2023 May Balkan Countries & Italy Tour

Legend

Bus
Train
Plane

Linate Airport, Italy ‐ Jul 17, 2023

Checked out of our hotel early in the morning and transfer to the Milan Linate Airport to catch our 7:25 flight to London Heathrow. We had a 6 hour wait for connecting flight to Denver. In London our flight was delayed and finally canceled, so we were bused to a hotel an hour away and arrived after 8 in the evening, where we had dinner and went to bed July 18 Checked out of our hotel early in the morning and transferred back to Heathrow for a 2-oclock 9 hour 40 minute flight to Denver, arrivi [...]
ng at 17:30
Milan ‐ Jul 16, 2023

Returned to hotel and stopped down the street for beers but the bar were closed on Sunday
Turin

We took a day trip to Turin which is known for stately baroque buildings and old cafes that line Turin's boulevards and grand squares such as Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo. We started by visiting the cathedral then visited the Italian history museum which was in the palace where the first government of Italy met after the Kingdom of Italy was formed. Then we visited the Egyptian museum which was founded in the early 18th century and has the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outsi [...]
de of Egypt. It may have been better than the Cario Museum because a large part of its collection was being moved to the new museum when we were there. Then we walked to the palace, had lunch, then visited the old Roman gate, before heading back to the station to catch our train.
Milan ‐ Jul 15, 2023

Returned to hotel and stopped down the street for beers before dinner
Bergamo

We took a day trip to Bergamo by train as far as Ver and then a bus in to the city. Another city bus took us to the upper district, called Città Alta, which is characterized by cobblestone streets, encircled by Venetian walls. We visited the Duomo di Bergamo, the city cathedral and the Romanesque Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and the grand Cappella Colleoni, a chapel with 18th-century frescoes by Tiepolo. We wandered the streets, had lunch, and a few beers, before retracing our steps to g [...]
et back to Milan
Milan ‐ Jul 13, 2023

Returned to hotel and stopped down the street for beers before dinner July 14 We decided to stay in Milan for the day. We took the metro to the Duomo and Holly visited the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana while I stayed at a café and remained dry during a rain storm. Holly joined later to wait out the storm. Afterward, we walked around town and visited the Royal Palace of Milan which serves as a cultural center and it is home to international art exhibitions.
Como

We took an all day bus tour to Lake Como. We started by circling the lake stopping in Ossuccio to take a boat ride on the lake and visiting resort town of Bellagio where we had lunch. A storm came through just as we were boarding a ferry to return to our bus. We then proceeded to visit the town of Como.
Milan ‐ Jul 12, 2023

In the morning we took a taxi to the station to catch a train to Milan, Italy. Upon arriving we checked in to our hotel, Starhotels Echo, located near the station. After checking in we took the metro to the Duomo, where we wander around the plaza, had lunch then Holly visited the Novecento museum, featuring 20th century Italian art.
Brescia ‐ Jul 11, 2023

We returned to our hotel and had some drinks before bed.
Sirmione

In the morning we walked to the station to catch a bus to tour Sirmione and Lake Garde. Sirmione is at the end of a peninsula on Lake Garde. The ancient medieval village of Sirmione is located within the walls of the fortification of the medieval castle, Scaligero Castle. We walked the path along the shore and the narrow streets filled with tourist shops. There we saw the Church of San Pietro in Mavino and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Following lunch we explored the castle, had a gel [...]
ato, and boarded the bus for home.
Brescia ‐ Jul 10, 2023

In the morning we took the train to Brescia, Italy. Upon arriving we caught a taxi to our hotel, AC Hotel Brescia Marriott which was located about a mile from the station. We then walked into town visiting several old churches on the way. We had lunch and then walked up Cidneo Hill to Brescia Castle. Then down the hill to visit some Roman ruins an several other old churches before walking back to our hotel.
Parma ‐ Jul 7, 2023

