Western Balkans Uncovered





Venture through the original kingdoms of Eastern Europe
Be the star of your own historical epic as you walk along the city walls of ‘Game of Thrones’ fame in Dubrovnik, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed architecture of Montenegro’s Kotor and stroll down hidden alleyways that have existed since ancient times. This adventure combines the must-sees of the Balkan region and the lesser-known glories of North Macedonia and Albania to create the perfect blend of old and new. Cruise around Lake Ohrid, indulge in a wine tasting in Roshnik and visit a local market in Skopje, all on this 12-day adventure through the Western Balkans.
4.7
72 reviewsStart: Skopje, North Macedonia
End: Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Duration
- 12 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Comfort
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Why you'll love this trip
- Sail across the blue waters of Lake Ohrid – one of Europe's oldest lakes. No wonder North Macedonia and Albania share this beautiful attraction, who would want to let it go?
- Admire the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town of Dubrovnik (of Game of Thrones fame) and Montenegro’s Kotor as you walk along their ancient city walls.
- Sit down for a fresh farm-to-table lunch experience in Fishte in the midday Albanian sun. Enjoy local produce, wild fish and organic meat, all prepared on-site by your friendly local hosts.
- Indulge in local food like baklava (layered pastry with nuts and honey) or lokum (Turkish delight) during your visit to the local market in Skopje.
- Visit a traditional winery in Roshnik Village. Learn about the region’s historic wine-making practices while you enjoy a tasting with views of beautiful olive groves and vineyards.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Itinerary
Zdravo! Welcome to North Macedonia. Your adventure starts in Skopje with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Daut Pasha Hamam or see the statues and monuments of the city – the massive statue of Alexander the Great on horseback is in the centre of Macedonia Square! Or, maybe stroll past Byzantine domes, Turkish baths and the neo-classical buildings that line the streets. After your meeting, maybe head out to a local bar or restaurant to celebrate the start of your adventure with your fellow travellers.
There are no meals included on this day.
- Skopje - Daut Pasha Hammam - MKD60
- Skopje - Iconic Stone Bridge - Free
- Skopje - Holocaust Memorial Centre - MKD300
- Skopje - Kale Fortress - Free
- Skopje - Mount Vodno Cable Car to Millennium Cross - MKD120
- Skopje - City Museum - Free
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
This morning, set off on a guided walking tour through the narrow lanes of Carsija – Skopje's most atmospheric neighbourhood. Then, continue to a local market with your local leader. As you walk around, stop at a few stands to taste some local food like baklava (layered pastry with nuts and honey), tulumba (similar to churros), or lokum (Turkish delight). This afternoon is free for you to explore Skopje at your own pace. Maybe visit the Museum of the City of Skopje, which is housed in the old Railway Station, and learn the story behind the building’s clock.
- Breakfast
- Skopje - Walking tour with local guide + Local Market visit & Food tasting
Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.
After breakfast, travel to Lake Ohrid – Europe’s oldest lake and one of the oldest human settlements in the world. The town is said to have once been home to 365 churches, one for each day of the year, earning it the nickname ‘the Macedonian Jerusalem’. Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site for over 30 years and having historical excavations dating back to Neolithic times, the town remains under the radar for visitors. Get your bearings on an orientation walk with your local leader around the old bazaar area, then the rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own.
- Breakfast
- Ohrid - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Please have your passport ready for the border crossing.
Embark on a scenic cruise on the turquoise waters of Lake Ohrid, surrounded by mountains, villages and beaches. At 34 km long, 14 km wide and over 300 m deep, this lake is shared between Albania and North Macedonia. The rest of today is free for you to discover the area your way. Maybe explore Tast Samoil’s Fortress or visit one of the many churches and monasteries like the Macedonian Orthodox Church of Sveti Jovana Kaneo, situated on a rocky outcrop above the town.
- Breakfast
- Lake Ohrid - Boat Cruise
- Ohrid - St Jovan Church - MKD150
- Ohrid - Robev Family House National Museum - MKD150
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
This morning, travel across the border of Albania and continue to the remote and rarely visited town of Berat. When you arrive, learn about the city on a guided walking tour before climbing up to the still-inhabited fortress for fantastic views over town. In the afternoon, there will be plenty of time to mingle with locals at the park or at the city’s many cafes. The warmth of the Albanian people is infectious, and you’re bound to find yourself swapping stories over a glass of raki (or three). Tonight, sit down for a traditional Balkan dinner with your group, featuring dishes like stuffed peppers, cheese and spinach pies, hearty meat dishes, and plenty of grilled and fresh veggies.
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Berat - Castle Visit
- Berat - Walking tour with a local guide
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Today, head to Roshnik for a daytrip – a small village near Berat known for its vineyards, traditional architecture, wine production and agritourism. When you arrive, visit a local traditional winery for a wine tasting. The rest of today is then free for you to explore the countryside at your own pace. This afternoon, maybe hike to the nearby Tomorri Mountain or simply relax among the olive groves and discover the region’s history.
- Breakfast
- Roshnik - Wine tasting in a traditional winery
- Roshnik - Village visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
After breakfast, travel to Tirana. As you drive, take in the surrounding landscape and discover why the Alps in the rugged north are considered so fierce they're called 'accursed', while the south has one of Europe’s least well-known and most beautiful coastlines. When you arrive, set off on a guided tour to get your bearings in Albania’s capital and explore the mosques, citadels, Ottoman architecture and medieval atmosphere this city is known for. If the weather is good, maybe take a cable car ride up Dajti Mountain for panoramic views of the city below.
