Croatia & the Balkans

Transcription

1 15 days Starts/Ends: Dubrovnik Setting out from UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik in Croatia, set out on a two week holiday through the Balkans taking in highlights and hidden gems along the way. From Sarajevo's intriguing mix of east meets west and the picturesque Lake Ohrid on the border of Macedonia, to trendy Tirana in Albania and the scenic town of Kotor in Montenegro. HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS Trip Highlights Dubrovnik - famous walled city of Croatia. Perched on the Adriatic coast. Sarajevo - capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Known as the Jerusalem of Europe - full of religious diversity. Belgrade - capital of Serbia. Straddling the Sava and Danube Rivers. Overlooked by the ancient Kalemegdan Citadel. Sofia - the capital city of Bulgaria and an intriguing mix of east and west. Skopje - capital of Macedonia. Ottoman and Byzantine architecture combined with modern kitschy buildings make it a very eclectic city! Lake Ohrid - Macedonia/Albania border. Europe's oldest lake. Tirana - capital of Albania. A buzzing modern city transformed from its former very Grey and soviet past. Berat - pretty UNESCO-listed mountainside town with charming white abodes in Albania Kotor - scenic town nestled at the base of Europe's deepest fjord on the Adriatic Coast What's Included 12 nights in hotels & 2 nights in apartments 14 breakfasts Airport arrival transfer on day 1 Escorted by a tour leader, English speaking local guide at included sites Transportation by public bus, private vehicle, train and minibus Visit to Mostar and entry to Blagaj Tekke (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Entry to Belgrade Military Museum (Serbia) Boat ride at Matka Canyon (Macedonia) Sightseeing in Kruja (Albania) and Kotor (Montenegro) Wine Tasting and Tour in Trebinje (Bosnia) 24 hour city card including City Walls and transport pass (Croatia) What's Not Included Items of a personal nature and additional meals International flights to/from our tour start/ end points and visas DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1 : Dubrovnik Welcome to Croatia and the start of your holiday. Upon arrival at the airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Please ask at the reception for information on when your pre-departure meeting will be held. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore Dubrovnik at your own pace. With a paved town centre enclosed in fortress-like 13th century stone walls, the city is easy to explore on foot and is full of character. Overnight - Dubrovnik - 15 days - 1 -

2 Days 2-3 : Sarajevo Dubrovnik Sarajevo. Crossing the border into the heart-shaped land of Bosnia and Herzegovina we make our way towards the capital Sarajevo, a fascinating mixture of western and eastern cultures. En route to the capital we make a short stop at Blagaj Tekke a 16th century Dervish Monastery perched on the side of a river spring and one of the country s most popular monuments. From here we continue on to Mostar, considered by many to be the prettiest city in all of Bosina and Herzegovina. Here you ll see the city s most famous landmark the frequently photographed Stari Most, a beautiful single span bridge. From Mostar we continue our journey to Sarajevo, a city packed with fascinating museums, bazaars, markets and bridges. We ll spend the next two nights here, where you can choose to explore the cobbled streets, mosques and Oriental style shops of the Old Town, visit the Bosnian Historical Museum to learn about the siege of Sarajevo or discover the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum. For history buffs a must see is the Latin Bridge" spanning the river in the downtown area. The bridge bears a plaque commemorating the assassination of Archduke of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand the event that sparked the beginning of World War I. Included Excursions Blagaj Dervish Monastery Overnight - Sarajevo (B:2) Days 4-5 : Belgrade Sarajevo Belgrade. Departing Sarajevo this morning we cross over into Serbia and make our way to its capital city of Belgrade where we ll spend the next two days. Located at the crossing point of the Sava and Danube rivers, this Belgrade has had a tumultuous, yet fascinating, history. Our first stop here will be the well-preserved ruins of the looming Kalemegdan Citadel, which was built in stages from the 1st century BC and was finally finished in the 18th century. Here we explore the military museum houses within its fortress, admire views over the city and even see graffiti made by bored medieval guardsmen. If time allows we ll also pay a visit to St Sava Crhuch, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the entire world. Spend the rest of your time here continuing to explore the city at your own pace. checking out the excellent shopping opportunities on offer or relaxing on the beach at Ada Ciganlija, an island in the middle of the Sava River known as Belgrade s very own Hawaii. Included Excursions Entry to Belgrade Military Museum Overnight - Belgrade (B:2) Days 6-7 : Sofia Belgrade Sofia. Today we travel onwards to spend the next two nights in Sofia Bulgaria s capital city. An intoxicating mix of east-meets-west, this vibrant city boasts grand onion-domed churches and imposing Ottoman mosques standing alongside modern shopping malls and a thriving scene of museums, galleries and restaurants. Sofia also offers many beautiful gardens to relax in, such as Boris Gardens and the South Park, which starts just behind the Palace of Culture. Compact enough to explore on foot, Sofia is an attractive city with enough culture and history to keep you entertained. Outside of the city centre in the foothills of Mount Vitosha you can visit the 13th century Boyana Church, which features murals and frescos dating back to 1259 AD. This UNESCOlisted site is considered by many to house some of the greatest masterpieces of medieval European painting. Nearby you ll also find the National History Museum, housing antiques and artefacts dating back to the Thracian period. Overnight - Sofia (B:2) Day 8 : Skopje Sofia Skopje. Continuing our journey through Eastern Europe today we head to Skopje the capital of Macedonia, a fascinating confluence of east and west. With a history spanning two thousand years, Skopje has many monuments worth visiting including the 6th century Kale Fortress and the Daud Pasa Amam, a 15th century bathroom that has since been converted into an art gallery. Other sights of interest include the Mustafa-pasha's Mosque, the 16th century Clock Tower and the Kamen Most Stone Bridge over the Vardar River. Overnight - Skopje (B) - 15 days - 2 -

