Visit Albania and North of Greece

Visit Albania and North of Greece

Discover the most beautiful sites in Albania, northern Greece - rich in architecture and history, with stunning archaeological sites that blend contemporary cultures with ancient civilization.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tirane Airport - Tirana

Stop At: Skanderbeg Square, At the center of Tirana, Tirana Albania
Meet at airport and transfer to Tirana for a visit at the National Museum of History which is a great introduction to the history of the country and its people. Afterwards take a tour of the major sites of Tirana, including the colorful buildings the Albanian capital is now recognized for. The dull grey communist architecture buildings have been transformed into modern art canvases through splashes of bright colors and abstract shapes. An ingenious way of uplifting the facades and the moods of the inhabitants. Overnight in Tirana
Duration: 3 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Tirana

Day 2: Tirana – Apollonia – Vlora

Stop At: Apollonia Archaeological Park, Pojan Albania
After breakfast depart to Apollonia one of the most important ancient learning centers in Roman times on the famous Via Egnatia. Due to its fame and importance Caesar chose to send his nephew Augustus Octavian to study oratory there which is testimony to the importance of this ancient city. After the visits, continue on to Vlora where in the centre we have a look at Muradie Mosque, one of the early works of the famous architect Sinan of Albanian origin who designed the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. After lunch drive to a beautiful natural island where we visit the Monastery of Zvernec amongst wonderful nature. Overnight in Vlora.
Duration: 8 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Vlora

Day 3: Vlora – Butrint (UNESCO) – Saranda

Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
After breakfast we depart to Saranda through the spectacular Albanian Riviera with its traditional villages. At Llogara National Park we stop at around 1100 metres where spectacular views of the Ionian Sea can be admired. We continue and make a visit at the castle of Ali Pasha at Porto Palermo. Lunch on your own can be enjoyed here in one of the fish restaurants overlooking the castle and the beautiful turquoise sea. After lunch we will proceed to visit to the ancient city of Butrint-another UNESCO world heritage site. The city was first settled by Greek colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers of different civilizations, making it an important discovery in the Mediterranean. It is situated in a beautiful peninsula among dense vegetation offering visitors more than just old ruins. Overnight in Saranda.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Saranda

Day 4: Saranda - Ioannina (Greece) - Meteora

Stop At: Meteora, Meteora, Trikala Region, Thessaly
Depart to Ioannina, Greece, where we will visit the castle of Ali Pasha in the centre of Town, the burial place of the pasha and the Mosque turned into his museum. Then we depart to Meteora, a wonderful monument of nature complemented by the ingenuousness of man. Breathtaking rocks hundred of meters high situated in the middle of vast lowlands which seem to have fallen off the sky, very likely the word Meteora has been purposely been used based on this impression the rocks give to anyone who sees them. These rocks which on their own are stunning enough carry on their backs wonderfully crafted monasteries which make for a monumental interaction between nature and man which never ceases to impress new and repeat visitors to this place. The most famous and probably the best monastery out of all Meteora monasteries, the Great Meteora Monastery or as it is known locally the Megalo Meteoro Monastery or Metamorphisis. We will visit some monasteries and then overnight in Kalambaka just below the Meteora rocks. Overnight in Meteora.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Kalambaka, Meteora

Day 5: Meteora - Gjirokastra (UNESCO)

Stop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Albania
In the morning we depart for Gjirokastra, a Museum Town under the protection of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site with beautiful and very distinct architecture. In Gjirokastra we will visit the Castle, part of which was turned into a political prison for dissidents of the communist regime and the Arms Museum. Visit to the Ethnographic Museum, which is also the house the Albanian dictator was born in, as well as a 300 year old house next to it, where the grandeur of Gjirokastra’s master builders can be observed. Overnight in Gjirokastra.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Gjirokastra

Day 6: Gjirokastra (UNESCO) - Berat (UNESCO)

Stop At: Berat Castle, Rruga Mihal Komnena, Berat 5001 Albania
After breakfast drive to Berat another wonderful town and UNESCO site. Visit the Castle, Onufri Museum and several churches and mosques. Onufri was an Albanian master painter of the 16th century who had a preference for a particular red colour he used so much that it is known today as the Onufrian Red. Many of his wonderfully painted Icons still remain in the museum while others can be found in churches in Albania and Greece where he worked. We have a homemade lunch in Berat (optional). After the lunch, in the downtown we visit the Leaden Mosque, the King’s Mosque, the Bachelor’s Mosque and the Alveti Tekke. Also we will pay a visit to a local family to see how life is today in the Berat old quarter. Overnight in Berat.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Berat

Day 7: Berat (UNESCO) - Durres - Tirana

Stop At: Durres Amphitheatre, Rruga Kalase, Durres Albania
After breakfast we depart for Durres one of the oldest (founded in 627 B.C.) and most important cities in Albania
What to Visit: Durres Amphitheater, the biggest in the Balkans it also features renovated iconography works. Durres Ancient City Wall and Medieval Hammam are located inside and around the wall, Venetian Tower (Rotonda) is a circular tower at the city center built in the 16th century with a restaurant on top ,Archaeological Museum featuring archaeological artifacts found in and around the area. Then we drive to Tirana and overnight in Tirana
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Tirana

Day 8: Tirana - Tirana Airport

Stop At: Tirana East Gate, Rruga e elbasanit, km 5 Rruga e Elbasanit, Tirana 1001 Albania
After breakfast transfer to Airport.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.