BEST OF DUBROVNIK, MONTENEGRO, AND ALBANIA

A walk on the streets of Dubrovnik or along the city walls awakens the sense of awe and exhilaration. Magnificent views of the Old Town and the shimmering blue Adriatic Sea are genuinely marvelous and breathtaking.

The Old City of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered the most beautiful Croatian town and is among the most popular tourist sites in Europe. Its nickname – The Pearl of Adriatic – is there for a reason, as its visitors soon discover themselves.

Renaissance harmony, a medieval mystic and fantasy-like Game of Thrones vibe – the city of Dubrovnik is bursting with good energy and unbelievably lots of things to see and do.

After breakfast, the guided tour will provide a glimpse into the incredible Dubrovnik history and captivating legends inhabiting magical places of this medieval town.

The historic beauty of Old Town, renaissance harmony of the main street – Stradun, sophisticated architecture Rector’s Palace and dreamlike City Walls are the most essential Dubrovnik sights. The historic ambiance is packed with the colors, the smells, and the clamor of the Dubrovnik market, overflowing with fresh food and fragrant lavender.

Walking along the city walls, UNESCO World Heritage Site, overlooking the shimmering beauty of the Adriatic sea, its islands, and yachts smoothly sailing across the endless blue, energize and enthuse. City walls radiate with an unforgettable fantasy-like Game of Thrones vibe.

After the tour, the rest of the day is at leisure. You can stay in the Old Town, soaking up the unique magic of Dubrovnik. Or go to the beach. A beautiful thing to do is take a cable car to Mount Srđ for the best views of Dubrovnik or indulge in some shopping and enjoy the local fashion, crafts, and foods.

The views, the smells, and the gastronomy of Dubrovnik are the magic formula for a day well spent.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

After breakfast, the tour head towards Kotor, Montenegro. The Natural and Cultural-Historical Region of Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known as a place of superior beauty, diversity, and uniqueness. 

Boka Kotorska – The Bay of Kotor – is considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Azure sea under the high, steep mountains, meandering folds of the bay that slowly discover its stunning beauties, crystalline lakes, medieval citadels and island monasteries surrounded by lush Mediterranean greenery – Boka is a place of diversity and contrasts that harmoniously fit together into one of the world’s most beautiful places.

After the arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Kotor.

The morning starts with a guided tour along with many of Boka’s valuable sights. Boka used to be a strategic harbor of immense importance. A lot of majestic architectural heritage is telling compelling stories about its glorious past. The tour visits Perast, “The Pear of the Venetian baroque,” island church “Lady of the Rock” and finally charming Kotor Town.

The tour starts with a scenic drive to Perast, “The Pearl of the Venetian baroque.” Modest fisherman’s village bloomed into the proud capital of courageous Montenegrin mariners under the rule of the Republic of Venetia (15-18th Century). Sixteen churches and seventeen grand palaces were built during the golden era of Perast when it was a crucial Venetian harbor. Lovely church islands in front of the beautiful Perast add another level of magic to Perast’s splendor. The tour visits one of them, Church of Our Lady on the Rock was built in the 17th century.

After Perast, the tour continues with a Kotor sightseeing. Kotor’s Old Town is UNESCO’s World Heritage Site and one of the most significant old towns on the entire Mediterranean. It is famous for its medieval architecture, majestic walls snaking up the surrounding slopes, St. Tripun Cathedral from 12th century, Venetian palaces and the maze of the cobblestoned streets, alleys, and piazzas.

Majestic slopes of the surrounding mountains and quiet Kotor Bay are incredibly scenic and almost magical. Kotor’s cultural heritage and dreamlike nature join into an incredibly romantic ambiance unique in this part of the world.

Overnight in Kotor.

In the morning, the tour starts with a visit to a “Montenegro Miami” – Budva, the most visited Montenegro place. After lively and modern Budva, the tour heads toward quiet and romantic Skadar Lake.

Skadar is a beautiful lake where preserved nature, booming biodiversity, rich historical heritage, and sustainable tourism coexist in harmonious balance. The biggest lake of Balcans is so beautiful that the legends say it was created from a tear of a pixie.

“Montenegro Miami,” once was a small, fortified coastal town. Today, it is a popular holiday getaway for the rich and the famous. Its seventeen beaches and ideal climate make it a popular summer destination, filled with countless bars, restaurants, and party places.

