Begin a journey into the history of Albania, “The Land of Eagles”. You will visit amazing cities like Tirana, Vlora, Saranda, Dhermi and many more. Discover the magic of these cities while enjoying the gentle sea breeze and the beautiful beaches. The sweet smell of the traditional Albanian cuisine and the colorful sounds of the polyphonic music, will accompany you throughout the entire trip.
Day 1: Departure from home country – Tirana
Your guide will meet you at “Mother Teresa” Airport, Albania, and will accompany you to the hotel.
Upon accommodation at the hotel, your guide will briefly give you some information on your program while you enjoy a welcome drink.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Tirana
After breakfast, you will have a whole sightseeing day, to explore in depth the capital. You will visit the National Historic Museum, see the mosque of Et’hem Bey built in 1789, the clock-tower, 35 m high, built in 1830,the Opera House, the municipality and other important government buildings.
In the afternoon, you can enjoy a relaxing short walk by the artificial lake, part of the National Park of Tirana the art gallery.
You will have dinner in one of the Albanian traditional restaurants, where you will enjoy the fresh homemade dishes.
Overnight in Tirana.
Day 3: Durres
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Durres, a port city dating back to the 7th century BC, which is a wonderful walking, sight-seeing, and beach location. You can spend the day sunbathing in the beautiful beaches. In the afternoon, the city is yours to be discovered in full.
There you can visit the remains of the Roman Amphitheatre, the largest in the Balkans, the Roman Forum, the Venetian tower and the city walls.
Enjoy your evening at the bars and have dinner at one of the seaside restaurants, enjoying the delicious seafood.
Overnight in Durres.
Day 4: Vlora
After breakfast, you will drive to Vlora, a historical and coastal city, where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed on November 28, 1912.
Vlora is the most important economic and cultural city of southwestern Albania. You will have a full sightseeing day in Vlora to explore the marvelous nature, rocky beaches, the charming spot “Cold Water”, Orikum, and Radhime village. You can have lunch while enjoying the beauty of the nature and the sea. After sunbathing under the Vlora sun, you can go on exploring the city by yourselve in the afternoon. You will have dinner in one of the traditional restaurants.
Overnight in Vlora.
Day 5: Dhermi
After breakfast at the hotel, you will set off to the coastal and ancient village of Dhermi. You shall drive through Llogara Pass and the National Park with the same name and along the Albanian Riviera where you will be marveled by the amazing views of mountains on one side and sea on the other.
You will stop in Dhermi, to admire the beauty of nature and beach, one of the finest of many beaches along the coastal road between Vlora and Saranda.
Spend the day by sunbathing in the crystal waters of this wonderful village. You will have lunch in one of the many seaside restaurants.
In the afternoon, you will explore on your own the village and will also admire the peculiar architecture of the houses in ancient Dhermi, dating back to the 14th century.
Enjoy dinner by the seaside.
Overnight in Himara.
Day 6: Saranda
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive through Himara, Qeparo, and Borsh, areas known for the cultivation of citrus fruits and olive trees. You will enjoy the day sunbathing on one of the amazing beaches along your way. Have lunch in one of the local restaurants on the coastal villages.
Then the trip goes on to the coastal city of Saranda, which is a very important touristic location for Albania, since foreigners and Albanians flock there each summer.
You will have your afternoon at leisure to discover the city by yourselves.
Overnight in Saranda.
Day 7: Saranda
After breakfast, you will depart for the coastal resort of Ksamil, where you can enjoy the day under the hot sun. Have lunch in one of the local restaurants. In the afternoon you will visit the ancient archeological site of Butrinti, ancient Buthrotum, a port from Hellenistic to Ottoman times, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in south-west Albania. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric.
The present ruins inside the archaeological site represent each period in the city’s development. Return to Saranda.
You will have the evening on your own to make your own discoveries.
Overnight in Saranda.
Day 8: Gjirokastra
After breakfast at the hotel, you will leave the amazing coastal town of Saranda and drive towards an impressive spring called Syri i Kalter (Blue Eye), which is another wonder of southern Albania and lies on the road between the towns of Saranda and Gjirokastra, further inland.
The water in the inner source is dark blue, like the pupil of an eye, and a lighter color of blue as an outer ring – the iris, gives the impression of a blue eye.
You can have a coffee or drink enjoying the wonders of this spring.
Afterwards you will set off towards the city of Gjirokastra, also known as “The City of Stone” where you will also explore a part of Albanian history.
You will visit the Castle of the city, built in the 4th century, and offering fantastic views across the valley. You can also see the Open Air Theatre, which is still in use nowadays, and then the church in the Varosh quarter, which dates back to 1776.
Stop to have lunch in one of the local restaurant to taste the delicious traditional dishes of this district.
After lunch you will drive back towards Tirana.
Overnight in Tirana
Day 9: Tirana – Return back home
After breakfast, a shuttle will transfer you to the airport for the return flight home.