Dubrovnik to Athens

Dobro dosli! Welcome to Croatia. Your adventure begins in Dubrovnik. Though this city experienced devastation during the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s, the restored Old Town remains as charming as ever. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive in Dubrovnik early, why not head out to one of the Elafiti Islands? You could visit Sipan – the most populous of the islands – Lopud, a quiet island with scenic hikes, clean beaches and fortress ruins, or maybe Kolocep – a sleepy enclave with walking trails for every fitness level. There are also many monuments to explore in Dubrovnik itself, including the 15th-century Rector's Palace, monasteries with cloistered gardens and baroque churches with copper domes.

Leave Dubrovnik and take a private transfer to Kotor on the coast of Montenegro. This 5th-century UNESCO World Heritage-listed city is set on a secluded bay, with towering peaks surrounding a rocky coastline dotted with towns. When you arrive, why not check out the 12th-century cathedral, the South Gates and the Armoury Square. Later, maybe take a cruise on the Kotor Fjord – the longest fjord south of Scandinavia – and visit an island with a church that's almost as big as the island itself! In the evening, the city walls are lit up – it’s worth a visit for a different perspective on the city.

After breakfast, drive across the border into Albania. You’ll travel to the city of Shkoder, where you’ll have time to explore Rozafa Castle. This site was occupied by a fortress in Illyrian times, however most of the ruins that can be seen today are of Venetian origin. Then, continue to Tirana. A mixture of diverse cultures and customs, bustling Tirana is scattered with mosques, citadels, Ottoman architecture and medieval ruins. The locals here are warm and welcoming – you’re bound to find yourself swapping stories over a glass of raki or two. When you arrive, you’ll go on an orientation walk to get your bearings. Tirana is the capital of Albania and its biggest city, but it's still small and compact, making it relatively easy to explore on foot.

Today, take a half-day trip to the mountain village and former Albanian capital of Kruja, where you’ll have time to explore the citadel and the bazaar area. Maybe pay a visit to the Ethnographic Museum, which is housed inside a fortress. You’ll return to Tirana after lunch, where you’ll have free time to maybe explore one of the local museums. You can't miss the National History Museum – just look for the gargantuan mosaic on its facade, which depicts the development of Albania's history. The highlight in Tirana is the Et'hem Bey Mosque, which sits in the city's main square. Closed under communist rule, the mosque resumed as a place of worship in 1991. 10,000 people attended the reopening, and the event was considered a milestone in the rebirth of religious freedom in Albania. Be sure to take a look at the intricate frescoes on the portico and the interior of the mosque.

Travel by public bus to Berat, known as the ‘city of a thousand windows.’ The town’s old Mangalem Quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to three mosques. You’ll go on a guided tour of the town this afternoon to see the looming fortress – the Kala – which was built during the 13th century and is now home to local families. The walk to the castle is steep and slippery, so make sure you bring some sturdy footwear with you. The views from the top of the fortress across Berat and the Osum Canyon are well worth the effort!

Travel by private bus to Ohrid in North Macedonia, situated on a lake of the same name. Ohrid has an abundance of historic sites and religious monuments to explore. The town is said to have once been home to 365 churches, one for each day of the year, earning it the nickname ‘the Jerusalem of the Balkans’. Despite being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979, Ohrid has remained a lesser-known destination. Get your bearings on an orientation walk around the town, maybe picking up a bargain or two in the vibrant Old Bazaar. Then, you’ll go on a scenic cruise on Lake Ohrid, surrounded by views of mountains, villages and beaches.

At 34 km long, 14 km wide and over 300 m deep, all shared between Albania and North Macedonia, there’s plenty of vast Lake Ohrid to explore, and today is free for you to do just that! You might like to explore the many nearby churches and monasteries – one of the most popular is the Macedonian Orthodox Church of St John, situated on a rocky outcrop above the town, overlooking the lake. Past the church, you can wander around to the back of town, exploring the old walls and fortress and admiring the views of the lake. The Sveti Naum Monastery is also a great option, lying on the lake’s shores just south of town, with well-kept grounds that are home to peacocks. The ancient Tsar Samuel’s Fortress stands on the top of Ohrid Hill and looks across the town, while a 2000-year-old Roman theatre was uncovered near the Upper Gate – in summer it’s still used for concerts and performances today.

