Undiscovered Balkans

Our tour starts today in Tirana, the colourful capital of Albania and one of Europe's most underrated cities. Emerging from its cold communist past (the country spent decades under Stalinist rule), Tirana is becoming a not-so-hidden gem thanks to its vibrant arts scene, café culture and intriguing landscape - think communist-era architecture set against a rugged mountain backdrop. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Tirana at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Tirana International Airport (TIA), which is around a 30-minute drive from our hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information on the morning of day two. Tirana is easy to navigate on foot, so if your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to head out and explore. The House of Leaves, a museum dedicated to secret surveillance and the headquarters of Albania's secret service throughout the Cold War, is an intriguing stop. If you're into markets, check out Pazari i Ri, an open-air market where you can buy everything from fresh produce to local specialities such as byreks, baklavas and honey. Whilst in Albania, we'll have the chance to try the country's delicious cuisine, which is a real mix of Turkish, Greek and Italian influences, like byrek - a spinach and feta stuffed filo pie, and in the more rural mountainous areas barbequed lamb and 'earthy' vegetables such as griddled aubergines and mushrooms are particularly popular. Along the coast, there'll be the chance to sample fresh seafood, too. Albanian red wine is especially good and also local beers, such as Birra Korca.

This morning, we'll drive a short distance to the base of the Dajti Express cable car - the longest cableway in the Balkans. A 15-minute journey takes us almost to the top of Mount Dajti at around 1,049 metres/3,441 feet. From here, we'll hike to the summit of Tujani for views over the city below and the surrounding highlands. Our hike will take us around three to four hours and will cover a distance of about five kilometres. The maximum altitude reached will be 1,503 metres/4,931 feet. The walk today is graded as easy to moderate. For those who don't want to hike, there are many things to do on top of the Dajti Mountain. You can relax at one of the restaurants while soaking up the breathtaking views, go for a self-guided shorter hike or even visit the adventure park near the cable car. There will be the opportunity to have lunch in a traditional mountain restaurant before taking the cable car back down and returning to Tirana. On arrival back in the capital we'll head to Bunk Art 2, the second of two nuclear bunkers in Tirana that have been transformed into interactive artistic spaces. You can wander through the furnished rooms intended as a shelter for dictator Enver Hoxha and the innermost circle of his government. After walking back to the hotel, the rest of the day is free to explore more at your own pace. The city comes to life in the evening, especially in the animated Blloku district. During the communist regime, this area of the city was restricted and only members of the Albanian Politburo (the main political party) were allowed to live or even enter here.

After breakfast, we'll leave Tirana and drive towards Elbasan, through the valley of Shkumbin and crossing the border into North Macedonia before stopping in the small resort of Struga on the lake Ohrid (a journey of three hours). The town is cut in half by the Black Drim River that flows right through the middle, and it's lined on both sides by bars and restaurants. After our visit, we'll drive on to Lake Ohrid, which is situated against a dramatic mountain backdrop. Founded over 2,400 years ago, Ohrid has a wealth of heritage and is an important cultural and spiritual centre still today. To help its protection both the town and lake were classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. The lake is one of the oldest in the world and, allegedly, there are 365 churches, monasteries, and other religious sites around its banks. After settling in at our hotel, we'll explore Ohrid with our tour leader, soaking up the mix of Ottoman and Byzantine architecture in the city including the Old Bazaar, the Amphitheatre, and the Old Castle Walls.

This morning, we'll take a boat ride to Saint Naum, an imposing monastery on one of the lake's peninsulas, close to the Albanian border. A spectacular sight, the Monastery of Saint Naum is surrounded by sandy beaches and inside you'll find incredible frescoes. We'll have some free time here to explore - feel free to have lunch in one of the restaurants alongside the beautiful springs. In the afternoon, we'll drive through the Galicia National Park to Lake Prespa. The scenery along the way is simply stunning, with a new natural beauty at every turn - we'll take time to stop at a viewpoint overlooking both lakes to soak it all in. Straddling the borders of Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece, Lake Prespa is a unique transboundary lake shared by all three countries. It serves as a symbol of harmony and cooperation in the region. Prespa is also home to more than 260 bird species, many of which are endangered or rare. You'll find birdwatching towers located over the whole region as well as on the shores and might catch a glimpse of pelicans, pygmy cormorants, herons, geese or wild ducks. We'll spend this afternoon exploring our tranquil surroundings before driving back to Ohrid.

