Europe Explorer Grand Tour "Mediterranean and Dardania Route"

 Start the day exploring Albania’s capital. We will visit Skanderbeg Square, dedicated to Albania’s national hero, the Mosque of Ethem Bey, one of the oldest buildings in Tirana, and the Archaeological Museum among other sites. We then head to Kruja, one of Albania’s most important towns due to the part it played in resistance against the Ottomans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum and castle as well as the old bazaar. Afterward, we will continue to Durres port for embarkation. (In the evening we will be onboard in the Ferry boat to Bari - Italy).

Overnight in Ferry.

After breakfast, we will depart for Naples. Then we proceed to Naples. Napoli is one of the most ancient cities in Europe and one of the oldest continually inhabited in the world. It's historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It started life in the 9th century BC as the Greek colony of Neapolis, meaning New City. It is also the tenth most populated urban center in the EU, with a population of more than 4 million in the metro area. The oldest public university in the world is here, the University of Napoli Federico II. In 1995, the historic centre of Naples was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We will have a walking tour to visit the most important sights in the city, like: Cappella San Severo with Veiled Christ, Church of Gesù Nuovo, San Gregorio Armeno, Santa Chiara cloister,Piazza Plebiscito, Maschio Angioino, etc.

Accomodation in hotel (Aer Street Hotel 3*, or similar) and overnight.

After breakfast, continue to Pompeii. We will explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the remains of Pompeii. The volcano of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD killed most of the town’s inhabitants, but it did relatively little damage to Pompeii itself. The resulting blanket of ash kept the remains in perfect condition until they were uncovered again in the 18th century. Volcano's eruption visiting the highlights of the thermal baths, the large theater, the Basilica and the Macellum and the famous House of Faun. We will be seeing many interesting clues during your visit explaining the most interesting places of this ancient commercial city.

We will continue to visit Amalfi Coast as we drive through almost 50 miles of winding coastal roads with the sea on one side and the majestic Lattari mountains on the other. Overnight in Salerno.

Accomodation in hotel (Bruman Salerno Hotel 3*, or similar) and overnight.

After breakfast continue to Pollino National Park. The territory of the Pollino UNESCO Global Geopark protects one of the most extraordinary environments of Italian natural heritage, characterised by very diverse landscapes and the presence of interesting historical and cultural settings. As well as the geological-geomorphological evolution of the territories, the main feature of the Pollino environment and its extraordinary geo-diversity is the first and fundamental starting point upon which the enormous and exceptional biodiversity and great historical-anthropological and cultural richness is set out and developed, making this scenic area, along the borders of Calabria and Basilicata, so very attractive. In the afternoon we will arrive in Castrovillari.

Then continue to Cosenza. The territory of Cosenza, as with the rest of Calabria, exhibits traces of history, beginning with the prehistoric period. On the coast are Neolithic sites attesting to human presence. The water flows have been important travel routes since the Magna Graecia and Roman periods. In the Middle Ages, this land was conquered by the Byzantines, who brought benefits to the economy of the territory with the introduction of new agricultural techniques, sericultural production, and the promotion of social aggregation. The results are still evident in the elegant and refined architecture, as well as those of the Normans, the Angevins, the Aragonese and the Spaniards, who all left their mark in the following centuries.

Accomodation in hotel (Royal Hotel 3*, or similar) and overnight

In the morning we will depart for Messsina. Messina sits across the Strait of Messina, which divides the Region of Calabria from the Island of Sicily. Mother Nature has created a masterpiece here, painting the gorgeous sea into its background. As in the past, Messina is the main portal to Sicily. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Swabians landed on its coasts and had a heavy influence on culture here and throughout the Island. By exploring the small provincial towns, one can discover precious works of art in its churches and palaces, and important traces of great and faraway civilizations. Overnight.

Accomodation in hotel (Sant’Elia 3*, or similar) and overnight.