In the morning and we caught a train to Parma, Italy and checked into our hotel Novotel Parma Centro, next to the train station. We then walked to the main square to survey the town. We located the museums we planned to visit tomorrow, and visited a number of old churches while we explored the old city. It was about 90 degrees so we returned to our hotel to rest. We toured the Teatro Regio, an opera house built in 1829 in the evening before retiring to our hotel. July 9 In the morning we c [...]
ontinued our tour of the city which is famed for Parmesan cheese and Parma ham. We toured the Complesso museum in an old convent, then we toured the frescoed Parma Cathedral and the pink marble Baptistery. We visited the Galleria Nazionale, inside the imposing Palazzo della Pilotta, with works by painters Correggio and Canaletto. In the afternoon we returned to our hotel for a swim, some beer and lay by the pool.
Bologna ‐ Jul 6, 2023

In the morning and we caught a train to Bologna, Italy and checked to Starhotels Excelsior, next to the train station. We took a walk to the city center and visited the cathedral, library, city historic museum, and old church on center square before walking back to our hotel. July 7 Took a walking tour of Bologna with its sprawling plaza lined with arched colonnades, cafes and medieval and Renaissance structures such as City Hall, the Fountain of Neptune and the Basilica di San Petronio. [...]
Among the city’s many medieval towers are the Two Towers, leaning Asinelli and Garisenda. Afterward we continued to roam the city visiting churches and the university area.
Rimini ‐ Jul 5, 2023

After returning to Rimini we wandered into town for dinner and ice cream
San Marino, San Marino

We took a bus to San Marino and toured the world's oldest surviving republic. The visit started with a train ride through the medieval city and then a ride in a cable car up to the fortress. We walked back down to the town. We took in the spectacular views, fairytale castles, picturesque medieval streets, friendly people, fantastic atmosphere, and delicious food and cold beer.
Rimini, Italy ‐ Jul 3, 2023

In the morning we caught a taxi to the train station to catch our train to Rimini, Italy. We arrived after noon and checked into Card International Hotel. Grabbed a bite to eat and wandered through the town. South of the center, the Malatesta Temple is a 15th-century reconstruction of an old Franciscan church, now a mausoleum for Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, a local nobleman. Nearby, the Malatesta-built Castel Sismondi, a medieval fortress. July 4 In the morning we visited a laundromat an [...]
d stopped by an old Roman theater ruins. We then walked to the Adriatic beach where we had lunch and watch the sun bathers. We then walked to the old Roman bridge built in the 4th century and again walked through the town.
Padua ‐ Oct 23, 2022
Vicenza

July 2 In the morning we took the tram to the train station and caught a train to Vicenza, Italy.. Vicenza was less than a half hour away, is known for the elegant buildings designed by the 16th-century architect Andrea Palladio. First we visited Teatro Olympio, a theater from the 1585, then the Civic art gallery of Palazzo Chiericati, then the church of Santa Carrano, then the Natural History and Archaeological Museum, and then the Gallerie d’Italia Palazzo Leoni Montanari, before we stoppe [...]
d for lunch. After lunch we visited the Galleries of Palazzo Thene, then the Palladian Museum, then the Jewelry Museum, and finally the Palladian Basilica. We then stopped for drinks before heading back to the train station, but one final stop to see the cathedral.
Padua ‐ Jun 30, 2023

After checking into our hotel, Hotel Donatello, we had a beer, then visited the vast 13th-century Basilica of Saint Anthony which was located across the street. The basilica, with its Byzantine-style domes and notable artworks, contains the namesake saint’s tomb. Then a walk before dinner. Jul 1 In the morning we had a tour of the old city followed by a visit to the Scrovegni Chapel known for the frescoes by Giotto from 1303–05. Afterward we returned to the old city for lunch and visit so [...]
me of the churches and medieval buildings. After a couple beers we wandered down to the Prato della Valle, the largest plaza in the city which was hosting a flea market.
Ljubljana, Slovenia ‐ Jun 27, 2023

