(800) 308-3483 Local: (805) 484-2863
2310 Ponderosa Drive Suite 3 - Camarillo, CA 93010
Globus
OFFER ID 1562436
Time travel on this 7-day escorted tour of the beautiful Balkans from Tirana to Dubrovnik and discover how the past stands still and the future is in full play. From the seemingly unchanged villages and natural landscapes to the languid lakes and legendary seascapes of Albania and Croatia, you’ll find the vibrant life of artisans, ancient architecture, and fortresses that hold the secrets of wars past, and freedom won. Capture the beauty of the Balkans on the pink-paved streets and markets mixed with the Byzantine and Venetian architecture of Kotor, Montenegro; the legends of sea stories in Perast; and the massive fortress walls of Dubrovnik. A gem of a vacation in the Balkans that’s worth its weight in gold.
6 nights from $2,379 per person
Gems Of The Balkans
Day 1 ARRIVE IN TIRANA, ALBANIA Welcome to Tirana! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
Day 2 TIRANA Art Covers Rock TIRANA Guided walking tour of the city features a visit to the Bunk’Art. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The architecture of this city has aspects of all periods of time. From the Tirana mosaic (Ancient Roman) to the Clock Tower (Kulla e Sahatit), a symbol of ottoman architecture, Italian buildings, and the style of construction during the dictatorship tell a vibrant story of this city. Visit the site of Bunk’Art. Once serving as the fallout shelter of communist dictator Enver Hoxha, this sprawling stone bunker is now a history museum and contemporary art gallery.
Day 3 TIRANA–VIRPAZAR, MONTENEGRO–BUDVA A Shore Thing VIRPAZAR Guided boat trip on Skadar Lake. (B,D)
137 mi / 220 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Skadar lake is the largest lake in the Balkans, surrounded by karst mountains and rocky shores. When it formed millions of years ago it was just a bay off the Adriatic. However, with erosion and changes to the landscape, the former bay transformed into a lake which offers a variety of wildlife and different habitats.
Day 4 BUDVA. EXCURSION TO CETINJE AND KOTOR Former Capitals & Coastal Towns CETINJE Guided tour of the town includes a visit to King Nicola's Museum. Free time for lunch.
KOTOR Guided visit of the old town.
BUDVA Dinner at local restaurant. (B,D)
106mi / 170 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Kotor is a beautiful, walled medieval city of twisting, pink-paved streets, markets, and architecture reflecting Byzantine to Venetian influences. One of the squares contains the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, a monument of Roman culture and one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.
Day 5 BUDVA–PERAST–DUBROVNIK, CROATIA Jewel of the Mediterranean PERAST [LF] Visit "Our Lady of the Rocks" Church perched on a man-made tiny Island. (B)
71 mi / 115km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGEND & FAITH The legend has it that on a summery evening in July 1452, two fishermen discovered an image of the Virgin Mary on the sea- cliff. They brought it home with them but the following morning it was gone and appeared back on the same sea- cliff. The same thing happened over and over so they understood this as a Virgin's wish to stay there forever so they build a church. A small island was then made by people from Perast who were throwing rocks and stones around the cliff.
Day 6 DUBROVNIK–KONAVLE–DUBROVNIK A King’s Landing DUBROVNIK Walking tour with a Local Guide.
KONAVLE Walking tour in Cavtat and farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
37 mi / 60 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE It isn’t hard to see why the city of Dubrovnik is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” The old town surrounded by its remarkable city walls is protected by UNESCO. Over the centuries this breathtaking city has been an inspiration to many artists. Game of Thrones fans may recognize this formidable setting and the Rector’s Palace as a film location for the epic TV series.
Day 7 DUBROVNIKSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Budva, Montenegro, located 45 mi/75 km southwest of Podgorica, is one of the busiest resort towns along the country's coast. Budva was largely destroyed by an earthquake in 1979 but was rebuilt, including the Venetian-style old town center and its surrounding wall. The city has a solid tourist infrastructure with large hotels, holiday apartments, well-developed sports facilities and the liveliest nightlife on the coast. It has expanded rapidly in recent years, with a profusion of hotels covering the coast.
Down the coast is Sveti Stefan, a spectacular little gem of an island. Once a fishing village, Sveti Stefan is now a resort island run by Aman Resorts. Other nearby beach resorts include Becici, Rafailovici, Przno and Milocer.