This morning, board a public bus headed for Skopje, North Macedonia's capital city. Here, you’ll see Byzantine domes, Turkish baths and newly built neoclassical buildings and monuments. Maybe seek out some tasty gozleme or baklava as you explore. The 30 mosques, many caravanserais (ancient roadside inns) and hamams that fill the city’s winding streets are a testament to Skopje’s Ottoman past. You might like to visit the Daut Pasha Hamam or the Holocaust Museum to learn how Macedonia suffered during this tragic chapter of history. Or maybe you’ll wander the narrow lanes of the neighbourhood of Carsija, pay a visit to the Museum of the City of Skopje – housed in an old railway station with a large clock on its exterior, which is stuck at the exact time an earthquake hit the city in 1963.

Venture out to Matka Canyon, a deep ravine cut into the Suva mountains by the Treska River, 15 km south-west of the city. This area is home to several medieval monasteries, caves and over 70 species of butterflies. You can also opt to explore the canyon's sights by boat. One of the monasteries worth exploring is St Andrew's Monastery, which contains many fascinating frescoes. There’s also the Vrelo Cave, which is filled with incredible stalagmites. Alternatively, you could take one of the many nature walks in the canyon or follow trails that trace the ridge high above the valley. Return to Skopje, with the remainder of the day free for you to continue exploring at your own pace. Maybe take the Mt Vodno cable car to the giant 66-m-high Millennium Cross for views of the city. For dinner this evening, why not head to the Old Bazaar or check out the restaurants in the Debar Maalo area.

Today, you’ll go on a scenic bus ride to the charming town of Bitola, set near Pelister National Park. North Macedonia’s oldest national park, Pelister spans 171 sq km across the striking Baba massif – a dramatic mountain formation. In the afternoon, you’ll visit a local beekeeper’s farm, where you’ll discover traditional honey-making practices and share an authentic lunch with the family. In the evening, return to Bitola for the night.

Travel by private vehicle to the Greek border, stopping to explore the Heraclea Lyncestis archaeological site before continuing to Kastoria. This medieval town sits on the western shore of Lake Orestiada in a valley surrounded by limestone mountains. Kastoria is full of Byzantine churches and Ottoman architecture. When you arrive, take an orientation walk along the labyrinthine lanes, with some time to walk along the lakeside where boats bob, Dalmatian pelicans and ducks make ripples on the water and mountains loom in the distance. Later, consider visiting the Spilaio tou Drakou (AKA ‘Dragon Cave’), one of the most impressive caves in Greece, where you’ll see stalactites and underground lakes. The legend goes that this cave was once a gold mine guarded by a sleepless dragon.

Make the most of a free morning to explore Kastoria. Maybe visit the Neolithic lakeside village at Dispilio, which gives you an insight into village life in the oldest Neolithic settlement in Europe. After lunch, transfer by private vehicle to the town of Litochoro at the base of Mt Olympus. When you arrive, head out on a short orientation walk to familiarise yourself with your surroundings. Head down to the beach at Plaka for some well-deserved relaxation and a dip in the Aegean Sea before tomorrow's hike. Consider having dinner in one of the fish tavernas lining the shore – a chance to indulge in some traditional dishes.

Mt Olympus – Greece's first national park – is the highest mountain in Greece and the second highest in the Balkans, sitting at 2918 m. The mountain is famous in Greek mythology as the dwelling of the 12 Olympian gods, ruled by Zeus. According to Greek mythology, the Mytikas peak was the gods’ meeting place and the Stefani peak was Zeus’ throne, from where he was said to have displayed his mighty power by throwing thunderbolts. Head out early today for a hike along a lush trail in the national park, headed to a waterfall. If it's a hot day, why not brave the cold water? Just don't forget to bring your swimming costume! You can also opt to visit the St Dionysios Monastery on the way back into town. The rest of the day is free for you to continue enjoying the surrounding countryside or simply take in the view of the mountain from the vantage point of the nearby beach.

Board a train to Athens this morning. When you arrive, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. There's much to be seen in this vibrant capital city. Named after the goddess of wisdom, Athens has a weighty history that spills out over the modern city, exemplified most dramatically by the ancient Acropolis, where you can enter the Pantheon and see excellent views over the city. You might like to visit the National Gardens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus or the original Olympic Stadium. Another highlight is the renowned changing of the guard ceremony at Syntagma (Parliament) Square. After, maybe gather your group for a delicious dinner of Greek cuisine and a glass of ouzo.

There are no activities planned for today and your adventure comes to an end. As there’s so much to see and do in Greece's capital, it’s highly recommended you extend your stay. If you wish to do so, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.