Grand Tour of Western Balkan 13 days/12 nights

Today we will start visiting the town of Durres, our main port and beach on the Adriatic Sea. Durres has significant importance in our history, as one of the oldest Greek and Roman colonies since the VII century BC. Here we will have a chance to visit:

• The archeological museum;
• The amphitheater of II century AD, the biggest in Balkan;
• The town center

Second part of the day we will travel towards the town of Berat, known for its unique architecture and part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Here we will visit:

• Visit the IV century BC fortress of Berat.
• Visit the old XVIII century Christian Orthodox Cathedral of Berat.
• Visit the Onufri Byzantine Icon’s Gallery.

Evening at leisure to explore the town of Berat on your own.

Overnight in the old town of Berat.

Our day will start by visiting the Archeological Park of Apollonia, which started as a Greek colony in the VII century BC, and the Museum of Apollonia.

After Apollonia Park, we will start driving along the Ionian coast towards Saranda. This whole trip goes along one of the most beautiful parts of Albania where the sea and mountains come together to shape this amazing landscape.

We will make a short stop at Llogara pass, 1000 m above sea level, to enjoy the panorama and take pictures. Further down on our way will make a visit to Ali Pasha’s XIX century fortress, a real jewel well preserved until nowadays.

On the way, we will cross through the small beautiful villages of Dhermi, Ilias, Vuno, Himara, Borsh, Qeparo, etc. At one of them, we will have a lunch stop. In the late afternoon we will arrive in Saranda.

Overnight in Saranda 

Today we will visit the biggest Archeological Park in Albania, Butrinti Park, which started as a Greek colony in the VII century BC, later became a Roman colony, and since 1995 has been a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site. Butrinti is considered to be our best archeological park, testifying to our ancestors and the historical importance of this area. 

We will continue with a short stop at Ksamil Beach, where we will have our lunch. Our day continues with the visit to Blue Eye natural water spring park.

In the afternoon we will arrive in Gjirokastra and you will have time on your own to explore this beautiful old town.

Overnight in Gjirokaster

After a wonderful traditional breakfast, we will explore the old town of Gjirokastra, part of UNESCO World Heritage. We will visit:

• Visit the XIV century fortress;
• Visit the XIX century-old bazaar of Gjirokastra.

In the second part of the day we will drive towards the town of Korca and on our way will pass along the Vjosa river, known as the last wild river of Europe, Permet town, and Germenji park. The whole area is untouched by mankind’s impact.

Afternoon we will be in Korca and you will have the evening to explore this beautiful town, known for its culture and history. Our tip is to not miss trying the local beer and their meatballs in one of the many beer gardens in town. 

Overnight in Korca

After breakfast, we will visit the Medieval Museum of Korca, which has the best collection of Byzantine icons in the country. We will visit the bazaar of Korca and the city center. We will continue our tour towards North Macedonia with a visit to the small town of Pogradec located on the south shore of Ohrid lake.

After crossing the borders into Macedonia, our first stop will be at the monastery of Saint Naum located on a rock overlooking the lake and next to the black Drini natural water springs park. Ohrid lake is the oldest and the deepest in the Balkan, well-known for a special trout we call Koran.

Late afternoon we will check-in at our hotel in Ohrid and you will have the evening to explore this beautiful town on your own.

Overnight in Ohrid

Today, we shall explore the old town of Ohrid which is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed town. Our visit will start from the upper part of the town and will include (not only) the Icons Gallery, the Roman amphitheater, the Plaosnik archeological site, and more. After a scenic walk by the lake, we will end our visit to the old town of Ohrid at Sveti Sophia church.

• Visit the old cathedral of the Virgin Mary Perivleptusa.
• Visit the Roman amphitheater.
• Visit at Plaosnik archeological site.
• Visit the mosaics at the Byzantine baptistery and basilica.
• Walk to Kaneo church on the rock and the lakeside.
• Visit the cathedral of Sveti Sophia.

 After visiting those lovely places on Ohrid we will drive through the country towards Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. We will have a stop for lunch in a traditional restaurant.

In Skopje, we will visit the city center with its huge statues and new historical buildings, the Kale fortress, the old bazaar, and much more.

Overnight in Skopje

Today we will cross the border to visit the next country, Kosovo, the youngest in Europe. We will stop to visit Gracanica orthodox monastery of the XIV Century, well preserved and still serving nowadays. It was built by the Serbian King Stefan Milutin in 1321 on the ruins of a 6th-century basilica. 

We will visit Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, a young and vibrant town, which changes every day. We will visit the city center, the Newborn symbol, the library with special architecture & meaning, the catholic cathedral. A nice lunch will be the end of our visit to Prishtina.

After lunch, we will drive to Peja and visit the natural park of the water springs of the white Drini river. Late afternoon will accommodate at our hotel.

Overnight in Peja

Today we will start by visiting the medieval orthodox monastery of Decan of the XIV century and the church. After a short drive, we will be in Prizren, one of the nicest towns in Kosovo with an old neighborhood. We will visit the fortress and walk through the city center. A nice lunch with traditional food will be the end of our visit to Prizren.

Second part of the day we will drive to Valbona valley, crossing the border to Albania. Evening at leisure to enjoy the beauties of Valbona, surrounded by majestic mountains.

Overnight in a guesthouse in Valbona valley.

After a filling breakfast, in the early morning, we drive towards Koman lake where we will take the ferry through the lake, which is considered to be one of the most scenic ferry boat rides in the Balkans. The trip will last about 2 hours and you will have a chance to enjoy the gorgeous nature as well as witness the difficult life of locals in those remote areas.

Next, we will drive towards Shkodra, a lovely town on the shore of Shkodra lake. Here we will visit:

• The IV century BC fortress of Shkodra
• The city center with Venetian Influence

After a long day, if you still have energy left, you can explore this lively town on your own.

Overnight in Shkodra

Today will cross the border to Montenegro and the first visit will be in Budva. A nice walk in the old town of Budva, inside the fortress walls, will give us a good idea about the history of this town and the importance it once had in medieval times.

After Budva, we will visit another old and beautiful medieval town inside the walls of Kotor, UNESCO World Heritage List, as Venetian Works of Defense between the 15th and 17th centuries. The town was bombed and suffered severe damage from Serbians in the 90^s and was reconstructed again. 

Overnight in Kotor

In the first part of the day, we will drive south, the first stop will be for a photo session on the island of Saint Stefan. Our drive will continue crossing the border to Albania and towards the town of Kruja, home of our national hero Scanderbeg. Here we will visit:

• the XIV century fortress;
• the Scanderbeg and Ethnographic museums;
• the old bazaar of Kruja, well known for the handmade wool carpets

Overnight in the old town of Kruja.

Our staff will send you at Tirana International Airport, wishing you a safe flight back home.