What To Expect
Day 1: Tirana / Berat / Tirana
Arrival at Tirana Airport. Meet with the guide and depart for Berat, followed by free time for lunch. Known as the “city of a thousand windows,” Berat is divided into the “upper city,” dating back to the 14th century and rich in Byzantine churches, and the “lower city,” adorned with numerous ancient mosques. Its famous districts include the Castle, Mangalem, and Gorica. Even today, more than a thousand families still live within the castle walls. There are countless points of interest in and around the fortress, including paleo-Christian churches, the Cathedral of Saint Mary, and mosques dating from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Return to Tirana. Free time. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Tirana / Shkoder / Budva
Breakfast at the hotel. After the hotel buffet breakfast, we head to Shkoder, one of the oldest and most cultural cities in Albania. Located in the north, near the lake sharing its name and close to the borders with Montenegro and Kosovo, the city is famous for its historical, architectural, and cultural heritage, reflecting centuries of Albanian, Ottoman, and Venetian influences. City visit. Free time for lunch.
We then cross the border into Montenegro and continue towards the Adriatic coast. Much of the journey unfolds along stunning turquoise-blue waters and green pine and cypress landscapes.
Arrival in Budva. Hotel check-in. Free time. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Budva / Kotor / Budva
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Kotor, where, accompanied by a local guide, we visit on foot the perfectly preserved medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by walls that follow the contours of the mountain behind it, Kotor still bears the distinctive imprint of Venetian rule, which established a prosperous trading empire here around the Clock Tower, leaving an elegant and refined atmosphere that remains tangible today.
Visit the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, dating back to 1166, one of the oldest and most important Roman Catholic monuments in the region. Free time for lunch.
We continue along a magnificent route following the bays of the only fjord in Southern Europe, framed by dramatic mountain scenery, until reaching the village of Perast. From here, we embark on a boat excursion to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island built stone by stone by Perast’s fishermen. Visit the Sanctuary, widely revered locally, and return to the mainland. Continue to Budva for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Budva / Cetinje / Shkoder / Tirana
Buffet breakfast and departure for Cetinje, located at the foot of Mount Lovćen, from which Montenegro takes its name — “Black Mountain,” referencing its dark and imposing profile. Known as the “City of Kings,” Cetinje served for centuries as the royal capital and remains a symbol of Montenegrin identity, history, and spirituality.
Visit the former Royal Palace of King Nikola I, the last monarch of Montenegro and father of Queen Elena, wife of King Vittorio Emanuele. The palace is preserved with original furnishings, personal items, weapons, royal uniforms, and diplomatic gifts, offering insight into the royal family’s lifestyle at the beginning of the 20th century.
During World War II, the rugged mountains and dense forests of Montenegro became a strategic refuge for Tito and his commanders, hindering enemy advances. The story of resistance in these mountains was later used by Tito to reinforce unity among the peoples of former Yugoslavia, overcoming ethnic and religious divisions.
Departure for Shkoder, the most Catholic city in Albania. Easter lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Tirana, the capital of Albania. Upon arrival, hotel check-in and dinner with live folkloric music.
Day 5: Kruja / Airport / Departure
Buffet breakfast at the hotel. Tirana city visit, including Bunk’Art, the Museum of Communism. Free time for lunch.
Departure for the historic town of Kruja, located northeast of Tirana at 560 meters above sea level. Inhabited since the 3rd century BC, Kruja was first recorded as a Christian religious center in 879. The famous English painter Edward Lear, who visited in 1848, wrote: “Kruja, a charming little town resting in the sky.” Visit the castle, the traditional Ottoman bazaar, the Skanderbeg Museum, and the Ethnographic Museum. Free time.
Transfer to the airport for the scheduled flight.