We departed our hotel to travel to to Ljubljana. We stopped at the Skocjanske Caves, a 3-mile-long network of karst limestone caverns 650-feet underground in western Slovenia. On our tour, we explored its winding tunnels, underground waterfalls, massive chambers, and bridges over seemingly-bottomless chasms. Then on Ljubljana where we checked into Grand Hotel Union, located in the heart of the city. We took a walking tour. Our guide will highlight the bridges spanning the river Ljubljana and [...]
the narrow streets of its café-lined Old Town in the rain and saw buildings, parks, monuments, and bridges of the city from the 19th century. June 28 We embarked on a full-day excursion to Lake Bled. We drove to an 800-year-old castle clinging to a rocky cliff, all against a backdrop of the Julian Alps. Then we visited Bled Island by pletna boat, the locals' version of a gondola, to reach a 17th-century church perched on an islet in the middle of the lake and took walk to see island's famous Church of the Assumption. We than stopped in the village of Rodovljica for lunch before returning to Ljubljana. We then visited the pink church and St. Nicholas Cathedral as we wandered the city and across the famous Triple Bridge to an Irish Pub for dinner. June In the morning we cruised along the Ljubljana River. As we cruised, we encountered Ljubljana’s many interesting bridges. Afterward we visited Ljubljana Castle and then lunch at Pop’s Grill and a visit to the city museum. We had a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant in the evening to note the end of our Balkan tours. June 30 In the morning we took a walk to Tivoli Park and walked past the US Embassy through the green and stopped for a drink before checking out of our hotel and catching a van for a 3 hour ride to Padua, Italy.
Opatija, Croatia ‐ Jun 25, 2023

On the way to Opatija we stopped to explore Plitvice Lakes, a 114-square-mile national park that has, at its heart, 16 turquoise lakes linked by a series of waterfalls and cascades. Bears and wolves call this region home, along with deer, boar, foxes, and more than 120 different species of birds, including hawks, wild ducks, and herons. This natural wonder has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. The lake system is divided into the upper and lower lakes, with about 440 fee [...]
t of elevation between them. We took a 2.5-hour walking tour along some of the wooden footbridges of the lakes. In the afternoon we traveled to Opatija, a seaside resort town situated just south of Trieste, Italy. Opatija's history as a Mediterranean resort destination for wealthy European aristocrats, dignitaries, and artists stretches back to 1844. We checked into our Hotel Agava - Opatija, Croatia - The Hotel Agava is conveniently located in the heart of Opatija right beside the lovely Park Angiolina and just a short stroll from the town's famous waterfront promenade, the Lungomare. June 26 Today we took a tour to Istria where we leaned the art of truffle hunting before visiting a hilltop town and then the smallest town in Croatia for lunch. When we returned to our hotel, we spend the rest of the day relaxing and strolling the Lungomare.
Zagreb ‐ Jun 22, 2023

We then departed Karanac to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. Our hotel, Astoria Hotel, was located a short distance from the historic city center. After we check in to our hotel, our leader gave us an orientation walk around Zagreb June 23 In the morning we explored Zagreb's modern Donji Grad, or Lower Town, whose well-designed street grid was laid out in the 19th century. This area is home to many of Zagreb's civic and historic monuments. We took a ride on a funicular to view the medieval monu [...]
ments in the city's Gornji Grad, or Upper Town. In this older part of the city, two medieval settlements, Gradec and Kaptol, developed between the eleventh and 14th centuries on neighboring hilltops divided by a brook. Fortified by ramparts and moats, the two rival towns fought over the centuries—the nearby street called Krvavi Most, or Bridge of Blood, is a testament to the historic rivalry. Our tour concluded with a visit to Dolac Market, a bustling collection of open-air stalls located across from the cathedral near the 14th-century Church of St. Mary. We were disappointed that most museums were closed due to earthquake damage as were many historic churches. June 24 In the morning we boarded our bus to explore some of the quaint villages of Zagorje, a region of winding country roads, natural springs, and rolling hills. We got to witness the contrast between life in the bustling cities and in the small towns and villages of rural Croatia. We visited the sculpture garden Odrasli and Tito’s birthplace Ulazwica.
Karanac ‐ Jun 21, 2023

