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Gems of the Balkans
Overview
Short Description
Time travel on this 7-day escorted tour of the beautiful Balkans from Tirana to Dubrovnik and discover how the past stands still and the future is in full play. From the seemingly unchanged villages and natural landscapes to the languid lakes and legendary seascapes of Albania and Croatia, you’ll find the vibrant life of artisans, ancient architecture, and fortresses that hold the secrets of wars past, and freedom won. Capture the beauty of the Balkans on the pink-paved streets and markets mixed with the Byzantine and Venetian architecture of Kotor, Montenegro; the legends of sea stories in Perast; and the massive fortress walls of Dubrovnik. A gem of a vacation in the Balkans that’s worth its weight in gold.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVE IN TIRANA, ALBANIA
Welcome to Tirana! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
Day 2: TIRANA
Art Covers Rock TIRANA Guided walking tour of the city features a visit to the Bunk’Art (Breakfast)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTART & ARCHITECTURE The architecture of this city has aspects of all periods of time. From the Tirana mosaic (Ancient Roman) to the Clock Tower (Kulla e Sahatit), a symbol of ottoman architecture, Italian buildings, and the style of construction during the dictatorship tell a vibrant story of this city. Visit the site of Bunk’Art. Once serving as the fallout shelter of communist dictator Enver Hoxha, this sprawling stone bunker is now a history museum and contemporary art gallery.
Day 3: TIRANA–VIRPAZAR, MONTENEGRO–BUDVA
A Shore Thing VIRPAZAR Guided boat trip on Skadar Lake. (Breakfast,Dinner) 137 mi / 220 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT NATURAL WONDERS Skadar lake is the largest lake in the Balkans, surrounded by karst mountains and rocky shores. When it formed millions of years ago it was just a bay off the Adriatic. However, with erosion and changes to the landscape, the former bay transformed into a lake which offers a variety of wildlife and different habitats.
Day 4: BUDVA EXCURSION TO CETINJE AND KOTOR
Former Capitals & Coastal Towns CETINJE Guided tour of the town includes visit to King Nicola's Museum. Free time for lunch.KOTOR Guided visit of the old town.BUDVA Dinner at local restaurant (Breakfast, Dinner) 106mi / 170 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOT Kotor is a beautiful, walled medieval city of twisting, pink-paved streets, markets, and architecture reflecting Byzantine to Venetian influences. One of the squares contains the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, a monument of Roman culture and one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.
Day 5: BUDVA–PERAST–DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
Jewel of the Mediterranean PERAST Visit "Our Lady of the Rocks" Church perched on an man-made tiny Island on the way to Kotor city for a guided walking tour that includes all the famous sights of this little town. Free time for lunch. (Breakfast) 71 mi / 115km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGEND & FAITH The legend has it that on a summery evening in July 1452, two fishermen discovered an image of the Virgin Mary on the sea- cliff. They brought it home with them but the following morning it was gone and appeared back on the same sea- cliff. The same thing happened over and over so they understood this as a Virgin's wish to stay there forever so they build a church. A small island was then made by people from Perast who were throwing rocks and stones around the cliff.
Day 6: DUBROVNIK–KONAVLE–DUBROVNIK
A King’s Landing DUBROVNIK Walking tour with a Local Guide.KONAVLE Walking tour and farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (Breakfast,Dinner) 37 mi / 60 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTART & ARCHITECTURE It isn’t hard to see why the city of Dubrovnik is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” The old town surrounded by its remarkable city walls is protected by UNESCO. Over the centuries this breathtaking city has been an inspiration to many artists. Game of Thrones fans may recognize this formidable setting and the Rector’s Palace as a film location for the epic TV series.
Day 7: DUBROVNIK
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
Availability
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Gems of the Balkans
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The driver and the tour director were…
We got to see all the highlights of…
Everything about this trip was amazing
Great tour of Newfoundland (& a bit of Labrador)
Great experience.
He had many stories about the places we visited and toured. He made the trip very enjoyable.
Switzerland
Details
Group Size
Standard Group - 25 + people
Accommodations
Hilton Garden Inn Tirana
This trendy 143-room hotel is perfectly positioned for discovering the secrets of Albania's capital city. The spacious guest rooms are equipped with amenities to maximise comfort, including air conditioning, toiletries and cable TV. Guests can enjoy a unique dining experience at the on-site restaurant that serves high-quality international cuisine, There is also a fitness center and Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property.
Tirana
Albania
146 Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta
Hotel Budva
Hotel Budva is a 4-star hotel located in the center of Budva, Montenegro, right on the seaside promenade and just steps away from the sandy Slovenska Beach and Marina. It features an on-site restaurant, bar and a wellness center. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. The hotel has 157 rooms, all of which are equipped with air conditioning, TV, minibar and private bathroom. The hotel restaurant offers a variety of local and international dishes, while the bar serves refreshing drinks and cocktails. There is also a wellness center with a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and massage treatments.
Budva
Montenegro
Slovenska Obala
Lapad
This former Grand Hotel is set in a historic building surrounded by a large outdoor pool and palm trees, overlooking the famous Dubrovnik's Gruz Harbour. Clear lines are combined with luxurious fabrics in the modern guestrooms, all of which are air-conditioned and feature flat-screen satellite TV, minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, and bathrooms with shower, hairdryer, and free toiletries. Free Wi-Fi internet connection is available throughout the entire hotel.
Dubrovnik
Croatia
Lapadska obala 37
Trip ID#:
globus-RI
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