Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia Tour Description
Experience the culture, the people and the character of these rapidly evolving the European States!
Welcome to the new millennium in a less traversed corner of Europe, the Balkan Peninsula. Come visit Albania and see what few people have seen: an untouched coastline, hidden valleys, and rugged mountains. Visit Albania and receive one of the warmest receptions in all of Europe. The people of this tiny country are known for warmth and hospitality. From the mountains in the north to the archaeological sites in the south, from the growing city of Tirana and the port of Durres to the rural villages throughout the country, there is surprising diversity for travelers in Albania to discover.
Macedonia, which lies to the east of Albania, is also eager to welcome travelers to its “land of contrasts.” Skopje, the capital, is an ultra-modern city with an ancient bazaar where Turkish influences can still be seen and felt. Numerous Orthodox monasteries located in the western part of the country stand alongside many mosques, making the region an alluring mixture of Eastern Christianity and Islamic cultures.
Kosova was once part of the former Yugoslavia, but in February 2008 became an independent republic.
In addition to these countries, for the adventurous traveler, we have people ready to show you Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and Bosnia. See for yourself what is happening in this part of the world.
Why Kutrubes travel? We speak the language, have lived and worked in the region, and know the people, the culture, and the land. Kutrubes Travel is the only American tour operator with the infrastructure in place to offer tours to Albania, Kosova and North Macedonia in 2020! Come see for yourself how these regions are changing. In 2000, the Albanian Ministry of tourism gave Kutrubes Travel the exclusivity to promote tourism to Albania. We are proud to have received this accolade for all our hard work from the Albanian Government.
TOUR DETAIL
2021 pricing, please contact us for an estimate anytime
2020 Land Cost Per Person (double occupancy) – Available Anytime
2 travelers: $2590
Single Supplement – $350
Tours guaranteed to depart with a minimum of two people. The maximum tour size is 19. Other group rates are available on request. Please contact us for a current price estimate.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation in the hotels on HB base
- Transfers and transport throughout the tour by private car or minibus
- Other meals (where indicated)
- Services of driver and guide throughout the tour
- Local Guide Services in Macedonia and Prizren
- Visits and Museum Entrance fees
- Airport transfer
Price Does Not Include:
- Airfare (unless otherwise arranged)
- Departure and custom fees
- Gratuities and individual daily expenses
- Additional beverages
- Travel insurance
- Trip cancellation
- Tips for guide and driver
- Medical and luggage insurance are recommended for coverage against all unforeseen circumstances
Day 1: Arrival in Tirana
Arrival at Mother Theresa Airport and transfer to Tirana for dinner and overnight at the hotel “Mondial.” (D)
Day 2: Tirana – Kruja – Tirana
Half-day tour of Tirana and excursion to Mount Dajti by cable car. In the afternoon departure for Kruja, home of Albania’s most important hero, Scanderbeg, who in the 15th century successfully fought off the Turks for over thirty years. Sightseeing at his castle and the impressive Scanderbeg Museum. Shopping in Old Bazaar. Return to Tirana for overnight. (B, D)
Day 3: Tirana – Durres – Berati
After breakfast drive to Durres. This busy port city has one of the largest Roman amphitheaters in the Balkans. Durres is one of the oldest Roman cities in the Mediterranean and the largest seaport in Albania. After lunch, we drive to Berati. Its castles and fort date back 2400 years. Afternoon visits to Onufri Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, Bachelors Mosque, and the King’s Mosque. Overnight at the hotel “Mangalemi” in Berat. (B, D)
Day 4: Apolonia – Vlora – Saranda
Morning departure for Fieri to visit the archaeological site of Apolonia. Then drive to the coastal city of Vlora. Vlora is legendary in Albanian history as the city where Albanian independence from Turks was proclaimed on November 28, 1912. Drive southward from Vlora to Saranda enjoying the spectacular views of mountains and the Albanian Riviera. Stopover in seaside villages of Dhermi, Himara, Porto Palermo bay where you will visit the castle of Ali Pasha Tepelena of Ioanina. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at the hotel “Brilant” in Saranda. (B, D)
Day 5: Saranda – Butrinti – Gjirokastra
Morning visits to the Greek and Roman ruins of Butrinti, Albania’s most important archaeological site. After a leisurely exploration, we will lunch in Ksamil overlooking the Ioanian. In the afternoon departure for the museum of Gjirokastra to visit its fortress, the ethnographic museum. Overnight at the hotel “Cajupi” in Gjirokastra. (B, D)
Day 6: Gjirokastra – Korca 
Leave Gjirokastra for Korca via Kelcyra, Permeti, and Erseka, known for traditional raki and wine. Arrival Korca, the commercial and cultural capital of Southern Albania. Overnight at the hotel “Life Gallery.” (B, D)
Day 7: Korca – Ohrid 
Early morning visits to the Medieval Arts Museum, Birra Korca Brewery, and the first school teaching the Albanian language established in Albania in 1887. The first girls’ school in the country was established in Korca in 1891. Departure from Korca, for a short journey to Pogradec, on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Cross the border into the Macedonian countryside. A short stopover in St. Naum Monastery and then drive to Ohrid for dinner and overnight at the hotel “Tino.” It is in this region that the Early Christian Orthodox Bishops created the Cyrillic alphabet in about 900 AD. (B, D)
Day 8: Ohrid – Skopje
Morning departure for Skopje. Then, visit the monastery of Jovan Bigorski, Arabati Baba Tekke, and Motley Mosque. In the afternoon visit the Skopje museum, the Stone Bridge, the St. Spas Church, Mustafa Pasha Mosque, and the largest Turkish bath in the Balkans is located here and is now an art museum. Overnight at Hotel Duvet. (B, D)
Day 9: Skopje – Prishtina
After breakfast, drive to Prishtina, the capital of Kosova. En-route visit the Cave of Gadima and the Kosovo Field, where the battle between Christian forces and Ottoman invaders took place in 1389. Visit the Tomb of Sultan Murat II, the Prishtina Museum, the Bazaar Mosque, the Clock Tower, and the Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Fatih, followed by a stroll along the main street of Prishtina. Overnight at Hotel AFA. (B, D)
Day 10: Prishtina – Prizren – Kukes – Tirana
This morning drive to Prizren considered the “jewel in the crown” of Kosovo. City sightseeing and visit the house of Prizren League, Sinan Pasha’s Mosque, and Hammam. In the afternoon drive to Tirana passing through Kukes. Overnight at Hotel Mondial in Tirana. (B, D)
Day 11: Departure
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
If you have any questions or you’d like to book this trip, please contact us.
Custom itineraries available to this or any of the destinations we travel to.
Please check the Resources page for more information on Travel Insurance, Visa Service and other useful links.
SPECIAL AIRFARES: Kutrubes Travel can assist you with your flight reservations to your destination with all major carriers. We offer special rates through our various airline contracts. Please call us or email us with your proposed travel plans and we will be sure to accommodate you and respond quickly.
Kutrubes Travel also offers a variety of other tours throughout this region. Contact us for detailed itineraries and descriptions.
