4 Capitals of Western Balkan 14 days / 13 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 Albanian towns with Greek and Roman influence since the VII century BC. Here we will have a chance to visit:

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

In the second part of the day, we will travel towards the town of Berat and will drive to the nearby village of Roshnik, known for its vineyards and the production of wine and local spirits. Traditional lunch will be waiting for us and we will have a chance to try some special local wine made of the Puls grape variety, growing at high altitudes in villages around.  

In the afternoon we will check in at our boutique hotel in the old town and will go to explore 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 Onufri Byzantine Icon Gallery.

In the evening you can continue to explore the town of Berat.

Overnight in the old town of Berat.

Our day will start by driving south towards Saranda, crossing the town of Vlora, the National park of Llogora, and the Ionian coast. 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 stop at Llogara pass, 1000 m above sea level, to enjoy the panorama and take pictures. On the way, we will pass by small, beautiful villages and in Himara we will make a lunch stop with the marvelous view of the crystal clear Ionian Sea between 13:00 to 14:00. Further down on our way will make a visit to Ali Pasha’s XIX century fortress, a real hidden jewel, well preserved until nowadays.

Late afternoon we will arrive in Saranda and you will have time to feel the atmosphere of this beautiful small town facing the Ionian Sea and Corfu Island. 

Overnight in Saranda 

Today we will visit the biggest Archeological Park in Albania, Butrint, which started as a habited center in the VII century BC, later became a Roman colony, and since 1995 is 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. 

Our day continues with the visit to Blue Eye natural water spring park, where we will have our lunch stop.

In the afternoon we will arrive in Gjirokastra and you will accommodate at our hotel. Right after we will go to explore Gjirokastra, part of UNESCO World Heritage, and will visit:

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

Late afternoon you are free to enjoy the magical atmosphere of this old town in your own.

Overnight in Gjirokaster

After a wonderful traditional breakfast, 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, Leskovik, and Germenji park. The whole area is almost untouched by mankind’s impact.

Our first stop will be at Benja Thermal Baths where we will see natural hot springs at the foot of massive rocks, on both sides of the Lengarica River. Sulfur-rich waters have very high curative effects from which 4 sources are used for chronic rheumatoid disease, stomach diseases, and last for skin disease. Benja’s thermal waters have a temperature of 26-32 ºC throughout the year. We can take a bath in the thermal water pools or enjoy nature around. Lunchtime in Benja is between 13:00 to 14:00.

Our way continues to Leskovik, where we will look at some of the bunkers of communist times, still remaining like old times. We will have a stop at Gremenji park to enjoy tea or other drinks in beautiful nature on our own.  

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. Korca is also known for its serenades.   

Overnight in Korca

After breakfast, 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. The Monastery of Saint Naum is of Byzantium style and very important in the Orthodox Religion.

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 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.

After visiting those lovely places in Ohrid we will drive through the country toward 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, and the old bazaar.

Overnight in Skopje

Today we will cross the border visiting 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 Prizren one of the nicest towns in Kosovo with an old neighborhood. We will walk through the city center with characteristically Turkish influence.

Overnight in Prizren

Today we will start by visiting the small town of Gjakova, which has the oldest and the largest bazaar in Kosovo. Although it has been destroyed many times by wars happening in the Balkans it has been reconstructed to its old state and it’s a nice place to visit.

In the second part of the day we will change completely the view and drive to Valbona valley, crossing the border to Albania. Valbona valley is a national park known for its beauty and surrounded by high mountains. Evening at leisure to enjoy the view of majestic mountains over 2000 m above sea level.  

Overnight in a guesthouse in Valbona valley.

After a filling breakfast, 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, known as the town of bicycles. Once there we will have a lunch break and continue with visiting:

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

After a long day, if you have still 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 to Podgorica, the young capital of Montenegro. We will stop shortly at Niagara Falls of Montenegro, a natural beauty worth visiting. In Podgorica we will go for a nice walk in the city center together with our local guide, revealing all the sites and mysteries of this 4^th Capital on our tour. Lunch break at around 13:00 – 14:00 will complete our visit to Podgorica.

Our day will continue with a short drive to Budva, the best seaside town of Montenegro, on the Adriatic Sea shore. Budva is an old port, well-known in the area, and has a really beautiful old town, located on a small peninsula on the sea. You will have plenty of time to visit every corner of this old neighborhood.

Overnight in Budva.

Our day will start lazy at 10 am with a short drive to 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. Stroll the streets to find Baroque-style places, Orthodox churches, and other monuments. Free time for lunch in the beautiful town center.

After a lunch break in Kotor we will drive around the bay of Kotor, looking alike Norwegian fiords, and will stop at Perast, a small old village with plenty of history to discover.  

We will drive back to Budva early afternoon, to continue enjoying on your own.

Overnight in Budva

We will start late today, to give the possibility for an extra couple of hours of sleep or swim to get prepared for a long day and our farewell dinner party. We will cross the border to Albania and visit the town of Kruja, home to our national hero Scanderbeg. Here we will visit:

• the XIV century fortress;
• the old bazaar of Kruja, well known for the handmade wool carpets, this is your chance to buy some souvenirs to remember this journey on Western Balkan.

In the afternoon will drive shortly to Tirana and accommodate you at our hotel. Farewell dinner will be held at 20:00 in a traditional restaurant.

Overnight in Tirana.

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