Penguin Travel

Once upon a time people said that the Balkan were the “powder-keg of Europe”. Indeed, history is full of sudden burst of the strong Balkan passions. But wars are left in the past. We can now only enjoy the beautiful features of the sunny face of the Balkans – beautiful and preserved nature, old monasteries, cozy towns – a different and slightly old-fashioned Europe.
We propose to tour together several countries and see the most interesting places in each of them - Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo and Macedonia – all alike but at the same time very different in their own way. This is the place where Europe meets the Orient, where Christians and Muslims live together for centuries, where old traditions coexist with the rhythm of XXI century.

Tour highlights:
♦ Stari Ras - the old capital of the medieval Serbian state of Raska, that existed between the IX and XIII century. The fortress and the nearby monasteries of "Studenica" and "Sopocani" established in the XIII century, are under the auspices of UNESCO
♦ Belgrade – the capital of Serbia
♦ Mehmed Pasha Bridge near Visegrad, built in XVI century is under UNESCO auspices
♦ Sarajevo - the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina
♦ The town of Jajce – the capital of the Bosnian Kingdom in XIV and XV century
♦ Mostar whose old part is under the auspices of UNESCO
♦ Blagaj with the springs of Buna River and the Muslim sanctuary from XVI century.
♦ Dubrovnik - the masterpiece of the Adriatic, the sea and commercial rival of Venice, under the auspices of UNESCO
♦ The picturesque Kotor Bay and the town of Kotor, forming a beautiful ensemble of natural, historic and cultural heritage, under the auspices of UNESCO
♦ Budva and the Budva Riviera – a Montenegrin tourist center
Durmitor National Park with the canyon of Tara river - the second largest canyon in the world, under the auspices of UNESCO
♦ Visoki Decani Monastery with the largest medieval church in the Balkans, under the auspices of UNESCO
Matka canyon near Skopje
♦ The consular town of Bitola
♦ Ohrid - a medieval literary center and the last capital of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. Together with the Ohrid lake the town is under the auspices of UNESCO

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival in Sofia.

Day 2. Sofia – Kruševac – Stari Ras – Novi Pazar. Departure by a company bus to Serbia. Our first stop is in the old capital - the town of Kruševac. Then we will go to the center of medieval Serbia - Stari Ras with Studenica and Sopocani monasteries. Overnight in the town of Novi Pazar.

Day 3. Novi Pazar – Belgrade. A walking tour of the center of the Serbian capital - the old part of town, the fortress "Kalemegdan" overlooking the influx of Sava and Danube rivers, the Republic Square with the National Theater and the National Museum. Overnight.

Day 4. Belgrade – Visegrad – Sarajevo. We will head off to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Close to the border we will see the famous bridge of Mehmed Pasha near Visegrad, praised in the novel "The Bridge on the Drina" of the Nobel laureate - Ivo Andrich. A walking tour through the center of the Bosnian capital - Sarajevo, whose mosques and old Turkish bazaar with shops and cafes still keep the traditional oriental atmosphere of the region. Overnight.

Day 5. Sarajevo – Jajce – Mostar. We will start for the medieval town of Jajce. Then, we will continue to Mostar, famous for its old houses and old bridge, a symbol of peaceful coexistence of different cultural and religious communities in the Balkans. Overnight.

Day 6. Mostar – Blagaj – Dubrovnik. Our next goal is Dubrovnik in Croatia. But on the way will stop by in the little town of Blagaj and the Muslim Tekke at the springs of Buna river. Arrival in Dubrovnik. A walking tour of the historic part of town - the Pile Gate and Stradun Street, the Franciscan Monastery, the Dominican church, the Sponza Palace, Rector’s Palace, "St. Blaise" cathedral. Overnight.

Day 7. Dubrovnik – Kotor – Budva. Our tour of the Balkan countries continues with Montenegro. After crossing the border we will head off to the famous Kotor Bay with the old towns of Perast and Kotor. A walking tour in Kotor – fortress walls, St. Luka square, Beskuća Palace, St. Trifon’s cathedral. We will spend the evening and will stay for the night in the historic and resort town of Budva.

Day 8. Budva – Podgoritza – Tara canyon – Peć. In the morning we will start for the Montenegrin capital – Podgorica. After a walk in the center we will continue our way to the Durmitor National Park and the Tara river canyon. After we cross the border with Kosovo we will visit Visoki Decani Monastery near Peć, where will spend the night.

Day 9. Peć – Pristina – Skopje. After seeing Pristina – the capital of Kosovo – we will continue to Macedonia. In Skopje we will walk through the old neighborhood, see the Stone Bridge, the fortress, the bazaar. We will also make a short trip to Matka canyon. Overnight.

Day 10. Skopje – Bitola – Ohrid. We will head off to the consular town of Bitola. After a walk along its main street with beautiful buildings, we will go to Prespa Lake, then to Ohrid Lake. A visit to St. Naum Monastery located on the coast of the lake. We will spend the afternoon and the evening roaming the narrow streets of Ohrid, where we will see Samuil’s fortress, the churches St. John Kaneo and St. Pantaleimon. Overnight.

Day 11. Ohrid – Sofia. Departure to Bulgaria’s capital – Sofia. Free evening programme.

Day 12. Departure.

Included in the price: ► all transport according itinerary ►group transfers from/to Sofia airport on day of arrival/departure ► English speaking tour leader from Penguin Travel and local guides on spot ► overnights in comfortable 3*** hotels - all overnights are based on double (single) rooms with private WC/shower ► breakfast (11 days)

Not included: ► meals other than breakfast ► flight tickets ► Private transfers: Sofia APT - Sofia center: 15 EUR (per vehicle) ►tips, insurances ► alcoholic drinks and other personal expenses ►entrance fees (payable in cash on spot)

Other expenses: ► Single supplement: 200 Euro 

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