About your trip
Southern Europe doesn’t end in Italy. All you need to do is hop a little further east, across the Adriatic Sea, and a treasure trove of hidden gems await in the Balkans. This trip allows you to discover the region’s finest riches across 11 culturally rich days in five distinctly unique nations. We start in Albania, with a spot of history in Tirana and natural beauty on Lake Ohrid. Then it’s over to North Macedonia for an epic boat trip down the fjord-like Matka Canyon. Get cultural in Skopje and meet Europe’s youngest country, Kosovo, in the city of Prizren. We’ll dip back into Albania to go hiking in the Albanian Alps, before reaching Lake Skadar and entering Montenegro. Marvel at the coastal, old world charm of Budva and Kotor, before we wrap up our adventure in Croatia, with an exploration of Dubrovnik’s iconic medieval streets.
Trip Highlights
- Visit 5 countries, 10 cities and countless natural landscapes
- Explore the underground bunkers of Tirana
- Traverse the jaw-dropping Matka Canyon by boat
- Get historical in the storied city of Skopje
- Sip coffee with a local family in Prizren
- Lunch with the locals at a rural Albanian farm
- Embark on an epic guided hike in Valbona Valley National Park
- Enjoy spectacular view of Lake Skadar from Rozafa Castle
- Discover the magical coastal cities of Budva and Kotor
- Get fantastical on the iconic streets of Dubrovnik
Your Itinerary
Our glorious border-crossing adventure begins in the capital of Albania, one of the most underrated cities in Europe, and a true gem of the Balkans. Upon arrival in Tirana, make your way to the hotel at your own leisure. We’ll gather early in the evening for a friendly welcome meeting and dinner at a beloved local restaurant – the perfect setting for getting to know your fellow travelers.
Accommodation
Hotel Comfort (or similar)
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll gather the group for a local-led tour of Tirana. Marvel at the vast main plaza, Skanderbeg Square, as well as the historic Ethem Bey Mosque and the striking concrete Pyramid of Tirana. Your learning will continue underground in the mesmerizing five-floor nuclear bunker created in 1978 by Albanian dictator Enver Hoxha. Now known as Bunk’Art, it has been converted into a wonderful museum that tells the story of Albania during communist rule. Having quite literally journeyed into the underbelly of the city, we’ll change things up with a birds’ eye view on Dajti Mountain, via the most epic cable car ride in the Balkans. Having seen the city from a 1,200-meter vantage point, you’ll have lunchtime and the afternoon to explore Dajti National Park at your own pace. Whether you prefer a picnic with a view or hiking in the forest, just be sure to make it back in time for our transfer to the hotel!
Accommodation
Hotel Comfort (or similar)
Activities Included
- Tirana city tour
- Visit to Bunk’Art
- Dajti Express Cable Car ride
Today we cross our first border, but not before seeing more of Albania. Heading southeast, our first stop is the historic city of Elbasan, which takes its name from the Ottoman Turkish word for fortress. You’ll walk the ancient city walls and explore the charming Ottoman-era Old Town before continuing east to Lake Ohrid. This spectacularly tranquil body of water is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles the mountainous borders of Albania and North Macedonia. We’ll begin with a guided tour of its namesake town – a city brimming with Macedonian history, including Samoil’s Castle and Sveta Sofija Cathedral – before enjoying a short family-business boat tour on one of Europe’s oldest and deepest lakes. The afternoon and evening are to be spent at your leisure, but we recommend taking advantage of the top-floor restaurant and terrace bar in our beautiful lakefront hotel.
Accommodation
Hotel Su (or similar)
Activities Included
- Elbasan tour
- Ohrid tour featuring Samoil’s Castle and St. Sofija Cathedral
- Lake Ohrid boat trip
This morning we journey north through the North Macedonian countryside, stopping first in the pretty town of Tetovo. We’ll visit The Painted Mosque, a supremely easy-on-the-eye landmark that is totally unique to the region, before continuing our adventure to the capital, Skopje. After some free time for lunch, we’ll pop out of the city to Matka Canyon, a stunning natural wonder unlike almost anything else in Europe. The best way to see it is by boat, so we’ll float down the Treska River on the hour-long trip to Matka Cave. We’ll be back in the city late in the afternoon, with our city-center hotel perfectly located for an evening exploring Skopje at your own pace.
Accommodation
Hotel Panoramika Design (or similar)
Activities Included
- Painted Mosque visit in Tetovo
- Matka Canyon and Cave boat trip
You’ll start the day with a tour of Skopje, a city teeming with cultural eclecticism and a youthful spirit, despite being built on historic foundations. You’ll discover the epic Stone Bridge that leads to Alexander the Great Square, which is covered in fascinating statues, none more domineering than of Alexander himself astride his steed and keeping a watchful eye over the city. Late morning, we’ll cross the border into Kosovo – Europe’s most recently recognised nation, and the world’s second youngest country. We’ll spend the rest of today in its second city, Prizren, which you’ll tour with a guide before stopping at a local family’s house for some Turkish coffee, embellished in the traditional manner with some homemade rose syrup.
