Balkans, One Destination Three Countries

Explore Albania and travel through three different countries, experiencing their unique culture and history. Travel up the incredible coast of Albania, enjoying the beauty of Kosovo and exploring Macedonia, its pristine great outdoors and local hospitality.

Overview

Day 01: Mother Teresa Airport-Tirana

Day 02: Tirana - Kruja - Shkodra

Day 03: Shkodra - Kukes - Prizren - Pristina

Day 04: Pristina - Ohrid

Day 05: Ohrid - Pogradec - Korca

Day 06: Korca - Permet - Gjirokastra

Day 07: Gjirokastra

Day 08: Gjirokastra - Sarande - Vlore

Day 09: Vlora - Apollonia - Berat

Day 10: Berat - Tirana

Day 11: Tirana - Mother Teresa Airport

Day 01: Airport-Tirana (18 km, 30 min driving time)

Meet and greet with our guide at the airport and transfer to hotel. Depending on arrival time, lunch and free afternoon to rest. For guests arriving early in the morning, we will visit the National Historic Museum in Tirana, the country’s largest museum where the visitors have the chance to learn about the cultural development of the Albanians. In mid afternoon we return to the hotel to rest and recover from the long trip.

Day 02: Tirana-Kruja-Shkodra (115 km, 2.5 hours driving time)

After the breakfast we will drive towards the historic city of Kruja. Here we visit, the Old Bazaar of Kruja, the Fortress of Scanderbeg, symbol of resistance against Turks and the Ethnographic museum to reflect the Albanian family of those years. We then follow our journey towards Shkodra, one of the most significant and ancient cities in northwestern Albania. As we travel, we will stop at the beach, in a fish restaurant where you will have the opportunity to taste the Mediterranean delicacy. The most important monument to visit in Shkodra is the Rozafa castle, which rises from a rocky hill to the west of Shkodra, where you can admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding rivers, Buna and Drini. The afternoon at your own leisure. Overnight in Shkoder.

Day 03: Shkodra-Kukes-Prizren-Pristina (276 km, 4 hours driving time)

After the breakfast, we will hit the road and enjoying the scenic views towards Kosovo. After driving through the valleys, mountains, and the 5.5  km long double bond tunnel, we will be arriving in the city of Kukes, the largest and most important town in North-eastern Albania and an important center linking Albania and Kosovo. After Kukes we continue towards Kosovo, where we will visit Prizren, a large cultural and trade center, which has many views with churches, mosques, old houses still live in and open for the tourists. Visit Stone Bridge, Shadervan Legend, where, according to the people of Prizren, legend says that whoever drinks water from the fountain, falls in love, and the Saint Friday Church and Bajrakli Mosque. After lunch we will continue our trip to the Capital of Kosovo, Pristina. Dinner at the hotel and the rest of the evening is at your leisure exploring Pristina.

Day 04: Pristina-Ohrid (250 km, 4 hours driving time)

After breakfast and sightseeing tour of Pristina, we head towards the Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, who is bordered by Kosovo to the northwest. Sightseeing of the historical center of Skopje will include visits to several important attractions, Memorial House of Mother Teresa and The Stone Bridge, that crosses the Vardar River, built between 1451 and 1469, which connects the main square of Skopje to the Old Bazaar.  After lunch at Vardar riverside we will continue our tip to the most beautiful city of Macedonia, Ohrid, which stretches along a small bay in the middle of eastern shore. Parts of the historic center are built on the top of a small mountain. The lake itself, as well as the historic importance of Ohrid, makes this place a real mecca for tourists. Overnight in Ohrid.

Day 05: Ohrid-Pogradec-Korca (94 km, 1.5 hours driving time)

Today we drive to Pogradec, following a short visit in the Monastery of Saint Naum and in the water village from Paleolit age, we will depart towards city of Pogradec, which enjoys wonderful setting on the shore of magnificent Ohrid Lake. After a quick stop at the lake we will then follow with our trip to Korca.  An Albanian town, on the borders of Albania, Greece and Macedonia, also known as the “Paris of Albania”, and the city of serenades. We suggest group to stop for a lunch in a traditional tavern, which serves organic food. The group then is left at leisure to explore city. Overnight in Korca.

Day 06: Korca-Permet-Gjirokastra (220 km, 4 hours driving time)

Breakfast at the hotel, and after that we will drive to Permet, also called as the city of flowers and roses. After a brief visit to Permet, we will stop for lunch at the canyons of Permet, the place known for its taste, where you can enjoy the best meals throughout Albania. Overnight in Gjirokaster, the ancient city of Antigonea, that lies on the east side of the Drinos Valley, near the modern-day village of Saraqinishte.

Day 07: Gjirokastra

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Gjirokaster, known by many as the City of Stone.  Its old town is noted on UNESCO’s World Heritage list as “a rare example of well preserved Ottoman town, those of citadel town built by notable landowners” Gjirokaster is situated in a valley between the Gjere mountains and Drino River. Our visit will also include the Ethnographic Museum, which was the home of former dictator Enver Hoxha. After the sightseeing we will depart to Saranda, where we will be visiting the ancient walled city of Butrint. Dinner at the hotel, overnight in Gjirokastra.

Day 08: Gjirokastra-Sarande-Vlora (134 km, 2 hours driving time)

After the breakfast, we will drive along the Albanian Riviera, overlooking the Ionian Sea. We will have optional lunch by the sea in Dhermi, famous for its crystal-clear blue water and a great combination of sea and mountains on the back. Overnight in Vlore, dinner at the hotel, or Kuzum Baba restaurant one of the best restaurants in the city.

Day 09: Vlora-Apollonia-Berat (107 km, 2 hours driving time)

After breakfast, we will depart to Apollonia, an ancient city in Illyria, located on the right bank of Vjosa River. Founded in 558 B.C.E. by Greek colonists from Corfu and Corinth, on a site initially occupied by Illyrian tribes. The city began to decline in the 3rd century C.E. when its harbor began sitting up as result of an earthquake. Overnight: In one of the most beautiful hotels in Berat, an ancient and historical city, also called the “city of 1001 windows”.

Day 10: Berat-Tirana (103 km, 2 hours driving time)

After having breakfast, we will hit the road towards the Albanian capital Tirana, where we will be visiting the National Historical Museum, the largest museum in Albania that holds most of the country’s archeological treasures and a replica of Scanderbeg’s massive sword. The mosaic mural entitled Albania adorning the museum's facade shows Albanians victorious and proud from Illyrian times through to WWII. We will also visit the famous “Blloku” area, Tirana’s hippest and most vibrant area. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 11: Tirana-Airport (18 km, 30 min driving time)

After the breakfast, transfer to Mother Teresa Airport. End of our service.

Km traveled:  1335