Breakfast at the hotel. Today, travel by land to Ardenica Monastery, erected by the Byzantine Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos in 1282 in honor of his victory over the Kingdom of Sicily. This 13th century Byzantine site is locally famed for hosting the renowned Skanderbeg’s wedding. Continuing from here to the ruins of Apollonia, an atmospheric set of Roman remains on a remote hillside and once an important city in the region. Next, depart to the coastal city of Vlora, surrounded by the foothills of the Ceraunian Mountains along the Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Sea. Discover the most important landmarks in the city, including the Museum, where Albanian independence from the Ottomans was proclaimed on November 28th, 1912. Overnight stay in Vlora.

After breakfast, continue your journey to the south of Albania. Stop on-route at Llogara National Park where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of large alpine meadows, vertical rock faces, precipices and dense forests in the midst of mountains and the Albanian Riviera. Continue via some picturesque seaside villages to Saranda, a resort on the Albanian Riviera sandwiched between the Ionian Sea and hills of olive groves. Continue onto the ruins of Butrint, Albania's most important archaeological UNESCO site. Butrint dates from the 7th century BC, later becoming a Roman colony, then falling under the sway of the Venetians and Turks. Explore numerous historically important buildings including the acropolis, basilica and palace. The location of the site itself is also very attractive, surrounded by beautiful trees and water. After today’s tour, return to Saranda. Overnight stay in Saranda.

Important note: For groups starting their trip to Albania on 20/07/2023 and 03/08/2023 there will be a change of itinerary and instead of spending one night in Saranda and one night in Gjirokastra, they will spend two consecutive nights in Gjirokastra.

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 Finiq, 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.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, stop at Tepelena Castle, once an important residence of Ali Pasha Tepelena, a local ethnic Albanian and powerful Ottoman ruler of the Pashalik of Yanina. Next, continue to Voskopoja, once the center of economic, cultural and artistic development, it’s actually believed to have been one of biggest commerce and trade towns not only in Albania, but in the Balkans. Discover the traditional way of life and some outstanding examples of Orthodox Christian Churches which escaped the destruction of the communist regime and visit the 18th century church and 16th century Monastery. Finally, head to Korca, a historic city with rich cultural traditions and some interesting buildings from the Ottoman period, including one of the most important mosques in Albania. Arrive in Korca and spend the remainder of your day discovering one of Albania’s most beautiful cities and the unofficial capital of culture. Overnight stay in Korca.

After breakfast, travel to Pogradec, a city located on a narrow plain between two mountain chains along the southwestern banks of the Lake of Ohrid. Its climate is profoundly influenced by seasonal Mediterranean and Continental climates. On the top of the hill overlooking Pogradec, visit an ancient Illyrian fortress known as Encheleana, which suffered damages during wars and invasions but is now preserved as a cultural monument. Next, continue to Elbasan, a very important city in ancient Illyrian times, famous for the intersection of historical ruins from both the Roman and the Ottoman periods. Enjoy a city tour where you’ll visit Elbasan Castle, dating back to 4th Century BC, The Clock, The Ethnographic Museum, the main Church and the Old Mosque. Finally, as your tour draws to a close, head back to Tirana. Once you arrive and check-in to your hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure to explore. Overnight stay in Tirana.