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 Five Countries, Four UNESCO World Heritage Sites! Discover Ottoman splendors, Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox Monasteries, ancient sites and dramatic landscapes on this 11-day Balkan gay tour from Skopje, Macedonia to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Bordered by the Adriatic, Mediterranean and the rugged Dinaric Mountains, diverse cultures have jostled and left their legacy across the Balkan Peninsula, Europe's oldest continuously inhabited land.
Macedonia, Kosovo, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Serbia all lie entirely within the Balkan Peninsula, a word of Turkish origin meaning "chain of wooded mountains." Once part of the former Yugoslav Republic, Macedonia is a land of contrasts, ranging from Skopje, with its modern shopping centers and timeless Turkish baazar, to the medieval monasteries of Ohrid. Macedonia's blend of Orthodox mystery and the exotic Ottoman legacy combine with the world-class beauty at Lake Ohrid. If you wondered about places where Americans are truly liked, visit Kosovo with us — where a statue of Bill Clinton stands in the capital, Pristina. Largely Albanian-speaking and Muslim (though secular) Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. Albania is Europe's last unknown, with enchanting classical ruins at Durrës, the charming museum town of Berat, vibrant cities like Tirana and Korça, colorful folklore and majestic landscapes of mountains, forests, lakes and sea. The coast of tiny Montenegro, where rugged mountains plummet to the Adriatic, is bejeweled with walled medieval cities, with a resplendid Venetian legacy.
Bosnia & Herzegovina is simply stunning, struggling to regain its culture of tolerance where Croats, Serbs and Bosniaks mix and mingle. The ancient bridge at Mostar, rebuilt stone-by-stone after the war is an elequent testimony and Sarajavo, an Ottoman-tinged surprise. A trip through the Balkans will be enriching and inspiring. Since tourism from North America is almost non-existant, the infrastructure in these countries is nice and comfortable, but somewhat lower standards than what is found in Western Europe. The tour is a classic motorcoach tour, but distances are mostly short. We are rewarded with amazing sights, a thriving culture and warm, welcoming people.
Day 01 - Saturday, September 02, 2023
 Arrive in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Make your way to the hotel for check in (Private transfers are available upon request). Accommodations are arranged at the Vila Glavic Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Hotel: Villa Glavic Hotel , Dubrovnik, Croatia, 5*, Deluxe Room with Sea View and Balcony
Day 02 - Sunday, September 03, 2023
 After breakfast enjoy a walking tour of Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is known for its history and architecture. Our walking tour of Dubrovnik’s Old Town explores landmarks including the Franciscan Monastery, Stradun monument, Cathedral of the Assumption, and more. After the tour, you may walk the city walls, take the cable car high above the city for stunning panoramic views. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening we have a Welcome Dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Villa Glavic Hotel, Dubrovnik, Croatia, 5*, Deluxe Room with Sea View and Balcony
Day 03 - Monday, September 04, 2023
 Drive from Dubrovnik to Split, stopping in the village of Ston, famous for its oysters. Stop for lunch and continue to Split. Check in to the Luxe Hotel. Evening and dinner at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Luxe Boutique Hotel , Split, Croatia, 4*, Superior Room with Sea View and Balcony
Day 04 - Tuesday, September 05, 2023
 Discover Split’s highlight landmarks. We’ll explore the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace and discover its bustling squares and marketplaces.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Luxe Boutique Hotel, Split, Croatia, 4*, Superior Room with Sea View and Balcony
Day 05 - Wednesday, September 06, 2023
 Today we journey to one of Europe’s great natural wonders, Plitvice Lakes. This scenic wonderland is comprised of 16 interconnecting lakes, flanked by waterfalls and primeval forest.
Lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Hotel: Esplanade Zagreb Hotel , Zagreb, Croatia, 5*, Superior Room
Day 06 - Thursday, September 07, 2023
Enjoy the morning at leisure. In the afternoon depart for a walking tour of Zagreb.
