01 The Opening
Dhërmi · Albanian Riviera
Begin with horizon.
The first chapter is deliberately spacious: Ionian light, Old Dhërmi, a welcome dinner and time to settle into a coast that still feels discovered rather than staged.
Now Journey Limited Series
Treasures of the Adriatic
Albania, Montenegro and Croatia, paced for atmosphere.
Dhërmi → Berat → Kotor → Dubrovnik
- Maximum 10 guests
- 2027 hosted by Mark Story
- Privately guided
- Premium coastal hotels
- No large buses
No obligation. No pressure.
11 Days / 10 NightsRelaxed pace
Albania to CroatiaThree-country route
Maximum 10Limited small group
Premium HotelsOr similar
Tour CaptainHosted throughout
The Adriatic beyond the familiar
The coast, without the big-bus blur.
This Journey moves from Albania’s Riviera to Berat’s Ottoman quarters, then follows mountain-backed water through Kotor before reaching Dubrovnik.
With a maximum of ten guests, privately guided historic walks, premium vehicles and a deliberate amount of open time, the route is designed to feel hosted rather than processed.
Your Journey Ahead
Four Adriatic Chapters. One elegant arc.
The entire route, before the day-by-day detail.
Scroll through chaptersSwipe through chapters
- 01DhërmiIonian views, Old Dhërmi, coastal viewpoints, a welcome dinner and a slower first rhythm.
- 02BeratCastle walls, Ottoman quarters, the Onufri Icon Museum and unhurried time in a lived-in historic city.
- 03KotorMedieval lanes, Venetian maritime history and mountain-backed water with a full day left open.
- 04DubrovnikLimestone streets, Old Town stories, Mount Srđ, leisure and a final Adriatic aperitif.
The Journey Story
The coast changes character as you go.
The Journey begins with open water, turns inward to history, narrows into a mountain bay and finally arrives at Dubrovnik’s limestone edge.
02 The Turn Inward
Berat · Albania
Stone, windows and lived-in history.
The route leaves the sea for castle walls, Mangalem and Gorica. The mood becomes quieter and more intimate, shaped by streets that are still part of daily life.
03 The Narrowing Bay
Kotor · Montenegro
The mountains meet the water.
Medieval gates, Venetian maritime history and the Bay of Kotor bring the Journey into a more dramatic frame—then a leisure day returns the pace to you.
04 The Limestone Finale
Dubrovnik · Croatia
Finish above the Adriatic.
Old Town stories, Mount Srđ, a full day with room to choose and one final aperitif let the Journey settle rather than simply stop.
The Complete Itinerary
The Adriatic story, day by day.
Four geographic chapters keep the detail easy to navigate without flattening the Journey into a list.
Keep the verified route, hotel examples and pricing notes close.
Download Journey GuideChapter One
Days 1–2
Albanian Riviera
Old Dhërmi, Ionian views, Orthodox churches, coastal viewpoints and a first afternoon left open.
Begin at the water’s edge.
Arrival through Tirana gives way to the Albanian coast, where the Journey starts with a Discovery Walk, a welcome dinner and the permission to arrive slowly.
Day 1
Arrival and the Ionian welcome
Arrive into Tirana Airport (TIA) and transfer to Dhërmi. Settle into the Albanian Riviera, join a Discovery Walk and gather for a welcome dinner overlooking the Ionian Sea.
Included Today
- Arrival transfer from Tirana Airport
- Dhërmi Discovery Walk
- Welcome dinner overlooking the Ionian Sea
Day 2
Old Dhërmi and an open afternoon
Explore Old Dhërmi, sea-view viewpoints and Orthodox churches, pause for coffee and a local pastry tasting, and visit the Monastery of St. Mary before an open afternoon.
Included Today
- Old Dhërmi and coastal viewpoints
- Orthodox churches and Monastery of St. Mary
- Coffee and local pastry tasting
- Open afternoon
Where You Stay
Your Home in Dhërmi
Beyond - A Luxury Boutique Hotel, Dhërmi or similar, selected for Adriatic elegance and sea-view coastal atmosphere.
Stay: 2 nights. Property assignments may vary by departure.
Chapter Two
Days 3–4
Berat
Ottoman quarters, a lived-in castle, the Onufri Icon Museum and time to absorb Albania’s quieter interior.
History becomes intimate.
Berat is approached as a living place rather than a checklist: first through a Discovery Walk and regional dinner, then through the castle, bridge and two historic quarters.
Day 3
From the Riviera to Berat
Leave the coast for a scenic journey to Berat, then join a Discovery Walk before a welcome dinner shaped by regional Albanian flavors.
Included Today
- Scenic journey to Berat
- Berat Discovery Walk
- Welcome dinner with regional Albanian flavors
Day 4
Castle, quarters and icons
Explore Berat Castle, the Mangalem and Gorica quarters, the historic bridge and the Onufri Icon Museum, with free time kept in the day.
Included Today
- Berat Castle
- Mangalem and Gorica quarters
- Historic bridge
- Onufri Icon Museum
- Free time
Where You Stay
Your Home in Berat
Hotel Colombo Berat or similar, with boutique properties selected for atmosphere and relaxed elegance.
Stay: 2 nights. Property assignments may vary by departure.
Chapter Three
Days 5–7
Kotor & Montenegro
A fortified old town, maritime history, bay views and a full day to follow your own rhythm.
Mountains, water and medieval stone.
The Journey follows the coast into Montenegro, where a hosted lunch and Discovery Walk open a three-night chapter with both private touring and intentional leisure.
Day 5
The coastal road to Kotor
Travel along the coast to Kotor, pause for a hosted lunch, join a Discovery Walk and gather for dinner beside the Bay of Kotor.
Included Today
- Coastal journey to Kotor
- Hosted lunch stop
- Kotor Discovery Walk
- Dinner beside the Bay of Kotor
Day 6
Inside medieval Kotor
Explore medieval Kotor privately, following fortress walls and gates into the city’s Venetian maritime history, bay views and harbor culture.
Included Today
- Private exploration of medieval Kotor
- Fortress walls and gates
- Bay views and harbor culture
- Venetian maritime context
Day 7
Kotor, your way
Keep the day at leisure or consider the existing optional mountains-and-villages excursion through Njeguši and Lovćen National Park.
Included Today
- Leisure day in Kotor
Where You Stay
Your Home on the Bay of Kotor
Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, Hotel Forza Mare or similar, selected for dramatic bay and mountain views.
Stay: 3 nights. Property assignments may vary by departure.
Final Chapter
Days 8–11
Dubrovnik
Old Town, Mount Srđ, a full leisure day and a final aperitif above the Adriatic.
The coast becomes the finale.
Dubrovnik is given three nights so the city can be approached twice: first through its stories and views, then through a day shaped by your own interests.
Day 8
Into Croatia
Cross into Croatia, enter Dubrovnik from Pile Gate for a Discovery Walk and gather for a welcome dinner.
Included Today
- Journey into Croatia
- Dubrovnik Discovery Walk from Pile Gate
- Welcome dinner
Day 9
Old Town and Mount Srđ
Explore Old Town with a local guide, following ancient walls, medieval passageways and stories of the Republic of Ragusa before taking in the views from Mount Srđ.
Included Today
- Guided Dubrovnik Old Town
- Ancient walls and medieval passageways
- Republic of Ragusa stories
- Mount Srđ views
Day 10
A final day, your way
Keep the day at leisure in Dubrovnik or consider the existing optional coastline, hidden-coves or Elafiti Islands boat experience, followed by the included farewell aperitif.
Included Today
- Leisure time in Dubrovnik
- Farewell aperitif
Day 11
Departure or continue to Hvar and Split
Enjoy breakfast and depart from Dubrovnik, or continue on the optional four-night Croatia extension.
Included Today
- Breakfast
- Core Journey conclusion
Where You Stay
Your Home in Dubrovnik
Hotel Excelsior or similar, selected for panoramic coastal views and deep-blue Adriatic water.
Stay: 3 nights. Property assignments may vary by departure.
Why travel this way
Hosted, not herded.
A small format changes the Journey: easier movement, more personal hosting, boutique-scale stays and enough flexibility to let each place keep its own rhythm.
Maximum ten
The group remains deliberately intimate throughout this limited-series route.
Tour Captain hosted
Personal hosting connects the guided moments, open time, dining and movement between countries.
Private local guiding
Historical touring uses local English-speaking guides, complemented by Now Journey Discovery Walks.
No large buses
Premium vehicles and scenic transfers suit the coast, the old towns and the size of the group.
What’s included
The details are handled. The discoveries still feel yours.
The Journey combines hosted care, private guiding, premium coastal movement and selected dining without turning every hour into a scheduled event.
Tour Captain
Hosted throughout the core Journey, with the 2027 departure presented as hosted by Mark Story.
10 hotel nights
Hand-picked premium hotel examples are shown with “or similar” language.
Private guiding
Local English-speaking guides for historic settings, plus Discovery Walks in each destination.
Coastal travel
Premium vehicles, scenic transfers, arrival transfer and luggage handling.
Selected dining
Named welcome meals, a hosted lunch stop, regional flavors and the Dubrovnik farewell aperitif.
Clear essentials
City taxes and gratuities are included, excluding the Tour Captain gratuity.
Not included: international airfare, the Tour Captain gratuity and the optional four-night Hvar Island and Split extension.
Make the Journey your own
Open time is part of the Journey.
Leisure is intentionally built into Kotor and Dubrovnik. Keep that time entirely your own, or ask about the verified optional experiences already associated with this route.
Stay where the Journey lives
Boutique coastal character.
The following are the existing Deluxe hotel examples for this Journey. Every property remains subject to “or similar” and may vary by departure.
Dhërmi
Beyond - A Luxury Boutique Hotel
Or similar, selected for Adriatic elegance and sea-view coastal atmosphere.
Berat
Hotel Colombo Berat
Or similar, with boutique properties selected for atmosphere and relaxed elegance.
Kotor
Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort or Hotel Forza Mare
Or similar, selected for dramatic bay and mountain views.
Dubrovnik
Hotel Excelsior
Or similar, with panoramic coastal views and deep-blue Adriatic water.
