Kosovo and Metohija Amazing Tour II

Key Information: Tour Duration: 6 day(s) Group Size: 20 people Destination(s): Serbia   Specialty Categories: Cultural Journey   Season: January - December Airfare Included: No Tour Customizable: No Minimum Per Person Price: 285 Euro (EUR) Maximum Per Person Price: 285 Euro (EUR)

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Evening departure from Belgrade at 21:00 and drive southwards along Ibar motorway with short brakes for refreshment.

Day 2: Early morning arrival to Novi Pazar and visit to Ras Museum, St. Peter's and Paul's Church and Djurdjevi Stupovi Monastery, the endowment of Stefan Nemanya, once the seat of powerful Serbian medieval State. Drive on along Raska River Valley to Sopocani Monastery and tour of the magnificent world famous frescoes. Drive on via Ribarici to Crna Reka Monastery, situated on the cliff above the Black River. Visitation, monastic lunch. Drive on to Velika Hoca village, isolated Serbian ghetto in central Kosovo and Metohija with 16 Christian churches.

Traditional welcome by local population and accommodation in private households. Visit to Monasteries of St. Nicola's, St. John's, St. Archdeacon Stephen, St.Ann's, famous Decanska vinica - Decani Winery, the House of Hadzispasic Family. Delicious Metohija Wines tasting in authentic wine cellar (possibility of buying delicious wines from local producers). Folklore performance, handwork and old-crafts exhibition (possibility of buying unique handworks from local artisans). Traditional dinner, overnight.

Day 3: After breakfast drive to nearby Zociste village and visit to Monastery of St. Healers Cosmos and Damian, fully rebuild after demolition in March 2004. Drive on along the western part of Kosovo and Metohija to Decani Monastery, the most significant and majestic endowment of St.King Stefan of Decani, built in 13th century. The Holy Liturgy, tour of the Monastery Complex with visit to the Icon workshop. Refreshment. Drive on to the Pec Patriarchate Complex, located at the very entrance of the Rugova Gorge near Pec along the Pec Bistrica River. Visitation of Complex of four medieval Monasteries. Accommodation and dinner in Monastery Dormitory (special regime of behavior).

Day 4: After breakfast and conversation with nuns drive to Prizren. Walk along the center of former Tzar's Town and visit to the The Church of the Holy Virgin of Ljevis in Prizren (the Most Holy Theotokos) one of the most important monuments of Byzantine art and architecture, the artistic value of which surpasses national borders built in 13th century housing monumental medieval fresco decoration heavily damaged in 2004 March attacks by Albanian extremists. Visit to the Church of St. Savior, thoroughly rebuilt after demolition. Drive on along the Prizren Bistrica River valley to the Monastery of Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

Visitation of the ruins of former splendorous Medieval Complex built by Serbian Tzar Dusan, one of the most monumental architectural complex of holy shrines well-kept as the stronghold surrounded by walls around the whole complex that is connected with Visegrad fortification on top of the safeguarding point. Monastic refreshment. Drive on to Strpce and Brezovica villages at the foothill of fascinating Shara Mountain. Cordial welcome by local population. Accommodation in mountainous cottages and traditional households situated within the intact nature of Shara Mountain and Brezovica National Park. Walks "along the Tzar Dusan's meadows" featuring breathtaking natural beauties. Traditional dinner with folklore performance, overnight.

Day 5: After breakfast drive to Gracanica Monastery, the famous endowment of King Milutin built in 14th century. Sightseeing tour and short refreshment organized by local inhabitants. Drive to Gazimestan, the place of famous battle in 1389. with the Monument of Kosovo heroic victims. Afternoon drive via Medvedja and Lebane to Archaeological site Caricin Grad - the Empress' Town. Sightseeing tour. Drive on via Leskovac to Vlasina Lake. Accommodation in hotel overlooking beautiful lake shore in the heart of intact nature. Traditional dinner, overnight.

Day 6: After breakfast entertainment program enjoying the natural beauties of Southern Serbia located in the pure natural ambiance. Traditional lunch. Afternoon departure for Belgrade with late evening arrival. End of program.

Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.

Price Includes:
- Luxurious coach transportation
- 2 overnights with accommodation in traditional households (facilities)
- 2 overnights with accommodation in monasteries (facilities)
- 1 overnight with 3 stars hotel accommodation
- Meals and brunches on local home-made full-board basis
- Wine tasting
- Folklore performances
- UN-KFOR-EULEX Security Police guard throughout Kosovo and Metohija
- Professional guidance and logistics.

Note: Visits to Serbian Orthodox monasteries and churches are on the program free of charge, but visitors traditionally donate sums of their personal choice (please inquire for further information).