Day 1 Thessaloniki
We begin our journey in Thessaloniki, the soul of Greece. Karl May wrote at a time when all these six countries we will travel through were parts of the Ottoman Empire. It doesn't harm to take a look at the hidden beauties of Thessaloniki, a friend once told me. The Aristotelis Square, the White Tower, the Galeus Arch, the Obelisk and the Agean. These are just some of the monuments we will see.
Day 2 Thesalloniki-Melnik-Strumica
Because of two aspects, today is a very interesting day for all of us. First of all we will see two more highlights that Thessaloniki has to offer. The famous St. Demetrius Basilica and the Castrum or the old castle of the city. Today we will be in three Balkan countries at once. We have breakfast in Greece, lunch in Bulgaria and dinner in Macedonia. It is difficult to say goodbye to Thesalloniki, but we must go on to Bulgaria. Melnik is our next destination and a very special one. In Melnik, the scene takes place in the pigeon loft of the fruit merchant Glawa, where Kara ben Nemsi listens to his enemies and learns about the murder plot against himself and his companions. Today Melnik is a wine-growing region and a museum village. In a pleasant atmosphere and with a glass of excellent regional wine, we remember the passages from the travel stories. Afterwards we continue our journey to Strumica in Macedonia. For the Karl May friends, Strumica is better known as Ostromja. Kara Ben Nemsi and Hadschi Halef Omar visit Ostromja during the persecution of the villains in the novel "In the Gorges of the Balkans". Ibarek's brother-in-law, the owner of the inn "The Red Ox", lives in Ostromja. For six years the Mübarek alias Busra has also been living in this place as a beggar and court clerk. Nebatja, a Christian plant collector who also lives in Ostromja, supplies the ingredients for the pharmacy of Hajji Omrak.
Day 3 Strumica-Radoviš-Prilep-Bitola
From Strumica we continue to Radoviš (Radowitsch - so the spelling at Karl May). In Karl May's Orient cycle novel "Through the Land of the Skipetars", the travel group around Kara Ben Nemsi and Hadschi Halef Omar at the persecution of Mübarek and his companions from the gang of the Schut also comes through Radowitsch. Here in the inn of the village, "Doctor" Chefatasch medicated Kara Ben Nemsi's foot which he sprained in the fght with the Aladschy brothers. The doctor is instructed by Kara Ben Nemsi in the art of placing plaster casts. It is the moment when you can let your imagination run wild again. You will be fascinated by the place and the natural beauty of the surroundings. The next destination of the day is Bitola. In Karl May's time the town was famous for its military and diplomacy school. On the way there we will look at two other interesting places. Kavadartsi is the largest wine region in Macedonia and the town of Prilep, which is still one of the largest and highest-quality areas for tobacco production. Bitola is known for its coffee culture, which you can enjoy in the pedestrian zone, the Schirok Sokak. There are remnants of glorious times: the consulate offices, the clock tower, mosques, etc.
Day 4 Bitola - Skopje
Before leaving this region, we will be able to admire some of the most beautiful mosaics in South-Eastern Europe. They are located at the ancient archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis, not far from the city. On the way to Skopje we also pass the city of Velesch. Skopje was called Üsküb in Karl May's time and is mentioned several times in his stories. The river Vardar separates the old, more oriental part from the newer part of the city. We will explore the eastern part of the city with its traditional Ottoman architectural style; the narrow lanes, the old inns, the goldsmiths and the cheerful people will leave a lasting impression in your mind. On the other side of the Vardar river is the city centre with the largest statue of Alexander the Great, Mother Teresa's Memorial House and the old railway station, whose clock stopped exactly at the time of the Skopje earthquake in 1963.
Day 5th Skopje-Treska-Matka-Tetovo
Today we visit several locations mentioned in the Oriental cycle. The beginning is marked by the river Treska, on the banks of which the inn Treska-Konak from the novel "Der Schut" was situated. The Konakji (host) is an ally of the Schut. Kara Ben Nemsi, Hajji Halef Omar, Omar, Omar Ben Sadek and Osko come to this place in the persecution of the criminals Barud el Amasat, Manach el Barscha, Mübarek, Suef and the two Aladschy brothers. They find out that they are the Konakjis guests. Halef wants to eavesdrop on them and is captured. He can be released, but the perpetrators can escape again. The treacherous Konakji plans to assassinate them later with the help of the coal merchant Junak in the "Devil's Gorge" or to lure them into the "Jewel Cave" of the charcoal burner Sharka Visosch.
The Treska River and the Matka Gorge are known today for their great diversity of flora and fauna. We will do a nice hike and then board the boat of some skipetars to reach a breathtaking cave. In the afternoon we continue to Tetovo, the town where the two Aladschy brothers are from. In the book the city still carries the Ottoman name Kalkandelen. It is the largest city with Albanian population in Macedonia. A long time ago it was an important city for the large trade in cattle and other goods. In Tetovo we visit the most beautiful mosque of South-Eastern Europe. It is called the colorful mosque and is a masterpiece of painting. During dinner you will listen to some book passages and enjoy homemade raki and the unique taste of Sharri mountain cheese.
Day 6 Tetovo-Mavrovo-Debar-Mavrovo
Today we will try to visit one of the best preserved Bektashi Tekke. It's the Arabati Baba Tekke. Bektaschism is part of Sufism. But on the same day we will also get to know another religion: that of the Orthodox Christians. We visit a monastery church dedicated to John the Baptist. One of the most valuable treasures of this church is its unique iconostasis. Afterwards we drive to Debar to admire the landscape and the river Radika. In the evening we stay overnight in the Mavrovo National Park in the Sacred Ground not far from the monastery.
