Europe Explorer Grand Tour "dardania Route"

Itinerary

Day 1: Tirane - Lezhe - Podgorica - Niksic.

Stop At: Lezhe, Lezhe, Lezhe County
After breakfast in the hotel in Tirana, we head to Lezha, one of Albania’s most important ancient Illyrian city states of Albania’s history, and also famous for the war and resistance against the Ottomans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum Mausoleum at St. Nicholas Cathedral, ancient city wall, atc.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Podgorica, Podgorica, Podgorica Municipality
Then continue to Podgorica via Shkoder. Continue to Montenegro’s capital Podgorica, where we visit the Old Town and show you the most important historical monuments and buildings in town: Doganjska Mosque from 15th century, Skaline (“the stairs”) is probably one of the most historic and picturesque site 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.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Niksic, Niksic, Niksic Municipality
Then continue to Niksic. There are many places worth seeing in the center of Niksic: the Central Square of Liberty, the Royal Palace of King Nikola I Petrović Njegos containing the museum, the Church of St. Basil of Ostrog, who was built in the 19th century in Montenegrin heroes, who gave their lives for the freedom of the country. Near the center there are old Turkish city walls and Hadji-Smajil's mosque.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Accomodation to hotel (Garni Atrium 3*, or similar) and overnight.

Day 2: Niksic - Brod - Sarajevo.

Stop At: Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Sarajevo Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Departure to Sarajevo. Cross the border to Bosnia-Herzegovina and have a break at Brod where we enjoy the amazing Drina River valley and surrounding green mountains.
Then travel to Sarajevo. roceed for tour to visit Vrelo Bosne – spring of river Bosnia, Tunnel Museum – the only means of going in and out during the siege of Sarajevo in last war - 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 Mosque- built in 1530 year during the Ottoman era – and Gazi Husref Bey Madras; Morica Han built in 1551 ; Vijecnica – town hall for the Austro-Hungarian era - Lunch at the local restaurant.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Accomodation to hotel (Boss 3*, or similar) and overnight.

Day 3: Tuzla - Osijek (Croatia).

Stop At: Tuzla, Tuzla, Tuzla Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
After breakfast continue to Tuzla. Tuzla, town, northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, situated in the Tuzla Basin. Tuzla has long been associated with local deposits of rock salt. In the 10th century it was called Soli (Salts), and its present name is from the Turkish tuz, “salt.” Large quantities of lignite are mined in the basin, and there is a mining institute in the town. Its good rail and road connections make Tuzla a collection point for agricultural produce. It is also the site of thermal-power stations. Visit main square, Turalibegova Dzamija, Tuzla Massacre Memorial - Kapija.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Osijek, Osijek, Osijek-Baranja County, Slavonia
After lunch break, continue to Osijek. After arrival city tour. The main tourism route will first take you to Tvrđa, a fortified part of the city from the 18th century that hides interesting stories and legends such as those of the general Stephan von Beckers who built the city walls to defend the city from the Ottoman Empire. There you will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the most valuable examples of Baroque architecture in Croatia, such as the statue of Holy Trinity. Passing through the large parks and garden of King Tomislav you will come in the Art Nouveau district with monumental buildings such as the Postal Palace. Parallel road to the main square takes you along the Drava river and walking down the promenade will take you to the St. Peter and Paul Con-Cathedral. Completed in 1898 it's the second highest church in Croatia and with its 90 meter high tower it's the tallest building in Osijek today.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Osijek, Hotel Silver, or similar.



Day 4: Szekszard (Hungary) - Veszprem Balaton Lake.

