Balkans Coast Explorer

A city of contrasts, Tirana welcomes you with bold colours, Ottoman relics and creative spirit. Get your bearings uncovering its hidden corners before meeting your fellow travellers and Travel Director for dinner in Albania’s lively capital.

Tirana’s layered history comes to life as you explore with your Local Specialist. See Skanderbeg Square, where Albania’s national hero takes centre stage, along with the Et’hem Bey Mosque and Clock Tower. Then, head underground at Bunk’Art, a former communist bunker turned museum. This afternoon, explore at your own pace or join an Optional Experience to Kruja, the historic hometown of Skanderbeg, who led Albania’s resistance against the Ottoman Empire.

Travel through the hills of central Albania, passing vineyards and farmland on the way to Berat. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this town is known for its Ottoman-era houses stacked into the hillside, earning it the name ‘City of a Thousand Windows’. Visit the hilltop citadel before meeting Gladiola Çipi, where you’ll sample rose juice, rakija and Turkish Delight as she shares the customs and stories that have shaped her family’s life for generations. Continue to the coastal town of Vlorë, where the Adriatic meets the Ionian Sea. This evening, enjoy a Be My Guest experience at Kantina & Ferma Dukat, a family-run farm where you’ll share a home-cooked Albanian meal made with ingredients from the land, including olives, cheese, byrek and wine from their own vineyard.

Set out from Vlorë for a day exploring the Albanian Riviera with your Local Specialist. Soak up the charm of Himarë and maybe take a dip at Spile Beach, shop for souvenirs or enjoy fresh local seafood. Then visit Porto Palermo and step inside the 19th-century castle, built by an Ottoman Albanian ruler as a symbol of love for his wife, whilst taking in amazing views of the Ionian Sea. After a day by the coast, it’s back to Vlorë for the evening.

Travel north from the Albanian Riviera into Montenegro, where rugged mountains frame the coast. Stop en route for a traditional agrotourism lunch, prepared with organic produce grown on site and served with local hospitality. Continue to Budva, a coastal town known for its fortified Old Town and history as one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic. After checking in, there’s time to explore the surrounding area at your own pace — visit the Old Town, walk along the seafront or take in the local atmosphere.

Explore the medieval town of Kotor, today, with your Local Specialist, winding through its cobbled streets and ancient city walls. Back in Budva, the afternoon is yours. You could stroll through the charming old town, unwind on the beach or join an Optional Experience on a happy hour boat cruise to uncover the hidden gems of the Budva Riviera.

Start your morning with a scenic boat ride across the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks. Join your Local Specialist to step inside its famed church and hear the legend behind this unique pilgrimage site. Then travel through coastal landscapes as you cross the border into Croatia and continue into the Dalmatian region. After checking in and settling into your surroundings, the afternoon is yours to explore or relax. This evening, you may choose to join an Optional Experience sunset cruise along the Dalmatian coastline, complete with dinner on board and views of the coast bathed in golden light.

Join a guided walking tour of UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik this morning with a Local Specialist. Explore its centuries-old streets, admire views of the city walls and hear stories of the republic that once ruled these shores. You’ll have time to walk the ramparts or find some familiar scenes from Game of Thrones. In the early afternoon, you might choose to join an Optional Experience to the nearby coastal town of Cavtat, with a chance to sample local wines. Come together with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for dinner to celebrate the highlights and memories of your trip.

With unforgettable memories of the Balkan Riviera, it’s time to say goodbye to Dubrovnik as you depart for your journey home.