Small Group Tour; 7 Balkan Countries from Corfu to Dubrovnik or Split

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Small Group Tour; 7 Balkan Countries from Corfu to Dubrovnik or Split

Duration

Days: 14

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

People: 8

Languages

English

Overview

Visit the ancient Greek ruins in Delphi, enjoy the sunset in Meteora, admire the beauty of Ohrid Lake, be amazed by the Stari Most bridge and walk through the narrowed streets of Berat on this tour of seven countries. This small group tour brings you to the most important sites in seven different West Balkan countries, so you can stripe them off your bucket list! You will be visiting UNESCO world heritage sites; Meteora, Gjirokaster, Berat, Ohrid, Kotor, Mostar etc with every place having its own charm and fascinating history.

Important information:

* All participants are responsible for having their own health/travel insurance.

*Please ensure you bring your passport or travel document with you during the trip.

*Kindly note that visa requirements are the responsibility of each traveler and Stepping-Stones cannot advise on different requirements or restrictions.

* Single Supplement: To guarantee tour departure even for one participant we require a single supplement. If other participants join this tour, you will be refunded 50% of the single supplement amount (1480 Euros) and your room occupancy will still be private. We organize small groups up to 8 pax. Please contact us if you are a larger group of participants for a quotation.

* Please note that prices are calculated on double/twin/triple/quadruple room occupancy in 3 star hotel accommodation.

* Single room occupancy is possible at an additional 45 Euros per night per person in 3 star hotel accommodation.

* Hotel upgrade is possible on extra charge.

* Children pricing: Age 0 – 1.99 Free of charge; Age 2+ full fare.

* Stepping-Stones reserves the rights to add other participants in and during the tour program. If you are interested in a private tour, please contact us for a quotation.

* Private tour is possible at an additional 630 Euros/person.

* Tour’s schedule or itinerary may be affected/adopted due to; weather, Acts of God, labour strikes, bank holidays, site temporary closure/renovation or other external forces outside the Company’s control.

* On request this tour may also depart from other cities of Greece or neighboring countries such as Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro or N. Macedonia. Please contact us for more information on the extra costs.

* Please note that Stepping-Stones needs to receive the net (full) quoted amount. Transaction and payment fees are on the sender (you in this case). We will notify you with a print screen of the amount received at our account as soon as we receive your down payment.

HIGHLIGHTS

Meteora in Kalabaka
Monastery of Meteora
Ioannina Old Town
Ioannina Castel
The fortress (Kalaja e Gjirokastres)
The old town of Gjirokaster
Zekate or Skenduli preserved house.
Medieval bazaar in Gjirokaster
The polyphonic festival stage inside the castle in Gjirokaster
Fortress of Berat
Mangalem neighbourhood in Berat
Gorica neighbourhood in Berat
“Ura e Gorrices” – Gorrica Bridge in Berat
The Onufri Museum in Berat
Xhamia e Beqarit – Bachelor’s Mosque in Berat
Drilon National Park
Tushemisht village
St.Naum Monastery
Samoils Fortress Ohrid
Viewpoint of St. John at Kaneo
Mosque Halveti Hayati Tekke in Ohrid
Ohrid bazaar and shopping area
The ruins of Ohrid Amphitheater
Skanderbeg square in Tirana
Local fresh vegetables market
Çam Bazaar
New Bazaar
Bicycle Bazaar
Local Neighbourhoods
Bunk’Art in Tirana
Kruja castle
Old Bazaar in Kruja
Skanderbeg Museum in Kruja
Dollmës Tekke in Kruja
The Old Town in Prizren
The bazaar in Prizren
The castle in Prizren
The Archeological Museum and its tower in Prizren
Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren
Old Bazaar in Gjakova
Monastery of Decan
Rahovec Valley and vineyards
Mrizi i Zanave Agrotourism
The fortress (Kalaja e Rozafes)
The Great Mosque in Shkoder
The pedestrian street (Pedonale) in Shkoder
The Catholic Cathedral in Shkoder
Viewpoint of Sveti Stefan
Old historical center of Budva
St. Ivan church in Budva
The small church of St. Mary in Budva
Saint Luke’s church in Kotor
Old Town of Kotor
Stari Most bridge
Old Bazaar of Mostar
Blagaj monastery
Sarajevo old town
Latin Bridge in Sarajevo

Itinerary

Day 1 Pickup in Corfu (Greece)– Meteora (Kalabaka)

After having experienced the Greek Island of Corfu (by yourself), you begin this amazing journey by taking the ferry from Corfu to Igoumenitsa (ticket included). Our local representative (driver) will shuttle you to Meteora, part of UNESCO world heritage, where you will meet other fellow travelers and the tour leader.
The monasteries are built between the 14-15th century on the top of spectacular rock formations, creating a beautiful and impressive sight. Get ready to witness the stunning beauty of the iconic rock formations and monasteries during the magical hours of sunset. As the sun continues to sink, the sky above Meteora is painted with a vivid array of colors. Truly, one in a lifetime experience. Overnight in Kalabaka.

