from 1,680.00€
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Tirana to Dubrovnik / Split; Semi – Private Tour with Dedicated Tour Leader & Car

Not Rated

Duration

8 Days

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

8 people

Languages

___

Overview

Number of PersonsPrice / Person
Group Price 8+ Pax1680 €
Group Price 2-7 pax2100 €
Solo Traveler Price3990 €

Explore the rich countries of Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina on this wonderful small group Balkans Tour.   This 8-day tour of the Balkans in a small group offers the possibilities of walking through the old streets in Budva and Kotor, visit the old bazar of Kruja and admire the breathtaking Stari Most bridge.

Important information:

* All participants are responsible for having their own health/travel insurance.

*Please ensure you bring your passport or travel document with you during the trip.

* Single Supplement: To guarantee tour departure even for one participant we require a single supplement. If other participants join this tour, you will be refunded 50% of the single supplement amount (945 Euros) and your room occupancy will still be private. We organize small groups up to 8 pax. Please contact us if you are a larger group of participants for a quotation.

*Kindly note that visa requirements are the responsibility of each traveler and Choose Balkans cannot advise on different requirements or restrictions.

* Please note that prices are calculated on double/twin/triple/quadruple room occupancy in 3 star hotel accommodation.

* Single room occupancy is possible at an additional 50 Euros per night per person in 3 star hotel accommodation.

* Hotel upgrade is possible on extra charge.

* Children pricing: Age 0 – 1.99 Free of charge; Age 2+ full fare.

* Choose Balkans reserves the rights to add other participants in and during the tour program. If you are interested in a private tour, please contact us for a quotation.

* Private tour is possible at an additional 480 Euros/person.

* Tour’s schedule or itinerary may be affected/adopted due to; weather, Acts of God, labour strikes, bank holidays, site temporary closure/renovation or other external forces outside the Company’s control.

*On request this tour may also depart from other cities of Albania or neighboring countries such as Kosovo, N. Macedonia or Montenegro. Please contact us for more information on the extra costs.

*Please note that Choose Balkans needs to receive the net (full) quoted amount. Transaction and payment fees are on the sender (you in this case). We will notify you with a print screen of the amount received at our account as soon as we receive your down payment.

*Please note that Credit/Debit card payments are possible at our office in Tirana and apply a 5% bank commission.

*If you confirm to book this tour or any other service offered by Choose Balkans, via Choose Balkans official channels; email/facebook/whatsapp/phonecall or any other form of communication it means that you have read and agreed to the terms &conditions.

https://choosebalkans.com/terms-conditions-tours/

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • Local fresh vegetables market in Tirana
  • Çam Bazaar in Tirana
  • New Bazaar in Tirana
  • Skanderbeg Square in Tirana
  • Bicycle Bazaar in Tirana
  • Local Neighborhoods in Tirana
  • Communist Museum Theme Bar in Tirana
  • Kruja castle
  • Old Bazaar in Kruja
  • The Etnographic Museum OR Skanderbeg Museum in Kruja
  • Dollmës Tekke in Kruja
  • The bazaar in Prizren
  • The castle in Prizren
  • The Archeological Museum and its tower in Prizren
  • Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren
  • Old Bazaar in Gjakova
  • Monastery of Decan
  • Rahovec Valley
  • Mrizi i Zanave Agrotourism Farm
  • The fortress (Kalaja e Rozafes)
  • The Great Mosque in Shkoder
  • The pedestrian street (Pedonale) in Shkoder
  • The Catholic Cathedral in Shkoder
  • Venetian Mask Factory
  • Viewpoint of Sveti Stefan
  • Old historical center of Budva
  • St. Ivan church in Budva
  • The small church of St. Mary in Budva
  • Saint Luke’s church in Kotor
  • Old Town of Kotor
  • Blagaj
  • Stari Most bridge
  • Old Bazaar of Mostar
  • Bišćevića Kuća
  • Sarajevo old town
  • Latin Bridge in Sarajevo
  • Divani Coffee in Sarajevo

Itinerary

Day 1 Local Food and Walking of Tirana
Day 1 Local Food and Walking of Tirana

We will start these 8 days adventure in the Balkans by discovering Tirana, the capital of Albania. Meet with your local companion to offer you a unique experience across the city, while passionately sharing our culinary treasures. Make sure to come with an empty stomach and get ready for a delicious adventure.
Our first stop will be at a small local place that only locals know how to find. Here we will have the chance to try Byrek, a classic Albanian specialty made of thin layers of dough filled with cheese, meat, spinach, or other ingredients. The journey then leads towards Çam bazaar, here you can buy all kinds of goods from clothes to kitchen equipment and bargain with the sellers for a cheaper price.
With your local companion by your side, you will have an insight into the hidden alleyways and bustling street markets of Tirana. Here you will have the possibility to try fresh, seasonal fruits, vegetables, and other local flavours, while experiencing daily life up close.
The tour will continue through the charming neighborhoods of Tirana; observe the daily lives of the city's residents, admire colorful buildings, and get a feel for the authentic atmosphere. We will visit a lively market, known for second-hand goods of all kinds. Don’t be shy, explore the market and hunt for any pre-loved item that catches your interest.
The next stop of our local adventure takes us to the New Bazaar, where an array of culinary delights awaits us. We will sit down for a traditional Albanian meal prepared with regional specialties.
To wash it all down, we will also taste the famous Albanian Grape Raki. As we Albanians say, there is nothing that Raki can’t fix!
Now that you have seen Tirana from a local’s perspective, enjoy some free time to explore the vibrant capital on your own. Overnight in Tirana

