contact@balkandestination.com
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Balkan Explorer

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Balkan Explorer

Location: Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia

Duration: 8 Days


Discover the Cradle of the Balkans! And Explore the rich history, diverse culture, and stunning landscapes of Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia. Get ready to be amazed by ancient relics, churches, monasteries, mosques, and historical sites that tell the story of this incredible region.
Highlights of the tour include:
Kosovo: Visit the UNESCO-listed, city of Prizren, the ancient ruins of Ulpiana, Caves, Gracanica Monastery - UNESCO, and the capital city of Pristina.
Albania: Explore the historical and beautiful cities starting with: Tirana, Kruja, and Berat - UNESCO, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Albanian Alps.
North Macedonia: Discover the stunning Lake Ohrid, the beautiful city of Ohrid - UNESCO, and the capital city of Skopje with its incredible blend of ancient and modern architecture.

This once-in-a-lifetime adventure is perfect for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike. Don't miss your chance to experience the best of the Balkans!

Important information: This tour is organized in two (2) options: 
1. As a private FIT tour. Choose the date you want and the tour will be organized just for you.
2. As a group departures. Join our groups according to the specified dates.


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From 949 €
Your Package Price
Day 1: Pristina Airport –Pristina - Prizren (1hour drive)

We welcome you at Pristina Airport and transfer to Prizren for overnight. Overnight at 4-star Hotel in Prizren

Clarification: If your arrival flight is in the evening, the itinerary will remain as it is, but if your arrival flight is in the morning and your return flight is in the morning, the visits on the last day will be transferred to the first day Itinerary.

Day 2: Prizren - Decan Monastery-Peja Patriarchate- Prizren (3.5 hour drive) B-D

After breakfast we continue to the Monastery complex of Decan, part of Kosovo’s UNESCO monuments. It is considered the largest medieval church in the Balkans and contains beautifully preserved fresco decorations. Continue to visit the Patriarchate of Peja constructed in the XIII century. It is composed of three small churches with beautiful frescoes. The complex of churches for its architectural and cultural values it represents is part of UNESCO. After these visits we drive back to Prizren which is known for the arts and crafts something which becomes obvious as soon as you approach the centre, with cobble stone streets, beautifully crafted shops, bars and restaurants, built in a typical Ottoman architecture Stone Bridge and Museum dedicated to the League of Prizren an Albanian political organization founded on January 5, 1877 taking official form on June 18, 1878. The League’s main scope was the protection of the rights of the Albanian nation during the breakup of the Ottoman Empire. It was a crucial step in raising Albanian national awareness, and paving the way to Albania’s Independence in 1912. The Mosque of Sinan Pasha built in 1615 is also a very interesting monument. A welcome dinner in a traditional restaurant in Prizren. Overnight at 4-star Hotel in Prizren

Day 3: Prizren – Gjakova - Koman Ferry –Tirana (approx. 4.5 hours’ drive) B-D

After breakfast we drive to Gjakova a town offering an old quarter called carshi full of old houses, shops, bars and the 16th century Hadum Aga Mosque. Continue on to Fierza ferry terminal where will take the ferry to Koman on the lake with the same name. A magnificent two hour ride where the beauty of the high pointed mountains falling sharply into the waters of the artificial lake of opal green waters, forms a natural panorama which will leave you gasping for air. After this spectacle of nature drive to Albania’s vibrant capital Tirana where we will have a traditional Albanian dinner. Overnight at 4*Hotel Tirana

Day 4: Tirana – Berat (UNESCO) – Tirana (approx. 3.3 hours’ drive) B

After breakfast take a driven tour of the major monuments and visit the Bunk’Art2, turned into a museum, the huge, anti-nuclear bunker in Center of Tirana, here you will learn about the regime of communism in Albania. Proceed to Berat, one of the most visited and characteristic towns in Albania under the protection of UNESCO as a patronage of humanity for its architectural uniqueness. We visit the Castle people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, as have their ancestors for centuries. The castle used to have over 40 churches of which 7 still remain including. We visit 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. Also visit Ethnographic museum. After the planned visit return for overnight at 4-star Hotel in Tirana

Day 5: Tirana- Lin - St. Naum Monastery-Bay of Bones-Ohrid (UNESCO) (approx. 3.3 hours’ drive) B-D

