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  4. The Balkans Real Food Adventure

Explore Croatia, Montenegro and Macedonia foodie hubs from Dubrovnik to Skopje.

No one leaves this real food adventure hungry! Immerse yourself in the culinary delights of the Balkans on a 12-day tour through Croatia, Montenegro and Macedonia. Picnic on the lush banks of the Treska River, stroll through national parks and soak up picturesque scenes of waterfalls, church-filled villages and some of Macedonia’s most spiritual sites. Sip a traditional fermented drink – boza – for breakfast (don’t knock it ‘til you try it!), master the art of the perfect pastry with the village women of Janche, enjoy A traditional barbeque in Kosovo, dine on a home-grown meal in the private garden of a Dihovo family and visit a centuries-old olive press outside of Kotor. Experience next level hospitality on this unforgettable foodie adventure.

Start
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Finish
Skopje, Macedonia
Destinations
Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo
Style
Original
Theme
Food
Code
ZKZM
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 12

Why you'll love this trip

  • Discover why the Balkans are the next big thing in food – drink boza, rakija and wine, and taste pinjur, makalo, bieno cheese, ckembe corba and more in this adventurous foodie destination

  • Learn how to make the regional specialty of pastries with local village women in Janche

  • Meet a local beekeeper and get the buzz on honey in a bee master class

  • Taste one of the newest players on the world wine scene – sample Macedonia’s finest drops with a celebrated local expert

  • Explore a world hams and cheeses in a centuries-old smokehouse, and olive oil in local farm outside of Kotor

Is this trip right for you?

  • This trip stops in Kosovo and Albania while travelling between Croatia and Macedonia. No additional visa is required.

  • This trip aims to give you an exciting, diverse and well-rounded experience of a country’s cuisine. While we endeavour to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please be aware that in many countries dietary restrictions are not common or well understood. If you have dietary requirements, simply contact your agent at the time of booking for further information on how this may impact on your ability to take part in included activities and meals. Come with an open mind and open mouth, and you won’t be disappointed!

  • While this is one of our Real Food Adventures, there will be some free time for you to enjoy and indulge in the culinary scene as you please.

Map of The Balkans Real Food Adventure including Croatia, Macedonia, Republic Of, Montenegro and Kosovo
Experience the cuisine and culture of Montenegro & Macedonia on a Real Food Adventure
Experience the cuisine and culture of Montenegro & Macedonia on a Real Food Adventure
Experience the cuisine and culture of Montenegro & Macedonia on a Real Food Adventure
Experience the cuisine and culture of Montenegro & Macedonia on a Real Food Adventure
Experience the cuisine and culture of Montenegro & Macedonia on a Real Food Adventure
Experience the cuisine and culture of Montenegro & Macedonia on a Real Food Adventure
Experience the cuisine and culture of Montenegro & Macedonia on a Real Food Adventure
Experience the cuisine and culture of Montenegro & Macedonia on a Real Food Adventure
Experience the cuisine and culture of Montenegro & Macedonia on a Real Food Adventure
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Itinerary
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Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia. Dubrovnik is a beautiful white stone town surrounded entirely by fortifications – some might recognise it from Game of Thrones as the filming location for Kings Landing. Although it experienced devastation during the war in the early 1990s, the restored old town remains as charming as ever. With the sparkling water of the Adriatic in the background, Dubrovnik is picturesque, full of character and can easily be covered on foot.

Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today, check with reception to confirm the time and place. You can arrive at anytime before then. If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive at the hotel by early evening, you may wish to arrive a day early. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have these on hand. If you arrive early, perhaps head out to one of the Elafiti Islands. There's Lopud, a quiet island with lovely hikes, clean beaches and a ruined castle. Kolocep is a sleepy enclave that boasts walks for every fitness level, and Sipan is the most populated of the isles and reputedly has the most hospitable inhabitants.

After the meeting, head out with the group for an included dinner. Croatian cuisine varies from region to region, but a countrywide favourite that continues on the back of tradition is the charcuterie. Traditionally created with pork, charcuterie involves using a lot of specially prepared meats to create pates, rillettes, sausages, cured meats and more – all of which showcase flavours specific to their preservation process. If the option’s there, definitely give it a try.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Dinner

After breakfast, depart from Dubrovnik to the Peljesac peninsula, taking a few stops along the way. Take some time to explore Ston, witnessing the longest stretching city walls in the region before watching the production of sea salt at the local salt panels, then continue on the panoramic drive along the bay. Spend some time passing the local vineyards before reaching the small village of Putnikovic. Enjoy a visit to a local farm to learn more about regional production and harvesting techniques before eating lunch at the local konoba (Croatian tavern).

