Western Balkans Uncovered

The adventure

Be the star of your own historical epic as you walk along the city walls of ‘Game of Thrones’ fame in Dubrovnik, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed architecture of Montenegro’s Kotor and stroll down hidden alleyways that have existed since ancient times. This adventure combines the must-sees of the Balkan region and the lesser-known glories of North Macedonia and Albania to create the perfect blend of old and new. Cruise around Lake Ohrid, indulge in a wine tasting in Roshnik and visit a local market in Skopje, all on this 12-day adventure through the Western Balkans.

At a glance

Where you'll go

Day by day

Your journey through

Albania

Showing Days 1-7

10-day itinerary

Day 1SkopjeZdravo! Welcome to North Macedonia. Your adventure starts in Skopje with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Daut Pasha Hamam or see the statues and monuments of the city – the massive statue of Alexander the Great on horseback is in the centre of Macedonia Square! Or, maybe stroll past Byzantine domes, Turkish baths and the neo-classical buildings that line the streets. After your meeting, maybe head out to a local bar or restaurant to celebrate the start of your adventure with your fellow travellers.

Skopje

Zdravo! Welcome to North Macedonia. Your adventure starts in Skopje with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Daut Pasha Hamam or see the statues and monuments of the city – the massive statue of Alexander the Great on horseback is in the centre of Macedonia Square! Or, maybe stroll past Byzantine domes, Turkish baths and the neo-classical buildings that line the streets. After your meeting, maybe head out to a local bar or restaurant to celebrate the start of your adventure with your fellow travellers.

Day 2SkopjeThis morning, set off on a guided walking tour through the narrow lanes of Carsija – Skopje's most atmospheric neighbourhood. Then, continue to a local market with your local leader. As you walk around, stop at a few stands to taste some local food like baklava (layered pastry with nuts and honey), tulumba (similar to churros), or lokum (Turkish delight). This afternoon is free for you to explore Skopje at your own pace. Maybe visit the Museum of the City of Skopje, which is housed in the old Railway Station, and learn the story behind the building’s clock.

Skopje

This morning, set off on a guided walking tour through the narrow lanes of Carsija – Skopje's most atmospheric neighbourhood. Then, continue to a local market with your local leader. As you walk around, stop at a few stands to taste some local food like baklava (layered pastry with nuts and honey), tulumba (similar to churros), or lokum (Turkish delight). This afternoon is free for you to explore Skopje at your own pace. Maybe visit the Museum of the City of Skopje, which is housed in the old Railway Station, and learn the story behind the building’s clock.

Day 3Lake OhridAfter breakfast, travel to Lake Ohrid – Europe’s oldest lake and one of the oldest human settlements in the world. The town is said to have once been home to 365 churches, one for each day of the year, earning it the nickname ‘the Macedonian Jerusalem’. Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site for over 30 years and having historical excavations dating back to Neolithic times, the town remains under the radar for visitors. Get your bearings on an orientation walk with your local leader around the old bazaar area, then the rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own.

Lake Ohrid

After breakfast, travel to Lake Ohrid – Europe’s oldest lake and one of the oldest human settlements in the world. The town is said to have once been home to 365 churches, one for each day of the year, earning it the nickname ‘the Macedonian Jerusalem’. Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site for over 30 years and having historical excavations dating back to Neolithic times, the town remains under the radar for visitors. Get your bearings on an orientation walk with your local leader around the old bazaar area, then the rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own.

Day 4Lake OhridEmbark on a scenic cruise on the turquoise waters of Lake Ohrid, surrounded by mountains, villages and beaches. At 34 km long, 14 km wide and over 300 m deep, this lake is shared between Albania and North Macedonia. The rest of today is free for you to discover the area your way. Maybe explore Tast Samoil’s Fortress or visit one of the many churches and monasteries like the Macedonian Orthodox Church of Sveti Jovana Kaneo, situated on a rocky outcrop above the town.

Lake Ohrid

Embark on a scenic cruise on the turquoise waters of Lake Ohrid, surrounded by mountains, villages and beaches. At 34 km long, 14 km wide and over 300 m deep, this lake is shared between Albania and North Macedonia. The rest of today is free for you to discover the area your way. Maybe explore Tast Samoil’s Fortress or visit one of the many churches and monasteries like the Macedonian Orthodox Church of Sveti Jovana Kaneo, situated on a rocky outcrop above the town.

