Western Balkans Discovery

8 Days / 7 Nights

Explore the timeless beauty of the Balkans on an unforgettable journey through North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Discover UNESCO World Heritage Sites, magnificent Ottoman landmarks, charming old towns, breathtaking landscapes, and centuries of rich cultural heritage.

Trip Experience Guide

Day 1

Arrival in Skopje (L, D)

Upon arrival, meet your professional tour guide and begin exploring Skopje, the vibrant capital of North Macedonia, where Ottoman heritage blends harmoniously with modern city life.

Your guided city tour includes:

• Kale Fortress

• Stone Bridge

• Macedonia Square

• Alexander the Great Fountain

• Feudal Tower

• Clock Tower

• Daut Pasha Hammam

• Kapan Han

• Kuršumli Han

• Old Bazaar

• Mother Teresa Memorial House

• Old Railway Station

Skopje is also home to several remarkable Ottoman mosques, including Mustafa Pasha Mosque, Sultan Murad Mosque, Yahya Pasha Mosque, and Isa Bey Mosque.

After lunch at a local restaurant, check in to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Skopje

Day 2

Skopje – Tetovo – Ohrid (B, L, D)

After breakfast, depart for the UNESCO World Heritage city of Ohrid, often referred to as the Pearl of the Balkans.

En route, stop in Tetovo to visit the spectacular Painted Mosque (Šarena Mosque), famous for its colorful floral decorations, followed by a visit to the historic Arabati Baba Tekke, one of the most significant Bektashi monasteries in the Balkans.

Upon arrival in Ohrid, enjoy lunch before discovering the city’s rich cultural heritage.

Highlights include:

• Old Bazaar

• Ali Pasha Mosque

• Ancient Plane Tree

• Upper Gate

• Samuel’s Fortress

• Ancient Theatre

• Church of Saint Sophia

• Church of St. John at Kaneo

• Church of Saints Clement and Panteleimon

• Ohrid Square

• Traditional Pearl Workshop

Optional Tour: Lake Ohrid Boat Cruise (€30 per person)

Check in to your hotel, followed by dinner.

Overnight: Ohrid

Day 3

Ohrid – Tirana – Shkodër (B, L, D)

After breakfast, cross the border into Albania and travel to the vibrant capital city of Tirana.

Enjoy a panoramic city tour featuring:

• Skanderbeg Square

• Skanderbeg Statue

• Et’hem Bey Mosque

• Clock Tower

• World Bektashi Center

Continue to Shkodër, one of Albania’s oldest and most historic cities.

Highlights include:

• Old Town

• Rozafa Castle

• Lead Mosque

• Fatih Sultan Mehmet Mosque

• Marubi National Museum of Photography

After the tour, check in to your hotel, followed by dinner.

Overnight: Shkodër

Day 4

Shkodër – Budva – Kotor – Dubrovnik (B, L, D)

After breakfast, continue along the spectacular Adriatic coastline toward Montenegro.

Enjoy a photo stop overlooking the iconic Sveti Stefan Island, one of the country’s most famous landmarks.

Proceed to Budva, where a guided walking tour includes:

• Budva Old Town

• Citadel

• Marina

• Medieval City Walls

• Njegoševa Street

• Dancer Statue

• Mogren Beach

After lunch, continue to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Kotor.

Explore:

• Square of Arms

• Pima Palace

• Beskuća Palace

• Maritime Museum

• Cathedral of Saint Tryphon

• Medieval City Walls

Later, continue to the Dubrovnik area for dinner and overnight.

Optional Tour: Lake Shkodër Boat Cruise with soft drinks and local appetizers (€25 per person).

Overnight: Dubrovnik

Day 5

Dubrovnik – Mostar (B, L, D)

This morning, discover the magnificent Dubrovnik, widely known as the Pearl of the Adriatic.

Your walking tour includes:

• Dubrovnik Old Town

• City Walls

• Onofrio Fountain

• Rector’s Palace

• Old Harbour

Continue to Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Arrive in the historic city of Mostar, where East and West have met for centuries.

Highlights include:

• Old Bridge (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

• Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque

• Ottoman Bazaar

• Traditional Turkish House

Continue to nearby Blagaj Tekke, beautifully located beside the crystal-clear Buna River.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Overnight: Mostar

Day 6

Mostar – Sarajevo (B, L, D)

After breakfast, depart for Sarajevo, one of Europe’s most fascinating multicultural capitals.

En route, visit:

• Vrelo Bosne

• Tunnel of Hope Museum

Following lunch, enjoy a guided city tour featuring:

• Baščaršija

• Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque

• Latin Bridge

• Sarajevo City Hall (Vijećnica)

• Traditional Ottoman Bazaar

Enjoy free time for shopping and personal exploration before dinner.

Overnight: Sarajevo

Day 7

Sarajevo – Travnik – Bihać (B, L, D)

Day 7 | Sarajevo – Travnik – Bihać (B, L, D)

After breakfast, travel to Travnik, the former Ottoman capital of Bosnia.

Explore:

• Travnik Fortress

• Sulejmanija Mosque

• Ibrahim Pasha Madrasa

• Varoš Mosque

• Blue Water (Plava Voda)

Continue through the scenic Bosnian countryside to Bihać.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Overnight: Bihać

Day 8

Bihać – Plitvice Lakes – Zagreb Airport (B)

After breakfast, depart for the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its sixteen crystal-clear lakes, spectacular waterfalls, and scenic wooden walkways.

Enjoy time to explore one of Europe’s most beautiful national parks before continuing to Zagreb.

If flight time permits, enjoy a short panoramic city tour including:

• Ban Jelačić Square

• Dolac Market

• St. Mark’s Church

• Lotrščak Tower

Transfer to Zagreb Airport for your departure flight, bringing your unforgettable Balkan Heritage Tour to a close.