The word konoba has shifted in meaning over the years, but typically when you see the sign outside of a building, you’ll know that it typically means the establishment is a costal restaurant offering regional dishes with fine wines and brandies. Today’s meal at the konoba includes several traditional home cooked dishes and drinks along with fruit liqueurs, olive oil and local wine. A main course of veal or lamb meat under the bell, garnished with potatoes, local bread and salads is your first dinner option; the second being the freshly grilled ‘catch of the day’ with olive oil and garlic for that authentic Croatian seafood flavour. Transfer to Kotor in the late afternoon hours, where the group stays for the night.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ston - Town Visit
  • Putnokovici - Local Farm Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

After breakfast, visit the town of Njegusi on the outskirts of Kotor – known around the country for its famous smoke dried hams and cheeses. Stop into a smokehouse, where the owners take you on a tour and explain their artisanal production process which dates back for centuries. Enjoy tastings of their famous Njegui smoked hams, cheeses and grape brandy in the smokehouse restaurant before returning to Kotor with a nicely filled belly.

Continue on a short trip to an olive farm in the village of Tici, located in the Lustica bay area on the outskirts of Kotor. Discover traditional and contemporary techniques of producing this staple Mediterranean ingredient as the friendly hosts share their second-generation organic olive oil production techniques with the group. Wander through the beautiful olive groves before arriving at a well-preserved and ancient stone olive mill, where the olives were once milled by hand. A guided tasting allows an insight into what makes for good olive oil as you figure out various qualities using your tastebuds.

With free time later in the day, consider getting lost in the town’s crooked walkways, checking out the boutiques and cafes, or perhaps climb the hills behind the city to experience Kotor’s ruined fortification walls. A one-and-a-half hour hike up the stone steps, past churches, gates, and bastions to the Fortress of Sveti Ivan at the top rewards you with magnificent views across both the town and the brooding Bay of Kotor. Tomorrow begins your journey into Kosovo – consider savouring a last chance to taste Montenegro's flavours with an optional dinner of Montenegrin wine and traditional dishes at one of Kotor's fantastic wine bars.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Njegusi - Smokehouse Visit & Tasting
  • Lustica - Olive oil farm visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Say goodbye to Kotor in the morning as you depart for Kosovo. The first stop on the journey takes you to Rozafa Fortress, Albania – one of the last legendary strongholds of the allied Christian forces (Albanians, Montenegrins and Venetians) against the invading Ottomans in the 15th-century.

By the time the early afternoon rolls in, you’ll arrive in Prizren, the second largest city in Kosovo. This picturesque location remains as the most culturally and ethnically diverse in all of Kosovo, playing home to Bosniaks, Serbians, the Gorani, Turks, Romani and Kosovo Albanians. The abundance of orange rooftops makes for a striking décor, as do the impressive mosques and churches in the city.

Begin with an optional lunch at the old bazaar, offering your first chance to enjoy the Kosovan cuisine. Bread, dairy (mainly yoghurt and white cheeses), meat and vegetables are all important staples of the average Kosovan diet, including pies or ‘trejte’, tave prizreni (the native Prizren casserole) and salads made with cucumber, dairy and garlic or onion. Stuffed peppers are also a big hit – keep an eye out for this tongue-tempting favourite. There’s plenty on offer at the bazaar as it teems with life, smells and sounds, yet the Kosovan gastronomic challenge lies in a strange delicacy – deep fried lamb brains. If in season, try it if you dare.

After visiting the bazaar, you are free to explore Prizren at your own pace. A guided sightseeing tour is on the cards, or you can choose to wander through the streets on your own as the evening closes in, enjoying the young and sociable nightlife.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Prizren - Walking Tour
  • Albania - Rozafa Fortress
  • Shkoder - Rozafa Fortress visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Depart from Prizren on to Pristina, Kosovo’s capital and largest city. Take some time to explore the history nearby settlement of Gracanica settlement, which serves as the home of one of the few dominantly Serbian populations in Kosovo. A special experience awaits here with a delicious Kosovo-Serb barbecue, prepared by the local hosts who serve sausages and other pork delicacies from their personal smokehouse. Afterwards, round out a big meal by taking a short trip to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gracanica Monastery – built upon the ruins of a 6th-century Christian basilica by Serbian king Stefan Milutin in 1321. Return to Prizren for another evening, where a free evening of exploration awaits.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kosovo - Sightseeing Tour
  • Pristina - Gracanica Monastery Visit
  • Gracanica - Traditional Lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today marks your last day in Kosovo – enjoy breakfast before checking out of the hotel and departing towards Macedonia. Pass through the Brezovica National Park, taking in the steep cliffs and rugged mountain scenery as you pass by en route to Skopje. Travel through Tetovo to the nearby village of Varvara, enjoying a delicious Macedonian lunch of beans and pork dishes for which the area is famous for. Then loop back to witness the beautiful Painted Mosque of Tetovo. This mosque is famous for its intricately decorated facade and internal painted decorations, of which more than 30,000 eggs were used to prepare the glaze and paints that now adorn the interior walls. We arrive in Leunovo in the early evening where we will enjoy a meal typical of the Mavrono area at a local restaurant.

