The Balkan Vista. A Cultural Tour of the Balkans
14 Nights / 15 Days
One can't understand the Balkans without understanding its ethnic groups, and one can't understand the ethnic groups and their history without knowing the influence of the region's geography.
Even the geographic extent of the "Balkan" region is a matter of controversy, but the presence of contradictory themes is itself characteristically Balkan. The Balkan Peninsula takes its name from Bulgaria's Balkan Mountains, running westward from the Black Sea.
The peninsula as a whole possesses scattered fertile valleys separated by chains of rugged mountain ranges. Intense ethnic feelings come naturally to communities, which are isolated from one another by these mountainous mazes.
These are lands rich in ancient myth, and its cultural heritage also point to a time when these lands knew peace and cooperation, when early Balkani peoples worshiped life-loving deities who appreciated beauty, joy, and inspired a wide range of sacred arts. Long suppressed by later monotheisms, those ancient deities nevertheless are still wedded to the Balkan lands.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arriving Belgrade (Serbia)
Arrive to the Nikola Tesla International Airport of Belgrade, where you are welcomed in a traditional Serbian way, and after Immigration and Custom formalities, you are transferred to your hotel. Overnight: Hotel Majestik, Belgrade. (2 nights)
Day 2: Belgrade
Belgrade (Beograd) is a very charming and pulsating city situated at the most spectacular and strategic location, by the confluence of two big rivers, the Sava and Danube. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 3: Belgrade / Zlatibor / Sirogojno (drive)
After breakfast, we start our Balkan Vista journey, and drive south to ascend Mount Zlatibor National Park. Overnight: Hotel Staro Selo, Zlatibor. (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4: Zlatibor / Studenica / Kopaonik (drive)
There was once a narrow gauge train, affectionately known as the Cira (Chira). It used to cut its path through astonishing landscapes of Serbia and Bosnia on its way from Belgrade to Sarajevo. Overnight: Hotel Grand, Kopaonik. (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 5: Kopaonik / Priština (Kosovo) / Skopje (Macedonia)
After breakfast, we will continue to drive south to the “Semi-Autonomous” region of Kosovo. Later in the afternoon we’ll be proceeding to our next site, the Monastery of Gracanica. The Gracanica Monastery, near Pristina in Kosovo, is one of the last monumental foundations of King Milutin Nemanjic.
Built on the ruins of the former Church of the Holy Virgin, the monastery finished in 1321, was dedicated to the Dormition of the Holy Virgin. On the southern wall of the chapel is written the king's charter, including the following words: "I have seen the ruins and the decay of the Holy Virgin's temple of Gracanica, the bishopric of Lipljan, so I have built it from the ground and painted and decorated it both within and without". Of the former monastic compound, only the church has survived.
The narthex and the tower were added a few decades later, in order to protect the frescoes on the west facade. Gracanica represents the culmination of the Serbian medieval art of building in the Byzantine tradition. Later we proceed to Skopje. Overnight: Hotel Turist Skopje. (1 night) (Breakfast)
Day 6: Skopje / Ohrid
Skopje is the capital of the Republic of Macedonia. As the largest city in the country, it is a political, economic, and cultural center of Macedonia. It lies on the upper course of the Vardar River and is located on a major north to south Balkan route between Belgrade and Athens. The first impression of Skopje is invariably the same: it is a new and modern city.
It is a trading center for the cotton, tobacco, grains, and livestock produced in the surrounding region. Although Skopje was settled as early as the pre-historic times, the first urban settlements in the Skopje area are from around the 4th century BC. Its citizens were a mixture of local residents of Paeonian and Dardanian origin.
In Roman times the city of Scupi developed as an early Roman legionary camp on the western slope of Zlokukansko Kale, near Skopje. We’ll visit the Old Bazaar, the Kale Fortress, whose first walls date back to the 6th century, and the Mustapha Pasha Mosque – one of the most beautiful objects of the Ottoman architecture, erected in 1492.
After leaving Skopje, we will also stop and visit the Monastery of Sv. Jovan Bigorski, famous for its iconostasis carved in wood and for its particularly nice location on the slope of the mountain. Overnight: Hotel Milenium, Ohrid. (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7: Ohrid / Berat (Albania)
Ohrid, immortal Ohrid – a Kingdom of light and water, a repository of ancient ruins from Macedonia’s earliest kingdoms – is the sublime lakeside town that for many represents the culmination of the Macedonian experience. Ohrid’s major attractions are all located within a remarkably concentrated and eminently walkable area, among and above the narrow streets of the Old Town, itself lined with restaurants and cafes perfectly suited for relaxing on cool summer evenings.