Evening transfer to Zagreb airport for your flight to Skopje (10:00pm-11:30pm). Join the main tour of the Balkans.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 0 - Wednesday, September 06, 2023
Depart the USA, Canada on any regularly scheduled flight to Skopje, Macedonia.
Flights serving this itinerary are on United, Lufthansa, Turkish & Austrian. The airport code for Skopje is SKP and for Sarajevo on the return is SJJ. No visas are required for US, Canada & EU travelers.
Day 1 - Thursday, September 07, 2023
 Upon arrival in Skopje, Macedonia, you may book a transfer with Coda Tours to be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Check in to the Marriott Hotel Skopje, centrally located in Skopje. The afternoon is at leisure to relax after the flight. This evening we will depart for a local restaurant for our Welcome Dinner, with fellow tour participants.
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Hotel: Skopje Marriott Hotel , Skopje, Macedonia, 5*
Day 2 - Friday, September 08, 2023
 After breakfast, we tour Skopje. Macedonia is a country of 2 million, 30 percent of them ethnic Albanians. Obstructed by Greece from becoming part of the European Union (due to conflict over the use of the name Macedonia), today Macedonia is a divided nation with an uncertain future. In the last five years, Skopje has become the world capital of kitsch. We will discover the massive statuary of Alexander the Great, his mother, Olympias, and father, Phillip II, and listen to a local artist give a personal view point of their artistic merits. We will also see the home of former local resident, Mother Teresa, and the beautiful Church of Saint Salvation. Finally walk through the Albanian quarter – a world removed from Orthodox Skopje.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Skopje Marriott Hotel, Skopje, Macedonia, 5*
Day 3 - Saturday, September 09, 2023
 After breakfast, we drive to neighboring Prizren a charming city of mosques and monasteries dating back to the 14th century. After we drive to neighboring Pristina, capital of the Republic of Kosovo, just 50 scenic miles away. We stop en route at the site of the June 28, 1389 Battle of Kosovo, where the fate of Serbia was sealed, marking the rise of Ottoman influence over the entire Balkan region for the next 500 years. We continue to Gracanica Monastery, completed in 1321 by Serbian King Milutin. This striking complex, one of the UNESCO Medieval Monuments in Kosovo, is an active religious center and Serbian enclave in largely Albanian-speaking and Muslim Kosovo.
We visit the Pristina Museum, the Bazaar Mosque, the Clock Tower and the Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Fatih, followed by a stroll along the main street of Pristina.
We return to Skopje for overnight. Enjoy dinner on your own this evening in one of the lively local restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Skopje Marriott Hotel, Skopje, Macedonia, 5*
Day 4 - Sunday, September 10, 2023
 Departing Skopje this morning, we drive southwest to the Monastery of St. Naum — dramatically set on rocky outcropping over Lake Ohrid, high above deep forest and the springs of the river Crn Drim. Here we board a boat for a cruise across the serene lake, which has captivated visitors since prehistoric times. Writing, education and Slavonic culture all spread out from remarkable Ohrid town in the 7th to 19th centuries. Among the extraordinary collection of monasteries, ancient buildings and medieval chapels, Ohrid has the oldest Slav monastery (St. Pantelejmon) — and more than 800 Byzantine-style icons. Orthodox Byzantine monks brought Christianity to Ohrid in the 10th century from Greece through the effort of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
We check in to our hotel set along the lake with dinner tonight in the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Unique Resort & Spa, Ohrid, Macedonia, 5*
Day 5 - Monday, September 11, 2023
 En route today to Tirana, capital of Albania, we stop at the fortified city of Berat, a splendid UNESCO-designated example of the coexistence of Islamic and Ottoman traditions. Its castles and fort date back more than 2,400 years. We visit the Old Quarter and the icon museum of Onoufri, Albania's master iconographer, and stop along the way at Helveti Tekke, a Bektashi Sufi shrine and another testimony to the long history of tolerance in the region.