Then we proceed to Catania, where while driving on the right side we will enjoy the magnificent views of Etna volcano. On the eastern coast of Sicily lies Mountain Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe and UNESCO World Heritage. Through the centuries, its eruptions have shaped the volcano’s slopes, designing unique landscapes of lava and ice. The area is now an enormous nature reserve, full of walkable trails.

Then we will arrive in Catania. The city art tour to discover Catania is a cultural and artistic journey to get to know the best of our city of Catania. It is a city that amazes tourists and not for its contrasts: places of historical interest such as Piazza Duomo, liberty buildings, baroque churches and a powerful Etna volcano that overlooks the city. Noisy local markets, landscaped views to be admired in religious silence, and a nightlife that lights up the city from dusk to dawn.

Accomodation in hotel (Villa Romeo Hotel 3*, or similar) and overnight.

After breakfast continue to Palermo. City tour.  Among important places to be visited are: Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy, traditional historical markets in the city U Capu where history, tradition and street food are mixed with voices and faces of the people of Palermo. In the middle of the market, an unexpected visit to the church of the Immaculate Conception, a baroque jewel just restored. Through narrow streets and ancient buildings we reach the Norman Cathedral, where we will also visit the tomb of Frederick II of Swabia and the silver “Vara” of Santa Rosalia. Through the gardens of Villa Bonanno and along the ancient Roman ruins in the heart of Paleopolis we get The Royal Palace that since the Punic Walls to the Sicilian Parliament houses 3000 years of our history. We will continue along the ancient fortifications to photograph St. John of The Hermits, a striking expression of the Arab-Norman architecture with its particular domes. So walking to discover medieval quarters, Spanish facades and courtyards of the historic Mansions we will walk through the “Cassaro” the oldest street of Palermo to end our tour reaching the Four Corners so called “Teatro del Sole” elegant baroque crossroad.

Accommodation in hotel (Joli Hotel 3*, or similar) and overnight.

After breakfast continue to Cefalu. Cefalù is a coastal city in northern Sicily, Italy. It’s known for its Norman cathedral, a 12th-century fortress-like structure with elaborate Byzantine mosaics and soaring twin towers. Then we will continue to Reggio Calabria. It is located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, between the seaside and the mountains of a land rich in flavors and colors. On the west it overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the south and the east, the Ionian Sea and it borders Catanzaro in the northeast and with Vibo Valentia in the northwest. In the southwest it looks out at Sicily, just 2 miles away across the Strait of Messina.

Accomodation in hotel (Sirio Hotel 3*, or similar) and overnight.

We will depart to continue our trip by following the amazing Ionian coast road to stop first in Bovalino, a charming small town in the Province of Reggio Calabria.

Then proceed to Soverato. Soverato is a small commune and town located in the Calabria region. The town is located on the Ionian Sea and is surrounded by several beautiful villages and white sand beaches along the coast. The economy of the town is based on tourism from the other parts of Italy and mostly from the northern parts of the country. Soverato is mostly known for its night fair which takes place during the summer months.

In the afternoon we will continue to Isola Le Castello and overnight.

Accomodation in hotel (Bilha Hotel 3*, or similar) and overnight.

After breakfast, we will continue to Crotone. Crotone occupies the "toe" of the Italian peninsula. Founded c. 710 BC as the Achaean colony of Kroton, it was known as Cotrone from the Middle Ages until 1928, when its name was changed to the current one. In 1992, it became the capital of the newly established Province of Crotone. Visit the Castle of Charles V: it houses the Town Museum, with findings excavated in the ancient site of Kroton. Notable are also the remnants of the walls, of the same century, and of various watchtowers. The Cathedral, originally from the 9th to 11th centuries, but largely rebuilt, has a neoclassical façade, while the interior has a nave with two aisles, with Baroque decorations. Crotone also hosts a national archaeological museum, a municipal museum, a municipal art gallery, and a provincial museum of contemporary art, as well as the Antiquarium di Torre Nao. Then continue to Martera. Ancient habitations dug into the tuff rock of a chalky plateau open up around a hollow, the Gravina di Matera, traversed by a torrent that flows in this spectacular and unique city in the Region of Basilicata. Roofs by turns become the foundations for new habitations on the levels overhead. A dense lattice of narrow streets and alleyways fill up with the lights of the evening, giving off the impression that one is strolling through a Nativity scene of papier-mâché. Matera was the European Capital of Culture 2019, the Rupestrian churches and uber-famous Sassi – were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.

