Balkans and Heart of Albania (2026)

Day 1: Zagreb

Arrival in Zagreb. We’ll be ready to transfer you to your hotel. Our guide will join us with the group from Slovenia around lunchtime. In the afternoon, at around 04:00 p.m. (time may vary), we’ll embark on a panoramic tour with a local guide (included), giving us the opportunity to admire the city´s two hills, the upper town, and the new neighborhoods of Croatia’s capital. Dinner will be included.

Day 2: Zagreb - Banja Luka - Jajce - Sarajevo

We’ll depart early in the morning to travel to Bosnia. Border formalities may take some time. As we drive through certain areas, we’ll be reminded of the tragic war of the 1990s. Our journey will take us through the majority-Serb territory of Bosnia, with our first stop in Banja Luka. Here, you’ll have time to explore the capital of the autonomous entity of Republika Srpska, the second largest city in Bosnia after Sarajevo, known for its fortress and Orthodox cathedral. There will be time for lunch. We’ll then continue to Jajce, arguably the most beautiful town in Bosnia, celebrated for its cultural diversity, mosque, fortress, and impressive waterfall (admission included). After some time to explore, we’ll proceed to Sarajevo, arriving in the evening. You’ll have the opportunity to stroll through the historic center and visit the charming Bazaar, an old Ottoman market renowned for its architecture, oriental ambiance, and traditional shops. Dinner will be included.

Day 3: Sarajevo - Mostar - Dubrovnik

In the morning, we include a guided tour of SARAJEVO, a fascinating city known as the “Jerusalem of Europe” for its coexistence of different religions. Mosques, churches, and synagogues reflect this rich diversity. We will notice the strong Ottoman influence in its old town, with its more than 500-year-old mosque and beautiful fountain.After the visit, we continue our journey through an area of stunning natural beauty to MOSTAR, with its beautiful historic center and its iconic stone bridge that links the Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic communities. Free time for lunch and to explore the city.We then continue on to CROATIA. Border formalities (which may be lengthy). Arrival in DUBROVNIK at the end of the day. Dinner included

Day 4: Dubrovnik

We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide in the morning. We will undoubtedly be in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, perched on a cliff, surrounded by walls and kissed by the Adriatic Sea. Its intact historic center is a jewel of world architectural heritage. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a stunning view of the city from a scenic viewpoint along the road. The tour includes tickets to the Franciscan Monastery, home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and the Assumption Cathedral. We’ll also take a boat trip to Lokrum, a small island just 15 minutes away that is home to the ruins of an eleventh-century Benedictine monastery, a popular setting for the series Game of Thrones. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner will be included.Note: On some occasions, accommodation may be in Cavtat, a coastal town near Dubrovnik. From November to March, there is no boat service to Lokrum, so we will not visit the island during these months.

Day 5: Dubrovnik - Kotor - Budva - Tirana

We’ll set off early for MONTENEGRO. After completing border procedures, we’ll enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and the Bay of Kotor. We’ll take a ferry across the bay to Kotor, where you’ll have time to explore this beautiful walled town with its strong Venetian influence. Next, we’ll stop in BUDVA, a charming walled village surrounded by the sea, for lunch. Then we’ll travel to ALBANIA. After customs procedures, we’ll go to the capital, TIRANA. Dinner will be included.

Day 6: Tirana - ELBASAN - BELSH - Berat

From the vibrant energy of Tirana, we travel to the stone and light embrace of Berat, the city of a thousand windows. But first, we’ll stop in ELBASAN and BELSH.. Elbasan was a key stop on the ancient Via Egnatia, the Roman route that connected Durres with Constantinople. Today, Elbasan blends Ottoman ruins with a modern atmosphere. Belsh, located in the center of the country in the Elbasan region, is famous for its unique lake landscape. It is part of the Dumre plateau, home to more than 80 natural lakes formed by karst processes. This area is ideal for ecotourism and relaxation in a peaceful rural setting.Arrival in BERAT. Panoramic tour included with a local guide. Ottoman houses clinging to the hillside, the silent fortress, and narrow streets full of history invite us to begin the journey with an open soul. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit a local home and enjoy coffee and sweets with a local family. Free time. Traditional dinner included to savor the Albanian heart.

Day 7: Berat - Gjirokastër

After breakfast, our route takes us to the breathtaking OSUM CANYON, where water carves impossible landscapes and nature breathes with force. Here we’ll enjoy a light walk, and those who wish may experience the adventure of rafting. We then continue to GJIROKASTRA, the “stone city” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where time seems to stand still. Dinner included at the hotel.

Day 8: Gjirokastër - Butrint - Vlora

The day begins with the mystical beauty of the Blue Eye, a spring that seems to hide a piece of sky within the earth. We continue to the Butrint National Park, where ancient myths and Greco-Roman ruins blend with nature. We’ll visit the archaeological site with a guide and take a gentle walk through the natural park, discovering birds, wetlands, and green tranquility. After the visit, before continuing the route, we’ll make a short technical stop in BUTRINT to rest. On the way, we’ll make a brief stop at the Brataj Bridge, an Ottoman jewel over the Shushicë River, perfect for photos and a last pause on the route. Arrival in VLORË , where the Adriatic and the Ionian meet in an endless embrace. Free walk at sunset and an evening to dine to the slow rhythm of the sea. Dinner included.

Day 9: Vlora - Apolonia - Durrës - Tirana

The day begins with a visit to the archaeological site of Apollonia, surrounded by columns and silence, ruins and olive trees. We then continue to DURRËS, a lively Mediterranean city with its Roman amphitheater and bustling streets. Lunch included to savor the coastal flavors. Our last stop is the serene PREZA Fortress, where the views bid a gentle farewell to the Albanian landscape. Return to TIRANA with hearts full of light, stone, and water. Arrival in Tirana at the end of the afternoon. Accommodation.

Day 10: Tirana

After breakfast, we´ll transfer you to the airport and the journey will come to an end, leaving you with wonderful, lasting memories.