St. Stephan, Kotor and Budva tour
This amazing excursion will set off with a transfer to St. Stefan islet – a charming hotel resort with a narrow sandbank connecting it to the mainland. On your way towards St. Stefan, you will take a stop at the viewpoint just above the mentioned islet. Next up is Budva – often referred to as a “night queen” of Montenegro due to its exceptional nightlife, but also a home to beautiful Old Town you will visit today. After a pleasant stroll through Budva, you will head to the final destination of this tour – town Tivat, the youngest town in Boka region and a home to many extraordinary attractions. This tour is a perfect way to get to know the best of Montenegro.
Buggy safari tour with private sightseeing of Dubrovnik
This outrageously fun and unique tour will first take you on a off-road buggy ride along the coast of Dubrovnik. You will be driven in a lightweight buggy that will take you all the way up to the mount Srdj. Along the way, you will pass by many interesting and unique locations to experience all sides of Croatia, and take a couple of memorable photos. You will not only admire the beauty of the Adratic sea from a panoramic viewpoint, but will also pass by former landmine fields, locations from the recent war, various fortresses and endless woods. After your buggy adventure, you will have some free time for lunch before you proceed with the second “dose” of your daily fun.
Your next stop is old town Dubrovnik where you will learn about the amazing history of Ragusa – ancient Dubrovnik. You will find out how the daily life in Ragusa really looked like, and about the privileges that the citizens of Dubrovnik Republic always enjoyed, through out the history, due to the greatness of this magnificent city.
Notes - part of the route will be off road; we suggest wearing comfortable clothes; your guide will take you to see some of the museums Dubrovnik Card includes
Inclusions: private buggy safari, english speaking driver/guide, fuel and 1 bottle of water pp, private guide for sightseeing,1-day Dubrovnik Card
Exclusions: food, drinks, gratuities, items purchased for personal use
Dubrovnik pick up, bike tour, wine tasting and lunch in Konavle, 5 hours
You will meet your guide at the meeting point for private transfer for your biking, wine tasking and lunch experience in beautiful Konavle region.
After a brief instruction by your guide, you will start the half day biking tour in picturesque Konavle region, Dubrovnik’s inland. You will ride accompanied by a personal guide at a relaxed pace, stops are made every few kilometers on each place of interest.
You will breeze along the river and old mills to reach Pridvorje – a home to a Franciscan monastery. Afterwards, you will proceed further to a local family estate to refresh yourself with local homemade specialties such as dried figs, olive oil, wine and liquers.
Biking and round transfers
Dubrovnik & Oysters Tasting, 4 hours, from Dubrovnik
You will meet your driver at the lobby of your hotel and head on a scenic drive to the beautiful town of Ston. Prepare yourself to board a boat and start cruising along the Mali Ston bay. Upon boarding, the staff will welcome you with amazing local brandy and traditional sweets – sugarcoated orange peel and almonds. Next stop is where you get to experience a once in a lifetime event – tasting Adriatic oysters freshly taken out of the sea. This degustation will be followed by a shellfish farm presentation and further mussel tasting on your boat filled with enjoyment and good vibrations. After the tasting, you will have some time to relax and then head back to Dubrovnik with your private driver.
Dubrovnik sightseeing, 3 hours, from Dubrovnik
Your personal English speaking driver will be waiting for You at the Dubrovnik Harbor. He will be holding a sign with Your name on it. You will be transferred to city center for Your sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik. Your personal, professional guide will reveal You secrets and history of UNESCO's gem.
Today You will embark on a journey to the past of Dubrovnik. Let Yourself be taken back to the past and get an insight of what the daily life in "Ragusa" looked like. During this tour, You will understand the privileges the citizens of this magnificent city enjoyed. They had one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe dating back to the 14.ct, fountain with fresh water from one of the first water supply system and a developed care system for the old and poor citizens. Dubrovnik is over a thousand-year-old. Its history is visible in every part of this city.
Highlights:
Dubrovnik & Wine tasting, 3 hours, from Dubrovnik
Today is perfect to “travel back in time” into the past of Dubrovnik and get an insight of what the daily life in Ragusa really looked like. Your private guide will explain many things on this tour, and you will be able to understand all the privileges that the citizens of Ragusa once had. Ragusa, historical city that later developed into Dubrovnik, had one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe, founded in 1317 within the Franciscan monastery. The city had fresh water fountains from one of the first water supply systems in the world. And regarding the recent topics – did you know that the Republic of Dubrovnik invented quarantine? In that way they could stop the spreading of any Middle Ages disease, inside their walls.