Optional extension examples: Palace Elisabeth, Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel or Hvar Heritage Hotel on Hvar; Heritage Hotel Antique Split or Cornaro Hotel in Split.
Dates & Prices
Choose your Adriatic departure.
Prices are per person in US dollars based on two guests in a room. International airfare is not included.
Deluxe Hotel CollectionThe only collection currently priced for this Journey.
Classic CollectionNot available for the listed departures.
2027 departure Maximum 10 guests
September
Sep 12–22
Deluxe: $11,779
Classic: N/A
With Mark StoryRequest this departureClassic: N/A
2028 departure Maximum 10 guests
May
May 25–Jun 4
Deluxe: $11,979
Classic: N/A
AvailableRequest this departureClassic: N/A
Deposit and solo occupancy
A $1,000 per person deposit applies. The solo supplement for a private double room for solo use is $4,979.
Plan & Prepare
Practical information for your Journey.
The useful details come after the story: pace, terrain, arrival, departure and what remains optional.
Walking & terrain
Sightseeing is described as leisurely, often about 45 to 90 minutes of walking per day. Old-town stone streets and historic areas remain part of the route.
Movement between places
The Journey uses premium vehicles and scenic transfers rather than large buses. Border crossings connect Albania, Montenegro and Croatia.
Arrival
Fly into Tirana Airport (TIA). The included arrival transfer continues toward Dhërmi on the Albanian Riviera.
Departure
The core Journey concludes in Dubrovnik on Day 11 after breakfast.
Hotels
Premium hotel examples are shown throughout. Exact assignments may vary, and all examples retain “or similar” language.
Solo travelers
The published solo supplement for private double-room occupancy is $4,979.
Open time
Dhërmi, Berat, Kotor and Dubrovnik each retain breathing room, with optional experiences offered only where already sourced.
Optional extension
The four-night Hvar Island and Split extension is not part of the 11-day core Journey.
Airfare & gratuities
International airfare is not included. City taxes and gratuities are included except for the Tour Captain gratuity.
Is this Journey right for you?
Best for curious Adriatic travelers.
This limited series suits travelers who want emerging coastal places, premium hotels and thoughtful hosting without a rushed schedule.
Right for you if...
- You want Albania, Montenegro and Croatia in one coherent route.
- You value small groups, boutique-scale hotels and private guiding.
- You appreciate open afternoons alongside included touring.
- You may want to continue to Hvar Island and Split.
Less ideal if...
- You want a large group built primarily around the lowest price.
- You prefer to avoid scenic drives and border crossings.
- You need a very low-walking itinerary without old-town stone streets.
- You want every hour scheduled in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
A few things travelers ask first.
Verified details that reduce uncertainty without turning the Journey into a policy manual.
Where does the Journey begin?
Fly into Tirana Airport (TIA). The Journey begins with transfer toward Dhërmi on the Albanian Riviera.
Where does the core Journey end?
The 11-day core Journey concludes in Dubrovnik. The optional extension continues to Hvar Island and Split.
How many guests travel together?
This Limited Series Journey features a maximum of ten guests.
Is the Hvar and Split extension included?
No. It is a separate optional four-night extension after Dubrovnik.
How active is the Journey?
Now Journey sightseeing is described as leisurely, often about 45 to 90 minutes of walking per day, with flexibility where possible. Historic streets and uneven stone surfaces are part of the experience.
Is this a bus tour?
No. The Journey emphasizes premium vehicles, scenic transfers, comfortable coastal travel and no large buses.
What is not included in the published price?
International airfare, the Tour Captain gratuity and the optional Hvar and Split extension are not included.
Can you picture yourself here?
Ready for the Adriatic few travelers really know?
Request a personalized proposal for the 2027 Mark Story departure, the 2028 date, solo occupancy or the four-night Hvar Island and Split extension.
No obligation. No pressure.
Why the Journey Opens Here
Dhërmi introduces the route through landscape and pace before the historic chapters become more detailed. The Discovery Walk and welcome dinner establish the shared Journey; the open afternoon leaves room for the coast to register on its own terms.
Notice the rhythmGuided moments, a tasting and a monastery visit sit beside unscheduled time rather than replacing it.
Berat in Layers
Berat is experienced through connected places: the castle above, the Mangalem and Gorica quarters, the bridge between them and the Onufri Icon Museum. Together they make the city easier to read than any single stop could.
Look forThe way white houses, stone lanes and the castle ridge remain part of a lived-in city rather than a detached monument.
Where Mountain and Maritime History Meet
Kotor’s setting explains much of the chapter’s character: a fortified town at the edge of a narrow bay, with mountain slopes rising quickly behind it. The private exploration connects gates, walls, harbor culture and Venetian maritime context.
Look forThe changing scale between intimate lanes and the much larger landscape beyond the gates.
The Republic Behind the Walls
The Dubrovnik chapter connects the Old Town’s passageways and walls with stories of the Republic of Ragusa. Mount Srđ then changes the perspective, placing the city and coast into a single view.
Look forThe relationship between defensive stone, public streets and the open Adriatic beyond them.