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Sample Itinerary (there are LOADS of options!):

Day 1 – Arrival
Arrival at Virpazar from your chosen airport. There is a 3-course welcome dinner on Villa Miela’s terrace around 7pm so that we can all get to know each other and agree on the activities we’ll be doing during the week.

Day 2 – Explore & Discovery
An unforgettable car and hiking combination tour. We will drive past breathtaking views, hike to rock-pools for wild swimming, visit bat-inhabited caves before lunching at a locally run restaurant. We then jump back in the 4×4 for more stunning views, sometimes some bridge jumping, wild river swimming and then head off-road across a magnificent plain that would not look out of place in Africa. The breathtaking view from the ancient fort of Zabljak Crnojevića is our final stop before returning to Virpazar.

Day 3 – Kayaking safari
Suitable for all levels of fitness, this 4-5 hour kayak trip will take you across stunning mirrored waters from Murići on the southern shores, (also home to the lake’s best freshwater beach), with views up to the fabled peaks of Albania’s Accursed Mountains. You’ll have the lake all to yourself as you swim in crystal clear waters and visit the lake’s renowned 14th century island monastaries, all the while taking in the awesome views, varied bird-life and glorious solitude.

Beginners are welcome!

Day 4 – rest day
There’s so much to discover at Lake Skadar National Park! Take the complimentary bicycles out for a spin, try out some of the self-guided walking trails, head out to see the coast (only 30 minutes away) or chill out and play some boules in Villa Miela’s gardens.

Day 5 – Wild Swimming Lake Trip
Lake Skadar is a vast, beautiful body of water where the summer temperatures can reach a sultry 25C! Whether you love leaping off boats and diving platforms, chilling on nearby lake-side beaches or just soaking up the beauty of it all with a refreshing drink in hand, this is the way to see the parts of the lake we can’t reach by kayak!

Day 6 – Walnut Valley hike
Our favourite hike – this circular trail passes through ancient woodland, across arched Ottoman bridges and along riverside trails and old Roman caravan paths as it winds its way through one of Lake Skadar’s most beautiful valleys. We stop for wild swimming in natural spring-fed pools before hiking to the beautiful hillside village of Dupilo for lunch with a local family (extra cost applicable) – and then we top it all off with a visit to an amazing plunge pool and waterfall! This is unspoiled and undisturbed nature, with wild figs, herbs and tortoises in abundance! Best of all, you won’t have to share them with other tourists; this is our secret!

Day 7 – rest day

Day 8 – Departure

Prices are in £ Sterling per person per week and include 7 nights’ self-catering accommodation at Villa Miela, a welcome dinner, 4 standard activities (some lunches included, some extra) and complimentary use of mountain bikes. Flights are not included.

Please note that all parties may share Villa Miela with other independent bookings. We can on occasion accept shorter stays pro-rata (eg, 3 nights, 2 activities for 50% of the normal price), but this is usually limited to late availability or special circumstances. We don’t offer accommodation-only stays – sorry!

The four activities run by us include all transport, translation, equipment and packed lunches where offered. Please note that all third party providers of food/wine are to be paid direct by the guests as part of our “no commission” policy to support the local economy.

VILLA MIELA

A beautifully renovated farmhouse with swimming pool, Villa Miela is the ideal base for guests on our Lake Skadar multi-activity holidays. With panoramic views and a prime location offering easy access to the lake’s southern and northern shores as well as Virpazar’s restaurants and shops, it’s the perfect place to stay for families, couples and groups of friends. Make new friends as you share the well stocked kitchen, gorgeous outdoor terrace, gas BBQ and swimming pool, or take over the whole complex if your group numbers 6 or more (a supplement may be charged).

At a glance

Sleeps up to 16: 4 en-suite rooms (2 doubles, one twin, one 4-bed bunk room), 3 rooms with shared bathroom (1 double/triple, two bunk-bed twins)

2 modern kitchens with all amenities
Free WIFI
Open-plan living rooms with TV, DVD player, library of books and films and table tennis room
Large terrace with gas barbecue, loungers, hammocks, boules court, swimming pool; incredible views over lake, valley and mountains
Extensive grounds with natural orchard and wild tortoises
Two minutes from the lake shore, 30 minutes from the Adriatic coast
Free use of mountain bikes

Exposed stone details and wooden ceilings and floors add to the charm, with locally produced, handmade bedspreads and bathroom soaps also handmade from olive oil. Stunning views are offered up by each bedroom and the open-plan living areas.