Albania, North Macedonia & Kosovo - 11 Days

Itinerary

Day 1: Travel day & Tirana

Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
Airport pick-up service available throughout the day (included).

Welcome to Albania! Get settled in the hotel and for those of you not too tired, there is a guided walking tour of the city center, including Skanderbeg Square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, National Historical Museum, the Pyramid and the Blloku area.

Dinner at a very local restaurant and overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tirana, a 3-star hotel

Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Berat (UNESCO) & Wine Tasting

Stop At: Berat, Berat, Berat County
Transfer to Berat passing through suggestive hills full of olive trees.

Get settled in the hotel and head out for a guided tour with the local guide admiring the citadel / castle of Berat with the Red Mosque, recognized by its solitary minaret. The White Mosque, the Church of the Holy Trinity and the arched bridge of Gorica, built in 1780 are the other attractions that await you after the Castle.

Enjoy lunch with the city as the view and have free time wandering in the two main districts of Mangalem and Gorica.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Kantina e Veres Alpeta., Berat 4002 Albania
In the afternoon we transfer to the scenic Alpeta Winery located among the rolling hills that surround the city. The tour of the facilities includes a complete view of the process of vinification and detailed explanations by a member of the family.

After the visit to the cellar and vineyard, guests are invited to share 2 glasses of wine and other 2 of Raki, and exchange stories with a member of the Alpeta family while enjoying a variety of homemade Albanian cheeses and locally grown olives.

Return in Berat for a free evening.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Berat, a 3-star hotel

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Gjirokaster (UNESCO)

Stop At: Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster County
Transfer to Gjirokaster to discover the city of “a thousand steps”, driving through small villages and making a visit in Ardenica Monastery on the way.

Get settled in the hotel and head out for lunch in a small, local restaurant for a taste of the city’s authentic dishes.

Step into Skenduli house, the nicest and very well preserved Ottoman tower house and listen to its history and details from the 10th generation of Skenduli family.

Soak up to the rich history of the castle and enjoy the view of the “city of stone” from above.

Pass by the Ottoman Bazaar and historic wooden houses and visit Gjirokastra Obelisk dedicated to the first school of Gjirokastra and enjoy the 360º view from there.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gjirokastra, a 3-star hotel

Day 4: Blue Eye Spring & Butrint National Park (UNESCO)

Stop At: The Blue Eye, Vlore 9706 Albania
Travel to the Blue Eye and marvel at the spring’s shades of blue and nature around it.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
Set off on a guided tour of the UNESCO- recognized Butrint National Park where a local guide explains 2500 years of history embedded in the Amphitheater, the castle, the churches and the Lion Gate.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Saranda, Saranda, Vlore County
Head for lunch in Ksamil and enjoy seafood at the Mussel House and then transfer to Saranda to enjoy free time in this typical seaside city.

Stop At: Gjirokastra Bazaar, Old town, Gjirokaster Albania
In the evening, transfer back to Gjirokaster and celebrate your day with a Raki or wine with locals in the “Neck of the Bazaar”.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gjirokastra, a 3-star hotel

Day 5: Korca via Permet & The Natural Pool of Benje

Stop At: Benja Thermal Baths, Near The Stonebridge, Permet Albania
Transfer to the natural thermal baths of Benje, driving through the wonderful Kelcyra gorge following the magnificent valley of Vjosa river and the lush forests of Leskovik.
– Dive in these geothermal waters divided in two natural pools. You will have few locals that usually come here for the health benefits of these healing waters.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Erseke, Erseke, Korce County
Head for lunch to Sotira Bio Farm situated in the green and mountainous region of Permet/Kolonje.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Korce, Korce, Korce County
Drive towards the romantic city of Korca, also known as “Le Petit Paris”.
Get settled in the hotel and have a panoramic walking tour.

Head out for an exploration of Korca’s Old Bazaar, the Orthodox Cathedral and the National Museum of Education (the first Albanian school).

Free time for dinner with Korca beer and Korca’s famous meatballs called Kernacka and to wander in the city.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Korce, a 3-star hotel

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Ohrid (UNESCO)

Stop At: Pogradec, Pogradec, Korce County
Transfer to Ohrid via Pogradec where we will have a coffee break on the shores of Ohrid lake and stop for a visit at the picturesque village of Lin. Get settled in the hotel and had out for lunch.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Ohrid, Ohrid, Southwestern Region
Transfer to Ohrid via Pogradec where we will have a coffee break on the shores of Ohrid lake and stop for a visit at the picturesque village of Lin. Get settled in the hotel and had out for lunch.

