Grand Albania Tour

This escorted tour is for any visitor who would like to discover the country from Central to South & North Albania. It offers a great introduction into Albania’s past and present history, customs and traditions, from ancient sites to architectural buildings and towns, comprising three UNESCO World Heritage sites Explore and choose your destinations amongst the sunny beaches of the Adriatic and Ionian coast, the beautiful ancient cities such as Berat or Kruja or the incredible mountains scenery of Valbona & Thethi and the Albanian Alps.

Day 1: Airport-Tirana

Meet with our representatives at Tirana Airport. Continue to Tirana. Depending on time of arrival in Tirana, we may do a short city tour before or after check in at the hotel. In the evening, we’ll have dinner at a traditional restaurant and then explore the nightlife of Tirana, walking in the ex-block area known as “the forbidden town” where the villas of the communists’ leaders are still standing next to trendy boutiques, expensive jewelry shops and active local pubs. Overnight in Tirana

Day 2: Tirana- Petrela- Mount of Dajti

Begin the Tour of Tirana City. It starts with a visit at Skanderbeg Square, followed by a stop at the Mosque of Et`hem Bey built in 1830. Visit the new opened Atonic bunker, the Bunk’art2 museum in Tirana opened to the public describing it as a museum throwing light on political persecution during the Albanian communist era. The museum – called Bunk’Art 2 – is also intended as a memorial to the tens of thousands of people who were imprisoned and executed by the communist regime,”   continue with Opera House (National Theater of Opera and Ballet) looks over the Scanderbeg Square. A walk in the main boulevard provides a close sight of the City Hall and a number of Governmental buildings, on both sides. You cannot miss the national gallery of Arts along this walk. After we will visit The Martyrs Cemetery, the monument of Mother Albania, 12 meters high, was inaugurated in 1971. We will continue to Petrela Castle – which dates back to 4th century B.C. This Castle is built on a rocky hill, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view. At noon, we take the cable car (built by the Austrians, European Masters in the business) to Dajti Mountain, 1200m above sea level. A short break for lunch at one of the most panoramic restaurants in Dajti, offers a wonderful view of Tirana lying at the foot of the mountain. “Panorama” Restaurants looks like a big balcony over the capital of Albania. Upon return to the city in the evening, a visit to the former Communist Residential area, with modern bars, restaurants and pubs where the populated by different age groups, especially Albanian youth. Coffee time, in the sky Tower a rotated bar, where you can enjoy a Fantastic view of Tirana. Overnight in Tirana Hotel 4*

Day 3: Tirana – Durres- Berat

After breakfast we will drive to to Durres– the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Dyrrachium. you will visit the Amphitheatre (2nd, century AD)and the Archeological Museum, continue with ss tour of the old town, coffer break and continue to Berat, before reaching Berati, we will stop and visit the Winery of Cobo, were we can try different red and white wine the best Albanian wine,. Continue to the Castle, before we visit the Castle we will have optional Lunch in local Restaurant inside the castle. Berat it is known as the “City of one thousand windows” and is declared a Museum City. Berat, over shadowed to the east by Tomorr Mountain 2415 m, and is an ancient Illyrian settlement founded in the 4th & 5th centuries B.C. on the territory of the Illyrian tribe of Desarettes.The town is composed of 3 parts; Gorica, situated on the far side of the river; Mangalem, situated on the fortress side of the river and the Residential quarter within the fortress known as kalaja. The old part of the city has some religious buildings like mosque and Byzantine churches. . Overnight in Hotel Magalemi Berat

Day 4: Berat- Apolonia  Vlora

After Breakfast we Proceeds to the ancient Greek settlement of Apollonia – (founded in 588 BC). After the visit to Apollonia continue to Vlora – an historical and coastal city. Tour takes you to a sightseeing tour in Vlora and visit the Independence house. Overnight in Hotel Regina Vlora.

Day 5: Vlora- Dhermi-Saranda

After breakfast drive up to Albanian Riviera.Continue climbing to 3,000 feet where you can enjoy the best views, as we drive through the fertile slopes and villages. Drive along Dhermi, Himara coastline and stop for a special lunch in a restaurant, enjoying the wonderful scenery among the pinewoods. 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. Overnight in hotel Brilant or similar. (Few meters from the sea.)

Day 6: Saranda- Ksamil Beach- Butrinti Archeological Site

Today experience an included excursion to Butrinti Archaeological Site, visit the Temple of Aesclepios, the Baptistery, Nymph, The Theatre, Lions Gate, the Acropolis, etc. Lunch in Ksamil Vilage (Sea Site)“ Lekursi Castle restaurant (built on the ruins of an old castle). Balance of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own. Overnight in hotel Brilant Saranda.

Day 7: Saranda- Blue Eye- Gjirokastra

After breakfast we will depart to Gjirokastra City known as “Museum City”. In the way we will make a stop and visit, Visit the “Blue Eye” spring, formed by underground springs and the unusual continue to Gjirokastra city where the dwelling houses have the form of medieval towers constituting a building ensemble with a characteristic architecture.Visit the Castle and the Museum of Weapons. Drive to the museum city of Gjirokastra, birthplace, of the former iron-fisted dictator of Albania, Enver Hoxha. Gjirokastra is a strikingly picturesque town, perched on the side of a mountain above the Drino River. The tour includes the district museum, housed in the building in which Enver Hoxha was born and the pre-Ottoman citadel, a former political prison and now a weapons museum. Overnight in Hotel Cajupi Gjirokastra

Day 8: Gjirokastra- Durres- Lezhe- Shkodra.

After breakfast we drive through Durresi to  Shkodra Northen Albania, towards the town of Lezha where we will be visiting the ruins of the ancient city of Lissus and the Monumental tomb of Skenderbeu, Albanian’s national hero overnight in Hotel Tradita or Carmen

Day 9: -Shkoder-Thethi

After breakfast drive to -Thethi. Departure on an excursion to the Natural Park of Theth. The group will visit the surroundings of Theth, one of the most famous villages of northern Albania for its stunning nature and the traditional houses. The group will walk downhill from the house, and visit the attractions near by the village, including the Church, a tower house used in the past by men as a shelter against ongoing blood feud, the Theth Waterfall, and the Canyon of Grunas. The tour will proceed with a visit to the Cyclopean stone walled terraces dating from the late bronze era, discovered in 2007! Outdoor lunch will constitute of fresh bio dairy produce cooked in the traditional way of the local villagers. Dinner. Overnight in the Guest House in Thethi.

Day10: Thethi-Boga-Shkoder

After breakfast at the guesthouse, we leave Theth to start trekking towards the village of Boga. through the Albanian Alps that connects the villages of Thethi and Boga. After one hour we arrive at the pass. It offers stunning views of Bjeshket e Namuna (The Accursed Mountains). The route continues downhill along the side of Radohima Mountain until we reachthe village of Boga. We have lunch in this picturesque village surrounded by vertical slopes with peaks above 2000m high. We leave Boga village and brings us 50km back to Shkoder. Sightseeing tour of Shkodra, including old town, Catholic Cathedral Rozafa Castle, Dinner and overnight at Hotel Tradita Shkoder

Day 11: Shkodra- Koman Lake- B-Curri- Valbona

In the early morning, we will drive to the ferry, which goes through the spectacular canyon of river Drin. The lake is created, after the construction of the dam of Koman, in the 80-ies.The transfer will continue along the beautiful valley of river Valbona, until the picturesque location of Valbona, where we will stay overnight. Dinner and accommodation: village of Valbona  Hotel Margjeka – the best location to start all kinds of hikes in the surrounding mountains. The lovely little lake on the backyard of the house is the perfect spot to relax after a tiresome day .Overnight in Hotel Margjeka

Day 12: Valbona

After breakfast, we begin our trip to one of the most wonderful natural beauties of Albania: National Park of “Lugina e Valbones” (The valley of Valbona)It has a surface of about 8.000 hectares and is situated 25-30 km in northwest of the city of Bajram Curri. It expands among high mountains and shows off a fantastic complexion of colors in every season, thus giving the image of a valley full of labyrinths and surprises. Its scientific, tourist and health recovering values are combined with a bio-diversity of national and international importance. Its rocky and attractive peaks, the sides covered with wood, the flow of brooks and river Valbona, viewed from above, create the image of a giant and marvelous crater as a small panorama of natural beauty. The nature of this park is full of varieties suitable for tourism, fishing, relaxation, amusing and mountain climbing as well as winter sports. In the inner part of the Park there are a lot of grottos and caves. The most eminent is the Cave of Dragobia, where lay the remains of Bajram Curri, a national hero. Overnight in Valbona .

Day 13: B.Curri – Kruja.

After breakfast drive through virgin nature and scenery we will arrive in the town of Kukesi where we will have a short break in the town. Continue to Kruja, start the tour visit to Kruja–one of the biggest cities in Northern Albania is the “city of history” and the best known as hometown of Albanian’s National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. Visit to the Castle, Skanderbeg Museum and Ethnographic Museum. After the visit of the castle, is free for you to explore Kruja’s old bazaar with authentic and antique shops.

Day 14: Kruja- Tirana Airport- Return Home

After breakfast free time at your leisure or explore the Antic Bazar, before the transfer at Tirana Airport.

Including: Transfers with Modern A/C private car/ bus or minibus with driver on tour ,Good standard Accommodation at 3*,4*  hotels (all parking costs, Professional English-French-German-Italian-Russian or Spanish speaking local guide throughout the  tour, all the museum entry fee. Dinners