DAY 1 Tirana
Welcome to Tirana, Albania’s vibrant capital city offering a mix of modern attractions and exciting nightlight, alongside castles and stunning nature and countrysides. After transferring from the airport to your hotel, join your guide on a walking tour this evening. Marvel at the Ottoman and Soviet-era architecture that populate the city with visits to the Mosque of Et’hem Bej, the Tomb of Kapllan Pasha and Tanners Bridge. The remainder of the evening is free to explore the city at your leisure and grab dinner, perhaps at a zgaras (grill restaurant) to try some local cuisine.

Stay at: Opera Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: -

DAY 2 Tirana
After breakfast, embark on a full day tour with a visit of the National Historical Museum and the Mosaics of Tirana – considered to be one of Albania’s most important archaeological site – which reveals the ruins of an ancient Roman house with mosaic floors. Later take a cable car to Mt. Dajti which offers panoramic views of Dajti National Park. The 15 minute ride is the longest cableway in the Balkans and provides a scenic journey over forest, farms, hilltops and even bunkers! In the afternoon visit the World Headquarter of Muslim Bektashi Sect, the National Arts Gallery and ex-residential block of communist party leaders. The evening will be free to make the most of your final night in Tirana.
Stay at: Opera Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 3 Tirana - Kruja - Lezha - Shkodra
This morning, drive to Kruja to visit the hilltop castle followed by the Museum of Skanderbeg and the fascinating Ethnographic Museum. Take a stroll through the old Kruja bazaar where you’ll find a wonderful selection of Albanian souvenirs, before continuing to Lezha to visit the Memorial of Skanderbeg. This memorial represents numerous historical and architectural values for Albania as Skanderbeg was buried in the place where he had founded the League of Lezha which united the Albanian principalities against the Ottoman invasion. Proceed to Shkodra, where you will visit the impressive Rozafa fortress. Founded by the Illyrians originally, the castle was later rebuilt by the Venetians and then the Turks. Stop at Mesi bridge, a highly-treasured cultural monument still remaining from the Ottoman period, then later Shkodra Museum. Overnight in Shkodra, one of Europe’s oldest cities, nowadays a major Albanian cultural centre.

Stay at: Hotel Tradita Geg & Toksk (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 4 Shkodra - Ulqinj - Budva
Leave Albania behind and head across the border towards the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. Stop enroute in Ulqinj, where 90% of the inhabitants are of Albanian origin, and visit the town’s fortress and the Archaeological Museum before proceeding to Budva via Petrovac and St. Stefan island. On arrival in Budva, enjoy a tour of the Old Town which is said to be one of the oldest urban centres in the Adriatic, dating back to over 2,500 years ago. Wander through the labyrinth of lanes, squares, bulwarks and towers from the late middle century.

Stay at: Hotel Bracera (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 5 Budva - Kotor - Njegusi - Cetinje - Podgorica
After breakfast today drive along the coastal road to Kotor for a sightseeing tour of this UNESCO protected Old Town. Visit the St. Tryphon's Cathedral, St. Luke’s Church, Old Gates and Clock Tower, then make your way to visit “Our Lady of the Rock” island in the Bay of Kotor. Next, drive to the village of Njegusi enjoying stunning views along the way. Carry on to Cetinje in the afternoon. Visit the Royal Palace of King Nikola II and the Monastery of St. Petar before continuing to Podgorica, the capital and largest city of Montenegro.

Stay at: Hotel Alexandar Lux (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 6 Podgorica - Kolasin - Rozaje - Peja - Prizren
This morning drive to Kosovo via the Moraca Monastery and the Rozaje tower (Kulla e Rozaje), then drive to Peja to visit the medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery, the Orthodox Patriarchate and the Decani Monastery in Decan. Continue to Gjakova, a settlement with an ethnic Albanian majority since its foundation. Stop by the Mosque of Hadum, which miraculously managed to survive the Kosovo War. Built in the 16th century, the buildings striking arabesques and interior stonework are some of the town's most significant sights to bear witness to, and is a classic example of early Islamic architecture in the Balkans. End your day with a drive to Prizren located in the foothills of the Sar Mountains. Considered one of the most beautiful cities in Kosovo, Prizren sits at the crossroads of important trade routes between east and west and thus has historically been known as an important cultural, economic and diplomatic centre.

Stay at: Hotel Kacinari (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 7 Prizren - Pristina
Spend the morning exploring this “Museum City”, rightly called so due to its many monuments. Visit the Prizren League house, the old stone bridge, the Bajrakli Gazi Mehmet Pasha's mosque, the Helvetis-Tekke, the Hammam and Sinan Pasha's mosque. In the afternoon drive to Pristina stopping by the Kosovo Field where the Battle of Kosovo between Christian forces and Ottoman invaders took place in 1389. Visit the tomb of Sultan Murad I, Pristina Museum, the Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Fatih, the Clock Tower of Pristina and Ethnographic museum. Overnight in Pristina where you will be able to find plenty of dining options in a lively atmosphere.

