Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Sofia
Sofia- Start point
- Budapeshta Street 92А, 1202 Orlandovtsi, Sofia, Bulgaria (Hotel Budapest, Hotel Reception, 17:00)
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Rosslyn Thracia Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Visit the Archaeological Museum housed in a 15th-century mosque displaying Thracian, Roman and medieval artefacts
- Explore the Museum of Socialist Art featuring Soviet era relics including Lenin statues and propaganda footage
- Visit the ancient ruins of Serdica uncovered during metro construction including streets, a church and Roman bathhouse
- Sample traditional Bulgarian cuisine including shopska salad, kebapche, and surmi
Landmarks Archaeological Museum Museum of Socialist Art Serdica Roman Ruins - Day 2
Sofia to Saint Joakim Osogovski Monastery
Sofia to Saint Joakim Osogovski Monastery- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Monastery St. Joakim Osogovski)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Sofia visiting Alexander Nevski Cathedral, synagogue, Presidential Palace and Saint Sofia's Church
- Visit Saint Joakim Osogovski Monastery with viewing of 18th-century frescoes
Landmarks Alexander Nevski Cathedral Saint Sofia's Church Presidential Palace Saint Joakim Osogovski Monastery - Day 3
Kratovo - Skopje
Kratovo - Skopje- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Arka)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Kratovo with local guide
- Guided walking tour of Skopje including Fortress Kale
- Visit Church of Saint Spas
- Explore old Turkish bazaar
Optional Activities
- Traditional lunch in Kratovo (€12-15 per person)
Landmarks Kratovo Kale Fortress Church of Saint Spas Old Turkish Bazaar of Skopje - Day 4
Skopje
Skopje- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Arka)
Included Activities
- Half-day excursion to Matka Gorge viewing karst formations and Matka Lake
Optional Activities
- Boat ride on Matka Lake above the dam viewing canyon and caves (600MKD/€10)
- Walk along Matka Gorge and visit old church beside the water
- Visit museums, mosques and galleries in Skopje
- Explore the bustling bazaar
Landmarks Matka Gorge Matka Lake - Day 5
Skopje to Ohrid
Skopje to Ohrid- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Royal View)
Included Activities
- Visit Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery viewing the remarkable iconostasis
Optional Activities
- Optional lunch at traditional restaurant Kukja na Miacite near Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery
- Walk through the traditional Macedonian village of Vevchani
Landmarks Saint Jovan Bigorski Monastery Vevchani Mount Jablanica - Day 6
Ohrid
Ohrid- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Royal View)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Ohrid including Tsar Samuel's Fortress, Saint Sophia's Church, and Roman amphitheatre
- Walk to Church of Saint John at Kaneo
- Short boat ride from Church of Saint John at Kaneo back to Ohrid town centre
Optional Activities
- Boat trips across the lake (price available on request)
- Visit Archaeological Museum or Byzantine Museum
- Explore Old Town's cobbled lanes
- Browse Turkish shops
- Relax on beaches
- Attend Ohrid Summer Festival (mid-July to mid-August) with concerts and plays in outdoor venues
Landmarks Tsar Samuel's Fortress Saint Sophia's Church Roman Amphitheatre Saint Clement's Church Plaosnik Archaeological Site Church of Saint John at Kaneo Lake Ohrid - Day 7
Ohrid
Ohrid- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Royal View)
Optional Activities
- Full-day excursion to Albania (€40-60 per person depending on group size)
- Visit Ottoman-period mosaics in Lin (subject to local conditions)
- Visit summer villa of former dictator Enver Hoxha in Podgradec
- Try local specialty of Ohrid trout
Landmarks Lake Ohrid Struga Lin Podgradec Saint Naum - Day 8
Ohrid - Galicica National Park - Pelister National Park
Ohrid - Galicica National Park - Pelister National Park- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at The Spirit of Prespa apple orchard featuring home-made dishes and delicacies produced by local women from the Rural Women of Prespa organisation), Dinner (Dinner at hotel in Pelister National Park)
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Sator)
Included Activities
- Visit Saint Naum Monastery
- Rowing boat trip to Lake Ohrid springs
- Cross Galicica National Park and Livada Pass
- Photo stop at Lake Prespa
- Visit and tour The Spirit of Prespa apple orchard
- Lunch at The Spirit of Prespa apple orchard
- Guided visit to ancient site of Heraclea
- Explore Bitola National Museum
- Dinner at hotel
Optional Activities
- Apple picking at The Spirit of Prespa (seasonal, depending on season)
- Stroll through Bitola's main street
Landmarks Galicica National Park Saint Naum Monastery Lake Ohrid Livada Pass Lake Prespa Heraclea Bitola National Museum Pelister National Park - Day 9
Pelister National Park to Thessaloniki
Pelister National Park to Thessaloniki- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Luxemburg)
Included Activities
- Visit Vergina with local guide viewing spectacular royal tombs of King Phillip II and Prince Alexander IV
- Guided tour of ancient site of Pella and museum visit including mosaics depicting mythological scenes
Landmarks Vergina Pella - Day 10
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Luxemburg)
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Thessaloniki including Roman Rotunda, White Tower, Acropolis, and Saint Demetrius Church
Optional Activities
- Visit Archaeological Museum
- Visit Byzantine Museum
Landmarks Roman Rotunda White Tower Acropolis Saint Demetrius Church - Day 11
Thessaloniki to Kavala
Thessaloniki to Kavala- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Esperia Hotel)
Included Activities
- Boat ride along Mount Athos coast viewing monasteries
Optional Activities
- Lunch on the mainland
- Relax on the beach
Landmarks Halkidiki Peninsula Arnea Mount Athos Ouranopoli Kavala - Day 12
Kavala to Thassos Island
Kavala to Thassos Island- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Esperia Hotel)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to Thassos Island
Optional Activities
- Explore Thassos Island on foot
- Travel by local bus from Limenas
- Relax on Thassos beaches
- Visit ancient Roman theatre around Limenas
- Visit medieval fortress around Limenas with surrounding area views
Landmarks Thassos Island Limenas Keramoti - Day 13
Kavala to Bansko
Kavala to Bansko- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Molerite)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of ancient site of Philippi
Optional Activities
- Visit the Baptistery of Lydia (10-15 minute walk from Philippi, time permitting)
Landmarks Philippi Baptistery of Lydia - Day 14
Bansko to Sofia
Bansko to Sofia- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Rosslyn Thracia Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery and explore monastery complex viewing frescoes, striped brickwork, and museum with gilded iconostasis and religious art
Landmarks Rila Monastery - Day 15
Sofia
Sofia- End point
- Budapeshta Street 92А, 1202 Orlandovtsi, Sofia, Bulgaria (Hotel Budapest, Hotel reception, 09:00)
