8D7N Discover Albania

Upon arrival in Tirana International Airport, you will be met and assisted for your transfer your accommodation. Rest of the day at own leisure.

After breakfast,travel to Kruja, a key town in Albania's history for its resistance against the Ottomans. Explore the Skanderbeg Museum, dedicated to Albania's national hero, and visit the castle and old bazaar. Next, we'll head to Durres, a port city with significant ancient Mediterranean importance. It served as the capital of Albania from 1912 to 1920. Durres, over 3500 years old, was first mentioned in the Odyssey. We'll see its Roman amphitheater, one of the largest in the Balkans, with around 20,000 seats. Explore the archaeological museum, ancient city walls, Byzantine bazaar, Roman public baths, and more. Return to Tirana.

After breakfast,travel to Kruja, a key town in Albania's history for its resistance against the Ottomans. Explore the Skanderbeg Museum, dedicated to Albania's national hero, and visit the castle and old bazaar. Next, we'll head to Durres, a port city with significant ancient Mediterranean importance. It served as the capital of Albania from 1912 to 1920. Durres, over 3500 years old, was first mentioned in the Odyssey. We'll see its Roman amphitheater, one of the largest in the Balkans, with around 20,000 seats. Explore the archaeological museum, ancient city walls, Byzantine bazaar, Roman public baths, and more. Return to Tirana

After breakfast, travel to Berat, one of Albania's oldest regions, over 2400 years old and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore the Berat Castle, which houses the Onufri Museum and several churches. Visit the Mosque of Berat and the old Bridge of Gorica. The Onufri Museum features the works of Onufri, a renowned Albanian painter from the 16th century, known for his beautifully painted icons found in churches in Albania and Greece.

After breakfast, we'll visit the Ardenica Monastery, where Albanian national hero Skanderbeg married Princess Andronika Arianiti. This Byzantine structure covers about 2,500 m² and includes the Saint Mary Church, the Saint Triad chapel, the konake, the oil mill, the oven, and the stall. Next, Apollonia, founded in 588 BC and noted by Aristotle for its distinct Illyrian and Greek communities. Apollonia played a crucial role in Caesar's civil war with Pompey and early Christian history. Explore its museum, Shen Meri Monastery, and Church. Finally, we'll head to Vlora, where Albanian independence from the Ottomans was proclaimed in 1912. Visit the Museum of Independence before returning to the hotel.

After breakfast, we'll head south to Llogara National Park for breathtaking mountain and Albanian Riviera views. Along the coast, we'll stop at picturesque seaside villages like Palase, Dhermi, and Himara, known for their ancient castles and Byzantine churches. We'll also visit Borsh and the castle of Ali Pashe Tepelena. In Sarande, we'll explore Butrint, Albania's most important archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Butrint dates back to the 7th century BC and has a rich history as a Roman colony, later controlled by the Venetians and Turks. The site features an amphitheater, a Venetian tower, mosaics, the Lion gate, and more, showcasing almost 3,000 years of Mediterranean history. After exploring Butrint, we'll return to Saranda for dinner at Lekuresi Fortress, offering magnificent views of the bay of Saranda and the Island of Corfu. Overnight stay in Saranda.

In the morning, we'll visit the stunning "Blue Eye" National Park with its mesmerizing water spring. Then, we'll continue to Gjirokaster, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its stone houses and cobblestone streets. Explore the castle, Weapons Museum, and the Mosque of Bazaar. Gjirokaster is often called "The Stone City" due to its unique architecture. Finally, we'll head to Durres, Albania's second-largest city, known for its ancient history and Roman amphitheater. Visit the Archaeological Museum before returning.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel lobby for your airport transfer.