Between the Balkans and the Adriatic Sea

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you’ll travel to the Monastery of Ardenica, erected by the Byzantine emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos in 1282 in honor of his victory over the kingdom of Sicily. This Byzantine monument is famous for having hosted the wedding of the famous Skanderbeg.

Continue next to Apollonia, a group of Roman ruins located on a distant hillside that, long ago, gave shape to an important city.

Depart for the coastal town of Vlora, surrounded by the Ceraunian Mountains and bathed by the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Discover the most important sites including the museum*, where the independence of Albania from the Ottomans was proclaimed on November 28, 1912. Overnight stay in Vlora.

Note: the route for this day covers a distance of approximately 120 km.

*The visit to the museum may change depending on seasonal political or cultural events, alternatively there would be more free time.

After breakfast at the hotel, continue your journey to the south of Albania. Make a short stop at a beach town called Himare, and continue on through picturesque coastal villages with time for lunch (not included) in Ksamil, well-known for its colorful and beautiful beaches.

Continue your day with a visit to the ruins of Butrinto, the most important UNESCO archaeological site in Albania. Butrinto dates back to the 7th century B.C., later became a Roman colony and then fell under the rule of the Venetians and the Turks. Explore numerous historical buildings, such as the acropolis, the basilica and the palace.

Make your last stop of the day at Saranda, a tourist center of the Albanian Riviera surrounded by the Ionian Sea and beautiful hills of olive groves. Overnight stay in Saranda.

Note: the route for this day covers a distance of approximately 158 km.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning continue on your journey to Gjirokaster, also known as the Stone City. En-route stop at the hilltop settlement of Mesopotam, first established in the 5th century by the Chaones, a Pelasgian Kingdom in ancient Epirus, but wasn’t inhabited until the Byzantine era. Its 12-feet-thick stone walls were built to protect the ancient residents against Illyrian attacks. The ruins today include a small temple, a theater, remains of houses and Roman cisterns.

Next, travel to Blue Eye National Park, a water spring and stunning natural phenomenon, before reaching the UNESCO listed town of Gjirokaster. Known for the intensive use of stone in the building of the houses, which look like small fortresses and its quaint cobblestone streets, which all lead to the Bazaar. Once you arrive, enjoy free time to explore this less-known city that has been tagged ‘Albania’s best kept secret’. Overnight stay in Gjirokaster.

Note: Estimated transfer distance 64km.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head first to Pogradec, where you’ll make a short stop at Lake Ohrid. Continue to Lin to visit some fascinating ruins and enjoy views of the Balkan mountain scenery with northern Macedonia and Lake Ohrid in the background.

Afterwards, drive to Elbasan, a very important city in ancient Illyrian times and famous for its historical ruins from the Roman and Ottoman periods.Take some time for lunch (not included) near a beautiful castle. Then take a short walk to see the 4th century castle, the clock, the main church and an ancient mosque. Finally, drive to Tirana for your final night in Albania. Overnight stay in Tirana.

Note: the route for this day covers a distance of approximately 165 km.