In the morning we headed to Croatia, but had lunch first before we crossed the border back into Croatia. Our destination was Karanac, a charming rural village with a population of just about 1,000 outside Baranja's largest city, Osijek. We stayed with a family in the village and had a Home-Hosted Dinner, featuring regional specialties of Slavonia and Baranja. June 22 In the morning, we continued our experience in the village of Karanac. We walked into the village and had a pottery workshop [...]
, before having lunch with the family.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina ‐ Jun 18, 2023

After check in, we had some time to relax before a 30-minute orientation walk around Sarajevo. Hotel President is located in the heart of Sarajevo and is just a short walk from the famous Latin Bridge. June 19 We took a morning walking tour with a local guide around the old city, visiting churches, a mosque and historic buildings. We had lunch at a local restaurant before touring the city on our own. In the evening we visited a Bosnian family for a home-cooked meal. It was interesting to h [...]
ear their views on the events that had occurred during the 1990’s siege of the city. June 20 Today we focused on Sarajevo’s more recent past, including the events that occurred following the violent breakup of former Yugoslavia in 1992. We traveled to the famous Sarajevo Tunnel in the morning. In the afternoon, we had free time in Sarajevo to explore, It was a fascinating place where we strolled through the Turkish bazaar, Western-style shops, with traditional Austro-Hungarian architecture. We visited the oldest Orthodox church and the main church as well as Catholic cathedral. We visited the reconstructed city hall which once held the National Library, destroyed by the Serbs during the war. We had dinner at a little bar next to the Hotel President.
Mostar

We crossed the border from Croatia to Bosnia & Herzegovina in the morning and stopped in Mostar, Bosnia’ second largest city. We walked to the local Muslim market in Mostar, had a group lunch then boarded the coach to drive to Sarajevo.
Dubrovnik, Croatia ‐ Jun 14, 2023

We boarded our bus and departed Albania for Dubrovnik, Croatia, where we would begin our main trip. We headed north and crossed in Montenegro and stopped for lunch in Budva, Montenegro. We then caught a ferry across the Bay of Kotar and continued north until just below the Croatia border where we met our guide, Zoran, for the Crossroads of the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia tour. We transferred to his van to cross into Croatia and on to the city of Dubrovnik. [...]
We checked in to our resort hotel, Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik located on the outskirts of the city, and to meet our fellow travelers. Zoran introduced us to the area with a short orientation walk. June 15 In the morning we caught a local bus to the gates of Dubrovnik's Old Town. It was raining and the tour of Dubrovnik which is renowned for its medieval walls and historic monuments was very damp. This is an understatement as the water was running like a river in streets and the steps were waterfalls, Our shoes and clothing were soaked. After the tour ended, we had lunch and given time to explore independently. Given that we were drowning in the rain we returned to the hotel for beer and dinner. June 16 OTA had scheduled an excursion to Kotor, Montenegro for the day, but we had visited Kotor several times before on cruises and decided to stay and tour Dubrovnik. We caught the bus into the city and spent the day touring churches, museums, and cafes in the old town. We then again crammed onto the bus to return to the hotel. June 17 In the morning we traveled to the peak of Srd Mountain, over-looking Dubrovnik at 1,352 feet high. This peak offered idyllic views of the surrounding area and where we visited the Imperial fort built by Napoleon in 1805 to guard the city. We got a lecture of the siege of the city by the Serbs in 1991. We took a cable car for a 10-minute ride from the top of the mountain to the Dubrovnik fortresses where we walked the walls. Then we had lunch before returning to our hotel. In the evening we visited a farm to table restaurant for dinner and learned about olive farming and wine tasting. Afterward we returned to our hotel to pack for traveling to Sarajevo in the morning.
Shkodër Municipality, Albania ‐ Jun 12, 2023