Accommodation
Hotel Centrum (or similar)
Activities Included
- Skopje city tour
- Prizren city tour
- Family visit experience in Prizren
This morning we’ll leave Kosovo behind and return to Albania, this time stopping in the north to explore Valbona Valley National Park. This remote and utterly spellbinding stretch of the Albanian Alps is rich in flora and fauna, as well as a passionate sense of cultural identity. You’ll embark on a guided hike in the park, stopping to enjoy the crystal clear waters of James Lake and a charming century-old mill. By afternoon, you’ll have earned a good meal, so we’ll head for a hearty lunch in a local restaurant to refuel on traditional delicacies. Spend the rest of your afternoon enjoying the countryside at your leisure, before regrouping for dinner back at the hotel.
Hotel Margjeka (or similar)
Activities Included
- Guided hike in Valbona Valley National Park
- Lunch
- Dinner
As we make our way southwest this morning, you’ll swap the roads for the rather more spectacular waters of the Drin River, as we catch the ferry from Fierze to Koman. The two-and-a-half hour journey weaves through the fjord-like valleys of northwestern Albania. From Koman, we’ll hit the road to the quaint village of Fishtë, where you’ll visit a unique community farm for a delicious homemade lunch, followed or preceded by a tour of the farm and its impressive wine cellar. In the afternoon, we’ll make our way to Lake Skadar, Southern Europe’s largest lake, which straddles the borders of Albania and Montenegro. You’ll get to enjoy it from a pretty special vantage point as we visit Rozafa Castle, a truly stoic fortification dating back as early as the 3rd century BC. Tonight we’ll stick to the Albanian side of the lake with a stay in the city of Shkodër.
Hotel Tradita (or similar)
Activities Included
- Ferry from Fierze to Koman
- Fishte village farm experience (including lunch)
- Visit to Rozafa Castle
This morning begins with a guided tour of Shkodër. Then it’s time to enter our fourth nation – Montenegro! We’ll cross the border but stick to Lake Skadar, heading to the charming village of Virpazar. This community is built around its easy access to the lake, so naturally, we’re here for a scenic late-morning boat trip. We’ll wind down the river Virštica, past water lilies and long reeds, spotting multicolored birds darting above. Eventually, things open up onto the lake itself, where panoramas become wide and epic, the vastness of the water and towering mountain backdrops dwarfing our little boat. Back on land we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant, before heading west to our home for the night – the majestic coastal city of Budva. You’ll have a guided tour in the afternoon and plenty of time this evening to further wander the old town or kick back with sunset on the beach.
Hotel Budva (or similar)
Activities Included
- Shkoder city tour
- Virpazar boat trip
- Lunch
- Budva city tour
We’ll continue our journey up the Adriatic Coast in the gorgeous Montenegrin city of Kotor, famed for its beautiful bay and UNESCO-listed medieval old town, one of Europe’s most perfectly preserved. You’ll have a guided tour, wandering down cobblestone alleys, climbing the ancient city walls, and visiting St Tryphon Cathedral, the majestic Romanesque, twin-tower stone church which has been the heart of the city for over 850 years. After free time for lunch in Kotor, we’ll make our fifth and final border crossing of the trip, continuing along the Adriatic to Croatia’s most iconic city, Dubrovnik. You’ll have a free evening to settle in and introduce yourself to Dubrovnik in whatever way suits you best.
Hotel Adria (or similar)
Our last full day is dedicated to one of the most enchanting cities in the world. Dubrovnik’s iconic orange rooftops, striking fortifications, and picture-perfect coastal location have dazzled visitors for centuries, and of course, become world-famous thanks to its starring role in Game of Thrones. An aptly fantastical city, with well-preserved city walls hiding a maze of narrow alleyways and hidden courtyards. Our Local Insider will take you to the prettiest, most historical spots in town, as well as a fair few GoT filming locations, of course. The tour includes a visit to the Franciscan Church and Monastery, which houses a small museum that paints a big picture of Dubrovnik’s long history. You’ll have a free afternoon before we reunite at a charming local restaurant for our final dinner as a group. Time to toast to ten magical days in the Balkans!
