DESTINATIONS CROATIA & THE BALKANS | INTERIOR
Ohrid expertexper ASK THE Emiliyan Stoyanov,
sales and marketing associate, Balkan Holidays
“The Balkans are a hidden gem for
travellers seeking adventure close to home. Away from the coast, they’ll discover
majestic mountains, vibrant local culture and year-round activities. In winter, Bulgaria’s ski resorts such as Bansko boast excellent slopes, while summer brings opportunities for hiking through Pirin National Park, home to crystal- clear lakes and breathtaking views.”
BEST OF THE
rest est
Church of Saint John the Theologian, overlooking Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia
Serbia: It remains a little off the
tourist trail, but those who visit will be rewarded with fascinating fortresses and astonishing natural beauty – the emerald-hued Uvac River’s impressive canyon is home to 130 bird species.
Getting into the Balkan hinterlands can be tricky due to the winding roads and lack of public transport infrastructure, so an escorted tour is one of the easiest ways to access remote places. Explore’s two-week Ancient Macedonia tour is an in-depth look at the kingdom of Alexander the Great, taking in three Balkan nations. After kicking off in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, the tour spends a night in a monastery in North Macedonia. It then moves on to one of the world’s oldest lakes, Lake Ohrid, presided over by a picturesque town filled with cobbled streets, Byzantine churches and Roman archaeology. Active travellers will love swimming in the crystalline waters or going paddleboarding.
From there, the tour takes in archaeological
sites in northern Greece, including Philippi, the first European city to adopt Christianity. After a quick rest day on Thassos island, it’s back to Bulgaria to take the fresh air in Bansko, a winter ski resort that’s surrounded by wildflower meadows in summer. Clients finish back in Sofia with a head full of history, a camera full of gorgeous photos and a belly filled with Balkan food. Book it: Explore’s 14-night Ancient Macedonia tour starts at £2,195 per person, based on two sharing. The price includes B&B accommodation, some other meals and listed excursions, but not flights or transfers.
explore.co.uk
TW Kosovo: Up-and-coming Kosovo is
best explored by escorted tour. Most itineraries visit uber-cool capital Pristina and the ancient city of Prizren, inhabited since the Bronze Age.
Bosnia: Mostar’s Stari Most bridge – destroyed in 1993 during the Bosnian
War then rebuilt in a sign of reconciliation – is the country’s most famous landmark. But allow time to visit lakes, waterfalls and the streets of Sarajevo, which combine Ottoman design and European elegance.
44
27 MARCH 2025
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: Shutterstock/imdat akgun
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