Ancient Cities & Empires (Dubrovnik - Athens)

DAY 1 Dubrovnik
Welcome to Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic"! On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon will be free to enjoy at leisure. In the evening, join your fellow travellers and Tour Manager for a Welcome Dinner.

Stay at Hotel Lero (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Dinner

DAY 2 Dubrovnik
After breakfast, embark on a walking tour of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. With your guide, you will visit Rector’s Palace and see the city’s iconic Bell Tower Clock, the 15th century Orlando’s Column, and Sponza Palace. Also, visit the Dominican Monastery and the Franciscan Monastery which houses one of the world’s oldest pharmacies. The rest of the day will be free to explore this fascinating fortified city. We suggest taking a cable car to the top of Mount Srd where you can see the scenic views of Old Town, or perhaps join an Optional Excursion for a local dinner experience.

Stay at Hotel Lero (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 3 Dubrovnik - Tivat
Travel south along the picturesque Adriatic coastline into Montenegro. On your journey, you will pass by the beautiful Bay of Kotor, the only South European Fjord, before arriving in Kotor for a guided walking tour. This coastal town was founded by the ancient Romans, much of Kotor's medieval fortifications still remain. Since 1979 the city has also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Stay at: Hotel Palma (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 4 Tivat - Tirana
This morning after breakfast, leave Tivat and head across the border towards Albania, driving via Budva and Bar. Stop by one of Europe’s oldest cities Shkodra, nowadays a major Albanian cultural centre, and visit Rozafa Castle. Imposingly situated atop a rocky limestone outcrop and watching over the city of Shkoder, the castle is attached to an old Albanian legend about three brothers. Continue to Tirana, where you will overnight.

Stay at: Hotel Colloseo (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 5 Tirana
A tour of Tirana begins at the city’s Main Plaza, Skanderbeg Square with its Skanderbeg Statue and elegant Ethem Bey Mosque. Carry on to the Palace of Culture and the National History Museum with its mosaic facade depicting the history of Albania. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure and spend it exploring, shopping, dining, or simply relaxing!

Stay at: Hotel Colloseo (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 6 Tirana - Ohrid
The lakeside city of Ohrid is one of Macedonia’s most important cultural and spiritual centres and thus is listed as both a cultural and natural UNESCO World Heritage site. A guided sightseeing tour will introduce you to the city’s old quarters with its cobblestone streets and distinct ancient urban architecture. The town was once home to 365 churches giving it the nickname “the Jerusalem of the Balkans”. Today, only 70 churches remain one of which is the Cathedral of St. Sophia which contains magnificent 10th century frescoes.

Stay at: Hotel Granit (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 7 Ohrid - Kalambaka
Set off for Kalambaka to admire the breathtaking, otherworldly landscape of Meteoro and its unusual rock formations. Included in UNESCO's World Heritage list, these towering unique structures are said to have been formed some 60 million years ago with weathering and earthquakes giving them their current form today. However, the Byzantine era monasteries that sit high atop them are equally as impressive as these giant rocks. Out of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit cells, only 4 remain active. The most important is the Great Meteoro Monastery (Megalo Meteoro), a remarkable building renowned for its intriguing architecture, intricate twelve-sided dome, and elegant frescoes. Here, you will visit either Roussanou or Great Meteoro.

Stay at Grand Meteora Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 8 Kalambaka - Athens
Your first stop today will be Delphi, a place that was considered in ancient times to be the centre of the known world - the place where heaven and earth met. Afterwards, tour the Temple of Apollo where the Oracle of Delphi once foretold the destiny of men and the Castilian Fountain where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation for consulting the Oracle. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi which contains an excellent collection of artefacts including the "Bronze Charioteer", before continuing to Athens.

Stay at Stanley Hotel (4 star), Titania Hotel Athens (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 9 Athens
Amidst a backdrop of architectural ruins and a glorious past, embark on a comprehensive sightseeing tour of the highlights of Athens. Visit the immortal Acropolis - the perfectly proportioned Parthenon, Erectheion with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike and the ancient Agora with its Theatre of Dionysus. The rest of your afternoon is free to discover the city at your own pace. Join your group for a farewell taverna dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis.

Stay at Stanley Hotel (4 star), Titania Hotel Athens (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 10 Athens
Your tour concludes today after breakfast with a departure transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast