Day 1 Arrival Tirana 

After arriving at Tirana International Airport you will be met by an English-speaking guide. This guide will take you to the car rental where he/she will help you rent the rental car you will use for this trip.
Then you drive to your hotel in the center of the Albanian capital.

Rest of the day to  explore Tirana. Tirana used to be dull and grayish, but after the communist era it has experienced an international boom and has become a lively, colorful metropolis with a unique atmosphere. Tirana is fascinating and represents both the past and future of Albania. Stroll through the trendy residential area of ​​Blloku, where you will find the old house of Enver Hoxha, but also many cozy restaurants and cafes. This used to be the living quarters of the country's communist leaders, now the hip and trendy district of the city. Not far from here leads the central Skanderberg square, a typical large square in socialist architectural style. It is very nice to visit the Bunk'Art museum, an immense underground city, from where Enver Hoxha controlled the country. It gives a good picture of the paranoia that Albania was burdened with for decades. Nearby you can take a cable car to Mt. Djati for a beautiful view of the surroundings.

Day 2 Tirana - Prizren

After breakfast you get in the car towards Kosovo. You can drive to Prizren, the cultural and historical capital of Kosovo, in about 3 hours. Visit the old Ottoman center of the city here, which is surrounded by mountain landscapes. The cobbled alleys and atmospheric tea houses in the old bazaar give Prizren a unique Ottoman charm. In Prizren every religion is respected and today you can visit the Mosque of Sinan Pasha, St. George's Orthodox Cathedral and the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. In the afternoon, visit the Prizren Fortress with beautiful views over the city.

Day 3 Prizren

A free day to experience Prizren and local life in the region from the inside. For example, visit one of the organic cheese factories and learn from the local cheesemonger about making Sharr cheese. This cheese is made from sheep's or cow's milk and is often used in dishes, salads or served with bread. A real local delicacy and definitely worth tasting! Prizren is the cultural and historical capital of Kosovo, it will not escape your notice that the city was part of the Ottoman Empire for hundreds of years. Most of the inhabitants of Prizren are Islamic and this is reflected in the many mosques (35 of them!) that all call for prayer at the same time. The most impressive mosque is the Sinan Pasha Mosque. From the old fortress you have a great view of the city.

Day 4 Prizren - Rugova Valley via Gjakova and Peja

A beautiful tour takes you past some of the highlights of Kosovo. The first stop is Gjakova. Gjakova is a charming town that used to serve as a trading center on the route between Shkodra and Constantinople. At that time, Gjakova was even the most developed trade center in the entire Balkans. You will find all kinds of craft stalls where you can get acquainted with old crafts that no longer exist in Western Europe, such as tailors specialized in the “Plis” (a traditional Albanian hat) and furniture makers who make “Diep” (wooden cradles). The old bazaar of Gjakova is now home to numerous coffee shops, restaurants and cafes and has a cozy, artistic atmosphere.

Next stop is the Vican Decani Monastery, one of the most beautiful monasteries in the Balkans. The monastery is beautifully situated in the woods with mountains in the background. The monastery is heavily guarded by an international force, after all, the monasteries are Serbian. There is a serene tranquility in the monastery itself and when you enter the main church, you will be amazed. The entire church is covered with 14th century frescoes, inspired by the Byzantine period.

Then you continue to Peja. Near Peja you will make a stop at the Monastery of the Patriarch of Peja, also a Serbian shrine, and also covered with beautiful frescoes. This monastery is located at the beginning of the Rugova canyon, a beautiful nature reserve.

Then a beautiful trip to the Rugova valley and the impressive gorge and you drive straight through one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the country. The guesthouse where you will spend the night is located in the mountain village of Reka e Allages and the local villagers will receive you with a warm welcome.