We continue to Tirana, where we spend two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: The Plaza Tirana Hotel, Tirana, Albania, 5*
Day 6 - Tuesday, September 12, 2023
 After breakfast we join our guide for a tour of Tirana and neighboring Kruja, — home of Albania's national hero, Scanderbeg, who famously recaptured the city and defended it from the Turks in the 15th century. We visit the Old Castle, Scanderbeg Museum and spend time at the Turkish-style bazaar before returning to Tirana for lunch and some time at leisure to explore this city on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: The Plaza Tirana Hotel, Tirana, Albania, 5*
Day 7 - Wednesday, September 13, 2023
 Today we travel north through an old and historic region of Albania. We visit Rozafa Castle, an Illyrian stronghold near Shkodë, and continue along the Adriatic coast to the walled seaside town of Budva in Montenegro. En route we pause for lunch and a cruise on Lake Skadarsko, largest in the Balkan Peninsula.
Our hotel, where we spend the next two nights, is a unique resort located directly on the beach and only 50 m away from the Old Town of Budva.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Avala Resort & Villas, Budva, Montenegro, 4*
Day 8 - Thursday, September 14, 2023
 Today we drive along the spectacular Dalmatian coast to medieval, fortified Kotor, which commands a gorgeous, deep, natural harbor in Montenegro. A part of the maritime Venetian Republic from 1420 to 1797 (interrupted by periods of Ottoman rule), Kotor retains much of its Venetian legacy. Set on a dramatic bay, the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for both its cultural and natural riches. It has one of the best preserved medieval towns of the entire Mediterranean. Autumn is a marvelous time to enjoy the Adriatic. After Lunch continue to Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina and check in to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel:
Mepas Hotel, Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 5*
Day 9 - Friday, September 15, 2023
 Mostar in the center of Bosnia-Herzegovina. The scenery climbing from the coast is spectacular, with Mostar dramatically set on both sides of Neretva River. We wander cobbled alleys and watch the famous divers from the symbolic Old Bridge (Stari Most), painstakingly rebuilt since its destruction in the war, and tour the Ottoman Muslibegovic House, a Bosnian National Monument.
After lunch continue to Sarajevo the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Swissôtel Sarajevo Hotel, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 5*
Day 10 - Saturday, September 16, 2023
 Today we explore the wonders of Bašcaršija, Sarajevo's 15th-century bazaar and old town spread out along the Miljacka River. A moving highlight is a tour of the Sarajevo Tunnel. Built between 1992 and 1995, the tunnel allowed food, war supplies and humanitarian aid to come into the city — and for its people to get out. Stand on the site where the Arch Duke Ferdinand was shot, sparking World War I. Enjoy sitting in a café, doing some shopping or exploring more of this fascinating city in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Swissôtel Sarajevo Hotel, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 5*
Day 11 - Sunday, September 17, 2023
After a morning at leisure, we transfer to the airport for flights home, or extend your trip with us to Belgrade, Serbia.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 - Sunday, September 17, 2023
 The morning is at leisure in Sarajevo. Fly this afternoon to Belgrade (3:15pm-4:05pm) and upon arrival, transfer to the Saint Ten 5* Hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening, we will go out to dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel: Saint Ten Hotel, Belgrade, Serbia, 5*
Day 12 - Monday, September 18, 2023
 Breakfast at the hotel. Tour Belgrade this morning. Visit Kalemegdan Fortress & Saint Sava Cathedral and see Kalemegdan Park & Knjez Mihalilova Street. Lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Saint Ten Hotel, Belgrade, Serbia, 5*
Day 13 - Tuesday, September 19, 2023
 Drive to historic Novi Sad, the second largest city in Serbia. Tour the old quarter – Stari Grad – and the 17th century Petrovardin Fortress. Lunch in Novi Sad.
Return to Belgrade in the late afternoon. This evening we dine together.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Saint Ten Hotel, Belgrade, Serbia, 5*
Day 14 - Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Transfer to the airport for your flight Home.
Meals: Breakfast
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• 10 nigts Accommodations in 4* & 5* hotels as listed in the itinerary:
- 3 nights at Skopje Marriott Hotel in Skopje, Macedonia;
- 1 night at Unique Resort & Spa in Ohrid, Macedonia;
- 2 nights at The Plaza Tirana Hotel in Tirana, Albania;
- 1 night at Avala Resort & Villas in Budva, Montenegro;
- 1 night at Mepas Hotel in Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina;
- 2 nights at Swissôtel Sarajevo Hotel in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Breakfast daily in the hotels.
