Winter Colors of the Western Balkans – 5 Day Tour
5 Days, Private JourneyA 5-day private winter introduction to Albania and North Macedonia — from Korça's festive December glow and a monastery wine tasting on the shores of Lake Ohrid, to the snow-covered slopes of Mavrovo, at an unhurried pace with your own licensed guide.
There is a version of the Western Balkans that only reveals itself once the snow falls. Korça settles into its most beautiful season, its streets and squares glowing through December. The shores of Lake Ohrid turn quiet and reflective, and Mavrovo's slopes fill with fresh powder beneath the surrounding peaks. This is winter in the Balkans — dramatic, uncrowded, and largely undiscovered by the wider world.
Winter Colors in the Balkans is a 5-day private introduction to Albania and North Macedonia in their winter season, built for travelers who want a genuine winter escape without a long commitment. Over the course of this journey, you will experience Korça at its most beautiful time of year, taste wine at a historic monastery on the shores of Lake Ohrid, and spend a night at one of North Macedonia's real ski resorts. Every detail — the vehicle, the guide, the hotel, the table you sit at for dinner — has been chosen to the same standard: quietly excellent, never generic.
- Enjoy Korça at its most beautiful time of year, with traditional kernacka and rakia warmed with honey and cinnamon
- Wine tasting at a family winery in Ohrid
- Explore Ohrid's UNESCO-listed old town, including the Church of St. John at Kaneo, the Church of St. Sophia, and the Museum of Paper
- Ski Mavrovo's slopes — one of North Macedonia's real ski resorts — or enjoy a relaxed village afternoon instead
- Stop at Kulla Hupi in Bulqizë on the way back to Tirana
- Farewell dinner or craft beer tasting in Tirana to close the journey
Day by Day
Your Journey
01Arrival in Tirana
Private transfer from the airport to your hotel, followed by a 1-hour welcome walking tour through central Tirana. Relax at your hotel afterward. Overnight: Tirana
02Tirana · Pogradec · Korça
Depart Tirana with a stop in Pogradec along the shores of Lake Ohrid, before continuing to Korça — a town that comes into its own in December, its streets and squares taking on a particular winter glow. Enjoy a taste of traditional kernacka and rakia warmed with honey and cinnamon, a Korça specialty. Overnight: Korça
03Korça · St. Naum · Ohrid
Depart Korça for St. Naum Monastery, on the southern shores of Lake Ohrid, before continuing to explore Ohrid's UNESCO-listed old town — including the panoramic viewpoint at the Church of St. John at Kaneo, the Church of St. Sophia, and the Museum of Paper — with a wine tasting at a family winery in Ohrid. Overnight: Ohrid
04Ohrid · Mavrovo
Depart for Mavrovo, with a free afternoon in the village on arrival — optional skiing available at one of North Macedonia's real ski resorts for those who wish, or simply time to relax and enjoy the mountain surroundings. Overnight: Mavrovo
05Mavrovo · Tirana
Depart Mavrovo for Tirana, with a stop at Kulla Hupi in Bulqizë along the way. Enjoy a farewell dinner or craft beer tasting in Tirana — your send-off from a winter in the Balkans. (For guests departing the following day: an additional night in Tirana and a private transfer the next morning can be arranged.)
Inclusions
What's Covered
Everything below is arranged, booked and paid for before you arrive — the rest is listed just as plainly.
Included
9 items- Private transportation throughout in an Audi A8 Quattro or genuine 4x4 (Toyota Land Cruiser or Mitsubishi Pajero, depending on group size)
- A dedicated, licensed multilingual guide-driver for the full journey (English and other languages available on request)
- Fuel, road tolls, local taxes, parking fees
- Private airport transfers on arrival
- 4 nights in 4-5★ and boutique hotels, including breakfast daily
- Traditional kernacka and rakia tasting in Korça
- Wine tasting at a family winery in Ohrid
- Entrances: St. Naum Monastery; Church of St. Sophia and the Museum of Paper, Ohrid.
- Farewell dinner or beer tasting in Tirana
Not Included
6 items- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed above and personal expenses
- Gratuities
- Single room supplement, where applicable
- Any additional night beyond the 4 included, such as an extended stay in Tirana for later flights (available on request, at an additional cost)
Anything here can usually be added to your journey. Just ask
Why This Journey
What Makes This Journey Different
A private journey, start to finish.
Your private vehicle is an Audi A8 Quattro or a genuine 4x4 (Toyota Land Cruiser or Mitsubishi Pajero, depending on group size) — with your own licensed, multilingual guide-driver — never merged into a larger coach group, never on someone else's schedule.
Two countries, one continuous winter story.
From Korça's December glow to the shores of Lake Ohrid to the snow-covered peaks of Mavrovo, this route is woven into a single, logical journey — never backtracking, never wasted.
A genuine culinary experience.
Traditional kernacka and rakia, warmed with honey and cinnamon, in Korçë. A wine tasting at a local winery on the shores of Lake Ohrid. Finally, enjoy a farewell dinner or craft beer tasting in Tirana to close the journey. No compromise on quality either way.
Handled with care, down to the smallest logistics.
Your first day is intentionally free of touring — a chance to rest after your flight before the journey begins in earnest the following morning. Every hotel is 4-5★ or a carefully chosen boutique property.
Route
Where You'll Be, Day by Day
Tirana International AirportKorce
Available
From 810 EUR
Final price depends on group size, season and hotel selection.
More Journeys
Similar Journeys
Filter by season, duration or region to find the right fit.
Ready to plan this journey?
Let us create your next unforgettable journey in the Western Balkans.