
Balkan Explorer
Discover Macedonia and get a taste of Bulgaria and Kosovo
-
Reviews 2 Reviews5/5
-
Vacation Style Holiday Type
-
Cultural
-
-
Activity Level Leisurely
-
Group Size Small Group
Discover the rich history of Bulgaria, Macedonia and Kosovo, where influences from the East and West collide. This trip showcases some of the cultural highlights of a less visited region of the Balkans, famous for ancient civilisations, UNESCO world heritage monasteries and the vibrant, laidback capital cities of Sofia and Skopje. Having been under numerous occupations throughout the ages, both Bulgaria and Macedonia have an eclectic history where Ottoman, Communist and Roman rule have all left their mark. But a visit to this region of the Balkans would not be complete without experiencing the contrasting natural beauty it has to offer; national parks, waterfalls, famous wine regions and the peaceful alluring Lake Ohrid are all part of this comprehensive itinerary.
* All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners
* 9 nights comfortable hotels, all rooms en suite
* Airport Transfers (at designated times)
Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Min age 16 yrs
- Flights
- Single Accommodation (available on request, inquire for supplement)
Highlights
- Discover Skopje and Sofia- two of the Balkan’s most vibrant capitals
- Bulgaria’s UNESCO world heritage Rila Monastery
- Macedonia’s Tikvesh wine region and alluring Lake Ohrid
- Visit Prizren, Kosovo’s culture capital
- Natural beauty, ancient sites and traditional Balkan cuisine
- Day 1 Start in the afternoon at the hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria. After the main briefing, there will be a 2 hour walking sightseeing tour of Sofia.
- Day 2 Transfer to Melnik stopping at UNESCO sites Boyana Church and the famous Rila Monastery en route. Free afternoon upon arrival into Melnik.
- Day 3 Morning visit to the Smolare waterfall. After lunch transfer to the wine region of Tikvesh for evening wine tasting via the ancient town of Stobi.
- Day 4 Morning visit to archaeological site and town of Heraclea Lyncestis. Transfer to city of Bitola after lunch and enjoy a walking tour and visit the old bazaar.
- Day 5 Pelister N.P, lunch in Dihovo, transfer to Lake Ohrid
- Day 6 Morning visit to the Vevcani Springs, followed by lunch in the village; Free afternoon in Ohrid.
- Day 7 Morning visit Tetovo Mosque. Afternoon walking tour of Prizren.
- Day 8 Transfer to Skopje visiting the Monastery of Gracanica along the way. Late afternoon arrival into Skopje, followed by walking tour.
- Day 9 Free morning in Skopje before transferring back to Sofia.
- Day 10 End Sofia.

Hotels
Please be advised that the accommodation listed under each day in each location are the standard hotels used. However, there may be some departures where groups stay at similar hotels of the same standard and quality.
All hotels have en suite facilities and offer free Wi-Fi.
Single supplements are available on request.
All breakfasts, 2 lunches and 2 dinners are included.
Food in the Balkans is quite varied thanks to the many regional influences, particularly Mediterranean combining Ottoman, Oriental and European tastes. Many corners of the Balkans have popular dishes with the same names but often have big differences in taste. Dairy products, especially milk and yoghurt are present in many dishes. Grilled meats are very popular with pork and lamb being prevalent in Macedonia and Bulgaria. Pastries, pies, salads and fresh vegetable dishes are a staple of the Balkan diet.
Macedonian wine is incredibly good value, especially wines from the Tikvesh region. Rakija, similar to brandy, is very popular and often locals make their own. Mastika, a liquor, is considered the national drink of Macedonia and is usually poured over ice and enjoyed with a selection of small dishes.
Vegetarian and some special dietary requirements can be catered for but options are limited throughout the Balkans. Please inform our office of any specific requirements upon booking.
The Activity Level of this trip is 1- Leisurely.
This is a cultural discovery trip with some walking, required both to access the sites and to make the most of the trip. The city tours are on foot. Travel is by private bus, generally on good roads and there are some long drives due to the distances covered on the trip.
Package Confirmed Dates | Trip Status Trip Status | Price (PP) Excluding Flights | Price (PP) Including Flights | |
---|---|---|---|---|
May 20, 2021
|
Available |
$2,299.00 |
N/A |
|
June 10, 2021
|
Available |
$2,299.00 |
N/A |
|
June 24, 2021
|
Available |
$2,299.00 |
N/A |
|
July 8, 2021
|
Available |
$2,299.00 |
N/A |
|
August 12, 2021
|
Available |
$2,299.00 |
N/A |
|
September 2, 2021
|
Available |
$2,299.00 |
N/A |
|
September 16, 2021
|
Available |
$2,299.00 |
N/A |
Great trip
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Hard to choose from such a full trip but my personal highlights were Rila Monastery , Lake Ohrid (and the cathedral tortoise), the morning/lunch at the beekeeper's and the night at the winery.What did you think of your group leader?
Nebojsha was a great; friendly, organised and incredibly knowledgeable.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
We had limited time in Sofia and Skopje so if I were to do the trip again I would consider adding an extra night or two to the trip to have more time in one or both cities. Be prepared for the very generous portion sizes - you will not be hungry on this trip!Great way to explore the region
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Every place we visited had its own charm. Lake Ohrid was fantastic. It is beautiful yet not so crowded. We had some free time there and I had the chance to go for a short swim in the lake. I was very pleasantly surprised by Skopje. It is beautiful!What did you think of your group leader?
Nebojsha was very knowledgeable, calm and friendly. He liked to socialise with the group which was appreciated.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take a waterproof jacket, the weather can be unpredictable, and a swimming costume to take advantage of the spa hotel in Skopje and/or to swim in Lake Ohrid. Make sure you have enough space on your memory card.Is there anything else you would like to add?
It is worth practising the Cyrillic alphabet before you travel.