Tirane – Elbasan - Ohrid (UNESCO) (North Macedonia)

Elbasan - After breakfast, travel to Elbasan, a historically significant city once known as “Via Egnatia” during the Roman Empire, connecting Rome-Naples-Bari-Durres-Elbasan-Ohrid-Thessaloniki-Istanbul. The city tour includes visits to Elbasan Castle (dating back to the 4th Century BC), The Clock, The Ethnographic Museum, a Church, and The Old Mosque.

Ohrid - Continue to the picturesque city of Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Sveti Naum Monastery, offering stunning views of Lake Ohrid towards Albania. Explore its blend of western and oriental architecture, including the Orthodox Cathedral, the 11th-century church of St. Sofia, and the Roman theater.

Bitola (UNESCO) (ancient Heraclea) - Edessa. (164 km, 2 h 55 min).

Bitola Museum - After breakfast, head to Bitola, passing through Resen and the largest apple orchards in the Balkans. Visit the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, the best-preserved ancient city in Macedonia, built in the 4th century BC and later conquered by the Romans. Heraclea Lyncestis is renowned for its beautiful mosaics, antique theater, and Roman baths. Excavations after the First World War revealed the Roman baths, Episcope basilica, Synagogue, portico, and Roman theater, which now hosts modern plays and concerts.

Edessa Waterfalls - Visit Edessa and stop at the waterfalls to enjoy the breathtaking view.

Pella - Thessaloniki (UNESCO). (94 km, 1 h 40 min).

Archaeological Museum of Pella - After breakfast, continue to Pella, an ancient Macedonian city in Greece, known as the historical capital of the ancient kingdom of Macedon and the birthplace of Alexander the Great. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Pella.

Thessaloniki City Center - Proceed to Thessaloniki, a city ideal for both short breaks and extended holidays. Thessaloniki is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its numerous Byzantine monuments and is also a vibrant modern European city. Visit Galerius Arch (Kamara), Rotunda, Archaeological Museum, St. Demetrius church, Roman Forum, Our Lady “of the Coppersmiths” church, Bey Hamam Baths (Paradise Baths), church of Holy Wisdom, Museum of Byzantine Civilization, and the White Tower.

Kavala - Alexandroupolis. (302 km, 3 h 25 min).

Tekirdag (Turkey) - Istanbul (UNESCO). (302 km, 3 h 50 min).

Istanbul Cevahir Mall - Continue to Istanbul, a major city in Turkey that spans Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. The Old City reflects the cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. Explore the historic Old City, including the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, Topkapı Palace, and the Grand Bazaar.

Istanbul (UNESCO).

Edirne (UNESCO). (254 km 2h 55 min)

Plovdiv (UNESCO) (Bulgaria). (177 km 2h 15 min).

Plovdiv Old Town - This morning, continue to Plovdiv, the “City of the Seven Hills.” Plovdiv is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, known as Philippopolis in the 4th century B.C. in honor of King Philip II of Macedonia. Today, Plovdiv is a cultural center and was selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2019. Walk through the cobbled streets of Plovdiv’s Old Town, visit The Ancient Roman Theater, Kapana Creative District, The Roman Stadium, The Longest Pedestrian Street in Europe, and The Secretive Tobacco Town, once the heart of Bulgaria’s tobacco industry.

Sofia. (144 km 2h 15 min).

Sofia History Museum - After breakfast, depart for Sofia. Take a panoramic tour of the Bulgarian capital, an 8500-year-old city called “My Rome” by Emperor Constantine The Great. Visit the forum of Ancient Serdica with the latest archaeological discoveries from Roman times, exhibited next to the Bulgarian presidency. Next, visit St. Nedelya square, where four worship buildings of the main religions in Bulgaria are located next to each other: the Orthodox Church St. Nedelya, the Catholic church, the Synagogue, and the Mosque, symbolizing peace between different religions in Bulgaria. Continue the tour with “Alexander I” square, home to the Royal Palace and the National Theatre, “Tzar Osvoboditel” boulevard, the Parliament, the Church of ”St. Sofia” (meaning wisdom), which gave the city its name, Sofia University, and the “Alexander Nevski” Cathedral.

