Day 1: Tirana
After meeting with the tour guide at Rinas airport we drive 23 km to Tirana. Depending on the traffic this trip will take about 30-40 minutes. We'll check in at the hotel. After a short rest we will head to Petrela, a medieval castle ruin in the rural east of Tirana with a fantastic panoramic view. In addition, we visit the old fortress walls (approx. 12 km way; depending on the traffic situation, we can drive between 1/4 and 1/2 an hour). Petrela Castle, together with the others in Lezha, Butrint and Shkodra, belongs to a group of fortresses built in the 15th century. In order in view of the Turkish-Albanian wars, they were built according to the most advanced methods available at that time. At that time, the process of opening up the city was interrupted and the Albanians led an incredible struggle of resistance for almost half a century, at the end of which many fortresses and architectural
works were destroyed. On our way back to the capital we will have dinner in a traditional restaurant. The restaurant is
famous for its specialities from Tirana and central Albania. After dinner we return to our hotel. Optional: Before going to bed you can have a drink in "Blloku". The former district of the communist political office has turned into the hip bar district of Tirana.
Day 2: Drive to the South
Today we drive south to the coastal town of Vlora (185 km/4hrs). We make our first stop after a 2 hour drive to visit the 13th century Orthodox monastery of Ardenica. It is believed that the wedding of the Albanian national hero Skanderberg was celebrated in this romantic place in the 15th century. Later, after less than an hour's drive, we will visit the ancient ruins of Apollonia. There we will visit the Byzantine monastery and the Museum of Archaeology. Apollonia was founded in 588 BC by
Greeks from Corinth and grew rapidly to 50,000 inhabitants until the 2nd century BC. Later Apollonia became a free Roman town after joining Julius Caesar in the war against Pompey. Until the 3rd century AD, the city developed into a cultural centre of the arts, until an earthquake that led to the diversion of a river and thus to the decay of the city. The last stage of our trip ends after a little more than 1/2 hours in our hotel in the Llogora National Park. After check-in at the family-run hotel, we can also have dinner there.
Day 3: Across the Karabruni Peninsula
The surroundings of the Llogora Pass have been described by travellers as one of the "most dramatic" mountain and sea panoramas. This is also where we will start our first trekking tour. During the trekking we will have a magnificent view of the bay of Vlora and the steep western slopes of the Karabruni peninsula, which fall into the waters of the Ionian Sea. Each of us will have a small packed lunch that we will eat for lunch. The trekking will take about 4 hours at a comfortable pace. The trail starts near our hotel. The first part of the trail leads towards the Qafa Thelle e-Pass and goes uphill through a dense pine forest. The path is easy to walk on and the terrain consists of soil, gravel and stones. After walking 350 m uphill (up to 2 hours) we reach a ridge known as Shen Thanas. From there we hike down again, first over rocky terrain until we reach the Antenna hill (50 m below and about 1 km as the crow flies from Shen Thanas). On the last part of our hike we follow an old military road made of gravel and stones, which is no longer in use today. After our return home in the afternoon we can go for a walk or relax in the hotel until it is time for dinner.
Day 4: Mount Cika
The Cika Massif is the highest in the southwestern part of Albania. From the summit you have a magnificent view of the Labëria highlands – the land of the southern shepherds – and the beauty of the Ionian Sea with Corfu and other small Greek islands on the horizon. Today's trekking tour will take about 4 hours at medium difficulty. We hike from Llogora via Cika
(Dhjopurit) back to Llogora. The path leads constantly uphill through a pine forest over good accessible ground to an altitude of 1,270 m. From here the path becomes less steep and changes its subsoil to gravel and stone. At the same time, this path offers amazing viewpoints. At 1,550 m we reach the top of Dhjopurit Mountain. Here we will spend some time to relax and enjoy the view. Throughout the walk, the beach of Dhermi is in our field of vision. This beach will also be our destination after reaching the headland. At the end of the trekking a short drive takes us to the beach of Dhermi. There we can relax and have lunch. The beach of Dhermi in Albania is famous for its crystal clear water and the Cika and Llogora mountains in the background. After lunch we continue our tour to the village of Qeparo. In Qeparo we stay in a family-run hotel on the beach.
Day 5: The Orthodox Churches of Dhermi
During this day we will visit the Orthodox churches of the place including the wonderful murals in St. Mary's Church. In the midst of citrus and olive groves we walk to the secluded beach of Gjipen. Back and forth the easy tour will take about 4 hours. We hike on a narrow, mountainous country lane that cannot be driven over by cars. The incline to Manastir goes slowly but steadily down to the beach for about 2 km. After reaching the beach we go up to Manastir (150 m) and from there we follow a path between the trees on soft ground to the beach of Dhermi. We have lunch in the form of a picnic along the way. We spend the night and the evening in the same hotel as the day before.
