Explore Ohrid on foot with this ShortStops Loop. A three hour afternoon walk from the statues of Cyril and Methodius to Kaneo and Hagia Sophia, with real facts, easy timings, and lakeside views.

We travelled from Ohrid to St Naum for frescoes, spring water, a boat ride with a new apprentice and a quiet drink by the lake. A simple guide to this southern corner of Lake Ohrid.

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.

Explore Skopje on a loop that links the Old Bazaar, Kapan Han, fortress views, Ottoman courtyards, the Stone Bridge and the modern riverfront. This walk shows the city in clear layers.

A misty morning hike on the Big Pine Trail from Prizren to Prevalla, exploring Sharr Mountains National Park and the distant slopes of Brezovica before crossing into North Macedonia.

A day of wine tasting in Orahovac and Velika Hoča showed us just how good Kosovo’s wines are. From crisp whites to sweet reds, charcuterie boards and a shot of rakia, it was an unforgettable surprise.

A slow Prizren loop past mosques, bridges, hammams, and the hilltop fortress that defines the city. A half day walk through Kosovo’s most atmospheric old town.

A short stop in Pristina with visits to the National Library, the Cathedral of Saint Mother Teresa, and its tower. A quick warm walk through Kosovo’s capital before heading to Prizren.

Visit the White Drin Waterfall near Peja, a protected natural monument and the source of Kosovo’s White Drin River. A short walk from Resort Ujëvara e Drinit leads to wooden platforms, cool spray, and views from above.

Hidden in Peja’s Rugova Canyon, the Patriarchate of Peć Monastery stuns with 13th-century frescoes—and one very memorable nun encounter

Walk through meadows and quiet forests on the short hike to Lake Leqinat in the Rugova Valley. A gentle climb near Peja with views of the Accursed Mountains and a link to the Via Dinarica.

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 detailed visit to Dečani Monastery in Kosovo, from the KFOR checkpoint to the fourteenth century frescoes, the monks, the compound and the calm atmosphere that defines this UNESCO listed Serbian Orthodox site.

A quiet morning drive from Valbonë into Kosovo with a stop at Hoxha’s Tower in Junik. A simple journey through valleys, fields, and local heritage on the way to Deçan and Peja.

Hike through Valbonë Valley in northern Albania, where the Accursed Mountains rise over rivers, wildflower trails, and quiet guesthouses. Discover one of the Balkans’ last unspoiled corners before the crowds arrive.

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.

We climbed Rozafa Hill under the June sun, following the story of an Illyrian fortress built on sacrifice and overlooking the rivers Buna, Drin, and Kir.

Walk through Krujë, Albania’s first capital, on a two-hour loop linking its castle, Skanderbeg Museum, and quiet Sufi tekkes.