Albanian Tour 10 Days & 9 Nights
Day 1: Tirana – Durres
Arrival at Tirana Airport. Meet with Albanian local guide and drive to Durres (Airport – Durres: 35 km, 45 min drive) - Overnight in a 4star hotel in Durres.
Day 2: Shkoder - Kruja – Durres
After breakfast drive Drive to Kruja (Durres – Kruja: 45 km, 1 hour drive) situated north – East of Tirana, 560m above sea level on the slopes of Sari – Salltiku Mountain. Kruja has been inhabited since the 3rd century B.C. It was mentioned for the first time as a Christian religious centre in the year 879. The town and the castle are strongly connected with the history of our national hero, Skanderbeg. Visit the fortress, Skanderbeg’s Museum, Ethnographic museum and the old bazzar, Drive to Shkodra, visit the historical and ancient city of Shkodra (Kruja – Shkoder: 90 km, 1 h and 40 min drive). Visit the city center with abundant religious objects, the Castle of Rozafa and learn the legend about it. City seeing tour of old town. Back to Durres for overnight (Shkoder – Durres: 110 km, 2 h drive).
Day 3: Durres - Apolloni - Ardenica - Radhime (by the sea)
After breakfast depart to Apollonia (Durres – Apollonia: 95 km, 1 h and 40 min drive), situated 12 km from the city of Fier. The site of Apollonia was found at the beginning of the 7th century BC by the Greek colonists coming from Corinth and Corcyra, on the top of the ancient dwelling site of Illyrian Glaukos. Apollonian was in Roman times, a large and flourishing city near Aos river (today Vjosa). Of great interest to be visited are; The Encircling Wall, the monuments of Agonothetes, the Library, the Odeon, the Portico, the house with mosaics, The Museum of Apollonia, the Church of St. Mary. Depart to Vlora (Apollonia – Vlora: 40 km, 50 min drive). Arrival in Vlora and visit of this coastal city. It has a great historical importance as it was there in 1912 the Assembly was convened to proclaim Albanian as an independent state and to set up the first National Government headed by Ismail Qemali. Overnight in Hotel Regina.
Day 4: Radhime - Vlore - Karaburun - Radhime
After breakfast, boat trip to Karaburun peninsula for 3 hrs, possibility stop for beach time around peninsula. Back to Hotel Regina. Afternoon free time at your leisure in Regina’s hotel private beach. Dinner and overnight in hotel Regina.
Day 5: Radhime - Llogara trekking – Saranda (by the sea)
After breakfast, drive to Llogora Pass (35km / 40min). Start the hike to Dhjopuri Pass (or in any nearly place based on the length of the hike, how much the clients want to do). Great mountain and sea views (plenty of traditional restaurant options at end of trail). Drive to Himara, stop for lunch in a local restaurant by the sea. Possibility for some free time after lunch to have a swim in Himara or any nice nearby beach. Then stop in Porto Palermo, where the Ali Pasha Castle stands like a barrier in front of the blue rocky sea as a protection for the country. In the afternoon travel to Saranda for dinner and overnight (Himara – Saranda: 60 km, 1 h and 45 min drive).
Day 6: Ancient park of Butrint (UNESCO) – Gjirokastra (UNESCO)
After breakfast, departure to Butrinti National park (Saranda – Butrinti: 18 km, 40 min drive one-way). A scenic narrow leads you to the ancient city of Butrint. Visit to the Old Amphitheatre, the Temple of Aesculapius, the Baptistery with colorful mosaics and the ancient city walls. An old fortress housing a small museum watches over the entire site, which is one of the last unspoiled natural and ancient historical areas in Mediterranean. Lunch and departure towards Gjirokastra which is a “Museum City” (Saranda – Gjirokastra: 85 km, 2 h drive). When we go to Gjirokastra, the characteristic houses resemble the towers and are build one above the other. They have only one common element, the stone. Visit to the castle, which stands out above the city as a balcony, providing the possibility for visitors to enjoy the beautiful landscape. The castle houses the National Museum of Weapons, which preserves all the kinds of weapons used and produced by the Albanians from antiquity. Dinner and overnight in Gjirokastra.
Day 7: Gjirokastra -Byllis - Berat (UNESCO)
After Breakfast, to visit the remote site of Byllis, located on a mountaintop overlooking the Vjose River valley (Gjirokastra – Bylis: 140 km, 2 h and 40 min drive) .Byllis was an ancient city located in the region of Illyria. The archaeological attestation of the city is possible as far back as the second half of the 4th century BC and was later conquered by Pyrrhus. According to another view, Byllis was found by king Pyrrhus of Epirus. Being a Greek-speaking city, on the borders of Illyria and Epirus, had its own stadium and theatre during the Hellenistic era. About its foundation it has been suggested that Byllis was founded by Greek settlers, though the fact that it had a mixed population is attested by the Illyrian names of officials. The city had its own coinage. Afterwards, travel towards Berat (Bylis – Berat: 50 km, 1 h and 20 min) for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Berat - Tirana
After breakfast, explore the attractive medieval town of Berat, situated on a hill dominating the River Osum and its gorge. Visit to the castle, built up on a rocky hill 260m above the sea level. Churches here have survived within its powerful stony walls. With interest, is the church, which preserves wooden-engraved iconostasis, housing the “Onufri” museum. Visit to the other objects: Lead Mosque, Bachelor’s Mosque, Gorica Bridge and some of the dwelling houses of the 18th and 19th centuries. In the afternoon, drive to Tirana- Dinner and overnight in Tirana (Berat – Tirane: 110 km, 2 h drive).
Day 9: Tirana – Pellumbasi cave – Petrela castle
In the morning trip to the “Pellumbasi” cave situated in the surroundings of Tirana. This cave is also called “the black cave”. The view from the trail is very nice with the mountain side dropping to the canyon of Erzen river. The cave stands at an elevation of 350 m and is said to be one of the earliest prehistoric settlements of the area. The group enters the cave and observes the stalactites and stalagmites. Then possibility for lunch a nice restaurant. Afterwards visit Petrela catle on the way travelling back to Tirana. The clients will walk up to the castle for around 15 minutes. This small castle is one of the oldest constructions nearby Tirana. It has a very strategic position and it was first fortified in the 5th century and mostly of what has remained is from Byzantine period. In the evening back to Tirana for dinner and overnight (possibility of traditional dinner with traditional music or folk show).
Day 10: Tirana – Airport
After breakfast free time at your leisure before the transfer to Airport.
