Folklore and Tradition in the Balkans

Traipse the Bohemian Quarter

For your first night in Belgrade, we suggest taking an easy walk down Knez Mihajlova street and through the Bohemian quarter of Skadarlija, often compared to Paris' Montmartre. These old areas reflect the local lifestyle and culture at its best. Here you'll experience a blend of classical and modern architecture, together with lively cafeterias, street musicians, outdoor artists, interesting galleries, and shopping. In short, this is a great place to spend a few hours.

Serbia on Your Plate Small Group Tour

This tour is best described as "Serbia on your plate." You'll learn all about Serbian culture while tasting many of the country's traditional dishes. We suggest skipping breakfast because this is one filling food tour, the equivalent of breakfast and lunch! Your enthusiastic young local guide will take you around central Belgrade, to visit 6 authentic venues and a green market, tasting 14 local specialties and 3 drinks along the way. During the tour you will be presented with two souvenirs and a special memory book. It's a tasty day, to say the least!

Serbia's Traditional Crafts

Žiča and Studenica Medieval Monasteries Private Tour

Whether you're a religious person looking to experience the mysticism of Orthodox Christianity, or are fond of medieval frescoes and architecture, you'll find much to enjoy on this tour focused on Serbia's two most iconic monasteries. UNESCO-listed Studenica dates back to the 12th century, and features remarkable frescoes. Žiča, with its bright red exterior, is where Serbian kings were traditionally crowned (starting with the first), and the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church for much of its history.

Historic Heritage of Kotor Bay Private Tour

Kotor Bay is the most scenic part of the Montenegrin coastline. As the Mediterranean's only fjord, the calm bay is protected from the open sea. Naturally, local life has revolved around the sea, and local men who didn't try their luck as long-distance sailors generally became fishermen. On this tour, you'll visit the maritime museums at Kotor and Perast, as well as "Our Lady of the Rocks." Originally an islet where an icon of the Virgin Mary was miraculously discovered by fishermen, thankful locals added a stone whenever they safely returned to the bay, creating the modern-day church-bedecked island over time.

All about the Mussels

Since it’s right on the sea, Montenegro is known for its remarkably fresh seafood. Today we recommend getting a taste of this local delicacy, and specifically their incredible mussels. Head to one of the seaside restaurant for the freshest meal, or join a group and learn all about mussels while visiting some of the most important sights around Kotor as well.

Tirana by Night

Tirana is a lovely city, night and day, as it's filled with countless coffee shops, bars, and restaurants. You can spend time in Grand Park, or experience the busy bars and restaurants of the Blloku area, inside Tirana Castle, or behind the Pyramid situated on the main Boulevard. The city's center also offers many smaller local restaurants, offering popular dishes at good rates.

Tirana Like a Local with Craftsman Costume Maker Visit

The best way to experience rich Albanian heritage is by spending time with locals. On this tour, we are offering a unique experience of meeting with a local costume designer as well as hands-on experience to do something on loom work. But this is only one aspect of the tour. Your day will be filled with diversity while visiting local neighborhoods and spending time with a local expert guide. Albanian turbulent history will inspire you in many ways, but you will also get to learn that hospitality has a whole new level in this unique country.

Kruja and Durres Private Day Trip & Meeting with a Local Craftsman

An ancient, hilltop town, Krujë is a must-see for those staying in Tirana. The restored old bazaar is packed with authentic handmade goods, including carpets, which you can watch being made on a loom. On this tour, you will also meet with a local lady who still makes rugs and carpets the traditional way. Inside the walls of Kruja Castle, you will visit an ethnographic museum in an Ottoman tower house and the Bektashi Sufi Shrine, where you can learn more about how people have lived here for centuries. After Kruja, you'll visit the city of Durres where you can enjoy lunch with a scenic view of the sea, followed by a visit to one of the largest Roman amphitheaters, which saw gladiatorial combat. For an extra fee, you can meet one of the Sworn Virgins, women who are sworn to celibacy and are treated as men in Albania's traditionally patriarchal villages.

Sunset, Views, and Bazaar

If you are looking for a great viewpoint for sunset and one of the best photo spots in the city, Gjirokaster Obelisk is a great place to be. Do not miss an opportunity to pay a visit to the almost centrally located Gjirokaster Obelisk around sunset so you can enjoy amazing panoramic (almost 360 degrees) views of the city. After sunset, walk around the alleys of the Old Bazaar, which gets especially lively at night. Once you are ready for your well-deserved dinner, you'll easily find quite a few great places to dine in that area.

Gjirokastra Private Walking Tour

You'll get to know the best of Gjirokastra, also known as "Museum City," on this informative and fun four-hour tour. From the architecture of Old Town to the amazing views from the castle, you'll get to know the layout of the streets while hearing all about the city's unique history from your expert guide.

Woodcrafting Experience Private Tour

At first glance, Gjirocastra is a small, harmonious town known unique vernacular architecture that helped bring about the place's UNESCO listing. Once you've spent a night there, though, you'll realize there's much more behind the scenes, thanks to the city's turbulent and rich history. With this extended, five hour walking tour, you will enjoy some of the best views of Gjirocastra, learn about local lifestyles, and will visit one of the area's best woodcarvers. We are sure the whole experience will not only be informative, but enjoyable as well!

Trout and Wine

North Macedonia is a land of warm people, rich cuisine, and red wine. The country's highest quality wines are mainly made from indigenous Vranac grapes, which produce a liquid that is rich, full, and aromatic, yet surprisingly light. Ohrid's most enthusiastic winemaker is the owner of the small boutique Villa and Winery Mal Sveti Kliment, who only produces a few thousand bottles a year. If you wish to enjoy a glass of its wines, we recommend making a reservation in advance. When it comes to local cuisine, Ohrid's specialty is trout, cooked in various ways. The perfect place to try this delicacy, in its various forms, is Kaneo, a lakeside restaurant.

Folklore Traditions in Ohrid Area Private Tour

Folk dances have an important place in Macedonian folklore and music, as they let people express their feelings, from joy to sorrow. The dances themselves are diverse, and usually performed on special occasions, in front of churches, schools, and houses, to tunes played on a wide variety of traditional instruments. On this tour, you'll not only enjoy some of the most popular Macedonian dances, but also learn to dance them yourself. A member of the Ohrid Folklore Ensemble will join you throughout the tour and will show you what hospitality means to Macedonians.

St. Naum Monastery Tour

Pearls, Paper, and Woodcarving Traditions in Ohrid Private Tour

On this tour with an experienced local guide, you'll learn all you need to know about paper making, woodcarving, and unique "pearls" made from the scales of a fish found only in Lake Ohrid. In the national workshop for handmade paper, you will enjoy an excellent demonstration of paper making and you can naturally buy original handmade paper products afterwards. Everything that is exposed in the small workshop is printed on one of the world's last two remaining replica Gutenberg Presses (the other is in Slovenia). You'll also learn about Macedonia's rich woodcarving traditions, and the local communist's cherished wooden masterpieces.

Bizzare, Bazaar, Skopje

For a capital city, Skopje is fairly small and walkable. For your first evening, we suggest walking along the Vardar River, passing the charming bridges and impressive buildings lining both banks. The many monuments in the city center may create a bizarre atmosphere, but they're undeniably interesting. Enjoy evening drinks on one of the fake ships built atop the shallow river. The boat offers a charming atmosphere, and the river's fresh breezes are helpful if you're visiting in summer. Finish your day with a dinner in one of the many restaurants offering live music.