In this 16 days tour, you will get a taste of the most important cultural and historical cities of Albania and Greece, starting at Tirana and moving to the south west of Albania, through the most spectacular coastline in Europe, continuing afterwards to the neighboring country of Greece. We invite you to taste the traditional cuisine and fresh local products, while enjoying the folkloric music and learning about the history and the traditions of these two countries.
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, you will meet the other group members and your guide will briefly give you some information on your program while you enjoy a welcome drink at your hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Tirana
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy an orientation walk with your guide to get to know your surroundings.
During your exploration you will get the chance to visit the National Historic Museum and the mosque of Et’hemBey.
While walking on the main boulevard you will see the Opera House, the town hall, the government buildings, the International Cultural Center and other important institutions.
You can have dinner in one of the Albanian traditional restaurants, where you will enjoy the fresh homemade dishes.
Overnight in Tirana.
Day 3: Tirana – Kruja
After breakfast at the hotel in Tirana, you will set off for the city of Kruja, hometown of Albania’s national hero, Skanderbeg.
There you will admire the Castle of Kruja, inside which you can visit the Museum of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.
You will also visit the Ethnographic Museum, located inside a traditional Albanian house. Enjoy lunch in one of the restaurants inside the castle, where you can taste the traditional food of this area.
After lunch you will have the chance to visit the Old Bazaar where the best handmade souvenirs can be purchased.
Then you will return to Tirana where you will have the chance to visit the mosaic of Tirana, a famous Albanian landmark thought to have been part of a Roman house built in the third century. Then,you can have a relaxing short walk by the artificial lake, part of the National Park of Tirana.
You can have dinner in one of the Albanian traditional restaurants, where you will enjoy the fresh homemade dishes.
Overnight in Tirana.
Day 4: Elbasan – Pogradec – Korca
After breakfast, you will depart for Elbasan, for a short stop.
There you can visit the castle of the town, and then leave for Pogradec.
On they way, you can make a stop in Drilon, near Pogradec, a lush and delightful park set around the ponds where crystal-clear water originating from Lake Prespa bubbles up from the side of Mali i Thate (‘dry) mountain.
There you will have the chance to feed the ducks and swans and rent a boat for a quiet paddle around. You can have lunch at one of the local restaurants by the lake where you will taste the Koran fish, which can be found only in this area. After lunch, you will continue to Korca, known as the “cradle of Albanian culture” and the largest city of the region.
You can have dinner in one of the local taverns where you will taste Korca’sspecialities.
Overnight in Korca.
Day 5: Voskopoja – Korca
After breakfast, you drive towards the village of Voskopoja, in the east of Korca, which offers a wonderful landscape.
Voskopoja was known since 14th century as an art and science center, with 24 churches during the 16th-18th centuries.
You will have lunch in one of the typical restaurants, where you can enjoy fresh meat and fish.
After lunch you will return to Korca, where you can enjoy the evening by exploring the cobblestone streets and the museums of this city.
Overnight in Korca.
Day 6: Gjirokastra
After breakfast, you will continue your journey by passing through the small town of Erseka. You can make a quick stop the village of Germenj to enjoy fresh water and a coffee amidst the pine forest.
You will then reach the small city of Permet, also called the City of Flowers due to its many gardens. You can have lunch in one of the many local restaurants. After lunch you will visit the city of Gjirokastra also known as “The City of Stone”. You may have dinner at one of the traditional restaurants of the city.
Overnight in Gjirokastra.
Hotel Cajupi 4* or similar
www.cajupi.com
Day 7: Gjirokastra
After breakfast, you can take a walk around the cobbled streets and relive the city’s history.
A visit to the vast 13th-century castle brings the adventurous tales of medieval rulers alive, and makes you relieve the history of this magical city.
You can have lunch at one of the restaurants by the Lake of Viroi. In the afternoon, you will get the chance to further admire the city by exploring it on your own. Afterwards you will have dinner accompanied by Albanian folklore music.
Overnight in Gjirokastra.
Day 8: Ioánnina
You will leave the hotel after breakfast and stop at the old Bazaar, where you can buy souvenirs in the various shops. Afterwards you will depart for the Greek city of Ioannina, spreads out around the beautiful Lake Pamvotis.
You can have lunch in one of the local restaurants of the Greek city.
The afternoon is yours to explore on your own.
