Where it all started…. Balkan tour – Montenegro – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Albania – Macedonia – Serbia
Explore the spectacular Pre-Historical and Roman sites of the Balkans….. Montenegro – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Albania – Macedonia – Serbia
Day 1 Arrival Podgorica-Tivat-Dubrovnik airport
Welcome by professional guide and transfer to Kotor area 4 stars hotel. Welcome dinner and overnight.
Day 2 Kotor – Stolac – Daorson – Radimlja necropolis -Trebinje
After breakfast full day excursion to Bosnia and Herzegovina for sightseeing of the wonderful sites of the impressive Stolac old town, the Daorson megalithic site, the Radimlja and Boljuni necropolis of stecaks – Medieval tombstones /UNESCO heritage/. If time permits, optional visit to the beautiful Vjetrenica cave on our way to Trebinje 4 stars hotel, where we stay this night, after nice traditional dinner with wine tasting.
Day 3 Trebinje – Risan – Stari Bar – Podgorica
After breakfast drive to Risan in the breathtaking Adriatic coast of Montenegro for tour of the Roman mosaics and the boat ride to the Gospa od Skrpjela Island with the Holy Virgin on the Rocks Cathedral, while enjoying magic panorama of the Kotor Bay. Continue along the coast to Stari Bar and sightseeing of one of the rich cultural layers and impressive historical remains of one of the largest archaeological sites in the Balkans. Dinner and accommodation in Podgorica 4 stars hotel.
Day 4 Podgorica – Shkoder – Apollonia site – Tirana
After breakfast sightseeing of the historical Doclea site. Drive on to Albania and tour of the impressive Rozafa Fortress in Shkoder, dominating the historical area of the Buna – Bojana River and the Skadar Lake. Dinner and accommodation in Tirana 4 stars hotel.
Day 5 Tirana – Elbasan – Pogradec
After breakfast tour of the National History Museum in Tirana, with optional tour of the Durres amphitheater. Continue to Apollonia site – city which flourished during the Roman time. Drive on direction Macedonia to Pogradec, today beautiful tourist center on the shores of the wonderful Ohrid Lake which has been inhabited since the late Neolith period (6000-2000 BC), when a small settlement was formed by the shore of the lake in the eastern part of the modern city. Break for visit to the wonderful Roman mosaics in Lyn. Dinner and accommodation in 4 stars Pogradec hotel.
Day 6 Pogradec – Ohrid
After breakfast tour of the Bay of Bones prehistorical settlement. Continue to the Trebeniste village for visit to the archaeological site and nectropolis where famous golden masks were excavated. Afternoon tour of the historical core of Ohrid – the Saint Sophia Cathedral, Antique Theater, Episcopal Basilica, Saint Clement’s Church of St Panteleimon at Plaosnik. Optional visit to the green market and the Ohrid pearls workshop for presentation of well-preserved technique of jewelry manufacture. Traditional dinner, overnight in 4 stars Ohrid hotel.
Day 7 Ohrid – Bitola Heraclea Lyncestis – Stobi
After breakfast drive to Bitola and tour of the Heraclea Lyncestis archaeological site, well preserved city from the Ancient Macedonian Empire named after the Greek hero Heracles, believed to have been founded in the 4th century B.C. by the Philip of Macedonia and conquered by the Romans two centuries later /in 168 BC/. Tour of the impressive Stobi archaeological site which best represents crossroads of civilizations, built on the vital trade routes that led from the Danube to the Aegean Sea, that connected Via Egnatia and Via Militaris /Via Axis/ and Via Diagonalis, and traversed Macedonia in its days, making it important strategically as a center for both trade and warfare. Accommodation and big traditional dinner and wine tasting at the Stobi Winery.