Day 2 Meteora – Ioannina – Gjirokaster (Albania)

Our first destination for today would be Ioannina, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and beautiful landscapes. As we wander through the cobbled streets of the old town, you’ll be transported back in time. The remains of the Byzantine and Ottoman eras are evident in the architecture, with ancient walls and charming houses. Our next stop will be the imposing Ioannina Castle, which dates back to the Byzantine era. Within the castle walls, we’ll find a labyrinthine network of narrow streets and historic buildings. As we wander through the vibrant streets, you’ll encounter charming cafes, inviting you to savor traditional Greek cuisine and local delicacies. Have some free time to stroll through the old town of Ioannina. In the afternoon we drive towards the “Stone City”, Gjirokaster. Overnight in Gjirokaster (Albania)

Day 3 Day tour of Gjirokaster – Gjirokaster

Today we will visit Gjirokaster, also known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage is situated in Southern Albania on the eastern side of mountain “Mali i Gjere”. Gjirokastra resembles a fortified city where every single house is like a small fortress. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century A.D., and is considered as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans. Every five years Gjirokastra becomes the capital of the Albanian folklore and traditional music, where passionate folklore ensembles gather in the “stone city” and perform their traditional music, dances and show off their costumes. Right before entering the castle of Gjirokastra you would have to pass by the medieval bazar. The atmospheric old town cascading down in graceful hill crammed with beautiful narrowed stone decorated streets, where you will be amazed by the wide variety of handmade crafts from local artisans and producers. We will visit one of the best-preserved houses of Gjirokastra, where everything is totally original and authentic. Overnight in Gjirokaster.

Day 4 Gjirokaster – Berat

Our next destination after breakfast is Berat, known as the town of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other. The city’s life began in the 6th-5th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. Later, in the 3rd century B.C., it was turned into a castle city known as Antipatrea. Uniquely today, residents still live inside of the castle walls. Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communist era in Albania. Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate. We will continue our tour and visit the Gorica Neighbourhood. Overnight in Berat

Day 5 Berat – Drilon – Tushemisht (Albania) – St. Naum (N. Macedonia) – Ohrid

Today we will cross border towards North Macedonia but not before making a stop at the national park of Drilon. Drilon waters springs form a small lake, surrounded by beautiful greenery that makes a unique oasis of beauty and tranquility. The weeping willow trees by the lake’s shoreline creates a soothing ambiance, inviting travelers to relax and absorb the beauty of the park. Next, we will stop in Tushemisht a hidden gem that offers visitors a delightful mix of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and warm hospitality.
Later we will cross border towards North Macedonia and our first stop will be St Naum. The monastery of St. Naum carries the name of a holy place. It is situated right at the source of River Crni Drim, which flows through Lake Ohrid. This monastery complex is part of the National Park Galicica and belongs to one of the strictly protected areas. Crystal clear, spring water reflects both the surrounding greenery and the mountain peaks in the background. Overnight in Ohird.

Day 6 Ohrid (N. Macedonia) – Tirana (Albania)

Today we will visit Ohrid, one of the most seductive destinations in N. Macedonia, indicated as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings where inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys. The Lake was named by the Romans as “Lyhnidas” (the Light Lake). Our tour continues to the city of Ohrid (UNESCO world heritage) an important center of Orthodoxy. We will continue our tour and visit the famous view point of church of St. John, the church of St. Nicolas and the mosque Halveti Hayati Tekke. Ohrid became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. During the Ottoman Empire the city grew on the hills and surrounding areas by the lake. Today the city is famous for its architecture, the churches, the castle on top of the city, the amphitheater, the beautiful view of the lake surrounded by mountains and the pearls from the lake. After this amazing day spent by Lake Ohrid we drive toward Tirana, the capital of Albania. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 7 Day tour of Tirana

