Balkans Itinerary: Culture and Religion

Route

Bucharest → Sofia → Skopje → Ohrid → Peja → Shkodër → Budva → Dubrovnik → Sarajevo → Belgrade

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1
   Airport – Bucharest

   Pick up from Bucharest Airport and driving to the hotel. After check-in, free time.

   Overnight in Bucharest
2. 2
   Bucharest

   Walking tour/bus tour

   In Bucharest, see:

   • Ateneul Roman, Bucharest
   • Palatul Regal/Royal Palace,
   • Statuia Ecvestra a Lui Carol I
   • Piaka Revolukiei, Bucharest
   • Calea Victoriei, Bucharest
   • Macca Villacrosse Passage, Buchaest
   • Muzeul National de Istorie a Romaniei, Bucharest.
   • Stavropoleos Monastery, Bucharest
   • Palace of Parliament, Bucharest

   Overnight in Bucharest
3. 3
   Bucharest – Sofia

   Drive to Sofia.

   Walking tour/bus tour

   Visit:

   • St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, Sofia.
   • St. Sofia Church,
   • Boyana Church, Sofia.
   • National Museum of History, Sofia.
   • The Rotunda Church of St George, Sofia. Only from outside.
   • National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, Sofia. Only from outside.
   • Ivan Vazov National Theater, Sofia
   • Sofia Synagogue. Only from outside.

   Overnight in Sofia
4. 4
   Sofia – Rila – Skopje

   Drive to Rila.

   Visit:

   • Rila Monastery, Rila

   The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria.

   Continue onwards to Skopje.

   In Skopje visit:

   • Macedonia Square, Centar, Skopje.
   • Warrior on a Horse, Macedonia Square, Skopje.
   • Skopje Fortress Kale, Old Town.
   • Old Bazaar, Skopje.

   Overnight in Skopje
5. 5
   Skopje – Ohrid

   We will drive to Ohrid to capture the multifaceted Ohrid Lake, and visit the town of Ohrid and attractions such as:

   • the Samoil Castle
   • Old Town
   • Church of St. Clementius
   • Church of St Sophia
   • Kameni Church
   • the Promenade

   According to the wishes of the group members, we can organize a boat ride on Ohrid Lake around the walls of the Old Castle. We will then have free time to eat lunch and reminisce on what we have encountered.

   After lunch, we will travel towards the Museum of Bones, which is on the periphery of Ohrid. Divers have found 6,000 bundles of wood in the depths of the lake, along with skeletons, from which the bay gets its name.

   After the visit to the museum we will head to the Monastery of St Naum, built in 905, originally built by St Naum in dedication of archangels Michael and Gabriel.

   Overnight in Ohrid
6. 6
   Ohrid – Prishtina – Deçan Monastery – Rrugova Canyon – Peja

   Departure in the morning at 7:00 towards Kosovo.

   Cross the border and first visit is Prishtina capital city.

   Visit:

   • New Born Square
   • Ibrahim Rugova Boulevard.

   Then drive to Decan Monastery, a World Heritage site.

   • The 800-year-old monastery contains inside the unique legend of "St. Stephen", which turns visiting the Monastery into an unforgettable experience.

   Continue to Rrugova Gorge or Rugova Canyon a river canyon considered to be one of Europe's longest and deepest canyons. With a few waterfalls and many water-springs, such as Uji i Zi (Black Water) and Kroi i km-5 (5-th Km Spring)

   Continue and visit the Patriarchate of Peja, the historical and spiritual seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church at the entrance of the canyon.

   Overnight in Peja
7. 7
   Peja – Drini River Waterfall – Prizren

   After breakfast at the hotel, we travel to the park of Radac to visit:

   • the Drini i Bardhe Waterfall (where the river Drini i Bardhe/White Drini originates) and the cave of Radac known as the cave "Sleeping Beauty". Free time for drinks and relax in the park by the Drini river.

   Drive to Prizren, one of the most beautiful cities and the historical capital of Kosovo. A city Albanian Culture is fused with Orthodox and Muslim influence in centuries. Inside the old stone town visit Sinan Pasha Mosque. Free time for relax to enjoy the old bridges and cafés by the river.

   Overnight in Prizren
8. 8
   Prizren – Valbonë

   Drive from Prizren to Valbonë.

   Continuing the journey up to Valbona Valley alongside the river with same name. Valbona Valley with spectacular waterfalls, and endless forests. A natural wonder offers a rare sense of tranquility and beauty.

   Visit the James Lake and the Old Mill of Valbona. Rest of day spent relaxing in glorious nature and admiration of scenic views.

   Overnight in Valbona
9. 9
   Valbona – Shkodër

   Eat breakfast before driving to Shkodër. Shkodra is a cultural hub in Albania, especially because it was an important city for the Albanian Renaissance.

   Visit:

   • Venetian Mask Museum
   • Marubi Photography Museum
   • Houses of worship, such as Ebu Beker Mosque or Franciscan Church Drive to Rragam Island.
   • Late lunch and boat ride to Sarda island

   Optional: Hike up Rozafa Castle

   Visit Lake of Shkodra National Park, the biggest lake on the Balkan Peninsula, consisting of a diversity of habitats.

