Tirane – Elbasan - Ohrid (UNESCO) (North Macedonia)

Elbasan - Begin the day with breakfast before heading to Elbasan, a historically significant city known as “Via Egnatia” during the Roman Empire, connecting Rome-Naples-Bari-Durres-Elbasan-Ohrid-Thessaloniki-Istanbul. Enjoy a city tour visiting Elbasan Castle (dating back to the 4th Century BC), The Clock, The Ethnographic Museum, Church, and The Old Mosque.

Ohrid - Continue to the picturesque city of Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Sveti Naum Monastery, offering stunning views of Lake Ohrid towards Albania. Discover its blend of western and oriental architecture, including the Orthodox Cathedral, the 11th-century church of St. Sofia, and the Roman theater.

Bitola (UNESCO) (ancient Heraclea) - Edessa. (164 km, 2 h 55 min).

Bitola Museum - After breakfast, travel to Bitola, passing through Resen and the largest apple orchards in the Balkans. Visit the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, Macedonia’s best-preserved ancient city, established in the 4th century BC and later conquered by the Romans. Heraclea Lyncestis is renowned for its exquisite mosaics, antique theater, and Roman baths. Initial excavations began post-World War I, revealing the city’s significance and beauty, including the Roman baths, Episcope basilica, Synagogue, portico, and Roman theater, which now hosts plays and concerts.

Edessa Waterfalls - Visit Edessa and pause at the waterfalls to enjoy the breathtaking view.

Pella - Thessaloniki (UNESCO). (94 km, 1 h 40 min).

Archaeological Museum of Pella - After breakfast, proceed to Pella, an ancient Macedonian city in Greece, famed as the historical capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon and the birthplace of Alexander the Great. The Archaeological Museum of Pella is located on the ancient city’s site.

Thessaloniki City Center - Continue to Thessaloniki, a prime destination for both short and extended holidays. Thessaloniki is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its numerous Byzantine monuments and is a vibrant modern European city. Explore Galerius Arch (Kamara), Rotunda, Archaeological Museum, St. Demetrius church, Roman Forum, Our Lady “of the Coppersmiths” church, Bey Hamam Baths (Paradise Baths), church of Holy Wisdom, Museum of Byzantine Civilization, and the White Tower.

Kavala - Alexandroupolis. (302 km, 3 h 25 min).

The Castle of Kavala - After breakfast, head to Kavala. Kavala’s charm is enhanced by its location on a mountain slope, with white city houses and terraces descending to the sea, alongside a scenic embankment featuring old and modern houses, museums, beautiful beaches, taverns, shops, and picturesque spots. Kavala has long been a popular tourist destination in Greece. Enjoy a walking tour in the Old Town through ancient cobblestone streets, visiting the old Castle, a medieval fortress with four towers, and the central tower offering a stunning view of the city and the Aegean Sea.

Tekirdag (Turkey) - Istanbul (UNESCO). (302 km, 3 h 50 min).

Istanbul Cevahir Mall - Continue to Istanbul, a major Turkish city straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City showcases cultural influences from various empires that once ruled here. Explore the historic Old City, featuring Istanbul’s top attractions: the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.

Istanbul (UNESCO).

Istanbul Duty Free - After breakfast, enjoy a Bosphorus Boat Tour. Spend the afternoon exploring the city at leisure, with opportunities for shopping at numerous souvenir shops.

Edirne (UNESCO). (254 km 2h 55 min)

Plovdiv (UNESCO) (Bulgaria). (177 km 2h 15 min).

Plovdiv Old Town - This morning, travel to Plovdiv, the “City of the Seven Hills.” Plovdiv is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, known as Philippopolis in the 4th century B.C. in honor of King Philip II of Macedonia. Today, Plovdiv is a cultural hub and was named European Capital of Culture for 2019. Stroll through Plovdiv’s Old Town, The Ancient Roman Theater, Kapana Creative District, The Roman Stadium, The Longest Pedestrian Street in Europe, and The Secretive Tobacco Town, once the heart of Bulgaria’s tobacco industry.

Sofia. (144 km 2h 15 min).

Sofia History Museum - After breakfast, depart for Sofia. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the Bulgarian capital, an 8500-year-old city dubbed “My Rome” by Emperor Constantine The Great. Visit fascinating sites: the forum of Ancient Serdica (the city’s old name) with recent Roman-era archaeological discoveries displayed near the Bulgarian presidency. Next, visit St. Nedelya square, where four worship buildings of Bulgaria’s main religions are located together: the Orthodox Church St. Nedelya, the Catholic church, the Synagogue, and the Mosque, forming a quadrangle symbolizing religious harmony in Bulgaria. Continue to “Alexander I” square, home to the Royal Palace and the National Theatre, “Tzar Osvoboditel” boulevard, the Parliament, the Church of “St. Sofia” (meaning wisdom), which gave the city its name, Sofia University, and the “Alexander Nevski” Cathedral.

