ILLYRIA(BALKAN) EXPLORER - BLUE ROUTE

After breakfast in the hotel in Tirana, we 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’s lunch will be included and the opportunity to eat some traditional food in Kruja. Then continue to Shkoder. Shkoder is one of the oldest cities in the Balkans and was once the capital of the Illyrian empire before got conquered by Rome (year 168 BC). It is also considered the “Florece 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. Than departure to Budva (UNESCO). We will visit the capital of Montenegro tourism to enjoy the amazing combination of the wonderful beaches with the history of the ancient, cultural and religious monuments. Visit in the Old City, Sveti Trojica Churc, Stanjevici Monastery, Ethnologic Museum. Overnight in NIksic. 

Cross the border to Bosnia-Herzegovina and travel to Mostar, where we explore on a walking tour through the old Turkish town. Head to the capital, arriving in afternoon. We take a tour through the old oriental part of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital city, with its beautiful architecture, sweet shops and cafes. We also visit the Princip Bridge, site of the start of World War I, and spot various markings on the pavements which are ‘mini-memorials’ to the sniper victims of the recent war. We also visit the tunnel museum, a section of the tunnel that was the only way of accessing the city during the siege of 1992-1995. Later there is free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight in Sarajevo. 

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. 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. Overnight in Osijek. 

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's Cathedral, the Hungarian Parliament, the famous Andrássy avenue, the Jewish quarter or the Castle District. Overnight in Budapest. 

Today we travel to Belgrade (Serbia) by stopping first to visit Novi Sad. Cross border with Serbia to Belgrade, arriving in afternoon. Belgrade is one of the largest city in the Balkans, and is an intriguing mix of the traditional and the modern, with its museums, galleries and lively nightlife. We explore this city, 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. Overnight in Belgrade. 

Departure to Nish. Nis is the third largest city in Serbia and it is one of the oldest cities in the Balkans and Europe, and from ancient times has been considered a gateway between the East and the West. It was named Navissos by the Scordisci in 279 BC, after an invasion of the Balkans. The city was among several taken in the Roman conquest in 75 BC. The Romans built the Via Militaris in the 1st century, with Naissus being one of its key towns; it is also the birthplace of Constantine the Great, the first Christian Emperor and the founder of Constantinople, and Constantius III and Justin I. It is home to one of the oldest churches in Serbia, dating to the 4th century, located in the suburb of Mediana. Upon our arrival in Nis we will first visit the famous Cele Kula (Skull Tower NIS) where you will learn about the atrocities of the Turks against the Serbs and you will see a unique in the world monument for the sacrifice of Serbian revolutionaries. The second important archaeological site in Nis is Medijana. This Roman estate exhibits the remains of a granary, craft centre, villas , thermae, and the remains of ancient villa with with rich mosaics. Most mosaics exhibit geometrical or floral motifs, while two mosaics presenting figures - the head of the Medusa and a semi-prostrate figure of a river deity (probably Neptune). Overnight in Nis. 

After breakfast drive to Pristine. Explore the city visiting its main sites such as the Orthodox Church and the Carshi Mosque, dating back to the early 15th century. We then head to the ruins of Ulpiana, an ancient Roman city that was once one of the most powerful in the Balkans. Later we visit the spectacular Gracanica Monastery, one of Kosovo’s most beautiful sites and containing some impressive frescoes. Then continue to Prizren. This city, probably is the most attractive town in Kosovo with superbly preserved buildings from the Ottoman era. We visit the castle which is one of the oldest in the Balkans (almost 3 millenniums), built to protect the city from attacks, the ornate Bajrakli Mosque and the old Turkish Hammam among other sights. Prizren is an absolute highlight of any visit to Kosovo and to see the old houses of the old town in low light as the sun sets is a delight. Then continue to Tirana and explore 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. Overnight in Tirana. 

After breakfast depature to onward journey