Highlights of Albania – 10 Days

Arrive in Tirana and transfer to your hotel.. Overnight in Tirana.

Leaving Tirana we head to Shkoder. Shkoder is one of the oldest cities in the Balkans and was once a capital of the Illyrian state. We visit the castle then have time to walk in the pedestrian area and visit the cathedral and mosque. before travelling to Kruja, one of Albania’s most important towns due to the part it played in the resistance against the Ottomans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum and the castle. There may be time to visit the old bazaar, where you can see the local artisans and their handmade souvenirs. Overnight in Kruja

Drive to the coastal city of Durres, Albania’s second largest. Explore its sites including the Roman amphitheatre and Archaeological Museum before continuing to the stunning town of Berat, with its white houses clinging to the hillsides. We visit the citadel which contains numerous churches and an interesting museum, and has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Overnight in Berat.

Today we visit Ardenice Monastery, a 13th century Byzantine site locally famed for hosting the wedding of the hero Skanderbeg. We continue from here to the ruins of Apollonia, an atmospheric set of Roman remains on a remote hillside and once an important city in the region. Later in the day we travel to the coastal city of Vlora and have a short sightseeing tour. Overight in Vlora

After breakfast we will drive through the wonderful scenery among the pinewoods. Stop at Panorama view point, where you can enjoy the best views of the Ioanian Coast. Continue driving through the fertile slopes and villages, along Dhermi, stop in Dhermi one of the best Albanian beaches and drive to Himara. En route making a short visit to the bay of Porto Palermo where the castle of Ali Pasha is situated. Depart for Saranda the hillside town facing the sea, famous for its magnificent, “Butrinti” archeological site, we will visit the well preserved ruins of the ancient city of Butrint and its museum hosted in the Venetian castle, Butrint: is a National park that includes a very well preserved archaeological area, an uncontaminated vegetation area of Mediterranean, and has also a lake that is connected to the Ionian sea by a natural channel. The wetlands around the lake are shelter for different animals and aquatic species in danger of extinction. The excavations and studies has proved that during the VII and the VI centuries BC. .After the visits in Butrint, we will continue to must beautiful sea side village of Ksamil, free time at Ksamil beach and continue to Saranda. Overnight in Saranda

Breakfast. Direction the archeological site of UNESCO, Butrint. We will visit the well preserved ruins of the ancient city of Butrint and its museum hosted in the Venetian castle. Free time or optional ½ day trip to Ksamil village, spend time on the beach. After the beach, direction Gjirokaster with a short stop to Blue Eye. Ovenight Gjirokaster. Overnight in Saranda.

After breakfast, We have time to explore this UNESCO listed site, with its imposing citadel and numerous houses with typical styling. We visit the castle and old bazaar area before transferring to drive to village of Benja and stop at the famous thermal waters which form six beautiful small natural pools. In the afternoon drive to the small town of Permet. Overnight in Permet

After breakfast the journey continue through the mountains towards Korca, we enjoy wonderful panoramic views. This afternoon we arrive in Korca where we should have some time to explore. Overnight

This morning we continue to Voskopoja, once an ancient city rich in history, with interesting Romanesque architecture and Orthodox churches featuring some of the best 18th century frescoes in Southern Europe; today it is a small mountain village around 1300m above sea level. We will continue to Tirana begin a tour of the city. We visit Skanderbeg Square, dedicated to Albania’s national hero..

Breakfast and Transfer to the airport for your departure