Day 1 – Arrival
Transfer from Podgorica airport to the Albanian border where you meet your guide and driver. Drink and snack on the way to Theth, via a stunning mountain pass that is driveable only a few months a year (and one section is for 4x4s only!). Overnight at Villa Gjecaj, dinner with a local family.

Day 2 – Cultural tour of Theth
After an early breakfast, we will have plenty of time to explore the area. Cooking lessons with a local family, a short 1.5-hour hike to the beautiful Theth Blue Eye, and visiting the famous “lock-in” tower – these are just some of the options in this remote and staggeringly picturesque location! Overnight and dinner at Villa Gjecaj.

Day 3 – Transfer to Lezhe County and Mrizi i Zanave
We’ll wake up early for breakfast and then begin the drive back south to the small village of Fishte in nearby Lezhe province to visit the famous foodie’s delight of Mrizi i Zanave, an outstanding organic restaurant, where we will eat dinner (yum!). Local delicacies of 100% organic provenance are married to lovely local wines and served with an artistic flourish that really has to be experienced to be believed! We overnight in the restaurant’s simple rooms, which come in all sizes and are located just behind the dining area in a separate building.

Day 4 – The Town of 1000 windows
Breakfast at Mrizi i Zanave is every bit as delicious as dinner! It’s a great way to start the day. Afterwards, there is a 2-and-a-half-hour drive south past the capital, Tirana (don’t worry, we’ll be back!) to the UNESCO Heritage site of Berat, the town of a thousand windows. This stunning hillside village on the steps of the Tomorr mountains is a place of great beauty and tranquillity, and the service at the exquisite Hotel Mangalemi is every bit as perfect. There will be time – between more delicious meals! – to visit the Church of the Holy Trinity, a gorgeous 13th-century Byzantine church in the ancient citadel of Berat at the top of the hill and explore the town by foot.

Day 5 – Tirana
After a gentle morning, we head back north to Albania’s capital, Tirana. This vibrant city has plenty for both the roving gourmet and the cultural traveller to enjoy – we stay at the Lowen Inn B&B, which has excellent facilities, and lovely rooms and is located a mere 800m away from Skanderbeg Square in the centre of town. Your guide will take you to all the most interesting cultural sites, including Et’Hem Bey mosque, the National Art Gallery, the Pyramid and the bustling, vibrant Blloku district. You will of course also get to taste some more outstanding Albanian cuisine, such as the charming and authentic Oda restaurant, where you eat on low tables as if in a distant relative’s own house.

Day 6 – Tirana to Shkoder
After some more early morning exploring around the town, we shall head back up north to Shkodra where we will register into a beautiful, traditional guesthouse (Hotel Tradita). In the afternoon, you can relax and take the complimentary bicycles out into town before returning to the guesthouse for dinner. The Tradita’s restaurant is justly as famous as their rooms, a large fire dominating the balconied mezzanine above you, where a wealth of local delicacies will be prepared for you to savour!

Day 7 – Exploring Shkoder
Shkoder has much to enjoy for your final day with us. After showing you the beautiful Castle of Rozafa and its legends we will also enjoy a little stroll in the streets of downtown Shkoder in the evening. Dinner is at the lip-smacking Miško’s, on the river Bojana bordering Montenegro for some seafood and other fish specialities. Overnight in the Tradita once more.

Day 8 – Transfer back to Podgorica Airport

Prices include all accommodation, transportation, meals and guided excursions.

Maximum Group size of 8.

VILLA GJECAJ

VILLA DINI

MRIZI I ZANAVE

HOTEL MANGALEMI

LOWEN INN

HOTEL TRADITA