After an early breakfast, we'll head towards Kosovo (a long day of driving, four-an-half hours in total). Our first stop will be at Matka Canyon, one of the most beautiful places in North Macedonia, known for its stunning natural scenery, with towering cliffs, deep gorges, and crystal clear lakes. Matka Canyon is home to the oldest artificial lake in Macedonia, Lake Matka and the whole canyon is a biological and geological wonderland. The name 'Matka' derives from the Macedonian word meaning womb, symbolizing the region's rich biodiversity. Our last stop in North Macedonia is the historic city of Skopje. The city was rocked by a huge earthquake in 1963 which destroyed an estimated 75% of the city's buildings, however, it's still rich in culture and Ottoman heritage. We'll visit the city by foot to see some of the main attractions of the North Macedonian capital including the Kale Fortress, the Sveti Spas Monastery and the Ottoman Bazaar, which is the largest and most well-preserved in south-east Europe. We'll then continue our drive to the border crossing of ElezHan, where we'll say farewell to North Macedonia and hello to Kosovo. Kosovo is the world's newest country and has only been independent since 2008. Unfortunately, to most people, Kosovo is most known for its war. However, it's a fascinating country boasting treasures from past empires including Greek, Roman, Turkish and Ottoman. The route to Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, takes us along the Kacanik Valley on a beautiful forest road. While the capital isn't conventionally beautiful, with centuries-old Ottoman heritage competing with communist designs and post-communist architecture, Pristina is well worth a visit for its hospitality and energic atmosphere. You'll discover great food (put cakes at the top of your eating list), thick coffee, craft beers and a relaxed vibe, as well as the chance to get to know its role in the country's evolution.

This morning, our tour leader will take us on a walking tour of Pristina and Old Pristina. In the central bazaar, you'll see a 26 metre/85-foot-high clock tower which reminds stall holders and shoppers when it's time for prayer - the city's oldest mosques are found in this area, too. We'll also see the National Library which is striking with its brutalist architecture. After our tour, we'll head to the outskirts of the city to visit the Kosovo Battle Memorial. The memorial is devoted to the martyred Serb knights and is located where the Battle of Kosovo took place on 28th June 1389. Next, we'll head to the memorial of Sultan Murad I, reportedly the only Ottoman sultan ever to die in battle. Our next stop is the Monastery of Gracanica - one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in the country. It was built on the site of a ruined 6th-century basilica by the Serbian King, Stefan Milutin, in 1321 and was declared a Monument of Exceptional Cultural Importance in 1990. Then, we'll drive to the town of Peja. Sitting on top of the ruins of an ancient Roman town, Siparantum, right on the foothills of the famous Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps), Peja is one of the oldest towns in Kosovo. The afternoon will be spent visiting the town's attractions on foot including the Peja Bazaar, Bajrakli Mosque and Peja Town Square.

Today, we'll visit the highlands of Peja. Our day starts with an impressive drive through the dramatic Rugova Gorge to the alpine location of Boga, where we'll stop and take a hike to a nearby lake. The walk to the lake is graded as moderate and covers five kilometres and will take around five hours. We'll climb and then descend from 1,400 metres/4,593 feet to 1,800 metres/5,905 feet. The mountain trail is steep with rocky sections that can be slippery when wet. We'll go up and down following the same path. On our way back, we'll stop to visit the church complex of Peja Patriarch, boasting amazing frescoes and surrounded by the peaks of the Rugova Bjeshk Highlands, the Kosovo part of the Accursed Mountains. In the evening, we'll return to Peja and spend the evening in town.

This morning, we start with a short drive, just 10 minutes outside Jeca, to visit the stunning White Drin waterfall. After taking in the views, we continue our journey to the Decani Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 1327 by Serb King Stefan Decanski, the monastery is a striking example of Orthodox art, beautifully set against a scenic backdrop. Next, we'll make our way to Prizren, a town steeped in history and character, known for its Ottoman-era villas and authentic atmosphere. We'll be spending the next two nights here, and the rest of the afternoon is yours to settle in and explore. Prizren, located at the foot of the Sharr Mountains, is Kosovo's second-largest city and a treasure trove of historical landmarks. You can wander through streets lined with architecture influenced by both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Highlights include the 14th-century Church of the Virgin of Ljeviš, a UNESCO-listed Serbian Orthodox church, and the Church of Saint George. The town is also a hub for traditional handicrafts, with several shops selling intricate filigree jewellery, a local craft that's been practised here since the 15th century. When it comes to food, Prizren is known for its barbeque restaurants, serving up grilled meats and Sharr cheese, a regional speciality. And for those with a sweet tooth, this is the perfect place to sample some locally made baklava.