3 Days 9-10 : Lake Ohrid Skopje Lake Ohrid. First thing this morning we venture out of the city centre for a boat ride in Matka Canyon, a spectacular gorge lined by a rugged towering rock wall. The area is also dotted with monasteries, churches and medieval buildings, and is one of the Macedonia s most popular outdoor destinations. <br><br> From Matka Canyon we journey to the border of Macedonia and eastern Albania for two nights by the beautiful lake side town of Ohrid. This picturesque setting has seen thousands of years of history and today its landscape is scattered with remnants from its past, from ancient churches and fortress walls, to bazaars and old quarters. Lake Ohrid itself was formed over three million years ago making it the oldest lake in Europe. Spend the next two days here wandering around the quaint town centre, hike up to the ancient walled fortress and explore its many churches, monasteries and basilicas. Included Excursions Matka Canyon Overnight - Lake Ohrid (B:2) Day 11 : Tirana Lake Ohrid Tirana. Bidding farewell to picturesque Ohrid, we continue on to the small town of Berat in Albania. Resembling something from the Italian Riviera, it s no surprise that this pretty mountainside town is a now UNESCOlisted site. The hillside is covered with charming white abodes offering that postcard perfect snap, and a hike up the fortress is well worth your while. Our final destination today is Tirana, the largest city in Albania and its trendy capital. While the city has a long history, you can enjoy its modern outlook, with fashionable bars, and wander boulevards lined with relics of the city s Ottoman, clubs and boutiques, Italian and communist past. Key sights of interest here include Tirana s main square, which is bordered by the National History Museum, the Palace of Culture and Skanderbeg statue. A short bus ride out of the city centre is the Martyr s Cemetery which offers wonderful panoramic views over the city. Included Excursions Visit to Berat Overnight - Tirana (B) Days : Kotor Tirana Kotor. Enjoy some free time this morning to further explore Tirana before we move onto our next destination the scenic town of Kotor in Montengero. Nestled at the base of Europe s deepest fjord on the Adriatic Coast, this UNESCO-listed city is a labyrinth of cobbled alleys, squares and ancient churches, including the 12th century St Tryphon's Cathedral. Spend the following two days enjoying the sights and delights of Kotor and then relax in the shade of the medieval walls sipping on an espresso. Overnight - Kotor (B:2) Day 14 : Dubrovnik some tasting. We continue to Dubrovnik this afternoon where we enjoy a walk around the city walls, stretching almost two kilometres around the old town. Admire views over the rooftops and the Adriatic Sea. Included Excursions Tour and Wine Tasting in Trebnije. 24 hour City Card including City Walls and Transport Pass. Overnight - Dubrovnik (B) Day 15 : Dubrovnik Today your tour of Eastern Europe comes to an end. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.(b) KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Our partners Tucan Travel Please note that our Eastern Europe group tours are operated by Tucan Travel. Travellers on your trip will have made their reservation with either On The Go Tours or Tucan Travel. Travel Style This is an Adventure Tour, we see a destination from the locals' perspective using a variety of transport and staying in small locally owned accommodation. There is a maximum of 16 travellers with an average group size of All our Adventure Tours are priced per person on a shared room basis meaning there is no compulsory extra payment for those travelling on their own. Keeping in Touch Your tour leader will point out internet cafes in all major cities and towns and Wi-Fi may be available in some hotels. Hotel details, apart from the joining hotel, are not given in advance and are subject to change, so if someone needs to contact you urgently during your tour, the best method is to contact our office who can pass a message on to the tour leader. Kotor Dubrovnik. En route to Dubrovnik we stop at Trebinje for a wine tour and If you intend to take your mobile phone you should find out in advance from your network provider if your phone is set up for international roaming and if there is coverage in your destination. You may also find it considerably more expensive to send texts and receive calls if you are on a non European or British Network days - 3 -

4 A much cheaper option would be to purchase a telephone card and use local pay phones. Pre-Departure Meeting When you arrive on day one of your trip, you should find some local information at the hotel lobby. Your tour leader will be staying in the hotel and should have put up a welcome note to let you know what room they are in. A pre-departure meeting is usually held in the afternoon or early evening of day one. You will need to bring the following important items to the meeting with your tour leader: Your passport, including any necessary visas and at least one photocopy to give to your tour leader Vaccination certificates if relevant to any destinations on your tour Travel insurance policy and a photocopy to give to your tour leader Your travel voucher Missing the tour departure If you miss the start of your tour, please ask at the reception of the hotel for a message from your tour leader which will give you instructions on how to catch up with the group. Any associated costs will be at your own expense (although, depending on the reason, you may be able to claim these from your travel insurance so ensure you keep all receipts). If you know in advance that you are unlikely to arrive on time, please contact us immediately so we can inform the tour leader. On The Go Tours cannot be held responsible should your airline/ boat/coach be delayed and we are unable to refund any unused portion of your tour. Time Keeping Punctuality is very important and throughout the tour your tour leader will give you the time to meet in reception. Tour leaders will often post notes at reception with meeting times, so remember to always look out for these. Although rare, delays can occur and we therefore advise you not to arrange your onward travel too close to the end of the tour. We take no responsibility for any missed flights or additional expenses If the group arrives late into the departure city at the end of the tour. Money For personal spending money you should bring Euros alongside the local currency (where applicable). Generally the most convenient way of carrying your spending money is by having at least a couple of credit or debit cards. The majority of cards (Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard, American Express and Maestro, Plus and Cirrus for debit cards) are accepted in most large cities and tourist areas. ATMs (cash machines) are widespread. It is always best to carry a mix of cards and cash with you, including notes in small denominations. Working out your budget Our Europe Pre-Departure Information includes a general list of all the things you should take into consideration when budgeting and an estimate of what you should allow per day for spending money. Generally speaking most entrance fees will be covered by the recommended spending money. There are, however, other sites and museums that are not part of the tour programme which you may wish to visit in your free time. If you have an International Student Card you will often be entitled to reduced entrance fees. Your spending money should cover some meals, optional excursions, souvenirs, drinks, laundry, border and airport taxes and any visas obtained locally. We provide guideline prices for optional excursions in the itinerary to help you budget, but ultimately the amount you will need to budget for your trip very much depends on your individual requirements. We recommend bringing extra money to cover emergencies or unexpected situations. Tipping Tipping is a part of the life in Europe, but you should not feel obliged or pressured to tip if you have not received good service. A gratuity of 10% of the total bill is recommended in restaurants. Gratuities are usually expected for local guides on included and optional excursions. Tips are also appreciated by Tucan Travel tour leaders at the end of your tour and we recommend an average of $2-$4 per person per day for the duration of your tour. This is only if you feel that their service was up to standard and is completely at your own discretion. Packing List The best advice when packing is to travel light and leave space for souvenirs in your bag. Luggage On our tours in Europe your luggage must be strictly limited to one reasonably-sized bag or backpack with a recommended maximum weight of no more than 20 kilograms/44 pounds plus one small day pack. You will have to carry your own luggage, sometimes down cobbled streets and up flights of stairs and cannot expect your tour leader to carry your bags. We recommend a frameless backpack or a sports type shoulder bag which fits comfortably on your shoulders, as they are less bulky and easier to handle than rigid suitcases or framed backpacks. Suitcases are not suitable for our tours and are not recommended. On The Go T ours takes no responsibility for damage to your luggage while on tour. In addition to your main bag, you will need a small daypack for your everyday excursions. Try to keep this bag as light as possible and make sure that all main sections of your bags can be padlocked. This daypack should have enough room to carry food and snacks, camera and personal items Sleeping Sheet Sleeping bags are not required on this tour, but a sleeping bag liner/sleep sheet is optional if you wish to bring one along. Some passengers like to use them on long bus journeys and overnight trains. Clothing and Footwear All clothes should be lightweight, durable and easily washable. Please do not bring any military or camouflage-style clothing as it can be dangerous to wear and occasionally illegal. Nights can be cold so it is a good idea to bring at least one pair of warm trousers or jeans plus several thinner sweaters / fleeces which you can layer days - 4 -

5 Good, comfortable walking shoes are essential. These do not need to be expensive boots, but they should have good ankle support and grip, be worn in and ideally waterproof. Essential items: A lightweight water/windproof jacket with hood Easy to pack wide-brimmed hat or cap Swimwear Sandals or thongs/jandals/flip flops Suggested items: Money belt Sunglasses Small calculator Universal washbasin plug Travel alarm clock Lip balm, sun block with high UV factor Wet wipes Cheap plastic watch Plenty of spare memory cards for your camera Spare rechargeable batteries for camera Writing materials, address book and diary Travel games, cards and a couple of paperbacks Small medical kit with diarrhoea remedy, rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, sterile dressings, plasters, bandages, pain-killers, safety pins etc. Small collapsible umbrella Plastic bags for waterproofing Inflatable pillow Towel Travel plug adaptor with a USB port Small sewing kit Insect repellent (DEET 35% min) and bite cream Antibactarial hand clensing gel Ear plugs and sleep mask Travel sickness tablets Spare pair of spectacles or contact lenses and solution Hard drive or USB stick to back up your photos Pocket size phrasebook Pegless washing line & travel laundry detergent (bio-degradable preferable) Laundry There are usually laundromats or laundry services in or near most of our hotels. Hotel services can be pretty costly however your tour leader will be able to recommend cheaper options. If you wash clothes yourself take care not to be too obvious where you hang them as most hotels do not like guests washing and drying their clothes in the hotel rooms. Electricity Supply If bringing electrical equipment, make sure that you bring a two-pin/pronged, round-pin adapter/plug adapter. Health, Fitness & Safety Pack a Medical Kit A medical kit is handy for minor wounds and ailments. In areas with limited or dubious medical facilities, an emergency medical kit containing sterile syringes is also advisable. By law our staff are not allowed to administer first aid or give drugs to travellers, so please be prepared with your own supplies. If you are taking medication, please ensure you bring an adequate supply and a letter from your doctor to avoid potential issues at border crossings. Fitness & Suitability This is a public transport-based tour so it is essential that you be able to carry your bags over distances between bus and train stations and hotels, generally for up to 20 minutes. Disruptions happen and while your tour leader will make every effort to ensure your trip runs smoothly, patience, a sense of humour and willingness to get involved and help your tour leader are essential ingredients for a successful and happy group. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions please let us know at the time you book or as early before departure as possible. Depending on the severity of the condition, you may be asked to produce a medical certificate from your doctor approving your participation in this tour. While this would only happen in very exceptional circumstances, if we consider you incapable completing this tour or you have concealed an existing medical condition which is affecting your ability to participate in the tour of On The Go Tours reserve the right to turn you away without reimbursement. Safety & Security Europe is generally very safe, even more so in a group. Reasonable precaution is advised; do not bring valuable jewellery or watches (even fakes can catch the eye of a thief), do not bring your camera equipment in a flashy camera bag, be prudent and keep your valuables in a safe secure place whenever possible, wear a money belt and distribute your valuables throughout your luggage, heed your tour leader s advice and always keep an eye and a hand on your camera and bags in public places. On The Go Tours cannot accept responsibility for any valuables left in safe deposits in hotels or on public transport. Age Restrictions We have a minimum age on all our group tours of 12 years old. Children aged between 12 and 18 must each be accompanied by a legal guardian or parent and we recommend that children have a companion of a similar age to them so that they have company along the way. While we do not have an upper age limit, the nature of our group tours can be very fast paced and travellers might be required to walk long distances, often in the heat. Documents Passport Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after you have finished your tour with sufficient blank pages for visas and immigration stamps. Photocopy your passport, leaving one copy at home and taking one with you on tour. If you lose your passport while on tour, you will be responsible for any expenses incurred such as extra accommodation and transport while replacing your passport and will not be entitled to a refund of any unused portion of your tour. Tour Documents Before you depart you will be issued with a voucher for your tour any extra services such as airport transfers and pre/post tour accommodation. Please print these out and bring them with you. These Trip Notes are updated regularly, so we recommend checking our website for the latest version just prior to the start of your tour. Final Balance The balance for your tour is due no later than 60 days prior to the start of your tour and no tour vouchers will be issued until this is received. In addition please send the following details at least 60 days before you depart: - 15 days - 5 -

6 Passport number, date of issue, date of expiry, nationality and place of issue Your full name and date of birth Flight arrival details in your starting city Special requirements, e.g. special dietary requirements or allergies Please let us know if you are travelling with another person on the tour but have made separate bookings and we will endeavour to make suitable rooming arrangements. Visas All countries have visa requirements that are subject to change at short notice. Please check with your local embassy or consulate for the very latest visa requirement information based on your nationality. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all necessary visas for your tour. If you would like help applying for visas, we have recommended visa agencies. Important things to check when applying for visas: Does the validity of the visa cover the duration of your time spent in the country? Do you require a single or multiple entry visa(s) for your tour? Are you required to show additional documentation when you arrive in a country? (Examples include proof of onward travel and travel itinerary) Some visas are only valid for entry within three months of the date of issue which means on some of our longer tours the visa would expire before you are scheduled to enter the country. In these cases you must obtain the relevant visa during your tour. If it is necessary for you to obtain any visas en-route, please contact On The Go Tours or your travel consultant and inform your tour leader at the start of the tour. If you do not have the appropriate visas, On The Go Tours will not reimburse any expenses incurred in acquiring visas or any unused portion of the tour. It is best to apply for visas in your home country if possible. If applying for visas by post, please allow plenty of time before departure and send your application by registered mail. Postal applications tend to be given a lower priority than in person applications and can take longer to process. Special Note: If you have dual nationality it is advised not to obtain different visas in different passports. Although this may sometimes be cheaper, you may encounter problems at border crossings if your exit stamps from one country are not the same as your visa for the next. Travel Insurance Policy Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. You must be adequately insured for medical, hospital, baggage and personal expenses, any necessary extra travel (rejoining tour or repatriation) as well as curtailment and cancellation. We strongly recommend that all clients carry a copy of their full policy document with them at all times, together with any certificate showing the policy number and emergency contact details. Your tour leader will also ask for a photocopy of your insurance document, so please take this to the pre-departure meeting at the start of your tour. You will not be able to commence your tour unless you can provide proof of insurance to your tour leader. Document Checklist Passport (with photocopies of information pages and visas) Trip Notes Cash & credit/debit cards (best to take a mixture