Private Tour of Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo – The Land & the People

Be ready for leaving Tirana at 09:00 and driving toward Durres. Named also as an “Open Book of History”, it is living proof of the last 25 centuries and many civilizations. Founded as Greek Colony, the city had passed glorious points in History, Luckily we have some of them still today.
City tour of Durres with a visit at the “Roman Amphitheater”, Medieval Market and more.

We will leave Durres behind to head toward another city with great importance for Albanian History, Culture and Heritage. Being part of UNESCO World Heritage, Berat is known as a typical Ottoman Style City with a local blend of styles in architecture, With more than 20 centuries of history, it is a mosaic city of different cultures and influences.
City Tour of Berat into its 3 typical neighborhoods “Kala”, “Mangalem” and “Gorica”.
Visit at the Orthodox Monastery, “Dormitory of Saint Mary” and “Onufri” museum of Iconography.
Overnight in Berat.

OPTIONAL: Wine Tasting in a Local Winery in Berat for 20 euro / person

After leaving Berat, the next stop will be the Zverneci Monastery, This Byzantine Style Monastery is located on an island and surrounded by salty water by Narta Lagoon. To reach the monastery, you follow the charming bridge that, stretching over the water, connect the island with the land.
Visit the city of Vlora, known as the City of Albanian Independence. Short city tour of Vlora and Drive along the amazing Albanian Riviera. Some free time along the coast of Riviera and visits in typical villages and local restaurants to get introduced better with the local culture and heritage.

Overnight in Saranda or Typical Villages along the Albanian Coast.

Part of the UNESCO heritage, Butrint is also the most important Archeologic site in Albania. The ancient Greek and later Roman city and bishopric in Epirus inhabited since prehistoric times. Visit in Butrint and the pretty Island of Ksamil.

After experiencing the golden Antiquity, we will go deeper in the Medieval times in stone, a mystic city like Gjirokastra. As Ismail Kadare (Albanian Writer) describes it, it is not a city like the rest. Under the solid, grey stone tiles and stones swarm the soft and vital flesh of life. City Tour of Gjirokastra along the typical cobblestone paths connecting the typical fortress style houses. Overnight in the City.

We leave the city to drive deeper into the East and to explore more. A short stop at Permet by the Vjosa River. Vjosa is still one of the very few wild rivers in Europe. On the other hand, Permet is the center of Albanian Slow Food and local gastronomy, In addition, we will take a windy, bumpy road toward the village of Voskopoja.

Voskopoja has been a glorious settlement in the 18th Century, a center of Aromanians in Balkans. Furthermore, the second Book Press in the Ottoman Empire was located there. Different from today, Voskopoja is believed to had a population of nearly 15000 inhabitants where different ethnicities were living in harmony.
Overnight in Voskopoja.

After an introduction to the culture of the of Aromanians in the main church of Voskopoja, we will head toward the city of Korca. The biggest city in the Albanian South – East and furthermore a cultural center with the first Albanian School.
Visit at the renovated Bazaar in Korca.
The South-East of Albania is the region with the most ethnicities in Albania and the next destination will be the Macedonian community along the Prespa Lake. In addition, Pustec is a small municipally but surrounded by gorgeous nature and unique culinary. Furthermore, the place is not very touristy yet and either commercial.

In addition, the last destination for the day will be the historical city of Bitola. The unique Architecture, Wide pedestrian boulevard, and historic buildings make an interesting attraction to visit while in North Macedonia. City tour of Bitola.

The day starts with a visit to an archeologic site, the city of Heraklea Lynkesist. An ancient city founded in the 4th century BC by Philipe II, the father of Alexander the Great.
we will head toward Ohrid. Probably the most picturesque city of North Macedonia, Ohrid is a harmonic blend of History, Culture, and Religion. It has been called the Jerusalem of the Balkans.
City tour of Ohrid. Visit at the Samuil Fortress, St Sofia Church and Old Greek Theater located in the old neighborhood. Exploration of the local market and the city center in the lower part of the city. Overnight in Ohrid.

Leaving the Ohrid we will head toward the Capital of Skopje. It is a city where you can clearly notice the North Macedonian Pride for their culture and heritage. City tour of Skopje and overnight at the Capital.

Leaving the Capital to head toward the Grand Park of Matka Lake. It is a wonderful, complex park of not just nature. Famous for its canyons, this park has been the homeplace of some medieval orthodox monasteries in centuries.
Free time in the Matka canyons.

Leaving the park we will cross the border and head toward the newest country on the Europe, Kosovo. The next destination will be its capital, Pristina. Visits in the capital, a city with strong former Yugoslavian style and architecture. We will find an interesting blend among the typical Ottoman Style building of the 18th century, Cold Brutalism and Modernity. Overnight in Pristina.

This day is dedicated to the Orthodox Heritage in Kosovo and 2 remarkable Monasteries, part of UNESCO Heritage.
Few kilometers from Pristina, in the Serbian Komunity of Gracanica is located the monastery with the same name.
The next visit will be in the Monastery of Decan, both part of the UNESCO Heritage and build by the same dynasty of Serbian rulers and the same school of architecture.
Short visit to the city of Gjakova. Overnight in Prizren.

Prizren is called also the Cultural Capital of Kosovo. Lied on both sides of Bistrica River, under the Prizren’s Castle this city has played a major role in Albanian History and Politics of the 19th Century. Visit at the House of the Prizren League. It is one of the most important buildings of the 19th century in Albanian History. Visit in the Fortress of Prizren and City Tour. In addition, visit the Ethnographic Museum inside the House of the League.

In the return, a short visit to the Medieval city of Kruja. A medieval city and stronghold of 15th century in Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire led by Skenderbeu. Visit on the traditional bazaar in Kruja and the Historical Museum of Skenderbeu.

Return in Tirana where is the end of our Tour.