Balkans Coast Explorer

A city of contrasts, Tirana welcomes you with bold colors, Ottoman relics and creative spirit. Get your bearings uncovering its hidden corners before meeting your fellow travelers 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 center 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. This evening, you may choose an Optional Experience with a traditional Albanian dinner and show featuring music, dance and a symbolic Tirana wedding.

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 lunch at Mrizi i Zanave, a family-run farm in Fishtë where organic produce, homemade cheese and wine from the vineyard come together to celebrate Albania’s slow food traditions. 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.

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. Explore the medieval town of Kotor, winding through its cobbled streets and ancient city walls. Back in Budva, the afternoon is yours. You could stroll through the old town, unwind on the beach or join an Optional Experience to ride the Kotor Cable Car for views over the bay, mountains and coastline before exploring Budva’s Old Town with a Local Specialist.

This morning travel through coastal landscapes as you cross the border into Croatia and continue into the Dalmatian region. Join a guided walking tour of UNESCO-listed Dubrovnik 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. 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.

Enjoy Dubrovnik your way. Head to the beach, hit the shops, or you may wish to join an Optional Experience to historic Ston, where a Local Specialist reveals the story of its ancient salt pans, mighty walls and maritime past. Tonight, come together with your Travel Director and fellow travelers 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.