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T795 Tourcode :GRPBAL1 | | Group Tour: Best of Albania, Montenegro and Serbia | Tirana – Vlore – Kruja – Shkoder – Bar - Podgorica - Kotor – Budva – Bar – Novi Pazar - Nis - Novi Sad - Belgrade
10 days / 9 nights | | Day 1 | Tirana Airport – Vlore (Albania)
Welcome to Albania. Meet our guide and transfer by bus to Vlore, where Albanian Independence was proclaimed. On the way we stop at the Monastery of Ardenica, supposed to have been built in the Middle Ages, as argued by a stone in entrance dating back to 1417. In fact it is said that Scanderbeg was married at the small chapel of Ardenica. Today inside the church you can admire icons dated 1743-1745, painted by Albanian artists such as Konstandin and Athanos Zografi, as well as Konstandin Shpataraku. Proceed to the ancient city of Apollonia situated on the famous Via Egnatia - one of the most important cities in Roman times. Due to its fame and importance it was known as Apollonia Prima out of 16 ancient cities built to honour Apollo. Caesar chose to send his nephew Augustus Octavian to study oratory in Apollonia revealing the importance of this ancient city. Afterwards we continue to Vlora where we visit the Independence Museum, situated in the original house where the first Independent Albanian Government had its offices and the Muradie Mosque, one of the early works of the great architect Sinan. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Vlora.
| | Day 2 | Vlore (Albania)
After breakfast we will go to the port and take a daily Boat trip to the Blue Cave and enjoy a Sazanit island tour. Late afternoon return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Vlora. | | Day 3 | Vlore – Tirana (Albania)
After breakfast check out and transfer to Berat, called the 1001 window city. Berat is one of the most visited and characteristic towns in Albania under the protection of the UNESCO as a patronage of humanity for its architectural uniqueness. In Berat we visit the Castle and the Onufri Museum. The Berat castle is of particular interest as people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, as did their ancestors for centuries. The castle used to have over 40 churches of which 7 still remain including St. Mary’s church turned into Onufri Museum. Onufri was a famous Albanian Icon master painter of the 16th century who painted many orthodox churches in Albania and Greece, using a special red colour. After our tour we drive by bus to Tirana. Check in, Overnight and dinner in Tirana. | | Day 4 | Tirana – Kruja – Shkoder – Bar - Podgorica (Montenegro)
Early morning we drive bus to the Shkoder lake and take a Lake Boat Tour. Later we proceed to Montenegro and our first visit will be Bar. Explore the ruins of the old town, visit one of the oldest olive trees in the world and sun worship on the beaches. Bar represents a modern town that is expanding every day. Although it is a port town, it is amazingly clean and has many developed green areas. Around it there are many tourist attractions. The old town of Bar, Haj Nehaj Fortress, with the remnants from the 15th century fortress and the castle of King Nikola, represent the historic and cultural monuments of this town. Enjoy lunch in between and we will continue towards Budva. Budva – the town of summer theaters and festivals, the location of the most beautiful beaches and night life. Once a small and quiet coastal town, today Budva is a metropolis of Montenegrin tourism and one of the loudest and most packed towns at the Montenegrin coast during the summer. Its life began on the headland two and a half millennia ago and has poured out of the ramparts towards luxurious yachts, new buildings, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs where amazing fun awaits. Budva has its own Hawaii – an island opposite the city with beautiful beaches, ice cold refreshments and seafood specialties. In the evening on the promenade along the beach you will be overwhelmed by the loud music that comes from the cafes, the laughter and screams of children from nearby amusement parks, the scent of the sea mixed with the aroma of delicious BBQ, and beams of light from the disco that stroll through the sky. Budva is a big light show. Evening check in at the hotel. Dinner & Overnight at Podgorica. | | Day 5 | Podgorica – Kotor Bay Boat tour (Montenegro)
This morning after breakfast enjoy a boat tour of Kotor bay in Boka Bay, one of the world’s 25 most beautiful bays and protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, undeniably most impressive when approached from the sea. Due to its unusual look, the bay is often called Europe`s southernmost fjord, but it`s a submerged river canyon. The bay is composed of 4 smaller bays - Tivat, Herceg Novi, Risan and Kotor bay. The narrowest part of the bay, Verige strait, divides it into the inner and outer part. Boka Bay glows with amazing calmness and peace. Sailing on the ice-like calm surface of the Adriatic sea will lead you through the picturesque nature, rich history and marvelous architecture. The steep cliffs of Lovcen and Orjen mountain massifs upraise above the thin coastline watching over the beauty of the bay, protecting it of the cold northern winds. During the winter while the mountains are covered with snow, the yellow flower mimosa blossoms and attracts a lot of visitors with its sweet scents to the traditional Mimosa festival in the Bay of Herceg Novi. The whole bay is a big botanical garden, a habitat of plants and flowers from all over the world: Mediterranean fruits, olives, chestnuts, agave, palms, oleander, even bananas. The waves of the sea whisper the stories about great rulers, noble families, famous captains and sailors of the Boka bay.
