10 Countries Visited
MUR 97 000 /Adult
Destination: Europe
Duration – 16 Days
Price : As From Mur 97 000
Start point: Athens
End point: Athens
Description:
Summary:
Expat Explore has developed this unique itinerary that enables you to experience the undiscovered treasures of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Dubrovnik, Belgrade, Sofia and Tirana await as you experience an unforgettable 16-day adventure! Offering incredible beaches, historic medieval walled cities, vibrant capital's and beautiful natural landscapes, this part of Europe really is a sight to behold.
Starting in Athens, you'll visit the ancient Greek city Delphi and the stunning natural landscape and monasteries of Meteora, before we explore Ohrid in Macedonia. Many of the cities in the Balkans have shaken off their communist past to transform into vibrant, fun cities, and you'll experience this for yourself as we visit Tirana in Albania, Belgrade in Serbia and Sofia in Bulgaria. Other highlights include the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik and the beautiful scenery of Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia, Budva and Kotor in Montenegro, the Stari Most bridge in Mostar and the Hungarian capital Budapest.
As with all Expat Explore coach tours, this tour is a guaranteed departure, and you will be accompanied for the duration by an experienced and passionate tour leader. Our tour busses are modern, comfortable and air-conditioned, and at each hotel we include free wi-fi in your tour package so you can stay connected and share all your incredible photos and memories with your friends and family while on tour!
DAY 1: Arrive in Athens
Welcome to Athens! If you arrive early enough, head into the city to see for yourself all the treasures this ancient city has to offer. Meet up with your tour leader at our hotel in the afternoon, and then enjoy an orientation tour of Greece’s capital. Tonight, you’ll meet the rest of the tour group at our included welcome dinner.
Experiences
Arrive in Athens and meet the tour leader and the rest of your group this afternoon. If you have time, explore Athens before the orientation tour and welcome dinner tonight.
Accommodation
Crystal City Hotel
Other Foods to try
Olive's have been an intrinsic part of Greek culture for thousands of years. Legend has it that Athena gave an olive tree to the city of Athens, thus gaining its favour. Olives are eaten in many different ways, including stuffed with peppers, and olive oil is of course used liberally in Greek cooking.
DAY 2: Delphi - Meteora - Kalabaka
Today we’ll head north through the Greek mainland, stopping off on the way in Delphi. In antiquity, Delphi was considered the “omphalos” (navel) of the earth, and the place where people from around the world would visit in order to receive an “oracle” from “Pythia”. We will admire the Sanctuary of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians and we will also visit the museum of Delphi. This afternoon we'll arrive in Meteora. The dramatic ‘columns of the sky’ were settled on by monks from the 11th century, and by the 1400s there were 24 in total. We’ll visit St. Stephen's Monastery, which was founded in 1400 by St. Antoninus Cantacuzene and is now a nunnery. This evening we'll stay in the nearby town of Kalabaka.
Experiences
Explore the ancient ruins of Delphi and the Archaeological Museum. Delphi is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in having had a major influence in the Ancient world, and you get the opportunity to see why for yourself.
Explore Meteora and its formation of Eastern Orthodox monasteries perched dramatically on massive monolithic pillars.
Accommodation
Hotel Kosta Famissi
Other Foods to try
Classic dips are a big part of any Greek meal - try taramasalata (fish roe), tzatziki (yoghurt, cucumber and garlic), melitzanosalata (aubergine) and fava (split pea purée).
DAY 3: Kalabaka - Ohrid
This morning we'll travel on into Macedonia and the undiscovered jewel of Ohrid. A UNESCO World Heritage Site on the shores of Lake Ohrid, this city is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe, and is notable for once having had 365 churches, one for each day of the year. We'll explore the Old Town on a guided tour, where you'll see the famous sights, including the Church of St. John at Kaneo, which is situated on a cliff overlooking Lake Ohrid. To finish off the day we'll enjoy an included dinner this evening.
Experiences
Guided tour of Ohrid - enjoy a tour of Ohrid's Old Town, and see sights including Upper Gate, Holly Maria, Antique theatre, Tsar Samoil Fortress, Plaoshnik, Church of St John at Kaneo and Church of St. Sophia.
Accommodation
Hotel Belvedere Ohrid
Other Foods to try
Burek is a delicious savoury puff pastry made of a thin flaky dough known as phyllo. Typical fillings include feta cheese, spinach, minced meat and potatoes.
DAY 4: Ohrid - Tirana
This morning we’ll leave Macedonia for its Balkan neighbour Albania, driving onto the capital city, Tirana. In a story typical of many cities in this part of Europe, Tirana has undergone a remarkable transformation, shaking off communism to become a vibrant, fun city. You’ll be introduced to the city on a walking tour, from the buildings painted in bright colours, to the architecture influenced by the Ottomans, Italians and of course communism. This evening, we will stay at a resort, where dinner will be included.
Experiences
Walking tour of Tirana, where you will see sights like Skanderbeg Square, Clock tower, Et’hem Beu Mosque, National Historical Museum, National Gallery of Arts and Tabak Bridge.
Accommodation
Hotel Te Stela Resort
Other Foods to try
Tonight there is an included dinner, where you will have the opportunity to sample traditional Albanian dishes. A typical Mediterranean style cuisine, it is influenced heavily by Italian and Turkish cooking.
DAY 5: Budva - Kotor - Dubrovnik
Heading north, we leave Albania behind and travel through Montenegro. Our first stop is at the picturesque coastal town of Budva, known for its well preserved medieval walled city, which you will have some free time to explore. We then make a comfort stop at the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Kotor. The old port of Kotor is surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period, and is a picturesque Mediterranean landscape. It is then time to make our way to the walled city of Dubrovnik in Croatia, where your tour leader will take you on an orientation tour of the old town to see the Franciscan Monastery, Dominican Monastery, Cathedral, Onofrio fountain, Orlando’s column, Sponza Palace, Rector’s Palace, Stradun and the City Walls.
Experiences
Explore Budva and Kotor in Montenegro, where you will have some free time to explore each of these historic towns.
This evening you'll enjoy an orientation tour of Dubrovnik, where you will be acquainted with this stunning medieval walled city. The city is a tapestry of spectacular architecture - including churches, monasteries, fountains and museums all of which you can explore on your own tomorrow during your free day.
Accommodation
Hotel Adriatic
Hotel Komodor
Other Foods to try
Try zelena menestra, a dish from Dubrovnik that has been around for hundreds of years - the oldest known recipe is from 1480. It consists of potatoes, prosciutto (thin, dry-cured ham), mutton, vegetables and potatoes.
DAY 6: Dubrovnik - Free day
You have a full free day to explore Dubrovnik's incredible history! Want the best views of the ‘old town’ and islands? Catch the cable car to the top of Mount Srdj and enjoy! It is highly recommended for a scenic sunset photo or two. Visit one of the city’s many museums; the Maritime Museum is one of the most popular, or maybe just browse the shops, including the traditional jewellery shops where you can find unique handmade silver or gold jewellery.
DAY 7: Mostar - Northern Croatia
Today you will travel to another country, Bosnia-Herzegovina and head to the town of Mostar. Mostar is an enchanting and historical town, and you will have some free time to explore the numerous religious buildings, and see the the Roman and Ottoman influences. After your time in Mostar, the coach will travel back into Croatia for an overnight stay.
Experiences
Visit Mostar: have some free time to explore this charming medieval Balkan town.
Accommodation
Hotel Vicko
Other Foods to try
Pasticada s njokima is known as the "Queen of Dalmatian cuisine" and is probably the most popular dish on the Dalmatian coast. Beef fillet is marinated for several days and then cooked low and slow, before being served with gnocchi. Your tour leader will be able to recommend the best place to try this delicious dish.
DAY 8: Plitvice Lakes - Ljubljana
Your European tour continues today with a mix of sublime scenery and a stunning Slovenian capital. Today you will be treated to some of the most picturesque natural landscapes in the whole of Europe. The Plitvice Lakes National Park is known internationally for its cascading lakes, waterfalls and dynamic landscape. We will take you into the reserve, so you can stroll along the boardwalks and marvel at the incredible natural scenery of Croatia’s largest national park. This is one of the most beautiful stops on the tour and is home to numerous rare animals, so make sure you have plenty of space in your cameras! After your brush with nature, it’s off to the pint-sized city of Ljubljana in Slovenia. A local guide will escort you on a walking tour of this fairytale city, pointing out the numerous bridges and brilliantly preserved baroque, gothic and medieval architecture. This evening you will have the option of joining the Slovenian evening optional excursion, a fun night of live music, singing and dancing with a three-course meal.
Experiences
Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park: a breathtaking region of natural beauty, the lush Plitvice National Park boasts some of Croatia’s best scenery. An incredible network of lakes and waterfalls, this is one of the tour’s highlights.
