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Skopje - Podgorica

 

Day 1

Skopje
Arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel.

 

Day 2

Skopje 
The morning is free for leisure. In the afternoon you will have a half day city tour. Most of the sights in Skopje are situated in and around the Old bazaar. It is easily the most pleasant part of the city to wander around. You will find lots of tiny, pastel shaded, square little one floor shops here  along the narrow cobbled streets that wind up and down the shallow slope underneath the Kale fortress. It has a very Turkish feel about it, with grand mosques dotted among the shops, and shopkeepers with pillbox tupi hats selling everything. Anotherlandmark is The Stone Bridge which was built in the 6th century by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. Since then it has been the symbol of the city that every ruler tried to leave a mark on, even Skopje's last Mayor who has now been restoring it for 10 years. Overnight.

 

Day 3

Skopje
Start the day with a visit to the Parliament Building, built in 1933 by Viktor Hudak in modernistic style,also see The Double Hamam,which was built in the middle of the 15th century by Isa- beg. It was used as both a male and female bath. Today it  is used as a gallery for temporary exhibits. Continue to the Clock Tower, the Bey`s Tower and some  Ottoman Inns. Visit St. Bogorodich church, St. Kliment of Ohrid Cathedral and MotherTeresa House,The rest of the day is free to explore the city on your own. Overnight.

 

Day 4

Skopje
You have the opportunity to take a boat ride and visit St Naum monastery - the Black Drim Springs, where you will have the chance to explore by boat the small islands in the middle of the little lake created by the springs , or to take a boat ride on Lake Ohrid.

 

Day 5

Skopje – Kotor (415km/6h)
Leave Skopje behind and travel to Kotor, a coastal town in Montenegro. It is well-known for its stunning architecture and amazing natural setting. See St Tryphon's Cathedral (Old Town) which was first built in the 11th century and reconstructed after earthquakes in Romanesque-Gothic architecture. TheChapel holds the remains of St. Tryphon, the patron saint of Kotor. Continue with St Nicolas Church. The biggest Orthodox church in the Old Town and the Maritime Museum that has 3 floors of photographs, uniforms, weapons, paintings, and model ships. Overnight in Kotor.

 

Day 6

Kotor 
The day offers you a climb up to the Fortifications that stretch some 4.5 km directly above the city, on almost vertical cliffs. Climbing up the 1350 steps you will be rewarded by an excellent view of Kotor and the bay from St John's fortress.You can also take a boat trip - in the middle of the bay there are two islands, Sveti Djordje and Gospa od Skrpijela, which are well worth seeing.

 

Day 7

Kotor – Podgorica (75km/1h20min)
Travel to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro and also the largest city. Explore the town, starting with the Old Turkish town called "Stara Varoš" ("old town"), with its mosques and old clock tower. A typical old Turkish "kasaba"(town), with narrow curving streets.The Skaline (the stairs) on the outfall of the Ribnica river to Morača, with it's old Turkish bridge over the Ribnica, and the ruins of old Nemanja's town and of course King Nikola's castle, turned into a museum, and the surrounding park. Free time. In the afternoon continue the tour to see the Monument to King Nikola in the park across the street from  Montenegro's parliament and Hercegovačka pedestrian street in the city centre. Continue with Trg Republike the central square of the city, next to Hercegovačka street, which is very lively at the end of the day, when people finish  work. It has a lot of cheap restaurants and friendly people, a pleasant place to spend the early evening. Overnight.

 

Day 8

Podgorica 
Free day to explore the city. You can enjoy the diversity of Montenegro's capital cafes and restaurants, check out the nightlife, or take a walk at some of the favourite picnic locations of Podgorica citizens - Mareza, Skadar Lake, or Gorica hill. While strolling through Podgorica center, you might find the shopping area interesting, as there is vast number of boutiques, just beware of the counterfeits!

 

Day 9

Podgorica 
Transfer to the airport.