Accomodation in (Residence del Casalnuovo, or similar) and overnight.

After breakfast, proceed to Taranto. The coast of Taranto in Apulia spans over 87 mi, with a diverse and beautiful natural landscape: wild areas with sheer cliffs, long stretches of fine sandy beaches that blend with the deep blue sea and the green maquis, in some places completely deserted, in others enlivened by quaint seaside resorts. A scenery varied as a mosaic, where natural environments harmoniously fuse and bear the traces of the different cultures that have settled and moved here over the centuries: churches, castles, palaces, and ruins remaining long after their ancient civilizations contribute to the rich cultural heritage of Taranto and its territory. Then continue to Santa Maria della Leuca.  Santa Maria di Leuca is the southernmost point in Salento, striking the visitor’s eye for its colors and unreal silence. At the center of it all is the Church, the original Santa Maria: first a sanctuary, today it is the Basilica of Santa Maria De finibus terrae  (at the ends of the earth). But above all, a visit to Leuca is a significant review of a long history, marked by rupestrian settlements, crypts, churches, castles, hundred-year-old olive trees, hidden coves and inlets, and a sea that is blue like no other. Overnight.

Accomodation in (Albergo del Santuario, or similar) and overnight.

After breakfast continue to Otranto, where this is the point of Otranto Strait, the narrowest point between Italy and Albania 73 km. It is also the border between Adriatic and Ionian seas. Then proceed to Lecce. Lecce is a city in Italy’s southern Apulia region. It's known for its baroque buildings. In the central Piazza del Duomo, the Cattedrale di Lecce has a double facade and a bell tower. The Basilica di Santa Croce features sculptures and a rose window. Nearby are the Sant’Oronzo Column, a Roman column topped with a bronze statue of the city’s patron saint, and the sunken Roman amphitheater. In the afternoon we will continue to Brindisi. Brindisi has been known as the «Gateway to the East» since ancient times, when it became an important port, first for the Roman troops, and later for the merchants of Venice. This port in Apulia even today provides important travel connections to and from a long list of sea and airports.

Accomodation in hotel (Barsotti Hotel 3*, or similar) and overnight.

After breakfast, we will depart for Alberobello. Alberobello’s striking expanse of Trulli was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Narrow, winding lanes weave past small, characteristic piazzas in the Rione Monti, home to the “Siamese trullo” and its unusual, twin-cone roofs, the Church of Sant’Antonio, and the Trullo Sovrano. Visit to the Museo del Territorio, housed in a series of interconnected trulli, and the Casa d’Amore, the first building in town to be built with lime and mortar and now a valuable tourist information point.

Then continue to Bari. Bari, the capital of the Puglia region, is a city where time seems to have stopped. The presence of the relics of the Patron Saint Nicholas in the homonymous Basilica make it one of the most important religious destinations of southern Italy. The ancient village, also called "Bari vecchia" is a magical place, where you can learn about the culture and traditions of Bari and exchange a few words with the friendly inhabitants. On the doorstep of the houses the women will invite you to taste the local specialties while they prepare the famous orecchiette, the typical handmade pasta. You will not be able to resist the scent of the focaccia and the very tasty street food. In the evening we onboard the Ferry trip to Durres Albania.

Overnight on the ferry.