Overnight in Ioanina
Day 9: Ioannina
After breakfast, you will leave the hotel and will go on to visit one of the most notable attractions of Ionnanina, Lake Pamvotis, which is an integral piece of the city’s modern life, and site of the picturesque island, known as the island of Ali Pasha. There you can visit the MoniPanteleimonos monastery, a museum containing paintings, information and even recreations of Ali Pasha’s living quarters. Making the tour of the island, you will see simple traditional houses with beautiful gardens, narrow paved alleys and various shops. You can have lunch in one of the island’s local restaurants to taste the delicious specialties of this island. After lunch you will return to the mainland and will make some explorations of the city.
Enjoy dinner in one of the local lakeside restaurants.
Overnight in Ioannina.
Day 10: Ioannina
After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit the castle of Ioannina, which was the biggest administrative center of the entire Greece during Ali Pasha’s era.
You will explore the castle and all of its different sections. Enjoy lunch in one of the local restaurants.
After lunch you will continue to explore more of the never-ending wonders of the city of Ioannina. You will head to the picturesque village of Perama, located only four km from Ioannina, on the road that goes from Metsovo to Trikala. The small train that runs from Ioannina to the picturesque village of Perama is a nostalgic choice of transport. A mythical world beyond your imagination waits for you there.
There you will visit the Cave of Perama, one of the most beautiful caves in Europe, dating back about one and a half million years. The area around the cave is an ideal spot from which to look out over the lake and feel the magic of nature.
Dinner and overnight in Ioannina.
Hotel Du Lac 5* or similar
http://www.hoteldulac.gr/en.aspx
Day 11: Saranda
After breakfast, you will set off towards the Albanian coastal city, Saranda. After passing the cross border point in Kakavija, you will drive towards an amazing spring called Syri i Kalter (Blue Eye), which is another wonder of southern Albania.
After wards you will continue your trip to Saranda. Upon accommodation at the hotel, you may have lunch in one of the local restaurants. The afternoon is yours to enjoy some free time and make your own discoveries of the coastal city of Saranda. Later, the group can go to Lekursi Castle, to enjoy dinner in on of the fine restaurants within the castle, overlooking the Greek island, Corfu.
Overnight in Saranda.
Day 12: Saranda – Butrinti
After breakfast, you will depart to discover one of the ancient treasures of the city, the ancient archeological site of Butrint, ancient Buthrotum, declared by UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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.
You can have lunch in one of the traditional restaurants nearby this area. On your way back to Saranda, you will stop in the coastal resort of Ksamil to enjoy a coffee by the sea and why not, the crystal waters of this small beach. Late in the afternoon, you will return to Saranda to enjoy your evening, and continue with your own explorations of this magical coastal town.
Overnight in Saranda.
Grand Hotel 4* or similar
www.grandhotelsaranda.com
Day 13: Albanian Riviera – Berat
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive along the Albanian Riviera. During your journey you will stop in some of the wonderful coastal villages.
You will enjoy a coffee at one of the local bars in the village of Borsh. Afterwards, you will pass through the small town of Himara, the village of Dhermi, to admire the beauty of nature and beach; the Llogara Pass, and Orikum to arrive in the city of Vlora.
You can stop there to have lunch in one of the local restaurants.
After lunch you will proceed to the town of Fieri to visit Apollonia, one of the Albania’s most impressive sights, now home to the Apollonia Museum.
Afterwards, you go drive to Berat, also known as “The City of 1000 Windowns”, declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Its age, culture, and folk traditions make it one of the most interesting towns in the Mediterranean area. You will have dinner in one of the local restaurants, where you will enjoy the traditional dishes of the area.
Overnight in Berat.
Day 14: Berat
You will leave the hotel after breakfast, and will continue exploring the city of Berat.
The city has everything you require; a beautiful medieval castle district complete with ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge and a great museum. You can also visit one of the many characteristic houses of the old city. In the afternoon you will have the chance to taste the local wine at the “Cobo” winery.
Later you will enjoy a bountiful dinner in one of the local restaurants.
Overnight in Berat.
Day 15: Ardenica – Durres
After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive towards the village of Ardenica. There you will visit the 13th century monastery of Ardenica.
Afterwards, you will depart for the coastal city of Durres, a port city dating back to the 7th century BC, which is a wonderful walking, sightseeing, such as the Roman amphitheater, and beach location.
Enjoy your lunch in one of the local restaurants by the seaside.
You will have the afternoon at leisure to make your own discoveries of the city.
You can have the farewell dinner together in one of the local seaside restaurants while enjoying the scent and view of the Adriatic Sea.
Overnight in Durres.
Day 16: Airport
After breakfast, a shuttle will transfer you to the airport for the return flight home.