Discover Albania...

Day 1: Airport-Tirana
Transportation to Tirana in the afternoon. Start the tour at the town of Tirana. She starts with a visit in the National Historic Museum followed by a stop at the Et`hem Beu Mosque, built in 1793. The Opera House (National Theatre of Opera and Ballet) seen above the Skanderbeg Square. A walk in the main boulevard offers a close look of the City Hall and of a number of the city buildings at both sides. You cannot miss the National Gallery of Arts during this walk. In the evening, a visit at the former Communist living area, now full of modern bars, restaurants full of people of all ages, but mostly populated by the Albanian youth. Time for a coffee at Sky Tower, the rotating bar where you can enjoy a fantastic view of Tirana. We spend the night in Tirana 4 *.

Day 2: Tirana-Apolonia-Vlora-Saranda
After the morning we depart to Saranda. The trip will be long but worthy. First we'll stop to visit Apolonia, the archeologic town and its museum, and later we'll drive along the seaside towards Vlora, where we'll visit the Independence Monument and the Museum. It was in Vlora in 1912 where Albanian gained its indepence. After Vlora we'll travel to the south passing through the National Park of Llogara in the Lura Mountains. The view is spectacular with the sea at your right side and the mountains at the left. We travel towards Himara, and later Porto Palermo and Ali Pasha Castle, where you'll see the subterranean base, the submarine that was built by Enver Hoxha. After passing Qepara and Borsh we'll arrive in Saranda. The night is spent in Saranda at Hotel Brilant.

Day 3: Saranda-Butrint-Ksamil- Saranda
After breakfast we depart for a tour at the ancient city of Butrint which is now listed as a world heritage location. Butrint is wide and is known as one of the best archaeological locations in the world . In this page you will find well kept structures dated four centuries B.C. and buildings dated from the Roman period until eighteen centuries A.D. You will have a look at the Illyrian walls, Roman Amfitheatre, Roman Baths, mosaic, churches, temples and remains of one of the most ancient aqueduct's of Europe. There's so much to see! In the evening there's free time and we spend the night in Saranda at Hotel Brilant

Day 4: Saranda-Gjirokastra
After breakfast we depart for a tour of Gjirokastra. The trip from Saranda to Gjirokastra is spectacular as we go through the Muzine passage and Buret mountains. As soon as we reach Gjirokastra we'll be visiting the castle, which includes the National Museum of Weapons. You can also have a look at the remains of the biggest e aqueduct of the world, built by Ali Pasha. During the Communism period this castle has been used as a prison for the political prisoners. This castle has a wonderful view above the Valley of Drino, in between Albanian and Greece. You can also visit the Ethnographic Museum, which used to be the house of the well known dictator, Enver Hoxha, who was from Gjirokastra. Gjirokastra is known as the 1000-steps-city, and after one day in the city, you'll find out why. We spend the night in Gjirokastra, Çajupi Hotel.

Day 5: Gjirokastra-Bylis-Berat
We stop while at the Bylis Street. Berat has some of the best examples of the Ottoman Architecture. Enjoy a glass of wine and visit the ancient city. Berat is one of the most beautiful cities of Albania known as the 1000-windows-city, because of the architectural design of its houses. During the afternoon we take a tour of the city, visiting the Castle, Sultan's Mosque, and Onufri Iconographic Museum, known for its religious art. You will also be able to see mosques and churches in all of the valley of the Osumi river, with a view of the Tomorri Mountain. We'll spend the evening in Berat, at Magdalemi Hotel.

Day 6: Berat-Durrës-Tirana
After breakfast we depart to Durrës, one of the oldest cities in Albania dated from the sixth century. Visit the old city, including the Byzantine city walls, and the Roman Amphitheater. We continue to Kruja, a former capital of Albania during the resistance against the Ottoman rule. During our trip we'll stop to visit a family home, where we'll be able to meet with the locals and have a taste of the local traditional raki drink. We continue our tour in the city at the Skanderbeg Museum, the Etnographic Museum, and the Old Bazaar. We'll have lunch in a traditional restaurant and spend the night in Kruja, at Hotel Panorama.