After breakfast depart to the city of Ohrid in neighbouring North Macedonia. On the way we drive through rural villages with wonderful countryside landscapes. We stop for a short break on some places like: the picturesque village of Lin. A fishing village at the foot of a hill on a peninsula. Lini's Palafit settlement in Pogradec, the oldest in Europe, was the Center where agriculture, crafts and fishing were developed 8500 years ago. Than continue to Tushemisht, a small village on the shores of Lake Ohrid, this place served as a natural setting for the filming of some of the greatest movies of Albania. As soon as we cross the border of Albania and North Macedonia, we visit: St. Naum Monastery and continues by driving to the Bay of Bones. Afterwards proceed to Ohrid proclaimed UNESCO World Heritage area for its cultural and natural legacy. Overnight in Ohrid at a 4-star Hotel. This evening we will have a Macedonian welcome dinner.

Day 6: Ohrid –Stobi - Popova Kula Winery–Skopje (approx. 4 hours drive) B-L

After breakfast we drive to Ohrid upper gate in order to make the planned visits as easy and attractive as possible. Visits include: Saint Sophia, Plashonik, Saint Panteleimon Church, the Holy Virgin of Peribleptos Church, and the old paper printing workshop. Also a panoramic trip with boat to see the best view of the city of Ohrid from the Lake. After this visits in Ohrid grab some quick lunch before we transfer you to visit Stobi archaeological site, the most important excavation in Macedonia. This crossroad of ancient civilizations has left a rich legacy of antique theatres, palace ruins, brightly-coloured mosaics and religious relics for visitors to enjoy today. The city of Stobi is first mentioned in documents from the 2nd century B.C. However, archaeologists believe that the town had been inhabited at least 400 years earlier. Then continue to the famous Popova Kula Winery located just west of the town of Demir Kapija on the slopes of Veliko Brdo, (the Grand Hill). Popova Kula Winery is certainly one of the success stories of Macedonian viticulture and here it is sometimes possible to taste from the fermentation tanks wine varieties such as; Stanushina a local grape variety found only in the Tikves region as well as Temjanika, Zilavka and Vranac grown in the ex-Yugoslavia territories. Late afternoon we will enjoy wine tasting degustation and a late lunch or early dinner, in Popova Kula. Than drive to Skopje which is a modern, political, economic and cultural Center. For Overnight at 4-star Hotel in Skopje.

Day 7: Skopje-Matka Canyon- Gadima Cave- Gracanica Monastery -Ulpiana- Pristina(approx 2.2 hours drive) B

After breakfast we take a walking tour of Skopje by visiting the Macedonia Square with numerous monuments like the monumental statue of Alexander the Great, the Stone Bridge and the old bazaar, memorial house of Mother Teresa (Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, winner of the Nobel peace in 1979, born in Skopje in 1910), also in 2016 declared a saint by Pope Francis. Then we drive to Matka Canyon, which is situated close to the capital Skopje, in one of the oldest artificial lakes in Macedonia and spreads over 5000 hectares making it one of the most popular natural destinations for nature lovers. It is also referred to as the Butterfly Canyon. Vrelo Cave Located on the right bank of the Treska River, Vrelo Cave was listed as one of the top 77 natural sites in the world in the New7Wonders of Nature project and made it to the semi-finals. Vrelo Cave has many stalactites and two lakes within it making this a very interesting site. Though the exact depth of the cave is unknown, some speculate that it could be one of the deepest underwater caves in the world. Afterward we drive to Gadime Cave, a karst limestone cave also known as Marble Cave. It was discovered by chance by a villager cutting stone in 1966 and remains largely unexplored. After that we proceed to ancient remains of Ulpiana, a roman town in the province of Dardania home top to the Illyrian tribe of Dardanoi, also known as Justiniana Secunda have been unearthed, testimony to Kosovo’s ancient past.Just nearby is Gracanica Monastary, beautifully preserved Orthodox Church of Byzantine architecture founded by King Stefan Milutin in 1321, which is part of the Kosovo Medieval Monuments protected by UNESCO. Proceed to Prishtina the capital city of Kosovo where we check in and overnight at a 4-star Hotel in Pristina.

Day 8: Pristina-Battle of Kosovo-Sultan Murad I Tomb-Pristina International Airport (approx. 45 min drive) B

After breakfast we start with a walking tour of Pristina through the capital exploring its main attractions including: The National Library, Mother Teresa Cathedral, the “New Born” monument which is becoming the symbol of this new state, the main pedestal area known as Mother Teresa Boulevard, the Mother Teresa monument and the Monument of Scanderbeg (Albanian National Hero) as well as Kosovo Government buildings. Just close by we have the old part of Pristina starting with the monument of brotherhood a monument constructed during the Yugoslavian time, the National Museum, The Clock Tower, the Imperial Mosque probably the most beautiful, being the Fatih Mosque dating back in 1460 during the golden era of Sultan Mehmet II. Its huge ceiling domed cupola crowns a splendidly painted floral interior of Arabesque design. After this we visit Battle of Kosovo monument dedicated to the battle of 1389 between a Balkan Alliance force led by prince Lazar against an Ottoman army led by Sultan Murad I. The battle was fierce and both leaders of the armies were killed in battle. Then continue further to visit the monument as well as the Tomb of Sultan Murad I. End of our services, after transfer to Pristina International Airport according to your flight schedule.


Prices

  899 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for 10- 24 participants group departure published prices

  949 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for   9- 10 participants

  955 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for   7-   8 participants

1050 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for    5-  6 participants

1080 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for    3-  4 participants

1495 Euro per person sharing a double or twin room for         2 participants

2350 Euro for 1 participant in a double room

Single supplement = 150 Euro.       
Please note:
Single rooms will always be double or twin for single use.

Transfers from and to the airport of Pristina with A/C vehicle as per your flight departures for Private Tours free of charge at any time.

Transfers from and to the airport of Pristina for Group Departure dates will be organized twice a day for free. 

First free arrival transfers between 12:00 - 13:00.

Second free arrival transfer between 21:00 - 22:00.

First free departure transfers between 10:00 - 12:00.

Second free departure transfer between 19:00 - 20:00.

Group Departures for: Balkan Explorer - with English Speaking Tour Guide. Group size up to 24 PAX per departure. The places are limited and will be reserved for customers who confirms the first. We can accept minimum 3 to 24 clients in every group departure’s, as per dates and price below:     

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Group 5

Group 6

Start date:   

08 May 2024

Start date:

22 May 2024

Start date:

05 June 2024

Start date:

04 Sep. 2024

Start date:

18 Sep. 2024

Start date:

09 Oct. 2024

End date: 

15 May 2024

End date:

29 May 2024

End date: 

12 June 2024

End date: 

11 Sep. 2024

End date: 

25 Sep. 2024

End date: 

16 Oct. 2024

Price: 899 Euro Per/Person for minimum 10 people in a group departure

Addition for single supplement: 150 Euro Per/Person

Group departures usually are: 10 up to 17 people

Min number of persons per group departure: 10 (but we can run the tour even with three (3) plus persons in the group departure please see below more information about this)

Max number of persons per group departure: 24

Small-Group Supplement. From 3 – 9 people. According to the group departure dates.

If we have only 3 - 9 participants booked for this trip we will apply a supplement for each category as below:

1. When we have only 3 - 5 people in the group the additional, Net fee per person will be    99 euro.

2. When we have only 6 - 7 people in the group the additional, Net fee per person will be    90 euro.

3. When we have only 8 - 9 people in the group the additional, Net fee per person will be    50 euro.

This additional cost is to run the tour according to the group departure dates. Extra Payment will be required only in cases if we don't have a minimum of 10 people in a group departure, 72 hours before the tour starts.

Included:

- Transportation with driver and good condition a/c vehicle / Bus / Minibus according to the itinerary

- Experienced English speaking tour guide for the whole tour (for less than 6 people in the group or private departures will be only one person as guide/driver)

- Local guides in Albania and North Macedonia (at the sites that are required by law)

- Accommodation in very good standard hotels with breakfast 4* (B stands for breakfast in the daily program)

- 3 Meals dinners (one in each country) (D stands for dinners in the daily program)

- 1 lunch with wine tasting at Popova Kula, North Macedonia (L stands for Lunch/wine tasting in the daily program)

- All Entrance fees of the visits in Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia

- Toll road payments

- Koman ferry ticket for clients and vehicle - depending on the size of the group we can use: Bus / Minibus or vehicle

- Tickets for a panoramic boat trip in Ohrid  

- Tickets for boat trip to visit Vrelo Cave in Matka Canyon

- Bottle of water per person per day on bus

- 24/7 assistance from Balkan Destination

- All taxes

Not Included:

- Flight Tickets (After booking the tour, we can also assist you with your flight tickets if you need assistance from us.)

- Boarder taxes between countries. (none exist as of date of completion of this offer)

- Lunches and dinners apart from those mentioned in included

- Gratuities/Tip to Driver, Guide, hotel and restaurant staff.

