Western Balkan Explorer – Yellow Route

Arrive in Tirana International Airport. Transfer to the city and enjoy the day at leisure. Stay overnight in Tirana.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

After breakfast, travel to Lezhë, known in ancient times as Lissus, a renowned Pelasgian-Illyrian city-state. Visit its castle (12th century BC) and the Mausoleum of Skanderbeg, Albania’s National Hero, located within St. Nikolli Church. Explore the ancient city walls and Roman ruins before enjoying panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and surrounding valleys from 157m above sea level. Lezhë offers a wealth of archaeological, monumental, and historical treasures, including the settlement of Akrolissi (11th century BC), the oldest in the region, and the later Illyrian city of Lissus, founded in 385 BC. Some scholars suggest this site may have been the legendary Troyan city of Ilion, based on parallels with Homer’s Iliad. Continue to Theth, located within the Albanian Alps. The “National Park of Theth” is nestled between the rugged blocks of Bjeshkët e Nemuna and Jezerca, and is renowned as the country’s foremost alpine region. The valley is framed by dramatic rocky peaks and celebrated for its pristine natural beauty and traditional hospitality. Overnight in Theth.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

After breakfast, journey to Shkodër, with striking views of the Albanian Alps. Visit Rozafa Castle, offering commanding panoramas of the surrounding mountains, Shkodra Lake, and the Drin, Buna, and Kir rivers. Continue to the impressive Mes Bridge over the Kir River, a fine Ottoman-era stone bridge, ideal for photography. A city tour follows, including the Old Bazaar, central square, Cathedral, Mosque, and the renowned Marubi Museum, which houses an extraordinary photographic archive from the 19th century. Overnight in Shkodër.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Today’s journey begins with a boat trip on Lake Koman, described by the Bradt Guide as “one of the great boat trips of the world.” The two-hour voyage passes through dramatic mountain gorges created by the Drin River, with twisting passages and silent peaks reflected in clear waters. Continue north to Bajram Curri and follow the Valbona River to the heart of the Valbona Valley National Park, a spectacular area of 8,000 hectares. The valley, with its high peaks, forests, rivers, and traditional dwellings, is considered the jewel of the Albanian Alps. Enjoy a walk in Valbona Village, visiting the medieval mill and karst lake, before crossing into Kosovo. Stop in Junik to see traditional fortified stone houses known as “Kulla,” typical of the Dukagjin region. Continue to the 14th-century Deçan Monastery, renowned for its stunning frescoes, preserved despite Ottoman-era damage. On arrival in Pejë, visit Ottoman-era landmarks including the Tahir Beu Palace, Jashar Pasha House, Sheremet Tower, and the Old Çarshia with its historic Bajrakli Mosque. End the day with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Peć Patriarchate Monastery, located at the entrance to the Rugova Gorge. Overnight in Pejë.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Depart for Gjakovë, set on the banks of the River Erenik. Highlights include the Clock Tower, Old Bazaar, grain market, and workshops of traditional artisans. Visit the 16th-century Hadum Aga Mosque, a traditional Ottoman house for tea, and the historic Hani i Haraçisë inn, before continuing to the Ethnographic Museum. Proceed to Rahovec and visit Stone Castle Winery, the largest in Kosovo and among the largest in the Balkans, with the option to taste local wines. Continue to Prizren, often considered Kosovo’s most attractive town, with superb Ottoman-era architecture. Visit Prizren Castle, one of the oldest fortresses in the Balkans, as well as the Catholic and Orthodox churches, Bajrakli Mosque, and the old Turkish Hammam. The town’s historic centre, with its atmospheric houses and cobbled lanes, is especially enchanting at sunset. Overnight in Prizren.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Explore eastern Kosovo, beginning with Gračanica Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of late Byzantine architecture, built in 1321 by King Stefan Milutin. Nearby are the ruins of Ulpiana, once the capital of the Roman province of Dardania, originally settled by the Illyrian Dardani tribe. Destroyed by an earthquake, the city was later rebuilt under Emperor Justinian as Justiniana Secunda. Continue to Novobërdë to see its medieval fortress, which once protected the region’s mines, before visiting Letnica, a former Croatian enclave notable for its whitewashed church and revered wooden statue of the Black Madonna. Tradition holds that Mother Teresa was inspired to become a missionary after a pilgrimage here in 1928. Arrive in Pristina and enjoy a city tour, including Mother Teresa Square, the National Theatre, Pristina University, the Clock Tower, Bazaar Mosque, Orthodox Church, and the Ethnographic Museum, housed in a fine Ottoman residence. Overnight in Pristina.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

Depart for North Macedonia, stopping at Gadime Marble Cave. This fascinating natural monument, estimated to be over two million years old, features remarkable stalactite and stalagmite formations. Cross the border to Skopje, the Macedonian capital, and explore the old city, beginning with Skopje Castle on a hilltop with sweeping views. Walk through the historic quarter, visiting Mustafa Pasha Mosque (1492), the 18th-century Church of the Holy Saviour, and the Old Bazaar, a lively district of mosques, inns, baths, artisan workshops, restaurants, and shops. Overnight in Skopje.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

After breakfast, travel to Matka Canyon, a spectacular gorge with medieval churches, monasteries, and caves, as well as rich biodiversity. Continue to Tetovo, where highlights include the Painted Mosque, richly decorated with colourful frescoes, the Turkish Hamam, and the Stone Bridge over the River Pena. Journey via Mavrovo National Park, the largest in Macedonia, following the Radika River and stopping at monasteries and churches en route. Arrive in Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with free time to enjoy the lakeside town. Overnight in Ohrid.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

After breakfast, cross back into Albania and visit Elbasan, an important city on the ancient Via Egnatia trade route that connected Durrës with Thessaloniki and Istanbul. Explore the old town, castle, church, mosque, and other landmarks before returning and overnight in Tirana.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to Tirana International Airport for departure.

 

Meals included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner