Western Balkan Explorer Tour “blue Route”
Whats included?
Itinerary
Accommodation included: 7 nights
Accommodation included: 7 nights
Hotel: Accommodation 3* hotels on...
Hotel: Accommodation 3* hotels on double occupancy in good locations of respective cities/places.
Transportation: Air Conditioned modern van/minibus/bus...
Transportation: Air Conditioned modern van/minibus/bus and other transportation listed in itinerary.
Breakfast: Daily breakfast. All others...
Breakfast: Daily breakfast. All others meals not listed are at your expense.
Guide: Professional bilingual English, speaking...
Guide: Professional bilingual English, speaking tour guide/leader, etc.
Not included:
Admission/entry Fees.
Admission/entry Fees.
Travel insurance, visa fees. (if...
Travel insurance, visa fees. (if applicable)
Any charges for additional itinerary...
Any charges for additional itinerary are not listed in itinerary.
A mandatory service fee for...
A mandatory service fee for tour guide/bus driver (min. 5-7 Euro /day per person).
Excess baggage charges from Airlines.
Excess baggage charges from Airlines.
Personal expenses such as room...
Personal expenses such as room service, telephone, laundry service charges.
Losses or additional expenses.
Losses or additional expenses.
Lunch and Dinner charges.
Lunch and Dinner charges.
Everything not mentioned in “Inclusions”.
Everything not mentioned in “Inclusions”.
Entry/Admission - ARK D-0: Tito's...
Entry/Admission - ARK D-0: Tito's Nuclear Bunker
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About experience
Itinerary
Day 1: Tirane - Kruje - Lezha – Ulcinj. (161 km, 3h 15 min)
Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
Start the day exploring Albania’s capital. We visit Skanderbeg Square, dedicated to Albania’s national hero, the Mosque of Ethem Bey, one of the oldest buildings in Tirana, and the Archaeological Museum among other sites.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Kruje, Kruje, Durres County
We then head to Kruja, one of Albania’s most important towns due to the part it played in resistance against the Ottomans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum and castle as well as the old bazaar. Today lunch will be included and the opportunity to eat some traditional food in Kruja.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Lezhe, Lezhe, Lezhe County
Later we continue to Lezha in the north west of the country where we visit the mausoleum of Skanderbeg and the castle before heading to Ulcinj.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Ulcinj, Ulcinj, Ulcinj Municipality
Then continue to Ulcinj. Ulcinj is part of "south coast" region of Montenegro 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.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ulcinj. (Overnight in Hotel (Vila e Balshajve or similar).
Day 2: Budva (UNESCO) - Kotor - Perast (99 km, 1h 55 min)
Stop At: Budva, Budva, Budva Municipality
After breakfast continue to Budva. Sightseeing of Budva city. Visit in the Old City, Sveti Trojica Churc, Stanjevici Monastery,etc.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Kotor, Kotor, Kotor Municipality
Then, we continue to Kotor. Visit the former palace of King Nikola, now Montenegro’s National Museum.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Perast, Perast, Kotor Municipality
Then continue to Perast. Perast is one of the most beautiful little places in Boka Bay, located just a few kilometres 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.)
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hotel (Vila Perast, or similar).
Day 3: Dubrovnik (UNESCO) - Blagaj - Mostar (UNESCO) (230 km, 3h 55 min)
Stop At: Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Dalmatia
After breakfast we 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. Then proceed to Mostar. On the way proceed to visit Pocitelj.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Blagaj, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Depart to Blagaj : Visit of the most popular Tekje in Bosnia - Lunch on Buna River Spring.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Mostar, Mostar, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Proceed to Mostar, city tour : Visit Mehmet Koski Pasha Mosque, Karadjoz Bey Mosque, walk through the old town and old bridge, listed as UNESCO heritage site.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel Amicus, or similar.
Day 4: Tito’s Bunker - Sarajevo (155 km, 2h 30 min)
Stop At: ARK D-0: Tito's Nuclear Bunker, Off Neretva River, Konjic 88400 Bosnia and Herzegovina
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, 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 Medrese; Morica Han built in 1551 ; Vijecnica – town hall for the Austro-Hungarian era.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at a hotel Alem, or similar.
Day 5: Zabljak National park Durmitor (UNESCO) (167 km, 3h 50 min)
Stop At: Durmitor National Park, Durmitor National Park, Zabljak Municipality
Then continue to Zabljak. The Park is located at wide mountain region in the northwestern part of Montenegro, surrounded by rivers Piva and Tara and there are 23 mountain tops over 2300 meters of altitude. Park is 39000 acres large and includes 82 kilometers of canyon of the Tara with altitude of 1600 meters above river level. There are 17 glacier lakes in the Park and the highest top in Montenegro is Bobotov kuk (2522 m). Since 1980 Park and canyon of Tara are under protection of UNESCO. In 1977 canyon was proclaimed world ecological reserve
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Durmitor/Zabljak in Hotel Zlatni Bor, or similar.
Day 6: Berane - Gjakove (233 km, 3h 50 min)
Stop At: Berane, Berane, Berane Municipality
After breakfast, we continue to Berane. Berane is one of the largest towns of northeastern Montenegro and a former administrative centre of the Ivangrad District. It is a seat of one of many multi-ethnic and multi-religious municipalities in Montenegro. The town is located on the Lim river, being part of Sandžak region.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Gjakova, Gjakova
Then we then head to Gjakova which lies on the banks of the River Erenik. Visit its main sites including the old bazaar and clock tower, church, ethnographic museum.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hotel Carshia e Jupajeve, or similar.
Day 7: Krume - Kukes - Rubik - Tirane (205 km, 3h 10 min)
Stop At: Kukes, Kukes, Kukes County
After breakfast, continue the tour by enjoying the wonderful panorama of Black Drini River Valley and Firza Lake to arrive in Kukes. This city became famous and later was a Nobel Candidate city for the hospitality shown for about 1 million refugees from the Kosovo War in 1999.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Rubik, Rubik, Lezhe County
Then continue to Rubik via Has and Kukes in Drini River valley and the Rruga e Kombit Hiwayay. Visit in Info Kulla Rubik, where you will be introduced to the history of Mirdita which is the most authentic region in Albania, because it was never fully occupied fully in the last two millenniums by the various invaders starting from Hellenic, Roman, Byzantines, and the Ottomans. Introduction to Kanuni i Maleve, or known as “The Illyrian Code, Or Code of Lek Dukagjini”, where a similar one is founded in Hittite civilization dating back 3500 year ago. Visit to then the Shelbuemi Church of Rubik (dated in 1162), built over ancient Illyrian Temple/Castle over the hill/rock in the strategic control of Fani River Valley.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Drive back to Tirana for our final night and a farewell dinner with traditional food. Overnight Hotel Kruja or similar.
Day 8: (Optional): Change to continue to successive tour(s): Silver, Red or Yellow loops/circuits.
Pass By: Europe, Europe
(Optional): Change to continue to successive tour(s): Silver, Red or Yellow loops/circuits.
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Day 1: Tirane - Kruje - Lezha – Ulcinj. (161 km, 3h 15 min)
Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
Start the day exploring Albania’s capital. We visit Skanderbeg Square, dedicated to Albania’s national hero, the Mosque of Ethem Bey, one of the oldest buildings in Tirana, and the Archaeological Museum among other sites.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Kruje, Kruje, Durres County
We then head to Kruja, one of Albania’s most important towns due to the part it played in resistance against the Ottomans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum and castle as well as the old bazaar. Today lunch will be included and the opportunity to eat some traditional food in Kruja.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Lezhe, Lezhe, Lezhe County
Later we continue to Lezha in the north west of the country where we visit the mausoleum of Skanderbeg and the castle before heading to Ulcinj.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Ulcinj, Ulcinj, Ulcinj Municipality
Then continue to Ulcinj. Ulcinj is part of "south coast" region of Montenegro 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.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ulcinj. (Overnight in Hotel (Vila e Balshajve or similar).
Day 2: Budva (UNESCO) - Kotor - Perast (99 km, 1h 55 min)
Stop At: Budva, Budva, Budva Municipality
After breakfast continue to Budva. Sightseeing of Budva city. Visit in the Old City, Sveti Trojica Churc, Stanjevici Monastery,etc.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Kotor, Kotor, Kotor Municipality
Then, we continue to Kotor. Visit the former palace of King Nikola, now Montenegro’s National Museum.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Perast, Perast, Kotor Municipality
Then continue to Perast. Perast is one of the most beautiful little places in Boka Bay, located just a few kilometres 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.)
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hotel (Vila Perast, or similar).
Day 3: Dubrovnik (UNESCO) - Blagaj - Mostar (UNESCO) (230 km, 3h 55 min)
Stop At: Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Dalmatia
After breakfast we 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. Then proceed to Mostar. On the way proceed to visit Pocitelj.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Blagaj, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Depart to Blagaj : Visit of the most popular Tekje in Bosnia - Lunch on Buna River Spring.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Mostar, Mostar, Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Proceed to Mostar, city tour : Visit Mehmet Koski Pasha Mosque, Karadjoz Bey Mosque, walk through the old town and old bridge, listed as UNESCO heritage site.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel Amicus, or similar.
Day 4: Tito’s Bunker - Sarajevo (155 km, 2h 30 min)
Stop At: ARK D-0: Tito's Nuclear Bunker, Off Neretva River, Konjic 88400 Bosnia and Herzegovina
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, 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 Medrese; Morica Han built in 1551 ; Vijecnica – town hall for the Austro-Hungarian era.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at a hotel Alem, or similar.
Day 5: Zabljak National park Durmitor (UNESCO) (167 km, 3h 50 min)
Stop At: Durmitor National Park, Durmitor National Park, Zabljak Municipality
Then continue to Zabljak. The Park is located at wide mountain region in the northwestern part of Montenegro, surrounded by rivers Piva and Tara and there are 23 mountain tops over 2300 meters of altitude. Park is 39000 acres large and includes 82 kilometers of canyon of the Tara with altitude of 1600 meters above river level. There are 17 glacier lakes in the Park and the highest top in Montenegro is Bobotov kuk (2522 m). Since 1980 Park and canyon of Tara are under protection of UNESCO. In 1977 canyon was proclaimed world ecological reserve
Duration: 4 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Durmitor/Zabljak in Hotel Zlatni Bor, or similar.
Day 6: Berane - Gjakove (233 km, 3h 50 min)
Stop At: Berane, Berane, Berane Municipality
After breakfast, we continue to Berane. Berane is one of the largest towns of northeastern Montenegro and a former administrative centre of the Ivangrad District. It is a seat of one of many multi-ethnic and multi-religious municipalities in Montenegro. The town is located on the Lim river, being part of Sandžak region.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Gjakova, Gjakova
Then we then head to Gjakova which lies on the banks of the River Erenik. Visit its main sites including the old bazaar and clock tower, church, ethnographic museum.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hotel Carshia e Jupajeve, or similar.
Day 7: Krume - Kukes - Rubik - Tirane (205 km, 3h 10 min)
Stop At: Kukes, Kukes, Kukes County
After breakfast, continue the tour by enjoying the wonderful panorama of Black Drini River Valley and Firza Lake to arrive in Kukes. This city became famous and later was a Nobel Candidate city for the hospitality shown for about 1 million refugees from the Kosovo War in 1999.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Rubik, Rubik, Lezhe County
Then continue to Rubik via Has and Kukes in Drini River valley and the Rruga e Kombit Hiwayay. Visit in Info Kulla Rubik, where you will be introduced to the history of Mirdita which is the most authentic region in Albania, because it was never fully occupied fully in the last two millenniums by the various invaders starting from Hellenic, Roman, Byzantines, and the Ottomans. Introduction to Kanuni i Maleve, or known as “The Illyrian Code, Or Code of Lek Dukagjini”, where a similar one is founded in Hittite civilization dating back 3500 year ago. Visit to then the Shelbuemi Church of Rubik (dated in 1162), built over ancient Illyrian Temple/Castle over the hill/rock in the strategic control of Fani River Valley.
Duration: 2 hours
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Drive back to Tirana for our final night and a farewell dinner with traditional food. Overnight Hotel Kruja or similar.
Day 8: (Optional): Change to continue to successive tour(s): Silver, Red or Yellow loops/circuits.
Pass By: Europe, Europe
(Optional): Change to continue to successive tour(s): Silver, Red or Yellow loops/circuits.
No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.
Tour leaving from Tirana
Tirana, the capital of Albania, is a city full of history and culture. With its colorful architecture, historic mosques, and beautiful parks, Tirana offers a unique experience for travelers. Enjoy the vibrant nightlife, explore traditional markets, and immerse yourself in the rich history of this fascinating city.
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