Hotel Adria (or similar)
Activities Included
- Dubrovnik city tour
- Farewell dinner
Five beautiful countries, 10 fascinating cities, two epic lakes, countless mountain backdrops, and a healthy dose of sea air. Our all-encompassing Balkan adventure has come to an end, and while it’s sad to say goodbye, you’ll leave Dubrovnik with a heart enriched by unique cultural experiences, a camera roll that could drive any photographer to envy, and hopefully a few travel friends for life. Savor your final breakfast at the hotel to mark the end of our adventure, but not necessarily the end of yours…
Accommodation
What’s included
- 10 nights accommodation
- 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
- Local Insider
- Local transport
- Tirana city tour
- Visit to Bunk’Art
- Dajti Express Cable Car ride
- Elbasan tour
- Ohrid tour featuring Samoil’s Castle and St. Sofija Cathedral
- Lake Ohrid boat trip
- Painted Mosque visit in Tetovo
- Matka Canyon and Cave boat trip
- Skopje city tour
- Prizren city tour
- Family visit experience in Prizren
- Guided hike in Valbona Valley National Park
- Ferry from Fierze to Koman
- Fishte village farm experience (including lunch)
- Visit to Rozafa Castle
- Shkoder city tour
- Virpazar boat trip
- Budva city tour
- Kotor city tour
- Dubrovnik city tour
What’s not included
- Flights
- Hotel transfers (unless otherwise stated in the Included Activities section above)
- Visas
- Travel insurance
Customer Reviews
Independent Service Rating based on 153 verified reviews.
Accommodation
Hotel Comfort (or similar), Tirana
This modern, stylish city hotel can be found right in the heart of Tirana, just 300m from Skënderbej Square. Rooms are crisply designed and cozy to stay in, while food services range from a delicious Albanian breakfast to finger food services for snacking, a locally sourced Mediterranean menu for dinner, and an impressive collection of Albanian, Italian, and French wines at the bar.
Hotel Su (or similar), Ohrid
If you’re staying in Ohrid, then you’re going to want to stay as close to its namesake lake as possible, which is why Hotel Su’s prime spot of real estate on the shores of Ohrid makes it one of the most desirable hotels in town. The views are particularly breathtaking from the open-plan rooftop restaurant – the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of the hotel’s coffee, roasted in-house.
Hotel Panoramika Design (or similar), Skopje
We’ll add a sprinkling of luxury to your stay in Skopje thanks to the Panoramika Design. This city center hotel exudes class from the moment you step in through the doors, not just because of its elegant, thoughtful design, but also because of the pampering spa facilities onsite, or the spectacular city panoramas that can be enjoyed with a glass of wine at the rooftop Sky Bar.
Hotel Centrum (or similar), Prizren
Light and airy is the vibe at this lovely hotel in the heart of Kosovo’s Prizren city. The decor has been designed with simple sophistication and a touch of artistry to bring the space to homely life, while its location near the Prizren Bistrica river makes it a perfect place for gentle evening strolls.
Hotel Margjeka (or similar), Valbona
Settings don’t get more special than the epic surrounds of Valbona Valley National Park, which circles this charming stone-built countryside hotel. Views of snow-capped, craggy mountain peaks can be enjoyed from all angles, while the endless greenery brings a soothing freshness to the morning air. Be sure to enjoy some food al fresco from the in-house restaurant, which uses local organic ingredients and even makes its own homemade brandy!
Hotel Budva (or similar), Budva
The aptly named Hotel Budva sits just steps away from the shimmering waters of the Adriatic Sea. When you’re not being lured away to the sandy Slovenska Beach, you’ll get to enjoy the hotel’s many sun-soaked charms, from the wide-open, grandly designed internal spaces to the stunning outdoor pool. If you’re more of an explorer than a lounger, then the city’s old town and marina are within easy walking distance too!
Hotel Adria (or similar), Dubrovnik
Located on the north side of Dubrovnik, in the hip Gruz district, is this stylish city hotel. When considering Adria’s highlights, it’s hard to look beyond the spectacular view it boasts over Gruz Bay, but don’t ignore the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, plus spa treatment facilities and the delicious garden-to-table cuisine served at the terrace restaurant, washed down with crisp, locally produced Croatian wines, of course.
Covid Safety
The safety and wellbeing of all travellers is our top priority. To help us ensure this, please refer to this checklist:
- Please check the entry requirements for the destination you are travelling to. Our travel experts can assist you in finding this information.
- We recommend you confirm all guidance on official government sites and check that you are able to travel with your travel insurance issuer. Your travel insurance may be invalidated if you travel against government advice. Our travel experts can assist you in finding this information.
Important Info
- You must be aged 25 years or over to join this trip.
- Please be sure to check whether or not you need a visa to enter the country you’re travelling to. Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions for further information.
- If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or accessibility requirements, please notify our Customer Support team as soon as possible.
- We won’t charge you extra if you travel alone – you’ll be allocated a twin room with another traveller of the same gender.
- To upgrade to a private room, share a room with a friend, or book pre- and post-trip accommodation and/or airport transfers, please contact our Customer Support team.
- Please be aware that travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers.
- Please be aware that the itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change. While unlikely, these changes can happen due to circumstances beyond our control. We will always do our best to ensure minimal impact on your experience.
- Please be aware images on this page are for illustrative purposes and may not reflect your itinerary exactly.
Lifelong memories
Our unique curated trips offer you the perfect balance of exploration and relaxation. Join us and see the world with our like-minded travellers who will feel like friends from day 1.
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