Mystique & cultural Balkan tour
Gratis study tour for partners
1. DAY, ZAGREB
Arrival in capital city of Croatia -ZAGREB, an old Central European city with a tradition of almost one thousand years. Welcome dinner with live music. Overnight in 3/4* hotel in Zagreb.
2. DAY, ZAGREB - NP PLITVICE LAKES - ZADAR
After breakfast, sightseeing of ZAGREB, the city which can offer its visitors the Baroque atmosphere of the Upper Town and picturesque open-air markets. Upper Town consists of Gradec and Kaptol, two medieval settlements that the city of Zagreb grew from.
Guided city tour includes some of the most recognizable symbols of the city such as - "Governor Jelacic Square", the Cathedral, the Stone Gate and St Mark's Church.
Afterwards visit the most famous Croatian National Park - PLITVICE LAKES. Plitvice Lakes are the part of UNESCO Register of World Natural Heritage. Sixteen little lakes interconnected with waterfalls created by deposition of travertine, a special kind of limestone, constitute the main attraction of this unique park.
Departure for ZADAR. Arrival to hotel in Zadar area. Tasting maraschino and dinner in The old Armory in Zadar. During the walk along Zadar's waterfront (riva) guests will enjoy in the amazing lighting instalation "Greeting to the Sun" and listen to the sounds of the sea organ produced by the waves. Overnight in 3/4* hotel in Zadar area.
3. DAY, ZADAR - TROGIR - SPLIT - MAKARSKA RIVIERA
After breakfast, sightseeing of the ancient Mediterranean city - ZADAR. Zadar is the city of dynamic history, placed in the center of the Croatian Adriatic coast, three thousand years old.
The church of St.Donat and the main street of the old town called "Kalelarga" are the symbols of the city and are a "must see" in each itinerary.
Drive to the south to visit TROGIR, a "town-museum" whose old city core is under the protection of UNESCO. All those who are fascinated by cultural and historical monuments, art, original architecture and nice alleys are given the opportunity in Trogir to learn about the diverse and complex heritage - from the Romanesque yard to the modern interiors. Afterwards, sightseeing of SPLIT, a modern Mediterranean city and a city with a variety of archaeological, historical and cultural monuments, among which the well-known Palace of Diocletian, inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Dinner and overnight on Makarska riviera.
4. DAY, MAKARSKA RIVIERA - NERETVA VALLEY - STON - DUBROVNIK
Breakfast. PHOTO SAFARI along river NERETVA. The Neretva valley is also known as ‘Golden Valley’ and ‘Croatian California’ because of its big surface of the tangerine plantations. Area consists of an old swamp, lake and a lots of river channels that together make unique Neretva Valley. Guests will enjoy in the passing through the small channels and the river in traditional Neretva vessel. Short stop in STON, known by oyster farming and the second longest walls in the world, right after the famous China walls. Guided visit of the most famous medieval Mediterranean city and TOP destination in Croatia - DUBROVNIK.
Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik.
5. DAY, DUBROVNIK - BUDVA - SKHODRA - DURRES
Breakfast. Departure for Monte Negro. Drive along Boka Kotorska bay. Short stop in BUDVA. The Old town of Budva, crossed with narrow streets and squares, lies on a small peninsula and represents a treasure chest of culture heritage.
Arrival at Albania border and meeting with a tourleader that will be leading you through Albania and Macedonia. Short drive to city of SKHODRA, where you will have a coffee break. Continuation towards Durres. Dinner and overnight in 3-4* hotel.
6. DAY, DURRES - TIRANA - KRUJA - DURRES
After breakfast, departure for TIRANA. Morning guided tour of the Capital of Albania, where you can visit the National Historic Museum, a place where more than 4000 relics, objects and pictures will testify the history of the country, The Clock Tower - which in 200 years of existence has become the symbol of the city and The Mosque of Ethem Bey.
Continue to KRUJA - city where the National hero of Albania, Gjegj Kastrioti was born. In Kruja you can see the Castle, with a total area of 22,5 hectars, and the Skenderbeg (Gjegj Kastrioti) Museum located inside the castle. Lunch in one of the restaurants in Kruja.
Return to Durres in the afternoon. Opportunity for individual sightseeing.
Dinner in restaurant with live music. Overnight in hotel in Durres.
7. DAY, DURRES - APOLLONIA - BERAT - OHRID
After breakfast, departure from hotel for Ohrid, through the ancient city of APOLLONIA.
Guided tour to the ancient city, the most important archeological site in Albania, founded in the 6th century B.C. by Greeks from Corinth, city that quickly grew to 50 000 residents.
After that, visit of BERAT - the city of "thousand windows", where we can see the Fortress, The Cathedral of St.Nicholas, which has been well restored as a museum dedicated to Onufri (the greatest painter in the 16th century in Albania). Afternoon continuation towards the Macedonian border. Upon arrival at the border, transfer to the hotel in Ohrid for dinner and meeting with the guide who will provide all the necessary information. Overnight.
8. DAY, OHRID - ST. NAUM - OHRID
Breakfast. Morning guided tour of the Old City of OHRID - classified as UNESCO's Heritage.
This tour represents an excursion through the rich history of the city and a rear opportunity to see the numerous chuches and monuments spread around the city: St Sofia (11th century) the most eminent monument in the region with magnificent Byzantine fresco painting, The church of St.Klement where the first pan-Slavic university in Europe was built, the antique theatre dating from the ancient times, The National museum, Samoil fortress and the Church of St.Kaneo.
In the afternoon drive by bus to ST.NAUM Monastery (30 km from Ohrid), built on the shores of Lake Ohrid in the 9th century, and later dedicated to the Slavic missionary and educator St. Naum. Dinner with folclore. Return to hotel and overnight.
9. DAY, OHRID - STRUGA - SKOPJE
After breakfast, morning guided tour to the city of Poetry - Struga. As a second largest city on the Ohrid Lake, Struga represents a very important tourist centre in this part of the country. Here you can enjoy a short walk on the banks of river Black Drim, across the bridges to the Old Bazaar. As an cultural centre Struga can provide you the story about the famous Poetry Evenings, traditionally held on the bridges of Black Drim.
Departure for Skopje. Short sightseeing of the city.
Farewell dinner at Macedonian house with live music. Return to hotel for overnight.
10. DAY, SKOPJE
After breakfast, check out and departure for Skopje airport.
Download invitation: INVITATION FOR PARTNERS - STUDY TOUR.pdf
Powerpoint presentation: MYSTIQUE & CULTURAL BALKAN TOUR - Presentation.pps