• 8 lunches & 5 dinners.
• Complete program of tours as described in the itinerary
• Deluxe motor coach throughout the trip.
• Professional English-speaking tour leader/guide from Albania who will accompany the group throughout the tour
• Professional English-speaking Coda Tour Leader to accompany the group throughout the tour.
• Professional English-speaking guides where required.
• Complete pre-departure assistance and information
• Final document portfolio
• Baggage handling in hotels
• International airfare;
• Visa and passport fees (if applicable);
• Arrival & departure transfers in Skopje & Sarajevo, (These may be booked separately),
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption insurance (recommended);
• Meals and beverages other than those specified in the itinerary;
• Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, WiFi, Internet);
• Gratuities to guides, drivers and Coda tour leader.
Skopje Marriott Hotel, Skopje, Macedonia
 Skopje Marriot Hotel is set in Skopje, 100 m from Macedonia Square and 200 from Stone Bridge. The hotel offers a spa centre with an indoor pool and facilities such as hot tub, massage and steam room.
Kale Fortress is 800 m from the hotel and Skopje City Museum is 650 m away. The nearest airport is Skopje International Airport, 24 km from Skopje Marriott Hotel.
 Each room at the hotel features air conditioning, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, kettle and a safety box. A private bathroom is with free toiletries and hairdryer is also included.
A buffet breakfast is available every day at Skopje Marriot Hotel. Guests can also enjoy their meals at the property's restaurant serving Mediterranean and European cuisine.
Unique Resort & Spa, Ohrid, Macedonia
 Situated in Ohrid, 2.1 km from Cuba Libre Beach, Unique Resort and Spa features accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre. With a bar, the property also has a garden, as well as water sports facilities. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, room service and luggage storage for guests.
Guests at Unique - Resort and Spa can enjoy a continental or a à la carte breakfast.
 All rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a kettle, a bath or shower, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. At the hotel the rooms include a private bathroom with free toiletries.
Guests staying at the accommodation have access to the in-house wellness area which includes a hot spring bath, a hammam and a sauna.
The Plaza Tirana Hotel, Tirana, Albania
 Offering a spa centre, sauna and hot tub, Hotel Plaza Tirana is situated in Tirana in the Tirana County Region, 200 m from Skenderberg Square. The guests can enjoy a drink at the bar or have a meal at the restaurant.
Clock Tower is 100 m from Hotel Plaza Tirana, while National Theatre of Opera and Ballet is 200 m from the property.
 The rooms come with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Some rooms have a seating area for your convenience. You will find a kettle in the room. All rooms come with a private bathroom. Extras include bath robes and slippers.
There is a 24-hour front desk at the property. Free use of fitness facilities is offered. Guests can also book a massage for an additional fee.
Avala Resort & Villas, Budva, Montenegro
 Avala Resort & Villas is a unique resort located directly on the beach and only 50 m away from the Old Town of Budva and provides for a first-class holiday experience.
Because of this unique location many different tours and activities can be organized, ranging from typical sun and sea activities to specialized programs for the most demanding guests.
 You can enjoy great sea or mountain views from your room, which is furnished to the highest standards, including among other amenities a flat-screen TV set, a digital phone line and wireless internet access.
This resort offers you an indoor and an outdoor pool, a large spa area, a fitness centre and 2 restaurants.
Mepas Hotel, Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
 Offering free access to an indoor pool and a spa and wellness centre, Hotel Mepas is located in Mostar, in the very centre of town. A shopping centre with various entertainment and shopping options is located right below the hotel. Free WiFi access is available.
Each room here will provide you with a TV, air conditioning and a minibar. Featuring both a shower and a bathtub, the bathrooms also come with a hairdryer and bathrobes. Extras in all rooms include a seating area, satellite channels and pay-per-view channels.
