Welcome at Podgorica International Airport by an English-speaking member of Savatours Incoming. Delivery of the rental vehicle and of the documents necessary for the entire trip. Departure to Virpazar. This is an approximately a 40’ trip.

The itinerary will quickly reach the Montenegrin village of Bistrice, which is one of the northern entrance door for the Skadar Lake National Park. Two Thirds of Skadar Lake are in Montenegro and the rest is in Albania. Skadar Lake is the largest lake at the Balkan Peninsula with fresh water and one of the largest national parks in Montenegro. It is stated that 270 kinds of birds inhabit this Lake. Around 90% of birds are migratory and are of international importance. During migrating season, white little egret, white spoonbill and various kinds of ducks pass over this region. Cormorants nest in north swamps and represent one of the three most important colonies in the world. Rare and endangered kind of curly pelicans nest at floating peat islands in north end of the lake. There are 50 species of fish living in the. The most important from economic point of view are bleaks and carps. World of plants of this park is very important and is different from the regions where there are often floods, little stone islands and steep mountain cliffs. There are three rare and protected plants and trees and large number (30 +) of rare plants in park. In region of Skadar Lake there are 20 monasteries, churches, villages, fortresses and sacred monuments. This lake is witness of Montenegrin history from 11th century up to now. Around Lake itself there are 18 important historic monuments.

Few minutes driving after Bistrice, visit the Vranjina Monastery that is located on the south-eastern side of the Vranjina Island, high above the Morača Delta. The position of the St. Nicolas’ church on the top of the hill is magnificent. The monastery was founded in 1233 and is thus the oldest monastery on Skadar Lake. Due to its strategic location, it suffered from Turkish attacks and in 1843 it was turned into a Turkish fortress with barracks. King Nikola rebuilt it in 1886, but after World War II it was burned and abandoned – until 1998, when the restoration of the church began.

A little further the Fort Lesendro, today part of a dam, was erected in the XVIII century. It is said that the fortress was built by Peter II Petrovic Njegus in 1832. The castle served to protect against attacks by Turkish troops and individual robbers and ensured safe trade and fishing on the Skadar Lake. Today the fortification is almost abandoned but it retained the attention of the fans of military battles and history. The fortress location offers beautiful panorama of the Skadar Lake.

Accompanied by their children, Zorka and Toman, the owners of the accommodation place, welcome their guests like close friends or relatives and have been doing so since 1960 to the present day in exactly the same way. It was in 1960 that the hotel took its first tourist steps, organizing ten-people motorboat tours across Lake Skadar. From year to year, further development meant a more diverse choice of facilities, greater comfort, increasingly traditional interior and cuisine, more acquaintances and friends for the Zec family, and more emotions in the visitors’ book.
The hotel and the fleet of boats alike have their own history, pervaded by a special atmosphere and the charm of the odžaklija (the authentic fireplace room typical of the traditional Montenegrin household), a two-person boat, Toman’s hats, and local products such as grape brandy, sponge cake and sweet basil.

Part of the history of the hotel consists of long videos or films where the hotel plays the main role or that of an extra. Many film and television crews have concentrated their activities here. The Pelican, emblem of the region was and still is a stopover for artists, diplomats, politicians and passing travelers.

Installation in the hotel and sharing some moments of life with the host family while discovering the place. r rooms..

Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

After the breakfast and eventually a participation in preparing the coming program, it is time to discover the Skadar Lake, its wildlife, its flora and its cultural heritage. Departure in a small cruise boat for approximately 4 to 5 hours. The Captain will lead the boat through the Lake and the Crnojevića river up to an antic ottoman bridge. It will then follow the coast to reach the village of Lipovik where stand the former residence of King Nikola. The cruise will continue to reach the hamlet of Kom and its Monastery. The monastery continued the cult of the Virgin Mary, which had been greatly expanded during the earlier rule of the Balšići. The monastery also continued the tradition of building mausoleums. The oldest frescoes in the monastery are from the second half of the 15th century.

During this wonderful cruise, the guests will have the opportunity to share some local snacks, to swim and to enjoy a refreshing mud bath.

