Classical tour of Albania

Arrive to Albania from Mother Teresa International Airport, ( the arrival can also be from any neighbor country as Montenegro, Kosovo , Greece or Macedonia …..)

Explore in the morning the capital city Tirana known for its colorful Ottoman-, Fascist- and Soviet-era architecture. Take a walk along the main boulevard where are found the buildings of Tirana Main University, Presidential Palace, Pyramid building etc. Walk also through the Blloku district. Next approach to the main square of the city, named after our National Hero “Skanderbeg”. Visit the National History museum, E`them Bey Mosque, Clock tower etc. Another interesting experience can be in the Bunk`art 2, a structure that was converted only recently from a nuclear Bunker to a museum describing the communist period in Tirana.

As we leave the crowded Tirana, will have a new experience in the medieval town of Kruja located on the slope of Sari Salltiku Mountain. Take a walk along the old Bazaar known as the best place to find handicrafts. Next proceed to the 6th century fortress were still families live inside. Pay a visit to the Ethnographic museum and History Museum. Return for overnight in Tirana.

From Tirana we travel towards the south eastern part of Albania. Have a first stop in the city of Elbasan, known in antiquity as Skampis. Continue next towards the city of Pogradec, situated on the shore of the Ohrid Lake. It is one of Europe's deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem that is of worldwide importance, with more than 200 endemic species. Possibilities to walk along the promenade of the Pogradec city and enjoy the view. Afterwards proceed towards Korca. It is one of the largest and most important cultural and economic centers of Albania, located in the southeastern part of the country.

The city is known for its typical quarters, composed of low houses and villas, which are paved with cobblestone. The city owns several museums such as the Education museum, The museum of Medieval Arts, Archeological Museum, Bratko Museum etc. There are found in the city beautiful churches to be seen and XV century mosque. Enjoy some free time on your own along the “Bulevardi Republika” or visiting the Old Bazaar part of the city. Overnight in Korca.

This will be an interesting day passing through stunning views of mountainous area of south eastern Albania. The picturesque views become more interesting also from the presence of Vjosa river all along the road till reaching the small little town of Permet . The final destination of the day will be in the museum city of Gjirokastra , which is also one of the three UNESCO sites in Albania.

The city is overlooked by Gjirokastër Fortress, where the Gjirokastër National Folklore Festival is held every five years. It is the birthplace of former Albanian communist leader Enver Hoxha and notable writer Ismail Kadare. Many houses in Gjirokastër have a distinctive local style that has earned the city the nickname "City of Stone", because most of the old houses have roofs covered with flat dressed stones. Gjirokastër features an old Ottoman bazaar which was originally built in the 17th century; it was rebuilt in the 19th century after a fire. There are more than 500 homes preserved as "cultural monuments" in Gjirokastër today. Overnight in Gjirokaster.

Have a first visit in the Blue Eye (Albanian: Syri i kaltër) is a water spring, natural phenomenon. A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a stunning, more than fifty-meter-deep pool. Divers have descended to fifty meters, but it is still unclear what the actual depth of the karsts hole is.

As leaving the Blue Eye, drive towards the Natural Park of Butrint. Due to its importance for the preservation of archaeological and historical heritage, Butrint was designated in 1992 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cultural importance of the landscape and archaeological setting was recognized by the enlargement of the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation to incorporate an area of 2900 ha. Visit to the Old Amphitheatre, the Temple of Aesculapius, the Baptistery with colorful mosaics and the ancient city walls. An old fortress housing a small museum watches over the entire site. Overnight in Saranda.

Enjoy the whole morning some spectacular view of the Albanian Riviera as you travel along the touristic villages of Lukova , Qeparo , Borsh , Himara or DHermi . A first morning stop will be in the place known as Porto Palermo , where is also found the fortress with the same name. The fort served as former Soviet submarine base during the communist regime in Albania, and nowadays its semi abandoned tunnel and barrack attract attention of visitors, as well as the stronghold walls and gates built by the powerful Ali Pasha of Ionina.

Another interesting stop will be in the Llogara National Park, spanning a surface area of 10.1 km2 and the road from Dhermi to Orikum passes through the LLogara Pass , a spectacular winding road, rising up to 1027m. There can be time for lunch in the city of Vlora , known as the place where the independence of Albania was proclaimed in 28 November 1912. Not to be missed is a visit in the archeological site of Apollonia. Visit the amphitheatre, the Monument of Agonotheteve, Odeon, Portic, the Mosaics House, the courtyard of the Monastery where there is found the Byzantine style church of Saint Mary and the archeological museum. In the afternoon arrive to Berat for dinner and overnight.

Dedicate this morning to explore the city of Berat which has its own very special magic, and is easily a highlight of visiting Albania. Its most striking feature is the collection of white Ottoman houses climbing up the hill to its castle, have given the city the title of 'town of a thousand windows' and a Unesco World Heritage site from 2008. Walk along the old neighborhoods of Mangalem and Gorica, and then proceed to the castle area. Visit the Onufri museum . As leaving Berat city , continue next to the ancient city of Durres, that is also the most important seaport in Albania. Visit the Amphitheatre, the biggest in the Balkan Peninsula (capacity 15.000 spectators) with a rare wall mosaic, which belongs to the 2nd century A.D, Dinner and overnight in Durres.