This bay was a great shelter of many rulers since ancient times, who contributed the establishing of settlements by building their palaces, summer residences, churches, harbors and shipyards. The Illyrian and Roman Empire established the first little town Rhizon (Risan) and decorated their palaces with various mosaics. The Venetian Republic held the inner part of the bay for four centuries and protected it from the Ottoman invasions. In the 19th century the Austrian- Hungarian empire converted the whole Boka bay into the military port, built a military shipyard and brought their big vessels into the bay. Even the Ex-Yugoslav army used this bay as the important military base. If you take a boat ride in the most beautiful Bay on the Mediterranean, our guide will show you the traces of its stormy history. Dinner & Overnight at Podgorica. | | Day 6 | Podgorica – Kotor – Budva – Bar – Podgorica (Montenegro)
Today morning after breakfast we shall continue our journey to the beautiful town of Kotor. Kotor is a masterpiece of fortifications between the gray mountains and the sea, veiled its life behind the high and wide ramparts. Its bulwarks seem to have been eternally growing rock tendrils along the hill, up to the old fortress that overlooks the town. It is a dramatic town where the present lives in the maze of medieval churches, cathedrals, Venetian palaces and pillars. Kotor is made up of contrasts – the old squares with modern cafes, the sounds of serenade and live music, the echo of the footsteps down the narrow cobblestone alleys and the lazy purr of cats lying under the balconies with wrought iron railings, decorated with petunias. After visit of Kotor we shall proceed to Cetinje. The old royal capital of Montenegro is a town rich in history and culture. During King Nikola’s reign many embassies were built - they give it today’s specific looks. Two of the most representative buildings are the Monasteries of Cetinje and Biljarda. After visit of Cetinje we will return to the Capital of Montenegro, Podgorica. Dinner & Overnight. | | Day 7 | Podgorica – Novi Pazar (Serbia)
After breakfast enjoy a tour of the town of Podgorica. Check out. Proceed to the Monastery Ostrog, a spectacle of nature and human interaction, carved almost in its entirety in a vertically positioned mountain cliff. It is today the pearl of Montenegrin spirituality which is visited by more than a hundred thousand pilgrims from around the world and of travelers of all religions every year. After the visits descent to the Skadar Lake, considered one of the most beautiful natural parks in the region with wealth of flora and fauna. Move then to Novi Pazar called on local language Sanzdak (Sancak). We will visit the St.Apostoles Monastery, the Studenica monastery, the Altun-Alem Mosque, the old city and Sebil. Transfer to the hotel. Check in. Afternoon free time at the Spring Hot Water Bath (Hammam), time for relaxation. Dinner & Overnight. | | Day 8 | Novi Pazar – Nis - Belgrade(Serbia)
Breakfast. Check out. We will start our morning with Niš sightseeing and visit of Mediana, located at 5km from the city center, which is now a protected archeological site that occupies 40 hectares and exhibits the remnants of a granary, a craft centre, villas, thermae and the remains of an ancient villa with rich mosaics, most of which depict geometrical or floral motifs. After visiting the Chegar Hill, we go back to the Nis where we have a lunch in one of the local restaurant. After Niš we proceed to Belgrade. Check-in, dinner & overnight. | | Day 9 | Belgrade – Novi Sad – Belgrade
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll go on a full day trip to Novi Sad, the main administrative centre of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Situated on the shores of the Danube north of Belgrade, Novi Sad is a picturesque, friendly city in Serbia`s Vojvodina province. Serbia second largest city boasts the impressive 17th century Petrovaradin Fortress, which features beautiful courtyards, walkways and a system of underground tunnels. Lunch in a local restaurant. Return & overnight in Belgrade. Folklore group (optional). Overnight and dinner in Belgrade. | | Day 10 | Belgrade
Breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport. Departure.
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| Price will be soon updated | The price includes:
- 2 nights hotel accommodation at Vlore Hotel Kraal 4* or similar - 1 night hotel accommodation at Hotel Dora Residence 4* in Tirana or similar - 3 nights hotel accommodation at Resurs Hotel or Budva or Podgorica 4*, or similar - 1 night hotel accommodation at Hotel Aqua Spa 4* or similar in Novi Pazar - 2 nights hotel accommodation at Hotel Elegance 4* or similar in Belgrade Other inclusions: - Daily Breakfast - 8 lunches at local restaurant - 9 dinners at restaurant - English speaking guide through the itinerary - Airport transfers - Transportation by modern A/C vehicle according to group size - Entry fees to the mentioned sites in below itinerary - Boat transfers (Economy Class) | The price does not include:
- Personal Expenses - All International & Domestic Flight Tickets - Drinks at Meals - Tips for Guide & Driver - Visa & Insurance - Porterage at hotels & airports - City taxes - Any other services not mentioned above - Domestic ticket (Estimated ) | ID: T795, Tourcode :GRPBAL1 | |
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