Once back at the hotel, get a refreshing rest as a small walk awaits you around the Vir canal and a stop at the Fortress Besac. The fortification is one of the oldest military place properly preserved in Montenegro. It dates from the Ottoman Empire. It played the role as border checking point between the Slavic and Ottoman territories. If you wish, enjoy the walk up to the winery and get a taste of some local wines.

Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Today, visit of the Montenegrin Riviera. After the breakfast, the drive will lead the guests to Petrovac. This is a beautiful little city on the Montenegrin coast, in which even the Romans built villas. Walking through the promenade surrounded by century-old pine and palm trees, visitors can enjoy every step. Petrovac is an ideal place for family holidays. It has, a lot of extra activities, beautiful beaches, crystal clear sea water, playgrounds… children will enjoy the place so much.

The route continues towards Sveti Stefan, nicknamed the jewel of the Budva Riviera. Stevi Stefan was an ancient independent republic since the 12th century and since its existence, the place has been considered a pirate’s den. At the beginning of the 15th century, the island accepted the protectorate of the Republic of Venice to protect itself from the Ottomans. Under Tito, the last inhabitants of the island were expropriated and evacuated. Stefi Stefan became a luxury hotel casino where celebrities such as Orson Welles, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Kirk Douglas and many others developed their summer habits. Stevi Stefan is now a 5* luxury hotel. Unfortunately, access to it is therefore private.

Arrival in Budva. It is simply the tourist heart of Montenegro, famous for its sandy beaches, wild evenings and above all its well-preserved old town. walk into the Stari Grad district.

It is recommended to get your dinner in one of the numerous restaurant that can be found along the coast. After a romantic dinner under the sunset, it will be time to return to Virpazar.

Overnight in the hotel.

After the breakfast, it will be time to take the direction of the most remote region of Albania. It is approximately a 4 hours drive plus a border crossing point to pass at Hani I Hotit.

The Kelmend region is home to some of the most impressive landscapes in the Albanian Alps. Walk in the footsteps of Mary Edith Durham or Baron Franz Nopcsa or more recently the historian and journalist Indro Montanelli. To relive the same emotions of these explorers, adventure lovers are invited to discover unforgettable landscapes, uncontaminated nature and the exploration of ancient traditions and customs.

The unspoiled villages have many treasures to explore. Peace and tranquility will be the outcome of exposure to family life. The journey is embellished by the wit and hilarity of Kelmendas people making hospitality a sacred law, unchanged over the years, the same that at the beginning of last century led Mary Edith to fall in love with Northern Albania.

Hikers will never be satisfied from this mystic region and will always ask for more.

For those who thirst for winding roads and spectacular views, the road from Hani I Hotit to Lepushë can be the very embodiment of adventure travel. Following the Montenegro border, the road will pass through Broje, which looks like a fortress attached to the cliffs, then Tamarë and Selca, which are famous for their natural monuments, historical and cultural sites.

Don’t hesitate to stop in Tamarë where you can enjoy a short visit such as the Blue Eye, where you can swim in its icy crystal water, or visit the numerous agro-shops or for those more courageous, a rafting moment on the Ljimi I Cemit rapids.

Then Lepushë. The hamlet takes its name from a yellow flowering plant that grows in the region. Lepushë, is truly a land of natural beauty surrounded by the high peaks of the cursed mountains, pastures and forests. It is one of the snowiest regions in Albania. The local economy depends on livestock, agriculture, crafts and recently tourism. An important event in the region is the ‘Lugu I Bjeshkeve’ festival, an annual event that goes back centuries and brings together locals and tourists. Young women from the Kelmend region and the diaspora dressed in traditional clothing and participate in a beauty contest. It is usually held in August and is considered one of the most original traditional Albanian events.

Zef and his family will welcome you with the same warm hospitality which made this region the home of some of the most famous writers and explorers centuries ago. Widely open on the surrounding impressive mountains and on the Lepushe circus, the guesthouse offers views on the lush meadows and the river valley. The place simply invites its visitors to enjoy and relax within the land where the present seems to be the pass, where visitors can witness the centuries-long dialogue between human kind and the nature. Zef and his family will make you discover the unspoilt virgin nature and to enjoy their characteristic local products.

Installation in the guesthouse and sharing some moments of life with the host family while discovering the place. R

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

After the breakfast and eventually a participation in the housework, preparation of the picnic. The daily hike will go up to the hills of Dobkul to discover the fabulous beauty of the nature. Horse or mule will accompany the guests to offer some horse rides to the kids. The journey will take approximately 4  hours (without the lunch stop).

The hike is called “The Paja hiking”. Walk along the hills of Dobkul in the beech forests and alpine pastures to reach the so-called Paja place. Return to Lepushë along the border with Montenegro and descend to the very heart of the Lepushë circus.

Once back in Lepushe, get some rest or share some moments of life with the host family as the housewife will certainly wait for you to show and teach you how to prepare one of her specialty.

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

After the breakfast, direction the Montenegro and the Prokletije National Park. The road will follow the Lijpusa valley up to the very last Albanian village, Vermosh. The village speads out all along the banks of the Lumi I Grënçarës. According to the legend, three brothers Seli, Vuli and Nili founded Vermosh, names which are eponymous to the villages of Selca, Vukli and Nikci. Part of the Malësor highlanders, the local Kelmendi mountain tribe was well known for its warring tradition, mostly against foreign occupiers. Drive up to the Catholic church of St John and turn back and direction the border crossing post.

Gusinje is one of the numerous entrance inside the Prokletije National Park, which gathers three national parks, one in Montenegro and 2 in Albania (Theth National Park & Valbona Valley National Park). This grandiose mountain massif, with its beauty and uniqueness attracts attention of all visitors. Relief is jagged, with numerous peaks, gorges, steep slopes, alps-like river valleys and other natural phenomena. Glacial lakes, large and small streams, springs and wells of drinking and mineral water, rivers, underground aquifers and mountain ponds will leave you breathless. in Gusinje visit of the center, the Vizier mosque from the eighteenth century, the tower and the church of St. George. On the eastern suburb of Gusinje, just after the Prokletije National Park visitors center, stop at the Ali Pasha springs. This is one of the premium attraction of the National Park. The river is formed by many small springs which is unique and spectacular. The icy water is so clean that many local people and visitors drink it directly from the spot. Get your lunch on the edges of the Ali Pasha springs.

Back to Gusinje and direction Vusanje. Follow the river Grilja up to the village. Visit this typical hamlet and let your mind wander before the beauty of the Ropojona valley which opens its jaws just in front you.

Then direction Grebaje by following the banks of the Crna dolja river. Juste before Grebaje, stop to admire its waterfall and canyon. Keep following the river and you will reach a couple of small lakes and the Grebaje valley opens its arms just in front of eyes. Stretch out your arms and reach for the peaks that culminate in front of you, there, in Albania.

Back to Gusinje and return to Albania and Lepushë.

Free time and moments to share with the host family up to the dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

After the breakfast it will be time to say goodbye to your new friends and to take the direction of Shkodra. Founded in the 4th century BC by an Illyrian tribe known as Scodra, Shkodra is one of the oldest cities in Albania. Under Ottoman influence, Shkodra was a place of major importance, notably used as a trading post on the road linking Prizren to the Italian ports, but also as a cultural center.

Just at the exit of Shkodra, get a lunch along the banks of the lake in one of the numerous restaurant at Shiroke. Then get the direction to Guri I Zi and Gjanollë.

The family-owned farm offers an authentic experience with a unique twist. Have you ever what it would be like to work the loom, weaving away colorful threads like in the ancient times? This tradition that hails from antiquity is only one of the many unique and memorable experiences that this guesthouse offers to its guests. Its lovely, warm, and authentic atmosphere makes for a both relaxing and invigorating stay. This farm is quite the hideout. Intimate and friendly, this place is an oasis of tranquility. The family’s hospitability will make you feel instantly at home. Because the guesthouse is surrounded by a stunning landscape, the family will make sure to take you on a pleasant walk around the farm as soon as you arrive. A favorite activity among the guests is the harvesting of fruits and vegetables, which are then freshly served to your table. It is as close to nature and farm fresh as it gets!

The guesthouse is an ideal place to spend holidays with your family and loved ones, immersed in an authentic atmosphere, surrounded by the calming beauty of the landscape. You will recall their authentically-Albanian hospitability, the rare Italian-fused flavors, the farm-fresh products and that ancient loom for a long time to come.

Installation in the guesthouse and sharing some moments of life with the host family while discovering the place.

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

Today, a cruise ballade to discover the Albanian fjord. An artificial wonder which became a natural wonder.

Koman Lake was first created as an artificial lake for one of the three hydropower plants built on Black Drin cascade. It was some years ago that regular ferry boats were used to connect the area with the city of Bajram Curri and further with Gjakova area in Kosovo.
The boat trip lasts approximately three hours while visitors can admire the beauty of the surrounding landscape, small villages that lie on the bank of the lake and several river mouths. The lake is considered to be one of the most beautiful destinations in Albania. It is highly praised by Albanian and international visitors, especially by those attracted to mountains.

Lets enjoy the one day tour on the Koman Lake. The ferry starts from Koman terminal at 9:00 am and will sail 40 to 45’ before arriving to Peace Island. During the cruise, some short stops at different characteristic stations are foreseen. Many activities are possible on the island such as swimming, kayaking, hiking.. However, let’s go a little bit further to explore the magic environment and the virgin beach that only the Shala river can offer. This is the hidden paradise. A small boat will go there. Enjoy the place, swim, do whatever you wish, nobody can see or hear you, except the eagles and the trouts.

At 13:00 a lunch is foreseen at Peace Island and after some photos and the traditional coffee, it will be time to return to Koman, where you will arrive around 15:30.

Back to the guesthouse and enjoy the place by participating to some artisanal or cuisine activities, visiting the orchard, etc, before preparing the dinner with the owner’ wife.

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

After the breakfast get a short drive up to Shkodra for a cultural day. This multifaceted city has had a traditionally rich artistic life and an enormous contribution to Albanian culture. Shkodra is the cradle of the most important Albanian poets, like Migjeni, painters like Kol Idromeno and Edi Hila, and photographers like the Marubi Family. Shkodra houses the haunting Marubi National Photography Museum, which displays the first photo taken in Albania, and the Venice Art Mask Factory, where a local master produces the intricate masks used in the Venice carnivals and in Las Vegas shows.  A city of myths and legends, the foundations of the famous Castle of Shkodra are said to be held by the body of Rozafa, the beautiful young mother who sacrificed herself for it. You will find that this naturally beautiful city has an abundance of mirrors in the Adriatic Sea, the Lake of Shkodra and the Buna River. Otherwise called the “city of bicycles,” the city’s views are best admired while pedaling in the open air.

Visit of the Venice Art Mask Factory which contains the most diverse and exquisite collection of Venetian masks. The display of styles and colors is enough to immediately transport you to the atmosphere of the Venice Carnevale. But, here we are in Shkodër, where the passion, creative genius and business acumen of Edmond Angoni has enabled the creation of one of the most important mask factories in the world.

The sheer originality and quality of these works, in addition to the fact that each mask is treated as a unique work of art, has contributed to this factory’s increase in worldwide popularity. The brand includes eight shops in Venice and one in Las Vegas. In addition, the factory supplies luxury shops from Dubai all the way to Australia. Today, Angoni’s factory has become a global empire.

Visit of the site of the site of the Witness and Memory (Not advised for children under 12 years old). The Site of Witness and Memory is the only memorial which commemorates the victims of the communist regime from Shkodra. Having been one of the main centres of anti-communist repression in Albania, the city needed to create this museum to tell the story of people who suffered for their beliefs and moral integrity. The most interesting part are the original pre-trail holding cells with a small opening for natural light, commonly called holes (because of their small dimension and few light) where prisoners were kept and tortured until their initial trial appearance.

