In this 15 days tour, you will visit the most important cultural and historical cities of Albania and Macedonia, 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 Macedonia.
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 – Kruja
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.
Afterwards, 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 3: Elbasan – Ohrid
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.
You will make a stop during the trip to enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants in Librazhd by the Shkumbini River.
After lunch you will depart for the city of Ohrid in Macedonia, which is one of the cities that UNESCO has recognized as an infinite treasure for humanity.
You can explore the city in the afternoon and have dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Overnight in Ohrid.
Day 4: Ohrid
After breakfast you will take a walking tour of Ohrid, which includes a visit to Tsar Samuel’s Fortress and the Roman amphitheater for sensational panoramic views.
You will also be able to enjoy the numerous restaurants and souvenir shops. In the afternoon, you can enjoy a coffee or dinner by the lake.
Overnight in Ohrid.
Day 5: St. Naum – Korca
After breakfast, you will make a short stop to admire the monastery of St. Naum.
After enjoying a coffee in the green areas inside the complex, you will begin your return trip to Albania.
On the 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 can 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 and taste the traditional Koran fish, which can be found only in this area. After lunch you will continue your trip 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’s specialties.
Overnight in Korca.
Day 6: Voskopoja – Korca
After breakfast, you will drive towards the village of Voskopoja, in the east of Korca, which offers a wonderful landscape.
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 7: Korca-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.
Day 8: 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 9: Saranda
After breakfast, you will travel to the coastal town of Saranda. On the way you can stop at the Blue Eye Spring, another wonder of southern Albania, then the tour also includes a visit in the ancient archeological site of Butrinti, ancient Buthrotum, 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.
After a bountiful lunch at one of the local restaurants, you can make a quick stop in Ksamil and enjoy a coffee at one of the many seaside bars.
You will then arrive in Saranda.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10: Saranda – Himara
After breakfast, you will drive along the Albanian Riviera towards the small town of Himara. You can make a quick stop in Borsh, which is one of the most visited villages of the Albanian Riviera. You will then proceed to the hotel in Himara, where you can enjoy some leisure time.
Overnight in Himara.
Day 11: Himara
After breakfast, you will begin an exploration tour nearby Himara.
You will have the chance to visit the castle of Ali Pasha Tepelena.
Depending on the weather, you can also enjoy the beautiful beaches of Albanian Riviera.
Overnight in Himara.
Day 12: Vlore – Apolloni – Berat
After breakfast, you will drive along the coastal village of Dhermi, to admire the beauty of nature and beach. On your way you will drive through Llogara Pass, to reach the town of Fieri and visit Apollonia, one of Albania’s most impressive sights and home to the Apollonia Museum. You can enjoy lunch in one of the local restaurants.
After the visit, you will continue to the city of Berat, often called “The City of 1000 Windows”, and 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.
Overnight in Berat.
Day 13: Berat
You will leave the hotel after breakfast, to explore the city of Berat, which is located on the Southeast of Albania.
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 14: Durres
After breakfast, depart for Durres, a port city dating back to the 7th century BCE, which is a wonderful walking, sight-seeing, such as the Roman amphitheater, and beach location.
You can enjoy the evening in one of the local restaurants by the seaside.
Overnight in Durres.
Day 15 – Tirana – Airport
After breakfast, a shuttle will take you to the airport for your return flight home.