Classic Albania Tour

Classic Albania Tour should be on every traveler’s wish list. Albania it has a history at every turn-sun-beaches-museums-time worn towns where one day melts into the next. The miles of Albanian Riviera, endless skies are not only pleasing on the eye, but a magnet for anyone who appreciates the great outdoors. Then there’s Albanian’s themselves exceptionally generous and hospitable. During this tour, you will learn a lot about the Albanian culture and history.

Overview

Day 01: Mother Teresa Airport - Durres

Day 02: Durres - Apollonia - Vlora

Day 03: Vlora - Himara - Saranda

Day 04: Saranda - Butrint - Saranda

Day 05: Saranda - Gjirokastra  -Berat

Day 06: Berat  -Elbasan - Tirana

Day 08: Tirana - Mother Teresa Airport

Day 01: Airport-Durres (33 km, 30 min driving time)

Pick up at Tirana airport and transfer to hotel in Durres, the Albania’s oldest cities situated on a small peninsula on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. After the accommodation, a sightseeing tour of the city and concentrate on the can’t-miss highlights. Overnight in Durres.
To visit:

• The Roman Amphitheater
• Archeological Museum
• The Fortress

Day 02: Durres-Apollonia-Vlora (152 km, 3 hours driving time)

After the breakfast, we will leave Durres behind and head to the ancient city of Apollonia.  Here you can see some monuments like the Encircling Wall, the Bouleterion, the Mosaics House and the Nymphaioum. Lunch will be at “Keshtjella” restaurant in Fier, following with our trip to Vlore. Accommodation at the hotel, dinner will be at Kuzum Baba restaurant, from where you can enjoy the city and the sea.
To visit:

• Museum of Independence
• Flag Square
• Ethnographic Museum
• Historic Museum
• The Mosque of Muradie

Day 03: Vlora-Himara-Saranda (125 km, 2.5 hours driving time)

This day we drive along the Albanian Riviera, which is a coastal area that lies along the Ionian Sea beneath the Ceraunian Mountains in Southern Albania. As we travel we will make a stop to take some trekking to visit the Greek Minority villages. Next stop will be the city of Himare for our lunch break, than we will continue to Saranda, where after the accommodation in the hotel, we will have a walk to the sea enjoying a lovely dinner admiring the magnificent views. Overnight in Saranda.

Day 04: Saranda-Butrint-Saranda (36 km, 1 hour driving time)

After the breakfast at the hotel, we drive to the ancient walled city of Butrint. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, that provides valuable evidence of ancient and medieval civilization on the territory of modern Albania.
To visit:

• The old Amphitheater
• Lion’s gate
• The Basilica
• The sanctuary of Asclepius
• The Theatre

After the visits we will have lunch in Lekuresi Castle. Late afternoon we return to Saranda, accommodation at hotel. Group then left at leisure exploring city on their own. Overnight in Saranda.

Day 05: Saranda-Gjirokastra-Berat (226 km, 3.5 hours driving time)

On this day we will drive to the ancient stone city of Gjirokastra that is one of the most venerable towns in Albania. Following our visits to main attractions, we will have lunch at hotel Çajupi, with great food and fantastic views over the city.
To visit:

• The Castle
• Ethnographic Museum
• Zekate House
• National Museum of Armaments
• Gjirokaster Old Bazaar

Next, we continue towards Berat, known as “the city of one-thousand windows”. Accommodation in the hotel, and the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight in Berat.

Day 06: Berat-Elbasan-Tirana (112 km, 2.5 hours driving time)

After the breakfast and a lovely walk in Mangalemi neighborhood, we will visit the National Museum Onufri, and the Castle of Berat. We continue our trip to Elbasan. We then will stop for lunch at the Antik restaurant in the center of the city. After the break we will drive to the Albanian Capital Tirana. Accommodation in the hotel, followed by the dinner. The rest of the evening at leisure exploring the city.  Overnight in Tirana.

Day 7: Tirana-Kruje-Tirana (61 km, 1.5 hour driving time)

Today after breakfast, meet guide at lobby for a city tour in Tirana, before we continue our trip to Kruja.
To visit:

• National Historical Museum
• Scanderbeg Square
• Et’hem Bey Mosque
• National Art of Gallery
• Castle of Kruja
• Old Bazaar
• Ethnographic Museum

Lunch will be at Old Bazaar. Late afternoon we return to Tirana, for the night.

Day 08: Tirana-Airport (18 km, 30 min driving time)

After breakfast, transfer to Mother Teresa Airport. End of our Service.

Km traveled:  800