Tour of North Macedonia and Kosovo from Tirana

Day 1: Tour of Ohrid and Ohrid Lake

According to a UNESCO article, the town of Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in Europe. Additionally, it is situated on the shores of Lake Ohrid, one of the world’s oldest lakes. Over the centuries, it has been a crossroads of various cultures, traditions, and invasions.

Dubbed the “Jerusalem of the Balkans,” Ohrid played a significant role in the spread of Slavic Orthodoxy. It once had 365 churches, one for each day of the year, dating back to the 11th century.

The tour of Ohrid will have two main parts, starting with the Old City and “Samuil Fortress.”

Descending the hill, we will reach one of the most picturesque areas of Ohrid, Kaneo Bay. Known as one of the most photographed spots in Ohrid, the first-ever postcard from the town features an image of the Church of St. John, located in this bay. The tour concludes in the lower part of Ohrid, where two parts of the town and two religions meet, showcasing a testament to tolerance and coexistence.

City Tour of Skopje

After exploring Ohrid, we will head to the country’s center and its capital, Skopje. Skopje is the largest economic, political, and cultural hub of the country. With a rich history dating back to antiquity, the city has been the center of many ancient and medieval kingdoms. Known as “The Memorial City of Statues,” it serves as a grand memorial of history and centuries past.

The iconic Vardar River, with its bridges, both divides and connects the two faces of the city. On one side, you will find contemporary Skopje, mainly built after the devastating earthquake of 1963.

Famous for its numerous statues and monuments, Skopje is a very attractive city. We will start our tour by visiting the bridges, some of the main statues, and the main square. Additionally, the “House of Mother Teresa” will be part of our tour. As we stroll through the old part of Skopje, friendly vendors will invite you to try their products. We will then reach the Fortress of Skopje.

Another aspect of the city is its religious tolerance and places of worship. We will visit two of the most symbolic religious buildings: the Church of “St. Clement of Ohrid” and the “Mustafa Pasha” Mosque.

Day 2: City Tour of Pristina

Pristina is the capital and largest city of Kosovo. Inhabited since the Old Stone Age by the Vinča culture, it is one of the most intriguing archaeological and historical sites.

National Library in Pristina

Located near the center of Pristina, this library holds more than 2,000,000 materials dating back to the 15th century. Apart from its rich history, the library is notable for its architecture. As a classic example of Yugoslavian Brutalism, its design sparked much debate when it was built. Combining Byzantine, Ottoman, and Serbian styles, the library offers a simplified overview of the entire city in one building. Since 1982, it has served as the National Library of Kosovo.

We will visit the city center of Pristina, where you will see the Newborn monument and the Mother Teresa Cathedral. The city also features a variety of Muslim mosques dating back to the 14th century, as most of the capital’s residents practice Islam. We will visit the old part of the city and the Carshia Mosque, built in 1321, the oldest in Pristina.

City Tour of Prizren

Leaving Pristina, we will head to Prizren, often referred to as the cultural capital of Kosovo. Situated on both sides of the Bistrica River, beneath Prizren’s Castle, this city has played a major role in Albanian history and politics in the 19th century. We will visit the House of the Prizren League, a significant site in 19th-century Albanian history, marking the first serious move towards independence and the formation of a parliament and government. The Ethnographic Museum inside the House of the League will also be part of our visit.

The tour of Prizren will continue with the “Stone Bridge of Love” and the Traditional Bazaar of Prizren. Located around the Sinan Pasha Mosque, this is the most interesting and historical part of Prizren. We will walk through the old city streets, visiting the traditional bazaar where handcraft and perfume shops thrive on every corner. Prizren is also renowned for its delicious food and local cuisine, and nothing will complete the tour better than a traditional lunch.

• Exclusive private transportation
• Comfortable in-vehicle air conditioning