Day 7 Mavrovo-Struga-Ohrid
First we visit Struga, a beautiful city on the lake Ohrid, through which the Black Drin flows. Struga also hosts the world's largest international poetry festival. After spending our time in the beautiful cityscape, we drive on to the Ohrid Unesco region, where we have the opportunity to take photos of the Konak-style architecture. The city tour will remind you of some of Karl May's stories, as the old town is quite well preserved. We will also visit the Church of St. Sophia, St. Clement's Church, the fortress of Tsar Samuel, the ancient amphitheatre and so on.
Day 8. Ohrid
Most of today's day is at your leisure. Only at noon we organize a panoramic cruise with a reading and an exchange of experiences about our travel experiences. We also visit the church of Saint Naum, which is guarded by a series of peacocks.
Day 9 Ohrid-Pogradec-Elbasan-Tirana
Today we are on our way to Albania. Near Pogradec, on the Albanian side of Lake Ohrid, we cross the Albanian border. Afterwards it goes on to Elbasan or Skampion as the city was called in antiquity. Here we will find a mixture of the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire and modernity in the interior of the castle. In Elbasan we will also try the Tava Elbasanese (baked lamb in Yougurt), which is also the national dish of Albania. We continue to Tirana, the capital of Albania with its cosmopolitan life. City tour in Tirana.
Day 10 Tirana-Lezha-Prizeren
Before your departure you have some free time to buy some souvenirs. We continue our way to the north of Albania and make a stopover in Lezha. The city is located in the district of Mirdita. In the book "Across the Land of the Skipetars" Karl May describes the brother of the thug Tschuraks only as "the Miridite". The Miridite and his brother Tschurak are members of the Schut gang. After his brother's death, he pursues Kara Ben Nemsi for his vendetta. He shoots at him and is branded by Hadschi Halef Omar in the dark with a knife cut across his face. With the help of Suef, the Miridite is lying in wait for Kara Ben Nemsi. Kara Ben Nemsi, however, had previously destroyed the rocket's rifle. It comes to the fight. Kara Ben Nemsi fights off the Miridite's Czakan and catches him with a lasso as he tries to escape. When Kara Ben Nemsi gives him noble release, the Miridite provides him with his precious Czakan, whereby the blood vengeance rests until the Czakan is returned. The Miridite then refuses to continue to take action against Kara Ben Nemsi together with his enemies. He's breaking up with them.
In fact, the Mirdites are ordinary and honourable Catholic Albanians with great and ancient traditions. After visiting the sights of the city we will visit the youngest state of Europe. Kosovo is a must and we will see the other part of the Sharr mountain range. Karl May describes the mountains as a rugged mountain landscape. On the Macedonian side of the country, the mountains rise gently, while more rugged gorges and mountains can be found in Kosovo. Visit of Prizren. Prizren is also not a place of action in the novel, but is often mentioned as a Turkish administrative centre for the Albanian part of the Balkans.
Day 11 Prizren-Gjakova -Valbona
Today we return to Albania and enjoy the wild nature of the southernmost Alps of Europe. The Valbona Valley is one of Albania's national parks with mystical nymphs that are supposed to show us the right way in the woods - but we better rely on our local guide. Before going out into the countryside, we will stop to buy what we need in the mountains and canyons of Albania. The best place to do this is the old bazaar of Gjakova. On our way we cross a border that is virtually non-existent, because Albania and Kosovo are closely linked. We stay overnight in typical houses or small family hotels in the valley.
Day 12 Valbona
We will go for a walk to visit a waterfall and let the wild nature take hold of us. We will also have the opportunity to meet Albanian mountain people.
Day 13 Valbona-Shkodra
Today we pass through landscapes as described by Karl May in the books of his Oriental cycle. A ferry takes us across an artificial lake resembling a fjord. We continue on an adventurous road towards Shkodra. In Karl May's time the city was called Skutari. In Karl May's Orient cycle, Skutari is mentioned as the home of the Galingré family. The merchant Galingré disappears without a trace in North Africa, his nephew Paul Galingré looks for him and is murdered by Hamd el Amasat in Wadi Tarfaui. Paul's father Henri Galingré is taken captive by Hamd el Amasat to the "Schut" Kara Nirwan and freed by Kara Ben Nemsi and Hadschi Halef Omar. The rest of the family - Henri's wife, her daughter and Paul's wife Emilie - is lured from Skutari and should be robbed and murdered in the "Traitor Crevasse". This can also be prevented at the end of the book Der Schut by Kara Ben Nemsi. The last days of the journey the companions spend in Skutari.
Today Shkodra is the capital city in northern Albania with a variety of cultures and different rulers in its history. Walk and visit to the Marubi Photo Museum. In this museum we can definitely see with our own eyes where Karl May might have found the descriptions for the clothes, weapons and ornaments of his characters.
Day 14 Shkodra -Ulcinj-Stari Bar (Antivar)-Vir Pazar- Podgorica
Today we visit the sixth country on our trip - Montenegro. The first stop will be in Ulcinj. The city is mainly inhabited by Albanians and has the longest beach in Montenegro. The special thing is that Ulcinj was a pirate town when Karl May wrote his books. The counterpart to Tortuga in the Caribbean was Ulcinium in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. Visit to the old fortress. Drive on to Antivar (or today Stari Bar). It is the place from whose port Osko starts its journey to Jaffa. Visit the old town and continue to Virpazar for a birdwatching tour on the largest lake in Southeast Europe, Lake Shkodra. From there we continue to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro.
Day 15 Podgorica - Airport
In the time until the airport transfer, you will have time to review the entire journey and consolidate your memories.