   Overnight in Shkodra
10. 10
    Shkodër – Podgorica

    Eat breakfast and then drive to Podgorica.

    • See the Clock Tower.
    • Wander around Stara Varoš. Stara Varoš is one of the oldest parts of Podgorica, dating back to Ottoman times. For a few centuries, between the 1400s and 1800s, it was the city’s heart, but, like most of Podgorica, the area was badly destroyed during WW2. See the former royal residence.
    • Across the Morača river from Stara Varoš you will find a small park that hides the former royal winter residence built at the end of the 19th century for Nikola I Petrović Njegoš, the last king of Montenegro.
    • Visit also, Old Ribnica River Bridge
    • Centre of Contemporary Art.

    Overnight in Podgorica
11. 11
    Podgorica – Budva – Kotor – Budva

    Drive to Budva.

    Visit Old Town:

    • St. Mary's Church, terraced gates, several squares, and a building of the former army barracks.
    • Church of the Holy Trinity
    • Citadel.
    • Saint Ivan Church

    After eating a hearty lunch in Budva drive to Kotor. the Old Town and panoramic view of the Bay of Kotor.

    St. Tryphon Cathedral with various artifacts upstairs, Piazza of the Arms, St. Nikola’s church, Gurdich Gate

    Optional: Maritime Museum Kotor

    Overnight in Budva
12. 12
    Budva – Dubrovnik

    Drive to Dubrovnik.

    On the way visit Mount Srd. Part of the Dinaric Alps mountain range, Srd rises to a height of 1,352 feet, overlooking the picturesque Pearl of the Adriatic. While in Dubrovnik, take a stroll on Stadum Old Dubrovnik, the main street of Dubrovnik, Croatia. While there admire the towering Rector’s Palace.

    Also visit the Dubrovnik Cathedral and the Franciscan Church and Monaster. The Sponza Palace (Croatian: Palača Sponza), also called Divona (from dogana, customs), is a 16th-century palace.

    Dubrovnik’s Clock Tower, an elegant 31 m high timepiece, dating from the 15th century is a magnificent landmark of the Old Town.

    Overnight in Dubrovnik
13. 13
    Dubrovnik – Mostar – Sarajevo

    Driving to Mostar.

    In the heart of old town Mostar is the beautiful Old Bridge, reconstructed entirely using traditional methods. Set in 1500's Turkish influenced style and architecture, the Old arch style bridge spans the beautiful green water of the Neretva river. Beautiful view from the Bridge.

    Visit:

    • Old Bazar Kujundziluk, an Ottoman-era market that maintains its original atmosphere thanks to cobblestone roads, narrow streets lined with artisan shops.
    • the Kriva Cuprija (or the Crooked Bridge).
    • Biscevica Kuca, Turkish house museum is one of the best preserved houses of the Turkish times. It was built centuries ago and there are still mostly authentic objects and furniture.

    Drive to Sarajevo.

    Overnight in Sarajevo
14. 14
    Sarajevo

    Drive to Budva.

    Visit Old Town:

    • the Sebilj, which is a Ottoman-style wooden fountain in the center of Baščaršija square
    • Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, Sarajevo Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque is a mosque in the city of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
    • Sarajevo City Hall
    • Tašlihan is an old preserved ruins in the center of the city. It was one of three caravanserais in Sarajevo which served both travelers and horses.
    • Old Sarajevo Clock Tower, located in the historic Old Town section of Sarajevo,
    • Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, Sarajevo, the Congregational Church of the Holy Mother is the largest Orthodox church in Sarajevo and one of the largest of its kind in the Balkans.
    • Katedrala Sarajevo, the Cathedral of Jesus’ Sacred Heart was built in 1889 in the Neo-Gothic style and is the seat of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna.

    Overnight in Sarajevo
15. 15
    Sarajevo – Belgrade

    Drive to Belgrade. Belgrade city tour.

    Begin with :

    • Belgrade Fortress,
    • See Pobednik,
    • Belgrade Zoo
    • Knez Mihailova Street, the main pedestrian and shopping zones in Belgrade, protected by law as one of the oldest and most valuable landmarks in the city.
    • Nikola Tesla Museum, dedicated to serving the memory of Nikola Tesla, a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and futurist of great importance and fame.

    In the afternoon enjoy a breathtaking ride on the Danube River.

    Overnight in Belgrade
16. 16
    Belgrade

    Begin the day with a stroll on Skadarlija

    The day will be spent exploring different neighborhoods, so then see Novi Belgrade. Novi Belgrade (New Belgrade) is a municipality of the city of Belgrade. It is the central business district in Serbia and one of the major ones in Southeast Europe.

    Then continue on to Dedinje, Belgrade. Dedinje is an urban neighborhood of Belgrade, generally considered the wealthiest part of Belgrade, and is the site of numerous villas and mansions owned by the members of the city's plutocracy, as well as many diplomatic residences. In Dedinje, admire the Royal Palace from outside.

    View:

    • St. Sava Temple, Belgrade. The Church of St. Sava (also known as St. Sava Temple), one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world.
    • the National Assembly, Terazije Fountain, and Republic Square.

    Overnight in Belgrade
17. 17
    Airport transfer

    Airport transfer. End of services.

This programme is a proposal: hotels, activities, guides and the order of visits can be adjusted to your clients.