Winter tour North Albania – Kosovo – Montenegro

After breakfast we are ready for skiing. The air is clear, the sky is flawlessly blue, the mountain scenery is at least as magnificent as in the Alps and the descent on untracked powder snow slopes is guaranteed. The Brezovica skiing & snowboarding terrain is as good as any ski resort in the world. A broad north aspect alpine bowl leads into light trees & skiable terrain over 1,600m to the valley floor. Lift served terrain has diminished since its glory days currently sitting at around 570m vertical if the lifts actually turn. Below the resort lifts are long tree runs & an open ridge that works its way down into Štrpce.

Our tour continues to Brod, a tourist village in the municipality of Sharr, Kosovo. The terrain around Brod in the southwest is hilly, but in the northeast it is mountainous. The highest point is Rule, 2,220 meters above sea level and which is located 2.8 km east of Brod. The nearest town is Sharri (Dragash / Dragashi), 5.8 km northwest of Brod. In the area around Brod there are high mountains with rock formations. The village of Brod is also prosperous with ski trails. Precisely for this reason, the Ski Center has been established, as one of the newest ski centers in Kosovo. There is also a ski lift which offers opportunities and conditions for skiing at night. There are also conditions for the development of mountain tourism and the organization of various competitions, both at the Kosovo and international levels.

After visiting Brod village, we will move towards Peja for overnight.

Peja is located in the west of Kosovo, in the region of Rugova. Tucked away in the Accursed Mountains, this small town is actually the third biggest in the country, and is located right by the borders of Montenegro and Albania. Peja is known for its landscapes, and Rugova Canyon is definitely one of the top ones. The highway actually goes right though the canyon, so you can admire the large rock walls with the river right next to you.
Just 10-15 minutes outside the center of Peja, this gorgeous Resort Ujevara e Drinit is a slice of luxury in the mountains. Not only that, but right on the property are two very cool landscapes you won't want to miss out on.
Overnight in Peja.

After traditional breakfast, we drive to Gjakova, a very beautiful city not too far from Prizren. During the Ottoman Period, Gjakova served as a trading center on the route between Shkoder and Constantinople. It was also one of the most developed trade centers at that time in the Balkans. This city is full of history, you won’t want to miss it!
Without a doubt the main thing to see in Gjakova is the Old Bazaar in the Old Town. Known locally as the Çarshia e Madhe, this was once the largest bazaar in the Balkans. Like most of the city, it saw a lot of damage at the end of the 90s. It’s importance though made it a priority during the city’s restoration work and the results speak for themselves.
From the street we could clearly see beautiful gardens outside the Hadum Mosque, not to mention the elegant portico over its entrance. The mosque bears a medieval design, indicating that Mosque has been around since the early days of Gjakova. Besides its prayer hall, the mosque features a library, school and small cemetery.
While there are quite a few buildings with Ottoman architecture in Gjakova, Sheikh Emin’s Tekke is hard to miss. Sitting at the northern end of the Old Bazaar, this tekke or Sufi dervish monastery is an obvious important cultural monument.

After the visit we drive to Valbona. Check in the hotel in Valbone.

Waking up with such a magnificent view of the Albanian Alps will make you want to stay longer, however, after breakfast we will start our tour. Valbona village is a great place to explore if you’re looking for an authentic insight into life in the Albania Alps. The village is very small but it has plenty of interesting things to see, such as traditional houses and working farms. It’s also home to some incredible guesthouses and restaurants, where you can try local home-cooked dishes. The Valbona River (known as Lumi i Valbones) is one of the most beautiful rivers in Albania and it’s a great place to explore during your visit to Valbona.

The Lake Koman Ferry is an incredible experience and a must-do for anyone visiting Valbona. This ferry ride takes you across the stunning Lake Koman, allowing you to take in the spectacular views of the alpine valleys and mountains. It’s one of the most spectacular landscapes you will ever see. The ferry ride is a 3-hour round trip, so make sure to pack some snacks and drinks for your journey.

Our next stop is Shkodra.

Shkodra is the most important city of north Albania, set in a beautiful plateau in front of the largest lake in the Balkans named after the town itself, and with the Albanian Alps as a backdrop. We will take a walking tour in “Gjuhadol” a newly renovated pedestrian area of Italian and Austrian architectural influences, testimony to this city’s historic links with both these countries. Then we will visit Rozafa castle and we will not only experience the supremacy the Illyrians would have feel over their enemies standing in such an imposing Castle, but will also admire breathtaking views 360 degrees. OPTIONAL we can visit the Venice Art Mask Factory, one of the most important mask factories in the world, where they continue making them in the old technique Papier Maché. 

*Our tour continues to Theth National Park. Upon arrival in Theth, we go to a small village where you can admire the picturesque Blue Eye Lagoon and its clear blue water. Here you will have 40 minutes for exploring the lagoon and the surroundings or for taking a dip in the water. From the Blue Eye Lagoon, we will return to the village in Theth and hike in the surroundings. After that, you can choose one of the local restaurants for having lunch.
After the lunch in the village, we will continue with our trip towards Reconciliation Tower. This is one other places in which traditional blood feuds took place. In ancient Albania, blood feud was the social obligation to kill an offender or a member of their family in order to salvage one’s honor. The tower tour takes about 35-60 minutes. From Reconciliation Tower we will continue to Theth Waterfall. You can admire this beautiful waterfall with massive sound for about 30 minutes. The sightseeing part of the tour will end with a tour of the historical village church
Overnight in Theth.

In the morning we drive to Podgorica. We will cross the famous cable-style Millennium Bridge which is one of the most recognized city’s modern landmarks. On the other hand, we will also have a chance to admire its complete opposite, the Ribnica bridge which was built by the Romans in the 5th century. After the two completely different bridges, both of which connect the two strong sides of Podgorica’s history, we will head to the old town. If you are already accustomed to the typical Balkan’s old towns, be prepared for a bit of a different perspective in Podgorica. A short walk through the old town will show us the picture of one of the most bombed cities in the history and, on the other hand, we will witness the remarkable multi-culturalism at its best. Podgorica is a home to the three religious groups and is proud of each one of them. History of this city will teach us about the never-ending turmoil’s from 400 years of Ottoman Empire, I and II World War, all the way to the era when this city became Tito’s city and was embraced by the typical Yugoslavian architecture. 

In the afternoon we continue to Kolashin, where we have free time for skiing. 

In the morning we drive to Budva. The city of Budva is one of the most important touristic cities of Montenegro with a fascinating history, dating 2600 years ago. The tour of Budva continues in the Old Part of town with some quick visits at the Roman Ruins and the Budva Fortress by the coast offering spectacular views. The tiny streets of Budva are very charming. It is worth spending some time wandering around and visiting some of the local shops. Free time for lunch. Stop in front of St Stefan Island St Stefan dates back from the 15th century as a Fisherman’s family which was fortified for better control to the sea. For the first time, it has transformed to a hotelier complex during the Yugoslavian Communist time, at the reign of Tito.

*After this visit we drive to Kotor. Situated in an unusual gulf, named after the town it has been a very important historical, strategical and trading center. Founded around the 6th century BC, Kotor resembles an Open Book of history when you can spot different tracks and records from different periods of history. Most of the influence is from Venetian time, as for a long time it was part of the Venetian Republic. We will walk around the small squares, surrounded by typical quarters and visit some of the Highlights for their architecture, historical values and style.

Check in the hotel in Kotor.

After breakfast, we drive to Ulcinj. The ancient town of Ulcinj had often been a place where the east and west collided through the course of its long, turbulent history. Due to its geopolitical position, mild Mediterranean climate, as well as the astounding nature, Ulcinj was a target of numerous conquerors who wanted to settle in this resplendent part of Europe. All that turmoil left Ulcinj unique, with immense cultural, historical, and architectural heritage. After our visits we return to Tirana.

End of our service.