Kosovo In Depth Group Tour

Fly to Tirana.Transfer to hotel in Prizren and check in for a 2 night stay. (D)

Morning walking tour of Prizren, located on the slopes of the Sharri Mountains and on the banks of the River Bistrica. Walk up to ruined castle of Prizren for a spectacular view of the town below. After a coffee break, enjoy a walking tour of Prizren. The town boasts an attractive Ottoman Old Town and is well known for its gold and silver filigree craftsmen. Visit the Hamam, the Museum of Prizreni League, the Ethnographic Museum, the Helveti Tekke, Sinia Pasha Mosque, the oldest tree in Kosovo and the church of lady Ljevis. Afternoon free to explore at leisure. (B,L)

Travel to Prishtina and take in the many sights en route. Nestled in the mountains, the semi-deserted Kosovo village of Letnica is transformed each August for the Feast of the Black Madonna when thousands visit the place where the famous nun received her calling. For more than 300 years, the small Catholic church has overlooked the village of Letnica and gave sanctuary to its parishioners between its two white bell towers. In 1917, 7-year-old Agnesa Bojaxhiu was visiting Letnica from her home in nearby Skopje, as she did every year with her family. She later became known as Mother Teresa, whose work with the poor in Calcutta brought her international fame. If time allows visit the unique marble cave in Gadima. A stop is made at Gracanica to see a superb example of an 14th-century Serb Orthodox Church before arriving in Prishtina for a 2 night stay. (B,L)

After breakfast, begin with a walking tour of Prishtina along Mother Teresa Street visiting the National Library and Prishtina University. Stops include the Museum of Kosovo, the House of Kosovo Academy, Carshi Mosque (Bazaar Mosque) and the Emin Gjiku Ethnographic Museum housed in a typical Ottoman townhouse. Photo-stops can be made at the Kosovo Parliament and Skanderbeg Monument. In the afternoon the tour continues south-east to visit the Archeological site of Upliana, once one of the most important Roman cities in the Balkans. A stop will be made at Novobrda Fortress, an archeological site situated in the highest peak of the Novobrdo Mountain, on top of an inactive volcano crater. The castle was built during medieval times in the city of Novobrdo, which was one of the biggest cities in Balkans as well as one of the richest due to its natural resources; it was consequently often referred to as 'the city of silver and gold'. In the evening enjoy a traditional Kosovan dinner in Pishat - arguable the best restaurant in Prishtina. (B,D)

Today the tour heads west to visit to the Memorial Complex of the Battle of Kosovo (Gazimestan), as well as the Mausoleum, the final resting place of Sultan Murat Tyrbe following his assassination by Kosovar-Albanian Milosh Kopiliqi, during the Battle of Kosovo (1378 AD). A poignant stop is made at the legendary village of Prekaz, where the attack by Serbian military and police was launched on 5th March 1998. The leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Adem Jashari and his brother, Hamëza were killed along with more than fifty other family members, including women and children. After lunch enjoy a tour of the Trout farm at Istog befreo travelling to Peja for a overnight stay. (B,L)

This morning, drive to the stunning Rugova Gorge, where the peaks of the Accursed Mountains, which straddle the border with Montenegro, rise up to 2560 metres and spectacular granite cliffs climb almost vertically for over 1000 metres. There are 13 villages in the Rugova region, high waterfalls and two lakes. This morning visit Peć Patriarch, once the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church, this complex of medieval churches is packed with frescoes overlooking a jagged gorge and is a highlight of any visit to Kosovo. Continue further up Rugova Gorge and arrive at Drelaj, where there is short walk of 20 minutes uphill (this is rated an easy walk and suitable walking shoes are recommended) to a small mountain cheese making factory where we will taste deliciously fresh Rugova cheese. Afterwards walk a further 20 minutes to the village of Drelaj and the family farm of Mr Osman Shala for a welcome refreshment of mountain honey and fresh, cool Rugova water. Tour the farm and the bee aviary before tucking in to a traditional Rugova lunch made from local natural produce. In the afternoon the tour stops at a Kullas (unique traditional stone houses), before travelling to Gjakova for a 2 night stay. (B,L)

This morning tour Gjakova and visit the local Bektashi Community, the Old Market and Hadum Aga Mosque. In the afternoon explore the Rahoveci area, where due to gentle sloping hills and abundant vineyards it could almost be mistaken for Tuscany. The afternoon is reserved for wine-tasting. Visit families who produce their own wine, as well as 'Podrumi i Vjetër' (the oldest winery in Kosovo). Please note that wines will be available for purchase at all wineries at special discounted prices, should you wish to indulge in a bottle or two! Tonight enjoy a traditional Gjakova feast (B,L,D)

Transfer to Tirana Airport with lunch en route. (B,L)