Itinerary
- Day 1
Dubrovnik
You'll land in Dubrovnik and head to your welcome meeting at 6 pm. After that, the evening is yours to wander through the old town on your own. The white stone buildings and city walls create quite an atmosphere to walk around. If you arrive early enough, there's time to check out the Elafiti Islands or pop into some local spots like the 15th-century Rector's Palace and the baroque churches scattered around town.
Optional Activities
- Visit Elafiti Islands (Lopud, Kolocep, or Sipan)
- Explore Rector's Palace
- Visit monasteries with cloistered gardens
- Explore baroque churches
Landmarks Dubrovnik Old Town Rector's Palace Lopud Island Kolocep Island Sipan Island - Day 2
Dubrovnik to Kotor
Your private transfer heads toward Kotor in Montenegro, which takes about 3 hours from Dubrovnik. This World Heritage city sits in a secluded bay with dramatic peaks towering around it. Once there, you can walk through the crooked alleyways, visit the 12th-century Cathedral and South Gates, and check out Armoury Square. If you're interested, there's a cruise option on the Kotor Fjord, and later you'll see the city walls lit up nicely after dark.
Optional Activities
- Visit 12th-century Cathedral
- Explore South Gates
- Visit Armoury Square
- Cruise on Kotor Fjord
- Visit island with church
Landmarks Kotor Old Town Cathedral of St. Tryphon South Gates Armoury Square Kotor Fjord - Day 3
Kotor to Shkoder to Tirana
After breakfast, you'll cross into Albania and drive to Shkoder, about 3 hours away. Rozafa Castle sits there with its Venetian history and fortress views. Then it's another 2 hours to Tirana, Albania's capital. You'll take an orientation walk to get a feel for the city and see how the Italian and Turkish architectural influences shaped the streets and buildings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rozafa Castle visit
Optional Activities
- Explore Shkoder city
Landmarks Rozafa Castle Shkoder Tirana 
- Day 4
Kruja - Tirana
A half-day trip takes you to Kruja, a mountain village that was the former capital and last stronghold for Skanderbeg's army. The citadel and bazaar are worth exploring, and there's a really good ethnographical museum there. After lunch you'll head back to Tirana, where you can visit the National History Museum and the Et'hem Bey Mosque on the main square, which recently got renovated.
Included Activities
- Kruja day trip
- Kruja citadel exploration
- Skanderbeg Museum visit
- Kruja bazaar exploration
Optional Activities
- Visit National History Museum
- Visit Et'hem Bey Mosque
- Explore other Tirana museums
Landmarks Kruja Citadel Skanderbeg Museum Kruja Bazaar National History Museum Et'hem Bey Mosque - Day 5
Berat
You'll take a public bus to Berat, known as the town of a thousand windows since it largely escaped modern redevelopment. The old Mangalemi district is UNESCO listed and worth your time. An afternoon guided tour shows you around, and you can climb up to the 13th-century fortress called the Kala. The walk is steep and slippery but the views over Berat and the Osum river valley make it worthwhile.
Included Activities
- Berat walking tour with local guide
- Berat castle visit
Landmarks Berat Old Town Berat Kala (Castle) Mangalemi District 
- Day 6
Berat to Lake Ohrid
A private bus takes you to Ohrid in North Macedonia, roughly 3 hours away. This town sits on Europe's oldest lake and has tons of historic sites and religious buildings. You'll do an orientation walk to get your bearings, then browse the vibrant Old Bazaar for deals. After that, there's a scenic cruise on the turquoise lake waters surrounded by mountains, villages, and beaches.
Included Activities
- Lake Ohrid boat cruise
Optional Activities
- Explore Old Bazaar
Landmarks Lake Ohrid Ohrid Old Town Old Bazaar 
- Day 7
Lake Ohrid
This day is completely free to explore the Lake Ohrid area on your own. The lake stretches 34 kilometers long and 14 kilometers wide, so there's plenty to see. You can visit churches and monasteries at your own pace, like the Macedonian Orthodox Church of Sveti Jovana Kaneo on a rocky outcrop with lake views, or the Sveti Naum Monastery with its peacock grounds. Tsar Samoil's Fortress and a 2,000-year-old Roman theatre are also options.
Optional Activities
- Visit Macedonian Orthodox Church of Sveti Jovana Kaneo
- Visit Sveti Naum Monastery
- Visit Tsar Samoil's Fortress
- Visit Roman theatre
- Explore old walls and fortress
- Wander around back of town
Landmarks Sveti Jovana Kaneo Church Sveti Naum Monastery Tsar Samoil's Fortress Roman Theatre - Day 8
Skopje
A public bus takes you to Skopje, the capital, about 3 hours away. You'll walk past Byzantine domes, Turkish baths, and grand monuments. The city has around 30 mosques, plus caravanserais and hamams worth seeing. Check out the Daut Pasha Hamam, the Holocaust Museum, and get lost in Carsija's narrow lanes. Cross the stone bridge over the Vardar River and visit the Museum of the City of Skopje in the old Railway Station, where a clock sits frozen at 5:17 from the 1963 earthquake.