After the sightseeing tour, you will continue to fine bars for wine tastings and tasty bites. Dubrovnik region is well-known for its indigenous grapes so prepare for ultimate enjoyment of fine wine delight!
Highlights:
Dubrovnik & Game of thrones, full day, from Dubrovnik
This exceptional tour will take you on a stroll through the amazing locations used for some of the most memorable scenes in the hit series Game of Thrones. The day will start by visiting the Arboretum early in the morning. Arboretum is a magical botanical garden within Dubrovnik city walls that is also a fictional royal garden of King’s landing. You saw many iconic scenes with Lady Olenna, Cersei Lannister, members of Stark family and many others, exactly on this location. From Arboretum, you will continue to old town Dubrovnik. Another one among GoT locations is the fortress of Saint Lawrence (Lovrijenac) above all extraordinary location that is a fictional Red Keep.
This exceptional tour will take you on a stroll through the amazing locations used for some of the most memorable scenes in the hit series Game of Thrones. The day will start by visiting the Arboretum early in the morning. Arboretum is a magical botanical garden within Dubrovnik city walls that is also a fictional royal garden of King’s landing. You saw many iconic scenes with Lady Olenna, Cersei Lannister, members of Stark family and many others, exactly on this location. From Arboretum, you will continue to old town Dubrovnik. Another one among GoT locations is the fortress of Saint Lawrence (Lovrijenac) above all extraordinary location that is a fictional Red Keep.
After sightseeing of the old city and Saint Lawrence fortress, you will continue towards island Lokrum with a public boat. Many scenes were filmed in the botanical gardens of the former Benedictine monastery on the island. Experience this lovely tour through the eyes of passionate GoT guides!
Dubrovnik pick up, Peljesac wine & oyster story, 5 hours
Your private tour will start Mali Ston. There you will enjoy tasting oysters freshly taken out of the sea. Next part of your tour will include jeep safari ride through local vineyards in Peljesac with wine tasting as well as learning about the wine production.
Highlights:
Dubrovnik pick up, Kayak safari tour, 4 hours
Your day will start with a unique experience that will allow You to actively enjoy and explore the natural beauty of the Dalmatian coast. Traveling by kayak gives You an intimate and more private insight of this UNESCO gem. This private tour starts with a transfer to Banje beach. Upon arrival Your guide will teach You how to use the paddles. As soon as you feel ready You will start paddling in the direction of the Old harbor and the Old Town city walls. Enjoy exploring Dubrovnik from slightly different perspective.
Highlights:
Dubrovnik pick up, Dubrovnik and silk experience, 5 hours
You will embark on a journey to the past of Dubrovnik and get an insight of what the daily life in "Ragusa" looked like. During this tour, you will understand the privileges the citizens of this magnificent city enjoyed. They had one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe founded in 1317 within the Franciscan monastery.
After the tour of Dubrovnik Old town, you will meet the driver and be transferred to a little village called Gruda. There a local artist will present to you the Silk production and tailoring heritage of Dubrovnik.
Highlights:
Dubrovnik pick up, car&driver on disposal, 6 hours
Your personal English speaking driver will be waiting for you at the Dubrovnik Harbor. You will have the car and driver at your disposal for 6h.
We suggest you to visit Cavtat, Konavle or Ston. Cavtat is a town filled with numerous palaces, residencies and cultural monuments from the Roman times.
Highlights:
Dubrovnik tour and Coral factory
Your sightseeing tour will begin with exploring the main street in Dubrovnik - Stradun (Placa).
You will visit some of the most famous landmarks of Dubrovnik. As a break, You will stop in “Clara Stones” workshop, wonderful jewelry shop where You will have a private demonstration of how jewelers make beautiful jewelry from a rude coral; and please, feel free to try making something Yourself!
This is the end of our services.
Highlights:
Dubrovnik tour with emphasis on Jewish Heritage
Today, you will start an interesting exploration of magnificent Dubrovnik, together with your private guide. This sightseeing tour will focus on the history of Jewish community in Dubrovnik, from the 14th century until the present day.
Discover the Jewish monuments around the city – Jewish fountain on the Pile plateau, Jewish street - later ghetto in the 16th century and over stone fragments in the norther part of the city.
Visit the second oldest synagogue in Europe which is still in service, and the Jewish museum which vividly testifies about the different times and altering attitudes towards Jewish people over time. All of this interesting monuments and locations will let you discover everyday life of Jewish people in Dubrovnik.
