Balkans Explorer: 14-Day Albania, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia & Corfu Private Tour

From $2,740 Euro pp

Example Tour 3

A comprehensive and highly enjoyable two-week customised tour of selected Balkan countries and the Greek island of Corfu. This private tour will enable you to see Albania, taking in the very best locations and sites the country has to offer, but also includes ventures into Kosovo, North Macedonia and Corfu. On the mainland, you will travel by road and visit historic towns, sites of natural beauty, antiquities and coastal resort towns. You’ll sample Balkan food, drink and delicacies, and soak up the history and culture of this region. You will cross by ferry to and from Corfu. Pricing is based on hotel accommodation standards of your choice. All described meals are also included in the price. This is a value-packed excursion, and is ideal for couples and small groups. The schedule has been planned assuming a morning arrival at Tirana Mother Teresa Airport but can be modified if a later flight has been scheduled.

Travellers can opt to amend the itinerary to suit their needs and funding, to include their preferred number of days, standard of accommodation and transport (including self-drive), with or without driver/guide when planning their preferred tour program. However you want to customise this tour you will have many memories to savour well into the future.

Please note: Every itinerary can be fully customised to suit your interests, schedule, comfort level and budget.

Pricing:

Example Tour 3 - personally tailored private tour

Entry level

⭐⭐⭐+ hotels, half board, vehicle included, vehicle insurance, self-drive, no driver/guide, ferry to and from Corfu

From €2,740 pp

Mid level

⭐⭐⭐+ hotels, half board, vehicle included, vehicle insurance, fuel costs, tolls, parking fees entry fees, English speaking driver/guide, ferry to and from Corfu

From €3,660 pp

Pampered level

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ hotels, half board, vehicle included, vehicle insurance, fuel costs, tolls, parking fees entry fees, English speaking driver/guide, ferry to and from Corfu

From €4,410 pp

Note: These prices are for each person per double room occupancy. A supplement will be payable for single room occupancy (varies with the type of hotel selected). Be aware that some small towns and villages will be limited to 3-star accommodation only. Pricing will be match your choices and availability at the time of the booking. Engage with our Australian ambassadors to ascertain what will best suit the needs of your itinerary. They will guide you before linking you with our Albanian office for the actual booking to be made.

Groups of more than 4 travellers may be eligible for discounted rates. Our planners in Albania will do their best to obtain the best value prices for you.

Payment Terms

Inclusions & not included

Inclusions and not included
  • Inclusions:
    • Accommodation every night at hotel grade of your choice
    • Meals as indicated (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
    • All transfers from and to Tirana Mother Teresa Airport
    • Comfortable vehicle for daily movement
    • Vehicle insurance
    • Boat tickets Komani Lake
    • Round Trip Ferry tickets Sarande – Corfu
    • Entrance tickets
    • Accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the tour, if selected
    • All local guides
    • Wine and cheese tasting
  • Not included:
    • International flight tickets
    • Personal travel insurance
    • Meals not shown

Inclusions Key:

(B) - Breakfast
(L) - Lunch
(D) - Dinner

Day 1

Arrival.

Met on arrival at Mother Teresa Airport, Tirana. Travel by road to town of Lezha to visit the Memorial of Scandebeg. Then on to Shkoder to book into a traditional hotel and relax for 1-2 hours. In the afternoon, visit Rozafa Castle and museum, pedestrian street in the historic centre of Shkoder and Marubi Studio.

Inclusions:

Overnight and dinner in Shkroda hotel. (D)

Lake Komani and Valbona Valley.

Day 2

Lake Komani and Valbona Valley.

After breakfast, travel by scenic route to Komani and take the car ferry to Fierza along a beautiful fjord overlooked by scenic mountains. Ferry trip lasts 2.5 hours. On arrival in Fierza, continue to the beautiful Valbona Valley. Book into an Alpine hotel.

Inclusions:

Overnight and dinner in hotel. (B,D)

Decan Monastery and Prizren.

Day 3

Decan Monastery and Prizren.

After breakfast, we tour the valley by vehicle and cross the border into Kosovo to visit the XIII Century Decan Monastery. Afterwards, we continue into the second biggest Kosovo city: Prizren – full of history and unique architecture. The tour includes a visit to the house turned museum, where the League of Prizren was held – a significant step towards Independence from the Otoman Empire. Then a stroll along the cobblestone streets admiring the features of this old city.

Inclusions:

Overnight and dinner in Prizren hotel in city centre. (B)

Skopje.

Day 4

Skopje

After breakfast, drive across the border into North Macedonia and visit the capital, Skopje. At the hotel you will meet the local professional guide who will accompany you to the city centre and the old oriental Carshija.

Inclusions:

After breakfast, drive across the border into North Macedonia and visit the capital, Skopje. At the hotel you will meet the local professional guide who will accompany you to the city centre and the old oriental Carshija. Overnight in a Skopje hotel and dinner in a city restaurant. (B,D)

Lake Ohrid and Ohrid Town.

