Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana
You'll arrive in Tirana and head to your hotel on your own. After checking in and getting settled, spend the afternoon walking around the city however you'd like. Later that evening, your guide meets you at the hotel to go over what's coming up on the trip.
- Start point
- Tirana, Albania (Tour Starts)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Albanopolis Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Explore Tirana city
- Day 2
Tirana to Ohrid
After breakfast, you'll take a panoramic tour of Tirana covering Skanderbeg Square and Et'hem Bey Mosque. Then you're heading to Ohrid in North Macedonia. Once there, wander through the Old Town with its historic streets, churches, and monasteries that overlook the lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Sky Corner (or similar))
Included Activities
- Panoramic Tirana city tour
- Skanderbeg Square visit
- Skanderbeg Statue visit
- Et'hem Bey Mosque visit
- Clock Tower visit
- Old Town of Ohrid visit
- Ohrid Port views
- Quarantine Church visit
- Ancient Via Egnatia visit
- Hagia Sophia Church visit
- Hagia Sophia Monastery visit
- Samoil's Fortress visit
Landmarks Skanderbeg Square Skanderbeg Statue Et'hem Bey Mosque Clock Tower Ohrid Port Quarantine Church Ancient Via Egnatia Hagia Sophia Church Hagia Sophia Monastery Samoil's Fortress 
- Day 3
Ohrid
Following breakfast, the day is yours to explore Ohrid at your own pace. Walk the charming streets and take in the lake views. If you're interested, there's an option to visit Sveti Naum Monastery, which sits on the shores of Lake Ohrid.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Macedonian breakfast)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Sky Corner (or similar))
Included Activities
- Free time to explore Ohrid
Optional Activities
- Half-day tour to Sveti Naum Monastery (45 EUR)
- Visit the source of Lake Ohrid
Landmarks Sveti Naum Monastery Lake Ohrid - Day 4
Ohrid to Meteora
You'll have breakfast and then cross into Greece toward Kastoria, a city known for its Byzantine churches and Ottoman architecture overlooking the lake. After checking out Kastoria, continue on to Meteora where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Alexiou Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Kastoria city
- Visit Lake Kastoria
- Byzantine churches in Kastoria
- Ottoman architecture in Kastoria
Landmarks Lake Kastoria 
- Day 5
Meteora to Thessaloniki
After breakfast, you'll visit the UNESCO Meteora Monasteries built on clifftops with impressive views. Your guide meets you in Kalabaka, and from there you head to Thessaloniki. In this vibrant city, you'll see the White Tower and Arch of Galerius before settling in at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Egnatia (or similar))
Included Activities
- Meteora Monasteries entrance ticket
- Explore Meteora cliff-top Byzantine monasteries
- White Tower visit
- Arch of Galerius visit
- Thessaloniki guided tour
Landmarks Meteora Monasteries White Tower Arch of Galerius 
- Day 6
Thessaloniki to Sofia
Starting after breakfast, you travel through scenic Balkan landscapes toward Sofia. The main stop is at Rila Monastery, an Eastern Orthodox spiritual site in the mountains featuring intricate frescoes and beautiful architecture. Once in Sofia, you'll check out Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. Sofia Basilica, the National Art Gallery, and the Presidential Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Best Western Terminus Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Rila Monastery entrance ticket
- Rila Monastery visit and exploration
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral visit
- St. Sofia Basilica visit
- National Art Gallery visit
- Presidential Palace visit
Landmarks Rila Monastery Alexander Nevsky Cathedral St. Sofia Basilica National Art Gallery Presidential Palace 
- Day 7
Sofia to Bucharest
After breakfast, you'll travel by coach through the Balkan region heading toward Bucharest. The route includes a stop in Veliko Tarnovo, the historic capital of the former Bulgarian Empire, where you'll have lunch. Once you arrive in Bucharest, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring Romania's capital on your own schedule.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Lido by Phoenicia (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Explore Bucharest city at your own pace during free time
Landmarks Veliko Tarnovo 
- Day 8
Bucharest
Following breakfast, you have the choice to join a full-day guided tour to Transylvania for 150 EUR per person (optional). The tour covers Bran Castle, the medieval town of Brașov, and Peles Castle. If you'd rather skip the organized tour, you'll have free time to explore Bucharest instead. Plan your own meals for lunch and dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Lido by Phoenicia )
Included Activities
- Visit Bran Castle with entrance fee included
- Visit Peles Castle with entrance fee included
- Guided tour of Transylvania region (optional excursion - 150 EUR per person)
Optional Activities
- Full-day Transylvania excursion including Bran Castle, medieval town of Brașov, and Peles Castle (150 EUR per person - must sign up in advance)
- Explore Bucharest during free time
Landmarks Bran Castle Peles Castle Brașov - Day 9
Bucharest
Following breakfast, a guide takes you through Bucharest's major sights including Revolution Square, the Romanian Athenaeum, and Villa Crosse Passage. You'll walk the historic Old Town, see Manuc's Inn and the Old Princely Court. The tour wraps up after this full day of sightseeing.
- End point
- Bucharest, Romania (The Tour Ends Here)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bucharest guided city tour
- Revolution Square visit
- Romanian Athenaeum visit
- Villa Crosse Passage visit
- Old Town exploration
- Manuc's Inn visit
- Old Princely Court visit
Landmarks Revolution Square Romanian Athenaeum Manuc's Inn Old Princely Court