Day 6: The villages on the Riviera
Today we will visit the Bay of Porto Palermo and the Ali Pasha Tepelena Fortress. The splendid bay of Palermo, served as an important secret submarine base during the communist regime. The semi- abandoned base, its tunnels and structures are still visible. The main attraction of the bay, however, is the 19th century fortress built by the mighty Ali Pasha Tepelena located on a central point of the promontory. We will have lunch on a comfortable terrace directly in front of the castle. After our visit
of the fortress we will go up to the old village of Qeparo. Qeparo (mountain) is the Mediterranean Albania at its best! The stone village towers on the top of the hill with the Qeparo Bay below create magnificent scenery. The easy hike will take about 2 hours up to a maximum of 300 m. After our return there is still time to relax by the sea before we will have a family-style dinner.
Overnight staying in the same hotel as the day before.
Day 7: Further south and the ancient city of Butrint
The trip takes us further north of Saranda, known as the Albanian Riviera. It is considered one of the most beautiful coasts of the Ionian Sea. Situated in a lovely horseshoe shaped bay, Saranda has been a popular holiday destination since the communist era. Cicero already mentioned this place. Its current name is derived from the "forty martyrs" (Greek: Hagioi Saranta), who suffered martyrdom in about the year 320. Nearby, following a panoramic path and the lagoon of the same name, we reach the remains of the ancient city of Butrint, which is next on our itinerary. Butrint is undoubtedly a wonderful place. Butrint is situated in a swampy landscape on the busy strait that separates Corfu from Albania. Despite its proximity to modern civilization, Butrint is an ecological oasis with a rich bird life. In the dense forests you can still see the monuments and remains from many different eras of the last two and a half thousand years. Situated on a low spit of land on the southernmost tip of Albania's coastline, it has been inhabited since at least the 8th century BC. Although myths are associated with the origins of the place, today it is said that the city was founded by exiled Trojans. During the 4th century B. C. a castle was founded and the place became a successful place of worship dedicated to Aesclepius. Augustus founded a colony in Butrint and the city seems to have remained a relatively small Roman port until the 6th century. The Middle Ages were turbulent, as the city was involved in power struggles between Byzantium and the Normans, the Anjourers, the Venetians and the Ottomans. In the early 19th century, the place shrank to a small fishing village grouped around a Venetian castle." (From the Butrint Foundation website)
Day 8: Saranda- Ascent to Sotira Mountain
A circular hike behind the ruins of Butrint leads us up to the hill. The route goes through meadows along the Butrint Lake. From the peak of Sotira we have a spectacular view over the olive groves in Ksamil, the bay of Alinura and the plain of Vrina. In the afternoon we will have some free time in Saranda. We can go for a walk along the coast before heading to our restaurant for dinner.
Day 9: The Stone City
Today we visit the Karst spring Syri i Kaltër (blue eye), the castle and the museum of history and ethnology in Gjirokastra. Gjirokastra is one of the most beautiful historical cities in Albania. Gjirokastra, the "Stone City" spreads along the hill below the castle. From the walls of the castle you can admire the surrounding area and the valley of the Drinos river. Walks across the paved streets bring the charm of traditional Albanian architecture closer to the travellers. It was these grey streets
where two of Albania's most famous sons grew up. Enver Hoxha and Ismail Kadare.
Day 10: In the land of "Raki"
The trip today follows the beautiful Këlcyra gorge, parallel to the Vjosa river. A swim in the hot springs of Benja is the perfect opportunity to recover from the effort of the trip before we visit a traditional restaurant nearby for lunch. After a tasty lunch we visit the church of Leusa. It dates back to the 6th century, but has been rebuilt and restored several times. The last important alterations date from the 17th and 19th centuries. The church is located in a spectacular location and its murals
and wood carvings are breathtakingly beautiful. We spend the evening in the small town of Permet.
Day 11: The City of Thousand Windows
After four hours of driving we reach Berat,"The City of 1000 Windows". Berat is the best preserved historical town in Albania. Buildings of the Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and Socialists were erected here over a period of 2400 years. Today, they form a collection of architectural contemporary witnesses that demonstrate the importance and wealth of Berat. We have lunch in a typical restaurant in Berat and take a walk through the old quarter "Manglemi" to visit the
Ethnographic Museum. Afterwards we hike up to the area around the citadel of the district Berat. We will visit its splendid Orthodox churches and the Onufri Icon Museum, named after the famous artist of the 16th century. Onufri was famous for his icons and murals. The house in which the museum is housed is an example of the architectural importance of the buildings in Berat. Overnight at hotel in Berat.
Day 12: The Amphitheatre of Durres and Shkodra
In the morning we have some time to explore other sightseeing in Berat, like the old mosque and Orthodox churches. From here we drive to Durres, where we will visit the amphitheatre. After lunch at the beach we drive on to Shkodra, the largest city in northern Albania. In Shkodra we visit the Rozafa Castle and admire from there the sunset over the lake with the Albanian Alps on the horizon. We will spend the night in Shkodra.
Day 13: Fortress Kruja
After breakfast we drive to Kruja to visit the castle, the bazaar and the museum of the Albanian
national hero Skanderbeg. Kruja Castle was the centre of the legendary Albanian resistance of
Skanderbeg to the Ottomans. After our visit in Kruja we drive back to Tirana, where we will spend
our last evening.
Day 14: Departure from Albania
Before your departure you have some free time in Tirana to have a look around before you go to the
airport.