Best of Albania

Best of Albania tour is exactly that-the very best. Starting with the beautiful town of Kruja. This tour treats you to Albania’s must-see destinations: historic castles, churches and mosques, and archeological sites of Butrint, Apollonia- all accompanied by magic memories.   Join us for the Best of Albania in 14 Days.

Overview:

Day 01: Airport - Kruja

Day 02: Kruja - Lezhe - Shkodra

Day 03: Shkodra - Tirana - Dajti Mountain

Day 04: Tirana - Elbasan - Pogradec

Day 05: Pogradec - Korca

Day 06: Korca - Voskopoje - Korca

Day 07: Korca- Erseke - Gjirokastra

Day 08: Gjirokastra - Saranda

Day 09: Saranda - Vlora

Day 10: Vlora

Day 11: Fier - Berat

Day 12: Berat - Durres

Day 13: Durres - Preze Village - Tirana

Day 14: Tirana - Airport

Day 01: Airport-Kruja (18 Km, 2 min driving time)

Meet and greet with guide at Tirana Airport, and drive to Kruja, a charming town once the capital of first Albanian principality Arberia.
To visit:

• Monument of Skanderbeg
• Skanderbeg Castle
• Historical & Ethnographical Museum
• Old bazaar

Afternoon group left at leisure. Welcome dinner at a traditional restaurant. Overnight in Kruja.

Day 02: Kruja-Lezhe-shkodra (84 Km, 1.5 hours driving time)

This morning after breakfast we head to the city of Lezha. Visit the Scanderbeg tomb, the cathedral of Saint Nicholas and the hunter’s lodge 7km away from the city. The visitors may enjoy the forest and the big hunting ground of the tourist site. The lodge has a special and original architecture.  Lunch will be in a local tradition restaurant.  Next we continue to Shkodra (from the 4th century B.C.) the capital of the Illyrian tribe.
To visit:

• Rozafa Castle
• Museum of History
• Gallery of Arts
• Mosque of Lead
• Marubi Collection Gallery
• Shkoder Characteristic houses

The rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Shkodra.

Day 03: Shkodra-Tirana (94 Km, 1.5 hours driving time)

Today we will spend the whole day visiting Tirana, the capital of Albania and enjoys a beautiful setting between the ranges of Dajti Mountain from one side and the coastal plains on the other one.
To visit:

• Historical Museum
• Skanderbeg Square
• Clock Tower
• Ethem Bey’s Mosque
• Tabak’s Bridge
• Catholic & Orthodox churches

After this lovely experience we will head to Dajti Mountain by cable car, where we will be having lunch, enjoying the panoramic view of Tirana. In the afternoon free at your own leisure for shopping.  Overnight in Tirana.
Day 04: Tirana-Elbasan-Pogradec (133 km, 2 hours driving time)

After breakfast we drive to Elbasan, where we will visit the old fortress before continuing towards Porgradec, one most charming tourist resorts in Albania because of its position near the Ohrid Lake, with clear water and delicious characteristic fish Koran; it is a good choice for tourists from all the destinations and group ages.
To visit:

• The Art Gallery
• The Museum
• Church of “Saint Maria”
• Church of “Resurrection”

Enjoy dinner at local restaurant by lake Ohrid, famous for its “Koran” fish. Accommodation at a three-star hotel. Overnight in Pogradec.

Day 05: Pogradec-Korca (40 Km, 1 hour driving time)

Today we drive towards city of Korca, known as the “cradle of Albanian culture” or as the “Paris of Albania”. Korca is the largest city within the region and continues to highlight it’s sophisticated and historic urban.
To visit:

• Museum of Medieval Art
• Archeological Museum
• Cathedral “Christ Resurrection”
• Mosque of Ilyaz Bey Mirahori

We also take a general tour of the city walking through the cities many parks, clean streets and characteristic cobblestone walkways and roads. Dinner at a restaurant with live music and famous Korça serenades.

Day 06: Korca-Voskopoje-Korca  (23 Km, 1 hour driving time)

Today we reach for Voskopoja Village, an important tourist attraction and a veritable gem in the crown of the Albanian landscape. The first ever print shop in the Balkans was also built here in 1720 and books in the Greek script were being printed as early as 1760. At that time there were 22 churches in the town.
To visit:

• Monastery of Saint Prodhon
• Church of Shën Koll (Saint Nicholas)
• St. Athanasi church
• St. Mihali church

The murals and frescoes inside the surviving churches are some of the finest examples of 18th century ecclesiastical art on the Balkan Peninsula. Lunch at a traditional restaurant. Late afternoon we return to Korca for the night.
Day 07: Korca - Erseke - Gjirokastra (147 Km, 3 hours driving time)

After breakfast our guide will meet you in the lobby and depart towards the city of Erseka, founded in the 18th century with 100 families and developed as a center city in the road to Korca. Today Erseka is a touristic attraction for people who would like to climb Gramoz Mount, for the Museum with original objects of the city and for its rich culture of group Albanian singing. Lunch will be at a restaurant in Germenj. We then proceed to the “City of Stone” Gjirokastra- a UNESCO site and museum town with beautiful and very distinct architecture
To visit

• The Castle
• Artillery Gallery
• National Museum of Armaments
• Bektashi Turbe (tomb)
•  Water source of Viroi
• Characteristic houses
Day 08: Gjirokastra-Saranda (56 Km, 1 hour driving time)

The morning takes us to the city of Saranda. On the way, we can see the beautiful scenery beside the Blue Eye Spring. We then proceed to Saranda, driving on the spectacular Albanian Riviera looking down at the Ionian Sea. Lunch will be in Ksamil, enjoying the panoramic view of the islands
To visit:

• Archeological sites of Finiqi & Butrint
• Lekuresi Castle
• Mesopotamia Church
• Ksamili’s Islands

After that, we will see Monastery of Forty Saints. In the evening, the dinner will be served in Lekuresi Fortress. Overnight in Saranda.

Day 09: Saranda-Vlora (125 Km, 2 hours driving time)

After breakfast we depart for Vlora traveling north along the Albanian Riviera. En route we pass the castle of Porto Palermo, located near Himara, also known as the castle of Ali Pashe Tepelena. Our drive north passes through many beautiful villages like Lukova, Borsh, Qeparo, Himara, Vuno, and Dhermi, which all have very beautiful beaches. Lunch in a local restaurant in Himara or Dhermi Beach. For a dramatic change in scenery we drive high up into the mountains to Alpine Llogara Pass. After leaving Llogora we return to the coast and arrive in the city of Vlora. Dinner and overnight in Vlora.

Day 10: Vlora

Today is all about Vlora. After breakfast at hotel, guide will meet at lobby for a city tour.

To visit:

• Kanina Castle
• Historical Museum
• Ethnographic Museum
• Marmiroi Church
• Monastery, St. Mary Church

Lunch by the seaside. Return to your hotel in the afternoon. Rest of the evening is free for your own plans and activities. Dinner at hotel, overnight in Vlora.

Day 11: Vlora- Fier-Berat (96 Km, 2 hours driving time)

In the morning depart towards Fieri, where we visit the Apolonia Archaeological site and have lunch at local restaurant. Continue on to Berat and en route visit the Ardenica Monastery and a local winery. In the afternoon visit the Old Quarter, the icon museum of Onufri, Albania's master iconographer, and other highlights of the city. Dinner at hotel and overnight in Berat.

Day 12: Berat-Durres (92 Km, 1.5 hours driving time)

After breakfast we visit main attractions of Berat. Lunch will be at one of the characteristic restaurants of the castle. In afternoon we drive towards Durres, the second largest and the oldest Albanian city. Illyrians first settled here in 627 BC, and Durres became a prosperous trading harbour. Arrival in Durres, the rest of the evening will be at leisure so you can enjoy the Durres night life! Dinner and overnight in Durres.

Day 13: Durres-Preze Village-Tirana (27 Km, 30 min driving time)

After breakfast at the hotel, we start with a visit in the main sights of the city.
To visit:

• The Roman Amphitheater
• Archeological Museum
• The Fortress

We proceed to Capital of Albania, Tirana. En route we stop for lunch in Preze Castle that overlooks the village with the same name and is located on a hilltop. Afternoon we continue to Tirana, where group is left at leisure exploring city on their own. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 14: Tirana- Airport (18 Km, 30 min driving time)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport. End of Our Service.

Km traveled: 930