When: August 2 - 15, 2009

Led by: Jim Gold

Featuring:

• Visit historic Balkan cities, capitals, and folkloric villages !
• Meet Albanian, Macedonian, Greek, Bulgarian folk dance groups !
• Learn Balkan dancing and singing from the masters !
• Our traveling staff includes:
  - tour guide, Stefan Gendjov
  - driver, Pero Simov
  - virtuoso musician and gaida player,
  Ventsi Andonov
  - Balkan folk dance teacher, Iglika Andonova
  - Balkan singing teacher, Toba Goddard.
  

Price includes:

Land only: $3295, approx.
Land and air: $4195, approx.

About Jim Gold

TIRANA, ALBANIA

Day 1: Sunday, August 2:
Depart on Air Italia from JFK airport in New York City.

Day 2-5: Monday-Thursday, August 3-6:
We arrive in this lively capital of Albania, and transfer to the Sheraton Tirana Hotel, best in the city! Morning tour of Tirana: We’ll explore this charming city set between mountains and plains. Highlights include the 18th-century Tabak Bridge, Mosque of Ethem Bey, 115-foot Clock Tower, and tomb of Sulejman Pasha Bargjini, who founded the city in 1614, and a visit the National Museum. Evening meeting with local Albanian folk dancers. Dinner and overnights at Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers .

OHRID, MACEDONIA

Day 5-8: Thursday-Sunday, August 6-9:
Morning departure from Tirana. Visit ancient port city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast, Roman amphitheater, and Elbasan. Cross into Macedonia. Admire scenery of Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest, deepest lakes in the world. On our walking tour of Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980, we’ll visit the Old Town, Church of St. Sofia, Samuel Fortress, first Slavic University, and National Museum, then enjoy a boat ride on Lake Ohrid to St. Naum Monastery. Evening performance and teaching by local Macedonian folk dance group! Dinner and overnight at Hotel Bellevue.

THESSALONIKI, GREECE

Day 8-10: Sunday-Tuesday, August 9-11:
Head southeast along Via Egnatia, ancient Roman Road linking Rome and Constantinople. In Greece visit Edessa, Pella, birthplace of Alexander the Great, and the Pella Archeological Museum. Folk dance in Drama with local Greek folk dance group. Visit Royal Tombs in Vergina, burial place of Philip of Macedon—father of Alexander the Great. Evening taverna dancing. Dinner and overnights at Mediterranean Palace.

BANSKO, BULGARIA

Day 10-12: Tuesday-Thursday, August 11-13:
Cross border into Bulgaria. Walking tour through historic Bansko, a stronghold of Bulgarian culture and tradition. Visit the mysterious village of Dobarsko, where the unique local choir Dobarski Babi will give us a private performance followed by a traditional Bulgarian banitsa and yogurt snack. Picnic dinner at Chalin's Farm including a horse cart ride, wine, and live music. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Kempenski.

SOFIA, BULGARIA

Day 12-14: Thursday-Saturday, August 13-15:
Morning departure from Bansko. En route, visit the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Breathtaking mountain views, unique architecture, magnificent Rila paintings, murals, and carved-wood interiors. Stop for trout lunch, then drive through Rila National Park. Walking tour of Sofia includes St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Royal Palace, and St. George’s Basilica. Free time for sightseeing, shopping, or visit to the Sephardic Synagogue, largest in Eastern Europe. Farewell dinner at traditional restaurant with folklore show. Overnights at Radisson Hotel.

Day 14, Saturday, August 15:
Transfer to Sofia airport for return flight home.