Our Kosovo holidays and tours allow you to discover a country now forging its place in the world, independent from foreign rule once more. Formerly part of Yugoslavia, then Serbia, Europe’s newest nation has not had it easy. Its recent turbulent history has made it very difficult to visit until now.
Absorbed by the Ottoman Empire, Kosovo’s towns and cities reflect its location at the edge of Europe, where Turkish architecture and bazaars more reminiscent of Istanbul sit side by side with Orthodox churches and Christian traditions.
Outside of the cities are mountains and forests that are home to traditional communities, a particular highlight being the traditional kullas, or tower houses – also found in Kosovo’s big brother, Albania. The villages are also where you’ll experience the best of local hospitality, and being dragged into someone’s house for a glass of raki is always a highlight of any visit.
Our Kosovo holidays show you a curious mixture of east meets west, a reminder that there are still corners of Europe which can excite the imagination of the serious adventure traveller.
Top highlights on Kosovo holidays and tours
- Explore the historic cities of Prizren, Pristina and Gjakova
- Meet the Gorani people in the Sharri Mountains
- Delve into the Ottoman heritage of Peja
- Sample the produce of a local winery
- Gain an insight into the feudal traditions of the region in Junik
Culture
Ethnic Albanians form the majority of Kosovo’s population, meaning the main language spoken here is Albanian. Minority groups include Greek, Roma and Vlach.
Blood feuds between families were a common occurrence until the 1990s and in rural villages, extensive family networks and clan-based systems ruled by a patriarch still exist. This has been diluted in the cities by the young generation and by western values.
Ottoman heritage is strong in Kosovo with Turkish speakers found in several regions and the Serbian minority in rural areas. Both the Serbs and the small number of Roma that remain are credited with influencing folk music styles. Music, dance and art are all a major part of cultural events in Kosovo, especially when it comes to weddings, which are elaborate affairs with regards to costumes and make-up.
In Kosovo, most people are Muslim, although it is also the spiritual seat of the Serb Orthodox church. Many seasonal rites originated in pagan times and some were later integrated with the Islamic and Christian faiths. Both Orthodox Christians and Muslims burn a yule log at the time of winter solstice, relating this to their own specific religious celebrations.
When to go on holiday to Kosovo
With a Mediterranean climate Kosovo is a pleasant place to visit for most of the year. But July and August are usually very hot with temperatures nudging to the high thirties (Celsius) which can make sightseeing rather tiring. The mountains see snow in winter, although this doesn’t stretch down to the lowlands. The best times of year to visit are from spring to early summer, and early to mid autumn.
Start planning your Kosovo tour
Check out our small group tour to Kosovo: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. While many of our trips are small group adventures with set departures, as a bespoke operator, we can design and create trips to suit any traveller, from solos to larger groups. If you would like to find out more about tailor-made holidays to Kosovo or our group tours, call us on 01473 328546 or email us via our contact page. We’d love to hear from you.