BEAR SANCTUARY, Prishtina

Discover Kosovo on a guided day trip from Skopje. Learn about the local culture and find out why the Balkan people are considered to be one of the most friendliest people in Europe. Start with pickup at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Independence in Skopji in the morning. Relax on the scenic drive to the UNESCO-listed Gracanica Monastery. Admire its Serbo-Byzantine style and its Medieval Serbian art. Continue to Prishtina and begin a guided walking tour. Visit the National library of Kosovo which is covered in lattices and designed in a unique brutalist style. Go inside the modern Cathedral of Mother Theresa. Finally, head to the a local bear sanctuary to see some brown bears. Hear about what life is like for these majestic creatures. Have the option to stop and purchase lunch at a traditional restaurant before returning to your meeting point in Skopje.

Prishtina DAY Tour is a comprehensive full day tour in and around Prishtina. It takes you to Explore all what makes Prishtina the way it is; in terms of Historic, cultural, religious, natural, and archaeological heritage. It has a mixed and combined tour with many interesting sights, monuments and museums. This is a perfect choice for all of you, who have a least a full day in Prishtina to to immerse yourselves into a memorable experience which takes you beyond your expectations in this area. SPOTS included in the tour: Prishtina walking tour in Old and New Town, it includes: Ethnographic Museum, Bazaar Mosque (the oldest mosque of the country), King’s Mosque, Yugoslavian Obelisk of Brotherhood and Unity, City Center, New Born, Youth Palace, Heroinat Monument, National and University Library , St. Teresa Cathedral. Outskirt of Prishtina Impressive Monastery of Gracanica Mysterious marble cave of Gadime, Archeological Roman town of Ulpiana, Amazing Bear Sanctuary. Itinerary Once you meet the guide in the suggested place, you are introduced with the content of the tour and start with a short structured walking tour, within the town, exactly what you need for sightseeing and understanding PRISHTINA. It takes around 2.5 hour to walk around and get to know the best of the city. After the walking tour, we move forward to the Eastern Part of Prishtina. Our first stop in the way, it’s the famous Gracanica Monastery (UNESCO Heritage List), where you’ll be fascinated with the extra-ordinary interior of full of magnificent frescoes. The guide of Monastery would be happy to explain you the interesting story of the monastery which dates from 1321 and it’s been always in service till nowadays. Impressed with the Monastery, we’ll continue around one more KM further to explore the archaeological park of Ulpiana. It is the most important archaeological site in Kosovo, representing an old civilization of Dardanian Kingdom from the bronze age. Historically, during the 3nd and 4th Century AC it became one of the five most important Roman Towns in Balkan Peninsula. Afterwards we move towards Marble cave of Gadime which is as 10 more KM away. It’s an wonderful cave with lots of interesting galleries with full of mysteries. The tour into the cave takes an half an hour and is guided by the respective guide of the cave. Bear Sanctuary: Right after the cave we depart to Bear Sanctuary. It is a lovely natural park with hilarious brown bears all around. It is awesome to see the Bears playing up and down all the day long. It is a story of survival, love and dedication for bears and animals.

Explore the highlights of Kosovo and Albania on a full-day tour from Skopje. Visit the Marble Cave, the Gracanica Monastery, Pristina, Prizren and you can book the visit to Kukes, Albania. Start your day with a pickup from your hotel in Skopje. Drive through the Lepenac River valley and cross the Macedonia/Kosovo border. Stop at the village of Lower Gadime to visit the Marble Cave, famous for its stalactites and stalagmites. Continue to the Orthodox monastery of Gracanica, built at the beginning of the 14th century. Admire the church's construction, its frescoes, and its history. Continue to Pristina where the first stop is at the Bell Tower of Mother Theresa Cathedral Church. You will hear the compressed history of the city and Kosovo, be notified about state institutions, the main attractions and districts of Pristina. Finally, you can take the best photos and videos of the city. You will get guided tour through the Cathedral, the main streets of Pristina, Grad Hotel, Pedestrian street Mother Theresa, Swiss Diamond Hotel, National Theatre of Kosovo, Main Square with Ibrahim Rugova and Sqenderbeu Statues, Government and Parliament Buildings, have more information about the monuments and institutions in the Old Pristina and, on the way back, towards the car, pass by the National Football Stadium, Palace of Youth and Sports, Newborn and Heroines monuments, the National Bank of Kosovo, Grand Hotel, the Church of Holy Savour, National Library and even more. Sightseeing of Prizren is spectacular since the city is historical and cultural capital of Kosovo. The list of stops includes Prizren League, Marash, Orthodox Priest School, Sinan Pasha's Mosque, Shadervan, St George and Catholic Church, Stone Bridge, Helveti Teke, Hammam, Mother of God of Ljevish, Clock Tower, and Riverside Coffee. Kukes, three cities in one, including the Underground Bunkers, only city nominated for the Noble prize for peace, Fierza Lake created by two rivers, Kulla e Lumes viewpoint and a restaurant with excellent food. You may choose where to have your lunch ( at an ethno restaurant in Gracanica, light lunch near main square in Pristina or at the shore of a lake Fierza near Kukes). The lunch is at your expense.

Upon arrival at Bear Sanctuary Prishtina, you will begin your uniqe experience, offering insights into the rescue and rehabilitation efforts for the bears. The tour begins with a walk along well-maintained paths, where you can observe the bears in their natural habitat, each with its own unique story of survival and resilience. As you explore the sanctuary, you'll encounter spacious enclosures designed to mimic the bears' natural environment, complete with climbing structures, pools, and ample vegetation. Along the way, I will share captivating stories about the individual bears, detailing their rescue from captivity or mistreatment and the journey toward their newfound freedom. Throughout the tour, you will have the opportunity to observe the bears engaging in various natural behaviors, from foraging for food to playing and interacting with one another. The sanctuary's tranquil setting allows for moments of reflection as visitors witness the incredible transformations these once-suffering animals undergo. In addition to learning about the bears' stories, you will also gain insight into the conservation efforts aimed at protecting these magnificent creatures and their habitats, you will also be informed about the sanctuary's initiatives and the importance of raising awareness about wildlife welfare issues. As the tour concludes, you will finisht the walk at the sanctuary's visitor center, where you can further engage with educational exhibits, learn about continous projects, find any unique product in gift shop, and support the sanctuary's mission through various initiatives. The tour will be completed with a tasty coffee at the bistro of sanctuary. Overall, a visit to Bear Sanctuary Prishtina offers a deeply enriching experience, allowing visitors to connect with nature, learn about wildlife conservation, and witness firsthand the resilience of rescued bears thriving in their newfound sanctuary home.