ZAGREB – PLITVICE – TROGIR – SPLIT – DUBROVNIK – BUDVA – SHKODRA – TIRANA – OHRID – SKOPJE – KOLASIN – CETINJE – KOTOR – DUBROVNIK

This 13-day guided tour offers the unique sights of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia- in fact all the Balkan countries are included. Starting in the ancient city of Zagreb where we explore the old fortified centre and bazaars of the city, we move to the beautiful Plitvice Lakes and Trogir before arriving in the old port cities of Split and Dubrovnik. We then enter Montenegro, Albania and Macedonia, seeing the highlights of Budva, Tirana, Ohrid and Skopje. After an extensive visit to these countries we return to Dubrovnik for leisure time in this unique UNESCO listed city.

Includes
Arrival transfer from Zagreb Airport to hotel and departure transfer from hotel to Dubrovnik Airport, Accommodation in  3* and  4* hotels with breakfast and Dinner daily, except bed and breakfast only in Ohrid on Day 8,  Local guides for sightseeing tours of Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Tirana, Ohrid and Skopje Entrance fees to Plitvice Lakes National Park; St Lawrence Cathedral in Trogir; Diocletian’s Palace and St Duimus Cathedral in Split; Franciscan Monastery and Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik; National Museum in Tirana, St Sofia, St Clement and St Naum in Ohrid; Church of Holy Saviour and Monastery of St  Panteleimon in Skopje; Residence of the King Nikola I Petrović in Cetinje; St Triphun Cathedral in Kotor, air cond. Coach, Tour Escort

ITINERARY

Day 1:  Zagreb 
Upon arrival to Zagreb Airport, transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Plitvice
Morning city tour of Zagreb, including the fortified Upper Town, city's historical centre, St Mark's Church with its multicoloured roof, the Cathedral, Croatian National Theatre and University. Afternoon departure for Plitvice. Dinner and overnight in Plitvice.

Day 3: Plitvice
After breakfast departure for the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The sixteen lakes, each at the different level, are joined by a series of cascading waterfalls and are surrounded by dense forest. The Lakes are a natural phenomenon of rare beauty. Dinner and overnight in Plitvice.

Day 4: Trogir-Split
Morning departure for Trogir, where we visit the Cathedral of St Lawrence, and continue to Split. Here a guided city tour includes the Diocletian’s Palace, also listed by UNESCO, and the Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Split.

Day 5:   Dubrovnik
After breakfast, departure for Dubrovnik. A tour of this city includes visits to the Franciscan Monastery- with Europe's third oldest pharmacy, the Rector's Palace and the Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 6:  Dubrovnik
Day at leisure in Dubrovnik. Dinner and overnight.

Day 7:  Budva / Montenegro – Shkodra / Albania – Tirana
Departure for Tirana; we drive inland to Budva, known for its Old City encircled by walls dating from the Venetian period. Continue to Shkodra, once capital of the Illyrian Kingdom (3rdC. B.C.). Dinner and overnight in Tirana.

Day 8:  Ohrid / Macedonia
A morning sightseeing tour of Tirana includes Skenderbey Square, the Mosque of Ethem Bey, and a visit to the National Museum. Afternoon departure for Ohrid, driving via Elbasan and crossing the Macedonian border at Cafasan. Overnight in Ohrid.

Day 9:  Ohrid
A full day in Ohrid, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. On a morning tour we include the 11thC Church of St Sofia, the most eminent medieval monument in Macedonia with magnificent Byzantine fresco paintings, and St Clement Church with its icon of Annunciation. This is followed by a short drive to the 9thC AD Monastery of St Naum. Return to hotel, dinner and overnight.

Day 10:  Skopje
Morning departure for Skopje. On arrival visit the Kale Fortress, the Church of the Holy Saviour with its iconostas, the Old Bazaar and Stone Bridge. We then drive to the slopes of Vodno Mountain where we visit the Monastery of St Panteleimon with its 12th century iconostas and frescoes. Dinner and overnight in Skopje.

Day 11:  Kolasin / Montenegro
Morning departure for Kolašin, driving via Peć and Berane and along the impressive Morača River Canyon. Afternoon arrival to Kolašin located on the left bank of the river Tara at an altitude of 954m. The nearby Bjelasica Mountains are covered with dense pine forest. Dinner and overnight in Kolašin.

Day 12:  Cetinje-Kotor-Dubrovnik
Morning departure for Cetinje where we visit the King Nicholas Museum, once the residence of the Montenegrin king. Continue to Kotor, classified as a UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site, where we visit its Romanesque Cathedral dedicated to St Triphun, the city’s patron saint. We continue to Dubrovnik driving along the picturesque Bay of Kotor.  Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 13:  Dubrovnik
After breakfast transfer to Dubrovnik Airport.

Hotels (or similar) 
Zagreb:      International Hotel 4*
Plitvice:      Macola Hotel 3*
Split:          As Hotel 3*
Dubrovnik: Ivka Hotel 3*
Tirana:       Mondial Hotel 4*
Ohrid:        Metropol 4*
Skopje:      Continental Hotel 4*
Kolašin:      Bianca Resort & Spa 4*