Pure Albania

The group meets with one of our representatives at the airport. Transfer to the hotel in the city centre. Afterwards, we will take a first bus ride to the most important sights of the capital. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city centre by yourself. Overnight stay in Tirana.

Day 2 Tirana – Shkodra – Kruja – Tirana

After breakfast we drive to Shkodra in the north of Albania. This is the most important city of Northern Albania. In the 3rd century BC Shkodra was the Illyrian capital. Lunch in Shkodra at Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans. We visit the fortress and the Archaeological Museum in a traditional house. Other possible visits: Marubi Museum (master photographer of the late 19th century) with an exhibition of old prints and the oldest photograph from the Balkans dating back to 1856. After the sightseeing we drive to Kruja where you can have an optional lunch. Kruja is a small town high up on a hill. The city was the centre of Albanian resistance against the Ottomans. The leader of the resistance was the Albanian national hero Skanderbeg. Visit the fortress of Kruja, the Skanderbeg Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and the old bazaar. On the bazaar you will find many souvenirs, including several handicrafts. Then return to Tirana.  Overnight stay in Tirana

Day 3 Tirana – Elbasan – Pogradec

In the morning departure to Elbasan. In Elbasan, visit the castle of Elbasan (interesting because it is the only castle in the country that has been given to a private institution, which has proved very successful in the preservation and restoration of this monument). On the way we stop for refreshment. We continue to Pogradec on the shore of Lake Ohrid for lunch. We have lunch in the villa, which was once the fishermen’s mansion of the dictator. After lunch we drive to the small village of Tushemisht to get to know the traditional village life in this picturesque area of the country. Overnight stay in Tushemisht.

Day 4 Pogradec – Korca – Voskopoja – Korca

After breakfast we drive to Korca, where we visit the Museum of Medieval Art and the Mirahori Mosque, one of the oldest in the country. Afterwards we drive to Voskopoja, one of the most important cities in the Balkans at the beginning of the 18th century. We visit a number of monuments and churches with frescoes of the Zeografi brothers. Lunch in Voskopoja. Afterwards we return to Korca, where the rest of the day is free to explore the southern Albanian city on our own. Overnight stay in Korca.

Day 5 Korça – Permet – Gjirokastra

We drive early in the morning from Korça to the museum city and UNESCO World Heritage Site Gjirokastra. From Korça, you will travel through the breathtaking landscape of the mountainous regions of Leskovik and Kolonja. In Permet we will stop for an early lunch. After lunch we reach the museum city Gjirokastra. The city is the birthplace of the former dictator of Albania, Enver Hoxha. Visit to the pre-Ottoman citadel with weapons museum and former political prison. Overnight stay in Gjirokastra

Day 6 Gjirokastra – Butrint – Saranda

After breakfast we drive through the Dropulli region and stop for a few hours in one of the idyllic villages. Afterwards we visit the Greek and Roman ruins of Butrint, Albania’s most important archaeological site. After the sightseeing we return to Saranda, where we do a free 2-hour city tour. A drink at Lekursi Castle with a wonderful view of the bay of Saranda and the island of Corfu. Overnight stay in Saranda.

Day 7 Saranda – Vlora

Departure to Vlora after breakfast. The morning drive leads us along the Albanian Riviera northwards towards the coastal town of Vlora. In Vlora, important events in the struggle for freedom and independence took place. Refreshment break in the coastal town of Himara. We have a lunch break in the beautiful gorge of Llogara before arriving in Vlora. In Vlora we visit the Independence Museum, which is located in the house that was the seat of the first independent Albanian government. Overnight stay in Vlora.

Day 8 Vlora – Apollonia Consultant

We leave early from Vlora towards the ancient town of Apollonia which was founded in 558 BC by Corfu and Corinthian settlers. After a tour through the Roman library and the beautiful Odeon and a visit to the nearby Old Monastery, which serves as an open archaeological museum, the tour continues into the beautiful museum city of Berat. Berat is Albania’s second museum city, sometimes called “the city of a thousand windows”. Lunch in Berat. After lunch visits in Berat: the fortress, the Onufri Museum and several churches and mosques. Overnight stay in Berat.

Day 9 Berat – Durres – Tirana

After breakfast departure to Tirana. On the way we stop in Durres, one of the oldest Albanian cities that were founded in 527 BC. There we visit the amphitheatre and the Archaeological Museum. Afterwards we continue to Tirana for the lunch break. Afterwards we visit the National Historical Museum. In the afternoon and evening the group has the opportunity to explore the capital. Overnight stay in Tirana.

Day 10 Departure day.

After breakfast, the day is at your disposal until transfer to the airport. End of our service.