This morning, we'll stroll around the cobbled streets of Prizren to the Shadervan area where we'll find the city's main Ottoman influences, including the Sinan Pasha Mosque and the Old Stone Bridge. We'll also be able to see the outside of the old hammam before heading to Prizren Fortress, which dominates the skyline and where you can get great views from its hilltop position. On the opposite side of the river to Shadervan, we'll visit Prizren League House, which was once the headquarters where a failed uprising began to unite all Albanians within the region into a singular state. This afternoon, we'll drive through rolling hills until we reach nearby Rahovec - the wine cellar of Kosovo. Wine has been made in this area for over 2,000 years and we'll visit a few winemakers to taste the unique produce there before making our way to the village of Hoqa e Vjeter, a Serbian enclave village, where we'll visit a monastery (that also makes wine). Later this afternoon, we'll return to Prizren for a free evening.

Today, we'll leave Kosovo and return to Albania. We'll make a first stop in Gjakova, one of the most charming cities in Kosovo, where we'll visit the Ottoman Bazaar. It may seem slow-paced today, but Gjakova was once a major trading hub. During the Ottoman period and Silk Road days, this was a stop on the coveted route between Shkodra and Constantinople - and it has the Grand Bazaar to prove it. One of the largest and oldest in the region, it stretches over a kilometre and accommodates 500 delightful little shops, where artisans practice woodwork and hawk beautiful wedding costumes. We'll then continue our drive and cross the border to Albania. We'll enter the picturesque Valbona Valley where we'll spend the next two nights. We'll check in to a mountain hotel, located in the centre of the vale, amidst the jagged peaks of the Accursed Mountains. In the afternoon, we can enjoy exploring the village on foot with our tour leader before returning to the hotel for a traditional dinner.

Valbona is one of the most beautiful alpine valleys in Albania. Today, we'll hike to the side of Kukaj Valley, making our way through the forest towards alpine pastures that offer stunning views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. We'll have a picnic lunch and later visit a shepherd's family to sample a cup of fresh mountain tea. In the afternoon, there is time to relax before a traditional dinner of lamb on the spit is served (vegetarian options are also available). Our walk today has been graded as moderate and will take around two hours, covering five kilometres. The route takes us along quiet village roads (asphalt and dirt) and well-trodden paths, but some sections are uphill.

Today, we'll leave the Valbona Valley and head for Shkoder. Depending on the time of year and the ferry schedule, we'll either take a scenic ferry ride across Lake Koman or drive on the National Road through the scenic mountain landscape. Our tour leader will advise on the day which option we'll be taking. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Shkoder, the traditional centre of the Gheg cultural region and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Easily the most well-known attraction in Shkoder is Rozafa Castle, a massive stronghold that stands guard over the city like an enormous sentry. One of the highlights of visiting Rozafa Castle is the views, you can see in every direction, including over the city of Shkoder, the plains to the south, Lake Shkoder and the border of Montenegro. After our visit, we'll settle in at our hotel and explore more of the city including the Mosque, Cathedrals and the local market.

After breakfast, we'll start our two-hour drive towards the Adriatic Sea and Durres. En route, we'll stop in Lezha to visit the Skanderbeg memorial. Skanderbeg was an Albanian nobleman and military commander who led a rebellion and successfully resisted the Ottoman Empire for 24 years. As the resistance brought Albanians from different regions together with a common cause, it's argued that he helped define Albania's identity. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in Durres and visit the Roman Amphitheatre. Widely recognized among enthusiasts of antiquity, the amphitheatre is a pearl of the Balkans. In the evening, we'll take a sunset walk on the promenade and enjoy a fresh seafood dinner by the sea.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Durres. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Durres at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Tirana International Airport (TIA), which is around a 40-minute drive from the hotel.