In The Footsteps Of Alexander: Bulgaria, Greece, Albania & North Macedonia

Day 1 Tour Starts in Sofia (Bulgaria)

The tour starts in Sofia this afternoon with those on the suggested group flights transferring to the central hotel in time to settle in and relax before a welcome meeting and first dinner. Built on ancient foundations, Sofia is home to an abundance of Roman ruins dating back nearly 2000 years, museums, galleries, Ottoman mosques and churches.

Day 2 Sofia: Cosmopolitan Capital & UNESCO Boyana Church

Following breakfast this morning we'll enjoy a tour of the Bulgarian capital, taking in a number of its historic as well as modern highlights. Exploring the city on foot we'll take in the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the National Theatre and St George Rotunda as well as viewing Thracian treasures at the National Archaeological Museum. We’ll visit the nearby Boyana Church on the edge of Sofia this afternoon. Dating from the 10th century this UNESCO World Heritage Site is best known for its 13th century frescoes with 89 scenes depicting 240 human images. Returning to Sofia the rest of the day will be free for you to explore this vibrant city at your leisure.

Day 3 Sofia - Veliko Turnovo: Troyan Monastery & the Medieval Capital

We will leave the city this morning and head into the Central Balkan Mountain Range, stopping first at Troyan Monastery. Established at the turn of the 17th century by hermits, it is a masterpiece of Bulgarian workmanship and a repository of the revered icon of the Three-handed Virgin Mary. We then continue to the medieval capital of Bulgaria, Veliko Turnovo, set on hills around the Yantra River. We’ll take a walking tour of the town this afternoon taking in the 19th century architecture and cobbled streets of the old town along with Tsaravets Royal Hill where the royal residences of Bulgaria’s gentry could be found.

Approx 5hrs driving

Day 4 Veliko Turnovo – Kazanlak – Plovdiv: Thracian Tombs

Heading south this morning our route will take us through the Valley of the Thracian Kings, also known as the Rose Valley, where millions of flowers bloom in springtime. Spread throughout the region are a number of Thracian tombs, the most spectacular of which is in Kazanlak. Now on the UNESCO Word Heritage list, the tomb is closed to the public but we will view a replica as well as a monumental temple dating from the 5th century BC and later the tomb of Seuthes III. We will reach Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in Europe, later in the afternoon and check-in to our hotel in the old town.

Approx 4hrs driving

Day 5 Plovdiv: Ottoman Façades & Cobbled Streets

This morning we will experience the rich heritage of Plovdiv, a city where the layers of history from the Romans, Ottomans and through to the Communists can all be seen. Our tour will take us to the ancient theatre, medieval mosque and the painted façades of the Ottoman-Baroque old town. We’ll also take in the Great Basilica, a ruined church built in the 4th century and home to 2000m² of mosaics. We have a free afternoon in the city when you might like to explore the creative side of Plovdiv; the city is home to artists’ galleries and workshops along with a number of wall murals.

Day 6 Plovdiv – Bachkovo – Trigrad: Rhodope Mountain Culture

Heading south today our first visit will be to admire the artistry and riches of the second largest monastery in Bulgaria, Bachkovo, a site on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage list. As we head deeper into the Rhodope Mountains we will pass the village of Shiroka Laka known for its traditional wood and stone architecture and authentic folklore and Rhodope music. Continuing through the mountains we’ll reach our night stop near the impressive Trigrad Gorge after visiting the legendary Devil’s Throat Cave, from where Orpheus is said to have descended to Hades in search of his love, Eurydice.

Day 7 Trigard – Kavala (Greece): Coastal Fortress

We will cross the border into Greece this morning on our way to Kavala, set on the coast of the Thracian Sea, with an old town dominated by a fortress. After lunch, the afternoon will be largely free to allow time to discover the charming old town and soak up its traditional atmosphere whilst also enjoying the city’s highlights such as the castle, imaret religious complex and aqueduct.

Approx 5hrs driving

Day 8 Kavala – Phillippi – Thessaloniki: Hellenistic Monuments

This morning we visit the famous archaeological UNESCO World Heritage site of Philippi. Founded in 356 BC by the Macedonian King Philip II, the city developed as a “small Rome” following the Battle of Philippi, in 42 BC and the succession of Rome. The vibrant Hellenistic city of Philip II, of which the walls and their gates, the theatre and the funerary temple are still to be seen, was supplemented with Roman public buildings such as the Forum and a monumental terrace with temples to its north. Following the visit of the Apostle Paul in 49-50 AD, the city became a centre of the Christian faith and the remains of its basilicas constitute an exceptional testimony to the early establishment of Christianity. After our visit we continue on to Greece’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, home to 2500 years of history.

Approx 4hrs driving

Day 9 Thessaloniki: Roman, Ottoman & Jewish Heritage

We will enjoy a day experiencing Thessaloniki’s layers of history today from the ancient and Roman origins marked by historic landmarks such as the Forum, Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda. We’ll delve into the UNESCO listed Byzantine highlights including mosaic-filled churches along with Ottoman and Jewish heritage. Minarets, baths and historic neighbourhoods bear witness to centuries of Ottoman rule and the once-thriving Sephardic Jewish community. There will also be some free time for you to explore the city further at your own pace.

