Albanian Cultural Tour

With 8 days to explore this fascinating country, you are guaranteed to return with magical memories. From the exciting city of Tirana to the ancient historical sites of Apollonia and Butrint. Our cultural tour offers you an opportunity to interact with the culture and to get an invaluable insight into Albanian lifestyle.

Overview

Day 01: Mother Teresa Airport - Tirana

Day 02: Tirana - Apollonia - Vlora

Day 03: Vlora - Dhermi - Saranda

Day 04: Saranda - Butrint - Saranda

Day 05: Saranda - Gjirokastra

Day 06: Gjirokastra - Berat

Day 07: Berat - Durres - Kruja

Day 08: Kruja - Mother Teresa Airport

Day 01: Mother Teresa Airport-Tirana (18 Km, 21 min driving time)

Welcome in Albania You will meet your guide in the afternoon at your hotel in central Tirana. We will have a sightseeing tour in town, and time permitting, we will visit the National Museum of History and/or the National Arts Gallery - both located in the downtown city center. Dinner will be at a traditional restaurant. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 02: Tirana-Apollonia-Vlora (170 Km, 3 hours driving time)

Today we will drive south to the city of Vlora. Our first stop will be the 13th century orthodox monastery of Ardenica. Later we will visit the ancient Roman ruins of Apollonia, founded in 588BC by Greeks from Corinth; the city quickly grew to 50.000 residents by the second century BC. We will have lunch under the shade of the trees in a restaurant in Apollonia.  The last leg of the drive will bring us to enjoy the views of Vlora bay from the Kanina castle and end at the hotel in Vlora, followed by dinner.  Overnight in Vlora.

Day 03: Vlora - Dhermi - Saranda (20 Km, 30 min driving time)

After breakfast, we will drive for half an hour towards Llogora National Park. We will take a short walk on an old military road, to enjoy the stunning views of the Albanian Riviera. After the walk, we will relax and have lunch in a panoramic restaurant in Llogora. Later, the bus will bring the group to Dhermi Beach - perhaps the finest of Albania for its crystal waters, with the Cika Mountains in the background. In the afternoon, we will visit the old village and the church of St. Mary with some interesting frescoes. Return in Saranda where will be spending the rest of the night.  Overnight in Saranda.

Day 04: Saranda-Butrint (18 Km, 30 min driving time)

After breakfast today we drive further along the stretch of coast north of Saranda known as the Albanian Riviera. On the road, we will stop to visit and the Ali Pasha Tepelena, a 19th century fortress in the bay of Palermo. Later we will drive to Saranda and further, following a panoramic road along the lagoon. We’ll reach the remains of the ancient Butrint.
To visit:

• Temple of Aesculapius
• The Baptisery
• Nympheum
After the breakfast group will leave Saranda and drive to Gjirokastra. Ahead we will visit the springs of Syri i Kalter - known also as “The Blue Eye.” Gjirokastra is one of the most beautiful Albanian historic towns - a stroll along the stone paved streets will bring travelers to discover the charming traditional architecture that originates from the Ottoman times. It was in these gray stone-cobbled streets that both dictator Enver Hoxha and writer Ismail Kadare grew up. We will visit the castle on arrival, and then have lunch in a restaurant in town. In the afternoon we will visit the museum of ethnography located in the family house of the dictator Enver Hoxha. Overnight in Gjirokastra.
On the road we will stop to have lunch in a fish restaurant in front of the lovely Ksamil Island.  Free time in Saranda city, before dinner in the panoramic restaurant in Lekursi Castle. Overnight in Saranda.

Day 05: Saranda-Gjirokastra (55 Km, 1 hour driving time)

After the breakfast group will leave Saranda and drive to Gjirokastra. Ahead we will visit the springs of Syri i Kalter - known also as “The Blue Eye.” Gjirokastra is one of the most beautiful Albanian historic towns - a stroll along the stone paved streets will bring travelers to discover the charming traditional architecture that originates from the Ottoman times. It was in these gray stone-cobbled streets that both dictator Enver Hoxha and writer Ismail Kadare grew up. We will visit the castle on arrival, and then have lunch in a restaurant in town. In the afternoon we will visit the museum of ethnography located in the family house of dictator Enver Hoxha. Overnight in Gjirokastra.

Day 06: Gjirokastra-Berat (171 Km, 3 hours driving time)

Today we will drive to Berat, known as the “City of a Thousand Windows”. Berat is the best-preserved historic town of Albania. We will check-in at the hotel and then have lunch in a traditional restaurant.  Afterwards, we will walk in the characteristic neighborhood "Mangalemi" to visit the ethnographic museum. Then we’ll head to the citadel district of Berat, with its splendid orthodox churches and the Onufri Icons Museum (named after the famous 16th century master painter of icons and murals). The dinner will be served in a restaurant within the citadel.  Overnight in Berat.

Day 07: Berat-Durres-Kruja (192 Km, 2.5 hours driving time)

Today we well drive to Durres where we will make a visit to the Roman Amphitheatre and the Museum of Archaeology. Later we will have lunch in a fish restaurant at the beach. After wards we proceed to the small town of Kruja, once the epicenter of the legendary Albanian resistance to the Ottomans, led by national hero George Kastrioti Skanderbeg in the 14th century.  The afternoon will be spent shopping in the famous Bazaar Street, visiting the Kruja fortress, and the museum of Skanderbeg.   Overnight in Kruja.

Day 08: Kruja-Mother Teresa Airport (22 Km, 30 min driving time)

After breakfast, free time in Kruja, followed by the airport transfer and departure. End of service.

Km traveled: 666