Day 2 Tirane - Kruje – Prizren (Kosovo)
Day 2 Tirane - Kruje – Prizren (Kosovo)

After breakfast we will drive to Kruja, a historical city symbol of the Albanian resistance against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire during the XV century. Kruja is situated in central Albania on a rocky mountainous terrain about 560 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Sarisalltik Mountain. Walking through the narrow streets and the wooden houses of Kruja’s Medieval Old Bazaar (one of the biggest and oldest in Balkans) gives you a sense of a passage through the history. This is the best place to shop for souvenirs in Albania, from typical to more unique and handmade souvenirs such as carpets, jewelries etc. The castle of Kruja (built during the 5th century A.D.) is strategically placed on the top of a rocky hill, making it difficult for the enemies to attack. The tour leader will take you through some hidden paths, used by the locals to leave the castle without being noticed during periods when the enemies surrounded the castle.
We will cross borders towards Prizren, considered as the cultural capital of Kosovo, mixing its rich history, incredible nature, religious tolerance and gastronomic delights. Prizren has played an important role in the region as an Illyrian settlement and a crossroad for the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, contributing to the unique architecture of the city. The river flows through the heart of the old town and under the many bridges that crisscross the city. If you are looking to experience a lively international experience you should visit Prizren during August when the medieval city becomes home to one of the most famous short film festivals in the world named Dokufest. The best way to explore the town is by wandering through the streets passing by elegant medieval houses that fight for your attention. Filigree artisanal techniques for precious metals are Prizren’s joy and pride. Don’t miss the unique experience of shopping in one of the many filigree shops of the town, where you are welcomed to also see the metalsmithing magic happen. If you have to choose just one mosque to visit then visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, rich in arabesque colour and pattern. The view from the fortress on the hill above the town offers a great panorama of this astonishing town. Free afternoon in Prizren. Overnight in Prizren.

Day 3 Prizren – Gjakove - Decan – Vineyards near Rahovec – Prizren
 Day 3 Prizren – Gjakove - Decan – Vineyards near Rahovec – Prizren

After breakfast we will continue our tour towards Gjakova. The city has the oldest and largest bazaar of Kosovo. Even though, it got destroyed during the first Balkan wars, the second world war and the Kosovo war, the bazaar got rebuilt again to its old state and is a nice place to enjoy a meal or to take a look at the stores that sell traditional handmade crafts from local artisans and producers. Don’t hesitate to explore the artisan workshops, where you can watch traditional crafts being made using techniques passed down for centuries. Our next destination will be the Monastery of Decan. This one stands out for its white colour, but even more remarkable is the fact that Orthodox monks still inhabit the monastery and make fresh organic food there, such as cheeses. The monastery became part of UNESCO in 2004 because of its frescoes, which portray the lives of people during the 14th century as well as the Palaeologan renaissance that changed the way of Byzantine painting. Before returning back to Prizren we will drive towards Rahovec Valley, known as the capital city of viticulture in Prizren. There is evidence that in this region grapes have been cultivated since Illyrian times, 2000 years ago. Vineyards are positioned in the soft hillocks of Rahovec in altitude from 350 -520 meters of the sea level making Rahovec an ideal spot to produce high quality fine wines. A wine festival takes place in Rahovec annually every September. Overnight in Prizren

Day 4 Prizren – Mrizi i Zanave Agro Tourism (Albania) – Shkoder
Day 4 Prizren – Mrizi i Zanave Agro Tourism (Albania) – Shkoder

Our first destination for today is one of the best slow food Agro-tourism farms in the Balkans. We will take a tour around the farm. In addition, we will learn about the story of this farm and how it created jobs for more than 400 people in the surrounding area. The farm collects, elaborates and preserves regional bio fresh local products. We will also learn how this family business adapted some old communist buildings to serve as storage for local-made bio products. You will have some free time to enjoy a traditional lunch or buy some fresh produce products from the farm.
In the afternoon we will drive towards Shkodra, situated in the north-western part of Albania, giving its name to the biggest lake in the Balkans. It is one of the oldest cities in Albania, with a history of a thousand years of habitation. We will visit Rozafa castle offering tremendous scenery of the lake and the three rivers melting all together towards the Adriatic Sea. Shkodra’s architecture is a fusion of Illyrian foundations, Ottoman tradition and Venetian elegance. Most of the guests are surprised to learn that the majority of the Venetian masks are handmade and produced in Shkodra. During our visit, we will stop at the city’s unique Venetian Mask Factory, one of the most fascinating artistic workshops in Albania. Inspired by Venetian traditions, this small factory handcrafts exquisite papier-mâché masks, each one painted and decorated entirely by hand. The vibrant studio is filled with color and creativity, where every mask tells a story, from classic Venetian carnival styles to imaginative modern creations. Overnight in Shkoder

Day 5 Shkoder – Sveti Stefan (Montenegro) – Budva– Montenegrin Riviera
Day 5 Shkoder – Sveti Stefan (Montenegro) – Budva– Montenegrin Riviera

Our first destination for today is Budva in Montenegro, before getting there we will make a stop at the view point near Sveti Stefan, historically a fishing town on a small island near the coast. However, nowadays it is not possible to visit the island anymore as it has turned into an exclusive residential resort. Even while standing on the coast, Sveti Stefan is a sight for sore eyes – worth a picture. We will drive towards Budva, a popular tourist destination, famous for its beaches, gorgeous nature and old characteristic buildings. The city is separated between an old and new part. On one hand, in the New Budva, there are many modern buildings, offices, shopping malls, restaurants and bars. On the other hand, in the Old Budva, there is the historical centre and many sights to visit, such as the St. Ivan church, the small church of St. Mary and the medieval splendours of the old town, which we will visit on this tour. Overnight near Montenegrin Riviera

Day 6 Montenegrin Riviera – Kotor – Blagaj – Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Day 6 Montenegrin Riviera – Kotor – Blagaj – Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Today we will head towards Kotor, UNESCO world heritage site. The city is a maze of narrow, cobblestone streets crisscrossing the old town. The intention was to confuse intruders who came to plunder the town, while nowadays it characterizes the city. Many of the old buildings and churches have small plaques on it with their dates of construction and original use. We will visit the Saint Luke’s church which has a great significance for the locals because it represents unity to them.
From Montenegro, we will cross the border to Bosnia & Herzegovina and we will visit Blagaj, a little bit outside of Mostar. On the foot of a cliff, with beautiful blue waters in front of it, Blagaj is a small Ottoman medieval town with its stunning nature and imposing spring of river Buna.
Later head towards the city of Mostar. Our first stop will be the iconic Old Bridge also known as Stari Most, part of UNESCO world heritage and built in a typical Islamic architectural style in the 16th century. We will also wander through the Old Bazaar with its colourful streets and lively atmosphere. The city has stones with “Don’t Forget” all around the town, commemorating the city’s history. Mostar combines the old with the new, which you will notice while wandering through the streets. We will also visit the Bišćevića Kuća, one of the finest examples of Ottoman residential architecture in the region. Built in the 17th century and beautifully preserved, this riverside house offers an intimate glimpse into the lifestyle of a wealthy Ottoman family. Overnight in Mostar.

Day 7 Mostar – Sarajevo – Mostar
Day 7 Mostar – Sarajevo – Mostar

After breakfast we will drive from Mostar to our next destination Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today’s itinerary includes walking on uneven terrain, while visiting some of the ruins during our Sarajevo tour. You can still see many reminders of the Yugoslav War in bullet holes and cannon marks all around town. The tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We will visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem. We’ll make sure to visit the Latin Bridge and learn the story about how WWI was triggered right here, in the heart of Sarajevo. The bridge received its name because it connected the right bank of the Miljacka with the Catholic quarter of the city, which was informally called "Latinluk" in Ottoman times. We will finish the tour at Caffe Divan to enjoy the famous Turkish coffee or tea, offered to you as a complimentary treat from us. It is an ideal moment to unwind and take in the local atmosphere. In the evening, enjoy a leisure stroll through the charming streets of the city. You can enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants offering local dishes. Overnight in Mostar.

Day 8 Transfer Day to Dubrovnik or Split (Croatia
Day 8 Transfer Day to Dubrovnik or Split (Croatia

This is the last day of this adventure marking the end of this amazing experience through the rich history and culture of this part of the World. Right after breakfast our local representative / driver will shuttle you to the nearest point of your hotel within Dubrovnik Town (Please note that cars may not enter some parts of Dubrovnik Town) or Split We hope this has been a wonderful experience with great memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Included/Excluded

  • BB (Accommodation and Breakfast) for all overnights in 3 star hotels
  • Private transport provided by the company
  • Professional tour leader
  • Hotel drop off in Dubrovnik Town (Please note that cars may not enter some parts of Dubrovnik Town) or Split
  • Tirana Local Food tour in day 1
  • One Ottoman Style Coffee or Tea in Sarajevo in day 7
  • Entry tickets for the ‘’will be visited’’ sites
  • Tourist taxes
  • International car insurance
  • Road taxes
  • Petrol
  • Lunches, Dinners, Drinks & Snacks
  • Souvenirs
  • Personal spending
  • Everything that is not mentioned in the included
  • *If you have enjoyed your experience, tipping is a wonderful way to show gratitude for your tour leader / driver efforts and dedication

Epic journeys

BB for all overnights
Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off
Personal Tour Guide
Road taxes
Tourists taxes

Tour's Location

from 1,680.00€

Inquiry

Organized by

Choose Balkans

Member Since 2020

Information Contact

Email

[email protected]

Website

https://choosebalkans.com/

Phone

+355684400400

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