14 Day Majestic Balkans

14 days
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Small Group Tour
3 Bucharest, 1 Plovdiv, 2 Sofia, 2 Skopje, 2 Ohrid, 2 Tirana
From$3,699
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy your visit to romantic Peles Castle, former summer residence of Romania's first royal family Visit the Patriarchal church of Bucharest, the center of Romanian Orthodox faith Special dinner with a guest lecturer who enlightens you on Romania's turbulent history At a beautiful 17th century Bulgarian church, attend a performance by an esteemed local choir Walk along the cobbled streets of Plovdiv, a millennial town with a tumultuous history Ascend to the 10th century Rila Monastery, proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site Explore the historic streets of Skopje’s Old Town, stopping at the House of Mother Teresa Wine tasting and vineyard tour in Stobi, a city in the Republic of North Macedonia at the crossroads of civilization Discover lively Tirana, the beating heart of Albania, with its vibrant café culture and funky art Visit Kruje, where the hero Skanderbeg defended Albania from the Ottomans †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates

What's this trip about?

    3 Bucharest, 1 Plovdiv, 2 Sofia, 2 Skopje, 2 Ohrid, 2 Tirana

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • 50 plus
  • Cultural

Destinations

Trip includes

    • Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed Flights New York-Bucharest, Tirana-New York Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline taxes & fuel surcharges 12 nights First Class accommodations
    • 3 nights Bucharest 1 night Plovdiv 2 nights Sofia 2 nights Skopje 2 nights Ohrid 2 nights Tirana Hotel taxes, fees & service charges Hotel porterage All transfers included only with airfare purchase on package arrival & departure dates† 26 meals: 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 11 dinners Coffee and tea with all meals Sightseeing per itinerary in modern air-conditioned vehicles Services of local English-speaking tour manager throughout Comprehensive, guided sightseeing and entrance fees per itinerary Active itinerary with unique cultural features Comfortable wireless earphones for enhanced touring

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Itinerary

DAY 1, Friday - Depart for Romania
Depart for Romania

DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Bucharest
Arrive in the bustling Romanian capital of Bucharest known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards and glorious Belle Époque buildings. Time to settle in at the hotel before tonight's orientation meeting with your Tour Manager followed by a light dinner. We recommend that you select flights which arrive in your destination no later than 4 PM Overnight: Bucharest Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday - Prahova Valley, Sinaia Monastery, Peles Castle
Heading north along the Prahova Valley arrive at the elegant mountain resort of Sinaia. Here, visit the impressive 17th century Sinaia Monastery named after St. Catherine's Monastery on Mt. Sinai. The monastery features religious treasures and beautiful frescoes. After l...
DAY 4, Monday - Discover Bucharest, Palace of Parliament, Patriarchal Cathedral, Special Dinner & Guest Lecturer
The day begins with a view of Bucharest's Arch of Triumph, an impressive replica of the French Arc de Triomphe, built to commemorate the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in WWI. Then, as you travel along Calea Victoriei (Victory Avenue), the city's oldest and most...
DAY 5, Tuesday - Veliko Tarnovo, Tsarevets Hill, Arbanassi, Choir Concert, Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
Depart Bucharest for Veliko Tarnovo, the 'City of the Tsars', where houses cling to the cliffs of the River Yantra, making it one of the country's most beautiful towns in Bulgaria. Here, take an orientation walking tour that features views of the Tsarevets Hill, the ines...
DAY 6, Wednesday - Plovdiv's Old Town, Sofia
A delightful exploration of Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria. Walk along the cobbled streets lined with art galleries and bohemian cafes -- this city has an exuberant spirit! In the Old Town, lovingly restored to its mid-19th-century appearance, admire the Th...
DAY 7, Thursday - National History Museum, Alexander Nevsky Church
In magical Sofia, the morning tour starts with panoramic views of golden Ottoman domes dotting the skyline. Visit the National History Museum with its exhibits of Bulgarian lands spanning 8000 years and glimpses of unique gold and silver treasures dating back to Thracian...
DAY 8, Friday - Rila Monastery & Museum, Skopje (Republic of North Macedonia)
After breakfast, ascend to the 10th century Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, considered one of the greatest centers of literacy and religion in Bulgaria, playing a key role in preserving Bulgarian culture and language. Visit the monastery's church and view t...
DAY 9, Saturday - Discover Skopje's Old Town
In the morning visit the moving Holocaust Museum that commemorates the all but lost Sephardic Jewish culture of North Macedonia through a range of photos and video displays. Explore the historic streets of this eclectic capital's Old Town, stopping at Macedonia Square, P...
DAY 10, Sunday - Ancient Stobi, Wine Tasting & Vineyard Lunch, Lakeside Ohrid
The ancient city of Stobi is revealed today. Lying in a fertile valley, this ancient city was part of a vital trade route and was the crossroads of civilization with a rich legacy of palace ruins, bright mosaics, and religious relics. Enjoy a tour of a local winery along...
DAY 11, Monday - St Naum Monastery, Boat Cruise on Ohrid Lake
Drive along the shores of Lake Ohrid to reach St. Naum Monastery with its world-renowned priceless icons and religious paintings. Then, take a relaxing boat tour through the springs of the Black Drin river, often referred to as the Springs of Sveti Naum, the main water ...
DAY 12, Tuesday - Elbasan, Tirana (Albania), Skanderbeg Square, Mosque of Et'hem Bey
This morning, depart North Macedonia for Albania, stopping en route at Elbasan, one of the largest cities in Albania in the central part of the country. Later, arrive in lively and colorful Tirana, the beating heart of Albania, known for its vibrant café culture and funk...
DAY 13, Wednesday - Kruje's Skanderbeg Museum, Ottoman Style Bazaar
Step back in time on your visit of Kruje, the hero Skanderbeg's hometown where 500 years ago he defended the town from the Ottomans. At the Ethnographic Museum, see a typical 18th-century Ottoman house that once belonged to an affluent family. Afterward, a stroll through...
DAY 14, Thursday - Depart Albania
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,699
Price per day$264
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Gate 1 Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Gate 1 Travel offers escorted tours, European river cruises, independent vacations and customized international vacation packages for less. Our discount travel packages and tour packages to destinations worldwide provide exceptional value, saving our customers time and money. We have taken care of all the details so you don't have to. Find your dream vacation today.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Not Included:Gratuities.

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Additional Information

Additional Information: Land only price does not include arrival/departure transfers.

Trip ID
gate1-DSCV-RO-BG-MK-AL-14DBLKN-PKG-23

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