Visit of the Marubi National Photogtaphy Museum. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. How much worth then would be found in Marubi’s collection of 400,000 hauntingly-beautiful photographs of Albanian life, spanning from 1850 until today?

The Marubi National Photography Museum, now conveniently located along the main promenade of the city of Shkodër, displays an extensive collection of negatives mounted on glass plates. The impeccably organized and classified collection is arranged according to the subject and year the photograph was taken – and includes the first-ever photograph taken of Albania, captured in 1858. The two-story building is home to the studio of famous photographer Pietro (Pjetër) Marubi, the one they say, who started it all.

When Pietro Marubi, an Italian political exile, opened his studio in Shkodër, he could not have predicted its enduring and successful 150-year history. Nor could he have foreseen the influence the institution would go on to have on Albanian photography, medicine, and architecture – as well as the impact it would have on the nation’s arts and culture in general. Following his death, one of his Albanian students inherited the studio, who in turn left it to his children, thus creating the famous Marubi dynasty, and the greatest photographic tradition in the country.

Pietro Marubi dedicated his 40-year career to taking thousands of photographs of significant national events, as well as portraying daily life in Albania. Many of them are portraits of ordinary Albanian citizens, but also include photos of influential figures such as Edith Durham. There’s an avant-garde twist to many of the pieces in this fascinating collection, as Marubi captured images of courtesans of the time, whose striking photos represent the first nudes taken in Albania.

Walk on the Promenade – “Kolë Idromeno” Street, Shkodra. The Promenade in Shkodra captures some of the European aesthetic experience with its decorative and delicate designs, that pave the historic street of this artistically-infused city.

Just a few meters short of 1km in length at 800m long, the Promenade in Shkodra is paved entirely with beautifully-decorated cobblestones. Recently-renovated, this promenade recalls the architecture of ages gone by, when there was arguably a greater appreciation for time and patience when crafting things of lasting beauty. As a result, this picturesque promenade reflects this time, beauty, and quietude of the ones who tread on it.

The Promenade has become one of the most alluring touristic attractions in the city in recent years. Much like in the revered walkways of many old European towns, here the old and the new seamlessly align. Locals and tourists walk along it to the rhythms of music, their constant companion on this bustling avenue.

Visit of the St Stephen’s Cathedral. One of the grandest in the Balkans, the Cathedral of Shkodra has had an extraordinary story of survival.  The Cathedral of St. Stephen, the patron saint of the city of Shkodra, is also known as the Great Church. Once upon a time, the cathedral was located within the walls of the Rozafa Castle. In 1478, the Ottoman invasion of the fortified city saw the church transformed into a mosque. Hundreds of years later, in 1852, the city’s catholic community officially requested the Sultan to rebuild the cathedral in Shkodra. Its main structure is beautiful, exhibiting a striking resemblance to that of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Old photographs of the church show the beautiful frescoes adorning its interior, all pained by the famed local artist, Kol Idromeno. In 1967, during the Communist period, the cathedral became the Palace of Sports. This, coincidentally, helped preserve the structure! When the system collapsed, the city’s Catholic community reclaimed the cathedral.

Enjoy local restaurants, bars and cafes. Enjoy the dynamism of the city. Return to the guesthouse and spend some free time before the dinner.

Overnight in the guesthouse.

After the breakfast it will be time to quit the host family and to take the direction of Lotaj. It will take approximately 4 to 5 hours without stopping.

Drive northeast up to the village of Boks to admire the 18° century stone bridge of Mesi which spans over the Kir river. It has an intriguing architecture with round slick stones and stone plates. After that visit, expect a long road, which will be unpaved from Prekal up to Lotaj. But the rewards are there. Unspoiled sites, villages and hamlets, authentic Albanian people, farmers, shepherds, monks, virgin landscapes, fauna and flora, they all will be at the disposal of your amazement. Enjoy a lunch in front of the bridge before leaving to Lotaj.