Stay at: Hotel Begolli (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 8 Pristina - Skopje
Cross borders and head into North Macedonia and into the countries capital and largest city, Skopje. Along the way visit the UNESCO World Heritage inscribed Monastery of Gracanica and the karstic limestone Cave of Gadima. In the afternoon, take a stroll on the Skopje stone bridge, visit the Mustafa Pasha Mosque, old bazaar, the church of St. Spas and the church of St. Pantelejmon in Nerezi. The balance of the day is yours to spend at leisure.

Stay at: Ibis Styles Skopje City Centre (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 9 Skopje - Tetovo - Gostivar - Ohrid
From Skopje drive west to Tetovo. Here you will visit the Motley Mosque, also known as the “Painted Mosque”, an Ottoman architectural monument with unique decorative murals, including landscapes and a rare representation of Mecca. Also visit the Arabati Baba Tekke, an Ottoman era dervish monastery that was established in 1538 featuring flowered lawns, prayer rooms, dining halls, lodgings and a marble fountain inside a wooden pavilion. The Tekke has a touch of oriental design and gives a glimpse into Sufi culture. After, continue your journey along the banks of Black Drini river to Ohrid. Stop by the Jovan Bigorski Monastery enroute before arriving in Ohrid in the afternoon where you will tour the Tsar Samuel’s fortress, St. Sofia, St. Kaneo, St. Kliment Churches. In the evening you are free to check out the dining scene of Ohrid. We recommend sampling some local wine and trying the local specialty, fish caught straight from Lake Ohrid’s pristine waters for dinner.

Stay at: SU Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 10 Ohrid – Voskopoja – Korca
This morning, visit the Monastery of St. Naum, a Macedonian Orthodox monastery located on a cliff above beautiful Lake Ohrid. Cross the border back to Albania and continue on to Voskopoja, a village famous for its old Churches with significant religious frescos before arriving in Korca, a town that has become the cultural hub of Albania. In the afternoon visit the Korca National Museum of Medieval Arts which contains over 7,000 items of immeasurable Albanian historical and cultural significance. At night you are welcome to explore this idyllic town laden with Greek influence and a heavy Orthodox tradition at your own pace.

Stay at: Hotel Hani i Pazarit (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 11 Korca – Gjirokastra
Leave early this morning and drive through the southern highlands to the charming UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Gjirokastra. Located on the slopes of the Wide Mountain, Gjirokastra is known as the “Stone City” due to its extensive use of stone in the construction of its buildings, particularly the traditional Ottoman-style houses. Drive by the towns of Erseka and Permet, visiting Kelcyra Gorge and the Kamenica museum along the way. This afternoon visit the Ethnographic Museum of Gjirokastra before checking into your hotel where the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Stay at: Hotel Cajupi (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 12 Gjirokastra – Butrint – Saranda
After breakfast visit the pre-Ottoman Gjirokastra Castle which is the second largest fortification in the Balkans. The castle overlooks the beautiful Drino Valley and is surrounded by impressive mountain ranges on all sides. Also stop by the Arms Museum and former political prison in Gjirokastra before driving to Saranda. Enroute, take in the fascinating “Blue Eye”, a natural spring emitting a luminous blue colour. Then marvel at the Ruins of Ancient City of Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its ruins that date as far back as the 7th century BC Bronze Age. Enjoy the evening in Saranda, a picturesque resort town in the Albanian Riviera.

Stay at: Hotel Brilant (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 13 Saranda – Vlora
Today, head north driving along the mountain road of the Albanian Riviera. Enjoy fantastic scenery and landscapes of the Ionian Coastline and Llogara Pass. Stop at the Porto Palermo Castle which was built by the powerful Ottoman governor Ali Pasha of Ioannina. In the afternoon visit the Independence House and the Muradie Mosque in Vlora. The night is yours to explore the beaches, restaurants and bars of this beautiful coastal city.

Stay at: Hotel Palace (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 14 Vlora – Berat
In the morning take a tour of the Archaeological Centre of Apollonia. This ancient site was an important port along the route between Rome and Byzantium. The town also holds significance as it was mentioned by Aristotle in his book on politics and it was also where Emperor Augustus studied in his youth. Continue to Berat visiting the Monastery of Ardenica and a local winery enroute. This afternoon arrive in the historic town of Berat in central Albania. Berat is best known for its white Ottoman houses that line the rugged hillside to the city’s castle, aptly giving it the title of the “town of a thousand windows”. With your guide visit the Ethnographic museum, King’s Mosque, Bachelor Mosque and Helvetian Tekke before having the evening free to try some authentic Albanian cuisine by Old Town (Mangalem) and the Gorica quarter.

Stay at: Hotel Grand White City (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 15 Berat – Durres
After breakfast visit the 2,400 year old Citadel, still inhabitet and the ruins of about 20 churches - visit the Church of St. Mary of Vllaherna which has 16th C mural paintings by Onufri, the Albania's most famous medieval painter and his son Nicola – at midday drive to Durres where visit of the Roman Time Amphitheater and Archaeological Museum - dinner, overnight at beach hotel in Durres.

Stay at: Hotel Arvi (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 16 Durres
Your tour concludes with a departure transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast