Trip Notes BALKAN DISCOVERER HIGHLIGHTS IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? LAND ONLY ITINERARY SUMMARY

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1 Trip Notes Trip Code: AVX Countries: Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina Amended: Aug 2013 Edition No: TW BALKAN DISCOVERER HIGHLIGHTS Experience the variety, history and beauty of the Balkans Natural and cultural sites on the UNESCO list Discover local cuisines SUMMARY The Balkan Peninsula for many is one of the last undiscovered corners of Europe. The cultural and natural variety will surprise and delight visitors, forged as it was over the centuries by numerous political changes and imperial influences from the Byzantine to the Ottoman. We contrast Belgrade, Skopje and Tirana with traditional towns, villages, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and places of rare natural beauty as we journey from Belgrade down through Serbia, briefly crossing into Bosnia and on south to Macedonia and finally Albania. Each country offers a different culture, cuisine and tradition to discover. These nations are re-emerging as independent countries, all packed full of places that for years existed under the radar and off limits to most travellers. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? This is a cultural discovery trip with some walking, required both to access the sites and to make the most of the trip. Some of the city tours are on foot. Travel is by private bus, generally on good roads, there are some long drives due to the distances covered on the trip. The activity level of this trip is 2, (leisurely/moderate) LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Start Belgrade. (D) Day 2 Our first day is spent exploring Serbia's capital city. Belgrade is one of the oldest in Europe and has a tumultous past. Today it offers a fascinating mix of cultural influences. We visit the old town area, including the former urban centre, the Kalemegdan Complex, set high on the rocky ridge where the Sava and Danube rivers meet. From here there are wonderful views across the city and surrounding area. The city has many sites and experiences to offer, such as Belgrade Fortress, the Republic Square, National Museum and Skadarlija - the main bohemian quarter of Belgrade. Our other visits include Kalemegdan Park and the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Patriarch. The evening offers an opportunity to enjoy Belgrade's lively nighttime atmosphere. (B) Day 3 We set off towards Zlatibor Mountain and the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, taking in changing scenery on our drive (approx 4 hours) to Visegrad. Here we see the famous Cuprija na Drina (Bridge on the Drina). This UNESCO Heritage site is a magnificent Ottoman bridge spanning the wide Drina river. It gained its fame from the Nobel Prize for Literature winner Ivo Andric and his novel 'Bridge on the Drina.'. After lunch we visit the ethno village Staro Selo where traditional Serbian houses have been resored ot their original form. We explore the village of Sirogojno and get a glimpse of how life once was for this mountain community. The village is well known for its wool knit work, open air theatre and traditional folklore dances. (B L) Day 4 This morning we catch the old steam train to Mokra Gora. Our one hour train ride will take us right through this wild and untamed border area. The Sargan Eight is a narrow-gauge heritage railway in Serbia, running from the village of Mokra Gora to Sargan Vitasi Exodus Travels Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: sales@exodus.co.uk

2 Afterwards we head to the Blloku area, formerly a residential area for important members of the regime during the communist era, but today a lively neighbourhood full of restaurants and boutiques. Here we can enjoy a nice cold drink next to the lake in the shadow of the trees before returning to the hotel. (B) Day 9 We leave Tirana early in the morning for a 3-hour drive to Berat, the best-preserved historic town of Albania. Today it boasts a mix of Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Socialist buildings accumulated over 2400 years. On arrival we begin with a walk in the characterful Mangalemi neighbourhood and visit the Ethnographic Museum. station. From Sarajevo to Belgrade, the railway with a gauge of 760 mm (2 ft 5 15/16 in) ran initially from 1925 to 1974 and was an important connection. The famous train known as "Cira" travels from Mokra gora to Sargan Vitasi passing through 22 tunnels, over five bridges and climbing 300 metres. We transfer from the station at Mokra Gora to Drvengrad also known as Kustendorf, a traditional village created by a Serbian film director for his film Life is a Miracle. The village now hosts the annual Kustendorf Film and Music Festival. (B) Day 5 Skopje, Macedonia's capital city, is the destination today. En route we stop for lunch at Vrnjacka Banja, the most popular spa town in Serbia with a history dating back to the Romans. The town boasts several mineral springs, with UNESCO registered monuments in the surrounds and is well worth the visit as we make our way to the south of the Balkans. (B L) Day 6 Skopje has a long and varied history, like many of the main cities in the Balkans, having changed hands several times over the centuries. It has at different times belonged to, or been capital of, the Byzantine, Serb and Bulgarian empires, as well as being part of Yugoslavia until independence in Our morning tour takes in the old train station - the first in the Balkans, the monument and house of Mother Theresa, the Kale Fortress and the Stone Bridge. After our tour we visit the beautiful Matka Canyon, see the St Andrews Monastery and take a boat ride to the Vrelo Cave, full of stalactites and stalagmites. We take lunch by the monastery before continuing our journey south to the city of Ohrid, on the lake of the same name. (B L) Day 7 We take a tour of this beautiful lakeside city, starting with "Dolna porta", the entrance to the old town, near two small churches - St.Nikola and St."Bogorodica Bolnicki". We enjoy the old and new architecture of Ohrid, of which Robevci house dominates the scenery. Today the house hosts the museum of Ohrid - which keeps the most important archaeological discoveries of Ohrid and its area. The church St. Sofia is also worth our time, this church from the XII century is impressive for its construction as well as the frescoes. Ohrid is one of the rare sites that has hosted continuous human habitation for more than a millenium and traces of the city's evolution are to be seen everywhere. After lunch we walk up to the citadel district of Berat, where we walk inside the old castle walls and visit the splendid orthodox churches and the Onufri Icons museum - named after the famous 16th century master painter of icons and murals. Later in the afternoon we transfer back to Tirana. (B) Day 10 For our last full day we visit Shkoder, a 2-hour drive north. Shkoder is one of the largest cities in the north of the country, and we begin our visit with a stroll through the pedestrianized centre. We then drive to the lake and visit the Rozafa Castle, built by the Illyrians. From here the views across the lake are framed by the impressive Prokletije Mountains. Our day ends with a transfer back to our hotel in Tirana. (B) Day 11 End Tirana. ACCOMMODATION Tourism is still developing in this region and accommodation may be rustic, but will be clean and comfortable. During the trip we use a mix of hotels and pensions. These are often small and family run and in convenient locations for the itinerary. All rooms will have en suite facilities. FOOD & TRANSPORT Food All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 1 dinner are included. Food in the Balkans is quite varied thanks to the many influences on the region and particularly Mediterranean combining both Turkish and European tastes. Dairy products, especially milk and yoghurt are present in almost every meal, usually locally sourced. Pork is also prevalent, with pork and veal being popular in Serbian and Macedonia and lamb and veal in Albania. Meals are reasonably priced at around GBP (15-20USD) per person.vegetarian and some special dietary requirements can be catered for but options are limited throughout the Balkans. As a guide beer and soft drinks are usually around 2GBP, with a bottle of wine costing around 12-14GBP. Transport On the journey we travel by private minibus. The main roads are generally good, but in the mountains can be winding and you may at times experience a slow and bumpy ride. One such landmark is the ancient theatre, built in 1st century BC. Accidentally discovered and revived again today, holding plays and concerts. The tour continues to the church of St. Jovan of Kaneo and the Kaneo area before heading on to Samuil's Fortress, from where there are the most wonderful views of the entire city, the lake and coastline. After this cultural and historical feast, the afternoon is free to wander this unique destination. (B) Day 8 After a morning departure from Ohrid we drive through the Albanian hinterlands, and spend the early afternoon in the capital of Albania, Tirana our base for the final three nights. After first checking in to our hotel, we go to Skanderbeg Square, the centre of Tirana. Here we visit the mosque and the clock-tower and take a walk to one of Albania's traditional bazaars. After exploring this old market place, we turn back towards Skanderbeg Square to visit the National Historical Museum. 2

3 WEATHER AND SEASONALITY than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays. Airport Transfers Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. Those arriving from London on non-group flights should read the airport transfer section below for information on reaching the start point. Please check with the Exodus office. JOINING THE TRIP IN BELGRADE 11 days, normally start Belgrade Thu, end Tirana Sun Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Belgrade in the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure. Airport Transfers If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. If you would like us to organise a private transfer, please ask your sales consultant for a quote. Please ensure that you provide us with all relevant information at least 2 weeks before departure. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM The Balkans enjoys a similar climate to most of Central Europe - hot summers, cool springs and autumns and cold winters with considerable snowfall. We visit from June to September, when temperatures will be generally warmer (20-30ºC), however these temperatures will be a little cooler in the mountain areas. It is here that we are right in the middle of the Central Dinaric Alps, a rough and unpredictable place where Mediterranean and Continental Alpine Climates vie for supremacy. The result is an extremely unstable climate even in summer. Rain can fall at any time of the year, although in mid-summer it is more likely to come as short, sharp thunderstorms JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 11 days, normally depart London Thu, return Sun Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary. Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. We have an excellent long-term relationship with the local operator who employ and train all leaders. We provide refresher training with a focus on Responsible Tourism, so our local leaders can educate our clients locally on helping to preserve the way of life in their area. Tourism is extremely new here and we are helping to create a new possible career path for active individuals here. During our visit we also support the economy of small villages and communities that we pass through, using their smaller restaurants, traders and shops. This ensures revenue generated from tourism is not confined to the larger cities and well known tourist spots. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of Austrian Airlines (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure. UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice. If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer 3

4 PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. Serbia No visa required for British Passport holders Macedonia No visa required for British Passport holders. Albania No visa required for most nationalities, including UK passport holders, most other EU nationalities, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand. Bosnia and Herzegovina No visa required for British passport holders. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your Post Office. This gives free medical care in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate insurance. Local Time GMT + 1 Electricity The two-pin Type C (Europlug) electrical plug is used throughout the Balknas.. Voltage is Volts. You will be able to charge a phone/camera etc. on all nights during this trip. Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 6 and 18 people. There will be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Serbia is the Dinar (RSD), with an exchange rate of 121 to the UK and 76 to the US$. The national currency of Macedonia is the Denar (MKD), with an exchange rate of 72 to the UK and 46 to the US$. The national currency of Albania is the Albanian Lek (ALL), with an exchange rate of to the UK and to the US$. The national currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Bosnian Convertible Mark (BAM), with an exchange rate of 2.42 to the UK and 1.52 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques ATM's and banks are available throughout the trip in the main towns and cities. You can use credit cards in many of the shops and restaurants. WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing Small sized rucksack/day sack; waterproof jacket; comfortable shoes for the walking tours and visiting sites;; warm trousers; shorts; hat, sun block. Baggage and Baggage Allowance At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 0kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage. As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure. JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? 4

5 IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 5