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 to Skopje
Kratovo to Skopje- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Arka)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Kratovo with local guide viewing Ottoman towers and stone bridges
- Guided walking tour of Skopje including Fortress Kale, Church of Saint Spas, and old Turkish bazaar
Optional Activities
- Traditional lunch in Kratovo with live bagpipe music (€12-15 per person)
Landmarks Kratovo Fortress Kale Church of Saint Spas Old Turkish Bazaar - 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 including visit to Lin for Ottoman mosaics, Podgradec for four hours free time, Ohrid springs, and Enver Hoxha's former villa (€40-60 depending on group size)
Landmarks Lake Ohrid Struga Lin Podgradec Saint Naum Monastery - Day 8
Ohrid - Prespa - Bitola
Ohrid - Prespa - Bitola- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at The Spirit of Prespa apple orchard with home-made dishes and local delicacies prepared by Rural Women of Prespa organisation), Dinner (Dinner at hotel in Pelister National Park)
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Sator)
Included Activities
- Visit Saint Naum Monastery and view 19th-century frescoes and 1711 iconostasis
- Rowing boat trip to natural springs feeding Lake Ohrid
- Cross Galicica National Park and Livada Pass (1568m) with photo stop at Lake Prespa
- Tour The Spirit of Prespa apple orchard with host Ana and learn local traditions
- Guided tour of ancient site of Heraclea (founded 4th century BC by Philip II)
- Visit Bitola National Museum with free time to explore
Optional Activities
- Apple picking at The Spirit of Prespa orchard (seasonal)
- Stroll through Bitola's main street (free time)
Landmarks Saint Naum Monastery Galicica National Park Livada Pass Lake Prespa The Spirit of Prespa apple orchard 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)