Day 8 Stobi – Kokino – Upliana – Pristina /Gracanica
After breakfast drive direction Serbia with optional tour of the Kokino megalithic observatory. Drive to Ulpiana archaeological site near Pristina, and sightseeing of the most important Roman and Byzantium settlement of the Moesia Superior, covering some 70 hectares. Tour of the Gracanica Monastery – UNESCO Heritage site, built in the 13th century on the foundations of the former early-Christian basilica dating from the 6th century. Accommodation and big traditional dinner in 4 stars Pristina-Gracanica hotel.
Day 9 Pristina/Gracanica – Plocnik site – Caricin grad site – Leskovac
After breakfast drive direction north to the impressive Caricin grad – Iustiniana Prima – the Empress Town site, one of the most significant Early-Byzantine towns in the interior of the Balkans from the 6th century. Break for visit to the Plocnik Neolithic site, for touring one of the most important localities of the Vinca culture flourished from 5500 to 4000 BC on the territories of what is now Bosnia, Serbia, Romania and Macedonia. Interactive presentation of the oldest techniques of metal melting, under supervision and assistance of local curators-archaeologists. Continue to Iustiniana Prima site, and sightseeing of the huge historical complex founded by Emperor Iustinian. Accommodation and big traditional dinner in Leskovac 4 stars hotel.
Day 10 Leskovac – Felix Romuliana site – Zajecar
After breakfast drive partially along the highway and further along beautiful landscape of East Serbia to Zajecar and tour of, the UNESCO Heritage site of Felix Romuliana with the Palace of Emperor Galerius. Tour of the National Museum which displays unique mosaics and items of this important Roman site. Accommodation and dinner in 3+/4 stars Zajecar area hotel.
Day 11 Zajecar – Lepenski vir – Viminacium – Belgrade
After breakfast drive along the Danube River course which used to have numerous strongholds that protected the famous Roman Danube Limes. Tour of the spectacular Lepenski Vir archaeological site, dating from the Mesolithic period, known as the “Cradle of Civilizations”. This site emerged on the Danube river shore some 10000 years ago and is known for its unique trapezoid-shaped huts whose entrance was turned towards the river, with rectangular fireplaces. Continue to the Viminacium Archeological Park and sightseeing. ‘Roman refreshment’, dressing up Roman togas – photo session. Drive to Belgrade, accommodation in 4 stars centrally located hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 12 Belgrade – Sirmium site – Belgrade
After breakfast transfer to Sremska Mitrovica for visit to the Imperial Palace of the Sirmium Archaeological Park – once prosperous and powerful Roman city. Return to Belgrade for tour of the ancient Roman Singidunum – ancient city beneath the present impressive Kalemegdan fortress, on the confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers, which later evolved into modern Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Farewell dinner with music-folklore performance. Overnight.
Day 13 Belgrade departure
Free time after breakfast until transfer to Belgrade Airport, departure flight and end of tour-services.
PACKAGE PRICE PER PERSON – DBL/twin room sharing: Minimum 6 participants EUR; minimum 7-10 participants EUR; Minimum 11-15 participants EUR; Single supplement :
Included : transportation with high-tourist-class AC van/minibus/bus; 1 BB in 4 stars Kotor area hotel; welcome dinner; 1 BB in 4 stars Trebinje hotel; dinner and wine tasting in Trebinje; boat ride in Boka Bay; 1 HB in 4 stars Podgorica hotel; 1 HB in 4 stars Tirana hotel; 1 HB in 4 stars Pogradec hotel; 1 BB in 4 stars Ohrid area hotel; dinner in Ohrid; traditional dinner and wine tasting at Stobi Winery; 1 HB in 4 stars Pristina/Gracanica hotel; 1 BB in 4 stars Leskovac hotel; traditional dinner in Leskovac; 1 BB in 3+/4 stars Zajecar area hotel; traditional dinner in Zajecar; 1 HB and 1 BB in 4 stars centrally located Belgrade hotel; farewell traditional dinner with folklore performance; entrance fees for sites and localities included in the itinerary; 24 hours support and professional guidance of Panacomp Wonderland Travel LCC Serbia;
APPLICATION DEADLINE : 120 DAYS PRIOR DEPARTURE