Included Activities
- Matka Canyon visit and boat ride
Optional Activities
- Visit Daut Pasha Hamam
- Visit Holocaust Museum
- Explore Carsija neighbourhood
- Visit Museum of the City of Skopje
Landmarks Daut Pasha Hamam Holocaust Museum Carsija Stone Bridge Museum of the City of Skopje Vardar River Macedonia Square 
- Day 9
Matka Canyon - Skopje
Matka Canyon lies 15 kilometers southwest of Skopje, carved out by the Treska River. Several medieval monasteries and caves are there, plus over 70 butterfly species. You can see St Andrew's Monastery with its frescoes or check out the water-filled Vrelo cavern with stalagmites. Alternatively, take nature walks along the ridge above the valley. After returning to Skopje, you'll have free time to maybe take the Mount Vodno cable car up to the 66-meter high Millennium Cross for city views.
Included Activities
- Matka Canyon visit and boat ride
Optional Activities
- Visit St Andrew's Monastery
- Explore Vrelo cavern
- Nature walks in canyon
- Take Mount Vodno cable car to Millennium Cross
- Dinner at Old Bazaar or Debar Maalo restaurants
Landmarks Matka Canyon St Andrew's Monastery Vrelo Cavern Treska River Mount Vodno Millennium Cross - Day 10
Bitola
A scenic bus ride takes you to Bitola, positioned near Pelister National Park. This 171-square-kilometer park sits on the Baba massif, a dramatic mountain formation. In the afternoon, you'll visit a local beekeeper's farm to learn traditional honey-making practices. The family will share a warm, authentic lunch with you before you return to Bitola for the night.
- Meals
- Lunch (Warm, authentic lunch with beekeeper family)
Included Activities
- Beekeeper farm visit and lunch
Optional Activities
- Explore Pelister National Park
Landmarks Pelister National Park Baba Massif Bitola - Day 11
Bitola to Kastoria
Private transport gets you to the Greece border where you can explore the Heraclea Lynestis archaeological site, then continue to Kastoria. This medieval town sits on the western shore of Lake Orestiada surrounded by limestone mountains. You'll take an orientation walk through the labyrinthine lanes and walk along the lakeside where boats bob around. There's an optional cave tour called the Spilia tou Drakou with stalactites and underground lakes.
Included Activities
- Heraclea Lynestis archaeological site visit
Optional Activities
- Explore Dragon Cave (Spilia tou Drakou)
- Walk along lakeside
Landmarks Heraclea Lynestis Kastoria Old Town Lake Orestiada Dragon Cave (Spilia tou Drakou) - Day 12
Kastoria to Litochoro
You have a free morning in Kastoria to explore at your own pace, perhaps visiting Dispilio, a Neolithic lakeside village reconstruction showing life from the 6th millennium BC. After lunch, a private vehicle takes you to Litochoro at the base of Mt Olympus. You'll do a short orientation walk and then head down to Plaka beach to relax and swim in the Aegean Sea. Fish tavernas line the shore if you want dinner there.
Optional Activities
- Visit Dispilio Neolithic village reconstruction
- Explore Plaka beach
- Dinner at fish tavernas
Landmarks Dispilio Litochoro Mount Olympus Plaka Beach - Day 13
Mt Olympus National Park - Litochoro
Head out early for a hike through a lush trail in Mt Olympus National Park, Greece's first national park and second highest peak in the Balkans at 2,918 meters. The trail leads to a beautiful waterfall, and if you're brave, bring your swimming costume. On the way back you can optionally visit the monastery of St Dionysios. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the countryside or take in the mountain view from the nearby beach.
Included Activities
- Mt Olympus National Park - Orlias Waterfall Hike
Optional Activities
- Visit monastery of St Dionysios
Landmarks Mount Olympus National Park Orlias Waterfall St Dionysios Monastery - Day 14
Litochoro to Athens
A train takes you to Athens, roughly 5.5 hours from Mt Olympus. After arriving and getting to your central hotel, you can start exploring right away. Visit the ancient Acropolis and Pantheon with great city views, walk through the National Gardens, see the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the original Olympic Stadium, and watch the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square. Greek cuisine and ouzo in the evening complete the day.
Optional Activities
- Visit Acropolis and Pantheon
- Explore National Gardens
- Visit Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Visit original Olympic Stadium
- Witness changing of the guard at Syntagma Square
- Greek cuisine dinner with ouzo
Landmarks Acropolis Pantheon National Gardens Temple of Olympian Zeus Olympic Stadium Syntagma Square - Day 15
Athens
Athens is yours to explore at your own pace today. Urban Adventure offers tours like 'Taste of Athens' or 'Markets, Ruins and Ancient Athens' if you'd rather join a group. There's a welcome meeting at 6 pm for new travelers joining this stage of the trip.
Optional Activities
- Urban Adventure tours: 'Taste of Athens'
- Urban Adventure tours: 'Markets, Ruins and Ancient Athens'
- Day 16
Athens to Syros
The metro gets you to Piraeus port where you'll catch a scenic ferry to Syros, about 4 hours across the sea. Syros sits in the heart of the Cyclades and feels like how Greeks actually experience the islands. Wander through Ermoupolis admiring the neoclassical mansions and 19th-century buildings. Stop at a family-run loukoumi workshop to see how they make these colorful jellies, then kick back at a waterfront cafe and watch the sunset turn the houses pink.
Included Activities
- Loukoumia workshop visit
Optional Activities
- Explore Ermoupolis
- Relax at waterfront cafe
Landmarks Syros Island Ermoupolis - Day 17
Syros
A walk through Ano Syros, the fortress-like town above, gives you great Aegean views. Narrow alleyways pass handmade souvenir shops and you'll hear traditional Rembetiko music. Free time lets you explore at your own pace, discovering abandoned windmills, ancient ruins, and charming villages. You can check out archaeological sites or relax on beaches like the sandy coves near Ermoupolis or the popular southern beaches. Evening brings taxis to a remote village taverna for dinner with local specialties and sunset views.
- Meals
- Dinner (Local specialities at remotely located village taverna with sunset views over Aegean Sea)
Included Activities
- Ano Syros walk
- Dinner at remotely located village
Optional Activities
- Visit archaeological sites
- Explore abandoned windmills
- Visit charming villages
- Relax on beaches
- Explore Ermoupolis
Landmarks Ano Syros Aegean Sea - Day 18
Syros to Mykonos
A two-hour ferry takes you to Mykonos, named for Apollo's grandson. Your leader walks you through the maze-like old town with its white houses against the blue sea. Browse galleries and boutiques and follow flower-lined paths past churches to sandy beaches. Spend the afternoon swimming and relaxing. After settling into your hotel, you can join the party crowd at bars and clubs or go traditional with dinner at a backstreet restaurant.
Optional Activities
- Browse galleries and boutiques
- Visit churches and restaurants
- Relax on sandy beaches
- Visit bars and clubs
- Dinner at backstreet restaurant
Landmarks Mykonos Island Mykonos Old Town - Day 19
Delos - Mykonos
A half-day trip goes to Delos, one of the most important archaeological and mythological sites in the Greek Islands and birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Explore the Terrace of the Lions, Sacred Precinct, and wealthy mansions with frescoes and mosaics. Later, head to beaches like Paradise or Super Paradise, visit the 19th-century House of Lena, check out the Aegean Maritime Museum, or go to Ano Mera village or Little Venice for dinner.
Included Activities
- Delos half-day trip
- Delos archaeological site guided tour
Optional Activities
- Visit Mykonos beaches (Paradise, Super Paradise)
- Visit House of Lena
- Visit Aegean Maritime Museum
- Dinner at Ano Mera tavern
- Explore Little Venice
Landmarks Delos Island Terrace of the Lions Sacred Precinct Paradise Beach Super Paradise Beach House of Lena Aegean Maritime Museum Ano Mera Little Venice - Day 20
Mykonos to Santorini
Another ferry takes you to Santorini, about 2.5 hours away, known for its whitewashed buildings and blue domes clinging to cliff faces. Check out the hilltop ruins of Ancient Thira and its Prehistoric Museum, explore the Akrotiri archaeological site showing Minoan Bronze Age life, and wander through restaurants and shops in Thira or Fira. Volcanic beaches like Red Beach or the black beaches of Perissa, Vlhada, and Perivolos are also worth visiting.
Optional Activities
- Visit Ancient Thira ruins
- Visit Prehistoric Museum
- Visit Akrotiri archaeological site
- Explore Thira/Fira capital
- Visit Red Beach
- Visit black beaches (Perissa, Vlhada, Perivolos, Agios Georgios)
Landmarks Santorini Island Ancient Thira Prehistoric Museum Akrotiri Thira Fira Red Beach Perissa Beach Vlhada Beach Perivolos Beach Agios Georgios Beach 
- Day 21
Santorini
Santorini's caldera formed when a 1500 BC volcanic eruption sank the island's center. Walk along the crater rim from Thira town through villages all the way to Oia, passing steep cliffs with great views. You can optionally take a half-day trip to the island's volcano and hot springs in the lagoon center. Visit one of the island's wineries where vines are shaped like baskets on volcanic soil to protect them from strong winds. Your last evening, rub shoulders with locals in packed cafes sipping a cocktail and watching the sunset.
Included Activities
- Caldera Rim Hike to Oia
Optional Activities
- Half-day trip to volcano and hot springs
- Visit island wineries
- Dinner in local pubs and cafes
Landmarks Santorini Caldera Thira Oia Santorini Volcano Hot Springs - Day 22
Santorini
Your Greek Islands adventure ends here. There are no planned activities and you can depart your accommodation at any time. If you want more time, consider extending your stay to see what else Santorini has to offer.