Skopje (North Macedonia). (244 km 3h 30 min).

Old Bazaar, Skopje - After breakfast, continue to Skopje. Upon arrival, take a city tour. Walk through the landmarks of the old part of Skopje, starting with the Skopje Castle on a hill, offering views of both the old and new parts of the city. Continue walking towards Mustafa Pasha Mosque (1492) and the church of Holy Savior (18th Century), then to the historical district known as Skopje’s Old Bazaar, characterized by a mix of churches, mosques, inns, baths, craftsmen’s shops, old buildings, restaurants, pubs, and small shops.

Ulpiana (Kosova) - Gracanica Monastery (UNESCO) - Prishtine (177 km 2h 3 min).

Ulpiana - After breakfast, drive to Pristina, stopping first to visit the ruins of Ulpiana, an ancient Dardanian-Illyrian city dating back to the Roman invasion period of the 1st century, once one of the most powerful cities in the Balkans.

Gracanica Monastery - Later, visit the spectacular Gracanica Monastery, one of Kosovo’s most beautiful sites, featuring impressive frescoes.

Pristina - Proceed to Pristina, Kosovo’s capital, for a walking tour to explore the city’s main sites, including the Orthodox Church and the Carshi Mosque, dating back to the early 15th century.

Peja - Gjakova - Prizren. (160 km 2h 55 min)

Patriarchate of Pec - After breakfast, depart for Peja, located at the foot of the Damned Mountains (Bjeshk’t e Nemuna), on the river Bistrica and at the entrance of the Rugova Gorge. Peja is the main economic and cultural center of northern Dukagjin and a well-known tourist resort in the region.

Albanian League of Prizren Museum [Muzeu Lidhja Shqiptare e Prizrenit] - Continue to Prizren, probably the most attractive town in Kosovo, with well-preserved buildings from the Ottoman era. Visit the castle, one of the oldest in the Balkans, built to protect the city from attacks, the ornate Bajrakli Mosque, and the old Turkish Hammam, among other sights. Prizren is a highlight of any visit to Kosovo, especially when the old town’s houses are seen in the low light of sunset.

Kukes (Albania) - Rubik.

Kruje - Tirana.

Kruja Castle - After breakfast, depart for Kruje. Visit the medieval city of Kruja, including the castle, the impressive Skanderbeg Museum, the Ethnographical Museum, and shop in the Old Bazaar, with mosques from the Ottoman era.

Tirana - Continue to Tirana, Albania’s capital. 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.

• Air Conditioned modern van/minibus/bus and other transportation listed in itinerary
• English speaking tour leader/manager
• Daily breakfast
• Accommodation in 3* hotels on double occupancy in good locations

• Admission/entry Fees
• A mandatory service fee for tour guide/bus driver (min. 5-7 Euro /day per person)
• Lunch and Dinner charges (if applicable)
• Everything not mentioned in “Inclusions”
• Local guides (can be provided upon request) and require extra charge

The ‘Egnatia Route’ of the Europe Explorer Grand Tour offers the perfect opportunity for adventurous travelers to experience the unique blend of culture, nature, history, traditions, and multi-ethnicity in the Southeast Balkans. This custom-designed tour takes you to essential destinations in Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Kosova. The title ‘Egnatia Route’ is a tribute to the ancient road that served as the primary link between the western part of Europe (Rome) and the Illyrian (Balkan) Peninsula to the East (Kostandinopoja), continuing through Asia Minor to the Silk Road. Noted for its historical significance in the Roman Empire as ‘Via Egnatia’, remnants of ancient bridges and roads are a sight to behold amidst the breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage of the region. The tour incorporates visits to diverse locales like Tirana, Elbasan, Struge, Ohrid, Bitola, Thessaloniki, Kavala, Alexandroupoli, Tekirdağ, Istanbul, Edirne, Plovdiv, Sofia, Skopje, Prizren, Kukes, and Rubik.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.