After arrival in Durres, we will have a city tour. Durres city lies on the Adriatic coast and is the main commercial port of Albania. Durres, Albania's second largest city was known formerly as Durrahium and is one of the oldest towns in the country. Legend says that it was founded by Epidamnos, the Illyrian King of the area, who called it by his own name and named the port area after his grandson, Dyrrah. It was for centuries the largest port on the Adriatic, and the start of the Via Egnatia to Constantinople/Istanbul. We visit the Roman amphitheatre and the Archaeological Museum, situated near the sea and rich in objects excavated in Durres. We also will visit the Roman Baths behind the Aleksander Moisiu Theatre on the central square. Then we will continue to Tirana, Albania’s capital. We will visit Skanderbeg Square, dedicated to Albania’s national hero, the Mosque of Ethem Bey, one of the oldest buildings in Tirana, and the Archaeological Museum among other sites. Overnight in your hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel in Tirana, we head to Lezha, one of Albania’s most important ancient Illyrian city states of Albania’s history, and also famous for the war and resistance against the Ottomans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum Mausoleum at St. Nicholas Cathedral, ancient city wall, etc. Then continue to Podgorica via Shkoder. Continue to Montenegro’s capital Podgorica, where we visit the Old Town and show you the most important historical monuments and buildings in town: Doganjska Mosque from 15th century, Skaline (“the stairs”) is probably one of the most historic and picturesque site of Podgorica. It is a place perfectly described as peaceful, quiet and in the middle of the city, Republic Square, St.George church form 11th of century, Millenium Bridge, Russian Bridge, Vladimir Vysotsky Monument, Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (Orthodox Church), Roman Square, King Nikola's Castle from 19th century and Clock Tower (Sahat Kula) from 17th century.

Overnight in Podgorica, hotel Kerber 3*, or similar.

Then continue to Niksic. There are many places worth seeing in the center of Niksic: the Central Square of Liberty, the Royal Palace of King Nikola I Petrović Njegos containing the museum, the Church of St. Basil of Ostrog, who was built in the 19th century in Montenegrin heroes, who gave their lives for the freedom of the country. Near the center there are old Turkish city walls and Hadji-Smajil's mosque. Then continue to Zabljak. Durmitor National Park. This breathtaking national park was formed by glaciers and is traversed by rivers and underground streams. Along the Tara river canyon, which has the deepest gorges in Europe, the dense pine forests are interspersed with clear lakes and harbour a wide range of endemic flora. We will visit Black Lake. (Black Lake is the best known, and at the same time largest of 18 glacial lakes in The Durmitor National Park. More than 3 km long, the walking path around the lake is the most popular for hiking and recreation.)

Accomodation to hotel (Zlatni bor 3*, or similar) and overnight.

Departure to Sarajevo. Cross the border to Bosnia-Herzegovina and have a break at Brod    where we enjoy the amazing Drina River valley and surrounding green mountains.

Then travel to Sarajevo. roceed for tour to visit Vrelo Bosne – spring of river Bosnia, Tunnel Museum – the only means of going in and out during the siege of Sarajevo in last war - Walking tour of old town Bascarsija, Latin Bridge, place where the Austro Hungarian Archduke was assassinated, what triggered the 1st World War; Brusa Bezistan – covered market place; Gazi Husref Bey's Mosque- built in 1530 year during the Ottoman era – and Gazi Husref Bey Madras; Morica Han built in 1551 ; Vijecnica – town hall for the Austro-Hungarian era - Lunch at the local restaurant.

Accomodation to hotel (Boss 3*, or similar) and overnight.

After breakfast continue to Tuzla. Tuzla, town, northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina, situated in the Tuzla Basin. Tuzla has long been associated with local deposits of rock salt. In the 10th century it was called Soli (Salts), and its present name is from the Turkish tuz, “salt.” Large quantities of lignite are mined in the basin, and there is a mining institute in the town. Its good rail and road connections make Tuzla a collection point for agricultural produce. It is also the site of thermal-power stations. Visit main square, Turalibegova Dzamija, Tuzla Massacre Memorial - Kapija.

Accomodation to hotel (Almira 3*, or similar) and overnight.

After breakfast, continue to Osijek. After arriving, we will have a city tour. The main tourism route will first take you to Tvrđa, a fortified part of the city from the 18th century that hides interesting stories and legends such as those of the general Stephan von Beckers who built the city walls to defend the city from the Ottoman Empire. There you will have the opportunity to enjoy some of the most valuable examples of Baroque architecture in Croatia, such as the statue of Holy Trinity. Passing through the large parks and gardens of King Tomislav you will come to the Art Nouveau district with monumental buildings such as the Postal Palace. Parallel road to the main square takes you along the Drava river and walking down the promenade will take you to the St. Peter and Paul Con-Cathedral. Completed in 1898 it's the second highest church in Croatia and with its 90 meter high tower it's the tallest building in Osijek today.

Overnight in Osijek, Hotel Silver, or similar.

After breakfast continue to Balaton. Lake Balaton is a freshwater lake in western Hungary. It’s a major holiday destination with beaches, volcanic hills, resort towns and high-rise hotels along its 197km shoreline. The hilly north shore is a wine-growing region, with protected wetlands and hiking trails at Balaton Uplands National Park. The town of Veszprém has a walled Castle district, and 13th-century frescoes at the Gizella Chapel. Veszprém, also known as the ‘City of Queens’, is one of Hungary’s hidden treasures. With its winding streets, steep inclines and many romantic corners, it has the feeling of an enchanted town. Also, Lake Balaton and the hills of Bakony are within striking distance for an excursion.

Budapest. After breakfast we will continue to Budapest. This tour gives you a global view of the city. During the walk you will get a comprehensive knowledge on the history, culture, architecture of the city from the Roman period to the present days. The tour is based on visiting the main sights of the capital: the Saint Stephen Cathedral, the Hungarian Parliament, the famous Andrássy avenue, the Jewish quarter or the Castle District.

Overnight in Budapest, Eurostar Danube Hotel or similar.

In the morning we continue to Fruska Gora, a mountain that rises up from the Vojvodina plains in the north of Serbia. Fruska Gora was proclaimed a National Park in 1960. The higher sections of Fruska Gora consist of thick forests, whereas the lower valleys of the mountain contain orchards and centuries-old vineyards. It hides 16 orthodox monasteries famous for their specific architecture. We will visit the most important ones such as Krusedol, Vrdnik, Grgeteg, Beocin and Novo Hopovo. In the afternoon we will continue to Novi Sad – the capital of the northern Serbian province of Vojvodina.

Overnight in Novi Sad (Putnik Hotel or similar). (B)

Today we will travel to Serbia and Belgrade, arriving in the late afternoon. Belgrade is one of the largest cities in the Balkans, and is an intriguing mix of the traditional and the modern, with its museums, galleries and lively nightlife. Belgrade is the capital of Serbia and one of Europe’s oldest cities. Located where the Danube and Sava Rivers meet, it has also traditionally been a crossroads of East and West.  It was also the capital of the former Yugoslavia and is generally considered the centre of historical and modern-day political activity.  The architecture is very varied from the old city centre to the modern buildings of New Belgrade. We will explore Belgrade today, taking in the temple of St Sava, the parliament buildings and Republic Square. We then head to Kalemegdan Fortress, the oldest part of Belgrade, where we explore on foot. This afternoon you will have some free time to explore the city on your own.

Overnight in Belgrade (Capital Hotel Garni or similar).

After breakfast, we will depart for Novi Pazar. Novi Pazar is a city located in the Raška District of southwestern Serbia. This town due to its historical background is a cultural synthesis of Orient and Occident. Here you can hear the church bells playing chords to the muezzin’s call to prayer from one of four dozen mosques in the city. Novi Pazar has always been a hub of cultures, tolerance and peace. This town has great tourist capacity for all ages. It is one of the youngest towns in Europe. Young environment promises vibrant experience and breath-taking adrenaline pumped adventures on the hills surrounding the city. As the Ottomans took over the area, Novi Pazar became one of the most important markets on the road to Istanbul. Many monuments like Turkish baths, mosques and fortifications stand today as the representatives of that time.

Overnight in Novi Pazar, Hotel Dragulj or similar.

After breakfast continue to visit Stari Ras fortress (UNESCO) and Sopotami Monastery. The mediaeval town of Ras is 11 km west of Novi Pazar and stands on a hill known as Gradina. It is thought to have been founded during the reign of John II Komnenos (1118-1143). There are three archaeological sites within the old Ras complex: the fortress on Gradina, the cave together with the monastery of the Archangel Michael beneath the fortification and the settlement of Pazarište (formerly Trgovište), the buildings of which evidence an urbanised structure. Then continue to Peje via Rozaje at the Montenegro border crossing point. Peja lies at the foot of the gigantic Damned Mountains (Bjeshket e Nemuna), on the river Bistrica and the entrance of the Rugova Gorge. Peja is the main economic and cultural center of northern Dukagjin and one of the best known tourist resorts of the region. City tour where we will visit the Tahir Beu Palace and Jashar Pasha house, architecture of the Turkish period. The Sheremet Tower, although built during the Turkish rule, in fact is a true type of an Albanian Dukagjin tower, a stone house with small windows resembling rifle loopholes. In the center of the town is the Old Carshia with shops of various craftsmen and the attractive Bajrakli mosque built in the 15th century ranks among the older structures of Ottoman architecture.

Overnight in Peja. Semitronix Hotel or similar.

Afterward, continue to Gjakova. On the way to Gjakova we stop and visit the Monastery of Decani. We will visit Decani Orthodox Monastery, located alongside the Lumbardhi river at the mouth of the gorge. The monastery was built between 1327 and 1335 by the Serbian king St. Stephen of Deçan. Although the buildings suffered damage during the Turkish occupation, the beautiful 14th-century frescoes were completely preserved.  Afterward, continue to Junik, where we will visit the characteristic houses called “Kulla”. The Junik Ode is infamous for being an important institution exercising the customary right as instructed by the ancient “Kanuni i Leke Dukagjini” – “The code of Leke Dukagjini” which goes back to Illyrian time of more than 3500 years before. The reeve of the village was the chair of the Junik Ode. In the architectural front, the Junik Ode is a typical Dukagjinian tower, encompassing fortification elements. Afterward, continue to Gjakova. Visit the Gjakova Clock Tower, which marks the center of the Old Bazaar, the grain market and see the handicrafts of quilt-workers, saddler makers, silversmiths and embroiderers. We then will visit the 16th century Mosque of “Hadum Aga,” a traditional house for a tea break. We also will visit the 16th century inn of “Hani i Haraçisë,” the old bazaar shopping area, and the Ethnographic Museum.

Overnight in Gjakova. Carshia e Jupave Hotel or similar.

After breakfast we will cross the border to Albania to continue the journey to Shkoder via Koman Lake. The 2 hour trip on Lake Komani was called “One of the Great Boat Trips of the World” by the Bradt Guide, and certainly the scenery is stunning. The Drin River was flooded along part of its most mountainous passage to create the lakes in this region. The journey takes you along glassy clear water, twisting and turning through narrow passes and past silent mountain peaks.

Shkoder is one of the oldest cities in the Balkans and was once the capital of Illyria before it was conquered by Rome (year 168 BC). It is also considered the “Florence of the Balkans” due to its cultural inheritance and richness. We visit its old bazaar, cathedral and mosque before heading to Rozafa castle for spectacular views of the city, lake and the surrounding mountains.

Overnight in Shkoder, Hotel Tradita or similar.

After breakfast, we will depart for Kruje. We will visit the medieval city of Kruja (visit the castle and the impressive Skanderbeg Museum, Ethnographical Museum and shopping in Old Bazaar, mosques from the time of the ottomans time. Then we will continue to Tirana, Albania’s capital. We will visit Skanderbeg Square, dedicated to Albania’s national hero, the Mosque of Ethem Bey, one of the oldest buildings in Tirana, and the Archaeological Museum among other sites. Overnight in your hotel.

Overnight in Tirana.