Walking tour of Ljubljana: your local guide will take you on a walking tour of this city, the capital of Slovenia where you will see the medieval old town, Preseren Square, City Centre, the Riverfront, Dragon Bridge and Cobblers Bridge. In your free time you may wish to see St. Nicholas Church built in the 13th century to honour St. Nicholas, patron of fishermen and boatmen and the present structure dates from 1701 and is a fine example of Baroque architecture.
Accommodation
Hotel Park
Other Foods to try
Croatian cuisine is heavily influenced by Italian and Mediterranean cuisine - plenty of fish, olive oil, vegetables and herbs. Pasta is very popular; manistra na pome (pasta with tomato sauce) is a staple.
DAY 9: Ljubljana - Budapest
Today we’ll cross into Hungary and head for the capital, Budapest a city cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Straddling the historic Danube River, Budapest is well preserved and boasts numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites - its natural geo-thermal springs are a highlight. Enjoy a driving tour of the city, and then use your free time this evening to explore, or join our optional excursion to the Széchenyi Medicinal Bath, one of the most famous icons of the city and Europe’s largest medicinal bath.
Experiences
Driving tour of Budapest: we meet the local guide who takes you on a driving tour of this fabulous city pointing out places of interest and imparting their local knowledge and history. You will experience amazing views from Gellert Hill and the Citadel, drive through the city to include a stop at Heroes Square, see Budapest Parliament, St Stephen Basilica, the State opera, Castle District and then drive along Andrassy Avenue crossing the river to stop at Matthias Church and Fisherman's Bastion area.
Accommodation
Ibis Heroes Square
Other Foods to try
Hungarian Goulash - a soup or stew of meat and vegetables, seasoned with paprika and other spices. With an origin tracing back to the 9th century, it’s a national dish of Hungary and has become an iconic symbol of the country.
DAY 10: Budapest - Free day
With traces of the past evident in the interesting and unusual details, this is your chance to get up close and personal with Budapest. Look out for remnants of the conflicts of WWII and the uprising of 1956, try Hungarian cuisine (so much more to it than just goulash), sample world-renowned wines, and soak your weary rambler’s bones in one of the city’s bath-houses – something Budapest has been known for since the Roman times, with some 123 thermal and 400 mineral springs from 14 different sources. Then, maybe catch the sunset with an evening stroll along the Danube.
DAY 11: Budapest - Belgrade
Saying goodbye to Budapest, we make our way to the Serbian capital of Belgrade. On arrival in Belgrade we’ll enjoy a tour of Serbia’s capital city with a local guide, who will introduce us to the city's highlights, including Republic Square, Bohemian Quarter (Skadarlija), Kalemegdan park and Belgrade fortress. This evening we'll enjoy an included dinner.
Experiences
Explore Belgrade with a guided walking tour. A fascinating place, Belgrade radiates gritty exuberance in its many architectural contrasts with socialist blocks set amongst more grandiose buildings. Belgrade is where the Sava River meets the Danube. Knez Mihailova (Prince Mihailo Street) is a pedestrian street with historical buildings on either side, with many grand coffee houses, and is protected by law as one of the oldest and most valuable landmarks of the city.
Accommodation
Hotel Park
Other Foods to try
A mix of oriental, central European and local Balkan cuisines. The food is typically 'heavy', with plenty of meat, vegetables and pastry.
DAY 12: Nis - Sofia
Our first destination today is a stop off in Nis, a historic city in south-eastern Serbia that was ruled by the Turks from the 14th-19th centuries. Included in your tour package is a visit to the Tower of Skulls, one of the most prominent reminders of its Ottoman past. We’ll then make our way to Sofia, where we’ll enjoy a driving and walking tour of Bulgaria’s capital city to introduce you to the main sights and help you plan for your free day tomorrow.
Experiences
Take a comfort stop in Nis, where we’ll visit the Tower of Skulls. During the Battle of Čegar, Serbian revolutionaries were attacked by Turkish forces on the outskirts of Niš. After the battle ended in a Turkish victory, a tower was constructed from the skulls of the killed Serbian revolutionaries.
Enjoy a walking and driving tour of Sofia.
Accommodation
Ramada Sofia City Centre
Other Foods to try
Like much of the Balkans, Bulgarian food shares similarities with the cuisines of Greece and Turkey, with tomato, cucumber, cheese salad (shopska salad), moussaka (musaka), filo pastries (byurek) and stuffed vine leaves (sarmi) popular.
