DAY 01 :Overnight in Tirana

Arrival at the international airport “Mother Teresa.” Welcome and assistance from our representative. Transfer and accommodation in a 4* or 4* superior hotel.
• The 4 star hotel is: Hotel Tirana.
• The 4 Star superior hotel is: Rogner Hotel Tirana

DAY 02 : Overnight in the coastal city of Durrës or Tirana (the foreign tour operator decides)

The tour begins in the morning (8.30/45 AM) with the visit to Skanderbeg’s Square – named after the Albanian national hero of the 15th century – one of the most renowned places of the city. Soon, we head toward the Mosque of Et’hem Beg (18th century), a pilgrimage and praying place for nearby and far away people; the Clock Tower (beside the Mosque); the National Historical Museum (north of Skanderbeg Square); the Palace of Culture – all of them important and attractive sites.

Town of Kruja

We leave Tirana and set for the town of Kruja – one of the biggest in north Albania and located at the foot of the mountain – a place full of history, famous for being the home town of the national hero George Castriota - Skanderbeg. Lunch in the restaurant of Hotel Panorama.
Visits in the Old Castle, Skanderbeg Museum and the Ethnographic Museum. Shortly after, the tourists take time to explore the Old bazaar of Kruja, packed with authentic and vintage shops. Then, according to the preferences of the travelers (and their age), the accommodation may take place in Tirana or Durrës. If the overnight is not in the capital of Albania, we proceed toward Durrës – the ancient Greek-Roman port city (Dyrrachium) – and currently one of the biggest harbors of the Adriatic Sea. Transfer and accommodation in Hotel Adriatik.

DAY 03 :Durrës / Ardenica / Berat

We start the tour in Durrës – one of the most ancient cities of Albania with more than 2500 year of history. The legend tells us that it was founded by Epidamnos, the Illyrian king of the area (named after him thereof), whilst the harbor was called Dürrah, after his nephew. The visits include the Byzantine walls, the Venetian Tower, the Roman amphitheatre and the Archaeological Museum. Dinner at the restaurant Vertigo (Durrës).

Monastery of Ardenica – the Arcade and the Bell-tower

The trip continues to Ardenica, where a medieval monastery surrounded by a stone wall is located. There, we can admire the Church of Holy Mary and the Chapel of Holy Trinity.
After a one-hour visit, we head to the city of Berat. Accommodation and dinner in Mangalemi hotel
If “Mangalemi” Hotel is not available, we move to Grand White City Hotel , equally located in Berat. This agreement clause depends essentially of the touristic season (high/low) in Berat. The afternoon is free to explore Berat, a charming and warm-hearted city (one of her boroughs: Mangalemi, is in the List of World Heritage sites of UNESCO).

DAY 04 :Berat / Apolonia / Vlora

Overnight in Vlora. The tour begins in the morning with sightseeing across the extraordinary city of Berat (aka the “City of 1000 Windows”). Visit at the Tekke (Mosque of dervishes) of Helvetis with its beautiful portico. We continue with the Museum of Icons “Onufri” which holds some of the most dignified pieces of his work as well as the works of other outstanding Albanian artists. A lunch break is planned at the Castle restaurant, where we taste characteristic food and savor wine from the wine cellars of the region.

Apolonia ruins

Then we set out to the ancient colony of Apolonia – a site where the Hellenistic and Roman traditions coexisted. A visit in the ruins of the facility and of the Archaeological Museum of Apolonia, is scheduled. After the visit, we head for Vlora – an Albanian historical town which has the second most important harbor of the country. Accommodation and dinner at Hotel Partner.

DAY 05 : Vlora / Dhërmiu / Himara / Saranda

Overnight in Saranda. After having breakfast, we leave Vlora and head for the Albanian Riviera. We drive across a motorway built a thousand meters from the sea level, from which one can enjoy beautiful vistas, fertile slopes and picturesque villages. We continue across the coastline where one’s eyes grasp later Dhërmiu, and Himara. We a have a special lunch break at a restaurant situated in the touristic village of Llogorá, wherefrom the formidable landscape and the pine trees come into view.

View over the bay of Saranda

Following the route, we stop for a short break at the bay of Porto Palermo, where the Venetians erected in former times a castle. We depart for the town of Saranda – built over the hills and in front of the Ionian Sea – which is famous for being a recreational spot and for the archaeological site of Buthrotum. Accommodation and dinner in the hotel Butrinti.

DAY 06 : Saranda / Buthrotum

This day’s experiences include an excursion to the major archaeological site of Buthrotum (part of the World Heritage list of UNESCO), located approximately at 15 kms south of Saranda, on the shores of Lake Butrint and nearby the Greek island of Corfu. During the three-hour stay we visit the Temple of Asclepius, the Baptistery, the Nymphaeum (a shrine dedicated to the nymphs, often with a fountain), the Greek theatre, the early Christian Basilica, the Lions Gate, the Acropolis, etc.

Azure Eye,” Saranda

Back in Saranda for lunch at Paradise Iguana Restaurant
The tour continues with a visit to the “Azure Eye,” a unique spring of turquoise waters formed by underground streams.Later, we have a recess at the Castle of Lëkursi (a coffee- or a glass of wine-break), from where we enjoy the view over Saranda Bay and part of the Corfu Island. The rest of the day is free for personal leisure and relax. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 07 :Island of Corfu (Greece)

After breakfast in Saranda, we are en route to Corfu. There are two options, (a) we travel by ATHS’s coach which will bring us from the Greek town of Igoumenitsa to Corfu (1.30 hr), and available all through the stay on the island; (b) rent a coach from a Greek company. The ferry trip lasts almost an hour in this case.

Part of the Old town of Corfu (bird’s view)

Arrival and accommodation at a 4* hotel. The tour includes visits in the Old town: the Venetian castle, the City Hall, the residence of the Latin archbishop, the Grimaldi headquarters, the Lectures’ Circle, the prefecture, the Ionian Parliament, Palace of Saint Michael and Palace of Saint George. Later, we go for a walk through the main promenade, next to the ramparts, and stare at city’s beauty.

Ponticonissi view

Optional: we can take a boat at the village of Kanoni – and visit Ponticonissi (the Mice Island), a tiny isle rich in vegetation, and its Pantocrator church, where according to mythology, the ship of Phaeacians was turned to stone by sea-god Poseidon.
s A narrow bridge links Kanoni and Perama, worth a visit. Accommodation and dinner at the hotel (Corfu).

DAY 08 : Gjirokastra / Tirana

After breakfast in Corfu, we head toward Gjirokastra, Albania, a town also known as the “Museum Town.” The stone houses located in different boroughs, resemble medieval miniature castles, creating a characteristic architecture.
In the afternoon, we return to Tirana. If the flight back home leaves in the afternoon, we head to the International Airport “Mother Teresa.” on the contrary, after lodging at a 4* or a 4* superior hotel in Tirana, the afternoon is free to explore and stroll around the shops to buy a souvenir.
Dinner at Restaurant “Palma Nova,” outside Tirana, 20 mins by coach.

DAY 9 :airport

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the flight back home. Good trip!

End of services.