Itinerary
- Day 1
Dubrovnik to Kotor to Budva
Your pickup happens at 7:30 AM from your Dubrovnik hotel, then you'll drive toward the border to connect with your tour leader. From there, it's on to Kotor, which sits on the UNESCO list. You'll wander through the old town's narrow cobblestone streets, check out Saint Luke's Church, and take in the medieval atmosphere. After that, you head to Budva to walk around its charming old town with historic churches before you settle in near the Montenegrin Riviera for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour through Kotor old town's narrow cobblestone streets
- Visit Saint Luke's Church in Kotor
- Explore Old Budva medieval town
- Visit St. Ivan Church in Budva
- Visit St. Mary Church in Budva
Optional Activities
- Explore New Budva's modern district with shopping malls and restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Kotor Old Town Saint Luke's Church Budva Old Town St. Ivan Church St. Mary Church - Day 2
Budva to Tirana
After breakfast, you'll drive to Tirana, Albania's capital, and check into your hotel. Then comes a culinary walking tour with a local guide who'll show you around. You'll start with traditional Byrek at a local spot, wander through Çam Bazaar, find hidden alleyways with street markets, try traditional Albanian coffee, visit the Bicycle Bazaar and New Bazaar, and have a traditional lunch with Raki. Your afternoon is free to check out BUNKART museum, Tirana Castle, or walk around the Blloku neighbourhood on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Albanian lunch)
Included Activities
- Guided culinary tour of Tirana with local companion
- Traditional Byrek breakfast at local eatery
- Visit Çam Bazaar
- Explore hidden alleyways and street markets
- Traditional Albanian coffee experience at local café
- Visit Bicycle Bazaar
- Visit New Bazaar
- Traditional Albanian lunch
Optional Activities
- Visit BUNKART museum
- Visit Tirana Castle
- Explore Blloku neighbourhood
Landmarks/POIs Çam Bazaar Bicycle Bazaar New Bazaar BUNKART Tirana Castle Blloku Neighbourhood - Day 3
Tirana to Berat to Ohrid
You're heading to Berat, a UNESCO site known as the 'town of 1001 windows' because people still live inside the medieval castle walls. The narrow stone streets offer great views of medieval houses stacked with windows. You'll walk through the historic city, checking out churches, mosques, museums, and communist-era remains, plus the Gorica Neighbourhood and learning about Onufri's legacy. Later you drive to Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest settlements and another UNESCO site, where you'll see the Church of St. John viewpoint, Church of St. Nicolas, and Halveti Hayati Tekke Mosque.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour through Berat old town streets
- Visit Gorica Neighbourhood in Berat
- Church of St. John viewpoint visit in Ohrid
- Visit Church of St. Nicolas in Ohrid
- Visit Halveti Hayati Tekke Mosque in Ohrid
Landmarks/POIs Berat Castle Gorica Neighbourhood Church of St. John Church of St. Nicolas Halveti Hayati Tekke Mosque Ohrid Lake - Day 4
Ohrid to Skopje to Prizren
You'll travel to Skopje, North Macedonia's capital, which blends European, Ottoman, and Asian influences together. You can see the Alexander the Great Statue and walk across the Stone Bridge connecting the old and new sections. The Art Bridge leads to the Archaeological Museum, and you'll have time in the Old Bazaar, the Balkans' largest, which mixes modern life with centuries of history. After that, you drive to Prizren, Kosovo's cultural capital, where medieval houses line winding streets and filigree metalwork shops display local craftsmanship. You won't want to miss the Sinan Pasha Mosque and the fortress views overlooking the town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Skopje Old Bazaar
- View Stone Bridge in Skopje
- View Art Bridge in Skopje
- View Alexander the Great Statue in Skopje
- Guided exploration of Prizren old town streets
- Visit Sinan Pasha Mosque
- Visit Prizren fortress viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Visit Archaeological Museum (via Art Bridge)
- Shop at filigree metalsmith shops in Prizren
Landmarks/POIs Alexander the Great Statue Stone Bridge Art Bridge Skopje Old Bazaar Archaeological Museum Sinan Pasha Mosque Prizren Fortress - Day 5
Prizren to Agro-Tourism Farm to Shkodra
Today takes you to a slow food agro-tourism farm in the Balkans where you'll tour the property and learn how this family operation created jobs for over 400 local people while producing fresh regional products and reusing old communist buildings for storage. You have free time for lunch or shopping for fresh local produce. Then you drive to Shkodra, one of Albania's oldest cities with a thousand-year history. Visit Rozafa Castle for views overlooking the lake where three rivers reach the Adriatic, and see the Venetian-influenced architecture throughout this ancient trading city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided farm tour and history of agro-tourism operation
- Visit Rozafa Castle
Optional Activities
- Traditional lunch at agro-tourism farm
- Purchase fresh bio products at farm
Landmarks/POIs Rozafa Castle Lake Shkodra - Day 6
Shkodra to Durmitor National Park
You cross the border from Albania into Montenegro and drive through scenic landscape to Durmitor National Park, which covers over 39,000 hectares. The drive takes you from charming villages through rugged mountain landscapes with forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes. You'll check in to accommodation near the park and settle in for the evening. Spend your time at your own pace, perhaps taking a walk or having a meal of local cuisine while enjoying the natural surroundings and mountain backdrop.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Leisurely stroll in Durmitor area
- Traditional Montenegrin meal
Landmarks/POIs Durmitor National Park - Day 7
Durmitor to Mostar to Bosnia and Herzegovina
You'll cross from Montenegro into Bosnia and Herzegovina, heading toward Mostar. There you'll see the Stari Most, a UNESCO site built in 16th-century Islamic architectural style. You can wander the Old Bazaar's colorful streets and lively atmosphere, then walk around and experience the city's blend of old and new. Throughout the city, you'll notice 'Don't Forget' stones that commemorate its history. You'll visit several old mosques, Turkish bazaars, and cobbled alleyways. Just outside the city, check out Blagaj Monastery perched on a cliff above the blue waters of the River Buna spring in this small Ottoman medieval town.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Stari Most (Old Bridge)
- Explore Old Bazaar of Mostar
- Visit Blagaj Monastery
Optional Activities
- Visit mosques in Mostar
- Explore Turkish bazaars
Landmarks/POIs Stari Most Mostar Old Bazaar Blagaj Monastery River Buna - Day 8
Mostar to Dubrovnik
This final day concludes your Balkan journey. Your tour leader takes you to the Croatian border where your driver will shuttle you back to your hotel in Dubrovnik, ending your trip and bringing you home with memories of the region's rich history and culture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