Considered to be a division of Balkan cuisine, Macedonian dishes reflect influences taken from both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures. The relatively warm climate in the country allows for excellent growing conditions for juicy vegetables and fruits, along with fragrant herbs which are often added to dishes. Macedonian dairy products, wines and local alcoholic beverages, such as rakija, have gained considerable respect for the variety and quality of flavours they offer. However if there’s two things you should keep an eye out for in Macedonia, it’s tavce gravce, a traditional dish prepared with fresh beans, pepper and onion, along with mastika, a liqueur seasoned with resin gathered from the mastic tree which is served best with a tarator salad.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Leunovo - Painted Mosque of Tetovo Visit
  • Leunovo - Traditional Home Cooked Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Wake up in the morning to the smell of a home-made breakfast wafting in from the kitchen. A delicious meal of fresh, hot mekici (Macedonian doughnuts) and pancakes are served up for breakfast, traditionally coupled with some delicious local jam or cheese. Afterwards, say farewell to your host family and set off to explore the southern part of the Mavrovo National Park. This region serves as the home to an indigenous community of Macedonian Muslims – as a result, the area is culturally and ethnically different from the rest of the country.

Take a stop at the nearby St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery (St. John the Baptist), which is widely renowned as the most spiritual monastery in Macedonia. This 19th-century structure, erected upon both the ruins of an 11th-century church and the slopes of Mt. Bistra, plays home to a small silver coffin allegedly containing the remains of St. John himself.

Continue on to the village of Janche, sitting in the winding canyon that guides the Radika River. The village is known as one of the oldest in the region – its quaint houses line the hillside in harmony with the natural surrounds. After a quick walk around this unique village, a hands on cooking class with the local women will teach the skills required to make local pastries, considered to be a specialty of this region. After lunch, drive onward to Ohrid where you will arrive in the evening.

Driving time today is approximately 4 hours.
Accommodation
  • Homestay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Janche - Cooking Class
  • Mavrovo National Park Visit
  • St Jovan Bigorski Monastery Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Ohrid is Europe’s oldest lake and as one of the oldest human settlements in the world, it’s got a wealth of historic sites and religious monuments to discover. The town is eternal, set around a magical hill whose primordial pulsation links ancient and modern times forever. 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 World Heritage site for over 30 years, the town remains under the radar of visitors.

Today is free to explore the town’s streets and churches, maybe picking up a bargain or two in the vibrant Old Bazaar. You might want to ask your leader for good local restaurants in the area as you make breakfast and lunch ideas. A highly recommended favourite is fish stew, a traditional dish that often comes served in a light, lemony broth. Alternatively, consider joining your leader for an optional day trip to the southern point of Ohrid Lake and the mystical Sveti Naum Monastery, one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Macedonia. Take in the ancient Tast Samoil’s Fortress, which stands on the top of Ohrid Hill and looks across the town, along with a 2000-year-old Roman theatre that was uncovered near its upper gate. The Sveti Jovana Kaneo church, which picturesquely sits on a town-top rocky outcrop overlooking the lake, is one of the most popular in Macedonia and definitely worth the visit.

This evening, head to Kuratica, a village on the outskirts of Ohrid. Here you’ll experience true local hospitality and enjoy a home-cooked meal of regional delicacies. Your host also brews his own rakija, infused with herbs only found in this region, which you’ll be lucky enough to taste.

Notes: If it has rained on the day you visit, or the day before, you may go foraging for edible snails in Kuratica and use the collection for dinner.
Accommodation
  • Homestay (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kuratica - Local Home Cooked Dinner
Optional Activities
  • Ohrid - Day tour (City tour and cruise) - Minimum 2 passengers - EUR30
  • Ohrid - St Nuam Monastery Visit & Trpexa - EUR60
Meals Included
  • Dinner

After leaving your accommodation in Ohrid, head down to the Green Market for a traditional breakfast. You might like to try the best burek in town or enjoy a “gjomleze” pie. The pie is a fairly plain dish, typically made with flour, water, salt and oil – it’s the added condiments that truly define the dish, much in the same way that they do with bread.

Drive onward to Dihovo, another little village sitting quietly in the foothills of Mt Pelister. A local beekeeper will teach you about the fascinating world of the honeybee as they share with you their secrets – you’ll get a hands on approach to beekeeping and honey as you don on protective gear for an optional open beehive demonstration. Afterwards, enjoy a tasting of honey extracted straight from the comb before tucking into a home-cooked meal in a stone and wood villa built in traditional Macedonian style. All of the ingredients are organic and come from the family’s own private gardens.

Arrive in Bitola by mid afternoon. Relax in one of the city’s many cafes, explore the stalls of the Old Bazaar or choose to take a guided tour of the ancient town and archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis, located on the outskirts of Bitola. Heraclea was founded by Philip II of Macedonia in the fourth century BC after he had conquered the surrounding region of Lyncestis and incorporated it into his kingdom of Macedon. The city was named in honour of the mythological hero Heracles, whom Philip considered his ancestor. With its strategic location, it became a prosperous city. Each object, each stone, each pedestal is shrouded in mystery.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dihovo - Beekeeping Masterclass
  • Ohrid - Green Market Visit/Breakfast
  • Dihovo - Villa Dihovo Lunch
Optional Activities
  • Bitola - Heraclea Lyncestis Visit - EUR15
Meals Included
  • Lunch

Start the day with a Turkish coffee at the Old Bazaar and learn about the importance of coffee culture in Bitola. For the more adventurous, perhaps try a bowl of the local specialty Ckembe Corba (tripe soup). It is claimed that the soup was once part of an initiation rite for boys, but today it’s commonly enjoyed as an early morning breakfast dish.

Later in the morning, head out to the Stobi archaeological site for a short sightseeing walk. Stobi, once known as Paeonia, was conquered by the ancient kingdom of Macedon and turned into the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia Salutaris. It is considered by many to be the most famous archaeological site in Macedonia – the intricately carved basilica, well preserved stone columns and structures along with the ancient theatre area are all spectacular memoirs of a time of antiquity.

Continue on to the wine region of Tikves, where you’ll meet an international wine writer, critic and author responsible for writing the very first guide to Macedonian wine. The production of wine and wine grapes has traditionally been fairly prominent in Macedonia, thanks to an abundance of sunshine and rich, rocky soil. This has been the case since Roman times, where wine production was typically conducted in monasteries. Tikves continues to play an important role in the country’s wine production since the 4th century BC and is home to many of the country’s finest wineries – today’s adventures offer a taste of local varieties at two of these acclaimed wine estates. Enjoy a pairing of delicious local cheeses next to these wines in an afternoon of laughter and indulgence.

After immersing yourself in the full flavours of Macedonia’s wine culture, arrive in Skopje in the late afternoon. Tonight is free to explore Macedonia’s capital at your own pace – perhaps consider asking your leader for restaurant suggestions.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Tikves - Wine Tasting
  • Bitola - Stobi Archaeological Site Visit
Optional Activities
  • Bitola - Breakfast Ckembe Corba - EUR5
Meals Included
  • Lunch

Wake early and enjoy 'breakfast on the move' through the streets of Skopje. Pay a visit to the green market to learn more about the ingredients that make up Macedonian cuisine before picking up some items for a picnic lunch.

Travel to Matka Canyon, a fascinating gorge containing a rich complex of medieval buildings, churches, monasteries and the remnants of a fortress. After a short walk to the Monastery of St Andrew, a boat will collect you for a relaxing sail through Matka Canyon and down the Treska River with a picnic lunch stop along the way.

Once lunch is finished, return by boat and depart in the van to Skopje. This evening, the group leader will offer suggestions for a final group dinner – the perfect way for say farewell to Macedonia.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Matka - Matka Canyon Boat Cruise
  • Skopje - Green Market/Picnic
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Your Real Food Adventure concludes this morning. If you are spending more time in Skopje we can help you to book additional nights accommodation just contact your sales agent.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Meals

7 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights), Homestay (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Ston - Town Visit
  • Putnokovici - Local Farm Visit
  • Njegusi - Smokehouse Visit & Tasting
  • Lustica - Olive oil farm visit
  • Prizren - Walking Tour
  • Albania - Rozafa Fortress
  • Shkoder - Rozafa Fortress visit
  • Kosovo - Sightseeing Tour
  • Pristina - Gracanica Monastery Visit
  • Gracanica - Traditional Lunch
  • Leunovo - Painted Mosque of Tetovo Visit
  • Leunovo - Traditional Home Cooked Dinner
  • Janche - Cooking Class
  • Mavrovo National Park Visit
  • St Jovan Bigorski Monastery Visit
  • Kuratica - Local Home Cooked Dinner
  • Dihovo - Beekeeping Masterclass
  • Ohrid - Green Market Visit/Breakfast
  • Dihovo - Villa Dihovo Lunch
  • Tikves - Wine Tasting
  • Bitola - Stobi Archaeological Site Visit
  • Matka - Matka Canyon Boat Cruise
  • Skopje - Green Market/Picnic

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Important notes

1. A Single Supplement is available on this trip, please ask your booking agent for more information.
2. This trip stops in Kosovo and Albania while travelling between Croatia and Macedonia. No additional visa is required.

Essential trip information

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