Highlights of Albania

Overview:

Departure Dates 2024

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival in Tirana

Pickup from Tirana International Airport and transfer to the city. Leisure day. Overnight at Starlight 4* or similar.

Day 2: Lezhe - Shkoder - Tirane

After breakfast, proceed to Lezha city. In the ancient period it was called Lissus. Visit to its castle and Mausoleum of Skanderbeg (Albanian National Hero). Lunch in Mrizi i Zanave (world famous local restaurant).

Afterward, we continue to Shkodra. A nice landscape with highland (Albanian Alps on the north) is a full contrast. City tour of Shkodra, Old Bazaar, Centrum, Cathedral and Mosque. Visit the Castle of Rozafa and the museum inside it and we enjoy wonderful views of mountains, Shkodra’s lake, Drini, Buna and Kir rivers with the valleys around from the top of Rozafa castle, and “Ura e Mesit'' over Kir River. Return to Tirana for overnight.

Overnight at Starlight Hotel 4* or similar.

Day 3: Kruje - Durres - Tirane

After breakfast we head to Kruja, one of Albania’s most important towns due to the part it played in resistance against the Ottomans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum and castle as well as the old bazaar. Then heading to Durres. This port city, is the most important ancient central mediterranean metropol until medieval time in the 15th century when it got occupied by ottomans until 1912 when Albania proclaimed its independence, and Durres became its capital until 1920. (Durres is also more than 3500 years old (mentioned first time in Odisea where Ulicsus spent part of his time in Taulantia (ancient Pelasgian-Illyrian name of Epidamn-Durrah-Durres) on his way back to Itaka after Troyan war. This city has the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkan region (about 20,000 seats), dating back to the beginning of the 2nd century which we will visit with an archeological museum, ancient city castle wall and Byzantine bazaar/forum, Roman public baths, etc. Return to Tirana.

Overnight at Starlight Hotel 4* or similar.

Day 4: Berat (UNESCO)

After breakfast, continue to Berat, one of the oldest inhabited regions of Albania, more than 2400 years old, and with special status from UNESCO. Visit the castle of Berat with the Onufri museum and other churches inside; Mosque of Berat and the old Bridge of Gorica, Onufri Museum and several churches and mosques. Onufri was an Albanian master painter of the 16th. Many of his wonderfully painted icons still remain in the museum while others can be found in churches in Albania and Greece where he worked. Return to Tirana for Overnight in Hotel Starlight 4*, or similar.

Day 5: Ardenica Monastery - Apollonia (UNESCO) - Vlore

Drive to Ardenica Monastery, a 13th century Byzantine site locally famed for hosting the wedding of the hero Skanderbeg. We will continue from here to the ruins of Apollonia, founded in 588 BC and taken by Aristotle as a model in his analysis of oligarchy, because of its distinct and separate Greek and Illyrian communities. It was a vital stronghold in Caesar's civil war with Pompey and also important in early Christian history with its bishop attending the councils of Ephesus and Chlalkis in 431 and 451 AD. We will see its museum, Shen Meri Monastery and Church. Lunch break. Later depart to the coastal city of Vlora. Visit the city, including its old town, independence square and monument, where Albanian independence from the Ottomans was proclaimed on November 28th, 1912. 

Overnight Hotel Partner 4* or similar.

Day 6: Himare - Sarande - Butrint (UNESCO)

After breakfast, we continue to the south of Albania, stopping first at Llogara National Park where we enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the Albanian Riviera. Continue via some picturesque seaside villages to Saranda and onto the ruins of Butrint, Albania's most important archaeological site, and a UNESCO site. Butrint dates from the 8th century BC, later becoming a Roman colony, then falling under the sway of the Venetians and Turks. Explore numerous buildings including an acropolis, basilica and palace. The location of the site itself is also very attractive, surrounded by trees and water. Later will return to Saranda. Overnight in Brilant Hotel 4* or similar.

Day 7: Mesopotam - Blue Eye - Gjirokaster (UNESCO)

This morning we will continue to Gjirokaster. En route we will make a stop in Mesopotam monastery, built over the ancient temple inside the fortress. Then we then travel to Blue Eye National Park before we reach the UNESCO listed town of Gjirokaster known for its distinct and traditional architecture. We have time to explore this UNESCO listed site, one of the highlights of Albania with an imposing citadel and numerous typical houses. Overnight Cajupi 4* or similar.

Day 8: Permet - Voskopoje - Korce

After breakfast, we continue to Korca via Vjosa River valley, and enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding nature. (Even though the distance is a bit long today, and the toad has a segment where there is work in progress, it remains a work experience). Lunch break at Sotira Farm (or similar). Then continue to Voskopoje. First we will visit Voskopoje. You will see the traditional way of life and some outstanding examples of Orthodox Christian Churches which escaped the destruction of the communist regime. The 18th century church and 16th century monastery in Voskopoja are worth visiting with their original murals and artifacts. The air in this area is renowned to be very clean and people with respiratory problems visit to convalesce. We will return to Korca. Korca is a historic place with rich cultural traditions and some interesting buildings from the Ottoman period, including one of the most important mosques in Albania. 

On arrival in Korca we check in to the hotel Kocibelli 4* and overnight.

Day 9: Pogradec - Lin - Elbasan - Tirane

After breakfast we will travel to Pogradec. On the top of the hill overlooking Pogradec, there used to be an ancient Illyrian fortress known as Encheleana. In the Middle Ages this fortress was reconstructed and the place was renamed by the Bulgarians, who invaded Southeastern Albania at this time. (Pogradec, Pod Grad - the place beneath the fortress). We will have a short break where you can enjoy walking by the Ohrid Lake. Then we will continue to Elbasan, where we will have another short stop at Lin village (oldest one discovered in Europe 8000-9000 years) by the lake of Ohrid. Then proceed to Elbasan, which was a very important city in ancient Illyrian time, while in Roman empire time was famous as the cross-point of the main road “Via Egnatia” that used to connect Durres-Elbasan-Ohrid-Thessaloniki-Istanbul. City tour to visit: Elbasan Castle (dating back to 4rth Century BC), The Clock, The ethnographic Museum, Church and the Old Mosque (from outside). Then we will continue to Tirana. Leisure time to walk in the city. Overnight in Starlight Hotel 4*, or similar.

Day 10: Departure from Tirana 

Transfer to Tirana Airport for departure. 

Package Includes:

• Direct return flights from London Heathrow on British Airways, other airports available 
• 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 20 kg)
• 9 nights' accommodation as specified or similar
• Breakfast daily
• Air Conditioned modern transportation
• English speaking guide
• Entrance fees as per itinerary
• 24 hour emergency service
• ATOL protection
• All taxes