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.PLUS, your tour includes your choice of excursions in Dubrovnik so you can plan your day your way.
Special Features Included in this Tour: • Guided walking tour in Tirana includes a visit to Bunk’Art• Guided boat trip on Lake Skadar• Guided sightseeing in Cetinje with visit to King Nicola’s Museum. • [LF] Boat ride to visit “Our Lady of the Rocks” Church, located on an island• Guided sightseeing in Kotor• Visit to Budva with dinner at a local restaurant• Guided walking tour in Dubrovnik• Globus Choice excursions in Dubrovnik − included in your tour with your choice of a self-guided visit on the city walls or a ride up Mount Srd on the Dubrovnik Cable car• Orientation walk in Cavtat and dinner at a local restaurant
Notes: We encourage all guests to prebook their preferred included Globus Choice excursions to ensure your selection is available. If your preference is not selected 35 days prior to departure, we will select a Choice excursion on your behalf based on availability.
Welcome to Tirana! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel Dinner
Day 2 TIRANA
Art Covers Rock Your adventure starts this morning in Tirana, Albania’s capital city and allegedly one of the sunniest cities in Europe! Join your Local Guide for a walking tour to discover its intriguing culture and history. See many of the main landmarks and visit the Bunk’Art Museum, once a top-secret nuclear bunker, now a historical and art center. Spend an afternoon and evening at leisure exploring more. (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 Breakfast
Day 3 TIRANA–VIRPAZAR, MONTENEGRO–BUDVA
A Shore Thing Cross the border into Montenegro on your way to Virpazar a small town located on the banks of Lake Skadar, one of the largest bird reserves in Europe. Relax and admire the beauty of the flora and fauna of the lake during your guided boat trip. Continue to Budva a well-preserved medieval town that doubles as a stunning coastal resort town. Enjoy free time this evening to get acquainted with Budva, why not try some local specialties for dinner? (B)
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 Breakfast
Day 4 BUDVA EXCURSION TO CETINJE AND KOTOR
Former Capitals & Coastal Towns Depart for a full day’s excursion to visit two of Montenegro’s most interesting towns. Reach Cetinje, the former royal capital, and follow your Local Guide on a sightseeing tour to see the town’s main highlights with a visit to King Nicola’s Museum. Enjoy some free time for lunch before continuing to picture-perfect Kotor, the coastal town located on Europe’s southernmost fjord. Join your Local Guide to discover the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its cobblestone streets and charming squares. Return to Budva and enjoy a delicious dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)
124mi / 200 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 BreakfastDinner
Day 5 BUDVA–PERAST–DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
Jewel of the Mediterranean [LF] Take a short boat ride from the picturesque town of Perast to the island “Our Lady of the Rocks.” Your Local Guide will share with you the intriguing stories of swashbuckling pirates and unrequited love that linger in its history. Continue to Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” for an evening at leisure to start getting acquainted with this breathtaking city, embraced by its remarkable UNESCO-listed city walls and the font of inspiration for many artists. (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 Breakfast
Day 6 DUBROVNIK–KONAVLE–DUBROVNIK
Spend Your Day Your Way in Dubrovnik This morning, follow your Local Guide for a walking tour of the historic center. Explore more of Dubrovnik with your choice of included Globus Choice excursions.
Walking on Walls
The city of Dubrovnik is completely embraced by its iconic city walls that have survived intact for centuries. Spend time walking along the walls at your own pace on this self-guided visit brimming with photo opportunities and stunning vistas of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic Sea.
To Summit Up
Soar up the side of Mount Srd on the Dubrovnik Cable Car for stunning views en route to the panoramic summit above. Cast your eyes on the spectacular views along the way to soak in the miles of marvelous vistas above.
Later, drive to Konavle for an orientation walk in Cavtat and a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)
37 mi / 60 km BreakfastDinner
Day 7 DUBROVNIK
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Accommodations
Tirana
Budva
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik
Hilton Garden Inn Tirana First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
146 Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta Tirana Albania
This trendy 143-room hotel is perfectly positioned for discovering the secrets of Albania's capital city. The spacious guest rooms are equipped with amenities to maximise comfort, including air conditioning, toiletries and cable TV. Guests can enjoy a unique dining experience at the on-site restaurant that serves high-quality international cuisine, There is also a fitness center and Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property.
Hotel Budva First-Class
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Slovenska Obala Budva Montenegro
Hotel Budva is a 4-star hotel located in the center of Budva, Montenegro, right on the seaside promenade and just steps away from the sandy Slovenska Beach and Marina. It features an on-site restaurant, bar and a wellness center. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. The hotel has 157 rooms, all of which are equipped with air conditioning, TV, minibar and private bathroom. The hotel restaurant offers a variety of local and international dishes, while the bar serves refreshing drinks and cocktails. There is also a wellness center with a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and massage treatments.
Lapad Superior First-Class
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Lapadska obala 37 Dubrovnik Croatia
This former Grand Hotel is set in a historic building surrounded by a large outdoor pool and palm trees, overlooking the famous Dubrovnik's Gruz Harbour. Clear lines are combined with luxurious fabrics in the modern guestrooms, all of which are air-conditioned and feature flat-screen satellite TV, minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, and bathrooms with shower, hairdryer, and free toiletries. Free Wi-Fi internet connection is available throughout the entire hotel.
Sumratin First-Class
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Ul. Mata Vodopi¿a 1A Dubrovnik Croatia
Hotel Sumratin is nestled in the heart of Lapad Bay, just steps from the Adriatic Sea and minutes from Dubrovnik¿s iconic Old Town. Designed to blend timeless charm with modern sophistication, the hotel offers a unique retreat where every detail is crafted to elevate guests stay. Indulge in panoramic views from the seasonal rooftop pool and bar, unwind in the serene spa, or savor gourmet Croatian cuisine with a contemporary twist at the signature restaurant. Each room is thoughtfully designed with plush furnishings and natural tones.