Arrival at “Mother Teresa” airport in Tirana. Transfer to the city for relaxing at the hotel or individual exploration.
Dinner and overnight in Tirana.
In the morning departure to Kruja medieval town. This is one of the most visted places in Albania because its history is closely related to the national hero Skanderbeg, who succesfully fought against the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century. Visit in the castle housing the national History museum and the Ethnographic museum to get more info about the history and the traditions of the area. After that, some free time at the typical bazaar where you can find unique handicrafted items, silver jewelry, loomed carpets etc. After lunch transfer to Shkodra. Visit Rozafa castle, overlooking the surrounding area and get to know its sad legend. Then walk in the historical pedestrian street, where the religious objects peacifully cohabitate with each other and get a feeling of the local life.
Dinner and overnight in Shkodra.
In the morning, travel towards Durres, considered the tavern of the Adriatic. In Durres we will visit the Venetian tower and the Roman amphitheater of the 2nd century A.C. Next travel towards Berat, a town which holds the Unesco status. First stop will be in the castle built on top of the hill at a strategic position. Inside the castle visit “Onufri” museum, located in the cathedral “Dormition of St. Mary”. Enjoy a very well-preserved iconostasis and a dedicated area with Icons from Onufri and other icon-painters. Then descent in the lower part of the town. Pass the stone bridge of Gorica built in the 18th century, which connects the two historical neighborhoods of Berat, Gorica which was traditionally a Christian quarter and Mangalem where the Muslim population of the city lived. Take a stroll through the narrow cobbled streets and chat with some locals.
Dinner and overnight in Berat.
Breakfast in the hotel. Travel towards Korca, located in the southeast of the country. Korca is a city which continues to reflect its strong relation with education, literature and arts. Visit the building of the first Albanian School and the largest Orthodox church of the area. The rest of the day is reserved for visiting the beautiful “Old Bazaar”, with its narrow streets, nice small cafes, and colored buildings. Following the restoration of the Bazaar, this area has become the true heart of the city, buzzing will people and energy all day long. Here you can enjoy a Turkish coffee or drink one of the most famous beers, called “Korca” like the city itself.
Dinner and overnight in Korca.
In the morning start the long drive from Korca to Gjirokastra. The road is not the most comfortable but it is worth the scenery and the views. Travel in the heart of the mountains, through frequent and tight turns, accompanied by the deep blue waters of Vjosa river, you arrive in Permet where it is planned a short stop. After refreshing, continue towards Gjirokastra. A Unesco World Heritage Site, the old part of Gjirokaster is famous for being a well-preserved Ottoman town. With its huge fortress overlooking the entire city, the old houses leaning against the slopes of the hills with their beautiful old wooden facades, this place is a must for all visitors. First we will explore the castle which provides a possibility of great views over the city, stores some old armory and a recovered US Air force jet from communist time Albania.
Dinner and overnight in Gjirokastra.
In the morning, continue the sightseeing of Gjirokastra. Visit the ethnographic museum. The ethnographic museum is situated in the Palorto Quarter, which is the best preserved district in the old town of Gjirokastra. The museum building was reconstructed in 1966 after the original house was destroyed by fire. The reconstruction was designed as a model traditional Gjirokastra house with many classic features known to have been copied from particular houses around the city. As we leave Gjrokastra, travel towards Saranda. En route, stop in the natural site of the “Blue Eye”, a water spring where clear blue water bubbles from a depth of more than 50 meters creating a unique resemblance with a human eye. Continue then towards Saranda, located facing the Greek island of Corfu. Enjoy the afternoon.
Dinner and overnight in Saranda.
The first part of the day is reserved for Butrint, one of the most famous ancient sites in the Balkans and Unesco protected. This site has been occupied since at least the 8th century BC although myths associated with its origin, speak of the city’s foundation by Trojan exiles. By the 4th century BC a walled settlement was established, and then it was continuously inhabited and constructed in Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman rules. Visit the theatre, the temple of Asclepius, the Baptistery, the big Basilica, the Venetian castle etc. Then travel to Vlora through the picturesque Albanian Riviera. Photo stop for the castle of Ali Pasha, located a few km from Hirama. The well preserved castle is commonly, but wrongly, asserted, to have been built in early 19th century by Ali Pasha of Tepelena but it was most probably built by the Venetians earlier on.
Arrival in Vlora for dinner and overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Apollonia, located 12km from Fier. Its foundation took place immediately after the foundation of Epidamnus (modern Durres) and quickly became one of the most known cities in the Adriatic basin. Greek settlers found here an Illyrian community and this is why this place was called Apollonia of Illyria. Here you can see some monuments like the theatre, the Monument of Agonothetes, the Agora, the Mosaics House and the church of Saints Mary. In the afternoon arrival in the capital, Tirana.
Dinner and overnight in Tirana.
In the morning sightseeing of Tirana, starting from the Skanderbeg square. Visit in the National History Museum, E`them Bey Mosque, Clock Tower etc. The walking tour can continue then to the main boulevard, the Pyramid building, the Block area etc. Afternoon visit BunkArt2, an ex-communist bunker which was turned recently into a museum showing the history of the country during the communist period. The evening can be reserved with a traditional dinner with folk show in one of the numerous restaurants in Tirana/ or dinner at “Dajti” mountain, a popular retreat during all year around which can offer beautiful views (round trip to the mountain by cable car).
Accommodation in Tirana.