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Price: from £1645pp
Duration: 8 Days
Private Guided Tour
- Scheduled to your dates and requirements
More Info:
Single Supplement from £120 | Tailor-made and can be modified to your requirements | 100% Financial Protection
Introducing Albania, a hidden gem nestled in the Balkan Peninsula of Europe. With a rich history, beautiful coastlines, and stunning mountain landscapes, Albania offers something for every traveller. On this 8 day tour, we aim to show you the best of the county.
Explore the capital city of Tirana, with its bustling streets, colourful buildings, and a lively café culture. Check out the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Berat, known as the "city of a thousand windows," and the picturesque town of Gjirokastra, with its well-preserved Ottoman architecture. No trip to Albania is complete without trying the delicious cuisine and we get to sample plenty of great local wood and wine. Indulge in traditional dishes such as tave kosi (baked lamb with yogurt) or byrek (savory pastries filled with cheese or meat).
Why not extend your stay and enjoy the Saranda beaches for some post tour relaxation? If you are looking for a beautiful and sustainable beach vacation, Saranda is the perfect destination. With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and commitment to sustainability, Saranda is a place where you can relax and enjoy the natural world without harming it.
Come and discover Albania with Our Local Tour, a unique and authentic travel destination!
On arrival at Tirana Airport you will be met by your guide and we will set off for the town of Shijak. The half hour drive will take us to the Kronos Agrotourism site, where you can begin your tour of Albania by experiencing some of the areas best local produce. We then continue to Durres where we will stay overnight.
This morning we will visit a small family managed farm, where the cow’s milk is used for the production of cheese. You will learn about the cheese making process as well as getting involved if you wish. We will then continue on to a the village of Fishte for a traditional Albanian lunch. The restaurant offers a peaceful and panoramic view the village. Experience one of the highlights of Albanian Culinary in this family managed restaurant, which provides traditional food prepared in creativity and innovative ways. There is the chance to enjoy a walk through the village to explore before our transfer to Kruja.
After breakfast, our tour leaves for Vlora. On the way we will stop at the Monastery of Ardenica. Inside you can admire the paintings from 1743-1745 by Albanian artists such as Konstandin and Athanos Zografi, as well as Konstandin Shpataraku. We then continue to the ancient city of Apollonia situated on the famous Via Egnatia, one of the most important cities in Roman times. The Roman Emperor Augustus Octavian studied here. Afterwards we continue to Vlora where we visit the Independence Museum, situated in the original house where the first Independent Albanian Government had its offices. The rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.
After breakfast, our tour leaves for Vlora. On thEnjoy your breakfast before we start our drive to Saranda on the spectacular Albanian Riviera looking down at the Ionian Sea. Breath-taking vista await us at the Llogara Pass, one of Albania's most famous places with the road providing one of the most spectacular drives in Europe. We continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint. It’s one of the most important archaeological sites in the country containing different artifacts and structures which date from the Bronze Age up until the 19th century. There are a number of major monuments including the city walls, late-antique baptistery, great basilica, the theatre and Venetian castles. In the afternoon, we will visit Lekursi Castle with its beautiful view of the bay of Saranda and Corfu island.
This morning we will visit a local farm in Xarre (a village near Saranda), an area famous for the production of tangerines and olives. You will be guided through the tangerine fields and olive groves, and can enjoy picking and tasting the local produce. Our trip continues to Gjirokastra but we stop on the way to visit at the Blue Eye Spring, a beautiful fresh water spring that is said to look like a human eye. We continue to Gjirokastra, another UNESCO site and museum town with beautiful and very distinct architecture. The town of Gjirokastra is built on the slope of a hill and is known for its characteristic and narrow coble stone streets. The city was besieged and captured by the Ottomans in the 15th century, but unlike many other towns in Albania it flourished under its new rulers. In the 17th century it had over 2000 houses and was a very important trading town. The castle itself stands like a balcony over the city and gives visitors a wonderful view of the local area.
A morning transfer to Berat and when we arrive in this old UNESCO town we head for lunch in local restaurant. This is a great introduction to Berat as it is located by the old town, in a traditional style building and serves a traditional Albanian menu. After lunch, it is about a 10 minute drive to reach a small village where will meet the locals and explore the fields of figs, grapes and olives. You are welcome to get involved in picking the figs, help with the packing, or even inserting the sugar for jam or dried figs! We end our afternoon with a visit to a local winery where we can enjoy a tasting before heading back to Berat.
We begin the day with a sightseeing tour of Berat. Berat forms a wonderful combination of eastern and western cultures, costumes and traditions. The architecture of the old houses, with large windows that overlook the town, is the first thing that impresses the visitors. Our first stop is the Citadel. It overlooks the river and the modern city as well as the old Christian quarter across the river. The citadel can be reached by a steep road and is still inhabited. Inside the walls, you can visit ruined mosques and several medieval Orthodox churches, all intact and with restored frescoes and icons. Onufri National Museum is located in the inner part of “Saint Mary Church” in the Castle of Berat. This Museum offers a collection of 173 belonging of the founders of Albanian Churches and Monasteries. Having explored Berat, we leave the town and visit a fruit and vegetable farm en route to Tirana. You can decide whether to spend time walking, feeding the animals or getting involved in the daily farm jobs; or have a walking tour of the city, to see the main attractions of the centre.
At a suitable time you will transfer to the airport for your return flight. If there is time you may want to stop for lunch in an agritourism site which offers a farm visit and wine tasting.
Price: from £1645pp
Duration: 8 Days
Private Guided Tour
- Scheduled to your dates and requirements
More Info:
Single Supplement from £120 | Tailor-made and can be modified to your requirements | 100% Financial Protection
✅ Arrival and departure transfers
✅ Transportation as described with A/C
✅ All accommodation as shown in good standard hotels
✅ Daily breakfast (B), plus lunch (L) and dinner (D) as shown in the itinerary
✅ Services of a local expert English speaking guide/driver (For groups of 6 or more we will provide a separate driver and guide)
✅ All Entrance fees as per program
✅ All Visits at local Farms and Vineyards.
❌ International travel to the start and end point - contact us for information and flight options
❌ Any airport taxes
❌ Travel Insurance
❌ Any visa requirements
❌ Drinks
❌ Items of a personal nature
❌ Tips for drivers and guides
Are you looking for adventures that go beyond the guidebook? Ditch the crowds and delve deeper into the country with Our Local Tour's tailor-made holidays, private tours, and small group journeys, all designed and led by local travel experts. From bustling cityscapes to hidden island paradises, we curate immersive experiences across a world of diverse cultures.
Our tours and holidays are carefully crafted to offer a balance of cultural immersion, historical education, and relaxation, ensuring that our clients have an unforgettable journey. Our tours and holidays are all designed and led by local travel experts in the country you are visiting. Speak to a member of our team or send us a message to begin your adventure.
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