The road will follow the bed of the Kir river up to the hamlet of Kir and later will follow the banks of the river Shala. All along the itinerary while crossing the hamlets you will find some cafe where you can ask for a refreshing drink. You also will find many great spots where to get some rest while enjoying the beauty of the surroundings scenery, the river gorge, the mountains, the forests, the pastures and all these attractions that the nature offers.

The guesthouse is located just at the exit of Lotaj. It is a traditional important old authentic farm which has recently being transformed into a warm place for visitors. Bukurije – which means beautiful and Oliver will welcome you with the level of hospitality that comes from their ancestors, and transmitted from generation to generation. This old kulla (tower) has the particularity to have been built on the top of the hill and offers a 360° view on the surroundings ridges and mountains and on the Shala valley. This peaceful place will let you breathless and speechless.

Installation in the guesthouse and sharing some moments of life with the host family while discovering the place.

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse

After the breakfast, the day belongs to you. Spend your day walking around seeking for livestock grazing in pasture areas or wildlife traces or simply discover the flora, go to the Shala river to swim or to try to catch trouts hidden behind the rocks resting on the riverbed. Follow the Shala river and enjoy the beautiful Porta e Shales, a natural rock formation that was carved out by the river which today gives the impression that a door opens onto two worlds, the second world being the Theth National Park.

Participate with the housewife at the preparation of the local specialties that you will certainly enjoy during the lunch or the dinner.

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

After the breakfast and the preparation of the picnic, direction Ndërlysaj located inside the Theth National Park.

At Ndërlysa, the River Theth merges with Lumi i Zi (‘Black River’), which in its upper stream consists of a raging torrent which carves a path through the rocks before reaching the tranquil lowlands and merging with the Theth to become the River Shala, which ultimately flows into the Drin. The river of Theth is crystal clear and foamy in some places. One of the most distinguished properties of this river is the abundance of mountain trouts. Grunas and Gjeçaj Waterfalls are the most sensational spectacles of the National Park of Theth. they originate from rocky parts of the mountains around the park. The height of the first one reaches 30 meters of root water and the second 24 meters.

For motivated families, once in Ndërlysaj, park the vehicle and follow by walking the Lumi I Zi on a distance approximately of 1500 meters (one way) to reach the hamlet of Kaprre and its Blue Eye. Formed by erosion, it is about 100 m² and has a depth of up to 5 meters. You may swim and enjoy a refreshing drink.

Then back to Ndërlysaj, and continues driving along the river Shala, which becomes the Lumi I Thethit. Then the road pass-by the Grunas Canyon where the water has carved its bed into the limestone rock to form a gorge about 2 km long, 60 meters high and between 2 and 40 meters wide. Icy and clear water flows. A little further short walk to admire a place of rare beauty listed as an Albanian heritage site, the Grunas waterfall, whose last waterfall is 30 meters high.

Back to the guesthouse and enjoy the place, before preparing the dinner with Bukurije.

Dinner and overnight in the guesthouse.

After the breakfast, it is time to say good-bye to Bukurije and Oliver and to take the direction of Theth. Theth National Park combines the beauty of mountains with majestic rivers, stunning waterfalls and lagoons as blue as one could ever imagine. No mere picture will do justice to its true beauty, you must experience Theth in the flesh.

“Paradise is here, my good man. God, give me no other paradise!” This passage, from Nikos Kazantzakis’ Freedom and Death, rings particularly true when you find yourself in the midst of Theth National Park. Surrounded by rugged mountains, enwreathed with nature of the highest magnificence, Theth may resemble a postcard but this is as real as it gets.

In Theth, take your time to pay a visit to the small Ethnographic museum, the typical Church of Theth and the Lock-in tower,  and of course the Gjeçaj waterfall. You will need approximately 4 hours to reach Podgorica (without stopping) – so take your time.

On your way to Koplik, the mountainous road will offers gorgeous sceneries, views and memories for both your eyes and cameras.

In Podgorica, check-in at the hotel and if it is not late, take advantage of the time left to visit the city center.

Free dinner in a restaurant and overnight in a hotel.

Transfer to Podgorica airport and return of the vehicle to the rental agency.