The Via Egnatia

We arrive during the day and convene in the evening for a welcome drink and an evening meal in Tirana

Overnight in Tirana.

We spend the whole day in Tirana, with visits to Skanderbeg Square, the Et’hem mosque and the Archaeological Museum.

Evening meal. Overnight in Tirana.

We set off in the morning for Durres, a port city and the historical start of the Via Egnatia. There is an opportunity to see the remains of what was once the largest Roman Amphitheatre in the Balkans.

In the late morning, we head off for Apollonia, another Roman city, that was an alternative starting point for the Via Egnatia. And in the late afternoon we return to Tirana.

Evening meal and overnight in Tirana.

We depart from Tirana to head East, following the line of the old Via Egnatia, to arrive at Elbasan – the ancient Scampis – where we visit a fine Ottoman mosque as well as the remains of an Ottoman fort.

After lunch we head East, with the road steadily climbing until we reach the border of North Macedonia. From there we get our first views of the beautiful Lake Ohrid – one of Europe’s deepest and oldest. Another hour’s journey brings us to the town of Ohrid itself, which will be our base for the next two nights.

Evening meal and overnight in Ohrid.

We spend the whole day exploring the town of Ohrid – the beauty of which comes as a surprise to many. There are several stunning Orthodox churches to visit, including the picturesque St John Kaneo which stands on the side of the lake.

In the afternoon, we can enjoy some free time to wander through the charming streets of the town.

Evening meal and overnight in Ohrid.

We depart Ohrid on our journey towards Lake Prespa, travelling around the circumference of Lake Ohrid. Our first stop is to the Bronze Age village of the Bay of Bones, now reconstructed, on the shores of the lake.

We then drive for another short distance until we arrive at the impressive Orthodox monastery of St Naum.

After lunch, we continue our journey to Bitola and there is time for a visit to the military museum, which is known for having been the military training academy attended by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Evening meal and overnight in Bitola.

This morning we depart the town of Bitola for the nearby archaeological site of Heraclea Lyncestis whose late Roman mosaics will astonish anyone who has seen similar in Italy or beyond.

We continue our journey to cross the border into Greece where we can enjoy a quick lunch before visiting the archaeological site of ancient Edessa.

In the late afternoon there is free time to enjoy the waterfalls of Edessa.

Evening meal and overnight in Edessa.

Although not strictly on the Via Egnatia, today we take a small detour to visit the archaeological sites of Vergina (and the tomb of Phillip II) and Pella, the birthplace of Alexander the Great. In the late afternoon we transfer to Thessaloniki.

Evening meal in a local restaurant and overnight in Thessaloniki.

Today, we can enjoy a full day in Thessaloniki. We begin the day in the upper city, which commands a spectacular view of the port. We then visit the Rotunda and the Arch of Galerius before going on to visit the Holy church of Saint Demetrius, who was a native of Thessaloniki.

We eat in a local restaurant and stay in Thessaloniki.

We depart Thessaloniki for the ancient site of Amphipolis, which we can enjoy before lunch.

After lunch we pay a visit to Philippi – the city where St. Paul preached and was famously imprisoned.

On our way into Kavala, we have the chance to walk a small section of the original Via Egnatia.

Evening meal and overnight in Kavala.

We depart Kavala to journey to the Turkish border, which having crossed it, we find ourselves in Edirne, once the Ottoman capital before the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

We spend the afternoon admiring some of the stunning Ottoman architecture, including the fabulous Selimiye mosque built by Mimar Sinan and which is widely regarded as his masterpiece.

Evening meal and overnight in Edirne.

We depart Edirne for Istanbul, having lunch along the way. On arrival in Istanbul, we visit the Golden Gate – the entrance of the Emperor’s into the city and what was considered the end of the Via Egnatia.

In the morning we visit the church of SS. Sergius and Bacchus and after lunch there will be free time to perhaps visit the Haghia Sofia if you like.

Overnight in Istanbul

In the morning we visit the Archaeology Museum before taking a cruise on the Bosphorous. There is free time in the afternoon to, perhaps do some shopping for spices or Turkish delight.

Overnight in Istanbul