Day 5 Rugova valley

The Rugova Valley is a ski area in winter and a fantastic area for outdoor enthusiasts in summer. There are countless options here for mountain climbing and hiking along high mountain walls, mysterious caves and beautiful waterfalls. Together with your host you can choose a walk through the valley to take today. You can also drive to Kuqishte and from there walk to some beautiful mountain lakes (a 4-hour walk back and forth from the restaurant).

Day 6 Rugova - Pristina

Make sure you leave on time today because there is another beautiful ride of about 3 hours on the program and you also want to see something of Pristina, possibly accompanied by our local guide Mena. Although Pristina has not been the capital for long, it has everything that a large metropolis has. Go to one of the nice cafes and experience the coffee culture of Kosovo. Mother Theresa Boulevard is a wide pedestrian street full of nice cafes and restaurants, fountains and squares. A nice stop in the area is Gracanica, a Serbian village with a beautiful Orthodox church and the excavations of Ulpiana from Roman times.

Dag 7 Pristina - Skopje

After a 1.5 hour drive you have arrived in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia and the birthplace of Mother Teresa. Several monuments have been erected in her memory. Just before Skopje, you should not miss the paradisiacal Canyon Matka. This nature reserve on the Treska River is located about 15 kilometers outside the city. You can take a boat trip to the Vrelo Caves, which are considered the deepest sea caves in the world. Once you arrive in Skopje, there are plenty of options for a nice lunch in the center before exploring the earthquake-ravaged city on your own. In any case, the Grand Bazaar is definitely worth a visit, and you should not miss the stone bridge over the Vardar River, a well-known historical building in Skopje. You can also visit Kale Fort, built on the highest point of the city.

Day 8 Skopje - Lake Ohrid

Nestled among the mountains of Macedonia, Ohrid is a three-hour drive from the capital Skopje. Ohrid is one of the oldest settlements in Europe and its history is evident in every building in the city's Old Town. However, it is Lake Ohrid that makes the city unique. At three million years old, it is one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes. Waterfront resorts make it the perfect place to relax in the sun. For the active, there are walks along the coastline and into the mountains. You will be rewarded with a beautiful top view of the lake.

Day 9 Lake Ohrid

Today you have the whole day to explore Ohrid and its surroundings. You can visit the Monastery of Saint Naum, located amidst lush greenery and built in the 10th century AD. It is an oasis of peace on the border between Albania and Macedonia. Be sure to make a photo stop at the Bay of Bones Museum, a reconstruction of a prehistoric stilt village that must once have been located here. The city of Ohrid is located high on the shore of Lake Ohrid and is one of the oldest European settlements. The historic city center is characterized by colorful architecture, centuries-old houses and monuments and countless churches and monasteries, and it is therefore not surprising that the city is included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Lake Ohrid southwest of the city is surrounded by green mountains and impressive cliffs. Due to this sublime combination of historical heritage and fantastic nature reserve, a visit to this region is, according to many, the highlight of a tour through North Macedonia.

Day 10 Ohrid - Halkidi

Today you start the last stretch through Greece and make one more stop before you return to Thessaloniki. Chalkidiki is famous for its beautiful natural landscapes and exotic beaches.

Day 11-12 Halkidi

The locals mention that nowhere in Greece can there be beaches like those of Halkidiki. Relax on the endless sandy beaches and swim in the many secluded bays and coves. Along the beaches you will find many cozy tavernas to completely relax after this tour through Greece.

Day 13 Halkidiki - Thessaloniki
You continue from Halkidiki to Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki is a pleasant city with a lively atmosphere. You will find a long boulevard, many terraces and restaurants. There are several Greek Orthodox churches and an interesting museum. You will stay in a modern hotel in Thessaloniki within walking distance of the boulevard.

