Transport

TRANSPORT IN EUROPE: Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that’s why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city’s public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action. LONG TRAVEL DAYS: As we cover lots of ground on this trip, expect some long travel days on local trains and buses. This is an opportunity to mix with the locals and enjoy the scenery out the window. Travel schedules are known to change with little notice. Not all transport may have air conditioning. Public bus , Private vehicle , Taxi , Boat

Meals

14 breakfasts

Guide

All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION: The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. TWIN SHARE BASIS: Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own. CHECK-IN TIME: Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION: If you’ve purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights. FACILITIES: Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don’t provide kettles or fridges. Hotel (10 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights), Homestay (1 night), Hostel with ensuite facilities (1 night)

Others

Shkoder - Rozafa Castle Kruja - Day Trip Kruja - Skanderbeg Museum Kruja - Fortress Visit Berat - Walking tour with a local guide Berat - Castle Visit Ohrid - Lake Ohrid Boat Cruise Skopje - Matka Canyon visit and Boat Ride Pelister National Park - Hike in Pelister National Park Mt Olympus National Park - Orlias Waterfall Hike

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Others

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights not included.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Dubrovnik
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Dubrovnik

Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia – a place of sunshine, azure waters and charming cobblestone towns. The undisputed jewel of the Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik old town is a beautiful white stone town surrounded entirely by city walls, easily covered on foot. Although it experienced devastation during the war in the early 1990s, the restored old town remains as charming as ever. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. As there is not much time in Dubrovnik on this trip, you may want to consider arriving one or two days earlier. If you do have time beforehand, why not head out to one of the Elafiti Islands? There’s Lopud, a quiet island with lovely hikes, clean beaches and a ruined castle. Kolocep is a sleepy enclave that boasts walks for every fitness level, while Sipan is the most populated of the isles and has the most hospitable locals. There are also many monuments to explore in the city proper, including the 15th century Rector’s Palace, monasteries with cloistered gardens, and fine baroque churches with copper domes.
Day 2 Day 2: Kotor
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Kotor

Leave Dubrovnik behind and take a private transfer to Kotor on the coast of Montenegro (approximately 3 hours). This 5th-century World Heritage-listed city is set on a secluded bay, with towering peaks surrounding a rocky coastline dotted with pretty waterside towns. In its crooked alleyways, get lost and mingle with the locals. When you arrive, why not check out the 12th-century Cathedral, the South Gates, and the Armoury Square? Later, perhaps take a cruise on the Kotor Fjord – the longest fjord south of Scandinavia – and visit an island with a church that’s almost as big as the island itself! In the evening the city walls are prettily lit up to provide a unique night-time perspective.
Day 3 Day 3: Tirana
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Tirana

After breakfast, drive across the border into Albania. A unique mixture of cultures and customs, Tirana is filled with craziness, from its traffic to its nightlife, but on its doorstep are mosques, citadels, Ottoman architecture, and a stunning dose of the medieval Balkans. The real surprise of Albania is the people. Their warmth to strangers is infectious and you’re bound to find yourself swapping stories over a glass of raki or three. Our first stop is the city of Shkoder (approximately 3 hours’ drive from Kotor). Here you will have time to explore Rozafa Castle. The site was occupied by a fortress since Illyrian times, however most of what can be seen today is of Venetian origin. Depending on road conditions and volume of traffic it will be another 2 hours to Tirana. On arrival, take an orientation walk to get your bearings. Tirana is the capital of Albania and its biggest city, but it’s still small and compact, with architectural influences from Italy and Turkey. Recently many buildings have been painted to alleviate the Soviet bloc feeling that pervaded. Many upgrades have been made all over town, such as new parks and wide pavements.
Day 4 Day 4: Kruja / Tirana
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Kruja / Tirana

Today, take a half-day trip to the mountain village and former Albanian capital of Kruja. Kruja was the last stronghold of Skanderbeg’s (the national hero of Albania) army until the Ottomans took over the entire country. There is plenty of time to explore the citadel and the famous bazaar area. Perhaps pay a visit to the excellent ethnographical museum housed inside the fortress. You’ll then return to Tirana after lunch. Tirana is dotted with many museums. You can’t miss the National History Museum – just look for the gargantuan mosaic on the facade that represents the development of Albania’s history. The main sight in Tirana is the Et’hem Bey Mosque, which sits right on the city’s main square. Closed under communist rule, the mosque resumed as a place of worship in 1991. Ten thousand people attended the reopening and the event was considered a milestone in the rebirth of religious freedom in Albania. The mosque is currently undertaking extensive renovation works, but you can still take a look at the frescoes outside and in the portico that depict trees, waterfalls and bridges – motifs rarely seen in Islamic art.
Day 5 Day 5: Berat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Berat

