Transfer from Tirana airport, Kruje visit, discovery of Albanian food and dinner at Mrizi i Zanave. Head to the nearby dramatic town of Kruja, the capital of the Albanian resistance that helped spread the “revolt” of the Albanians against the Ottoman Empire. A light meal and then a visit of the Castle and the Adjacent Ottoman Bazaar. Continue north to find our final destination for this first evening in Albania at perhaps the finest example of farm-to-table in all of southeast Europe, Mrizi i Zanave restaurant and B&B.

After the glorious breakfast of the Mrizi i Zanave, we will head to the antique coastal city of Durres, once upon a time a “pay-toll” station to enter the famous Via Egnatia, an important Roman road connecting the eastern and western sides of the Roman Empire in the Mediterranean and the Balkans. Outdoor lunch at a farm. Tour of Durres before arriving in the hill town of Berat, known as 1001 windows. This place is a great gate for romantics, curious, adventurers. We will visit the 13th century citadel and then have dinner there with a magnificent view down to the town below.

Walking tour of Berat in the lower part of the town. Local style meal and then a bit of free time to relax or have a siesta (as the locals do). Time to try some local wines at a winery established soon after communism fell. Taste new varieties like Puls, Black Serina, White Debina alongside delicious olive oils and some of the local cheeses. After this warm-up, we’ll enjoy dinner here as well.

Head to the coast where both the beauty of the Adriatic and the Ionian are on display. The Otranto channel creates a natural connection between the mountains of Vlora and the shores of Puglia on the opposite side of the sea. Our friends in the Bay of Vlora will help us experience a traditional shepherd meal. We’ll cross the Pass of Ceasar at 1000 meters above sea level to witness eventually one of the iconic views of the Ionian sea and the Acroceraunian Mountains. Visit to the castle of Vasiliqia, which Albanian born rebel Ali Pasha built as a gift to his young beautiful wife. Overnight right on the beach in Qeparo’s small family owned Hotel Riviera.

We will continue our ride south to reach the most beautiful combination of nature and history, the Archaeological and Natural Park of Butrint, a UNESCO site. All sorts of ruins, plants, amphibians and birds make this place quite unique. Drive to nearby Ksamil for a great meal of sea fruit, locally farmed mussels and fruits. Stop for refreshing in the springs of the Blue Eye and and a quick visit of some Albanian Stalinist Bunkers before arriving into UNESCO protected Gjirokaster, the enchanting city of stone.

Gjirokaster is eventually the most unusual town in Albania (and maybe in the region). It is inhabited by fairies and witches, by towers and ruins, by pride and decadence, by geniuses and dictators (both Ismail Kadare the writer and Enver Hoxha the dictator were born in this town in the first part of the 20th century). We will explore the haunted routes that climb up the Wide Mountain, will visit the Castle and its former prison and Weapon Museum, will talk about the Chronicle in Stone, Pyrrus of Epirus, Ali Pasha of Tepelene, Lord Byron, Enver Hoxha and so many more. This is very fertile land for history and imagination. Dinner in one of the small tavernas where our ambition is to surprise you with local delicacies you might have not heard of.

A long and enchanting road trip through the backroads of Albania. We’ll go from one valley to another, cross mountains and natural parks, visit small forgotten towns, see war monuments, witness the dramatic Pindus mountains and taste amazing food and hospitality in small family restaurants. After our road trip will end in the city of Korca, one of the romantic gateways of Southern Albania. It has developed into a reputation of dolce vita lifestyle, serenades, great food and lovely local beers.

We will enter Macedonia near the St. Naum monastery, our first stop, the most famous monastery in Macedonia, built in the 9th century. Our local guide will wait for you there and he will guide you to the monastery and the surroundings. After finishing the tour, small boats will wait for us at the port of Saint Naum monastery. We will enjoy a boat ride with amazing views and perfect clear water from the oldest and clearest lake in Europe, Ohrid Lake. We will stop in a small fishing village where we will have grilled trout for lunch together with traditional garlic paste called “makalo” famous for the Ohrid region. After lunch we will sail to Bay of Bones, a palafitte settlement on water where we will discover how prehistoric people lived on the shores of Ohrid Lake. After exploring the lake we will reach Ohrid and we will be accommodated in the hotel. Free evening in the center of Ohrid.

We start the tour from the central square “St. Clement of Ohrid”. Strolling through the narrow streets of the old town, the first stop we make is in front of the Cathedral church St. Sophia. Then we walk to the next stop – the Ancient Theatre from the 1st century BC. Exploring other local sites on the way, we will visit the church St. Holly Mother of God, Peribleptos, with unique frescoes from the 13th century. We will also visit the Samoil Fortress. The last site we visit today is another 13th-century church of St. John the Evangelist (Kaneo). Going back to the center by small boats. At the end we will visit workshops for Ohrid pearls and Macedonian ruby, where we will learn more about this unique gems of Macedonia. Free time in the center.

After breakfast we’ll drive to the traditional Macedonian village Kuratica, 30 min from Ohrid. Here you will experience the traditional way of life and you will learn more about the local customs. First, we will have a donkey ride (each donkey has his or her own escort), through the beautiful mountains and nature that surrounds the village. After the donkey ride, we will have a traditional lunch, prepared just for us in one of the houses in the village. We will taste traditional Macedonian food and drinks, all homemade following traditional recipes and using homemade ingredients. After lunch we drive to Dihovo village where we will learn more about making honey in Macedonia and taste Macedonian honey. Drive to the city of Bitola, accommodation in the hotel and dinner in the center.

After breakfast we will have a city tour in Bitola. We will walk on the biggest pedestrian street, Sirok Sokak and learn about the history of the most important city in the Balkans in the 19th century. The next site is Heraclea Lyncestis, 2.5 km south of Bitola. Heraclea was a strategically important town during the Hellenistic period, and it was founded by King Philip of Macedon (the father of Alexander the Great). In the afternoon we will drive to Dihovo village where we will have cooking classes with a traditional Macedonian family. We will learn some of the recipes from traditional Macedonian cuisine and at the end we will have dinner.

After breakfast, we will drive to the most important archaeological site in Macedonia, Stobi. It was once the biggest Roman city on the Balkans. Walk through the site and view basilicas, palaces, the Forum, the Theatre, an ancient synagogue and museum. Next to Stobi ruins is the Stobi winery, the most modern Macedonian winery, first we will do a short tour of the winery and after that we will have lunch with wine tasting. Macedonian wine is well known and the tradition of making wine here dates back from antiquity. After lunch we will drive to Skopje, the last stop on our tour.

Walking tour of Skopje’s center Leisure time in the afternoon. Our farewell dinner will be at a boutique winery.