- Everything not mentioned in the “Includes” section

Extra Services if you need it:

Pre or Post Tour, price per night at a 4-star hotel in Prizren or Prishtina:

Single room: 65 €

Double/twin room: 80 €

Prices for Extra transfers from Prishtina Airport to Prizren Hotel for Pre Turing                

1- 3 persons - € 65.00 per transfer     

Private transfer from Prishtina to Prishtina Airport for Post Turing:

1- 3 persons - € 35.00 per transfer

Best months for tours

We recommend you booking this tour for one of the months: May, June, September and October. However, this tour can be booked also in other months as per your request, we arrange the tour during the 12 months of the year.

Group departure dates for 2024.  This tour you can book also as a private tour. You can choose any departure date you like, check the prices for private tours at FIT pricing.

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Group 5

Group 6

Start date:     

08 May 2024

Start date:

22 May 2024

Start date:

05 June 2024

Start date:

04 Sep. 2024

Start date:

18 Sep. 2024

Start date:

09 Oct. 2024

End date: 

15 May 2024

End date:

29 May 2024

End date: 

12 June 2024

End date: 

11 Sep. 2024

End date: 

25 Sep. 2024

End date: 

16 Oct. 2024



Cancellation Policy

Payment Conditions for Group Departure dates, for clients that book directly at our website.

1.1. THE CLIENT is required to pay Balkan Destination a deposit of 30% of the total amount at the moment he/she book the tour as per departure dates or Private tour (FIT) at our website.

1.2. The remaining 70% of the total amount must be paid to Balkan Destination LTD, no later than 30 days prior to start date of services of this tour group departure or Private (FIT) tour.

1.3. If you book this tour within 30 days before the tour starts according to the group departure dates or as per your departure date as a private (FIT) tour, we will require from you to pay 100% whole amount before the tour starts.

Cancellation Policy for Group Departure dates and Private Tours

For group tours of 6 people or more, the following cancellation policy will apply:

a. If the reservation is cancelled/amended 45 days or more, prior to the arrival date, then a full refund will be given, minus a bank transaction charges.

b. If the reservation is cancelled/amended 44 to 30 days, prior to the arrival date, a 10 % penalty of the total amount will apply.

c. If the reservation is cancelled/amended 29 to 21 days, prior to the arrival date, a 30 % penalty of the total amount will apply.

d. If the reservation is cancelled/amended 20 to 15 days, prior to the arrival date, a 50 % penalty of the total amount will apply.

e. If the reservation is cancelled/amended 14 to 7 days, prior to the arrival date, a 70 % penalty of the total amount will apply.

f. If the reservation is cancelled/amended less than 7 days prior to the arrival date a non-refund will apply.

g. In case of no shows or early interruption of services a strict non-refund rule will apply.

Cancellation for FIT/Individuals private bookings. FIT tours of 5 participants or less which have been confirmed paid and Invoice settled, can be cancelled without penalty up to 10 days prior to arrival date. Cancellations after this deadline will be charged 100% in full. Bank transfer for refunds will be the recipients’ responsibility.

Balkan Destination reserve the right to cancel any of the published tours on our site only according to fixed dates that are published for groups. When there are not enough participants on the relevant dates, in such cases, we may cancel the departure date by notifying the clients that already booked in a written notice, no later than 30 days prior to the start of the tour departure date. In such cases when we cancel a departure due to insufficient participants on the due date, the clients will be refunded all the money 100 % they have paid to us in total.




Total number of reviews:

Average stars of reviews:

P. Dixon
September 10, 2023, 4:33 pm

Not knowing much about Kosovo and the Balkans in general, first before booking we wrote some emails with some questions. Balkan Destination team has responded to all of our emails with exceptional speed and in a very professional manner. We joined this tour with a little hesitation, since it was our first time going to Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia. But we were pleasantly surprised with all the services we received from Balkan Destination. Anyone who is interested in this Tour, we say do not hesitate, it is worth every moment. While our guide was Arsim Rexhepi, who have been an top-class guide. absolutely informed, dear, patient, democratic, flexible and you're revealed the Balkans to us. A great tip, so many thanks, Arsim. And all the best for you and Balkan Destination in the future. P. Dixon

Balkan Destination Team
September 14, 2023, 3:18 pm

Dear Dixon, Thank you very much for your feedback and all your kind words for our staff and Company! All the best, Balkan Destination Team,



