A quick stop in Tetovo to see the Painted Mosque, also known as Xhamia e Pashës. Built in 1438 and rebuilt in 1833, it stands out for its rare mix of Ottoman, Balkan, and Baroque painted motifs. A calm and colourful break on the road to Ohrid.

A two day stop in Peja after travelling from Valbonë. An afternoon in the old town, coffee, river views, then a hike to Lake Leqinat and a visit to the Peć Patriarchate. A practical base for exploring western Kosovo.

A brief stop in Bajram Curri turned into an unexpected glimpse into Albania’s mountain history. From quiet pine-lined streets to echoes of its revolutionary past, this small town revealed more than we planned to see on our way to Valbonë Valley.

Lake Koman Ferry, Albania, one of Europe’s most beautiful boat journeys, winding through fjord-like mountains between Shkodër and Valbonë.

Shkodër, the heart of northern Albania, carries the echoes of its long past. Venetian facades, Ottoman mosques, and Illyrian legends meet where three rivers flow. It is a city that moves at its own pace, calm and enduring, the quiet pause before the journey north to Lake Komani.