Highlights:
This tour will take you to the home of a local family in Konavle where you will learn the history and tradition of the region through cooking class.
Your hosts will welcome you with traditional liqueurs and figs made in their own production. Next, they will show you through their beautiful property and the garden, where you will pick up traditional vegetables and fruits.
Obtaining the necessary ingredients for preparing the traditional meals, dishes and refreshments cooking class becomes a very fun journey.
The class will end with a tasteful traditional meal in which You will all enjoy together like a traditional family.
Highlights:
* Please let us know: if You have any food dislikes or allergies
Magic gastro and history experience in Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik: Pearl of the Adriatic Walking Tour - 4 hours
Begin your day as you disembark and meet your expert local guide for an introduction to this wonderful city, proclaimed a city museum by UNESCO. The old city is cocooned inside a circuit of imposing city walls. Over a mile in length, the towering ramparts are a masterpiece of medieval and Renaissance architecture. Stroll along the beautifully-paved, main city promenade which dates back centuries and find the 14th-century Franciscan Monastery whose elegant cloister ranks among the most inspiring sites of the city. Also see the church of St Blaise, the remarkable Sponza Palace and the Rector’s Palace before finishing your tour with superb views from atop the vast city walls.
Highlights:
Dubrovnik: Kayaking the Adriatic - 4 hours
You will be met today by your driver for the short drive to the beach in Dubrovnik in front of Lokrum Island for a privately guided kayaking expedition. Paddlers are rewarded with lovely views of the city from the island, the rugged coastline of caves. Paddle to a private cove camouflaged by coastal cliffs - the perfect spot to swim, snorkel and relax on the beach At the end of the tour you will be transferred back to the ship.
Highlights:
Dubrovnik: Tastes of the Peljesac Peninsula - 6 hours
One of the finest coastal drives in Europe awaits you today as you journey with your private guide and driver along the Peljesac Peninsula to Mali Ston, where vast defensive walls are said to be second only in length to those in China. The inlet at Mali Ston offers the perfect environment for cultivating oysters so while here, why not take the opportunity to sample a fresh oyster right at the spot where they were pulled out of the sea.
The unusual and harsh territory of Peljesac is also perfect for growing very high quality grapes and olives in very small quantities so this is the perfect place to visit to a small family winery. Though the cellar of the winery is located directly under the family home, the white and red wines produced here are well known throughout Croatia due to their high quality. Enjoy tastings of Croatian wine before returning past the salt pans of Ston to your cruise ship in Dubrovnik.
Highlights:
Dubrovnik: Elaphite Islands by Private Motor Yacht - 8 hours
Stoked by the sun and cheered by the breeze, start your private boat tour around the beautiful Elaphite islands. This picturesque archipelago within the vicinity of Dubrovnik comprises 13 islands, islets and rocks. Abounding in lush subtropical vegetation of laurel, cypress and pine trees, and fragrant thyme and rosemary, the islands were formerly the favourite summer residence of the Dubrovnik aristocracy.
Discover the three largest islands in the group with your skipper. The island of Kolocep has an interior covered by dense pine forest while the inhabitants live in a quaint fishing village that stretches along the sandy beach. Continue to Lopud, dominated by its Franciscan Monastery and home to the beautiful Gjorgic-Mayneri Park. Enjoy time at leisure to stroll through the winding streets, swim on the Sunj beach and perhaps enjoy lunch in one of the excellent local restaurants. Later, visit Sipan, the largest of the islands where hillsides are decorated with numerous summer villas, Renaissance churches and baroque chapels. Return to Dubrovnik from here.
Highlights:
Dubrovnik: Cooking Class in the Konavle Valley - 6 hours
Journey to the heart of the Konavle Valley accompanied by your private guide and driver. Situated just inside the hinterlands near Dubrovnik, this area is known for its carefully-preserved folk customs, rich national costumes and cuisine.
On arrival in one of the typical villages of the region, receive a warm welcome from your host who chats to you about local life in the area while you try some homemade liquors and pastries. Your host shows you how to prepare delicious homemade bread before you head out into the garden in order to collect the necessary ingredients for your cooking class. You even have the opportunity to milk a goat in order to have fresh milk and cheese for your selected dish.
Afterwards, enjoy the fruits of your labour as you tuck in to the meal you have helped prepare all together before returning to your cruise ship.
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All fares are quoted in US Dollars.