Greek Islands & Balkan Discovery LUXURY

Meet the unparalleled cultural heritage of ancient Greece on an epic adventure in comfort and style. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel by a Ciconia representative at the airport. In the afternoon, join the welcome meeting at the hotel lobby with your fellow travellers and Tour Director. Greet the sophisticated and delicious Greek cuisine tonight on a group dinner, make sure to leave room for amazing desserts.

Let’s start our tour in Greece’s capital, Athens, which is one of the world’s oldest cities with history spanning back over 3000 years and is considered the birthplace of Western Civilization. Take a step back in time and explore an amazing array of historical and cultural sites in our city tour including: the National Library, the Academy, Constitutional Square and Parliament, The Temple of Zeus, and of course, the iconic Parthenon and Acropolis. The night is free for you to explore more of this incredible city.

Rise and shine, we have an early start to catch the ferry from Athens to Mykonos. In the afternoon, join an optional group dinner to meet your fellow travellers.

Set out on a guided orientation tour of Mykonos and get to know the island’s picture-perfect charm. Wander through whitewashed lanes, admire the iconic windmills, discover quaint streets and seaside corners, and enjoy a wonderful first taste of the island’s lively Cycladic atmosphere. Or discover the birthplace of Apollo by taking an optional tour to Delos Island. Tonight, hit the bars and restaurants and dance the night away!

Enjoy a full free day in Mykonos to experience the island at your own pace. Spend the morning relaxing on a golden beach, swimming in the clear Aegean waters, or wandering through Mykonos Town’s whitewashed lanes, boutique shops, and charming cafés.

As the day unfolds, you may choose to visit the famous windmills, enjoy a long seaside lunch, explore Little Venice, or simply soak up the island’s lively yet laid-back atmosphere. In the evening, Mykonos comes alive with waterfront restaurants, stylish bars, and sunset views, giving you the perfect chance to enjoy the island your way.

Next up: Santorini! After our ferry ride, wander through the town of Fira to get our bearings. See why the blue door houses, white church domes make Santorini the iconic postcard town of Greece. Santorini is formed from volcanic activity, and from the caldera witness the most epic sunset and breath-taking views.

Set out on a guided orientation tour of Santorini and discover the island’s breathtaking beauty, from whitewashed streets and charming shops to volcanic landscapes and sweeping Aegean views. Get a feel for the island’s unique atmosphere as your guide introduces you to its highlights, local character, and picture-perfect corners. Later, take an optional quad biking tour or explore the island’s volcano and check out an active crater and hot springs in our optional volcano tour. The choices are endless!

Enjoy a full free day in Santorini to experience the island at your own pace. Spend the morning relaxing on one of the island’s volcanic beaches, wandering through whitewashed streets, browsing local boutiques, or settling into a café with beautiful Aegean views.

As the day continues, you may choose to explore charming villages, visit a winery, take a boat trip around the caldera, or simply soak up the island’s dramatic scenery. In the evening, find the perfect spot to watch Santorini’s famous sunset before enjoying a relaxed dinner with views over the sea.

Enjoy one last breakfast in beautiful Santorini before transferring to the airport for your flight back to Athens.

Arriving in Athens in the late afternoon, enjoy some free time to revisit your favourite spots or uncover a few final hidden corners of the capital. In the evening, celebrate the end of your Greek adventure with a farewell group dinner at a traditional taverna. Share delicious local dishes, complimentary house wine, and your favourite travel memories with the new friends you’ve made along the way.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Athens to Belgrade, marking the beginning of the Balkans leg of your adventure.

Upon arrival in Belgrade, transfer to your hotel and enjoy some time to settle in. Starting off at the vibrant pretty shopping street, Knez Mihailova, filled with cafes, shops and charming sites, kick off the walking tour to discover the incredible landmarks Belgrade has in store and their marvellous histories.

Next stop Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital, the city that has been through it all! It is where the Western and Eastern Roman Empire split and where people of many nations and religions met, lived and warred. You can still see many reminders of the Yugoslav War in bullet holes and cannon marks all around town. Though, still an oriental beauty with a unique twist, and a delight to discover on your walking tour in the old town. The city offers endless delicacies to taste, but the specialty is lamb.

Today, we drive for the amazing Adriatic shore, but first a stop at Mostar! As you arrive in this dreamland, walk through the Old Town of this Herzegovina pearl, see the iconic highlights Old Bridge – Stari Most, and the old čaršija (market). Enjoy your lunch with an amazing view at one of the local venues, discover the old town and make sure to try the delicious Turkish coffee. In the afternoon, we ride to Trebinje for our overnight stay.

Get ready for a long day at Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic”! With its well-preserved majestic walls encircling the whole town and its sea of terra-cotta roof tiles, giving life to the “King’s Landing”, the whole town is an amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even the drive down to town from the mountain-side is a breakth-taking highlight in itself! We start off with a guided walking tour of the Old Town and marvel at the millennial history of this fairy-like town. Walk atop the mighty walls, discover cute narrow streets, taste delicious seafood or jump off into the crystal-blue waters. In the evening, we return to Trebinje for a good night’s rest.

Next stop Montenegro! Arrive in Kotor after a scenic drive an meet its calming natural beauty and characteristic architecture, a less-crowded version of Dubrovnik with its impressive medieval citadel. Following a walking tour of the old town with your expert local guide and some free time. Departure to Albania, which is our final destination for the day. Shkoder is one of the most authentic cities in Albania. Walking tour through the centre. Overnight in Shkoder.

Hit the road after breakfast! A panoramic city tour of Tirana will introduce the best preserved and most beautiful samples of Albanian architecture, and drop us off at the town centre for some free time to discover the bustling Skenderbeg square. In the afternoon, continue towards Ohrid, Macedonia and check-in to your comfy hotel. You can rest up after a long day, or join the optional Balkan night with dinner.

After breakfast, set out on a guided orientation walk through Ohrid, one of the Balkans’ most enchanting lakeside towns. Wander through cobbled streets, historic quarters, local shops, and scenic viewpoints as your guide introduces you to the town’s rich heritage, charming atmosphere, and beautiful setting beside Lake Ohrid.

Optionally, continue to the Monastery of St. Naum, one of the region’s most peaceful and picturesque landmarks. Set near the lake’s southern shore, this beautiful site is known for its spiritual atmosphere, lakeside views, and natural surroundings. After time to explore and soak up the scenery, return to Ohrid and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, say goodbye to the beautiful lakeside town of Ohrid and begin your journey to Skopje, North Macedonia’s lively capital. Sit back and enjoy the changing scenery as you travel from the calm shores of Lake Ohrid towards the energy of the city.

Upon arrival in Skopje, enjoy a guided orientation walk to get your first feel for the capital. Discover its mix of historic streets, grand squares, Ottoman-era charm, riverside views, and modern landmarks as your guide introduces you to the city’s unique character. Afterwards, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, depart Skopje and make your way to the beautiful Matka Canyon, a peaceful natural escape just outside the city. Take in the dramatic cliffs, calm waters, and fresh mountain scenery as you enjoy time to explore, relax, and soak up one of North Macedonia’s most scenic spots.

After your visit, continue towards Sofia, crossing into Bulgaria as the journey through the Balkans continues. Upon arrival in Sofia, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, with time to unwind or take a first stroll through Bulgaria’s lively capital.

Have your final breakfast on us and start bidding farewells to your travel mates before checking out of the hotel (11:00). Time to start counting days for your next adventure with Travel Talk!