Day 1: Flight to Sofia
In the morning flight with Lufthansa from Frankfurt to Sofia. Tour through Bulgaria's capital. Thracians, Romans, Byzantines, Turks, and Bulgarians - they all built one on top of the other here. Sofia's oldest building, the Sveti Georgi, has experienced much of the eventful history of its own architecture. The domes of the mighty Alexander Nevsky Cathedral gleam in gold, while icons shine inside. Welcome dinner at the hotel in Sofia.
Day 2: Off to Skopje
After breakfast you leave Bulgaria and cross the border to Macedonia. A short visit to the Orthodox monastery of Sveti Joakim Osogovski, situated in the dense green forest of Eastern Macedonia. The capital Skopje looks young and dynamic. Modernity and tradition are combined in the oriental-looking Old Town lanes. In the evening a typical Macedonian dinner with traditional music awaits you in a restaurant.
Day 3: Colourful mosque in Tetovo
Your guide will show you further highlights in Skopje this morning, such as the stone bridge over the Vardar. In Tetovo you will admire the colourful mosque: colourful inside, magnificent arabesques on the façades. Sveti Jovan Bigorski Monastery is located in the middle of the Mavrovo National Park. It is one of the country's most important cultural attractions. In the evening you reach Ohrid at the lake of the same name.
Day 4: The Old Town of Ohrid
During a boat trip on Lake Ohrid you will get to know a well-known photo motif of Macedonia - the church Kaneo. From here the city with its oriental touch is explored by foot. In the afternoon excursion to the monastery of Sveti Naum, this is enthroned on a rocky plateau above the lake. The Macedonians believe they can hear the heartbeat of Saint Naum when they press their ears against the stone coffin. At the end of the day you can let you row over the lake.
Day 5: In the land of the Skipetars
Welcome to Albania! The decorative houses with their large windows give Berat the nickname "City of Thousand Windows". Narrow lanes, Turkish houses and Orthodox churches make the country's oldest city what it is: a museum city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the afternoon you will reach Durres on the Adriatic coast. Romans and Venetians were also here and have immortalized themselves with amphitheatre and city walls.
Day 6: Colourful Tirana
In the morning you will explore the Albanian capital Tirana. A city in upheaval and change: gloomy socialist facades of the Hodscha era are mixed with bright colours, chic bars lure next to rustic bazaars. In Shkodra you will walk up to Rozafa fortress and enjoy the panoramic view. Border crossing: in the evening you reach Budva in Montenegro.
Day 7: Discovery day
Do you want to be out without a group today? Then enjoy a day off in Budva. Or you can accompany the guide on a day trip (at an extra charge, including lunch): like a swallow's nest built in the rock, one of the most important sanctuaries of the Serbian Orthodox Church is located in the mountains of Montenegro. Every year, hundreds of thousands of faithful go on pilgrimage to Ostrog Monastery. Equally impressive in terms of landscape: Lake Skadar. Cruise on the largest lake in the Balkans - pure nature! Are there pelicans, herons and other wild birds to be seen? In any case, food and drink is provided - try local specialities on board.
Day 8: In the Lovcen National Park
In Cetinje, the former capital of Montenegro, you will meet stone witnesses of the royal period and an enchanted monastery. We continue through the picturesque landscape of the Lovcen National Park. Between green meadows and barren mountains lies the original village of Njegusi. Want a taste of the famous Njeguski-Prsut? The village is famous for its delicious raw ham. A family gives you an insight into traditional production. You can find out what role the wind plays in the exceptional ham's quality in the conversation with the landlord. One of the most beautiful panoramic roads in Europe winds its way down to the coast to Kotor. Wonderful views reward you on the winding drive. The old town of Kotors presents itself with its palaces and churches. Then we continue by boat to the baroque town of Perast with a side trip to the island "Maria from the Rock". In the evening you will return to Budva for dinner in a fish restaurant.
Day 9: Farewell from the Balkans
In the morning you leave Montenegro and cross the border into neighbouring Croatia. It is only a stone's throw from the "Pearl of the Adriatic". On a stroll through Dubrovnik, you will explore the cathedral and learn why the Franciscan monastery houses one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe. The city is surrounded by a massive wall. In the afternoon flight with Lufthansa to Munich and connecting flight to Frankfurt.