Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana to Ohrid to Skopje
Your tour leader picks you up at your hotel in Tirana and drives you to Ohrid, sitting on the border between North Macedonia and Albania. This ancient settlement has roots going back thousands of years and carries UNESCO World Heritage status. You'll walk through the historic old town, taking in the 365 Orthodox churches that dot the landscape, then head to St. John's Church where the viewpoint gives you perspectives over the water and surrounding hills. After that, you'll stop at St. Nicolas Church and the Halveti Hayati Tekke mosque to see different architectural styles side by side. From there, it's a drive to Skopje, North Macedonia's capital. Once you arrive, you'll see the massive Alexander the Great statue in the main square, cross the Stone Bridge that joins the old city with the new development, wander through the Old Bazaar with its narrow streets and local shops, and check out the Art Bridge. You'll spend the night in Skopje.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit St. John's Church viewpoint
- Visit St. Nicolas Church
- Visit Halveti Hayati Tekke mosque
- Explore Ohrid city (UNESCO World Heritage site)
- Visit Alexander the Great statue
- Cross Stone Bridge
- Explore Art Bridge
- Walk through Old Bazaar of Skopje
- View cross symbol on mountain above Skopje
Optional Activities
- Shopping for Ohrid lake pearls
- Visit Ohrid castle
- Visit Ohrid amphitheatre
- Visit Archaeological Museum (accessible via Art Bridge)
Landmarks/POIs St. John's Church St. Nicolas Church Halveti Hayati Tekke Ohrid Lake Ohrid Castle Ohrid Amphitheatre Alexander the Great Statue Stone Bridge Art Bridge Archaeological Museum Old Bazaar of Skopje Cross on mountain - Day 2
Skopje to Pristina to Prizren to Tirana
This morning crosses the border into Kosovo and takes you to Pristina, the capital city. You'll see the Newborn monument, which represents the country's independence and has become an iconic landmark covered with graffiti art and messages. After that, you'll walk along Sheshi Nena Tereza boulevard, the main thoroughfare lined with cafes and shops, then visit Skanderberg square to understand more about Kosovo's history and culture. From there, you'll head to Prizren, known as Kosovo's cultural heart. The medieval architecture throughout the old town gives it a completely different feel from Pristina. You'll visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque, then spend time browsing filigree shops where craftspeople practice traditional metalsmithing techniques passed down through generations. Later, you'll climb up to the fortress for panoramic views of the city and surrounding valleys. By evening, you'll start the drive back to Tirana, finishing your journey through the region's history and culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Newborn monument in Pristina
- Walk Sheshi Nena Tereza boulevard in Pristina
- Visit Skanderberg square in Pristina
- Explore Prizren old town
- Visit Sinan Pasha Mosque in Prizren
- View fortress panorama above Prizren
- Explore filigree shops in Prizren
Optional Activities
- Coffee at bars on Sheshi Nena Tereza boulevard
- Shopping for filigree artisanal crafted precious metals
- Visit Dokufest (August only - medieval city short film festival)
- Walk across bridges over river in Prizren
Landmarks/POIs Newborn monument Sheshi Nena Tereza Skanderberg square Skanderberg statue Sinan Pasha Mosque Prizren fortress
