Western Balkan Explorer Tour “Silver Route”

Pickup from Tirana International Airport and transfer to the city. Leisure day.

After breakfast we will continue the beautiful city of Ohrid, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the Sveti Naum Monastery, a beautiful site with impressive views of Lake Ohrid across to Albania. Explore its mixture of western and oriental architecture including the Orthodox Cathedral, the 11th century church of St Sofia as well as the Roman theater.

Afterward we will continue the road to Bitola. The road leads to the city of Resen and the biggest apple orchards in this part of the Balkans.

First we will visit the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, the best preserved ancient city in Macedonia. Built in the 4th century BC, and conquered by the Romans 2 centuries later. Heraclea Lincestis is famous for its beautiful mosaics, antique theater and roman baths. First excavations were taken after the First World War and then was discovered the beauty and importance of this ancient city – the Roman baths, Episcope basilica, Synagogue, portico, Roman theater – in which in modern times plays and music concerts are held.

After breakfast, we will travel to Kastoria. From a distance it looks like an Impressionist painting; houses, churches, trees seen through a haze, their reflections shimmering in the lake. This landscape is magnificent. We have a walking tour to enjoy from closer and to see impressive aristocratic lakeside mansions surrounded by clusters of tall trees, interspersed by Byzantine churches. We will see the locals sipping coffee or promenading by the lake, with the fishermen in their flat-bottomed boats offshore and pelicans keeping hopeful watch alongside. Then continue to Meteora, for a visit to the fascinating cliff-top monasteries. The cliffs, which average a height of 1,000 feet, were first inhabited in the 9th century by a group of hermit monks who lived on the rock towers. In the 11th and 12th centuries, basic monasteries were built and by the 14th century the great monastery of Meteoron was constructed.

The difficult access gave the monks an ideal refuge, as well as protection during the Turkish occupation. Today 6 monasteries remain out of the original 20. Views of the entire valley from the magnificent rock towers, and the peace of the surroundings, make this a unique place to visit. At the end of the day you’ll drive to Kalambaka, a lovely city with beautiful gardens and magnificent views of the Meteora rocks.

We depart with a routing through the mountains and we will arrive at the village of Metsovo. Hidden and isolated, this is one of the most beautiful villages of the Greek countryside. Pebble paved streets, wooden houses and typical unspoiled local color fascinate the visitor. Then proceed to Arta.

We continue to Arta. The prefecture of Arta contains imposing mountains covered in spruces, fertile plains, roaring rivers and lagoons with important ecosystems. It is one of Greece's most beautiful regions and is located between the Tzoumerka mountain range and the Amvrakikos gulf. The city was known in ancient times as Ambracia. Walking tour to visit The Bridge of Arta is a stone bridge that crosses the Arachthos river, Maksim Grek monastery, and Paregoretissa is the 13th-century Byzantine. Lunch break in Arta.

Then we head to Preveza where we will visit the ancient city of Nikopolis. Nikopolis – city of Nike (victory) – was founded in 31 BC by Octavian Augustus, in honor of his victory over Antonios and Cleopatra at the naval battle of Aktio.

Afterward, continue to Lefkada. Lefkada Town is the capital of the island located at its north eastern side. It is the administrative, economic and cultural center of Lefkada and has a population of about 8,000 inhabitants who are mostly engaged in agriculture and tourism. The capital is a small town that lies around the natural harbor. Free walking tour to enjoy in this very typical Greek city.

Then proceed to Parga which is a small and very exotic town on the Ionian coast of mainland Greece, just between the cities of Igoumenitsa and Preveza, in the region of Epirus. We will have a visit to the historical castle which overlooks the town (from a headland to the west of the town) and the beaches.

After breakfast we will continue to Igumenica to take the ferry boat to Corfu Island. We will take a walk through Corfu Town, to take a walk through history. Great empires and civilisations have passed from here leaving their stamp, and influencing the soul of Corfu. It’s all there for you to discover and find out more about. Follow in the footsteps of the Venetians, British and French where they left their cultural and historical marks and shaped the character of this unique town. Peel back the layers of the city’s multicultural influences and discover this gem of a medieval city, together with all of its historic little secrets.

n the morning, we will continue our trip towards Ioannina in Greece, via ferry boat to Igoumenitsa to arrive to Ioannina, which is the capital of the Prefecture of Epirus, which during the Ottomans period and especially during the government of Ali Pasha played an important role as one of four Albanian Vilayets. Visit Ioannina lake and the monasteries on the lake’s island.

Then, we will visit the sanctuary of Dodoni (UNESCO), the oldest oracle in Greece, which is located 6 km south from the city.

After breakfast, we will continue to Gjirokaster. Arrival at Gjirokaster past of (UNESCO) heritage site since 2005. City tour, then visit to the Castle and the Weapons Museum. Drive back to Tirana for our final night.

After breakfast, Airport transfer. End of services. Saturday Optional: Change to continue to successive tour(s): Red, Yellow or Blue loops/circuits.