Day 1 – London to Tirana

Afternoon direct flight from London for an evening arrival in Tirana, capital of Albania. Transfer to our city centre hotel. Evening meal included.

Day 2 – Lake Ohrid & Voskopojë

A short walking tour of the Tirana highlights includes the clock tower, the Palace of Culture and the Bunk’ Art 2 Museum dedicated to the memory of the tens of thousands who were imprisoned and persecuted during the communist regime. Drive to Durrës and then train to Elbasan in Albania’s central mountains. Finally by road via beautiful Lake Ohrid to the tiny village of Voskopojë where a late evening meal awaits us.

Day 3 – Korcë

Time for a stroll in the village before the short drive to nearby Korcë, a bustling cathedral city which owes its existence to its proximity to both North Macedonia and Greece. Return to Voskopojë for overnight stay.

Day 4 – South to Permet

The mountains are spectacular as we drive along minor roads towards our next destination. We visit the Farma Sotira bio fish farm and pass close to the Greek border before arriving at the spa town of Permet. Dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 5 – Sarandë

Morning drive to Gjirokastra, birthplace of Enver Hoxha. The town is built on two levels, the upper level of which includes the old city with its pre-Ottoman citadel affording striking views of the Drino River below. Time for lunch here before continuing via the Blue Eye fresh water spring to the lovely coastal town of Sarandë for dinner and a 2-night stay.

Day 6 – Sarandë, Butrint & a Beautiful Coastline

Explore Sarandë, the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site at Butrint, originally settled by the Ancient Greeks, and the Albanian Riviera Coastline.

Day 7 – Berat

Heading into the mountains of Central Albania, our next overnight stay is in Berat, a small UNESCO Heritage town on the Osum River known for its white Ottoman houses and castle housing an ethnographic museum and reconstructed medieval bazaar.

Day 8 – North to Shkodër

Our exploration of the northern half of Albania starts with a drive to Shkodër, the largest city in the north west of the country and, once again, a place of rich history dating back to the Bronze Age. We have a 2-night stay here.

Day 9 – Mes Bridge & Shiroka

A full day’s sightseeing starting with the famous Mes Bridge, an 18th Century stone viaduct over the Kir River, once part of an important trade route linking Shkodër with Constantinople. We then continue to the lakeside fishing village of Shiroka.

Day 10 – The Koman Ferry

We drive into the Albanian Alps, the wildest and remotest region in the whole country. Highlight is a 2 hour trip on a ferry linking the dam at Koman with the small village of Fierza. The lake was created in the 80s by flooding the valley of the River Drin and is now one of a series of important hydro-electric schemes. In Fierza we rejoin our bus to reach our final destination of Valbonë. Here we are surrounded by snow covered peaks, beautiful but rarely visited.

Day 11 – Return to Shkodër

Heading back down the valley, we arrive at the town of Bajram Curri (named after a 19th Century local hero who played a big part in Albania’s struggle for independence). From here we cross into Kosovo and pause briefly in Prizren with its citadel high above the town. Returning to Albania, we overnight in Shkodër.

Day 12 – Montenegro

A morning transfer brings us to Podgorica, capital of Montenegro for a short sightseeing tour. The afternoon is free and those who wish could take the opportunity to ride either the main rail line to the coast at Bar or the branch to Niksic.

Day 13 – Montenegro’s Scenic Main Line

The main railway line from here to Belgrade in Serbia is justifiably famous as one of the most scenic in Europe. For the first 80 miles, the line climbs high above the valley and there are wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 14 – Belgrade

Free day in Serbia’s capital city. Our hotel is within an easy walk of the main sights including the fortress and Kalemegdan Park.

Day 15 – Home Again

Mid-morning flight to London arriving at lunchtime.