Thinking of attempting to plan a luxury adventure Balkans roadtrip on your own? Well you’ve come to the right place! I just complete an overland journey through Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro, in just over a week, and I have a plethora of important tips for you!

BUT FIRST! Full disclosure — my trip was not a collab! I paid for everything and I’m also writing this post without anyone paying me, so if you don’t opt to book my custom tour, PLEASE at least use my affiliate links! It costs nothing to you (likely saves you money) and gives me a small kick back to keep funding my free travel tips here! Thank you!!

Anyway, another reason why I low key wanted to do the Balkans was to cross off my 148, 149, and 150th countries! Yay! Milestone accomplished!

I was interested in Kosovo and North Macedonia the most and for a while now, knowing they are less crowded hidden gems, and significantly cheaper than most European hot spots. The only problem was that I didn’t find a ton of things to do, which is why I had to go explore on my own and report back here!

I’ve also thoroughly roadtripped through Croatia, so I’ll add those links to the end of the post!

So here’s all of the general information you need to plan a Balkans roadtrip and my suggested itinerary!

If you don’t feel like doing all the planning and logistics yourself, our team can do it for you for the total cost of $2000 for this itinerary! Email us at info@mylifesamovie.com

General Information About the Balkans

Before we dive into the itinerary, let’s quickly cover one of the questions I get asked most often: “Where are the Balkans?” If you’re anything like me before planning this trip, you may have heard people talk about the Balkans”without ever being completely sure which countries they’re referring to. So let’s clear that up first!

Where Are the Balkans?

The Balkans are a region in Southeastern Europe, bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the west, the Black Sea to the east, and the Mediterranean further south. Rather than being one country, the Balkans are made up of several nations that share a rich and often intertwined history, along with a fascinating blend of cultures, religions, cuisines, and landscapes.

One of the things I loved most about traveling here was how quickly everything changed. In just a few hours of driving, we crossed international borders and found ourselves surrounded by different languages, currencies, architecture, and traditions. It’s one of the few places in Europe where you can experience so much diversity in such a short amount of time.

What Countries Are Part of the Balkans?

Depending on who you ask, you’ll find slightly different definitions of the Balkans. Geographically, the Balkan Peninsula includes all or part of the following countries:

• 🇦🇱 Albania
• 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
• 🇧🇬 Bulgaria
• 🇭🇷 Croatia
• 🇬🇷 Greece
• 🇽🇰 Kosovo
• 🇲🇪 Montenegro
• 🇲🇰 North Macedonia
• 🇷🇴 Romania (partially)
• 🇷🇸 Serbia
• 🇸🇮 Slovenia (sometimes included)
• 🇹🇷 The European portion of Türkiye (sometimes included)

For this itinerary, we’ll be focusing primarily on Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, with the option of adding Albania if you have a few extra days.

How Yugoslavia Became Today’s Balkan Countries

One reason the Balkans can seem confusing is because many of today’s countries were once part of a single nation called Yugoslavia.

After World War II, Yugoslavia was formed as a socialist federation made up of six republics:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Croatia
• North Macedonia
• Montenegro
• Serbia
• Slovenia

Within Serbia were two autonomous provinces: Kosovo and Vojvodina.

Following the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, rising nationalism and political tensions led to the breakup of Yugoslavia during the 1990s. Several republics declared independence, resulting in a series of conflicts known collectively as the Yugoslav Wars. By the early 2000s, the federation had dissolved into the independent countries we know today.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, with a lot of help from the USA and that’s why there is a Bill Clinton statue and road named after him!

While more than 100 countries—including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and most of the European Union—recognize Kosovo as an independent nation, Serbia and several other countries do not.

Although the region has experienced a difficult history, today’s Balkans are welcoming, safe for tourism, and filled with resilient communities that are proud to share their culture with visitors. One of the things I appreciated most while traveling here was seeing how much optimism and hospitality existed despite such a complex past.

Are the Balkans Part of the European Union?

Not all Balkan countries are members of the European Union, which means you’ll encounter a mix of border controls, currencies, and travel rules throughout your trip.

EU Members:

• Croatia
• Bulgaria
• Greece
• Romania (joined the Schengen Area in 2025)

Not Currently EU Members:

• Albania
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Kosovo
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia
• Serbia

Several of these countries are official candidates for future EU membership, but no additional accessions have taken place as of this writing.

This means that you have to go through immigration to enter and exit any of those non EU countries. It was also why I couldn’t bring my pup on this little roadtrip — his EU passport isn’t valid to go to Kosovo and North Macedonia!

Do You Need a Visa for any of the Balkans?

If you’re a citizen of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or most European countries, you can currently visit Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania visa-free for short tourist stays, typically up to 90 days. Since visa requirements can change, I always recommend checking your government’s travel website before booking your flights.

Pro Travel Tip: One thing to remember is that the Schengen 90/180-day rule generally does not apply in Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, or North Macedonia, since they are not part of the Schengen Area. That can actually make the Balkans an excellent destination if you’re trying to spend more time in Europe without using up your Schengen days.

Connectivity – IMPORTANT!

I know most travelers from the US these days have the $10 per day international roaming or something like it with their home carriers. That WILL NOT WORK in Kosovo or North Macedonia! We tried, and it failed!

You NEED an eSIM (unless you want to get three separate physical SIMs) and you need to set it up before you get to Kosovo, or you will get very lost.

Even with the eSIM, the service in Kosovo was very spotty! That made it really hard to use maps, and we got lost several times. So I also suggest downloading an app like Maps.Me, or saving the route in advance on your Google Maps!

For a reliable eSIM for this roadtrip, I recommend: AloSIM and you can get an extra 15% off using TRAVELMOVIE

Currencies

One thing that surprised me was how we had to pay for a lot of things with cash only! Living in Italy, everything is paid with cards, in fact it’s mandatory that businesses offer card payment. But in Kosovo and North Macedonia, nearly everything was with cash!

Here’s the official currencies and what they ended up accepting:

• Kosovo: Euro (€)
• Montenegro: Euro (€)
• North Macedonia: Macedonian Denar (MKD) but also accepted Euro
• Albania: Albanian Lek (ALL) but also accepted Euro

Definitely use a debit card like one of these which has no foreign transaction fees and better currency exchange rates because the ATMs had fees up to €6, and mark ups of 17%!!!

Is It Safe to Travel in the Balkans?

This was the question I got from my family, and I was a bit surprised by it! First because, I’ve been to way more dangerous places, and second, there have been no recent conflicts there! Of course, always travel responsibly and check reputable websites for any current events.

But, from my personal experience, yes, the Balkans are very safe. I found the people to be incredibly welcoming, the tourist areas felt safe, and I had no issues traveling through Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania or Montenegro. Like anywhere in the world, it’s important to use common sense, stay aware of your surroundings, and keep an eye on your belongings in busy tourist areas, but I never felt uncomfortable during this itinerary.

In fact, one of my favorite parts of the trip was how genuinely excited locals were that we had chosen to visit their country. It often led to conversations, recommendations, and hospitality that reminded me why I love traveling beyond Europe’s most famous destinations!

In regards to transportation safety... It was slightly scary to drive in Kosovo and North Macedonia. There’s a lot of narrow and pedestrian areas, high traffic in cities with interesting drivers, and winding roads in the mountains. Definitely get insurance. The half-overnight 8 hour bus felt safe though!

That being said, I highly suggest getting this travel insurance!

Roadtrip Transportation Options for a Balkans Roadtrip

If you’re going to do a roadtrip, you need some transportation options, right? Since the Balkans we were aiming for look small, we thought driving them all could be a breeze. Everything online including AI trip planners showed do-able routes and drive times, but…

SPOILER ALERT: Do NOT trust AI to plan your roadtrip routes in the Balkans! The actual times were twice as long, and it doesn’t warm you about routes that are dangerous!

Also to note: Even though these countries are next to each other, there are NO direct flights in between them. That’s also why we drove/bused.

Here’s the transportation we used:

Car Rentals in the Balkans

For the brave roadtrippers, I’d suggest renting a car, either for part or the whole journey.

Here is the website I used to book all of the car rentals: Click here!

Here’s some frequently asked questions about renting a car in the Balkans:

Taking the Bus in the Balkans

Many people use the bus to roadtrip around the Balkans, and it’s not as bad as I thought! It does give you less freedom than a car, but at least you don’t have to drive the long long distances!

It was a bit tricky finding the right buses, so I’ve listed the exact ones I used throughout the itinerary.

