Balkans Discovery: Montenegro to Kosovo

Arrive at any time. After a welcome briefing, set off with your CEO on an evening walking tour of Kotor's old town. Get your bearings of the area on the way to an optional group dinner.

Hop on a boat from Kotor's port area and set off on a scenic ride in the Bay of Kotor, seeing a number of small islands and historical sites before arriving to the town of Perast. Spend some time exploring and wandering Perast's old town before returning to Kotor around midday. The rest of the day is free for individual exploration or for optional activities like museum visits or sea kayaking.

Travel south from Kotor to the coastal seaport town of Budva. Visit the old town on a walk with your CEO then continue inland to visit the striking Ostrog Monasteray, perched high on a mountain cliff face, offering great views from the top. After lunch, pass through Durmitor National Park's rugged landscape and stop at Black Lake for a stroll. Then drive towards Zabljak, a serene natural haven with diverse terrain and forest shade - our stop for the night.

Head out after breakfast and drive to a hidden gem of natural beauty in Montenegro, Biogradska Gora National Park. Spend most of the day in the park, walking with the CEO around the lake and taking in the pristine forest and mountain scenery. After lunch in the park enjoy a bit of free time to rent a boat, a bike or a kayak to further explore the area. In the late afternoon, drive to the nearby town of Kolasin for the night, with an included dinner at our accommodation.

Get picked up at the hotel in the morning by 4x4 vehicles for an unforgettable adventure. Head off-road and explore Montenegro's incredibly beautiful back country while traversing rugged terrain through mountains and forest. After lunch, continue south to the capital city of Podgorica and set off on a a walking exploration of the old town, once a medieval stronghold. Enjoy an optional final dinner out with the group in the old town or near the hotel.

Depart Podgorica and cross the Hani i Hotit - Bozhaj border into Albania, reaching the beautiful natural scenery of Theth National Park. Explore the area with your CEO, walking through meadows full of wildflowers surrounded by mountain peaks, and marvel at the 25m high Grunasi Waterfall, cascading from a limestone cliff. In the afternoon continue to the city of Shkodër and check into the hotel, with the rest of the evening free to relax.

Set off this morning on a guided walking tour of Shkodër to see some of the main sights and to learn a bit about the city's history. Starting from the Ottoman-era Mesi bridge, walk to the old town and take in the panoramic views from Rozafa castle. Shkodër's cultural heritage is on full display through its historic architecture and monuments. The rest of the day is free to explore, visit museums or relax at a cafe or at the hotel.

Travel south from Shkodër this morning and stop in the small mountain town of Kruje. Explore the city on foot learn a bit about its fascinating history and significance since Roman times. After time for lunch, continue driving south to the city of Tirana, Albania's capital, and check into the hotel for the evening.

Drive east from Tirana this morning to the coast, and to the ancient Roman remains of Durrës, dating back more than 3000 years. Explore the fascinating site with your CEO and see the massive amphitheatre which could hold up to 20,000 people. In the afternoon, continue south to the city of Vlorë and set off on an exploration walk of the old town to see the Muradie Mosque and other striking historical landmarks. The rest of the evening is free to relax and find a spot to watch the sunset over the Adriatic sea.

Be immersed in Albanian culture today on a hike to a shepherd outpost in the mountains. Start walking from the community of Tragjas, heading up the mountain to meet the local shepherds who will share their time with us. Learn about their traditional life in the mountains and enjoy a delicious typical lunch before hiking back down to the bus for the trip back to Vlorë. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city or to relax.

Drive along the spectacular Albanian Riviera today to Gjirokastër with a number of stops and highlights along the way. First, visit the small beach town of Himarë and have a bit of time for lunch. Continue to Ksamil and visit the beautiful and historic castle of Ali Pasha, dramatically perched on the edge of a peninsula jutting out into the sea. Next visit the ruins of city of Butrint, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site that was once an ancient Greek city. Arrive to Gjirokastër in the evening and check into the hotel.

Set off after breakfast with your CEO to explore the old city of Gjirokastër. Pass by some of the historic sites like the obelisk and the imposing Girokastra Castle then take some free time to continue exploring and to find some lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to a local winery to tour the vineyard with one of the local experts and to taste their wines with a light dinner. The rest of the evening is free after returning to the hotel.

Drive north today to the riverside city of Berat, known for its white Ottoman houses. In the afternoon, set off on an orientation walk with your CEO to explore. Visit the castle, the remains of a sprawling 13th century fortress as well as the traditional low neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica. The remainder of the day is free to continue exploring before regrouping in the evening for an optional traditional Albanian meal and farewell dinner.

Leave Berat after breakfast for the drive back to Tirana, arriving around midday. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening free to explore the city or to relax, then head out for an optional dinner in the evening with your CEO and fellow travellers.

Cross the border into North Macedonia and travel to the beautiful city of Ohrid, referred to as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans" due to its 365 churches with one for each day of the year. Take some free time to find lunch in one of the bazaars and then take a short boat cruise to admire the city's highlights and the surrounding scenery. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring or to relax.

Set off with your CEO this morning on an walking exploration of Ohrid. Discover the old town with it's iconic landmarks and historic architecture then wander through the local bazaar. Later, join a chef to learn about local delicious specialties that will serve as a light lunch before visiting the Roman amphitheatre. The rest of the afternoon and evening are free to continue exploring or to relax at the hotel before an optional dinner out in the evening. While getting to know Ohrid, keep an eye out for the 900 year old tree located near Old Town - a true Ohrid landmark.

Wave goodbye to Ohrid this morning as you depart for Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Stop in Bitola for a pleasant walk along the pedestrian street called Shirok Sokak before travelling onward to wine region. Sample the local flavours before ending in the capital. Later, set off on foot with your CEO to see some of the city's striking architecture followed by a walk up to the Castle of Kale to revel in the city views. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring or to relax.

Enjoy a relaxed morning before driving across the border into Kosovo and to the city of Prizren. Set off with your CEO on an orientation walk through town along the Bistrica river, crossing the iconic old stone bridge and onto the cobble-stoned Shadervan square. The rest of the afternoon is free before re-grouping in the evening for a walk up to the town fortress for beautiful sunset views of the town, river and valley.

Enjoy a free day in Prinzen to explore the city, take a wine tasting excursion or to relax. Perhaps join your CEO for a morning visit to the filigree shops to browse the textiles and shops or head out on a leisurely hike along the Bistrica River.

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Prizren before journeying onward to Pristina, the bustling commerce hub and capital of Kosovo. Explore the city's highlights with your CEO on an orientation walk and get immersed in its rich history before taking the rest of the day free for individual exploration or to relax at a cafe. Head out in the evening for an optional final dinner out with the group.

Depart at any time.

Hotels (20 nts).

Boat, private vehicle, 4x4, walking.