Dubrovnik to Athens | 10 Days

DAY 1:                 DUBROVNIK

After arrival into Dubrovnik airport, transfer to your hotel. The balance of the day is free. Meet your fellow travellers tonight at a welcome dinner. Overnight in Dubrovnik. (D)

DAY 2:                 DUBROVNIK

After the breakfast, walking tour of Old Dubrovnik visiting the Rector’s Palace, and see the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando’s Column, Sponza Palace, the Dominican Monastery, and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is free or join us for an optional excursion home hosted Dubelj with dinner. (B)

DAY 3:                 DUBROVNIK – KOTOR – TIVAT

After breakfast, our journey takes us to Montenegro viewing Kotor Bay, the only South European fiord, and tour of old town Kotor, a UNESCO heritage Site. On to Tivat for the night. (B, D)

DAY 4:                 TIVAT – SHKODRA – TIRANA

After breakfast we leave Tivat and drive via Budva and Bar towards the town of Shkodra, nowadays a major Albanian cultural centre. Shkodra was the centre of the Illyrian tribe Labeat and was taken by the Romans in the year 168 B.C. We will see the Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city. Continue the drive to Tirana for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 5:               TIRANA

On a morning sightseeing tour, see Sheshi Skenderbej (Skanderbeg Square), the Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, and the statue of G.K.  Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero; the Palace of Culture, built with Soviet assistance, and the National History Museum with a mosaic on its façade portraying Albanian history.  Your afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own, shop, or simply just relax. Overnight Tirana. (B)

DAY 6:                 TIRANA – OHRID

Drive to the lakeside resort of Ohrid, an important cultural and spiritual centre, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Enjoy a sightseeing tour that will take you strolling through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. Overnight Ohrid. (B, D)

DAY 7:                 OHRID – METEORA – KALAMBAKA

After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes of Meteora, known as “the rocks that fell from the sky”, where monks built their rock-top monasteries far away from civilization. Out of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s cells, only four are now active. We will visit either Roussanou or the Great Meteoro*. On to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

*Due to border crossing conditions and opening times of the monasteries, the exact monastery that we will visit will be determined on arrival.

DAY 8:                 KALAMBAKA – DELPHI – ATHENS

Travel to Delphi, where the famous Oracle once foretold the destiny of men. The temple of Apollo in which the Oracle functioned was built in the 6^th century B.C. Also see the Sacred Way, the Stadium, and the Castilian Fountain, where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation for consulting the Oracle. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, which contains an impressive collection of finds from the site, including the beautiful “Bronze Charioteer”, before continuing to Athens. (B, D)

DAY 9:                 ATHENS

See the highlights of Athens this morning on a sightseeing tour. This cosmopolitan and bustling capital city is set amid reminders of a long and glorious past: graceful temples, centuries old monasteries and ornate Byzantine churches. Visit the immortal Acropolis, the Parthenon, said to be the most perfectly proportioned building of all time. Also, see the Erectheion with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena, Nike, and the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis lies the Ancient Agora and the Theatres of Dionysus and Herodus Atticus. Your afternoon and evening are free. Join us for Farewell Taverna Dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis. Overnight in Athens. (B, D)

DAY 10:                             ATHENS

After breakfast, transfer to Athens airport for your departure flight. End of our services. (B)

Accommodation (or similar):

DUBROVNIK: Hotel Lero

TIVAT: Hotel Palma

TIRANA: Colosseo Hotel

OHRID: Hotel Granit

KALAMBAKA: Grand Meteora Hotel

ATHENS: Stanley Hotel, or Titania Hotel

INCLUSIONS:

• First class hotels
• Arrival transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to the tour hotel on day 1
• Departure transfer from tour hotel to Athens Airport on day 10
• Meals as per itinerary
• Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Professional Tour Director throughout
• Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
• Whisper technology enhanced touring
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Sightseeing tours in Dubrovnik, Kotor, Tirana, Ohrid, Kalambaka, Athens

Things to Note:

–          Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m. Tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.

–          Because of the narrow and cobbled streets, walking is the primary way of getting around. Please make sure you pack comfortable walking shoes.