Enjoy 13 days of pleasure exploring the Balkans. This memorable tour will include the  beautiful countries of Croatia, Bulgaria, Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro and Serbia

Day 1 

BELGRADE 
Arrival at the airport where you will be met, assisted and transferred to hotel.

Day 2 

Full day guided Tour including Kalemegdan Fortress , Republic Square, Knez Mihajlova street; downtown city parks, Nikola Tesla Museum, Saint Sava Temple, and Tito’s Memorial.

Day 3 

BELGRADE - RILA MONASTERY (510km/5h30min) – SOFIA (120km/2h30min)
Travel to Bulgaria. Have a guided tour of the Rila Monastery - founded in the 10th century, it has been the biggest spiritual and cultural centre in Bulgaria for hundreds of years. On a number of occasions it was destroyed and burnt down, only to rise again like a phoenix from the ashes. The visitor’s first sight of the Rila Monastery's huge towering walls gives the impression of a fortress. The Rila monastery is the largest in the Balkans and is included in the  World Cultural Heritage List. Tour of the monastery includes a visit to the Monastery Church. In the Monastery’s museum you can see the famous wood carved Raphael’s cross. It took monk Raphael 12 years to finish the cross with its 140 biblical scenes and 1500 human figures, none larger than a grain of rice. In the afternoon transfer to Sofia.

Day 4 

SOFIA
Full day guided tour including Alexander Nevski Memorial Church and St.George Rotunda. Walk along the main streets and see the most important landmarks in the city centre - St. Nedelya Square and St. Nedelya Church, St. Petka of the Saddlers, the Synagogue, the Central Baths,the Mosque, the underpass outside the President's Office, Alexander Battenberg Square, the National Theatre, the former Royal Palace, the Russian Church, St. Sophia Church and the Monument to the Unknown Soldier.

Day 5 

SOFIA – SKOPJE (230km/4h) - OHRID (173km/3h30min)
Transfer to Skopje. Have a half day guided tour of Skopje, including the Main Square, Mosque, Old Town and also enjoy a great view from the Fortress of Kale. Continue to Ohrid. Enjoy orientation of Ohrid Lake, if Time permits visit the local Bazaars.

Day 6 

OHRID - TIRANA (150km/3h)
Transfer to Tirana - the capital of Albania, followed by a guided tour including Skender Bey Square, the Mosque of Ethem Bey and a visit to the National Museum representing the flow of Albanian history and housing the discoveries from archeological sites across the country.

Day 7 

TIRANA– KRUJA (33km/30min) – SHODRA (85km/1h30min) – PODGORICA (60km/1h)- BUDVA (72km/1h)
Start the day at the charming little town of Kruja, perched high on the face of a hill. Kruja was a centre in the 15th century of Albanian resistance under Skanderbeg against Ottoman Turks. Visit the museum named after him. The street leading up to the castle is built in the style of a Turkish bazaar. Continue to Shkoder, in Illyrian times known as Scodra, one of the oldest cities in Europe and the traditional centre of the Gheg culture. Shkodra is rich with historical monuments, including the old Illyrian Rozafa Castle and Mesi Bridge. After crossing the border to Montenegro, drive to the capital, Podgorica. Take a scenic drive alongside Lake Skadar  and the Montenegrin coast to Budva. Budva is a medieval town and is definitely the most attractive tourist place on the Riviera. The old part of the town is fortified with typical architecture with narrow streets and stone buildings placed around the main cathedral. This area is a popular tourist hang out with  many shops and taverns. Budva also has several attractive beaches and hotels.

Day 8 

BUDVA– CETINJE (30km/30min) – KOTOR (53km/1h) - DUBROVNIK (93km/1h30min)
A scenic drive up the mountain brings you to Cetinje, capital of Montenegro during the Njegos era. The town was founded in 1482, when Ivan Crnojevic, the last ruler of the medieval country of Zeta, built  a palace and church here.  Cetinje remained as the heart and soul of Montenegro up to WW1. Visit the royal palace of King Nikola II, last King of Montenegro which contains both a beautiful small museum as well as the Monastery of St. Peter. Next visit the World Heritage Site of Kotar - a town museum which was inhabited from the times of the Illyrians and the Romans. A walk through the city takes you back to medieval times, as most of the monuments you observe are from the 14th to 18th century. Visit the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, St. Luka Church, St. Mihail Church, amongst other sites. Late afternoon continue to Dubrovnik. On this drive you will be witnessing beautiful Boka Kotorska Bay and many old fishing villages, churches, monasteries, marinas and beaches. Cross the border into Croatia before arriving  at Dubrovnik.

Day 9 

DUBROVNIK
Full day guided tour, including a panoramic ride on the town's newly refurbished "Sky Gondola’. Your walking tour of "Old Dubrovnik" includes the Rector's Palace, Bell Tower Clock, Orlando's Column and the Sponza Palace. You will also see the Dominican Monastery and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy.

Day 10 

DUBROVNIK – SPLIT (227km/4h30min)
Transfer to Split, followed by a half day guided tour, including a visit to the Diocletian Palace, Old Town, the Cathedral, Temple of Jupiter, etc. The rest of the day is free for leisure.

Day 11

SPLIT - PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK (273km/4h) - ZAGREB (139km3h)
Transfer to Plitvice National Park. Located near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Plitvice Lakes National Park is the most well known Croatian national park and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The little lakes interconnected with waterfalls created by deposition of travertine constitute the main attraction of this unique park. Apart from lakes and forests, the park is ornamented with caves, springs, flower meadows, and is inhabited by many animal species such as the Brown Bear.  Guided tour: Plitvice National Park + boat ride.

Day 12

ZAGREB
Half day guided tour of the city including Upper Town, the city's historical center. Visit St. Mark's Church, Cathedral, the Croatian National Theatre and the University. The afternoon is free for leisure, shopping, etc.

Day 13 

ZAGREB
Transfer to Zagreb airport for your final departure.

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