For ease, I’d recommend this website to find all of your options: Click here for transportation options!

Ok now Onto the Itinerary!

9 Day Balkans Roadtrip Itinerary – Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro

Day 1: Arrive in Pristina, Kosovo – Drive to Lake Ohrid, North Macedonia

Time: About 5 hours

We started our trip by flying into Pristina, the capital of Kosovo. Although it isn’t usually the first place people think of when planning a Balkan vacation, it actually makes a fantastic starting point because flights are often reasonably priced and it’s an easy gateway into both North Macedonia and Montenegro.

Use this website to get the cheapest flights to Kosovo: Click here!

After landing, we headed straight to pick up our rental car. I debated relying on buses for the entire trip, but after doing some research, I quickly realized that having a car for the first half of the itinerary would give us far more flexibility. Some of the best viewpoints around Lake Ohrid aren’t easily accessible by public transportation, and I never like feeling rushed when I stumble upon somewhere beautiful.

Book the same rental company we used here: Discover Cars

One thing that worried me before arriving was the border crossing into North Macedonia. I had read all kinds of conflicting information online about insurance, paperwork, and delays, so naturally I imagined it was going to be a stressful process. In reality, it couldn’t have been easier.

We purchased the cross border green card through the car rental agency at pick up for about $25, and the border was less than 10 minutes to cross, and that’s in high season!

Stop for Lunch in Skopje

Rather than driving directly to Lake Ohrid, we decided to break up the journey with lunch in Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital. It’s one of those cities that’s difficult to describe because it almost feels like two completely different places stitched together into one destination.

On one side of the river you’ll find Ottoman architecture, mosques, stone streets, and the bustling Old Bazaar. Cross the famous Stone Bridge, however, and suddenly you’re surrounded by enormous neoclassical buildings, fountains, and more statues than I think I’ve seen in any city in the world. It’s quirky, a little over-the-top, and honestly fascinating to explore.

We spent about an hour wandering through the city center before finding a restaurant overlooking the river. If your schedule allows, you could easily spend an entire afternoon here, but if you’re eager to get to Lake Ohrid, a leisurely lunch and walk around the historic center is the perfect introduction to North Macedonia.

Days 2–3: Lake Ohrid

Out of everywhere we visited on this trip, Lake Ohrid was probably the biggest surprise! I truly adored it!

I’d seen photos beforehand, of course, but photos really don’t do this place justice. The water is impossibly clear, the mountains surrounding the lake seem to change color throughout the day, and the old town is exactly the kind of place I love getting lost in. Every narrow stone alley seemed to lead to another viewpoint, hidden church, or tiny café overlooking the water.

What surprised me most wasn’t necessarily how beautiful it was—it was how peaceful it felt. Even during the middle of summer, we never felt overwhelmed by crowds. Instead of rushing from attraction to attraction, we naturally slowed down. We lingered over long lunches, wandered without maps, stopped for gelato simply because it looked good, and spent evenings watching the sunset with a glass of local wine. It felt like a completely new unique idea of European Summer!

I’d recommend trying to do as much as possible in one full day if you’re limited on time, but if you can add an extra day on this trip, I’d definitely do it here!

Where to Stay

If you’re visiting Lake Ohrid, I highly recommend staying one night on the lake, and one night somewhere within walking distance of the Old Town. This is mostly for access, driving, and parking purposes.

We stayed at a beautiful lake front hotel that had all the best perks and amenities; from included beach chairs and paddleboards, to a brand new fabulous rooftop spa! It also included breakfast, parking, and had a pool! The only downside was that the drive to the old town was around 45minutes (high season), however the taxis weren’t too bad, at just around $25 (cash only).

Book our hotel here: Hotel Lago Ohrid

Paddle Boarding on One of Europe’s Oldest Lakes

One of the first things we did was use the included paddle boards, and it ended up being one of my favorite activities of the entire trip! The water was incredibly calm, so calm that it almost looked like glass, and paddling along the shoreline gave us an entirely different perspective than we had from land.

We thought we had the genius idea of “lake beach club hopping”, but it turns out that there weren’t too many. Actually our hotel had the best one, and then there was a cute chic little one nearby called ((((((((

Paragliding Above Lake Ohrid

Since this was meant to be a “luxury adventure trip” we added in any and all adrenaline activities we came across. So naturally, when I discovered you could paraglide over Lake Ohrid, it immediately went to the top of our itinerary.

Floating above the lake while looking down at the red rooftops of the old town, the surrounding mountains, and the deep blue water stretching into the distance was one of those moments that reminded me exactly why I love travel so much.

I will admit though — it took a lot longer to do than expected because you have to drive up into the mountains, and the actual flight was very short, only about 8 minutes, which isn’t that great since it costs around $110….

Book the same paragliding experience here: Lake Ohrid Paragliding $128

Exploring the Lake Ohrid Old Town

The Old Town of Lake Ohrid was everything we’d hoped for, and more! We literally manifested into existence finding limoncello sprtiz’, a beautiful chic lakefront restaurant, a wine bar with wide variety of local wines, and an affordable taxi back to the hotel! Best night ever!

We found everything by wondering, so feel free to do the same!

Otherwise here’s the places I liked in Lake Ohrid’s Old Town:

1. Limonce Bar
2. Cafe Liquid
3. Wine Bar and Winery Mal Sv. Kliment

The taxi stand line is on the main road, you can’t miss it! And don’t forget to bring cash!

Day 4 Back to Kosovo: Returning the Rental Car

This is where I change the itinerary from what I actually did and what I would suggest.

We actually drove ourselves to Prizren and Paje, but then had to go back to Pristina to return the car and get on a bus that just took us back to Prizren anyway to get to Montenegro… Parking in Prizren was also difficult, and we kept getting lost because of the lack of cell service. If you’re up for all that, feel free to drive!

Otherwise — drop the car off at the rental place, and catch a bus to Prizren.

It’ll likely take the full day to drive back and then bus to Prizren as well, so prepare for a full travel day! When you get to Prizren, if you have the energy, go wander around in the evening! It becomes extremely lively!

Days 5 & 6: Prizren, Kosovo

If Lake Ohrid was the biggest “tropical” surprise of the trip, Prizren was probably the city that completely stole my heart.

I’ll be honest—I didn’t know much about Kosovo before this trip. Like many people, I’d mostly heard about its complicated history, or that it was affordable, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found instead was one of the most charming, welcoming, and photogenic towns in the Balkans.

Prizren has that magical quality where it doesn’t feel like it’s trying to impress anyone. The Ottoman architecture, cobblestone streets, cafés spilling onto the sidewalks, and the sound of the river flowing through the middle of town all come together to create a place that simply feels… comfortable. It was somewhere I immediately felt myself slowing down.

Rather than rushing around trying to see every attraction, we spent our time doing exactly what I think Prizren is best for: wandering. We crossed the old stone bridges countless times, browsed little boutiques, sat in cafés longer than we probably should have, and watched local life unfold around us. It reminded me of why I love smaller European cities so much—they encourage you to experience them rather than simply check them off a list.

One thing you absolutely shouldn’t skip is hiking up to Prizren Fortress. The walk isn’t particularly difficult, and once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over the red rooftops, mosque minarets, church steeples, and the surrounding mountains. I recommend going in the late afternoon when the light becomes softer and the city begins to glow. If you’re a photographer, it’s easily one of the best viewpoints of the entire trip.

Food was another pleasant surprise. There were so many cute and delicious restaurants in Prizren, and everyone was unbelievably welcoming and nice!

Oh and FYI, Prizren is POPPIN’ at night. We got a local tip to go to a new restaurant/lounge/club called Reception, and literally all the young locals were already there when we arrived! Make a reservation if you want to get a seat on the highly coveted patio!

If I had one piece of advice, it would be this: stay at least two nights. Prizren isn’t a city that should be rushed. Give yourself enough time to enjoy slow mornings, long dinners, and aimless walks through the old town.

Book my recommended hotel in Prizren here: Sapphire Hotel Prizren

The owner at this hotel was so nice, and gave us a lot of great recommendations, wine, and even helped park our car for us in the complicated pedestrian area!

Here are the bars and restaurants we loved in Prizren

1. Utopia Rooftop Bar – cute vibe and beautiful views
2. Sapphire Hotel – for wine and no crowds
3. Reception – massive new club/lounge that ALL the locals were at

I will also say that the people in Prizren were SO nice! We felt like the “Princesses of Prizren” because everyone was so kind and SO helpful!

Day 6 Alternative: Day Trip to Peja

If you were able to see and do everything in Prizren in a day, and you’d like to see another part of Kosovo, I would recommend taking the bus then taxis, or renting a car and going to Peja! (Pronounced “pey-jya”)

We specifically went here for adrenaline activities, and it delivered. Peja is in the beautiful mountains, which is a bit scary and confusing to drive through (cell signal led us astray several times), but I think it was worth it!

The much hyped up zipline was cute, but not totally impressive, however that’s coming from someone who rock climbed the entire mountain beforehand.

For a real extreme adventure, do the “Via Ferrata” (translation: “iron pathway”), which requires cables, clips, harnesses, and scaling the sheer face and crevices of the cliffside. I’d never done it before, and I was a bit scared, but it ended up being really excited and fun!

However, I realize that activity is not for everyone, so I’d also recommend an easier culture and nature tour at least!

Here’s the links to book those adventure activities in Peja:

• Full day nature and culture tour in Peja $81
• Peja and Rugova half day tour $85
• Via Ferrata:

BY THE WAY: Now is a good time to remind you that you should definitely get TRAVEL INSURANCE for this trip, especially if you’re going to be driving or partaking in these types of adventures! I recommend Travelex (please use my link!)

Day 6 Evening: Continuing to Montenegro (With an Optional Albania Detour)

Here’s where the longest bus rides happens. Again, I looked into flight options to avoid a 7-8 hour bus ride, but most required layovers in northern Europe, only to have to fly back down.

I researched and found that the most “comfortable” option was the Vetoni Tourist bus, which only runs once a day at night. It didn’t sound ideal, but it really wasn’t that bad, especially because we made it more fun with bus-wine and snacks.

The bus starts in Pristina at 5pm and stops in Prizren. Then it’s off to Albania (which we didn’t know we were doing), and finally to either Podgrocia or Budva in Montenegro. We chose Budva.

You can book the bus tickets here for around $20 here: Balkans Transfer Tickets

No, there isn’t a bathroom onboard, or wifi, or outlets.

Yes, the seats are comfortable, and you stop every couple of hours for bathroom and snack breaks.

Also, the border crossing into Albania and then into Montenegro was really fast, and we didn’t even have to get off of the bus!

Albania Add-On:

If you have another 2-3 days available, this is also where I’d recommend making a detour into Albania. We simply didn’t have enough time on this trip, but I’ve been to Albania before and I know we could have taken the bus to Tirana, and done a day trip to the increasingly trendy summer hotspot of Ksamil, then back towards Montenegro.

Here’s a couple of day trip options for that in case you don’t want to drive:

Day 7: Budva – Montenegro’s Lively Coastal Escape

Our first stop in Montenegro was Budva, and it couldn’t have been more different from the peaceful atmosphere of Lake Ohrid or Prizren.

Budva is energetic, lively, and during the summer, absolutely buzzing with people. The beaches are lined with sunbeds, music drifts out from waterfront restaurants, and the medieval old town becomes especially beautiful once the sun begins to set and everyone heads out for dinner.

Spoiler Alert: Budva’s riviera now has several enormous hotels being built, which takes away from the charm quite a bit.

For a chill day I’d recommend paying $20 and getting a sun chair and umbrella at Coco beach club or paying $7 for the water taxi to take you to the less crowded Hawaii Island, which has way better beaches for swimming and was less crowded (pictured above). Chairs are the same price and there are three little beach bars there for drinks and snacks, but not full meals.

Definitely do a Budva Boat Tour!

One activity I absolutely recommend is taking one of the Budva boat tours. Seeing the coastline from the water gave us a completely different perspective of the area, and it ended up being one of the highlights of our time there. Between the turquoise water, dramatic cliffs, and hidden coves, it was exactly the kind of afternoon I had imagined when planning a summer girls’ trip.

We booked a private boat to avoid the chaos of summer crowds, and it was absolutely worth it.

Book the same boat tour we took here: Private Budva Boat Tour ($575 for a group of 4-5 for 4 hours)

Or for cheaper boat options that you can share with others, check out:

Budva Old Town

In the evening, stroll through the beautiful Old Town! There’s actually a lot of nice shopping there if you look hard enough (or I’ll just list them below), and amazing restaurants!

Restaurants I liked in Budva Old Town:

• Shanghai Sushi
• Restaurant Mlin

I’d also recommend staying near the Old Town or Budva Riviera so everything is walking distance!

Here’s the 4 star hotel I stayed at for just $100 per night: Centrally Located 4 Star Hotel in Budva

Day 8: Day Trip to Kotor

From Budva, it’s relatively easy to reach Kotor by bus or taxi, making it one of the best day trips in Montenegro. The “relatively” part is because there’s a lot of traffic to get there.

I’d recommend just taking the bus because it’s around $7 compared to $70 for a taxi.

We actually stayed the night there, but it was very expensive and a hassle with the luggage and taxis, so now I’m recommending a day trip.

Also, check the cruise schedule and AVOID the days where there are cruises docked there! Otherwise it will be complete chaos! Cruise Timetables | Cruise Schedules | Cruise Ship Schedules

Most people visit Kotor for its UNESCO-listed Old Town, and while it’s undeniably beautiful, my favorite part of the day was actually heading up the Kotor Cable Car for all of the adventure activities! The views over the Bay of Kotor are spectacular, and once you reach the top, there’s much more to do than simply admire the scenery.

The two experiences I enjoyed most were the Aerobar, where you can enjoy panoramic views while literally suspended above the mountains, and the Falcon ride, which was far more fun than I expected. Even if you’re not usually someone who pays extra for tourist attractions, I genuinely think these were worth it because they offered such a unique perspective over one of Montenegro’s most famous landscapes.

Cable Car Tickets: https://getyourguide.tpk.mx/LyohcXRu $30 RT (MUST have in advance)

Tickets for activities: Kotor – Lovćen – Kotor Cable Car 

I also want to be honest about something that didn’t quite live up to my expectations. We visited the Kraken Underwater Wine Cellar, which had looked incredible in videos and theory beforehand. While it’s certainly an interesting concept, I personally found it overpriced for the experience, and the overall atmosphere just wasn’t what I had hoped for. That’s not to say you shouldn’t go—it simply wasn’t a highlight for me.

You MUST have a reservation far in advance, and you need to either pay a water taxi around $100 for a roundtrip ride or a taxi around $70! Bottles of wine start at $55 and you can only buy them by the bottle, no glasses. Also, you can swim from the barge, and dive down to see the bottles in the crates, but not all the way down to the “cellar”.

Transparency: I also live on a vineyard in Sardinia, Italy so I am a bit of a wine snob in addition to adventure-travel connoisseur. I think this place has potential but it was a bit expensive and unwelcoming in my opinion.

Don’t Skip Perast

Instead of Kraken, if I could recommend one place around the Bay of Kotor, it would be Perast, either by boat or car. Every local recommended it, but we only had time for one and went for the wine barge.

Perast is smaller, quieter, and infinitely more relaxing than Kotor. Elegant stone buildings line the waterfront, tiny cafés overlook the bay, and boats gently drift past as church bells echo across the water. It’s the kind of place where you order lunch and suddenly realize you’ve been sitting at the same table for three hours because you simply don’t want to leave.

Finishing the Trip in Montenegro’s Wine Country

Our final stop took us inland toward Podgorica, but rather than spending much time in the city itself, we used it as a base for exploring Montenegro’s surprisingly impressive wine region.

By this point in the trip, we had already done plenty of driving, so instead of renting another car, I’d recommend hiring a local driver or joining a wine tour if you plan on tasting. It’s much more relaxing, and everyone gets to enjoy the experience without worrying about who’s driving back.

One of my favorite discoveries was Mkenh Winery, located near Ivan. The wines were excellent, the setting was beautiful, and the hospitality reminded me why I always try to include local wineries whenever I travel. Some of my favorite travel memories don’t come from famous landmarks—they come from sitting around a table, learning about a family’s traditions, and hearing the stories behind what they’re creating.

This is also how I ended up married and living on a vineyard in Sardinia.

If you don’t have a designated driver, here are some winery tours I’d suggest:

For accommodations, we stayed at Hotel Hemera, which ended up being the perfect base for exploring the region. It had that boutique feel I always look for, with comfortable rooms, great service, and a peaceful atmosphere after several busy days on the road.

Plus it’s a 5 Star hotel for only about $110, including a delicious a-la-carte breakfast!

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