot are just a part of the unique taste of Macedonian wines. Another famous Macedonian brand named “Rakija” (a fiery brandy) is produced in this region.

Overnight at the boutique hotel located at local winery, with dinner and wine tasting.

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel, Dinner and wine tasting at the winery restaurant

Transfer from Tikvesh wine region to Skopje or Skopje airport depending on the flight schedule or drop of in Skopje. 

End of the tour.

Meals: Breakfast at the hotel