Day 5

Lake Ohrid and Ohrid Town.

After breakfast, drive South toward the eastern shores of lake Ohrid (the oldest in the Balkans) and visit Ohrid Old Town led by your local Macedonian guide. In the afternoon, drive and take in the picturesque views of the lake and reach the historic Saint Naum Monastery. Later in the afternoon, drive back into Albania and on to Pogradec, at the southern end of Lake Ohrid. After dinner, stroll and take in the atmosphere of the area.

Inclusions:

Overnight in Pogradec hotel and dinner in a local restaurant. (B,D)

Korca and Voskopoja.

Day 6

Korca and Voskopoja.

After breakfast, drive for half an hour southeast from Pogradec to the historic town and regional hub of Korca. A tour of the city centre will follow, to include the museum, the old bazaar and the many lovely enclaves of the city, including Albania’s oldest brewery. Then on to Voskopoja, a significant trading and cultural centre in the 17th and 18th Centuries. The preferred hotel is hidden in pine trees and surrounded by quiet nature, ideal for short walks after dinner.

Inclusions:

Overnight and dinner in a Voskopoja Hotel. B,D)

Vjosa Valley and Permet.

Day 7

Vjosa Valley and Permet.

After breakfast, drive to a family run agro-tourism farm: Farma Sotira. Follow the route along the River Vjosa, free from dams and other barriers and part of the Vjosa Wild River National Park, the establishment of which was supported by Leonardo Di Caprio. On arrival in the small town of Permet, check in at a traditional hotel in the on the bank of the river. Our tour will include the thermal waters and the entrance to the Lengarica Canyon.

Inclusions:

Overnight and dinner in a Permet hotel. (B,D)

Blue Eye, Girokastra and Sirande.

Day 8

Blue Eye, Girokastra and Sirande.

After breakfast, drive to Gjirokastra and spend 3 to 4 hours in this beautiful (UNESCO Heritage) historic town. Then on to Blue Eye – a natural spring with gin-clear, vibrant blue waters. In the afternoon head by road to the ancient Greek and Roman ruins of Butrint – Albania’s largest archeological site, and the nearby beach of Ksamil on the Albanian Ionian Coast. Finally, on to Sarande to check into a sea-front hotel.

Inclusions:

Overnight and dinner in a Sirande hotel. (B,D)

Corfu Town.

Day 9

Corfu Town.

After breakfast, cross from Sarende by ferry, on a trip taking 40 minutes, to the Greek Island of Corfu. Spend the best part of the day on the island taking in the highlights before returning to Sarande by ferry.

Inclusions:

Overnight in a Sarande hotel and dinner in a restaurant. (B,D)

Albanian Riviera.

Day 10

Albanian Riviera.

After breakfast, drive along the Ionian coastline a.k.a. Alberian Riviera, and take in the sights and highlights of Porto Palermo with a visit to Ali Pascha Castle, an optional swim in the turquoise waters of the adjacent bay, Old Himare Village and Dhermi Beach. In the afternoon, continue to the Llogora pass at 1,100 metres elevation and admire the wonderful views. Then on to arrive at tonight’s accommodation, after which you may walk along Caesar Path, used by Julius Caesar in 48 BC during the war against the Pompei army. Remnants of Roman steps still remain.

Inclusions:

Overnight and dinner in Alpine hotel. (B,D)

Berat.

Day 11

Berat.

After breakfast, head by road to the charming and historic city of Berat, UNESCO World Heritage City and the most visited site in the country. On arrival, visit the castle, accompanied by a local guide, and view its battlements and the thriving community within and the excellent panoramas looking out. Highlights include a visit to the Onufri Museum and a walk along the cobbled laneways past centuries’ old dwellings. Accommodation is in one of those converted and refurbished buildings within the castle walls. The afternoon is free to relax.

Inclusions:

Overnight and dinner in a Berat Castle hotel. (B,D)

Durres and Tirana.

Day 12

Durres and Tirana.

After breakfast, head North, passing through the old Roman seaport of Durres, founded in 627 BC as part of the ancient region of Illyria. After a brief tour of the city, continue towards Tirana and check in at the hotel in one of the large squares. Recommended dinner will be in a restaurant that brews its own beer.

Inclusions:

Overnight in a Tirana hotel and dinner in a restaurant. (B,D)

Tirana.

Day 13

Tirana.

This last day of the tour will be dedicated entirely to Tirana, between visits to tourist attractions and leisure time in this capital city.

Inclusions:

Overnight in Tirana Hotel. (Own arrangements for meals).

Day 14

Tirana and departure.

Depending upon your flight departure time, you can choose to visit the city centre of Tirana or a large shopping mall.

Inclusions:

Own arrangements for accommodation and meals if staying in Albania.

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