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Natalie
Travel crafter
A well-rounded tour of Albania! Explore the history of this fascinating Balkan country, a true melting pot of Ottoman, Fascist and Soviet-era successful survival stories that define a now thriving free nation.
Included
All flights
Accommodation
All transfers.
Activities
Breakfast only
Availability
Departures available until October 2023
Available Group tours
Solo travelers from + $470
Add up to 4 nights to your stay
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Categories available
charm included
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Categories Available:
charm
From $1,699
- Accommodation in Charm and Superior category hotels.
Accommodation: 9 Nights
Itinerary
Begin in Tirana, visit castles in Lezhe and landscapes in Shkodra. Continue to Kruja, the home Skanderbeg and medieval Durres. Discover the ancient city of Berat, Ardenica Monastery, Apollonia with its Roman remains and the coastal city of Vlora. Head to resort town Saranda and onto the ruins of Butrint. Visit stone city Gjirokaster, Tepelena Castle and cultural Korca. Finally, discover Elbasan.
Arrive at your US departure airport, ready for a flight* to Tirana, the capital city of Albania. Night on board.
* If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.
Arrive in Tirana, the capital of Albania, known for its colorful combination of architectural styles, pastel buildings that surround the city's focal point, Skanderbeg Square, which is named for its equestrian statue of a national hero. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is at your leisure to start exploring the city. After centuries of wars and invasions, Tirana is a fast developing city full of historically interesting places to visit, as well as a plethora of beautiful churches and lush parks. Check out the museums to learn more about its history, enjoy grabbing a bite to eat in the clock-tower square while you watch the world go by, or a hot beverage in one of the many cafes. Overnight stay in Tirana.
After breakfast, you start your journey toward the city of Lezhe, which in ancient times was called Lissus. Visit the City Castle, first built in the Illyrian era, it was rebuilt by the Venetians in the 1440s and the Ottomans in 1522, and the Mausoleum of Skanderbeg, an Albanian feudal lord and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire therefore considered an Albanian National Hero. Continue to Shkodra, a city and municipality in the northwest of Albania known for its stunning landscapes. Discover this contrasting area with a city tour, in the center you’ll visit the Old Bazaar, the Cathedral and Mosque. Next journey up to the 4000 year old Rozafa Castle, located between two rivers, with views of the city of Shkodra, the impressive mountains and Lake Skadar. After the tour, return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Tirana.
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, head to one of Albania’s most important towns, Kruja, because of the part it played in the resistance against the Ottomans, and for being the home of Albania's national hero Skanderbeg. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum, the Castle perched above the city, as well as the Old Bazaar. Next, head to the port city of Durres. Known in medieval times as the most important ancient central mediterranean metropol until the 15th century when it was occupied by Ottomans, until 1912 when Albania proclaimed its independence, and Durres became its capital until 1920. This city has the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkan region and dates back to the beginning of the 2nd century. During your tour of Durres, visit the Archeological Museum, Ancient City Castle Wall, Bizatine Bazaar and Roman Public Baths. After the tour, return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Tirana.
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, continue with your Albanian discovery toward the city of Berat, known for its white Ottoman houses. On-route, enjoy a quick visit to Elbasan, the fourth most populated city in the country, and then to Belsh Lake which is part of the Dumrea group of carstic lakes in central Albania, also known as little-Toscana. Continue to your destination, Berat, more than 2400 years of age it’s one of the oldest inhabited regions of Albania with special status from UNESCO. Visit Berat Castle, Berat Mosque and the Old Bridge of Gorica, discover the Onufri Museum alongside several more churches and mosques. Onufri was an Albanian master painter from the 16th Century, many of his wonderful paintings still remain at the museum while others can be found in Albanian and Greek churches where he worked. Lunch at a traditional restaurant. After today’s tour, return to Tirana. Overnight stay in Tirana.
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.
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.
Breakfast at the hotel.* It’s time to bid farewell to the historical nation of Albania. At the indicated time, take your transfer to Tirana Airport for your departure and return to the US. Night on board**.
* Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.
** Dependant on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the US today.
11 days trip including flights*
10 days and 9 nights in destination
1
NYC - TIA
2
NYC - TIA
Tirana
3
Tirana
4
Tirana
5
Tirana
6
Vlorë
7
Sarande
8
Gjirokaster
9
Korce
10
Tirana
11
TIA - NYC
* It may change depending of your departure city, departure date and arrival date.
The calendar does not display internal flights, trains or other transportation included in the itinerary.
Included activities
Visit the Castle and Skanderbeg Mausoleum in Lezha
The City Castle, first built in the Illyrian era, and the Mausoleum of Skanderbeg, an Albanian feudal lord and military commander who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire considered an Albanian National Hero.
City Tour of Shkodra
City Tour of Shkodra: Old Bazaar, Centrum, Cathedral and Mosque, Castle of Rozafa and the museum, Shkodra’s lake, Drini, Buna and Kir rivers with the valleys around from the top of Rozafa castle and “Ura e Mesit'' over Kir River.
City Tour of Durres
Known in medieval times as the most important ancient central mediterranean metropol until the 15th century, visit the Archeological Museum, Ancient City Castle Wall, Bizatine Bazaar and Roman Public Baths.
City Tour of Kruja
City Tour of Kruja: visit the Skanderbeg Museum and castle as well as the old bazaar.
The price includes
- Included in all our trips. more information
- Departures from main US airports.
- International flights: US - Tirana - US.
- 9 nights hotel accommodation in Charm and Superior category hotels.See hotels included
- 9 breakfasts and 1 lunch.
- All transfers
- Visits as indicated in the itinerary with an English-speaking guide.See itinerary
- All air taxes and fuel surcharge.
- English speaking guide during all tour itinerary, and local guides (as applicable).
- Escorted tour.
Not included
Drinks, entrance fees,* city taxes and tips and any other services not mentioned in what's included.
We recommend taking cash in the local currency with you on this trip, as withdrawing cash at ATMs is not always possible or easy in Albania. City taxes must be paid in cash directly to the hotels.
Hotel ratings in Albania are not governed by the same standards as those in the US, so please keep this in mind when selecting your desired accommodation category.
Due to the nature of the destination the terrain can be uneven at times, it may require you to walk on a rocky path, and up and down hills.
For wheelchair users this trip is upon request, please contact us for further information.
- Entry requirementsPassport with a minimum of 3 months validity required or ID card.
- VisaNo visa is required to enter the country.
- CurrencyLek.
- LanguageAlbanian.
- ElectricityAlbania operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
- HealthThere are no mandatory vaccinations for travellers from the US.
- Time zoneUTC + 01:00.
- Tourist Office websitehttps://albania.al/
Remember to download your e-ticket to confirm the times of your flights and to complete online check-in using the airline’s website, or directly at the check-in desk at the airport.
Accommodation at the hotels is as indicated. In the event of any changes to accommodation, they will always be of the same or a higher category. The category of hotels is not standardized across all countries in the world. For this reason, the criteria may differ depending on the destination country's own standards.
In the case of adverse weather conditions, for safety reasons or for any other reasons deemed appropriate, the order and duration of the excursions included in the itinerary may be changed or cancelled without prior notice.
If you have reduced mobility/require the use of a wheelchair and prefer to go at your own pace, please contact our customer service team at +1 888-488-0592 or via our contact form.
Pay in installments
60%
At time of booking
40%
60 days before departure