In the morning we transfer to Shkoder. we’ll stop en route in Mrizi to stretch our legs and visit a local pottery workshop then continue 5 minutes up the road to a family-run farm. During our visit, we'll also learn about their production process for wine, cured meats, cheese, and other house specialties before we sit down for lunch at the farm restaurant. Arriving in Shkoder and join your Leader an orientation walk of the neighborhood surrounding your hotel. You’ll see shops, restaurants, [...]
ATMs, and sites of interest that you may want to come back and explore during your free time. Accommodations: Hotel Colosseo & Spa Jun 20 Day 5 - Shkoder In the morning we'll embark on a walking tour of Shkoder during which we'll witness some of the city's highlights, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral. We’ll drive by motorcoach to Rozafa Castle, sitting atop a rocky promontory overlooking the Buna and Drin Rivers down below. We’ll arrive at the castle to take in the panoramic views and learn about the legend that surrounds this ancient fortress. At one time, the castle contained a cathedral—however, the church was converted into a mosque by invading Ottomans in 1478. In the 19th century, the cathedral was rebuilt in the city of Shkoder itself. We’ll depart the castle at for Shiroka, a small fishing village situated on Shkoder Lake whose shores attract many species of birds. We’ll depart Shiroke to drive back to our hotel where we'll have the rest of the afternoon free to explore independently. Accommodations: Hotel Colosseo & Spa
Tirana ‐ Jul 9, 2023

Overnight in Tirana We arrived back in Tirana in the late afternoon and checked back in Oxford Hotel. We met our OTA representative and took a short walk around the neighborhood with the group. June 10 We met with our Trip Leader for a Welcome Briefing in the hotel. The morning walking tour featuring Skanderbeg Square, the heart of the city, where the mosque of Sulejman Pasha once stood and where today the Ethem Bey Mosque stands, a national monument known for its beautiful minaret. We'll a [...]
lso saw the huge statue of Skanderbeg, who overthrew the Turkish sultan and founded an independent Albania during the 15th century; view the Soviet-designed Palace of Culture and the National Library; and pass by Petrela Castle, a Byzantine fortress built around a tower that dates to AD 500. We then toured the Bunk'Art Museum. A five-story, labyrinthine underground bunker with over 100 rooms that explore the impact World War II and the Cold War had on Albania's trajectory from the 20th century onward. We then took a cable car ride up nearby Mount Dajti, and enjoy panoramic views over Tirana and its surroundings and had lunch. Afterward we had 3 hours of free time to explore more of Tirana on our own. We enjoyed a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant that evening and returned to the hotel to watch the European soccer final between Manchester and Milan. June 11 This was a free day and in the morning we tour the Palace of Culture which is the Albanian History museum and then went to the bazaar for a couple beers before grabbing a bit to eat at Burger King in the shopping mall. We got back to the hotel just as a storm came. It had torrential rain and hail, which lasted over 3 hours. In the evening we joined some of our group in the bar area for some food and drinks.
Krujë ‐ Jun 9, 2023

We crossed into Albania and followed the river down a canyon about 1,000 feet. Our next destination was Kruja in Albania, a historical city symbol of the Albanian resistance against the expansion of the Ottoman Empire. The city is situated in central Albania on a rocky mountainous terrain about 560 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Sarisalltik Mountain. Walking through Kruja’s Medieval Old Bazaar which was made difficult by the cobblestone surface. We were surrounded by crafts and l [...]
ocal products carefully designed by local artisans and housewives of the Kruja area, as well as your standard tourist goods. We visited the Castle of Kruja that offers a spectacular view and the history museum of the castle. We then drove up a steep windy road to the top of the mountain.
Prizren, Kosovo ‐ Jun 8, 2023

We arrived in Prizren about 3 o’clock and checked into our hotel located up the hill from the town and rested for a couple hours before touring the town. We explored the town by wandering through the streets passing by elegant medieval houses. We visited the main Orthodox church and the largest mosque in Kosovo. The city is considered to be the cultural capital of Kosovo, and as a crossroad for the Byzantine and Ottoman empires which contributed to the unique architecture of the city. We g [...]
ot caught in a rain storm and took refuge under a large old tree and next to the restaurant where we had dinner. We returned to our hotel after the rain stopped. June 9 We started the day with a visit to the archeological museum and then walked the main square for some refreshments before departing for Kruja.
Pristina