Stop At: Balatonboglar, Balatonboglar, Somogy County, Southern Transdanubia
After breakfast continue to Balaton. Lake Balaton is a freshwater lake in western Hungary. It’s a major holiday destination with beaches, volcanic hills, resort towns and high-rise hotels along its 197km shoreline. The hilly north shore is a wine-growing region, with protected wetlands and hiking trails at Balaton Uplands National Park. The town of Veszprém has a walled Castle district, and 13th-century frescoes at the Gizella Chapel. Veszprém, also known as the ‘City of Queens’, is one of Hungary’s hidden treasures. With its winding streets, steep inclines and many romantic corners, it has the feeling of an enchanted town. Also, Lake Balaton and the hills of Bakony are within striking distance for an excursion.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Balaton, Hotel Danubius Anabella, or similar.


Day 5: Budapest.

Stop At: Budapest, Budapest, Central Hungary
Budapest. After breakfast continue to Budapest. This tour gives you a global view of the city. During the walk you will get a comprehensive knowledge on the history, culture, architecture of the city from the Roman period to the present days. The tour is based on visiting the main sights of the capital: the Saint Stephan Cathedral, the Hungarian Parliament, the famous Andrássy avenue, the Jewish quarter or the Castle District.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Budapest, Eurostar Danube Hotel or similar.


Day 6: Novi Sad.

Stop At: Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Vojvodina
In the morning we continue to Fruska Gora, a mountain that rises up from the Vojvodina plains in the north of Serbia. Fruska Gora was proclaimed a National Park in 1960. The higher sections of Fruska Gora consist of thick forests, whereas the lower valleys of the mountain contain orchards and centuries-old vineyards. It hides 16 orthodox monasteries famous for their specific architecture. We will visit the most important ones such as Krusedol, Vrdnik, Grgeteg, Beocin and Novo Hopovo. In the afternoon we continue to Novi Sad – the capital of the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Novi Sad (Putnik Hotel or similar).


Day 7: Belgrade.

Stop At: Belgrade, Belgrade
Today we travel to Serbia and Belgrade, arriving in the late afternoon. Belgrade is one of the largest cities in the Balkans, and is an intriguing mix of the traditional and the modern, with its museums, galleries and lively nightlife. Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and one of Europe’s oldest cities. Located where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet, it has also traditionally been a crossroads of East and West. It was also the capital of the former Yugoslavia and is generally considered the centre of historical and modern-day political activity. The architecture is very varied from the old city centre to the modern buildings of New Belgrade. We explore Belgrade today, taking in the temple of St Sava, the parliament buildings and Republic Square. We then head to Kalemegdan Fortress, the oldest part of Belgrade, where we explore on foot. This afternoon you will have some free time to explore the city on your own.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Belgrade (Capital Hotel Garni or similar).

Day 8: Novi Pazar - Stari Ras (UNESCO).

Stop At: Novi Pazar, Novi Pazar, Central Serbia
After breakfast, we will depart for Novi Pazar. Novi Pazar is a city located in the Raška District of southwestern Serbia. This town due to its historical background is a cultural synthesis of Orient and Occident. Here you can hear the church bells playing chords to the muezzin’s call to prayer from one of four dozen mosques in the city. Novi Pazar has always been a hub of cultures, tolerance and peace. This town has great touristic capacity for all ages. It is one of the youngest towns in Europe. Young environment promises vibrant experience and breath-taking adrenaline pumped adventures on the hills surrounding the city. As the Ottomans took over the area, Novi Pazar became one of the most important markets on the road to Istanbul. Many monuments like Turkish baths, mosques and fortifications stand today as the representatives of that time.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Stari Ras and Sopocani, Novi Pazar Serbia
Then continue to visit Stari Ras fortres (UNESCO) and Sopotami Monastery. The mediaeval town of Ras is 11 km west of Novi Pazar and stands on a hill known as Gradina. It is thought to have been founded during the reign of John II Komnenos (1118-1143). There are three archaeological sites within the old Ras complex: the fortress on Gradina, the cave together with the monastery of the Archangel Michael beneath the fortification and the settlement of Pazarište (formerly Trgovište), the buildings of which evidence an urbanised structure.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Novi Pazar, Hotel Dragulj or similar.


