Albania Compact: Koman, Berat & Saranda, 10 Days

The start is near Graz: after a first get-together, a brisk stage through Slovenia and Croatia leads to the Bosnian coastal town of Neum, where a Mediterranean dinner and the first night await. The sea air of the Adriatic greets the group that same evening.

Today things get noticeably more relaxed: the coastal road through southern Croatia and Montenegro leads to Shkodra, where a walk through the old town offers first impressions of Albania. In the evening the group eats together.

Weather permitting, today features the legendary Koman reservoir ferry: threading between steep rock walls, the route continues into the hinterland, with a true curve-fest all the way to Peshkopi in the east of the country.

After a long previous day this stage is shorter: a detour into neighbouring North Macedonia leads to a lunch stop at Lake Ohrid, before the route returns to Albania and the cultural city of Korça.

Several times today the route brushes close to the Greek border before reaching Saranda on the Albanian Riviera. Between olive groves and the Ionian Sea await curves, a special ferry crossing and fresh seafood in the evening.

Around 100 kilometres of sea-view coastal road lead to the lunch stop, before the day's destination is reached: Berat, the City of a Thousand Windows, has been a museum city since 1961, belongs to the UNESCO World Heritage and casts its spell during an evening stroll.

The way to Tirana winds through the mountains again. In the Albanian capital there is time for a short walk and the lunch break, before the afternoon leads back to Shkodra, where the group already stayed at the beginning.

Before Bosnia and Herzegovina is reached again, what may be Albania's most beautiful road is waiting. Via Montenegro the stage continues to the world-famous city of Mostar, with a walk across its famous bridge.

Bihać in north-western Bosnia is the last overnight stop of this loop through South-East Europe. In the evening you can raise a toast together to the finale and look back on the experiences of the past few days.

The final stage leads back to the starting point near Graz. Guided by your guide, a loop full of curves, culture and new impressions in the land of the Skipetars comes to an end – around 3,000 kilometres through seven countries now lie behind you.