The uniqueness of Ohrid’s lake and historical architecture have been attested by UNESCO and honored the town with an official designation as one of the cultural institution’s on the “World Inheritance” list. Ohrid is also known as the “City of 365 churches”. In the afternoon we will leave Ohrid and will drive through a small town Struga, before crossing the border into Albania.
Our first stop in Albania is Berat. Berat is known as the “city of one thousand windows”. Located near the Osum River, Berat is the commercial center for the surrounding agricultural region in which tobacco, grapes, and fruits are grown.
The town of Berat, overshadowed to the east by mount Tomori (2400m), is built on an ancient Illyrian dwelling site, which goes back to the sixth century B.C. Its innumerable monuments and beautiful and characteristic architecture of its houses have proclaimed Berat, a museum town. Much of the city is built on terraces in the steep hills overlooking the Osum.
The city has many historical monuments, including mosques dating from the 15th to 19th centuries and an 18th-century seven-arched stone bridge. A 13th-century citadel built along a ridge high above the river gorge houses a museum and several old churches. Overnight: Hotel Timori, Berat. (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 8: Berat / Durres / Tirana
In the morning we will depart for Durres, Albania’s second largest city. Durres, formerly Durrazzo, is one of the oldest towns in Albania. Durres lies on a small peninsula on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. The city it was colonized by the Greeks in 627 B.C. and it was named Epidamnos.
From the Venetian Tower at the harbor, the Medieval Town Wall leads to the Amphitheater (capacity 15,000 spectators) dating back to the 2nd century AD containing an early Christian Crypt with a rare wall mosaic.
Between the 1st and 3rd centuries Durres was an important port and trading center on the Via Egnatia trading route between Rome and Byzantium (Istanbul). After a great number of earthquakes, much of ancient Durrës sank into the sea or collapsed and was subsequently built over.
Today the city is well known for the nearby beach resort of Durres Plazh, its wonderful sand and warm seawater. We will first visit the ruins of the Roman Amphitheater and the Archaeological Museum, situated close to the sea and rich in objects excavated in Durres.
We also visit the Roman Baths behind the Aleksandër Moisiu Theatre on the central square. We then leave for Tirana. Tirana is a relatively new town, founded in 1614, located on the site of a Byzantine Fortress, and it is the biggest political, economical, and cultural centre of the country.
This afternoon will only visit here the Skanderbeg Square in the centre of the town, the Old Mosque and the Clock Tower. Overnight: Hotel Chateaux Linza, Tirana. (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 9: Tirana / Kruja / Shkoder / Budva (Montenegro) / Kotor
Our first visit today will be to the charming little town of Kruja, with past-age old olive trees and limekilns, with limestone outcrops offering the barest grazing to a few sheep and goats. Then shrubs and oaks replace the olives, and finally the conifers take over. "Kruj'" means "Spring" and of course there is no shortage of fresh water at these cool heights. The air invigorates us after the hot, humid plain of Tirana.
Here we visit the Restored Castle and Citadel, the Skenderbeg Museum erected in the middle of the Castle and the Old restored Bazaar near the Castle. Our next stop will be Shkoder, formerly known as Scodra or Skhodra, situated nearby the lake with the same name.
Shkodra is a very old city (about 2400 years) that has managed to keep characteristic appearance, with narrow streets with tall stonewalls on both sides, and tall gates, although a large part of it has been transformed. The main sights of the town are the Castle (Rozafa), the Turkish Bath (hamam), the Mosque of Plumbi, and many old houses with an appearance characteristic to the region.
After crossing the border to Montenegro, we will be driving along the Adriatic Coast, passing by the old town of Ulcinj, the main harbor of Bar, and the little town of Milocer. Milocer has a beautiful beach and here is located the Palace of one of the last Serbian Queens.
We will also make a short stop (if time permitting) to visit the village of St Stefan and the tourist resort of Becici before arriving to Budva. Budva is one of the oldest inhabited places in the area, known since Illyrian times. The town of Budva that we can see now has a medieval atmosphere, and it is definitely one of the most attractive tourist destinations on the Montenegrin Riviera.
