Cheese Tasting & Polyphonic Music — Authentic Village Experience in Lazarat

Fifteen minutes from the stone towers of Gjirokastër, the village of Lazarat holds a world that most visitors never find. This experience, hosted by Jaco's family and supported by Planeterra and IUCN, opens the door to it.

Jaco's family are shepherds, cheesemakers, and musicians — a rare combination that defines the traditional rural household of southern Albania. They graze their livestock on the rich pastures of Lazarat using natural techniques, producing cheeses and dairy using small-scale, generations-old recipes that have never been industrialized. They are also immersed in polyphonic music — the UNESCO-recognized tradition of Albanian iso-polyphony — singing, creating, and composing their own songs.

The experience brings both worlds together: a tasting of the family's homemade cheeses and dairy, paired with a live performance of traditional polyphonic song in the warmth of a family home. Suitable for individuals, small groups, and groups up to 30 people.