- Breakfast
- Tirana - Walking tour with a local guide
- Tirana - National Art Gallery - ALL200
- Tirana - National History Museum - ALL700
- Tirana - Sky Tower - ALL400
- Dajti Mountain Cable Car Ride - ALL800
- Tirana - Bunk'Art Bunker Exhibition Visit - Free
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours, depending on road conditions and the traffic into Tirana.
Today is a free day. Maybe visit the 1821 Et'hem Bey Mosque or walk through the National History Museum, which has a giant mosaic on its facade that represents the development of Albania's history. After, maybe explore the frescoes (art) outside and in the portico, which depict trees, waterfalls and bridges – motifs rarely seen in Islamic art! Tonight, maybe join your group for dinner at a local restaurant – you leader will have the best recommendations.
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
After breakfast, you’ll travel to Tivat – a small town in the Bay of Kotor. Along the way, stop at a local Albanian farm in Fishte for lunch made with organic produce, fresh meat and wild fish. After swapping stories with the locals, continue to Tivat. When you arrive, set off on an orientation walk through the streets with your leader before maybe sitting down to dinner at a local restaurant in town.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Herceg Novi - Leader led Orientation Walk
- Fishte - Local Agroturism Lunch
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours, depending on the border crossing into Montenegro.
This morning, set off on a daytrip to Kotor – Montenegro’s fortified town wedged between soaring mountains and sparkling Adriatic waters. When you arrive, join your leader on a walking tour of Kotor and learn about this 5th century UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. The rest of today is free to explore the city at your own pace. Maybe hike to the Fortress of Kotor, visit the Ostrog Monastery or explore the Maritime Museum. Later, maybe find a local restaurant for dinner and try mussels buzara (mussel stew) or octopus salad before travelling back to Tivat for the night.
- Breakfast
- Kotor - Day trip
- Kotor - Walking tour with local guide
- Kotor Bay - Boat ride from Herceg Novi to Kotor around Kotor Bay
- Kotor - Fortress - EUR3
- Kotor - St. Tryphon’s Cathedral - EUR4
- Kotor - Maritime Museum - EUR5
- Kotor - Cruise on Kotor Fjord - EUR40
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
This morning, travel to Dubrovnik. When you arrive, join your leader for a walk along the medieval city walls that surround the Old Town – thesewalls were used in the filming of ‘Game of Thrones’. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Dubrovnik. Maybe check out the Franciscan Monastery with one of the world's oldest, continuously functioning pharmacies, founded in the 13th century. Maybe visit Big Onofrio's Fountain – a masterpiece built by famous European architect Onofrio della Cava. Tonight, you could find a local restaurant for dinner and celebrate the last night of your trip with your group.
- Breakfast
- Leader - led orientation walk including City Walls
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours, depending on the border crossing into Croatia.
As there are no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
- Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
- Dubrovnik - War Photography Museum - EUR10
- Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR69
- Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car - EUR27
- Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace - EUR13
- Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence - EUR4
- Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip - EUR27
Inclusions and activities
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Private vehicle, Taxi
Hotel (11 nights)
- Skopje - Walking tour with local guide + Local Market visit & Food tasting
- Ohrid - Leader-led Orientation Walk
- Lake Ohrid - Boat Cruise
- Berat - Castle Visit
- Berat - Walking tour with a local guide
- Roshnik - Wine tasting in a traditional winery
- Roshnik - Village visit
- Tirana - Walking tour with a local guide
- Herceg Novi - Leader led Orientation Walk
- Fishte - Local Agroturism Lunch
- Kotor - Day trip
- Kotor - Walking tour with local guide
- Kotor Bay - Boat ride from Herceg Novi to Kotor around Kotor Bay
- Leader - led orientation walk including City Walls
- Skopje - Daut Pasha Hammam - MKD60
- Skopje - Iconic Stone Bridge - Free
- Skopje - Holocaust Memorial Centre - MKD300
- Skopje - Kale Fortress - Free
- Skopje - Mount Vodno Cable Car to Millennium Cross - MKD120
- Skopje - City Museum - Free
- Ohrid - St Jovan Church - MKD150
- Ohrid - Robev Family House National Museum - MKD150
- Tirana - National Art Gallery - ALL200
- Tirana - National History Museum - ALL700
- Tirana - Sky Tower - ALL400
- Dajti Mountain Cable Car Ride - ALL800
- Tirana - Bunk'Art Bunker Exhibition Visit - Free
- Kotor - Fortress - EUR3
- Kotor - St. Tryphon’s Cathedral - EUR4
- Kotor - Maritime Museum - EUR5
- Kotor - Cruise on Kotor Fjord - EUR40
- Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
- Dubrovnik - War Photography Museum - EUR10
- Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR69
- Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car - EUR27
- Dubrovnik - Rector's Palace - EUR13
- Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence - EUR4
- Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip - EUR27
This trip generates 25 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage at times, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs and across cobblestones.
- Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40° C), which can be uncomfortable. It's important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability for that season.
- This trip includes time spent travelling in a private vehicle with your group. Extra space can be tight, and conditions may feel a little cramped. It's all part of the adventure and a great way to get to know your fellow travellers. There are a few long days of travel, as you'll be covering a lot of ground. You will, however, make stops at interesting locations to break up the longer drives. Please read the itinerary carefully for travel time estimates.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
EUROPEAN HOTELS
Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially by American or Australian standards.
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Hotel London B&B
Nikola Vapcarov 2/4
Skopje
MACEDONIA, REPUBLIC OF
Instructions
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.
For your confirmed arrival transfer, you’ll be met in the arrivals hall by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact our local office on the number in the ‘Problems and emergency contact information’ section.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the airport to your hotel. The drive to the hotel will take around 30 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Dates and prices
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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