Day 7: Transport for the return flight
Included in the price: 485 Euros/Person
Accomodation in 3,4 Star Hotels. Breakfast, Transport with comfortable and air-conditioned vehicles. An English speaking guide during the tour. Two archeological guides in Butrint and Apolonia. Entrance fees in museums and near monuments as predicted in the itinerary. Assistance with the luggage.

12 Day Program: Albania-Montenegro-Macedonia 605 Euros/Person

Day 1; Arrival at the airport - Transfer to Tirana.
Afternoon visit at the Et'hem Bej Mosque, Kapllan Pasha Tomb and Tanners Bridge, the former living block of the Communist Party Leaders - Martyrs Tombs - dinner at a local restaurant - during the night at Vila Alba 4 * or White Dream Hotel at Tirana

Day 2; Tirana Kruja- Shkodra- Budva (Montenegro)
In the morning we depart with a car to Kruja, Casle Visit, Skanderbeg Museum, Ethnographic Museum - a walk along the old bazaar, which has a wonderful selection of souvenirs. We continue to Lezha where we will see the Skanderbeg Memorial. We continue to Shkodra, visiting the "Rozafa" castle. We continue to Montenegro passing the border of Murriqan/Sukobin. We continue to Budva through Petrovac and the island of St.Stefan - to visit the old city - dinner, during the night at the hotel in the Budva area.

Day 3; Budva-Podgorica- Shkodra- Durrës
After breakfast we depart by car to Cetinje -we visit the Royal Palace of Nikolla II and St. Petar Monastery. Later we continue to Podgorica-Shkodra-Durrës. We continue to the ancient Greek-Roman city of Dyrrachium. You will visit the amphitheatre and ancient city. During the night in Durrës. Hotel Ylli I Detit or Bleart 4 *

Dita 4; Tirana-Elbasan Ohrid
We travel towards the east, in Elbasan, stop on the way to take a look at the remains of a Turkish fortress. We continue to Macedonia and the city of Ohrid, situated in the eastern shore of the Ohrid lake. This place is part of the Unesco world heritage known as the Jerusalem of Macedonia because of the great number of churches. Here you'll find lakes known for the clarity of their waters. We'll rest at Tino or the Millennium Ohrid Hotel

Day 5; Ohrid- Pogradec- Korça
Tour of the city in the morning. We'll see the St. Sophie Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Macedonia, St. Clement Church in Plaoshnik, where the first university of Europe was founded and the Iconography Gallery, which has the largest collection of iconography in the world. We continue our tour at the St. Naum Monastery. Its position at the edge of a cliff offers an amazing view of all the lake. We pass the border towards Albania and continue to Pogradec. We have lunch at a local restaurant in Drilon (a beautiful spot not very far from the Ohrid Lake, which was a favorite location of the former dictator, Hoxha) - embellished with willow trees and torrents flowing down the lake. We continue to Korça, historically an important commercial town. Visit the Medieval Museum of Arts, which exhibits more than 150 icons and the Mosque of Korça. We rest Hotel Grand or Regency Hotel for 1 night.

Day 6; Korça - Gjirokastra
This morning we go to Gjirokastra, known as the "Museum City". On the way we make a stop in a restaurant in Përmet. Here'll you'll find the real authentic Albanian cuisine, warm and honest just like homemade bread. After lunch we continue to the city of Gjirokastra where the houses shaped like medieval towers make up a complex of buildings with a characteristic architecture. We visit the castle and the Museum of Weapons, which used to be a political prison. We rest at night in Gjirokastra, at Cajupi Hotel for 1 night.

Day 7; Gjirokastra - Saranda
This morning we depart to Saranda, hill town located across the sea, known for the majesty of Butrint, its archaeological site. We visit the "Blue Eye" made of the underwater currents and the unusual church of St. Nicola in Mesopotam with its refined symbols of mythological creatures. We stop for lunch at the restaurant located in the Castle of Lekurs (built on the old remains of the old castle). We continue to the Archaeological Butrint, visit the Aesclepios, Baptismal, Nymph, Theater, Lions Gate, and Acropoli temples among others. We rest in Saranda at Hotel Brilant.