Day 5BeratThis morning, travel across the border of Albania and continue to the remote and rarely visited town of Berat. When you arrive, learn about the city on a guided walking tour before climbing up to the still-inhabited fortress for fantastic views over town. In the afternoon, there will be plenty of time to mingle with locals at the park or at the city’s many cafes. The warmth of the Albanian people is infectious, and you’re bound to find yourself swapping stories over a glass of raki (or three). Tonight, sit down for a traditional Balkan dinner with your group, featuring dishes like stuffed peppers, cheese and spinach pies, hearty meat dishes, and plenty of grilled and fresh veggies.

Berat

This morning, travel across the border of Albania and continue to the remote and rarely visited town of Berat. When you arrive, learn about the city on a guided walking tour before climbing up to the still-inhabited fortress for fantastic views over town. In the afternoon, there will be plenty of time to mingle with locals at the park or at the city’s many cafes. The warmth of the Albanian people is infectious, and you’re bound to find yourself swapping stories over a glass of raki (or three). Tonight, sit down for a traditional Balkan dinner with your group, featuring dishes like stuffed peppers, cheese and spinach pies, hearty meat dishes, and plenty of grilled and fresh veggies.

Day 6Roshnik / BeratToday, head to Roshnik for a daytrip – a small village near Berat known for its vineyards, traditional architecture, wine production and agritourism. When you arrive, visit a local traditional winery for a wine tasting. The rest of today is then free for you to explore the countryside at your own pace. This afternoon, maybe hike to the nearby Tomorri Mountain or simply relax among the olive groves and discover the region’s history.

Roshnik

Today, head to Roshnik for a daytrip – a small village near Berat known for its vineyards, traditional architecture, wine production and agritourism. When you arrive, visit a local traditional winery for a wine tasting. The rest of today is then free for you to explore the countryside at your own pace. This afternoon, maybe hike to the nearby Tomorri Mountain or simply relax among the olive groves and discover the region’s history.

Day 7TiranaAfter breakfast, travel to Tirana. As you drive, take in the surrounding landscape and discover why the Alps in the rugged north are considered so fierce they're called 'accursed', while the south has one of Europe’s least well-known and most beautiful coastlines. When you arrive, set off on a guided tour to get your bearings in Albania’s capital and explore the mosques, citadels, Ottoman architecture and medieval atmosphere this city is known for. If the weather is good, maybe take a cable car ride up Dajti Mountain for panoramic views of the city below.

Tirana

After breakfast, travel to Tirana. As you drive, take in the surrounding landscape and discover why the Alps in the rugged north are considered so fierce they're called 'accursed', while the south has one of Europe’s least well-known and most beautiful coastlines. When you arrive, set off on a guided tour to get your bearings in Albania’s capital and explore the mosques, citadels, Ottoman architecture and medieval atmosphere this city is known for. If the weather is good, maybe take a cable car ride up Dajti Mountain for panoramic views of the city below.

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Your journey through

Austria

Day 11DubrovnikThis morning, travel to Dubrovnik. When you arrive, you’ll be given so called Dubrovnik Pass, which allows access to many sites around the town including famous City Walls that surround the Old Town. These walls were used in the filming of ‘Game of Thrones’. The day is free for you to explore Dubrovnik as you please. Maybe check out the Franciscan Monastery with one of the world's oldest, continuously functioning pharmacies, founded in the 13th century. Maybe visit Big Onofrio's Fountain – a masterpiece built by famous European architect Onofrio della Cava. Tonight, you could find a local restaurant for dinner and celebrate the last night of your trip with your group.

Dubrovnik

This morning, travel to Dubrovnik. When you arrive, you’ll be given so called Dubrovnik Pass, which allows access to many sites around the town including famous City Walls that surround the Old Town. These walls were used in the filming of ‘Game of Thrones’. The day is free for you to explore Dubrovnik as you please. Maybe check out the Franciscan Monastery with one of the world's oldest, continuously functioning pharmacies, founded in the 13th century. Maybe visit Big Onofrio's Fountain – a masterpiece built by famous European architect Onofrio della Cava. Tonight, you could find a local restaurant for dinner and celebrate the last night of your trip with your group.

Day 12DubrovnikAs there are no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Dubrovnik

As there are no activities planned for today, your trip comes to an end this morning. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

What's included

Discover Albania

A glimpse of the destination you'll explore.

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