Skopje International Airport / Belgrade return flight
Skopje, Boat tour & City tour of Skopje, Matka Valle, Sveti Naum, Ohrid, Mavrovo, Saint Jovan, Nis, Belgrade, Danube, Novi Sad, Petrovaradin Fortess, Sremski Karlovci, Belgrade
7 Days
All year
Skopje International Airport – Skopje
Arrival at Skopje International Airport. Transfer at the hotel and overnight in Skopje.
Skopje – Boat tour in Matka Valley – City tour of Skopje
After breakfast we depart toward Matka Valley, A gorge in which a rich complex of mediaeval building survives, including churches, monasteries and remnants of a fortress (the mediaeval town of Matka). There are dozens of caves and large number of endemic plants and animals. The Canyon covers an area of around 5.000ha and is located 15km south-west of Skopje. By its morphogenetic characteristic, it is a breakthrough gorge. Here we have the opportunity to enjoy a boat trip in the lake, and further lunch with traditional menu in the local restaurant. In the afternoon return to Skopje, where we start the city tour, inhabited since at least 4000 BC We visit the city center, the old bazaar, Kale Fortress, and the memorial house of Mother Tereza.
Skopje – Stobi Archeological Park – Ohrid
After breakfast we visit the archeological park of Stobi; an ancient town of Paeonia, dating from the 168 BC. Stobi region is famous also for its vineyards and wineries, so after the visits we stop for lunch and wine tasting. Afternoon transfer to Ohrid. Free evening and Overnight in Ohrid.
Ohrid – Boat tour to the Monastery of Sveti Naum – Guided tour of Ohrid old town
Today we take a boat tour from Ohrid old town towards the Monastery of Sveti Naum, After about 75 minutes panoramic boat tour, we reach and visit the Monastery. Set amidst lush verdure where the River Crna Drin tumbles into the lake, the monastery of St. Naum is a refuge of tranquility at the very southwestern corner of the Macedonian Republic. As with most Byzantine churches, St. Naum was chosen primarily for its location – on a high, rocky outcropping over the lake, above deep forests and life-giving springs of the river Crn Drim. The monastic complex and church of St. Naum were built originally at the turn of the tenth century by the monk that beard the same name; Macedonians believe you can still hear the saint’s heartbeat by pressing an ear to his stone coffin inside the church. In the afternoon we turn to Ohrid. Guided tour of the old town. In it’s narrow alleys lies history dating back over 3.000 years. Both the city and the lake are inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage list. We walk through the streets of Ohrid to reach the highest point – Samuil’s Fortress, which offers wonderful landscapes of the city and Lake. We will visit the cathedral Church of St. Sofia, the Ancient theatre, and from the medieval church St. John the Evangelist. Dinner by the lake with fresh trout menu, and overnight.
Ohrid – National Park of Mavrovo – The Monastery of Saint Jovan Bigorski – The painted mosque in Tetovo – Skopje
This morning we return towards Skopje. First we pass through the panoramic mountain road in Mavrovo National Park.While in Mavrovo we visit the Monastery of Saint Jovan Bigorski. Hidden away on the side of a mountain just off the main road between Debar and Gostivar and dedicated to John the Baptist, it’s said that the history of this masterpiece of a monastery dates back 1,000 years. Destroyed by the Ottomans in the 16th century and rebuilt in 1743 with further expansions taking place the following century, the complex was seriously damaged by fire in 2009 and much of what you see today is a modern imitation. Thankfully however most of the important artefacts, including some outstanding gold-encrusted icons, one of which is said to date from the 11th century, and the church’s gorgeous carved wooden iconostasis, survive. Further, we stop at the small town of Tetovo for a short sightseeing and entrance to the mosque, called Šarena Džamija- meaning the decorated mosque. Afternoon arrival in Skopje and overnight.
Skopje – Nis – Belgrade
Today we transfer towards the capital city of Serbia, where we will spend the next overnights.
Along the way we stop in the city of Nis, for a short sightseeing and lunch. Free evening in Belgrade, dinner and overnight.
Belgrade city tour and Sunset River cruise on the Danube
Full Day guided tour of Belgrade, to explore the capital city of Serbia – one of the oldest cities in Europe, After breakfast we transfer to the Vračar plateau, where we’ll see one of the most important sights of Belgrade – Saint Sava Temple, one of the biggest orthodox temples on the Balkans. In the vicinity is located the National Serbian Library. Continue further to the city center and Slavija Square, St. Mark Church and the Serbian Parliament Building, Republic Square, the National Theatre and National Museum. A walk through the always lively Knez Mihailo Street, main walking and shopping zone, on our way to Kalemegdan, we will visit the Congregational Church.The tour will end at Kalemegdan, the most important cultural-historic complex of the city. In the Kalemegdan Park, on the confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube, the Belgrade Fortress raises proudly, and is the witness of the tumultuous history of this ancient city. In the afternoon we take a river cruise to enjoy the views of Belgrade from the boat (1.5 hrs) Dinner and overnight.
Belgrade – 2021 European Capital of Culture Novi Sad 1 hrs – Petrovaradin Fortess – Rural Lunch in an ethno village – Wine Tasting in Sremski Karlovci – Belgrade 1 hrs
This morning we transfer towards Vojvodina region, one of the most panoramic sites of Serbia, to visit 2 of the most beautiful cities of the region: Novi Sad and Sremski Karlovci. Along the way we stop in the Krušedol Monastery. Further we reach Novi Sad, the 2021 European Capital of Culture, where we enjoy the walking tour in the city center, passing through The City Hall, The Cathedral, Assembly of Vojvodina, shopping zone with restaurants and coffee-shops.We continue to visit the Fortress of Petrovaradin, the so-called ‘Danube’s Gibraltar’, where the fortress is located. At the fortress, we will see the clock tower, old fortress walls, and have great views over the Danube, including the many bridges spanning the river. We stop for lunch in an ethno village, with authentic farm houses still in use today, who offer traditional menus in a traditional setting. In the afternoon we start our return transfer towards Belgrade. Along the way we stop for a visit of Sremski Karlovci, a city of vineyards, rich in culture and history. Sremski Karlovci feels like a ‘museum town’ with its Baroque centre, the Patriarchal Court, the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and the first Serbian secondary school (gymnasium). It is also famous for wine production and the town’s annual Wineball festival. We visit a local winery and enjoy degustation of wines. Dinner and overnight in Belgrade.
Belgrade – Airport
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Belgrade until airport transfer for the return flight.