Balkan Express - Southbound. Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Albania, N. Macedonia, Bulgaria

Itinerary:

Day 1. Dubrovnik - Herzeg Novi - Kotor (Croatia/Montenegro)
We meet our guide at our hotel in Dubrovnik before heading to Montenegro. After crossing the border, we will drive all day long on Bay of Kotor, which is often compared to to Italy's Cinque Terre and French Riviera. Our first stop is Herzeg Novi or Castlenuovo (New Castle) in Italian. A history of diverse occupations of the city has created a blend of mixed and picturesque architectural style. On the way to Kotor, we will have a short stop in Perast - rich in Venice style architecture, which includes sixteen Baroque places, seventeen Catholic churches, several important Orthodox structures and a series of nine defensive towers. Continue to Kotor. After check-in into the hotel, we will have a walking tour in Kotor, which includes fortress walls, St. Luka square, Beskuća Palace, St. Trifon’s cathedral. Overnight. -/-/-

Day 2. Kotor - Pec (Montenegro/Kosovo)
In the morning we will start with driving up the scenic road above the Kotor Bay, admiring some breathtaking views towards the Adriatic Sea. Then continue to the border with Kosovo. Overnight in the vivid town of Pec. B/-/-

Day 3. Pec - Prizren (Kosovo)
In the morning we will visit Visoki Decani Monastery - built by Serbian King Stefan Decanski in 14th century, the monastery is often considered to be one of the most endangered European cultural heritage sites. Today it is still guarded by KFOR. Then continue to the town of Prizren, the second largest city in one of the youngest countries in the world - Kosovo. Walking tour in the center of the town - Sinan Pasha Mosque, Our Lady of Ljevis, the Old Stone Bridge. Overnight. B/-/-

Day 4. Prizren - Tirana (Kosovo/Albania)
Drive to the capital of Albania, or as the ethnic Albanians call it Shqiperi - Land of eagles. Walking tour in the afternoon - Skanderbeg Square, which is the main square of Tirana, where the Albanian national hero's Monument dominates the surroundings. Tanner's bridge and also the residence of Enver Hoxha - the Albanian communist Chief of State, who managed to transform the country from a semi-feudal region of the Ottoman Empire into an industrialized economy with the most tightly controlled society in Europe. Free time. Overnight. B/-/-

Day 5. Tirana - Ohrid (Albania/Macedonia)
Today we are heading to Macedonia commonly known as FYROM. Our first stop is the monastery of St.Naum of Ohrid, which was established in 10th century A.D. Here we will enjoy the scenic view of Ohrid Lake. After this we are heading to city of Ohrid, which was included in Cultural World Heritage site of Unesco. We will spend the afternoon strolling along the shores of Ohrid Lake and roaming the narrow streets of Ohrid, where we will see Samuil’s fortress, the churches St. John Kaneo and St. Pantaleimon. Overnight. B/-/-

Day 6. Ohrid - Skopje (Macedonia)
The road will take us about 2 hours, when we are going to reach our first stop on the day itinerary. Admire the natural beauty of Matka Canyon - the oldest artificial lake in the country, also a home of several medieval monasteries. Check-in into the hotel in Skopje. Afternoon walking tour in the capital of Macedonia. Visit the Old Bazaar(the oldest and largest marketplace in the Balkans) and explore the architecture, and the curious and controversial statues around Macedonia Square. B/-/-

Day 7. Skopje - Sofia (Macedonia/Bulgaria)
Departure to Bulgaria’s capital – Sofia. Free time in the city. (250 km). B/-/-

Day 8. Departure
Our Balkan Express is over. Time for more 

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If you are interested in visiting the rest of the Balkans, please check the other half of the journey - Balkan Express - Northbound - here, or the whole itinerary for 14 days - Balkan Kaleidoscope - here.