We left North Macedonia and entered Kosovo and headed to the capital of Pristina. Here we took a city tour. First, we visited the National Library of Kosovo, a 1970’s building that definitely stands out from the rest, consisting of 73 white domes. Then we wandered the main boulevard in the capital, Sheshi Nena Tereza. We saw the Newborn monument, symbol of their independence and being a young new country. Here we will also pass the Skanderberg square with the statue of Skanderberg himse [...]
lf, the national Albanian hero. We visited the ethnographic museum that showed the traditional Kosovar life. Finally, we visited the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa with its own clock tower. We then stopped at a local café for drink before heading off to Prizren.
Skopje, Macedonia ‐ Jun 7, 2023

Our tour continued to Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. That night we had a two bedroom, two bath apartment a couple blocks from the square. The city has European, Ottoman and even Asian influences. The Stone Bridge connects the new part to the old part of the city. Impossible to miss in Skopje is the Porta Macedonia, a memorial arch located on Pella Square and the Alexander the Great Statue in the center. Another bridge that stood out was the Art Bridge that leads to the Archaeological Museu [...]
m. The bridge is lined with flamboyant street lanterns and statues of Macedonian artists and musicians. We wandered through the Old Bazaar of Skopje, the biggest one in the Balkans, that combines the modern way of living with centuries of history. The cross on top of the mountain can be seen kilometers away from Skopje and has become a symbol of the city. It is as high as a 20-store building and can be reached by cable car. We stopped in the bazaar for a couple beers with our guide before stopping for dinner off main square, and returning to our apartment for the night.
Ohrid ‐ Jun 6, 2023

We then back tracked our journey and crossed the border to North Macedonia and checked into a small hotel in Ohrid. We walked the shore to the town and had dinner, then stopped at an Irish pub for a beer and retired for the night. June 7 In the morning we continue our city tour of Ohrid. First we visited the castle which had had its walls restored. Then we visited an important Orthodox church before visiting an old Greek theater, which had also been partially restored. We then walked down [...]
to the shore to visit another Orthodox church that was featured in National Geographic. We then walked along the shore to town to visit the bazaar and an old mosque.
Berat, Albania

Checkout out of the hotel to join our 4 day tour of North Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania. It was a private tour, just the two of us and our driver/guide Dintan. He gave us a tour of the town before heading for our first destination of Beshr. A cute little town on a lake. We parked on the far side and walked to the center of the town, past a gaggle of geese, where we got some drinks and watched children play on trampolines and ride a mini-train and other rides in the small entertainment area [...]
by the lake. Then we continued our tour to Berat, also known as the city of 1001 windows, part of UNESCO world heritage. We walked through the narrowed stone streets past the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand on top of each other, across a suspension bridge and down to an old stone bridge. We then drove up to the medieval castle and wandered through the ruins and visited an ancient church with old icons. We then back tracked our journey and crossed the border to North Macedonia and checked into a small hotel in Ohrid. We walked the shore to the town and had dinner, then stopped at an Irish pub for a beer and retired for the night.
Tirana, Albania ‐ Jun 5, 2023

June 3/4 Fort Collins to Denver Airport Departed from Denver Saturday on British Airways to Chicago O'Hare, then to London Heathrow and on to Tirana, Albania arriving Sunday at noon. Took a taxi to Oxford Hotel. Situated in the heart of the Old Town, Oxford Hotel is a boutique-style hotel. The city center can be reached in a 2-minute walk. Various places of interest, such as the National Library, the National Museum and Theatre and various cultural and historic buildings, are all reachabl [...]
e in a couple of steps. After settling in we took a walk around the neighborhood, had dinner and then to bed. June 5 After breakfast we walked to the House of Leaves, the place where the security service monitored the citizens and tortured suspects. We stopped to visit the main square and the Orthodox cathedral along the way then stopped for a drink at a café where the big whig commies used to frequent. We then had lunch at the castle, walked past the main mosque, stopped in an indoor shopping mall, before returning to the Oxford Hotel. We had drinks at an Irish pub and dinner in the neighborhood.