and more than one card in case one does not work) Travel Insurance Certificate and photocopy for tour leader Travel consultant's phone number and address Proof of onward travel, ie airline ticket Optional Excursions Optional excursions are not operated by On The Go Tours and while every effort is made prices may not be up-to-date and are intended as a general guide to help you budget for your trip. Prices for vehicle-based excursions such as game drives are approximate based on the optimum number of participants and the actual price may vary depending on group size. Sufficient safety equipment such as helmets and life jackets are sometimes not available and On The Go Tours is unable to provide this equipment. If you intend to participate in an optional excursion you may like to consider bringing your own safety gear. Excursions are run by a local operator or third party with both On The Go Tours and the Tour Leader acting as a booking agent only. Optional activities are not part of the tour and Tucan Travel s booking conditions do not apply to them. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct travel insurance for the excursions you intend to take part in and On The Go Tours is not liable for any injuries incurred. Extras On many of our Group Tours, we spend one night in our arrival and departure cities. If you want to explore these cities more we can book pre and post tour accommodation and airport transfers for you. Price information can be found on the price page of each tour. Illegal Drugs The possession or use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated on our tours. When overseas you are subject to local laws and the penalties for breaking these laws can be harsh. In order to safeguard the interests of the group as a whole, our tour leaders have been instructed to insist that any person found with illegal drugs leave the tour immediately without refund. The tour leader s decision on this matter is final. If you need to carry certain drugs with you for purposes of medication, please inform your tour leader and ensure that you carry a copy of your prescription or letter from your doctor. Country Guide Macedonia: Fact File Official Name: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Capital: Skopje Population: 2.1 million Total Area: 25,713 square kilometres Official Language: Macedonian (a slavonic language using the Cyrillic script) is the most widely used language. Albanian, Turkish and Serbo-Croat are also used by ethnic groups. English, French and German are widely spoken days - 6 -

7 Religions: 67 per cent of the population are Eastern Orthodox Macedonians and around 23% are Muslim Albanians. There are also Muslim Turks and Serbian Orthodox minorities Voltage: 220 volts / 50 Hz. European-style twopin plugs are in use. Dialling Code: +38 Time Difference: GMT/UTC +1. For other time differences please visit Airport Departure Tax: US$18 if not included in the ticket Macedonia: Brief history Macedonia is a landlocked country in the Balkan Peninsula of southeastern Europe, north of Greece. Parts of the territory were occupied by Illyrians in antiquity, who were followed by various tribal peoples and Romans conquests - Alexander the Great was born there in 4th century BC. When the Roman Empire was divided in the 4th century AD, the region came under the Eastern Roman Empire, ruled from Constantinople. The Byzantines succumbed to Slavic raiders arrived during the 6th century and Christianity took hold in the 9th century when the Bulgarian Empire took hold, followed by the rise of Byzantine power again in 1018, and a brief Norman occupation in the 1080s. The Bulgarian Empire rose to prominence again in the 13th century but was plagued by difficulties and the Byzantine Empire took over again in the 14th century. This was followed by liberation by the Serbian Empire, but the Balkan region was later divided and ruled by the Ottoman Empire for the following 5 centuries. The fight to establish an autonomous state of Macedonia started in the 1800s with the rise of various revolutionary nationalist organisations, culminating in the Ilinden uprising of August 1903, which was brutally suppressed by the Turks in October of the same year. After two Balkan Wars in 1912 and 1913 and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the Balkan territory was divided up between Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey. The new territory was named Southern Serbia and became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes after World War I, which was later renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia was occupied by Axis forces during World War II and liberated in The People s Republic of Macedonia was formed in 1944, renamed Socialist Republic of Macedonia in 1963 and later dropped Socialist from its title when it succeeded from Yugoslavia and held a referendum to become independent on 8 September 1991, formally ratified in January Macedonia remained at peace during the Yugoslav wars of the early 1990s but was destabilised by the influx of Albanian refugees from neighbouring states during the siege of Kosovo in Angered by perceived political and social inequalities, Albanian forces fought a civil war with support from Macedonian Albanians to try to establish a separate state, but peace was negotiated with NATO in 2001 resulting in law changes but no change to the borders. Macedonia became an official candidate for EU membership in 2005 and hopes to join NATO. Macedonia: Geography and weather Macedonia is a mountainous, landlocked, country bordering Serbia and Montenegro to the north, Albania to the west, Greece to the south and Bulgaria to the east. Macedonia has a continental climate, with very cold winters and hot summers. Visit to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour. Macedonia: Visas A valid passport (at least 3 months within date) is required for entry. Some nationalities may be required to show proof of departure at immigration. Visas are not needed for citizens of the EU, USA and New Zealand but most other nationals do require a visa. Visa regulations change frequently so it is important you consult with the embassy prior to travelling to ensure you have the correct visas. In some cases you will be crossing the borders on overnight trains and without the correct visa for your nationality you will not be allowed