Day 8; Free day at the beautiful Saranda beaches.

Day 9; Saranda - Dhërmi- Vlora
After breakfast we go by car to visit the Albanian Riviera. On the way we make a short stop in the Porto Palermo bay where the Alia Pasha Castle is located. We continue climbing to 3000 meters, where you'll be able to enjoy one of the best views of the fertile slopes and villages. We depart by car to Himara, Dhërmi passing across the seaside and stop for an excuisite meal in a restaurant in Llogara, where we enjoy the amazing view of the pine trees. We arrive in the afternoon in Vlora, a historic seaside town. We spend the night Vlora, Independence Hotel.

Day 10; Vlora - Apollonia - Ardenica - Berat
The morning tour starts in Vlora. We continue toward the ancient city of Apollonia, which has a Greek architecture, and was founded 588 years B.C. After visiting Apollonia we continue to Ardenica, where a medieval monastery surrounded by stone walls is situated. Here'll you'll be able to admire the Mary Church and St. Triada Cathedral. After visiting Apollonia we continue to Berat, another Museum Town. We rest in Berat, Magalemi Hotel orTomorri

Day 11; Berat - Durrës
A morning tour of the beautiful city of Berat, known as the town of a thousand windows. We continue to Durrës. Free time during the afternoon near the seaside of Durrës.

Day 12 Durrës Airport
Included in the price:
Accomodation in 3,4 Star Hotels. Breakfast, Transport with comfort, air-conditioned vehicles. English speaking local guide during the tour + 2 archaeological guides in Butrint and Apollonia. Everything included as described in the itinerary. Entrance fees in museums and near monuments as described in the itinerary. Luggage assistance for one luggage. The group we'll spend a night of traditional music in a small traditional restaurant.

Albanian seaside - 8 days

The Albanian shore has a length of 450 km. The seaside is unique with various types of beaches, including sandy beaches, ports, covered bays, lagoons, gravel beaches, seaside caves, etc. Parts of this seaside are ecologically clean, representing the untouched areas, very rare in the Mediterranean areas.

Day 1. Airport of Tirana - Durrës
After meeting with our representative at the airport, transport to Durrës, one of the main areas of the Albanian Adriatik seaside, where you can relax in the sun and enjoy delicious sea food and the best wine near the seaside. We rest in Durrës. Hotel Bleart or Dolce Vita

Day 2. Durrës - Vlora
This morning we depart towards Vlora, the second biggest port porti of the country. Vlora is a very important attraction for foreigners and locals, and it offers the sea, sun and a lot of entertainment and activities. The area is full of small rocky beaches, known for their bars, restaurants, clubs and the youthful spirit that prevails. In the front of the beaches there's the Karaburun peninsula, and the Sazan island, the biggest island in Albania. A dinner at the Kuzum Baba restaurant is recommended to enjoy the view. Kuzum Baba is situated in the east of Vlora, 30 meters above the sea level. Kuzum Bana is a 200-300 m terrace carved by sea waters. In the top of the hill, KUZ Baba Teqe is located, a religious center of of the Bektashi religion in the city of Vlora. We spend the night in Vlora. Hotel Regina.

Day 3.Vlora - Radhim - Orikum - Llogara - Palas - Dhërmi - Llogara
After we've consumed breakfast at the hotel's terrace under the melodic sounds of waves under the balcony, basked by the sun, we're ready to start our trip towards the beaches of the Albanian Riviera. We start with Radhim, Orikum and later we go to the National Park of Llogara. The park covers a surface of 1010 Ha and protects the forests in the north of Llogora at a height of 2,018m above sea level. We take a short stop to rest and breathe in the fresh air. After we pass Llogora we see the Palas beach from the narrow meandering road going down.
Palas is a quiet, private, well kept beach with white sand and green waters. The rest of the day we'll be spent at Dhërmiu Beach. This is a youthful beach, full of people, energertic, with bars, music, luxurious beach clothes and coctails. Lunch at Dhërmi (optional). Here you can make a choice among several activities at the beach such as relaxing on the sand, enjoying a drink, or walking during the sunset. We depart during the afternoon for Llogara. We rest in one story wooden houses, where you can play outside with deers and rest in the pool. We spend the night in Llogora.

