Albania and Montenegro Tour

Transfer to Berat passing through suggestive hills full of olive trees. Get settled in the hotel and set out for a walking guide through the UNESCO – recognized old town. Admire the White Mosque, the Holy Trinity Church, Gorica Bridge and the Berati citadel/castle. Enjoy a coffee and raki break inside the castle of Berat Transfer to the scenic and family owned Alpeta Agrotourism & Winery located among the rolling hills that surround the city. Tour the facilities for a complete view of the process of vinification, its cellar and vineyard. After the visit, enjoy lunch with their seasonal home-grown and locally sourced organic delights and their fine wine. Return in Berat for a free evening.

• Berat | 1 night
• Included meals: Breakfast, Agrotourism Lunch
• Included entrances: Berat Castle

Transfer to Gjirokaster to discover the city of “a thousand steps”, driving through small villages. Step into Skenduli house, the nicest Ottoman tower house and listen to its history and details from the 10th generation of Skenduli family Soak up to the rich history of the castle and enjoy the view of the “city of stone” from above Pass by the Ottoman Bazaar and historic wooden houses Head out for lunch in a small, local restaurant for a taste of the city’s authentic dishes. Travel to Saranda in the late afternoon.

• Saranda | 2 nights
• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Included entrances: Castle of Gjirokaster, Skenduli House

In the morning we travel to the Blue Eye and marvel at the spring’s shades of blue and nature around it. Transfer to Butrint for a guided tour of the UNESCO Archaeological site where a local guided explains 2500 years of history embedded in the Amphitheater, the Castle, the Churches and the Lion’s Gate. Set off for a beach day at Ksamil Islands where you will have them to explore, swim, sunbathe and enjoy food and drinks at small cafés and restaurants on the Islands. Enjoy a fish based lunch in Ksamil. Spend your afternoon in Ksamil and on the way back to Saranda visit the Lekursi Castle overseeing the city.

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Included entrances: Blue Eye Spring, Archaeological Park of Butrint – On-site expert guide

En route to the city of Durres via the scenic Riviera road, explore the Ali Pasha Castle with your Tour Director. Marvel at the architecture and listen to entertaining legends about the man who build it, Ali Pashe Tepelena. Stop for lunch at a rustic local restaurant along Shushica river. Reach Durres, get settled in the hotel and enjoy an evening in the lights and promenade of this seaside town

• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Included entrances: Ali Pasha Castle
• Durres | 1 night

Continue on to Podgorica, making stops along the way. Take a guided tour of the Albanian town of Krujë, located between the Ishëm River and Mount Krujë. You’ll visit a small bazaar full of local handicrafts before entering Krujë Castle to visit the Skanderbeg Museum. Inside, you’ll learn about national hero George Castriot Skanderbeg and his involvement in the Albanian-Ottoman wars. Enjoy some free time in the town to eat lunch, shop and explore on your own Stop in Shkodra, a small city situated at the foot of the Albanian Alps, to step inside the hilltop Rozafa Castle Reach the capital of Montenegro, get settled into the hotel and enjoy an evening in Podgorica. Please note: Travelers should be prepared to show their passports at the border crossing between Albania and Montenegro. 

• Montenegro, Podgorica | 1 night
• Included meals: Breakfast
• Included entrances: Museum of Skanderbeg, Rozafa Fortress

This morning have a walking tour of Podgorica along Independence Square and the Roman Bridge where the Moraca and Ribnica rivers converge. Continue on to Budva, making stops along the way. Travel through the Lake Skadar region of Montenegro to the town of Virpazar/Rijeka, where you will enjoy a traditional lunch on the shores of the lake. You have here also an option to hop on a boat for a tour of Lake Skadar (not included in the price). Continue along the Montenegro coast to Budva, stopping for a photo of the charming peninsula village of Sveti Stefan en route Get settled into the hotel and enjoy this seaside town renamed the Miami of Montenegro.

• Budva | 2 nights
• Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Included entrances: Monastery of Ostrog

Today we explore the sunny city of Kotor on a guided walking tour. Passthrough the UNESCO-recognized medieval old town to view the ancient city walls and Cathedral of Saint Tryphon. See the old clock tower and Orthodox Church. You will have the option to hike up with your Tour Director the section of Kotor’s UNESCO–listed fortified walls located on the mountain of St. John to enjoy stunning views of the Bay of Kotor. Enjoy free time for lunch and to wander around the Old Town. Travel along the Bay of Kotor to the Venetian Town of Perast. Here, you’ll embark on a boat trip out to the man-made islets of Saint George and Our Lady of the Rocks. Return to Budva in the late afternoon.

• Included meals: Breakfast
• Included entrances: Boat Ride, Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, Our Lady of the Rocks, Local Guide

Head for Lovćen National Park, where Njegos tomb’ is positioned at its top. Visit the tomb and admire the stunning views of the summits of Montenegro, Skadar lake, (the largest lake in the Balkans) with the Albanian Alps in the background as well as Cetinje, the Adriatic coast and Boka Kotorska Bay. Enjoy a coffee break with the stunning views of the Bay of Kotor Continue to the village of Njeguši, located on the slopes of Mount Lovćen, and enter a traditional Montenegrin smokehouse to sample aged-prosciutto, cheese, and other specialities. En route to Tirana, stop in the Old Town of Shkoder and enjoy free time in the “Pedonalja”, the beating heart of Shkodra. Equipped with everything you need to relax, it’s a great street to wander around, shop and drink something. Reach Tirana for the last night on tour and in the evening gather with your group to celebrate your trip. Please note: Travelers should be prepared to show their passports at the border crossing between Albania and Montenegro. 

• Tirana | 1 night
• Included meals: Breakfast, Njeguši delicacies
• Included entrances: Lovćen National Park

Flight Home Included meals: Breakfast