Budva has fortified the old part of town with a typical architecture, narrow streets and stone buildings built around the main Cathedral. This area is now used as a gathering place for locals & tourists, with many shops and taverns. Overnight: Hotel Marija, Kotor. (1 night) (Breakfast)
Day 10: Kotor / Njegusi / Cetinje / Zabljak / Durmitor
After breakfast we will enjoy our walking tour of Kotor, another town-museum and World Heritage listed Site. Kotor was long established and inhabited, even before the Illyrian and Roman times. Our walk through the city will take us back only to medieval times, as most of the monuments we can observe now are from the 14th to 18th centuries.
The City it is surrounded by strong walls, a Renaissance tower stands on the main square, and there are numerous churches and lovely houses witnessing the bygone era. We will visit the Cathedral of St. Tripuna, the St. Luka Church, and the St. Mihail Church.
The road up to mountaintop will take us to Cetinje, at one time, the time of Njegoš Ruler it was the Capital of Montenegro. It doesn’t have a strong Fort like many other important capitals from its time, because the Nature blessed this place with natural stone protection.
The town was founded in 1482, and stayed the heart and soul of Montenegro till the end of the WW1. In Cetinje we will visit the Royal Palace of King Nikola II, the last King of Montenegro, with a beautiful small museum, as well as the Monastery of St. Petar. Also if time permitting, take a breathtaking drive up to the Mount of Lovcen, to visit the Mausoleum of Peter II Petrovic - Njego, the ‘absolute pride’ of the people of Montenegro.
Njegoš was the Ruler of the country in the second half of the 19th century. He was also the head of the Orthodox Church and a leading poet and writer, whose achievements are still taught in the schools of Serbia and Montenegro. The impressive monument on the top of Mt. Lovcen, where Njego is resting now (400 steps), is ‘marked’ with a statue.
From here we continue our drive through the mountains and first we will pass through Podgorica, the modern capital of Montenegro. Montenegro itself is very old but it became the youngest country in Europe by voting for its independence on 21st of May 2006. The capital city Podgorica is situated on the crossroads of several important roads of this area in the vicinity of the rivers Zeta and Moravia.
The name Podgorica it is mentioned for the first time in 1326. In 1946 the name was changed to Titograd and it became the capital of the Republic of Montenegro. The name Podgorica returned to the town in 1992. Today this is the largest town in the country and it is a cultural, social and political center. We will end our day-trip after arriving to Zabljak, a small village on the top of Durmitor Mountain, which lies at the very center of this vast and wonderful National Park.
Zabljak is located at 1456 m above sea level, which makes-it the highest town in the Balkans. It is surrounded by 23 hilltops, and there are 17 glacial lakes, known as the “eyes of the mountains“, the most famous being the Black Lake. Overnight: Hotel Jezera, Zabljak. (1 night) (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11: Zabljak / Durmitor / Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
After breakfast we will enjoy a day of driving through the wonderful sceneries of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. First we will pass through the Durmitor National Park all the way down to the Valley of Piva River. Then following the canyon and the river ‘squeezed’ between Mt. Durmirtor and Mt Maglic we will arrive to Scepan Polje, a little town nested on the banks of Tara River, one of me most beautiful treasures of Montenegro. This place is also famous as being the starting point for exciting river rafting.
Here we will cross the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina. This part of the country, however, it is called ‘Republika Srpska’, as being mainly populated by the Serbian ethnics of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Later in the evening we will arrive to Sarajevo. Overnight: Hotel Europa Garni, Sarajevo. (1 night) (Breakfast)
Day 12: Sarajevo / Mostar
We will begin our day by a walking tour in Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This magical town with all its charms will take you instantly back to Ottoman times. Here we will visit beautiful Ottoman mosques, old quarters and the authentic Turkish “carsija”, with its oriental sweets shops, cafes and traditional Bosnian food.
Sarajevo is also a living symbol of peaceful co-existence, where for over 400 years mosques, Orthodox churches, Roman-Catholic churches and Synagogues have been standing together. Afternoon we will continue our journey and have a picturesque drive along the Canyon of the Neretva River and through the Bosnian Mountains to Mostar.
Over the past centuries, the hands of time and the forces of conquerors have eroded, scoured, scraped and sculptured this masterpiece, "Mostar", that adorns Bosnia and Herzegovina. And here is the World-famous Mostar Bridge. The elegant white-marble "Stari Most" had been an emblem of a crossroads between East and West, Islam and Christianity, since its completion in 1566.
But in 1993, after surviving many conflicts through the ages, shelling by Bosnian Croat forces during the devastating war sent the bridge crashing into the Neretva River. The broken arch became a symbol of the division of Mostar between its Roman Catholic Croat inhabitants in the west and Muslims in the east.
Its reopening in 2004 is being seen as symbolic of the healing of divisions between Muslims and Croats. The 20 m high and 30 m long single-span original bridge it was built in 1566 by Ottoman architect Mimar Hajrudin and it was included in UNESCO's World Heritage list. Overnight: Hotel Ero, Mostar. (1 night) (Breakfast)
Day 13: Mostar / Trebinje / Dubrovnik (Croatia)
Today we leave Mostar and from the Bosnian Mountains we drive south to the Dalmatian Coast. First we will pass through the picturesque little town of Trebinje, where we’ll stop and see the famous Old Town area and later we will cross the border from Bosnia and Herzegovina into Croatia, before reaching our final destination of the day, Dubrovnik. Overnight: Hotel Argosy, Dubrovnik. (2 nights) (Breakfast)
Day 14: Dubrovnik
"Jewel of the Adriatic", Dubrovnik has a remarkable history. An independent, merchant republic for 700 years (abolished by Napoleon in 1806), it traded with Turkey and India in the East and had trade representatives in Africa; it even had diplomatic relations with the English court in the middle ages. Its status was such that powerful and rich Venice was envious of this Croatian-Slav city.
The old town was completed in the 13th century and remains virtually unchanged to the present day. Tall ramparts surround it and there are only two entrances to the old town, which lead to the Stradun, the city's promenade. We will enter the old town through the Pile Gate, and in front of us is the Stradun. Here will find the Onofrio Fountain, built in 1438.
On the right is the Franciscan Monastery, with one of the oldest functioning pharmacies in Europe, in operation since 1391. At the other end of the Stradun, we will find the locals' favorite meeting place, the Orlando Column, with the nearby Sponza Place and the baroque church of St. Blaise. Here is also the Rector's Palace, built in 1441, which is now a city museum packed with valuable and historic exhibits.
Opposite the palace through a narrow street is a square, Gunduliceva Poljana, which is the site of the busy morning market. In the same square is the Jesuit Monastery from the early 18th century. From here we can head for the little old town port and visit the city walls, built between the 13th and the 16th centuries, which encircle the city and which have been remarkably preserved. The afternoon will be free for us to explore on our own the city and souvenir shops. (Breakfast)
Day 15: Dubrovnik / Departure
After breakfast and an unforgettable Cultural Experience of the Balkans, we’ll be a transferred to the airport for our flight home. Or better continue tour with our connecting journey ‘Adria Amore’ from Dubrovnik to Venice (Italy). (Breakfast)
- End of our tour and services -
* Tour Size: This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 12 participants.
* Tour highlights & World Heritage Sites (WHS)
- Fortress of Kalemegdan, in Belgrade
- “Sarganska Osmica” – Train ride
- Studenica Monastery (listed WHS)
- Pristina with Gracanica (listed WHS) – Kosovo
- Ohrid (listed WHS)
- Roman Amphitheatre – Durres
- Berat - Albania
- Skanderbeg Museum – Kruja
- Mausoleum of Peter II Petrovic – Njegos
- Natural, Cultural and Historical Region of Kotor, Montenegro (WHS)
- Old City of Dubrovnik (WHS)
- The Mostar Bridge (WHS)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices for 2008
USD: 4,800.00 / CAD: 5,000.00 - per person in double occupancy.
Single supplement, USD: 570.00 / CAD: 600.00
Price includes:
- Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes
- Meals as mentioned (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- All sightseeing and transfers by AC cars
- Road taxes, parking fees, driver’s overnight wages
- Services of local English speaking guides
- Entrance fees to museums, parks and sites included in the itinerary
Price does not include:
- International airfares and airport taxes
- Insurance & visa fees
- Personal expenses / Beverages / Tips / Bills
- Services not mentioned above
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Albania
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Serbia
Cultural Journey
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