Roadtrip through the Balkans

Day 1: Kavala

We started our journey from Istanbul and our first stop was Kavala which is a typical fishing village in the northern Greece with its little fishing restaurants. When you entered Greece from Turkey you can still feel the Turkish influence even from the restaurant menus, musics or the language of the citizens shows how two cultures are combined together through the years.

We didn't make any booking for hotels or restaurants in advance. Once we entered the city we checked "booking.com" and decided to stay at "Lucy Hotel". The hotel was comfortable, clean and walking distance to the center. (http://www.lucyhotel.gr/el/)

After we checked in to the hotel and spent few hours for relaxing we went to the center where small restaurants are line on the seaside. All restaurants are more or less have similar menus filled with delicious sea food and Mediterranean tapas.

Day 2: Thessaloniki + Skopje

We left Kavala early in the morning at after 2 hours we decided to stop at Thessaloniki for lunch. The city is obviously more cosmopolite and lively than Kavala because of the university generation in the city. You can see cafes, shops at every corner of the city. We chose a restaurant called "Mangio" for lunch. It has delicious Greek specialities in its menu. We preferred to have grilled octopus and squid, fried zucchini and feta balls. (Mangio: 57 Leoforos Nikis, Thessaloniki 546 22, Greece)

After this amazing lunch and small sightseeing tour in Thessaloniki we got in our car and drove to the capital city of Macedonia, Skopje. Skopje is an interesting example of Christian and Muslim communities sharing a city. These two communities are living separate parts of the city which are linked by a bridge. We started our tour from the Muslim side which is more historical and authentic atmosphere where is small handicraft studios and shops are lined at the streets.

When you passed the Christian side first the statue of the cross and the great Alexander are welcoming you. This part of city has a moderner atmosphere than the Muslim side whose street are full of attractive sculptures, hotels and restaurants.

Day 3: Prizren

Prizren is a small city which has been divided by a small river and the most popular season of the city is in August during the DokuFest. The population in the city is divided between Albanians and Turks therefore you had a chance to taste both cultures in a single destination.

The day we arrived Prizren was the first day of the religious holiday of the city and we had a chance to stop by in a local house, taste their delicious cuisine and feel the holiday atmosphere in the local way.

We stayed at "Hotel Centrum Prizren" which was near the most popular point of the city is a fountain which is called "Sadirvan" and there was a rumor that if one drinks some water from Sadirvan, she/he will come again to this city in soon. So every tourists who pass this beautiful city, has a sip from this fountain. (http://www.centrumprizren.com/)

Day 4: Budva + Kotor

After we enjoy the mountainy city in Kosovo, we turned our direction to the beautiful seaside cities of Montenegro. Our first stop in Montenegro was Budva which was a very popular holiday destinations for Hollywood celebrities in 70s.

The old town of the city is surrounded by high castle walls and whole attractions go on behind that walls. Our hotel called "Hotel Astoria" was also located inside the old town. It was a clean, small hotel with beach and a beautiful restaurant by the sea. (http://www.astoriamontenegro.com/)

There is lots of things to do in Budva you can either enjoy private islands near the city (i.e. Sveti Estefan, St.Nicholas), visit castle and historical library at old town or explore legendary nightlife in the city. Because of our time limit we only had a chance to explore the tiny streets of old town and visit the library and had a dinner at a fish restaurant called "Konoba Galeb". (Konoba Galeb: 11 Vrzdak Street, Budva, Budva Municipality, Montenegro)

While we are going to Budva we prefer to take a ferry in order not to miss the view of Montenegro mountains. Kotor is a smaller version of Budva where you can still feel the middle age atmosphere with the castle walls and bridges however there isn't so much shopping and dining options in the old town. There is only touristic restaurants and ice-cream shops.

Day 5: Dubrovnik

Our final spot at west was Dubrovnik, the ancient city of Croatia. This time we stayed outside of the old town in 5 star "Hotel Rixos Libertas". The hotel has very comfortable rooms and delicious foods and it has a shuttle service direct to the old town center. (http://libertasdubrovnik-tr.rixos.com/)

Dubrovnik is surrounded by lots of small islands so the best thing to do in a summer day is renting a boat and visit those islands. You can easily find private motor yachts for 3-4 people at the port. We started the tour early in the morning and come back around 7 p.m. In that time we had able to visit 4 islands, have lunch in one of them and visit special bays to swim.

The nights in Dubrovnik was very romantic and special. You can hear the voice of buskers and see people dining by candle light in every corner. We tried a rooftop restaurant near the seaside called "Restaurant 360" which was serving delicious see food and great wine cellar. (https://www.360dubrovnik.com/?file=home)

Day 6: Ohrid

On our return way we first sopped by Ohrid which is a small Macedonian city near Albanian border. In the city the most iconic thing was the Ohrid lake which has been an UNESCO World Heritage spot since 1979. You can swim in the lake and enjoy healing massage of the fishes. You also shouldn't miss the view of the lake during sunset which sets gorgeous frames for photography lovers.

There isn't so much luxury choices for accommodation. We stayed at a lakeside hotel called "Hotel Metropol" which has clean rooms and good service. (http://www.metropol-ohrid.com.mk/default.aspx)

Day 7: Alexandroupoli

After 6 hours driving from Ohrid we finally arrived Alexandroupoli at night. There is lots of choices for beach hotels and holiday resorts in the city. We chose "Grand Hotel Egnatia" which has a comfortable rooms, great beach, swimming pools and located near the city center.(http://www.astiregnatia.com/tr/index.html)

It was very easy to access to city center from the hotel by walking. By 15 min walking we reached the restaurants in the center. All restaurants has tables just near the see and serving various types of Greek tapas. You can chose any of them for an unforgettable Greek night.

#Kavala #Balkans #Thessaloniki #Skopje #Prizren #Kotor #Budva #Dubrovnik