Travel by public bus to Berat, the town of a thousand windows, and one of the few towns of Albania that escaped being razed to the ground to make way for apartment blocks. The old Mangalemi district has recently been inscribed on UNESCO’s world heritage list. Enjoy an afternoon guided tour of the town and the looming fortress, the kala, built during the 13th century and still inhabited. The walk to the castle is steep and slippery so better bring some proper footwear with you. The views from the top across Berat and the Osum river valley are well worth the effort though.
Day 6 Day 6: Lake Ohrid
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Lake Ohrid

Travel by private bus to Ohrid in North Macedonia, a drive of about 3 hours, situated on a lake with the same name. Europe’s oldest lake, and one of the oldest human settlements in the world, Ohrid has a wealth of historic sites and religious monuments to discover. Ohrid is an eternal town, a magical hill whose primordial pulsation links ancient and modern times forever. The town is said to have once been home to 365 churches, one for each day of the year, earning it the nickname “the Macedonian Jerusalem”, while historical excavations date back to Neolithic times. Despite being a World Heritage site for over 30 years, the town remains off the radar for visitors. Get your bearings on an orientation walk around Ohrid, maybe picking up a bargain or two in the vibrant Old Bazaar. Then embark on a scenic cruise on the turquoise waters of Lake Ohrid, ringed by mountains, attractive villages and beaches, and take in the views of the town and the surrounding scenery while afloat.
Day 7 Day 7: Lake Ohrid
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Lake Ohrid

At 34 kilometres long, 14 kilometres wide, and over 300 meters deep, all shared between Albania and North Macedonia, there’s plenty of vast Lake Ohrid to explore. Today is free for you to discover the area. There are many churches and monasteries to visit, but one of the most popular is the Macedonian Orthodox Church of Sveti Jovana Kaneo, situated on a rocky outcrop above the town, overlooking the lake. Past the church you can wander around to the back of town, exploring the old walls and fortress, and admiring the views of the lake. The Sveti Naum Monastery is also a great option, lying on the shores of the lake south of town, with well-kept grounds that are home to peacocks. The ancient Tsar Samoil’s Fortress stands on the top of Ohrid Hill and looks across the town, while a 2,000-year-old Roman theatre was uncovered near the Upper Gate – in summer it’s again being used for concerts and performances.
Day 8 Day 8: Skopje
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Skopje

This morning hop onto public bus to Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital city (approximately 3 hours). In Macedonia’s political and cultural centre, walk past Byzantine domes, Turkish baths, and also newly built neo-classical buildings and grand monuments (aimed to bolster national pride), sampling gozleme and tasty baklava along the way. The 30 mosques, innumerable caravanserais and hamams that fill its winding streets are a testament to Skopje’s Ottoman past. Take a step back to those times with a visit to the Daut Pasha Hamam, or journey through the humbling Holocaust Museum to learn how Macedonia suffered during this tragic chapter of history. Get lost in the narrow lanes of Carsija: Skopje’s most atmospheric neighbourhood, or take in the stone bridge over the river Vardar – an iconic sight that acts as a handy connection between Macedonia Square and the Old Bazaar. Perhaps visit the Museum of the City of Skopje, housed in the old Railway Station, which is itself a unique piece of history. Its unusual, part-ruined exterior is a result of the 1963 earthquake. The large clock on the outside of the building is frozen at 5.17 – the moment the earthquake shook the city.
Day 9 Day 9: Matka Canyon / Skopje
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Matka Canyon / Skopje

Venture out to Matka Canyon, a deep ravine cut into the Suva mountains by the Treska River, 15 kilometres south-west of the city. This area is home to several medieval monasteries, caves, and over 70 species of butterflies. You could also take up the option to explore the canyon’s sights by boat. One of the monasteries worth exploring is St Andrew’s Monastery, which contains many superb frescoes of great artistic importance. There is also Vrelo cavern: a water-filled cave with incredible stalagmites and unchartered depths; it’s speculated to be the deepest underwater cave in the world. Alternatively, you can take one of the many nature walks in the canyon, or up to tracks that hug the ridge high above the valley. Return back to Skopje, with the remaining part of the day free for you to continue exploring this exciting city. Perhaps take the Mount Vodno cable car to the giant 66-metre high Millennium Cross, mainly for the views back down across the city. For dinner this evening, why not head to the Old Bazaar, or the restaurants in the Debar Maalo area.
Day 10 Day 10: Pelister National Park / Bitola
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Pelister National Park / Bitola

Today, continue your adventure with a bus ride to the town of Bitola, located near Pelister National Park. Pelister is North Macedonia’s oldest national park covering 171 square kilometres of the Baba massif (type of mountainous geological formation). Eight peaks in this park are over 2000 metres, with Mt Pelister the highest at 2601 metres. Close to the top are two glacial lakes, known as ‘Pelister’s Eyes’. Today, you’ll get the chance to explore the stunning greenery in Pelister on an easy 2-hour hike of the park’s lower trails, passing through the lush forests and breathing in the crisp mountain air. Head to the information centre to learn more about the endemic flora and fauna. Return to Bitola for the night.
Day 11 Day 11: Kastoria
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Kastoria

Travel with private transport to the border with Greece and then continue to Kastoria. This medieval town sits on the western shore of Lake Orestiada, in a valley surrounded by limestone mountains. Kastoria is full of interesting Byzantine churches and Ottoman-style architecture, including old distinctive villas from the skin and fur trade times. Once you arrive, take an orientation walk along the labyrinthine lanes, with time to walk along the lakeside, where boats bob, Dalmatian pelicans and ducks make ripples on the water, and coniferous trees and mountains surround in the distance. Later, consider visiting the unspoilt Spilia tou Drakou, or Dragon Cave, one of the most impressive caves in Greece, and see stalactites and underground lakes in this mysterious natural wonder once believed to be a gold mine guarded by a sleepless dragon.
Day 12 Day 12: Litochoro
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Litochoro

Enjoy a free morning in Kastoria. Perhaps visit the Neolithic lakeside village and reconstruction at Dispilio, which gives you a real feel for life in a village in the middle of the 6th millennium BC. After lunch transfer by private vehicle to the town of Litochoro at the base of Mt Olympus. Upon arrival head out on a short orientation walk to familiarise yourself with the surroundings. Head down to the beach at Plaka for some well-deserved relaxation and a dip in the Aegean Sea before tomorrow’s hike. Perhaps have dinner in one of the fish tavernas lining the sea shore, and indulge in some traditional dishes.
Day 13 Day 13: Mt Olympus National Park / Litochoro
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Mt Olympus National Park / Litochoro

Mount Olympus, Greece’s first national park, is the highest mountain in Greece and the second highest in the Balkans, with a height of 2918 metres. The mountain is famous in Greek mythology as it is the dwelling of the twelve Olympian gods, headed by Zeus. Mytikas peak was the gods’ meeting place, and Stefani peak was the Throne of Zeus from where he was said to have displayed his mighty power by throwing thunderbolts. Head out early today for a hike along a lush trail within the national park to a beautiful waterfall. If it’s a hot day, why not brave the cold water? Just don’t forget to bring your swimming costume! There is the option to visit the monastery of St Dionysios on the way back into town. The rest of the day is free for you to continue enjoying the surrounding countryside or simply take in the view of the mountain from the vantage point of the nearby beach.
Day 14 Day 14: Athens
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Athens

Board a public bus to Athens, the beating heart of Greece, and the centre of the ancient world (approximately 5.5 hours). After arriving and transferring to your central hotel, there’s much to be seen in the capital of Greece, vibrant and refreshed following the 2004 Olympics, yet still retaining so much visible history. Named after the goddess of wisdom, Athens has a weighty history that spills out over the modern city, represented most dramatically by the ancient Acropolis, where you can enter the Pantheon and enjoy fabulous views over the city. The birthplace of Western civilisation, Athens has an amazing array of historic sites to explore, including the National Gardens, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the original Olympic Stadium. Another highlight is the renowned changing of the guard at Syntagma (Parliament) Square. Afterwards, perhaps tuck into a delicious dinner of Greek cuisine and a shot (or two) of ouzo.
Day 15 Day 15: Athens
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 15: Athens

There are no activities planned for today and you are able to depart the accommodation at any time. As there is so much to see and do in Greece’s capital you may want to extend your stay here. We’ll happy to assist with additional accommodation (subject to availability).

+12

15 days tour

Dubrovnik To Athens

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Dubrovnik To Athens

Day 1: Dubrovnik

Day 2: Kotor

Day 3: Tirana

Day 4: Kruja / Tirana

Day 5: Berat

Day 6: Lake Ohrid

Day 7: Lake Ohrid

Day 8: Skopje

Day 9: Matka Canyon / Skopje

Day 10: Pelister National Park / Bitola

Day 11: Kastoria

Day 12: Litochoro

Day 13: Mt Olympus National Park / Litochoro

Day 14: Athens

Day 15: Athens

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania