Kosovo is a state in South-eastern Europe that declared independence from Serbia in February 2008 as the Republic of Kosovo. The Republic is not recognised by every country, and while Serbia recognises the Republic’s governance of the territory, it continues to claim it as the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija.

Kosovo has a total size of 10,908 km² (424 mi²) and a population of less than 2 million people. Though the country uses the euro, Kosovo is not a formal member of the Eurozone.

Kosovo is landlocked in the central Balkan Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Prishtina. It is bordered by Macedonia and Albania to the south and Montenegro to the west. Kosovo’s remaining border to the north and east is seen by supporters of Kosovo’s independence as a state border with Serbia whilst opponents of Kosovo’s independence see it as a provincial border with Central Serbia.

On the 1st of June we’ll meet in the afternoon at Skopje airport from where our minibus will take us to the city of Prishtina. Kosovo’s capital has a total population of 200,000 people and dates back to the Roman era, but up until World War II Prishtina had an oriental appearance. This was, however, entirely destroyed by intensive modernisation in socialist Yugoslavia. The city’s structure was altered by destroying the “Old Charshia” or shopping street along with most 18th and 19th century buildings and replacing them with wide streets, tall buildings and new modern complexes.

A local travel website best describes the city of Prishtina: “It is known to have delicious food, friendly people, fun venues, an astonishing nightlife, and an overall great lifestyle, although it can be a bit dusty and often disorganized.”

The city of Peja, where we will be based, is located at the entrance to the Rugova Gorge, and at the foot of the Albanian Alps. It is home to 80,000 people and is considered the best region to visit owing to its position, views of the mountainous highland and its historical and cultural sites of interest.

In the medieval Serbian state, Peja was a cultural centre because it was the seat of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Today its monastery, which lies close to the city, is a UNESCO-protected site. Peja developed its oriental architecture with the arrival of the Ottoman Turks. The urban architecture of the Turkish period is preserved, including houses of Albanian feudal lords, among which are the famous Tahir Bey’s Palace, and Jashar Pasha’s House.

Although built during Turkish rule, the Sheremet Tower is in fact a typical Albanian Dukagjin tower, a stone house with small windows. The ceilings of this type of house are high and usually carved in wood. The houses are surrounded by steep walls and well-attended gardens.

In the centre of the town lies the old Charshia (shopping street), lined with the shops of various craftsmen such as coppersmiths, goldsmiths, slipper makers, leather tanners, saddle makers and tailors. The attractive 15th-century Bayrakli mosque ranks among the older Islamic buildings.

On the morning of the 5th of June we’ll depart towards the Macedonian capital of Skopje. On the way we’ll stop at the memorial to Kosovo’s fallen fighters for independence.

In Skopje, we’ll have a guided stroll around the old bazaar and a farewell dinner that will end in a bar called “Kafeana” or “Meana” (from the Persian “meyhane” meaning wine house) with excellent food and live music to dance the night away.