DAY 13: Sofia - Free day
Enjoy a free day to explore Sofia. A young and city, the capital combines a pleasing east-meets-west atmosphere against a backdrop of contrasting communist and contemporary architecture. There’s a partially exposed 1,800-year-old Roman city to discover, plenty of relaxing green spaces, and a variety of churches and mosques to explore. Alternatively, the hiking trails of Mt Vitosha are a short bus ride away.
Optional Excursions
| Trip to Rila Monastery | €20 |
| * Stated prices and availability are subject to change. | |
DAY 14: Sofia - Thessaloniki
Today we head back to Greece, arriving in the northern port city Thessaloniki in the afternoon. Its compact size makes it a delightfully walkable city, which you’ll discover for yourself on an orientation tour of the historic centre. The tour will finish on the waterfront close to the famous White Tower, where you will find plenty of restaurants and bars to enjoy the evening.
Experiences
Enjoy an orientation walking tour Thessaloniki, and see historic sights like the Arch of Galerius, the old Byzantine walls, the Rotunda and the White Tower.
Accommodation
El Greco Hotel
Other Foods to try
There are many slight variations on the classic moussaka throughout the Mediterranean and Balkan regions, but they all have the same basic format: layers of aubergine, minced meat, tomato, onion and garlic. It is then topped with potato and a cheesy, bechamel sauce.
DAY 15: Thessaloniki - Athens
Today we’ll head south through the Greek countryside back to Athens. On our way we’ll stop off in Kamena Vourla, a small town on the south coast of the Malian Gulf, and a beautiful spot to grab lunch. On arrival in Athens we’ll check into our hotel before enjoying a farewell dinner on the last night of the tour.
Experiences
Comfort Stop in Kamena Vourla.
Farewell Dinner. Enjoy your final night on tour with your tour leader and fellow travellers, and take this opportunity to share contact details with your new friends!
Athens, Mykonos & Santorini bolt-on: extend your stay in Greece and explore the beautiful Aegean islands of Mykonos & Santorini tour! This tour starts on Day 15 in Athens, and includes ferry travel from Athens to Mykonos, where you’ll enjoy a three night stay. You’ll then spend three nights on Santorini, before taking an included flight back to Athens for your onward journey.
Accommodation
Crystal City Hotel
Other Foods to try
Greeks love their sweet foods as much as any other country. Most include honey and flaky pastry, including the classic baklava - layers of honey, filo pastry and ground nuts.
DAY 16: End of tour
After breakfast, your 16 day Balkan extravaganza concludes - unfortunately it is time to say your goodbyes to your fellow travellers. We hope you have enjoyed your tour with Expat Explore!
Experiences
Athens, Mykonos & Santorini bolt-on: extend your stay in Greece and explore the beautiful Aegean islands of Mykonos & Santorini tour! This tour starts on Day 16 in Athens, and includes ferry travel from Athens to Mykonos, where you’ll enjoy a three night stay. You’ll then spend three nights on Santorini, before taking an included flight back to Athens for your onward journey.
What’s Included:
•15 nights' accommodation in twin rooms with private en-suite facilities. Single travellers have the option to pay a single supplement to ensure a private room.
•Services of your Expat tour leader, who will be on hand with advice and tips to ensure that you get the most from your trip. You can also book any of the optional excursions available during your tour with your tour leader – please see the 'Essential Information' tab for more details.
•15 breakfasts, 8 dinners
•All taxes and fees
•Any public transport used as part of the tour (excludes free days)
•Modern air conditioned coach with reclining seats, TV for showing DVDs, and toilet.
•18 Experiences (including guided walking tours, orientation walks, driving tours of cities plus other exciting experiences)
•Free Expat Explore tour souvenir – a memorable gift of your once in a lifetime trip.
DEPARTURE DATE:
For departure dates and availability, Contact us for more details
Travel period:
Until Decembe 2023 - Departures already available for bookings. [Fluctuations Possible ]
Price beyond your travel date please feel free to contact us.
Click on the 'Book Now' button below to place your bookings.
Conditions:
EXCLUDES: AIRFARES | For Airfare quotes please contact us or you may use our FLIGHT BOOKING SYSTEM
Subject to availability - Surcharge may apply for peak periods . Minimum 2 persons per arrival [Single supplement applicable for single rooms]. Depending on the arrival & departure dates, the rate slightly varies. Tours mentioned in itinerary are included in the price displayed. However prices displayed DO NOT include the extra cost of the optional tours. Attractive rates available for groups. Please contact us for further information, special queries, special quotes and questions.