Take in all that the UNESCO-recognized charming city of Ohrid has to offer on a guided tour with a local guide.
– Enter the glorious Church of Saint Sophia and the National Workshop for a handmade paper-making demonstration.
– Pass by Samuel’s Fortress and discover the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, built in the Hellenistic style.
– Walk up to the cliff-top Church of Saint John at Kaneo for panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ohrid, a 3-star hotel

Day 7: Local Elshani Village, St. Naum Monastery & Bay of Bones

Stop At: Elshani, Elshani, Southwestern Region
We transfer in the village of Elshani to a local family’s house.
– Head out for a short hike to enjoy wonderful views of Lake Ohrid and return for lunch in the house surrounded by gardens, trees and with wonderful views of the Lake Ohrid, finding the hospitality of people being the highlight.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Monastery of Saint Naum, Ohrid Republic of North Macedonia
In the afternoon we head for a visit to Saint Naum Monastery for some fairytale sceneries of the forest and Black Drim’s springs, besides the monumental Byzantine church of St. Naum.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Bay of the Bones Museum, Gradiste, Ohrid Republic of North Macedonia
Be amazed at the prehistoric pile-dwelling settlements in the Bay of Bones (Museum on Water) before heading back to Ohrid.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Cooking class
Accommodation included: Overnight in Ohrid, a 3-star hotel

Day 8: Matka Canyon & Sightseeing tour of Skopje

Stop At: Matka Canyon, Street 1, Skopje 1000 Republic of North Macedonia
Transfer to Skopje and on the way stop in Matka Canyon known for its butterfly colonies.
– Here we embark on a private boat ride for a short exploration of the Vrelo Cave, one the deepest in the world, before enjoying lunch with a great view.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Skopje, Skopje, Skopje Region
Drive to Skopje and set out to explore the beautiful capital city of Macedonia with a local as your guide.
– Some of the highlight are Mother Teresa Memorial House, opened in 2009 to pay tribute to the life of the celebrated humanitarian, the old railway station and the Stone Bridge, which dates back to 1451.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Skopje, a 3-star hotel

Day 9: Gracanica Monastery (UNESCO) & Sightseeing tour of Prishtina

Stop At: Gracanica Monastery, Gracanica Kosovo
We transfer to Gracanica Monastery, a UNESCO recognized site.
– Discover its tumultuous history, the architectural composition and the icons and frescoes of this now convent, taken care of by 24 nuns (sisters).
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Pristina, Pristina
With a short drive we arrive in Prishtina. Get settled in the hotel and had out for lunch with your Tour Director.

In the afternoon, meet your local guide to have a walking tour of Prishtina. Discover the city with its many mosques, cathedrals and markets.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Pristina, a 3-star hotel

Day 10: Prizren via Prekaz Village, Gjakova & Rahovec Wine Region

Stop At: Memorial Complex Adem Jashari, Adem dhe Hamez Jashari, Prekaz 41000 Kosovo
Today we drive to the village of Prekaz, home of Adem Jashari, considered one of the founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and the leader of the armed resistance against the Serbian president Slobodan Milošević and his regime.
– Visit the Memorial Complex and Museum. For the “political tourist” this is a chilling view of what was left from the Serbian attack on the Jashari’s houses. After three days of continuous shelling, Adem and more than fifty members of his extended family (including women, children, and the elderly) were killed; only one survived. Besarta, Adem’s niece, who was ten years old at the time, was the only one to live through the attack.
Duration: 1 minute

Stop At: Gjakova, Gjakova
The tour continues to Gjakova dating back to the Ottoman Empire.
– Have lunch and explore Kosovo’s oldest bazaar with first-class craft shops , known for its gold-plated wedding attire. In one of the shops you will see how the clothes are sewn.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Bodrumi i Vjeter, Rr. Gzim Hamza PN, Rahovec 21010 Kosovo
In the afternoon we travel to the viticulture area of Rahovec, part of southern subregion in the broader viticulture region of Kosovo and the most prominent areas of Kosovo vineyards and winery. Our wine tour and tasting experience takes place in the “Bodrumi I Vjeter (Old Cellar) Winery”.
Transfer to Prizren, get settled in the hotel and enjoy your evening in the prettiest town of Kosovo.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: wine tasting
Accommodation included: Overnight in Prizren, a 3-star hotel

Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Prizren & Tirana transfer

Stop At: Prizren, Prizren
The “Ottoman” town of Prizren is surrounded by mountains and crossed by Bistrica river.
– Set out for a walking tour with your local guide into the ancient streets of Prizren, with its picturesque and historic building, churches, mosques such as Sinan pasha Mosque and Church of Our Lady of Ljevis (UNESCO).
– Enjoy free time for lunch and to wander around this charming city.
In the afternoon transfer to Tirana, get settled in the hotel and meet your Tour Director in the evening for a farewell dinner.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Tirana, a 3-star hotel

Day 12: Departure Day

Pass By: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
Please note that the airport drop off is not included on tour. If you want to include this service, you can book it during the process of reservation.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.