About this trip

Grand Balkan Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 Split – Arrival (D)

You will be transferred from Split airport to the port. Embarkation begins at 2pm. Get settled in your cabin before attending a Welcome reception followed by dinner this evening

Day 2 Split – Trogir (Krka National Park excursion) (B, L)

In the morning join a guided tour of Split, visit the seafront promenade and Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. The historical center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Set sail to the old Dalmatian town Trogir. Trogir is sometimes referred to as “miniature Venice” or a “mini Dubrovnik” because of its ancient walls, or a “floating museum town” - as it has a masterful architecture including some stunning Venetian palaces. After disembarking in Trogir we take the bus to visit Krka National Park. You will discover the pristine nature and waterfalls of the Krka National Park, an area extremely rich with flora and fauna. Overnight in Trogir.

Day 3 Trogir – Stari Grad (B, L)

Morning guided tour of Trogir with a local tour guide. Afterwards, enjoy sailing towards Stari Grad on the Island of Hvar, swim stop and lunch on board. Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns in Europe with many friendly and affordable conobas and restaurants in the backstreets of the old town. The Stari Grad Plain and the old town centre of Stari Grad have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2008. Your evening is free to explore Stari Grad on your own.

Day 4 Stari Grad – Hvar – Vis (B, L)

Leaving Stari Grad in the morning towards city of Hvar. A sightseeing tour of Hvar town shows you many historical sites, such as St Stephen’s Square and Cathedral, the Arsenal with the theatre built on its first floor, the first municipal theatre in Europe. Above the town is the impressive fortress Fortica offering magnificent views over the bay and Pakleni islands. Afterwards continue to Vis. The town of Vis is on the northern side of the island and was developed near the remains of ancient Issa, the first urban centre in Croatia, formed by the Greeks in 4th century B.C. Visit the remains of the Roman Baths, Church or Our Lady and City Museum or take a walk enjoying the view of the beautiful Villae Rusticae situated along the coast. Your evening is free in Vis.

Day 5 Vis – Biševo – Korcula (B, L)

Leaving Vis, we will have an early morning cruise towards Biševo island to visit the Blue Cave, a magnificent natural phenomenon on the islet Biševo just in front of the town of Komiža. Possibility of our visit will depend on weather conditions; however you will be notified of this on time. Afterwards, cruise towards the Korčula, and the island’s main settlement, known as the birthplace of Marco Polo, one of the world’s most famous explorers of all times. Stop for lunch in one of the secluded bays en route. Afternoon arrival in Korčula followed by a guided walking tour of one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean. Korčula has variety of different restaurants, bars and clubs for those looking for evening entertainment. Overnight in Korčula.

Day 6 Korčula – Mljet National Park – Slano (B, L, D)

n the morning head further south to the Island of Mljet. Join the Cruise Manager for a stroll to the famous salt lakes in the Mljet National Park. Alternatively, you can rent bicycles, scooters, or kayaks to explore the National Park or island on your own. Lunch on board and departure for a small village called Slano on the mainland. Slano is a peaceful fishermen’s village, and the starting point to Ston, situated on Pelješac peninsula, fortified small village famous for its oysters. Pelješac peninsula is known as one of the best wine-producing regions in Croatia. After exploring the town, we leave to a small nearby village to enjoy the authentic local oyster tasting. Tonight, enjoy Captain’s dinner and overnight in Slano

Day 7 Slano – Elaphiti Islands – Dubrovnik (B, L)

Early morning cruise to Elaphiti islands with swim stop on one of the secluded bays. Continue sail to Dubrovnik, and, before we moor at port, we cruise alongside the old city walls. After docking, join a guided tour at the historical center of Dubrovnik, walk through Stradun – both a street and a square, the most famous place inside the town walls, enlisted as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Your guide will show you the most interesting sights of the Old Town and visit the Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy. After city tour, you will be on your own to explore the city, visit City Walls, the Franciscan Monastery with Europe's second oldest pharmacy, the Rector's Palace, and the Cathedral, or take a boat ride to Lokrum island or take the cable car to the top of the Mount Srđ. Overnight in Dubrovnik

Day 8 Dubrovnik (B, D)

After breakfast it’s time to disembark. You will be transferred to your Dubrovnik hotel. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik hotel

Day 9 Dubrovnik (B, D)

Enjoy your free time in Dubrovnik. Tonight you meet the tour guide. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 10 Dubrovnik – Budva/Montenegro – Shkodra/Albania – Tirana (B, D)

Morning sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik, included in the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage. You will visit Franciscan Monastery with Europe’s third oldest pharmacy, the Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral. Departure for Tirana; we drive inland via Budva, crossing the Albanian border at Shkodra, once the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom (3rd century B.C.). Dinner and overnight in Tirana.

Day 11 Tirana – Ohrid/North Macedonia (B, D)

Morning sightseeing tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania, 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 finds from archeological sites across the country. Afternoon departure for Ohrid, driving via Elbasan and crossing the North Macedonian border at Cafasan. Dinner and overnight in Ohrid

Day 12 Ohrid (B, D)

Full day in the lakeside resort of Ohrid, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site. Through the activity of St. Clement and St. Naum of Ohrid, the first pan-Slavic University in Europe, the famous “Ohrid Literary School” was founded here. Morning sightseeing tour includes the church of St. Sofia (11th century=, the most eminent mediaeval monument in North Macedonia with magnificent Byzantine fresco paintings and St. Clement Church with its icon of Annunciation. In the afternoon a short drive to visit St. Naum Monastery built on the shores of Ohrid Lake in 900 A.D. and dedicated to the Slavic missionary and educator St. Naum of Ohrid. Dinner in a local restaurant. Return to hotel for overnight.

Day 13 Ohrid – Skopje (B, D)

Morning departure for Skopje. Sightseeing tour of Skopje, including the Kale Fortress, the Church of the Holy Savior with its iconostas, one of the finest samples of traditional walnut woodcarving, Old Bazaar and Stone Bridge. We drive to the slopes of the Vodno Mountain where we visit the Monastery of St. Pateleimon with its 12th century iconostas and frescoes ranking among the highest achievements of Byzantine art of this period. Dinner and overnight in Skopje.

Day 14 Skopje – Kolašin/Montenegro (B, D)

Morning departure for Kolašin, driving via Peć and Berane and along the impressive Morača River Canyon. Afternoon arrival at Kolašin, spreading on the left bank of the river Tara, situated at the altitude of 954 m. The whole area is surrounded by the thick pine forest of the Bjelasica Mountain and is a popular skiing and air spa resort. Dinner and overnight in Kolašin.

Day 15 Kolašin – Cetinje – Kotor – Dubrovnik (B, D)

Morning departure for Cetinje where we visit King Nikola’s Museum, once the residence of the Montenegrin King Nikola I Petrović. Continuation to Kotor, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site, where we visit its Romanesque Cathedral dedicated to St. Triphun, the city’s patron saint. We continue to Dubrovnik driving along the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Arrival and overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 16 Dubrovnik – Departure (B)

Breakfast followed by departure transfer to Dubrovnik Airport.

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