Day 10 Thessaloniki – Pella – Vergina – Korçë (Albania): Alexander’s Birthplace

Today we take a tour back in history as we visit two of the most important archaeological sites of northern Greece - Pella, the glorious kingdom of ancient Macedonia, and Vergina, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia. We depart first for the village of Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great, and visit the archaeological site and the museum. The excavations have brought to light the interesting findings of the ancient city, exhibited at the local museum. Here we'll marvel at the mosaic floors that used to decorate the city's grand mansions – the most famous are the ones depicting the Abduction of Helen, the Rapture, the Amazonomachy (the battle of Amazons), and the Deer Hunt. From here we head to Vergina, the ancient capital of the Macedonian Kingdom, which is now home to one of the most impressive museums of Greece. We'll visit the museum, which contains the royal tomb of King Phillip II, Alexander the Great’s father, along with other artefacts of incredible beauty and value. Later, crossing the border into Albania brings us to the town of Korçë, set on a fertile plateau, surrounded by mountains. We’ll have dinner in a traditional restaurant with chances to sample the local pies and beer.

Approx 5hrs driving

Day 11 Korçë: Historic Korçë & Mountain Villages

Korçë began as a feudal estate in the 13th century before growing into an Ottoman commercial hub. Today the city is known for its cultural heritage, museums, crafts and the Ottoman architecture as well as a lively urban culture. We will walk through the restored old town taking in the artisan shops and Ottoman buildings before heading to the National Museum of Medieval Art where over 6500 pieces are on display. Before lunch we will also see the Korçë Clock Tower and the early Ottoman Iljaz Mirahori Mosque. This afternoon we will drive out to the nearby villages of Voskopoja and Dardha. Voskopoja is a historic town with 18th-century churches and artisan workshops and Dardha is a mountain village with traditional stone houses and beautiful alpine scenery. We will return to Korçë in the late afternoon.

Day 12 Korçë – Ohrid (North Macedonia): Monastery Frescoes

We will clock up our fourth country today when we cross the border into North Macedonia where we head to Lake Ohrid. Stopping to visit St Naum Monastery, often noted as being in one of the most attractive locations in all of North Macedonia and noted for its beautiful frescoes and serene courtyards. We will then explore the Bay of Bones Museum, which is situated on the water and includes a reconstruction of a lake settlement dating back to the period between 1200 - 600 BC. Our overnight stop is in Ohrid and we will arrive in the late afternoon.

Approx 4hrs driving

Day 13 Ohrid: Lakeside City

Ohrid Lake itself is considered the oldest in Europe, whilst the historic heart of the city is home to a staggering array of picturesque houses and ancient monuments that include St Sofia’s Cathedral, Tsar Samuel’s Fortress and the Church of St John of Kaneo. After a morning walking tour, this afternoon is free to explore Ohrid’s hidden alleys, artisan shops and traditional restaurants at your leisure.

Day 14 Ohrid – Pelister National Park – Bitola: Forest Trail & Beehives

We’ll drive east starting our day in the oldest national park in North Macedonia, Pelister, famous for its ancient Molikapine trees, lynx and bearded eagles. We will enjoy following a short and easy 1-2 hour trail through the forest focusing predominantly on the World War I history of the park. We then plan to visit a local honey farm, where season-permitting, we will meet with a local beekeeper and see first-hand the fascinating world of the honeybee whilst learning about beekeeping in the area. A home-cooked lunch will be provided by our hosts with all of the ingredients coming straight from the family's private gardens. Later we continue to Bitola, where we will visit the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, founded in the 4th century BC by Philip II as a major stop along the Via Egnatia and home to some of the best mosaics in the Balkans.

Day 15 Bitola – Demir Kapija: Wine Tours & Tasting

We’ll begin our day in Bitola, walking around the old town to see some of its beautiful neoclassical buildings which date from the period when Bitola was the seat of all the major European countries’ consulates and embassies. We’ll stop at the Bitola Clock Tower and Memed Njazi Mosque before we leave the city for Demir Kapija. We’ll be heading into the wine region of North Macedonia and we will make a stop at a family winery to learn about wine making and tour the cellars with a local expert. We’ll also enjoy a wine tasting over lunch. Demir Kapija means 'Iron Gate' and refers to the dramatic limestone gorge of the Vardar River. This evening we will enjoy a local wine pairing with dinner.

Day 16 Demir Kapija – Rila National Park – Sofia (Bulgaria): Historic Monastery

We make our way back to Bulgaria this morning and pay a visit to the famed Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 1000 years of history. The main church has exceptional murals and there is also a history and ethnography museum. We’ll have lunch in a restaurant over-looking the river and there is the option for a walk to a cave where the revered Saint Ivan Rilski once lived. Reaching Sofia in the late afternoon we will check in to our hotel before we enjoy a final group dinner.

Approx 6hrs driving

Day 17 Tour ends in Sofia

The tour ends after breakfast. Depending on departure flight times, there may be time for some final exploration of the Bulgarian capital.