Gastronomic Albania 2026 with Maria Zhekova and friends

Description

Albania is a true treasure trove for lovers of good food and authentic experiences. Nestled between the Mediterranean and the Balkans, this country brings flavors and histories marked by centuries-old influences – Italian, Greek, Turkish and local traditions, intertwined in a unique and inimitable culinary identity. Come with us and Maria Zhekova to immerse yourself in its most intimate traditions, passing through Epirus – Northern Greece, and North Macedonia.

Departing from Sofia, we will head to Ioannina – in the heart of Epirus, where we will stay for two nights in a luxurious old hotel, combining the spirit of the past with the comforts of the present. Here we will be on a gastronomic journey to Metsovo, specially prepared by Maria Zhekova, which will immerse us in the local culinary secrets and will meet exciting people and stories.

Then the journey will take us along the picturesque Albanian Riviera, where from Saranda to Durres we will enjoy the fresh flavors of the sea: freshly caught fish, aromatic shrimp sprinkled with lemon, and sardines cooked on a spit over hot coals. Here the cuisine is light and simple, but rich in emotions and Mediterranean freshness.

The culmination of our gastronomic tour will be a visit to Mrizi i Zanave – a place that turns the idea of agritourism upside down and puts on the map a new, modern Albania, rooted in its traditions. In the village of Fishtë, not far from Shkodra, brothers Altin and Anton Prenga decided to bring life back to an abandoned building that was once a prison from the Enver Hoxha era. Where people were once locked up, today prosciutto, mature cheeses, garden juices, jams and brandy, aged with walnuts or mulberries, are prepared. In the center of the complex, a brick tunnel descends underground to a spacious cellar filled with barrels of homemade artisanal wine.

Altin Prenga, one of the founders of the Slow Food movement in Albania, returned to his homeland after years of working in Italian kitchens with a clear goal – to bring back the old flavors and make them an experience for the new generation. The first thing he did was hire older women who still knew the old recipes. Today, Mrizi i Zanave works with over 400 farmers in the region – from those who raise just four cows to small producers of fruit, vegetables and milk.

After the stories and flavors of Albania, our journey continues to the heart of North Macedonia – the mountains of Mavrovo, where we will encounter one of the rarest and most valuable cheeses in the Balkans – Sharplanin cheese.

This cheese is a rich cultural treasure, carrying the history of centuries-old pastoral life. Since the time of the Ottoman Empire, shepherds from Galichnik and Lazaropole have been leading their flocks from the Thessaloniki plains to the high pastures of Bistra and Shar Mountains. Legend has it that when the first sheep set foot on the peaks of Shar, the last ones were still leaving Thessaloniki - so large were the flocks of the Galich chorbadjii. Today, these traditions are preserved by few. The milk for this yellow cheese is obtained mainly from the Sharplanina sheep - an autochthonous breed with a white head and thin, strong legs, adapted to the harsh conditions of the high mountain pastures.

This exciting journey brings together the tastes of the Balkans, tells the stories of our wonderful hosts and invites us to experience the traditions of three countries in the most natural way - at the table, among friends.

Experience leaders:

	Gergana Kabaivanova – creator of Pendara.bg – the largest gastronomic tourism platform in Bulgaria, which promotes authentic Bulgarian taste and culture. Expert in the field of experiential and rural tourism with extensive experience in marketing, business development and working with local communities and community centers.
	Maria Zhekova – a proven professional in the field of culinary photography and gastronomy, with a strong connection to Bulgarian traditions and local products. As the winner of the Bulgarian edition of „Master Chef“ and the creator of the „Silivryak“ Dream Vault – a center for art and healthy food, she is a leading figure in the preservation and popularization of Bulgarian culinary culture.