Day 14 Thessaloniki - Meteora

Today you travel to one of the most beautiful sights in all of Greece; the spectacularly situated monasteries of Meteora. In a rugged landscape full of rock formations you will find several Greek Orthodox monasteries, all located on the tops of barely accessible rocks. Inside the monasteries you will find a serene tranquility and centuries-old frescoes. The monasteries are all located around the towns of Kalampaki and Kastraki. Here there is a large rock wall with all kinds of protruding rocks on which the monasteries have been built over hundreds of years. Currently you can visit 7 monasteries (note, not every monastery is open every day)

Day 15 Meteora

A whole day to further explore the monasteries and surroundings. There are various walking routes in this area, where you will visit several monasteries.

Day 16 Meteora - Metsovo

Today you travel into the mountains to Metsovo, an hour's drive. A village with centuries-old traditions, architecture, many museums and art galleries, but also surrounded by vineyards and green hills. Metsovo is located at 1160 meters in the Pindos Mountains. You can explore the village, but also visit the nearby mountain lake Aoos, about a 40-minute drive from Metsovo. You can also rent bicycles and cycle to this lake. You can also go hiking in the area. The 40 kilometer long Ursa Trail is famous, well signposted, and you can walk parts of it. In addition, the village is home to a unique cuisine, which you can discover in one of the many tavernas. Be sure to try not only the local pies and the tasty sausages, but also the local dishes prepared with the smoked metsovone cheese. Finally, the region is also home to the Katogi Averoff Winery – a place where you can taste Katogi wine, an aromatic red wine known throughout the country.

Day 17 Metsovo - Gjirokastra

You continue west via a beautiful route and cross the border into Albania. After more than 2 hours you will arrive in Gjirokaster, a well-preserved old town with authentic architecture and the fortress overlooking the entire city. The old houses lean against the slopes of the hills with their beautiful old wooden facades. As soon as you step onto the streets, you will understand why Gjirokastër is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Albania. The town is covered in beautiful Ottoman houses and buildings that are now craft shops, restaurants and beautiful hotels. Most are located in or near the bazaar and date from the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, so bring your camera! If you still have time, walk to the castle at the top of the hill from which you have a beautiful view of the city. Gjirokastër is the birthplace of Albania's former dictator, Enver Hoxha. He grew up in a beautiful Ottoman house in the middle of the old city. Today it is home to an interesting ethnographic museum with a wonderful collection of local arts and crafts. And last but not least, enjoy the unparalleled regional cuisine here.

Day 18 Gjirokastra - Berat

You continue the journey north and after a 3-hour drive you arrive in Berat, a unique Albanian city with typical Ottoman architecture. What makes the city of Berat special is that different religious and cultural communities have lived side by side for centuries. This afternoon, for example, visit the Kala Fortress, built in the 18th century and included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the perfect place to admire the city from above. The area looks magical with its ancient ruins, wild flowers and small courtyards. Just behind the walls of Kala Castle is Holy Trinity Church, a fourteenth-century picturesque church that is definitely worth a look.

Day 19 Berat
Berat is divided into two major districts, Gorica and Mangalem. Mangalem is perhaps the more picturesque side of the city as it is full of Ottoman-era buildings, complete with small windows and brown roofs. Stroll through the narrow streets of Mangalem and admire the impressive Ottoman architecture. Traditionally, Mangalem is the Muslim quarter of Berat, and it is home to three beautiful mosques open to the public: the Sultan Mosque, the Lead Mosque and the Bachelor's Mosque. The first is one of the oldest mosques in the country, the Lead Mosque is famous for its spherical dome made of lead, and the Bachelor Mosque was built for unmarried men and has beautiful paintings decorating the outer walls. From Gorica you have a beautiful view of the Mangalem district and from here you can take the best photos of the old Ottoman facades.

Day 20 Berat - Tirana
With a two-hour drive you will arrive in the Albanian capital Tirana. What used to be a gray city has grown into a metropolis with a lot of atmosphere in the city. You have time to discover the city. The Palace of Culture, the National Historical Museum and the Great Mosque of Tirana are definitely worth a visit! Rruga Murat Toptani is a nice car-free street with a number of terraces under trees.