Seven Countries In 14 Days: Small Group Tour From Athens

Itinerary

Day 1: Athens (Greece) – Delphi – Thessaloniki

Pass By: Athens, Athens, Attica
Our tour guide will come and pick you up at your hotel in Athens at 8:00 am.

Stop At: Delphi, Delphi, Phocis Region, Central Greece
Our first destination for today is Delphi, UNESCO world heritage site. This ancient Greek archaeological site is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world, including multiple monuments such as the Temple of Apollo, the Castallian Fountain and the Large Sphynx of Naxos. Around 12:30, you will have some free time on all days of the tour to wander around by yourself and get a delicious lunch until 13:00.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki Region, Central Macedonia
Our tour will continue towards Thessaloniki, the second largest city of Greece and located at the coast. Thessaloniki is an open-air museum of Byzantine history as it has many monuments from that time. We will go to the old city, walk through the Ana Poli area and the traditional markets as well as visit the White Tower, symbol of Thessaloniki. Next to the White Tower is the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda, dating back to the Roman times. We will also visit the most famous hamam in the city, Yahudi hamam, meaning ‘’Bath of the Jews’’, resembling all the different cultures that lived here through time.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Thessaloniki.

Day 2: Thessaloniki – Ohrid (N. Macedonia)

Stop At: Ohrid, Ohrid, Southwestern Region
Today we will leave Greece and cross the border to N. Macedonia. Our first destination here is Ohrid. This city is one of the most seductive destinations in N. Macedonia, indicated also as one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings were inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys. The city became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for its 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. After lunch, we will continue our visit of Ohrid. The houses were built with a very specific architecture that created narrowed streets, tunnels and tiny yards on the hilly terrain, making it possible for every house to have a good view of the lake.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ohrid.

Day 3: Ohrid – Skopje

Stop At: Skopje, Skopje, Skopje Region
From Ohrid, we will head towards the capital of N. Macedonia. The city has European, Ottoman and even Asian influences. The Stone Bridge connects the new part to the old part of the city. Impossible to miss in Skopje is the Alexander the Great Statue in the center. Another bridge that stands out is the Art Bridge that leads to the Archaeological museum. The bridge is lined with flamboyant street lanterns and statues of Macedonian artists and musicians. We will wander through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, the biggest one in the Balkans, that combines the modern way of living with centuries of history. The cross on top of the mountain can be seen kilometres away from Skopje and has become a symbol of the city. It is as high as a 20-store building and can be reached by cable car.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Skopje.

Day 4: Skopje – Pristina (Kosovo) – Prizren

Stop At: Pristina, Pristina
Today we will cross the border to Kosovo. Our first destination will be the capital of Kosovo, Pristina. Here we will make a city tour. Not to be missed is the Newborn monument, symbol of their independence and being a young new country. We will also visit the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa with its own clock tower. The National Library of Kosovo is a building that definitely stands out from the rest, consisting out of 73 white domes. The main boulevard in the capital, Sheshi Nena Tereza, is a nice street to stroll through and enjoy a delicious meal or coffee at one of the restaurants. Here we will also pass the Skanderberg square with the statue of Skanderberg himself, the national Albanian hero. We will visit the Old Bazaar in Pristina with nearby the ethnographic museum that shows the traditional Kosovar life.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Prizren, Prizren
Our next destination is Prizren. The city is considered to be 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 as 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. The best way to explore the town is by wandering through the streets passing by elegant medieval houses that fight for your attention.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Prizren.

Day 5: Prizren – Sveti Stefan (Montenegro) – Budva – Kotor

Pass By: Budva, Budva, Budva Municipality
From Kosovo, we will cross the border to Montenegro. There 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 the 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 center.

Stop At: Sveti Stefan, Sveti Stefan, Budva Municipality
We will drive pass the beautiful riviera until we reach Sveti Stefan, a fishing town on a small island near the coast. Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the island anymore as it has turned into a five-star resort, but even while standing on the coast, Sveti Stefan is a sight for sore eyes – worthy of a picture.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Kotor, Kotor, Kotor Municipality
Our tour continues towards Kotor, UNESCO world heritage city. We will wander through the maze of narrow, cobblestone streets crisscrossing the old town. This street plan seems quite chaotic, but it was created this way on purpose. 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 stop at the Saint Tryphon cathedral, which is one of the only two Roman cathedrals in the city. The Saint Tryphon relics are kept inside the cathedral. Yet, these relics were destined to arrive in Dubrovnik but ended up in Kotor. Next to the Saint Tryphon cathedral, the Saint Luke’s church can easily be missed as it is a lot smaller, but of great significance for the locals because it represents unity to them. We will also walk to the San Giovanni fortress from which we will have an amazing view over the city. On our way to the top, we will pass by ruins of military buildings and a church from the 15th century.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kotor.

Day 6: Kotor – Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

Stop At: Mostar, Mostar, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
From Montenegro, we will cross the border to Bosnia & Herzegovina and head towards the city of Mostar. Here we will, of course, visit 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 city, 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 Blagaj monastery, a little bit outside of the city, on the foot of a cliff with beautiful blue waters in front of it.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Mostar.

Day 7: Mostar – Medjugorje – Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Stop At: Medjugorje, Medjugorje, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
From Mostar, we head towards Croatia, but not before making a stop in Medjugorje. The church of St. James is the symbol of this village, with its two towers and at the entrance the Statue of Our Lady. The name of the place, Medjurgorje, means "between mountains" and is located in the Herzegovina region of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We will also visit the Via Domini, meaning “The Way of the Lord”. The Via Domini is a pathway existing out of mosaics that represent the story of the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, illustrating the life of Jesus.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Dalmatia
Our tour continues towards Dubrovnik in Croatia. Dubrovnik used to compete with Venice as a trading port, having huge strong city walls that were built between the 11th and 17th century. Nowadays the city is more famous for being the setting of Game of Thrones, more specifically the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, King’s Landing! This is said to be the world’s best-preserved medieval city, reason enough for it to be an UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. The city is also full of markets, bazaars, cafes, bars and restaurants creating a pleasant atmosphere.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 8: Dubrovnik – Shkodra (Albania)

Stop At: Shkoder, Shkoder, Shkoder County
From Croatia, we will continue our tour towards Albania. Our first destination in Albania is Shkodra. The city is situated in the north-western part of Albania, giving its name to the biggest lake in the Balkans. The oldest wall of the Shkodra castle dates from the 1st millennium BCE. The Roman historian Livy cited the town as the capital of the Illyrian king Gent, who fought the Romans in 168 B.C. We will visit Rozafa castle offering tremendous scenery of the lake and the three rivers melting all together in the Adriatic Sea. The city’s architecture is highly influenced by the Venetian style, and if you are lucky enough to join the tour of Shkodra in February you might experience the carnival festival. Most of the guests are surprised to learn that most of the Venetian masks are handmade and produced in Shkodra. The city’s favourable geographic position has always been an important trading tie through the centuries, making it possible for different civilisations to encounter.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Shkodra.

Day 9: Shkodra – Kruja – Tirana

Stop At: Kruje, Kruje, Durres County
Today we will head towards Kruja, a historical city symbol of the Albanian resistance against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. 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 Kruja’s Medieval Old Bazaar (one of the biggest and oldest in Balkans) gives you a sense of a passage through the history. You will be surrounded by crafts and local products carefully designed by local artisans and housewives of the Kruja area. 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. Our local guide 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.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
Our next destination for today is Tirana. Colourful, lively, vibrant, dynamic, 24/7 and crazy nightlife - these are some of the words that better describe Tirana where the communist and capitalist-era buildings battle on a daily basis. Not to be missed is Tirana’s delicious food varieties, from the tasty and cheap street food to the finest gourmet options.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tirana.

Day 10: Tirana – Berat

Stop At: Berat, Berat, Berat County
Our next destination is Berat, also known as the city of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other. Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communism era in Albania. Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous painter of churches all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Berat.

Day 11: Berat – Gjirokastra

Stop At: Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster County
Our next destination is Gjirokastra, also known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century AD, and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans. Every five years Gjirokastra becomes the capital of the Albanian folklore and traditional music, where passionate folklore ensembles gather in the “stone city” and perform their traditional music, dances and show off their costumes. Right before entering the castle of Gjirokastra, you will have to pass by the medieval bazar. The atmospheric old town cascades down in graceful hill crammed full of beautiful narrowed stone decorated streets, where you will be amazed by the wide variety of handmade crafts from local artisans and producers.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gjirokastra.

Day 12: Gjirokastra – Kalabaka (Greece)

Stop At: Kalabaka 422 00, Greece
From Gjirokastra, we will head back towards Greece, more specifically the town of Kalabaka. Here we will bring a visit to Meteora, also part of UNESCO world heritage and constructed in the 14th – 15th century. The monasteries are built on top of the spectacular rock formations, creating a beautiful and impressive sight. The surrounding rocks are oddly shaped, which makes it a landscape that cannot be found anywhere else. The town also has lots to offer. Walking through the cobblestone lanes, surrounded by two of Meteora’s rock formations, is an experience in itself. We will visit the Church of Assumptions, dating back to the 11th century. Some marble stones in the church used to be part of an Ancient Greek temple. The local food is also delicious, with mushrooms as the main ingredient but also yoghurt, cheese and honey on the menu.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Kalabaka.

Day 13: Kalabaka – Thermopylae – Athens

Stop At: Thermopylae, Thermopylae, Phthiotis Region, Central Greece
We will return to Athens, where our tour began, but not before visiting Thermopylae. Thermopylae often gets skipped while visiting Greece, but it definitely deserves to be part of your tour! During the ancient times, many battles have been fought here at this mountain pass in the north of Greece. One of the greatest battles, and stories, is that of 300 Spartans defending the city of Thermpylae against a huge army of Persians. They held the pass for three days and only one of the Spartans survived who spread the story around. We will visit the Memorial of Leonidas and Sparta 300, commemorating the legend of these 300 Spartans, and the battlefield where it all took place.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Athens, Athens, Attica
Our tour will continue towards Athens.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Athens.

Day 14: Athens

Stop At: Athens, Athens, Attica
Today we will have a city tour of Athens, the capital of Greece and also said to be the cultural capital of Europe. The city is modern, touristic, charming and full of fascinating history. One place that can’t be missed here is, of course, the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis, which is part of UNESCO. It was built in the 5th century B.C. and has had a huge effect on the way people think about architecture, even to this day. The temple was dedicated to the goddess of Athena. The Agora-Athens central market is probably not one of the first things you think about to visit in Athens, but it is a fascinating sight with delicious food all over the place and located between the two most interesting streets in the city. We will also walk through the oldest neighborhood in Athens, the Plaka area, which feels like a village hidden in the large metropolitan city. In Athens, our tour of three countries will come to an end in the late afternoon.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.