Undiscovered Balkans

Welcome to Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania! After settling into your hotel, meet your tour leader at 6pm for a welcome meeting. If you arrive early, consider exploring the city on foot, perhaps visiting the bustling Pazari i Ri market. In the evening, you have the option to join the group for dinner, where you can sample local specialties like byrek and Birra Korca.

Today, we take a short drive to the base of the Dajti Express cable car for a thrilling ride to the top of Mount Dajti. Enjoy a hike to the summit for panoramic views of the city and highlands. After lunch in a mountain restaurant, we return to Tirana to visit Bunk Art 2, a former nuclear bunker turned interactive art space. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

After breakfast, we leave Tirana and drive towards Elbasan, crossing the border into North Macedonia. We stop in the resort town of Struga, split by the Black Drim River, before continuing to Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After settling into our hotel, we explore Ohrid's mix of Ottoman and Byzantine architecture, including the Old Bazaar, the Amphitheatre, and the Old Castle Walls.

This morning, we take a boat ride to the imposing Saint Naum Monastery, surrounded by sandy beaches and adorned with impressive frescoes. In the afternoon, we drive through the Galicica National Park to Lake Prespa, a unique transboundary lake shared by Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece. Enjoy the tranquil surroundings and the chance to spot rare bird species before returning to Ohrid.

After an early breakfast, we head to Matka Canyon, a geological wonderland and home to the oldest artificial lake in North Macedonia. We then visit the historic city of Skopje, exploring its rich Ottoman heritage. After crossing the border into Kosovo, we arrive in Pristina, the world's newest country's capital. Despite its tumultuous past, Pristina offers a fascinating blend of old and new, with a vibrant food and craft beer scene.

This morning, we explore Old Pristina, visiting its historic mosques and clock tower. We then drive to the outskirts of the city to visit the Kosovo Battle Memorial and the Monastery of Gracanica, a fine example of Byzantine architecture. Our journey continues to the town of Peja, known as one of the oldest towns in Kosovo. Spend the afternoon exploring the town's attractions, including the Peja Bazaar, Bajrakli Mosque, and Peja Town Square.

Today, we venture into the highlands of Peja. Our journey takes us through the dramatic Rugova Gorge to the alpine village of Boga, where we embark on a hike to a nearby lake. On our way back, we visit the church complex of Peja Patriarch, surrounded by the peaks of the Rugova Bjeshk Highlands. In the evening, we return to Peja for a relaxing night in town.

This morning, we visit the beautiful Decani Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then drive through the town of Junik, known for its unique stone fortresses called kullas. Our journey continues to Prizren, a town rich in history with architectural marks left by both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax and settle in.

This morning, we stroll down the narrow cobbled streets of Prizren, visiting the city's main Ottoman influences including the Sinan Pasha Mosque and the Old Stone Bridge. We also visit the Prizren Fortress and Prizren League House. In the afternoon, we drive to nearby Rahovec, known for its 2000-year-old wine-making tradition. We visit a few local wineries for tastings before heading to the Serbian enclave village of Hoqa e Vjeter. Later, we return to Prizren for a free evening.

Today, we leave Kosovo and return to Albania. Our first stop is in Gjakova, one of the most charming cities in Kosovo, where we visit the Ottoman Bazaar. We then continue our drive to the picturesque Valbona Valley, where we will spend the next two nights. In the afternoon, enjoy exploring the village by foot before returning to the hotel for a traditional dinner.

Valbona is one of the most beautiful alpine valleys of Albania. Today, we hike to the side Kukaj Valley, making our way through forest towards alpine pastures that offer stunning views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. We will have a picnic lunch and later visit a shepherd's family to taste a cup of fresh mountain tea. In the afternoon, there is time to relax before a traditional dinner of lamb on the spit is served.

Today, we leave the Valbona Valley and head for Shkoder. Depending on the time of year and the ferry schedule, we either take a scenic ferry ride across Lake Koman or drive on the National Road through the scenic mountain landscape. In the afternoon, we arrive in Shkoder, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Visit the majestic Rozafa Castle, which offers panoramic views of the city, the plains, and Lake Shkoder.

After breakfast, we start our drive to the Adriatic Sea towards Durres. En route, we stop in Lezha to visit the Skandarberg memorial, dedicated to the Albanian nobleman who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. In the afternoon, we arrive in Durres and visit the Roman Amphitheatre, one of the most beautiful Roman amphitheatres in the world. In the evening, take a sunset walk on the promenade and enjoy a fresh seafood dinner by the sea.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Durres. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. We hope you enjoyed your journey through the Western Balkans and look forward to welcoming you on another adventure soon.