Today we will discover Tirana, the capital of Albania. Meet with your local companion, and enjoy a unique experience in the city while learning more about the city’s culinary treasures.
Our first stop will be at a small local place that only locals know how to find. Here we will have the opportunity to try Byrek and have breakfast like a local. The famous traditional Albanian food is dough with all kinds of filling such as cheese, meat or spinach. The journey then leads towards Çam bazaar, founded by the Albanian Çam community, who originally came from an area called Çameria in today’s North-Western Greece. Here you can buy all kinds of goods from clothes to kitchen equipment and bargain with the sellers for a cheaper price. With your local companion by your side, you’ll skip past the tourist traps and discover the city’s culinary highlights in some of our favorite local neighborhoods, where you’ll have the opportunity to savor a traditional dessert at an authentic pastry. We will have an insight into the hidden alleyways and bustling street markets of Tirana, where dozens of street hawkers sell fresh vegetables and fruits. After walking through the busy streets, we’ll introduce you to the country’s rich coffee culture. We will join locals at a cozy café and taste traditional “Albanian coffee”. The tour will continue through the charming neighborhoods of Tirana; observe the daily lives of the city’s residents, admire colorful buildings, and get a feel for the authentic atmosphere. We will visit the so-called Bicycle bazaar, where you can find everything, from second hand clothes to second hand furniture. The next stop of our local adventure takes us to the New Bazaar, where an array of culinary delights awaits us. We will try the traditional Albanian lunch – “Qofte” (meatballs) grilled to perfection and paired with freshly baked bread. Vegetarians can enjoy freshly baked bread with Albanian Gjize (cottage cheese).
To wash it all down, we will also taste some Albanian Raki. As we Albanians say, there is nothing that Raki can’t fix!
Our last stop will be BUNKART, one of the most interesting museums in Tirana. Initially designed as a nuclear bunker offering shelter to the Albanian communist supreme leader Enver Hoxha and his close party members during the cold war. The bunker was hidden to the general public until 2014, when the Albanian government decided to initiate an interesting project that converted the nuclear bunker into a museum. BUNKART is video museum exhibition dedicated to the history of the Albanian communist army and to the daily lives of Albanians during the regime. Overnight in Tirana

Day 8 Tirane – Kruje – Prizren (Kosovo)

Our first destination for today will be Kruja, a historical city symbol of the Albanian resistance against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire during the XV century. Kruja is situated in central Albania on a rocky mountainous terrain about 560 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Sarisalltik Mountain. Walking through the narrow streets and the wooden houses of Kruja’s Medieval Old Bazaar (one of the biggest and oldest in Balkans) gives you a sense of a passage through the history. This is the best place to shop for souvenirs in Albania, from typical to more unique and handmade souvenirs such as carpets, jewelries etc. The castle of Kruja (built during the 5th century A.D.) is strategically placed on the top of a rocky hill, making it difficult for the enemies to attack. The tour leader will take you through some hidden paths, used by the locals to leave the castle without being noticed during periods when the enemies surrounded the castle.
We will cross borders towards Prizren, considered as the cultural capital of Kosovo, mixing its rich history, incredible nature, religious tolerance and gastronomic delights. Prizren has played an important role in the region as an Illyrian settlement and a crossroad for the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, contributing to the unique architecture of the city. The river flows through the heart of the old town and under the many bridges that crisscross the city. If you are looking to experience a lively international experience you should visit Prizren during August when the medieval city becomes home to one of the most famous short film festivals in the world named Dokufest. The best way to explore the town is by wandering through the streets passing by elegant medieval houses that fight for your attention. Filigree artisanal techniques for precious metals are Prizren’s joy and pride. Don’t miss the unique experience of shopping in one of the many filigree shops of the town, where you are welcomed to also see the metalsmithing magic happen. If you have to choose just one mosque to visit then visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, rich in arabesque colour and pattern. The view from the fortress on the hill above the town offers a great panorama of this astonishing town. Free afternoon in Prizren. Overnight in Prizren.

Day 9 Prizren – Gjakove - Decan – Vineyards near Rahovec – Prizren

After breakfast we will continue our tour towards Gjakova. The city has the oldest and largest bazaar of Kosovo. Even though, it got destroyed during the first Balkan wars, the second world war and the Kosovo war, the bazaar got rebuilt again to its old state and is a nice place to enjoy a meal or to take a look at the stores that sell traditional handmade crafts from local artisans and producers.
Our next destination will be the Monastery of Decan. This one stands out for its white colour, but even more remarkable is the fact that Orthodox monks still inhabit the monastery and make fresh organic food there, such as cheeses. The monastery became part of UNESCO in 2004 because of its frescoes, which portray the lives of people during the 14th century as well as the Palaeologan renaissance that changed the way of Byzantine painting.
Before returning back to Prizren we will drive towards Rahovec Valley, known as the capital city of viticulture in Prizren. There is evidence that in this region grapes have been cultivated since Illyrian times, 2000 years ago. Vineyards are positioned in the soft hillocks of Rahovec in altitude from 350 -520 meters above sea level making Rahovec an ideal spot to produce high quality fine wines. A wine festival takes place in Rahovec annually every September. Overnight in Prizren

Day 10 Prizren – Mrizi i Zanave Agro Tourism – Shkoder (Albania)