Day 4.Dhërmi - Jala - Himara
After we've enjoyed the breakfast in fresh air, we depart towards Jala. This new and exotic beach with its resort invites us to be part of the group and spend the day until the sun sets. Himara is known for its amazing beaches, the majority of which have pebbles, even though some have sand. Spilia, the central beach of Himara attracts many visitors during the summer. Afterwards there's Prinos, Potami, Filikouri, Lamana, Kiparo, Borsh, Pikerni (Bouneci), Llukov, Kakomea in Nivitsa (with a very dangerous road). Under the Castle of Himara there's Livadhi and in the North lies Giali, Foussa, Zissos, Zypaea, Karkaniki, Gialiskari in Drimadha, Palassa and Dralaios. In many of the Himara beaches the water is cold because of the underwater currents. Two dozen meters away from these points, the temperature of the water rises in normal levels. During the months of the summer many small ships offer trips in the beaches near Spilia. We spend the night in Himara. Hotel Dhima

Day 5. Himara - Porto Palermo - Qeparo - Borsh - Saranda

This morning we'll visit at Porto Palermo a castle near Himara in the South of Albania. The castle is situeated at the bay of Porto Palermo, several kilometers in the south of Himara. The castle which has been well kept, has been built in the beginning of the 19th century by Ali Pash Tepelena, according to books. We go through the Qeparo and Borsh beach, as we're heading to Saranda. Borsh is the longest seaside area of the Albanian Riviera and the rocks of this beach are a large collection of massive Mediterranean vegetation. Saranda is a popular city and a big tourist destination. Situated in the middle of the the Ksamil peninsula and the Butrint Lagoon, lies one of the most visited places, Ksamil. It is located near 4 small islands which can be visited by ship. We rest at night in Saranda. Hotel Brilant.

Day 6. Saranda - Ksamil - Butrint - Saranda
We start this day with an excursion at the Archaelogical Butrint, we'll visit the temple of Aesclepio, Baptismal, Nymph, Theater, Lions Gate, Acropoli, etc. Lagoon of Butrint is a natural beauty and an important archaelogical site, part of the Unesco World Heritage. The city includes the holy origins, Asclepius holy center, theater, Roman castle, roman city plan, triconch palace, baptismal, port to Butrint, Church of Butrint, ancient walls, Butrint Museum, etc. We spend the night in Saranda. Hotel Brilant.

Day 7. Saranda - Gjirokastra- Berat
After breakfast we will depart towards Gjirokastra, also known as Museum City. On the way we'll make a short stop to visit the Blue Eye, created by underwater currents and we'll continue in the city of Gjirokastra, where the roofs of the buildings shaped like medieval towers are part of a characteristic architectural complex. We visit the Castle and the Arms Museum. We continue towards the museum city of Gjirokastra, the hometown of the former dictator of Albania, Enver Hoxha. Gjirokastra is a picturesque town, located on the side of a mountain, above the river of Drino. The tour includes the museum of the area, the building where Enver Hoxha was born and in a pre-Ottoman castle, a former political prison and an arms museum. We continue by car in Berat, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. This town is older than 2000 years and its one of the most visited towns in Albania. The town is known as the town of 1000 windows and is a Museum Town. Berat surrounded in the east by the Mountain of Tomorri, which is 2415 m high. It's an ancient Illyrian town, founded 4-5 centuries before Christ in the territory of the Desarettes tribe of the Illyrians. The town is made of three parts, Gorica, located in the distant side of the valley, Mangalemi, located in the side of the castle's river and the Residential Area, inside the castle, known as the castle or KALA. In the old part of the town there are religious buildings such as Mosques and Byzantine churches. We spend the night at Magdalemi Hotel in Berat.

Day 8.Berat - Durrës - Airport
Free time to explore the city until time for the transport. Transport to the National Airport of Tirana where our services are finished.
Included:
- Accomodation on a double room 3 & 4 *
- All breakfasts.
- Transport from the airport on arrival.
- Transport to the airport for the return flight.
- Transport during all the itinerary.
-English language or other language spoken by the guides during all the itinerary.