After the fancy buzz of Budva, the tour continues in a picturesque Virpazar, the main gateway to Skadar Lake. Lake is surrounded by the rich flora and fauna, beautiful landscapes, dreamy villages, and magical island monasteries. A National Park Skadar Lake is home to rare migratory birds, some threatened animal species and an important wetland area.

Although the area nowadays looks incredibly peaceful, it used to be a frontline in long wars between Montenegrins and the Turks. As you look around, you will notice long walls, towers, and fortifications, bearing witness of the dreadful wars that were tearing the Balcan apart. Fortunately, today, Skadar is a place of joy and hedonism. Besides enjoying nature and cultural heritage, Skadar is a place to enjoy locally produced organic food, delicious wine, and active vacations.

Overnight in Tirana.

After breakfast, the tour heads towards Albania, a country of mighty mountains, ancient castles with defensive structures, beautiful beaches and rich Greek and Roman heritage.

The first stop is Shkodër, the oldest and most historic of all Albanian towns. It is famous for its ancient Rozafa castle, perched high above the rivers Bojana and Drin. Next sights is Kruja, the birthplace of legendary national hero, Skenderbeg who fought the Turks 500 years ago.

Finally, the tour arrives in Tirana, the capital of Albania. Once the capital of an isolated dictatorship, Tirana reinvented itself into a colorful and buzzy city.

Rozafa Castle, near the city of Shkodër, in northwestern Albania rises imposingly on a rocky hill, 130 meters (430 ft.) above sea level, surrounded by the Bojana and Drin rivers. It bears silent witness to thousands of years of battles, confrontation, and wars that were raging here since the Illyrian times. After an optional lunch, the tour continues to the ancient town of Kruje and its the ethnographic Museum. Georgi Kastrioti Skenderbeu, a beloved national hero, who fought against the Ottoman invasion, was born here. 

Kruja is a charming village situated on the slopes of mount Sari Saltiki at the height of 560 meters above sea level with a green valley that stretches all down to the Adriatic sea. The view from Sari Saltiki is incredibly scenic.

Walking across the street of Old Town Kruje, leading to the castle, feels like a travel back in time. “Old Bazaar” market bustles with traditional souvenirs, beautiful jewelry, handmade rugs and embroidery, silver filigree and copper products, handcraft made of alabaster and antiques. With many interesting historic sites, remains from the Roman and Illyrian times, medieval hammam, mosque, church and tower, Kruje is a real delight for history and architecture buffs.

Overnight in Tirana.

The tour begins in the morning with a walking tour of Tirana, then continues with the bus ride towards Saranda. Along the way, it passes by numerous picturesque towns and villages, stops in an archeological park Apollonia, UNESCO World Heritage Site and by the end of the day after a hearty meal reaches Saranda and Albanian Riviera.

Almost thirty years after the communist era, in Tirana, you can still notice the consequences of repression and isolation. Luckily, Tirana decided to be a modern European city that lives a full and colorful life, and the painful memories slowly fade away. Along with shiny new buildings, there are a relics of its Ottoman, Italian and communist times. Bold socialist murals and elegant minarets together with modern buildings, create a unique profile of lovely Tirana.

On the way to Albanian Riviera, the tour passes by the essential sites of Albanian history and its beautiful nature. And of course, Apollonia, a fascinating archeological park. Well-preserved ancient Greek city gives precise insight into old greek architecture and urbanism.

In nearby Llogara our tour will take a break for an optional lunch. Tasteful meals, full of authentic tastes, are made of locally grown food according to traditional recipes.

In the evening hours, the tour arrives at Saranda, the capital of an Albania Riviera.

Overnight in Saranda.

Butrint is the place to experience ancient Greek and Roman architecture at its best. Ancient greek streets, the remains of the theatre, sophisticated floor mosaics and beautiful houses with subtle overlooking ravishing Mediterranean nature bear witness to the glory of Old Greece.

The most romantic and beautiful of numerous Albania’s ancient sites is also the biggest and most important one. Butrint, UNESCO World Heritage Site, was home to humans since prehistoric times. Greek settlers founded the city and gave it a unique ancient urban layout. Romans brought their strong economy, and finally, Byzant made it a religious center. The legend says that the town was built by the Trojans who fled from the destroyed Troy in search of a new homeland.

The highlight of the day will be dinner at Lecuresi castle in Saranda, built-in 1718 during the times of Ali Pasha. The atmospheric villa overlooking the Saranda and the sea is a beautiful place to fully enjoy rich and savory Albanian delicacies and rich wines.

Overnight in Saranda.

Day at leisure. Overnight in Saranda.

Private transfer to the airport. Fly out of Albania.