Albania - 12 day tour

Welcome to Albania! Upon your arrival at Tirana airport, you'll be greeted by our local guide who will escort you to your hotel in the city. Spend the rest of the day settling in and preparing for the exciting journey ahead.

Kickstart your adventure with a guided tour of Tirana. Starting from Skanderbeg square, you'll visit the National History Museum, Ethem Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower. The tour continues to the main boulevard, the Pyramid building, and the Block area. In the afternoon, we'll explore BunkArt 1, a former cold war bunker turned museum that provides a detailed background of Albania during the communist era. After a day of exploration, rest and recharge at your hotel in Tirana.

After breakfast, we'll journey to the largest lagoon in Albania, Karavasta. Nestled within the National Park Divjake-Karavasta, this lagoon is a haven for migratory birds and home to the Dalmatian Pelican. Enjoy a boat trip on the lagoon before heading to the coastal city of Vlora. Here, we'll visit the Independence Square before settling into our accommodation for the night.

Today, we'll embark on a scenic journey along the Albanian Riviera. Our first stop is the Llogara National Park, where you can relax and enjoy a short hike. We'll then drive through quaint coastal villages, stopping at the charming village of Dhermi. Here, we'll explore the old cobbled streets, visit small churches, and take a walk to St. Mary's Church for a breathtaking view of the Ionian Sea. Our day ends in the city of Saranda, where we'll spend the night.

Our journey continues to Butrint, one of the most famous ancient cities in the Balkans and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll explore the Old Amphitheatre, the Temple of Aesculapius, and the ancient city walls. Afterward, you'll have some free time to relax on the beautiful Ksamil Beach or take an optional tour of Butrint Lake. We'll then return to Saranda for the night.

After breakfast, we'll travel to the magical Blue Eye, a water spring surrounded by lush greenery. From there, we'll head to Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture. We'll visit the imposing Gjirokaster Castle and the Skenduli House, a traditional house turned museum. Spend the rest of the day exploring the cobbled streets and local shops before retiring to your hotel for the night.

Today, we'll transfer from Gjirokastra to Permet. Our first stop is the village of Leusa, where we'll visit the 18th-century Saint Mary's Church. After a two-hour hike, we'll head to the Benja Thermal Waters, known for their healing properties. Spend the afternoon relaxing in these natural sulphur springs before checking into your hotel in Permet.

After breakfast, we'll travel to Korca, a city known for its strong ties to education, literature, and arts. Here, we'll visit the building of the first Albanian School and the largest Orthodox Church in the area. The rest of the day is reserved for exploring the Old Bazaar, a vibrant area filled with narrow streets, quaint cafes, and colorful buildings. Enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee or a glass of the famous Korca beer before retiring to your hotel for the night.

In the morning, we'll transfer to Voskopoja village, a former economic and cultural center of the region. We'll walk through the village streets and visit the St. Nicholas Church. You'll also have the opportunity to participate in a cooking class with the locals and learn how to prepare 'lakror', a traditional local pie. After lunch, we'll cross the border into North Macedonia and head to the city of Ohrid, where we'll spend the night.

After breakfast, we'll start our city tour of Ohrid, known as the city of 365 churches. We'll visit the St. Sophia Church, Kaneo, and the old medieval city. Later, we'll visit the Sv. Naum Monastery, one of the most beloved saints in Macedonia. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on the lake and a dinner in a panoramic restaurant. We'll then return to our hotel in Ohrid for the night.

After breakfast, we'll drive back to Albania and head to Berat, a unique town protected by UNESCO. We'll visit the castle built on top of the hill and the Onufri Museum located inside the cathedral. We'll then descend to the lower part of the town, passing the 18th-century Gorica Bridge. Spend the afternoon hiking at Gorica Hill and enjoy stunning views of the town. After a day of exploration, rest and recharge at your hotel in Berat.

After breakfast, we'll check out from the hotel and transfer to Tirana airport for your flight back home. As we drive, reflect on the unforgettable experiences and memories made during this 12-day journey through Albania and North Macedonia.