 At Hotel Mepas you will find a restaurant and a fitness centre. Other facilities offered at the property include a congress centre, a tour desk and luggage storage.
The shopping centre also features a cinema, caffee bars, shops, a bank, an exchange office, a hair salon, and a bowling centre.
Swissôtel Sarajevo Hotel, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
 The 5-star Swissôtel Sarajevo offers contemporary designed rooms, ideally located 1.8 km from Latin bridge and 2.1 km from Bascarsija Street. Guests can enjoy a blend of Middle Eastern and traditional cuisine in the hotel restaurants. Free WiFi is available throughout.
All of the rooms and suites feature a flat-screen TV, coffee and tea making facilities, large windows with city views and private bathrooms with a walk in shower.
 Breakfast is served at Café Swiss, which provides all day dining, with a variety of choices for a quick business lunch or snacks. The Fusion Restaurant offers a blend of Middle Eastern and traditional cuisine while Swiss Lounge offers coffee and sweets. Alcoholic beverages are not served in this hotel.
The Golden Rain Spa includes an indoor swimming pool and various beauty and spa treatments.
Villa Glavic Hotel, Dubrovnik, Croatia
 Located just a few minutes’ walk from Dubrovnik Old Town, Villa Glavic offers free use of wellness facilities and swimming pools at Grand Villa Argentina located just 10 m away.
All rooms at the Glavic are air-conditioned and offer flat-screen TVs and desks. Private bathroom provides bath or shower. A furnished terrace with a view of Dubrovnik Old Town is at guest’s disposal.
 The Villa proves to be a good starting point for trips to Montenegro, 50 km away. Dubrovnik Old Town with its many restaurants, boutiques, bars and cafés provides daily entertainment for all guests. The nearest grocery shop is 5 minutes away.
The facilities of the Grand Villa Argentina, available for all guests of the Glavic, include a private beach, an outdoor salt water swimming pool, an indoor swimming pool, a wellness centre and a gym, as well as a café, a restaurant and lounge bar and a spacious restaurant terrace.
Luxe Boutique Hotel, Split, Croatia
 The stylish Hotel Luxe in Split is situated 400 m from Diocletian's Palace, the ferry port and the Bacvice Beach. The air-conditioned rooms offer free Wi-Fi.
All rooms in the Hotel Luxe are equipped with the latest technology like LED satellite TVs.
 At the breakfast room a rich buffet is served and the popular bar is a great place to spend some relaxing hours.
Wellness and fitness facilities include a sauna, a jacuzzi and a gym, which can be used free of charge. Massages are offered at an extra charge.
Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, Zagreb, Croatia
 Situated in Zagreb city centre, right next to the Zagreb Main Railway Station, 5-star Esplanade Zagreb Hotel offers a fitness centre and sauna. Free WiFi access is featured throughout the hotel. Guests can enjoy a meal at the hotel restaurant's terrace or have a drink served by the award-winning cocktail bartenders.
Opened in 1925, Esplanade Hotel boasts one of the most prominent buildings in city. Its art-noveau style rooms offer satellite TV and a minibar, while the marble bathrooms include a bathtub and shower and complimentary L’Occitane cosmetics.
 Zinfandel Restaurant provides creative menus of the talented chef Ana Grgic, while the casual Le Bistro offers a mix of traditional Croatian cuisine and French recipes. The on-site spa centre and massage service are available at a surcharge. A 24-hour front desk is available.
Saint Ten Hotel, Belgrade, Serbia
 Set in the Vracar District of Belgrade, about 300 m from the Temple of St. Sava, the luxurious Saint Ten Hotel is housed in a cultural heritage building and offers an on-site restaurant, sauna and a fitness. Free WiFi access is provided throughout the hotel.
 The rooms combine a traditional chic and modern design with wooden floors, handmade unique furniture, and bathrooms built in natural stone and comprising a rain shower. Amenities Noir™ toiletries, a Smart TV system and individual climate control. An iPod docking station is available upon request and guests may freely enjoy the non-alcoholic beverages from the minibar, and make use of the provided teas and the coffee machine.
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