Classical Highlights of Albania 7 Days Tour

After breakfast we drive to Shkodra (1.5 hr) the most important town of north Albania. Visit Rozafa Castle from where spectacular views all around can be admired. We will understand why the Ilirians chose this hill to built such an imposing castle.

We will also visit the Marubi Photographic Museum with a selection of prints of negatives taken in starting from the second half of the 19th century till the 1900-s, illustrating the life of the population of the area in that period. Take a walk in the newly renovated pedestrian area typical architecture representing the city of Shkodra.
After that we will continue our trip to Kruja. Kruja is situated north – East of Tirana, 560m above sea level on the slopes of Sari – Salltiku Mountain. Kruja has been inhabited since the 3rd century B.C. It was mentioned for the firs time as a Christian religious centre in the year 879.

The famous English painter, Edward Lear, who visited Kruje in 1848, wrote: “Kruje, a charming little town all up in the sky”. Visit the fortress, Skanderbegs Museum, Ethnographic museum. After Kruja we return to Tirana (40 min drive). Overnight in Tirana

After breakfast we will drive to Apollonia, situated 12 km from the city of Apollonia. It was found at the beginning of the 7th century BC by the Greek colonists coming from Corinth and Corcyra. Apollonia was in Roman times, a large and flourishing city near Aos river (today Vjosa).

Of great interest to be visited are: The Encircling Wall, the monuments of Agonothetes, the Library, the Odeon, the Portico, the house with mosaics, The Museum of Apollonia, the Church of St. Mary. 
After will continue to Vlora city. Time for lunch in Vlora. Later we will start the city tour (afternoon) to visit Independence Museum, Monument of Independence, erected in Sheshi i Flamurit (The Square of the Flag).”Kuz Baba” building of the Bektashi sect. This spot offers a unique view not only of the town, but also of the entire Vlora Bay. Overnight in Vlora.

After breakfast we leave Vlora direction Saranda, passing through Albanian Riviera and Radhime bay is one of the most fantastic area of Vlore bay. The evergreen hills, the golden beaches, the crystal water and clear air are the treasury of our country.

The only functioning Yacht port in South Albania positioned in this part of Albanian Riviera. Continue driving along the high mountain and fascinated view of Albanian beauty and arriving to LLogara national park Llogora is located 42 km south of Vlore. The park is covered by colored intense pine forest.  Leave Llogara and continue our trip, where the guest will be faced with other traditional Villages like, Dhermi, Himara.

We will make a short stop at the fortress of Ali Pasha a fortification used to control the sea trade routes.

Then we continue past Saranda, to the ancient city of Butrint a UNESCO world heritage site and the most important archaeological discovery in Albania. The city was first settled by Greek colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers of several eras of civilization. After the visits we return to Saranda for overnight.

After early breakfast we drive to Berat. On our way we will visit Gjirokastra, a UNESCO site and museum town with beautiful and very distinctive architecture.

Visit the medieval Castle which used to be a political prison during the communist dictatorship and the Ethnographic Museum which is also the house the Albanian dictator was born in.
We leave Gjirokaster towards Berat. We suggest to have Lunch some traditional restaurants on the road.

In Berat we check in at the hotel and the group will have some free time to explore Berat. Overnight in Berat. This is a unique experience because houses are up to 300 years old and now are turned to hotels.

After breakfast we visit the Castle and the Onufri Museum in Berat. Berat castle is of particular interest as people still live within its walls in their traditional houses. The castle used to have over 30 churches of which 6 still remain, excluding one turned into Onufri Museum.

Onufri was an Albanian painter of the 16th century who painted many orthodox churches in Albania and Greece. We will continue our trip to Durres one of the oldest (founded in 627 B.C.). Possible lunch near the sea. After lunch we will visit the city, the Amphitheatre situated in the middle of the modern city in an inhabited area, and the Archaeological museum.

The city of Durres (Dyrrhachium is the most ancient and one of the most economically important cities of Albania. This is the starting point of the ancient road “VIA EGNATIA”. Being one of the most ancient cities. The city was colonized by the Greeks in 627 B.C. Named Epidamnos, which later became Dyrrachium. After a great number of earthquakes, the main part of old town sank into the sea or collapsed and was subsequently built over. 

After Durres we return to Tirana for overnight.

After breakfast we drive to the Airport. End of our Service.