Our first destination for today is one of the best slow food Agro-tourism in the Balkans. We will take a tour around the farm. In addition, we will learn about the story of this farm and how it created jobs for more than 400 people in the surrounding area. The farm collects, elaborates and preserves regional bio fresh local products. We will also learn how this family business adapted some old communist buildings to serve as storage for local-made bio products. You will have some free time to enjoy a traditional lunch or buy some fresh produce products from the farm.
In the afternoon we will drive towards Shkodra, situated in the north-western part of Albania, giving its name to the biggest lake in the Balkans. It is one of the oldest cities in Albania, with a history of a thousand years of habitation. The oldest wall of the Shkodra castle dates from the 1st millennium BCE. The Roman historian Livy cited the town as the capital of the Illyrian king Gent, who fought the Romans in 168 B.C. We will visit Rozafa castle offering tremendous scenery of the lake and the three rivers melting all together in the Adriatic Sea. The city’s architecture is highly influenced by the Venetian style and if you are lucky enough to join the tour of Shkodra in February you might experience the carnival festival. Most of the guests are surprised to learn that most of the Venetian masks are handmade and produced in Shkodra. The city’s favourable geographic position has always been an important trading mark through the centuries, making it possible for different civilisations to encounter. Overnight in Shkoder.

Day 11 Shkoder – Sveti Stefan (Montenegro) – Budva – Kotor – Montenegrin Riviera

Our first destination for today is Budva in Montenegro, before getting there we will make a stop at the view point near Sveti Stefan, historically a fishing town on a small island near the coast. However, nowadays it is not possible to visit the island anymore as it has turned into an exclusive residential resort. Even while standing on the coast, Sveti Stefan is a sight for sore eyes – worth a picture. We will drive towards Budva, a popular tourist destination, famous for its beaches, gorgeous nature and old characteristic buildings. The city is separated between an old and new part. On one hand, in the New Budva, there are many modern buildings, offices, shopping malls, restaurants and bars. On the other hand, in the Old Budva, there is the historical centre and many sights to visit, such as the St. Ivan church, the small church of St. Mary and the medieval splendours of the old town, which we will visit on this tour.
Our second destination for today is Kotor, UNESCO world heritage site. The city is a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets crisscrossing the old town. The intention was to confuse intruders who came to plunder the town, while nowadays it characterizes the city. Many of the old buildings and churches have small plaques on it with their dates of construction and original use. We will visit the Saint Luke’s church which has a great significance for the locals because it represents unity to them. Overnight near Montenegrin Riviera

Day 12 Montenegrin Riviera – Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

From Montenegro, we will cross the border to Bosnia & Herzegovina and head towards the city of Mostar. We will, of course, visit the iconic Old Bridge also known as Stari Most, part of UNESCO world heritage and built in a typical Islamic architectural style in the 16th century. We will also wander through the Old Bazaar with its colourful streets and lively atmosphere. The city has stones with “Don’t Forget” all around the town, commemorating the city’s history. Mostar combines the old with the new, which you will notice while wandering through the streets. There are several beautiful old mosques, bustling Turkish bazaars, and a maze of cobbled alleyways. We will also visit the Blagaj monastery, a little bit outside of the city, on the foot of a cliff, with beautiful blue waters in front of it. Blagaj is a small Ottoman medieval town in Herzegovina with its stunning nature and imposing spring of river Buna. In the afternoon you will have some free time to explore and wander around Mostar, this splendid UNESCO site. Overnight in Mostar.

Day 13 Mostar – Sarajevo – Mostar

After breakfast we will drive from Mostar to our next destination Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today’s itinerary includes walking on uneven terrain, while visiting some of the ruins during our Sarajevo tour. You can still see many reminders of the Yugoslav War in bullet holes and cannon marks all around town. The tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We will visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem. We’ll make sure to visit the Latin Bridge and learn the story about how WWI was triggered right here, in the heart of Sarajevo. The bridge received its name because it connected the right bank of the Miljacka with the Catholic quarter of the city, which was informally called “Latinluk” in Ottoman times. Sarajevo is well known for its various delicious meat dishes and desserts. You will have some free time to enjoy the traditional dishes and have a cove in the old town. Overnight in Mostar.

Day 14 Mostar – Transfer Day to Dubrovnik or Split (Croatia)

This is the last day of your Balkan adventure marking the end of this amazing experience through the rich history and culture of this part of the World. Your tour leader will take you to the Croatian border. Our local representative (driver) will shuttle you to your hotel in Dubrovnik or Split. We hope this has been a wonderful experience with great memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Included

Private transport provided by the company
BB (Accommodation and Breakfast) for all overnights in 3 star hotels
Private transport provided by the company
Professional tour leader
Ferry port pick up in Corfu
Ferry tickets from Corfu to Igoumentitsa
Hotel drop off in Dubrovnik or Split
Entry tickets for the ‘’will be visited’’ sites
Tourist taxes
International car insurance
Road taxes
Petrol

Excluded

Food & Drinks
Souvenirs
Personal spending
Everything that is not mentioned in the included
* Tips are not a must in the Balkans or the Balkans, however, our recommendation is to tip the tour leader/driver as an international practice to tip good service.

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