Skopje (North Macedonia). (244 km 3h 30 min).

Old Bazaar, Skopje - After breakfast, proceed to Skopje. Upon arrival, embark on a city tour. Explore the landmarks of Skopje’s old part, starting with the Skopje Castle on a hill, offering views of both the old and new parts of Skopje. Continue walking towards Mustafa Pasha Mosque (1492) and the Church of Holy Savior (18th Century), then to Skopje’s Old Bazaar, known for its architectural blend of churches, mosques, inns, baths, numerous craftsmen’s shops, old buildings, restaurants, pubs, and small shops.

Ulpiana (Kosova) - Gracanica Monastery (UNESCO) - Prishtine (177 km 2h 3 min).

Ulpiana - After breakfast, drive to Pristina, stopping first to visit the ruins of Ulpiana, an ancient Dardanian-Illyrian city from the Roman invasion period of the 1st century, once a powerful city in the Balkans.

Gracanica Monastery - Later, visit the magnificent Gracanica Monastery, one of Kosovo’s most beautiful sites, featuring impressive frescoes.

Pristina - Continue to Pristina, Kosovo’s capital, for a walking tour exploring the city’s main sites, including the Orthodox Church and the Carshi Mosque, dating back to the early 15th century.

Peja - Gjakova - Prizren. (160 km 2h 55 min)

Patriarchate of Pec - After breakfast, depart for Peja city. Peja is situated at the base of the majestic Damned Mountains (Bjeshk’t e Nemuna), along the Bistrica River and at the entrance of the Rugova Gorge. Peja is the primary economic and cultural center of northern Dukagjin and a renowned tourist resort in the region.

Albanian League of Prizren Museum [Muzeu Lidhja Shqiptare e Prizrenit] - Continue to Prizren, arguably Kosovo’s most charming town, with well-preserved Ottoman-era buildings. Visit the castle, one of the Balkans’ oldest (nearly 3 millennia old), built to protect the city from attacks, the ornate Bajrakli Mosque, and the old Turkish Hammam, among other attractions. Prizren is a highlight of any Kosovo visit, and witnessing the old town’s houses in the soft light of sunset is a true delight.

Kukes (Albania) - Rubik.

Kruje - Tirana.

Kruja Castle - After breakfast, head to Kruje. Explore the medieval city of Kruja, visiting the castle, the impressive Skanderbeg Museum, the Ethnographical Museum, and shopping in the Old Bazaar, with mosques from the Ottoman era.

Tirana - Continue to Tirana, Albania’s capital. Visit Skanderbeg Square, dedicated to Albania’s national hero, the Mosque of Ethem Bey, one of Tirana’s oldest buildings, and the Archaeological Museum, among other sites.

• Air Conditioned modern van/minibus/bus and other transportation listed in itinerary
• English speaking tour leader/manager
• Daily breakfast
• Accommodation in 3* hotels on double occupancy in good locations

• Admission/entry Fees
• A mandatory service fee for tour guide/bus driver (min. 5-7 Euro /day per person)
• Lunch and Dinner charges (if applicable)
• Everything not mentioned in “Inclusions”
• Local guides (can be provided upon request) and require extra charge
• Travel insurance, visa fees (if applicable)

The ‘Egnatia Route’ of the Europe Explorer Grand Tour offers the perfect opportunity for adventurous travelers to experience the unique blend of culture, nature, history, traditions, and multi-ethnicity in the Southeast Balkans. This custom-designed tour takes you to essential destinations in Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Kosova. The title ‘Egnatia Route’ is a tribute to the ancient road that served as the primary link between the western part of Europe (Rome) and the Illyrian (Balkan) Peninsula to the East (Kostandinopoja), continuing through Asia Minor to the Silk Road. Noted for its historical significance in the Roman Empire as ‘Via Egnatia’, remnants of ancient bridges and roads are a sight to behold amidst the breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage of the region. The tour incorporates visits to diverse locales like Tirana, Elbasan, Struge, Ohrid, Bitola, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Alexandroupoli, Tekirdağ, Istanbul, Edirne, Plovdiv, Sofia, Skopje, Prizren, Kukes, and Rubik.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.