Day 9: Peja (Kosovo) - Decani Monastery (UNESCO) - Gjakova.

Stop At: Peja
After breakfast Departure to Peje. Peja lies at the foot of the gigantic Damned Mountains (Bjeshket e Nemuna), on the river Bistrica and the entrance of the Rugova Gorge. Peja is the main economic and cultural center of northern Dukagjin and one of the best known tourist resorts of the region. City tour where we will visit the Tahir Beu Palace and Jashar Pasha house, architecture of the Turkish period. The Sheremet Tower, although built during the Turkish rule, in fact is a true type of an Albanian Dukagjin tower, a stone house with small windows resembling rifle loopholes. In the center of the town is the Old Carshia with shops of various craftsmen and the attractive Bajrakli mosque built in the 15th century ranks among the older structures of Islamic architecture.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Gjakova, Gjakova
Afterward, continue to Gjakova. On the way to Gjakova we stop and visit the Monastery of Decani. We will visit Decani Orthodox Monastery, located alongside the Lumbardhi river at the mouth of the gorge. The monastery was built between 1327 and 1335 by the Serbian king St. Stephen of Deçan. Although the buildings suffered damage during the Turkish occupation, the beautiful 14th-century frescoes were completely preserved. Afterward, continue to Junik, where we will visit the characteristic houses called “Kulla”. Where the Junik Ode is infamous for being an important institution exercising the customary right as instructed by the ancient “Kanuni i Leke Dukagjini” – “The code of Leke Dukagjini” which goes back to Illyrian time of more than 3500 years before. The reeve of the village was the chair of the Junik Ode. In the architectural front, the Junik Ode is a typical Dukagjinian tower, encompassing fortification elements. Afterward, continue to Gjakova. Visit the Gjakova Clock Tower, which marks the center of the Old Bazaar, the grain market and see the handicrafts of quilt-workers, saddler makers, silversmiths and embroiderers. We then will visit the 16th century Mosque of “Hadum Aga,” a traditional house for a tea break. We also visit the 16th century inn of “Hani i Haraçisë,” the old bazaar shopping area, and Ethnographic Museum.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gjakova. Carshia e Jupave Hotel or similar.



Day 10: Koman Lake (Albania) - Shkoder.

Stop At: Koman, Koman, Shkoder County
After breakfast we will cross the border to Albania to continue the journey to Shkoder via Koman Lake. The 2 hour trip on Lake Komani was called “One of the Great Boat Trips of the World” by the Bradt Guide, and certainly the scenery is stunning. The Drin River was flooded along part of its most mountainous passage to create the lakes in this region. The journey takes you along glassy clear water, twisting and turning through narrow passes and past silent mountain peaks.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Shkoder, Shkoder, Shkoder County
Shkoder is one of the oldest cities in the Balkans and was once the capital of Illyria before it was conquered by Rome (year 168 BC). It is also considered the “Florence of the Balkans” due to its cultural inheritance and richness. We visit its old bazaar, cathedral and mosque before heading to Rozafa castle for spectacular views of the city, lake and the surrounding mountains.
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Shkoder, Hotel Tradita or similar.



Day 11: Kruje - Tirana.

Stop At: Kruje, Kruje, Durres County
After breakfast, continue the tour to Kruja. Kruja is a small town perched high on the face of a hill considered “the Adriatic Sea’s Balcony”, because of its altitude above mean sea level (approximately 800 m). Kruja was the center of 15th century Albanian resistance to the Ottomans under the leadership of national hero Gjerg Kastrioti “Skanderbeg”. Visit the unique Skanderbeg Museum inside the restored castle and the Ethnographical Museum. The street leading up to the castle is built in the style of a Turkish bazaar; we can stroll along the old bazaar which has a wonderful selection of authentic antiques and souvenirs.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
Then continue to Tirana for our final night where you will enjoy a leisure walk in this charming city.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight Hotel Kruja or similar.