Western Balkans Highlights

Western Balkans Highlights

In this Western Balkans Highlights Tour you will explore the best of Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro in 14 Days. We travel to Berat, Albania to visit the 2400 year old UNESCO city called as well: The city of Thousand Windows. We travel to Saranda to visit Butrinti Archeological Centre which dates back as a settlement in 12 century BC. We continue to Ohrid, Macedonia another UNESCO City considered as the Jerusalem of the Balkans. In Kosovo we visit the UNESCO Monastery of Decani dating back to 14th century with a rich legacy in the Serbian Orthodox Church. In Montenegro we visit another UNESCO City such as Kotor which as well attracts many visitors throughout the year.

Highlights:
• Visit UNESCO cities and immerse yourselves in their history
• Experience amazing hospitality as you travel in Western Balkans
• Taste delicious local products
• Meet interesting people.

Day 1: Airport – Tirana

Arrival in Albania and transfer from the airport to Tirana. In Tirana we visit Et’hem Beu Mosque, Mother Theresa square, ex-residential area called the “Block”. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Accommodation in “Golden City” Hotel.

Day 2: Tirana – Krujë – Marikaj – Tiranë

Today we visit Kruja, the castle and Scanderbeg Museum. Lunch will be in the agritourist center of Marikaj. Free time in the afternoon in Tirana.

Day 3: Tirana – Ardenicë – Berat

We continue traveling to Ardenica monastery, the place where our National Hero Scanderbeg was married in the 15th century. Arrival in Berat, a city protected by UNESCO.

Day 4. Berat – Vlorë –Llogara – Himarë – Borsh – Sarande 

Stopover in Vlora, the city where the independence of Albania was proclaimed in 1912. In Llogara N.P we will have lunch as we listen to Isopoliphonia, a traditional way of singing in Southern Albania.

Day 5: Saranda – Butrint – Gjirokastër – Përmet

Tour Butrint archeological center. Next we travel to Gjirokastra where we visit the Castle and the Ethnographic Museum. 

Day 6: Përmet – Germenj N.P – Korçë

Today we travel through Ersekë and Gërmenj Park where will have an organized picnic lunch. I

Day 7: Korçë – Pogradec – Saint Naum – Ohrid

When we will be in Tushemisht we can relax and enjoy a coffee in Drilon, a place which attracted very often even the Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha 

Day 8: Ohrid

Ohrid is one of the oldest cities of the Balkans, an important center of the Episcopal Church of Rome and Byzantium. 

Day 9: Ohrid – Skopje

We resume driving to the city of Skopje via Ohrid – Tetovo – Skopje. 

Day 10: Skopje – Brezovica – Prizren

Today we travel to Prizren. Prizren is one of the few cities in Kosovo to have 3 religious communities cohabiting together (Catholic, Orthodox, and Muslim).

Day 11: Prizren – Gjakovë – Deçan – Pejë

Next we travel to Gjakova and visit the Ottoman bazaar, one of the longest in the Balkan. 

Day 12. Pejë – Rožaje – Kolašin – Cetinje – Budva

We continue to Budva – Montenegro, driving through Rozaje – Kolasin – Cetinje – Budva. 

Day 13: Budva – Kotor – Shkodër

Visit the castle of Budva and old town. Transfer to Kotor a city part of UNESCO World Heritage list. 

Day 14: Shkodër – Mother Theresa Airport

We take a walk through the pedestrian street leads us to the Catholic Cathedral one of the biggest in the Balkan. Next we drive to the castle of Rozafa and transfer to the airport.