to enter the country and will be asked to leave the train. It is the responsibility of the traveller to obtain all correct visas needed prior to departure. Macedonia: Money ALL prices stated in this dossier are given as a guide only and are subject to change. Local currency The monetary unit in Macedonia is the denar (MKD). Prices quoted in this country dossier are in euro or denar. For up to date exchange rates with your own currency visit or Changing money, credit cards & ATMs You can exchange most currencies although Euros are the most widely accepted. ATMs are not widely available but one or two can be found in Skopje. Traveller's cheques can be exchanged in US Dollars or Euros. Carrying cash is advisable and may be necessary for most payments. Working out your budget Our Europe pre-departure information includes a general list of all the things you should take into consideration when budgeting and an estimate of what you should allow per day for spending money. Below are some specific notes relevant to our tours in Macedonia. Entrance fees Generally speaking most entrance fees will be covered by the recommended spending money. There are, however, other sites and museums that are not part of the tour programme which you may wish to visit in your free time. If you have an International Student Card you will often be entitled to reduced entrance fees. Tipping In restaurants 15% is usually added to restaurant bills and you are obliged to pay this. It is also customary to give the waiter 5%-10% on top of this if you are happy with the service. You do not need to tip taxi drivers, etc but you should tip people who assist you with your luggage at hotels (don t over-tip; your tour leader will advise a suitable amount). Tipping guides at the end of excursions and treks etc is always appreciated and your tour leader will advise you on the amount for this. Macedonia: Optional excursions A full list of the main excursions available on each tour can be found on daily itinerary on these trip notes. All prices given are - 15 days - 7 -

8 approximate and are subject to change due to local inflation or exchange rates. Macedonia: Local transport The road network is very well developed as is the railway. Buses and trains leave Skopje, to other major towns such as Ohrid and Bitola quite frequently. Services to international cities often have at least two bus departures per day. One of the most popular and reliable ways of getting around is by taxi. Do not get into taxis without the official taxi sign. It is possible to negotiate a fare if the metre is not in use. In Skopje, Macedonia s capital, you will find much of the city centre is easy to explore on foot. Your tour leader will be able to provide advice on the best way to get around in each city. Macedonia: Security Generally people find Eastern Europe to be safe and feel confident wandering alone during the day. However if you are unfamiliar with an area it is recommended that you exercise more caution at night and taxi taxis rather than walk, especially if you are a lone female traveller. In some cities bag snatching can occur so always keep a firm hand/eye on your personal items. If there is a safe available in your hotel it is recommended you us Macedonia: Local food and drink Some breakfasts are included in your tour. Breakfasts can be basic so if you tend to get hungry it may be a good idea to buy some fruit or snacks to eat during the day. All other meals, extra snacks and drinks on the tour are at your own expense. A rough idea of local prices: Simple snack Meal Fancy restaurant Ask your tour leader if they can recommend any restaurants in the area to suit your taste or budget or have fun exploring independently. Food Traditional cuisine is similar to that of Turkey and Greece, combining Balkan and Mediterranean influences. Keep a look out for national specialities. Different varieties of kebab can be found almost everywhere. Kebapci (barbequed meat rolls) are especially popular. Ajvar is the national sauce made from sweet red peppers. You can also try gravce tavce (beans in a skillet), burek (flaky pie filled with combinations of ham, cheese, spinach and ground beef). Also don t forget to try a fresh trout from Lake Ohrid if you get the chance. Drink All drinks such as bottled water or soft drinks are at your own expense at all times and are fairly inexpensive. Alcoholic drinks vary in price, with wine and beer generally being the cheapest options. The legal drinking age: 18. Macedonia: National holidays 1 January - New Year's Day. 6-7 January - Orthodox Christmas. 8 March - International Women's Day. 28 April - Orthodox Easter Monday. 1 May - May Day. 2 August - Ilinden (National Holiday). 8 September- Independence Day. Albania Country Guide Albania: Fact File Official Name: Republic of Albania Capital: Tirana Population: 3.6 million Total Area: 28,748 square kilometres Official Language: Albanian (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek, Vlach, Romani, Slavic dialects Religions: Muslim 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, Roman Catholic 10% (estimates) Voltage: 220 volts / 50 Hz Dialling Code: +355 Time Difference: GMT/UTC + 1. For other time differences please visit Albania: Brief history The country known to us as the Republic of Albania is known locally as Shqipëria. The heritage of Albanians can be traced back to prehistoric times, when the area was ruled by Illyrian tribes. The country was later taken over by Greeks, followed by Romans who occupied the land from 168 BC and incorporated it into the Roman Empire. Albania became part of the Byzantine Empire when the Roman Empire divided into east and west in 395 AD. During the 14th century AD the territory was turned over to the Ottoman Turks, who ruled throughout the medieval era into the Middle Ages subduing all resistance in the Balkan region, including the small strip of Albanian coastline which was famously crushed after staging a fierce but futile battle against the occupiers in the 15th century. Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912 after five hundred years of domination, but fell to Italian rule under Mussolini in Communist partisans later liberated Albania from Italian control and in 1941 Enver Hoxha became leader of the ruling Albanian Communist Party, a position he held until his death in Albania was free of German control in 1944 and then allied itself with the USSR until 1960, followed by China until In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. Albania is a member of the United Nations, NATO, Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, World Trade Organisation, and is a potential candidate for EU accession and formally applied for membership in Albania: Geography and weather Albania is bordered by Montenegro to the north, Kosovo to the northeast, Macedonia to the east and Greece to the southeast. It also has a coast on the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea. About 70% of the country is mountainous and over a third of the territory is forested. The climate is generally pleasant and mild, with cool, cloudy, wet winters and hot, dry, clear summers. It s generally drier towards the coastal lowlands where there s a more Mediterranean climate, whereas the interior is much hotter in summer and wetter as altitude increases. Visit to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour. Albania: Visas Visas are not required if you are a citizen of an EU country or Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Switzerland or the USA. South Africans can apply for a visa from the Albanian consulate in London. You can check your visa requirements at days - 8 -

9 Albania: Money ALL prices stated in this dossier are given as a guide only and are subject to change. Local currency The monetary unit in Albania is the lekë (ALL). For up to date exchange rates with your own currency visit or Changing money, credit cards & ATMs All major currencies can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change. Currency markets operate on the street in front of the main post office or bank in most towns, a perfectly legal way to exchange your money and avoid bank commission. You will not be able to exchange lekë outside of Albania so make sure you exchange before you leave. While most rural towns still deal exclusively in cash, supermarkets in cities, the better bookstores and the better boutique stores will generally accept credit or debit cards. The most widely accepted credit cards are VISA, Mastercard, and Diner's Club. Most banks will give cash advances on credit cards with a passport. There are ATMs in most towns which you can use to withdraw cash from most international Visa and Mastercard credit or debit cards. Traveller's cheques can be changed in banks in most larger towns. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US dollars or Euros. The main banks in Albania who serve tourists are Raiffeisen Bank, American Bank of Albania, Pro Credit Bank and Tirana Bank. Working out your budget Our Europe pre-departure information includes a general list of all the things you should take into consideration when budgeting and an estimate of what you should allow per day for spending money. Below are some specific notes relevant to our tours in Albania. Entrance fees Generally speaking most entrance fees will be covered by the recommended spending money. There are, however, other sites and museums that are not part of the tour programme which you may wish to visit in your free time. If you have an International Student Card you will often be entitled to reduced entrance fees. Tipping It is customary to give the waiter 5%-10% on top of the bill if you are happy with the service. You do not need to tip taxi drivers, etc but you should tip people who assist you with your luggage at hotels (don t over-tip; your tour leader will advise a suitable amount). Tipping guides at the end of excursions and treks etc is always appreciated and your tour leader will advise you on the amount for this. Optional excursions A full list of the main excursions available on each tour can be found on the optional excursions guide, available from our website. All prices given are approximate and are subject to change due to local inflation or exchange rates. Albania: Local transport Public transport in Tirana mostly consists of bus lines which are very reasonably priced. The city centre is small enough to explore on foot. One of the most popular and reliable ways of getting around on your own is by taxi. Try to find out what the going rate for journeys is before you hop into a taxi to ensure you are not being overcharged. Your tour leader will be able to provide advice on this when you stop in major cities. Albania: Security Generally people find Eastern Europe to be safe and feel confident wandering alone during the day. However if you are unfamiliar with an area it is recommended that you exercise more caution at night and taxi taxis rather than walk, especially if you are a lone female traveller. In some cities bag snatching can occur so always keep a firm hand/eye on your personal items. Albania: Local food and drink Some breakfasts are included in your tour. Breakfasts can be basic so if you tend to get hungry it may be a good idea to buy some fruit or snacks to eat during the day. All other meals, extra snacks and drinks on the tour are at your own expense. Ask your tour leader if they can recommend any restaurants in the area to suit your taste or budget or have fun exploring independently. Food Albanian cuisine is colourful and flavoursome and features a lot of Italian, Greek and Turkish influences. You will find plenty of tasty, spicy dishes to tempt you, Keep a look out for Mediterranean fish such as sea-bream and seabass, as well as eel. Traditional dishes often use vegetables and yoghurt or curd cheese to make the meat go further. You may want to try national specialities such as Koran, a species of trout unique to the Ohrid and Prespa lakes. If you re feeling daring, you could try Paçë koke (sheep's head soup). You may also come across Kukurec (sheep's innards in a gut casing). Drink Albania offers many high-quality wines, some of it from indigenous grapes such as Kallmet (red) and Shesh (red and white). National drinks include: raki, a clear spirit made of grapes. Coffee is also very popular and is mostly served as cappuccino or espresso in bars and restaurants, or prepared the traditional Balkan way, with grounds and sugar brewed together, when served at home. All drinks such as bottled water or soft drinks are at your own expense at all times and are fairly inexpensive. Alcoholic drinks vary in price, with wine and beer generally being the cheapest options. Vegetarians Vegetarians will find no shortage of fresh salads on offer. Albania: National holidays 1 January - New Year's Day 7 March - Teacher's Day (unofficial) 8 March - Mother's Day (unofficial) 14 March - The Summer Day 22 March - Nevruz Day March - Catholic Easter (date varies) April - Orthodox Easter (date varies) 1 May - May Day 19 October - Mother Teresa Day - 15 days - 9 -

10 28 November - Independence Day 29 November - Liberation Day 25 December - Christmas Day Bosnia And Herzegovina Country Guide Bosnia: Fact File Official Name: Bosnia and Herzegovina Capital: Sarajevo Population: 4.6 million Total Area: 51,129 square kilometres Official Language: Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian. The Croats and Bosniaks use the Latin alphabet, whereas the Serbs use the Cyrillic. Religions: 45% Muslim, 36% Orthodox, 15% Roman Catholic, 4% Protestant, Jews and other denominations. Voltage: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are in use. Dialing Code: +387 Time Difference: GMT/UTC + 1. For other time differences please visit Bosnia: Brief history Bosnia and Herzegovina has been inhabited since the Neolithic age (around 9500 BC) and has been occupied by the Illyrians, the Romans, the Byzantines and later the Slavs in the medieval period. The Turks dominated during the 400 year-long Ottoman rule of and reorganised society along class and religious lines. During this period of relative peace and prosperity, Islam became the dominant religion with Orthodox and Catholic Christians in large minorities. Many of the country s most important architectural achievements were made during this time, including the Stari Most (bridge at Mostar) and Gazi Husrev- Beg Mosque in Sarajevo. During the last 100 years of Ottoman rule, the situation deteriorated with plagues, military failures and revolts, and in 1875 a widespread peasant rebellion lead to the Ottomans succeeding power to the Austro-Hungarian Empire in The Austro- Hungarian leaders built catholic cathedrals and encouraged a pluralist multi-religious nation, as well as introducing coal mining, railways and other infrastructure. Political unrest rose as Bosnia s Catholic and Orthodox population started to identify themselves with neighbouring Croatia or Serbia respectively. After a Serb nationalist assassinated the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne in Sarajevo in 1914 sparking the beginning of World War I, Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the South Slav Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, which became known as Yugoslavia in Tensions remained over national identities within the kingdom and the map was redrawn many times in an effort to erase traditional geographical divisions between major ethnic groups and formerly separate nations. Yugoslavia was invaded by Germany in 1941 during World War II and Croatia sided with Germany to persecute Croatia s and Bosnia s Jewish and Serbian population. Bosnia and Herzegovina declared its independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992, which was followed by three years of civil war between Bosnian Serbian forces and Bosnian Muslims as well as between Muslims and Croats. A peace agreement was signed in 1995 and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was created (Muslim & Croat), alongside the Serb republic Republika Srpska. Parliament has since been centralised in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country has a democratically elected parliament. Bosnia: Geography and weather Often referred to as heart shaped, Bosnia and Herzegovina share borders with Serbia in the east, Montenegro in the southeast, and Croatia to the north and west. It has a short Adriatic coastline of 20km (12 miles) to the south. Two major rivers to the north (Sava) and east (Drina) shape the countries borders. Much of the terrain is mountainous and hilly. The climate is variable with moderate continental climatic conditions marked by very cold winters and hot summers. Snowfall can often last until April. Visit to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your tour. Bosnia: Visas A valid passport is required for entry. You should also have a copy of your return ticket if requested. Most nationalities do not require a visa, however visa regulations change frequently so it is important you consult with the embassy prior to travelling to ensure you have the correct visas. In some cases you will be crossing the borders on overnight trains and if you do not have the correct visa you will not be allowed to enter the country and will be asked to leave the train. It is the responsibility of the traveller to obtain all correct visas needed prior to departure. Visa services like can be very helpful. Bosnia: Money Please note: ALL prices stated in this dossier are given as a guide only and are subject to change. Prices quoted in this country dossier are in euro or Konvertibilna Marka (KM) unless otherwise specified. Local Currency The monetary unit in Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Konvertibilna Marka (KM). For up to date exchange rates with your own currency visit or Notes come in denominations of KM200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 and 50 feninga. Coins are available in denominations of KM2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 feninga. Euro notes (but not coins) are also widely accepted, prices can also be found in euros. Changing money, credit cards & ATMs Most major currencies can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change, however the pound sterling is less popular than the euro and US dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted. Most banks will give cash advances on credit cards with a passport. Cash machines can be found in cities like Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja and Luka. Travellers cheques can be changed in only in selected banks. Carrying cash is advisable. Working out your budget Our Europe pre-departure information booklet includes a general list of all the things you should take into consideration when budgeting and an estimate of what you should allow per day for spending money. Entrance fees Generally speaking most entrance fees will be covered by the recommended spending money on your tour dossier. There are, however, other sites and museums that are not part of the tour - 15 days