Western Balkan Explorer Tour “Blue Route”
Western Balkan Explorer Tour “Blue Route”
Western Balkan Explorer Tour “Blue Route”
10 Days Starting and ending in Tirana
Visiting: Tirana, Ulcinj, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Blagaj, Mostar, Foča, Podgorica, Shkodër
Tour operator:
Tour code:
630932
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
18-
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Gluten Free
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Mention the Balkans to anyone and it can conjure up a plethora of images - flashpoint of the First World War, the atrocities of the recent civil war, Tito’s and Hoxha’s Communist dictatorships. Look beyond these clichéd stereotypes on our one week trip through three Western Balkan countries – Albania, Montenegro, Croatia Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo. Explore the crossroads of Europe’s East and West mosaic to cultures inherited in millenniums starting from Illyrians (Albanians), Romans, Byzantines, Slavic, and Ottoman inheritance, in fascinating historical cities, as well as some of the best landscapes in Europe. Western Balkan Explorer trip is a unique experience for those people who want to discover, enjoy and learn better those small different countries in language, religion and history, but very similar in habits, traditions, and hospitality.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival - Tirane.
Location: Tirana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Overnight in Ulcinj. (Overnight in a Hotel (Vila e Balshajve or similar).
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pickup from Tirana International Airport and transfer to the city. Leisure day.
Overnight at Starlight Hotel 4* or similar.
Day 2 : Lezha – Ulcinj - Bar.
Location: Ulcinj
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Overnight in a Hotel (Vila Perast, or similar).
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we will depart to Ulcinj in Montenegro. We will have a short break and visit Lezha. In the ancient period it was called Lis. Visit the historical mausoleum of our Albanian National hero “Skenderbeg”. Then proceed to Ulcinj. Ulcinj is part of the "south coast" region of Montenegro and is a popular tourist destination. Although still undiscovered by many travelers from larger countries, repeat tourists and an increasing amount of first time visitors make Ulcinj a hot spot for vacationers. Visit to the the Castle of Ulcinj, its old town is a very well preserved castle-looking community that is left over from medieval times. The old town sits atop a mountain overlooking the shore and is a tourist attraction on its own.
Overnight in Bar. Hotel Agape 4*. (B)
Day 3 : Budva (Unesco) - Kotor (Unesco).
Location: Kotor
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Overnight at hotel Amicus, or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast continue to Budva. Sightseeing in Budva city. Visit in the Old City, Sveti Trojica Church, Stanjevici Monastery,etc. Then, we will continue to Kotor. Walking tour in old Town Kotor. Then continue to Perast. Perast is one of the most beautiful little places in Boka Bay, located just a few kilometers from Kotor. It looks like a piece of Venice that has floated down the Adriatic. This tiny town boasts 16 churches and 17 formerly grand palazzos. (Visit to Lady of the Rocks is one of the two islets off the coast of Perast in Bay. This tiny, artificial island features a 17th-century Roman Catholic church with art & a museum. Also we visit St. George, as Ostrvo Sveti Đorđe is one of the two islets off the coast of Perast in Bay of Kotor, it is a natural island. A small action took place during the Siege of Cattaro on 14 October 1813 when the French held island was captured by a British and Sicilian naval force.)
Overnight in Hotel Marija 3*, or similar. (B)
Day 4 : Dubrovnik (Unesco) - Medjugorje.
Location: Dubrovnik
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Overnight at a hotel Alem, or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we will continue to Dubrovnik. City tour Dubrovnik : UNESCO protected pearl of the Adriatic and its Cathedral, Rector’s Palace, Fransican Monastery (included Old Pharmacy), Clock Tower, Orlando’s Columns, Sponze Plaza, Dubrovnik City. In the afternoon, we will proceed to Medjugore.
Overnight at Hotel Marconi 4*, or similar. (B)
Day 5 : Blagaj - Mostar (Unesco)
Location: Blagaj
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Overnight in Durmitor/Zabljak in Hotel Zlatni Bor, or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we will continue to visit Pocitelj then Blagaj. Visit to the most popular Tekje in Bosnia - Lunch on Buna River Spring. Check In then we will have a city tour: Visit Mehmet Koski Pasha Mosque, Karadjoz Bey Mosque, walk through the old town and old bridge, listed as UNESCO heritage site.
Overnight at Hotel Mostar 3*, or similar. (B)
Day 6 : Mostar (Unesco) - Sarajevo - Mostar.
Location: Mostar
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Overnight in Hotel Carshia e Jupave, or similar.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we transfer to Tito's bunker, which is a Cold War era nuclear bunker and military command center located near the town of Konjic in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Built to protect Yugoslav President Josip Broz Tito and up to 350 members of his inner circle in the event of an atomic conflict. Then continue to Sarajevo. Proceed for tour to visit Vrelo Bosne – spring of river Bosnia, Walking tour of old town Bascarsija, Latin Bridge, place where the Austro Hungarian Archduke was assassinated, what triggered the 1st World War; Brusa Bezistan – covered market place; Gazi Husref Bey's Mosque- built in 1530 year during the Ottoman era – and Gazi Husref Bey Medrese; Morica Han built in 1551 ; Vijecnica – town hall for the Austro-Hungarian era. Return to Mostar.
Overnight at Hotel Mostar 3*, or similar. (B)
Day 7 : Foca - Zabljak National Park.
Location: Foča
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Overnight in Tirana.
Meals Included: Breakfast
After Breakfast we will depart for Montenegro where we will have a break stop at the Foca Drina river side. We will transfer to Durmitor National Park. This breathtaking national park was formed by glaciers and is traversed by rivers and underground streams. Along the Tara river canyon, which has the deepest gorges in Europe, the dense pine forests are interspersed with clear lakes and harbor a wide range of endemic flora. We will visit Black Lake. (Black Lake is the best known, and at the same time largest of 18 glacial lakes in The Durmitor National Park. More than 3 km long, the walking path around the lake is the most popular for hiking and recreation.) Then we will visit Djurdjevica Tara Bridge. (172 meters above the Tara River, this bridge at the time he finished, was the biggest vehicular concrete arch bridge in Europe. The bridge on Tara has always been a great inspiration to many artists, and its magnificent beauty is admired even by renowned architects and engineers.
Overnight in Zabljak at Hotel Pavlovic 3*, or similar. (B)
Day 8 : Kolasin National Park - Podgorica.
Location: Podgorica
After Breakfast departure to Kolasin National park. Walking by the lake in Kolasin. Lunch break. Afterwards, we will transfer to Podgorica, Montenegro's capital. We will visit the Old Town and show you the most important historical monuments and buildings in town: Doganjska Mosque from the 15th century, Skaline (“the stairs”) is probably one of the most historic and picturesque sites of Podgorica. It is a place perfectly described as peaceful, quiet and in the middle of the city, Republic Square, St.George church form 11th of century, Millenium Bridge, Russian Bridge, Vladimir Vysotsky Monument, Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (Orthodox Church), Roman Square, King Nikola's Castle from 19th century and Clock Tower (Sahat Kula) from 17th century.
Overnight at Hotel Marienplatz Podgorica 3*, or similar. (B)
Day 9 : Shkoder Lake - Tirane.
Location: Shkodër
After breakfast, we will continue to Shkoder. A nice landscape with highland (Albanian Alps on north) are a full contrast. City tour of Shkodra, Old Bazaar, Centrum, Cathedral and Mosque. Visit the Castle of Rozafa and the museum inside it and we enjoy wonderful views of mountains, Shkodra’s lake, Drini, Buna and Kir rivers with the valleys around from the top of Rozafa castle, and “Ura e Mesit'' over Kir River. Drive back to Tirana for our final night.
Overnight at Starlight Hotel 4* or similar.
Day 10 : Departure
Location: Tirana
After breakfast, Airport transfer. End of services.
What's Included
- Airport private transfers and all other transfers as per itinerary.
- Accommodation on standard double occupancy rooms in 3*/4* hotels (as indicated, or similar)
- All breakfasts in each hotel as per itinerary.
- Transportation with modern AC car/minibus/bus, etc., during all tour itinerary.
- English speaking tour leader during all tour itinerary
- Local native guides in each country supplement in - Local guide in Budva, Local guide in Kotor; Local Guide in Dubrovnik, Local Guide in Mostar; Local Guide in Sarajevo, Local Guide in Podgorica.
What's Not Included
- International airfare and airport taxes
- 437€ single supplement pp.
- Entry Fees: 62€ entry/fee supplement pp. (List of the museums and other sites included as per itinerary):
- Mausoleum of Skaderbeg in Lezha
- Castle of Ulcinj
- Kotor old town site
- Dubrovnik old town site
- Tito’s Bunker
- Old town Montenegro
- Zablak national park
- Kolasin national park
- Shkoder Rozafa Castle
- Local city/tourist tax
- Driver/guides tips,
- Gratuities and individual daily expenses and porterage
- Everything not mentioned in “Inclusions”
- Travel insurance
- Trip/tour cancellation
- No show
Know Before You Go
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Or Pram Accessible
- Animals Or Pets Allowed
- Public Transportation Nearby
- Infants Must Sit On Laps
Please Note
Note:
This tour has been quoted based in a minimum number of participants. In case of the number of minimum required participants is not reached, the company reserves the rights to offer to the client other eventual alternative days, or to cancel the trip for the clients. Otherwise, the trip can also be operated on a private tour basis (subject to the respective quotation).
51€ pp, supplement for high season (1 July - 31 August 2024)
All cancellations are subject of 5% service fee to cover costs for the efforts done to first to arrange and then to cancel the respective services of relevant booking.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Western Balkan Explorer Tour?
The tour provides accommodation in standard double occupancy rooms in 3* or 4* hotels, or similar, as indicated in the itinerary.
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Are there any guided tours included in the Western Balkan Explorer Tour?
Yes, the tour includes an English-speaking tour leader throughout the itinerary and local native guides in each country, including Budva, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, and Podgorica.
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What is the transportation arrangement during the tour?
Transportation is provided with a modern air-conditioned car, minibus, or bus throughout the tour itinerary.
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Are meals included in the Western Balkan Explorer Tour?
All breakfasts are included in the tour as per the itinerary.
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What are some of the key historical sites visited on this tour?
The tour visits several historical sites including the Mausoleum of Skanderbeg in Lezha, the Castle of Ulcinj, Kotor old town, Dubrovnik old town, Tito’s Bunker, and the Shkoder Rozafa Castle.
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Is the tour suitable for travelers with mobility issues?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible and stroller or pram accessible.
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What happens if the minimum number of participants is not reached for the tour?
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the company reserves the right to offer alternative days or cancel the trip. The tour can also be operated on a private basis, subject to a different quotation.
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Do I need Travel insurance?
We do not offer insurance packages but we highly recommend travel protection, it’s important to protect your trip investment and loved ones. We will offer you the best option for your vacation.
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Do you book group travel ?
Yes, we book group travel all the time! We specialize in helping groups of all sizes plan their dream trips. From family reunions to corporate retreats, we can take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy your time away.
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How do I set up the consultation with the Albania Explorer agent ?
To set up a consultation with Albania Explorer's travel expert, you can contact us directly via phone or email us at contact@albaniaexplorer.com. You can even reach us on Whatsapp at +355 68 399 9480 . local operation working hours during week monday to friday : 08.00-18.00 , saturday 09.00-14.00 , Sunday - off.
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Will you available while I am on my vacation?
Yes, we will be available to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have. You can get in touch with us anytime. We are committed to providing the best possible service and helping our clients create memorable vacations that they will always remember.
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Low Deposit
Albania Explorer requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of albania explorer charges.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.