Joan
September 10, 2023, 3:49 pm

Dear Balkan Destination Team, Thank you very much for a lovely and interesting holiday, with lots of laughs. Thanks to our Guide, Arsim, I learned so much about Kosova especialy, and Balkans. I will definitely recommend this tour to my friends. It's wonderful to see how peaceful it is and how it has been modernised Kosova. Regarding Hotels: I Liked Hotel Opera a lot Kaçinari very nice too. Sulton good and Parlament too. Hotel Tino not great but the lunch was nice. Touring: All lovely though, I would like to see more of Prizren and Tirana. I would leave out the Komani fery and long drive, also leave out Monastery of St. John Bigorski. Instead go the other road to Skopje and visit the Matka Canyon. The boat trip there are shorter but very beautiful, the Restaurant There was lovely 2 years ago. And there is a lovely painted church at the boat pier : St Andrew. I wish all of you and our guide and your family, a very happy live. Thanks and best wishes. Joan PS. Almost forgot to say, how Patient you Arsim, have been!! And the surprises were apeal. Thank You!

Balkan Destination Team
September 14, 2023, 3:22 pm

Dear Joan, Thank you very much for your feedback and all your kind words for our staff and Company! We will take in consideration all your sugestion, hope to see you again. All the best, Balkan Destination Team,



John H
September 10, 2023, 2:08 pm

It was really a pleasure to join the Balkan Explorer tour, where we visited Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia. The tour was perfectly organized and all the participants in the group were very good, we thank you for that. I also like to thank you very much for a very enjoyable week with your staff, driver and Guide, Arsim. I learned a lot about the Western Balkans. Arsim and our driver took great care of us and the extra visits was much appreciated. This is a very beautiful part of the world and seeks to live in peace and harmony. Many thanks. John H.

Balkan Destination Team
September 14, 2023, 3:24 pm

Dear John, Thank you very much for your feedback and all your kind words for our staff and Company! All the best, Balkan Destination Team,



W Parshall
September 10, 2023, 1:35 pm

Dear Arsim, Thank you very much for a lovely tour of Kosovo, Albania and North macedonia. It was excellent organizet and very informative tour. I am now safely back in wet and windy, cold and sunless merry old England, Possibly the only thing more excellent during my week visiting the Balkans and your most informative guiding and our one-to-one conversations ranging from Greek mythology to Ismail Kadare, and to the U.S. Constitution, ect. During our one-to-one conversations, I mentioned a book that we academics call "required reading" which I think you will find very informative, particularly given your interest in the political environment and political history of the Balkans, a copy of which I am pleased to include herein: "The Revolt of The Masses" by the Spanish philosopher and political scientist José Ortega y Gasset. I look forward to our meeting again, probably during your visit to London in February or March when I would be pleased to have you Join me, for lunch at my London Club on Pall Mall, the Offord and Cambridge Club. In the meantime, All the best to you. Sincerly, Ward Parshall

Balkan Destination Team
September 14, 2023, 3:27 pm

Dear Parshall, Thank you very much for your feedback and all your kind words for our staff and Company! For sure Arsim will meet you again in London. All the best, Balkan Destination Team,



Your review

Group 1

Start date: 2024-05-08
End date: 2024-05-15
Price: 899/Person
Addition for single suplement: 150/Person
Min number of persons: 0
Max number of persons: 0
Description:

This departure date is closed, all seats are sold out. Please choose another departure date.


Group 2

Start date: 2024-05-22
End date: 2024-05-29
Price: 899/Person
Addition for single suplement: 150/Person
Min number of persons: 10
Max number of persons: 4
Description:

Only 4 more available places for this date.


Group 3

Start date: 2024-06-05
End date: 2024-06-12
Price: 89/Person
Addition for single suplement: 150/Person
Min number of persons: 10
Max number of persons: 24
Description:


Group 4

Start date: 2024-09-04
End date: 2024-09-11
Price: 899/Person
Addition for single suplement: 150/Person
Min number of persons: 10
Max number of persons: 24
Description:


Group 5

Start date: 2024-09-18
End date: 2024-09-25
Price: 899/Person
Addition for single suplement: 150/Person
Min number of persons: 10
Max number of persons: 24
Description:


Group 6

Start date: 2024-10-09
End date: 2024-10-16
Price: 899/Person
Addition for single suplement: 150/Person
Min number of persons: 10
Max number of persons: 24
Description: