Best of Albania Explorer 10 days Tour
Best of Albania Explorer 10 days Tour
Best of Albania Explorer 10 days Tour
10 Days Starting in Tirana and ending in Tirana, Albania
Visiting: Tirana, Kruje, Durrës, Lezhë District, Shkodër, Berat, Vlorë, Apollonia, Qyteti Antik Ilir, Manastiri i Ardenicës, Himarë, Butrint Archaeological Park, Sarandë, Gjirokaster, Mesopotam, Blue Eye, Voskopojë, Korçë, Tepelenë, Pogradec, Lin Pogradec
Tour operator:
Tour code:
736118
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
12-89
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Gluten free
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Tucked away in a little visited corner of Europe lies Albania, a charming and delightful country that few people know much about. For years Albania was a closed society, ruled by the iron fist of Communism, but since the end of the Cold War it has been showing curious travelers its many charms. Explore the crossroads of Europe’s East and West mosaic to cultures inherited in millenniums starting from Illyrians-Pelasgians (which Albanians are their direct descendants), and also Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Slavic and Ottoman inheritance (part of famous ancient via Ignatia road connecting Rome with Istanbul via Durres-Ohrid-Bitola-Thessaloniki, etc.) Visits in fascinating historical cities such as Durres, Tirana, Lezhe, Shkoder. This part of Europe is also blessed with incredible scenery with imposing mountains, pristine lakes and traditional villages tucked away in pretty valleys.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival - Tirana.
Location: Tirana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pickup from Tirana International Airport and transfer to the city. Leisure day. Overnight at Freddy’s Hotel 3* or similar.
Day 2 : Kruje - Durres - Tirane.
Location: Kruje, Durrës, Tirana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we head to Kruja, one of Albania’s most important towns due to the part it played in resistance against the Ottomans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum and castle as well as the old bazaar. Then heading to Durres. This port city, is the most important ancient central mediterranean metropol until medieval time in the 15th century when it got occupied by ottomans until 1912 when Albania proclaimed its independence, and Durres became its capital until 1920. (Durres is also more than 3500 years old (mentioned first time in Odisea where Ulicsus spent part of his time in Taulantia (ancient Pelasgian-Illyrian name of Epidamn-Durrah-Durres) on his way back to Itaka after Troyan war. This city has the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkan region (about 20,000 seats), dating back to the beginning of the 2nd century which we will visit with the ancient city castle wall and byzantine bazaar/forum, Roman public baths, etc. Return to Tirana for overnight. Overnight at Freddy’s Hotel 3* or similar. (B)
Day 3 : Lezhe - Shkoder - Tirane.
Location: Lezhë District, Shkodër, Tirana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, the, next stop will be in Lezha city. In the ancient period it was called Lissus. Visit to its castle and Mausoleum of Skanderbeg (Albanian National Hero). Afterward, we will continue to Shkodra. A nice landscape with highland (Albanian Alps on the north) is a full contrast. City tour of Shkodra, Old Bazaar, Centrum, Cathedral and Mosque. Visit the Castle of Rozafa inside it and we enjoy wonderful views of mountains, Shkodra’s lake, Drini, Buna and Kir rivers with the valleys around from the top of Rozafa castle. Return to Tirana for overnight. Overnight at Freddy’s Hotel 3* (B)
Day 4 : Berat (Unesco)
Location: Berat
Accommodation: Hotel, Hotel Republika 4* or similar
Accommodation Name: Hotel 4*
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we continue to Berat where we have a short visit to Belsh Lake (part of Dumrea group of carstic lakes in central Albania, also so-called little-Toscana). Then we will continue to Berat, one of the oldest inhabited regions of Albania, more than 2400 years old, and with special status from UNESCO. Visit the castle of Berat with the Onufri museum and other churches inside; the Mosque of Berat and the old Bridge of Gorica, Onufri Museum and several churches and mosques. Onufri was an Albanian master painter of the 16th. Many of his wonderfully painted icons still remain in the museum while others can be found in churches in Albania and Greece where he worked. Lunch break in Berat. Then continue to Tirana overnight. Overnight at Hotel Republika 4* or similar. (B)
Day 5 : Ardenica Monastery - Apollonia (Unesco) - Vlore.
Location: Vlorë, Apollonia, Qyteti Antik Ilir, Manastiri i Ardenicës
Accommodation: Hotel, Hotel Partner 4*, Kraal 4* Semajo 3* similar
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3*/4*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive to Ardenica Monastery, a 13th century Byzantine site locally famed for hosting the wedding of the hero Skanderbeg. We will continue 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. Later depart to the coastal city of Vlora. Visit the city, including its old town, independence square and monument, where Albanian independence from the Ottomans was proclaimed on November 28th, 1912. Overnight Hotel Semaja 3* or similar. (B)
Day 6 : Himare - Sarande - Butrint (Unesco).
Location: Himarë, Butrint Archaeological Park, Sarandë
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we continue to the south of Albania, stopping first at Llogara National Park where we enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the Albanian Riviera. Continue via some picturesque seaside villages to Saranda and onto the ruins of Butrint, Albania's most important archaeological site, and a 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 buildings including an acropolis, basilica and palace. The location of the site itself is also very attractive, surrounded by trees and water. Later return to Saranda. Overnight in Sunrays Hotel 3* or similar. (B)
Day 7 : Mesopotam - Blue Eye - Gjirokaster (Unesco)
Location: Gjirokaster, Mesopotam, Blue Eye
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we will continue to Gjirokaster. En route we will make a stop in Mesopotam monastery, built over the ancient temple inside the fortress. Then we then travel to Blue Eye National Park before we reach the UNESCO listed town of Gjirokaster known for its distinct and traditional architecture. We have time to explore this UNESCO listed site, one of the highlights of Albania with an imposing citadel and numerous typical houses. Overnight Bineri 3* or similar. (B)
Day 8 : Permet - Voskopoje - Korce.
Location: Voskopojë, Korçë, Tepelenë
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we continue to Korca via Vjosa River valley, and enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding nature. (Even though the distance is a bit long this day, and the toad has a segment where there is work in progress, it remains a work experience). Lunch break at Sotira Farm. Then continue to Voskopoje. First we will visit Voskopoje. You will see the traditional way of life and some outstanding examples of Orthodox Christian Churches which escaped the destruction of the communist regime. The 18th century church and 16th century monastery in Voskopoja are worth visiting with their original murals and artifacts. The air in this area is renowned to be very clean and people with respiratory problems visit to convalesce. We will return to Korca. Korca is a historic place with rich cultural traditions and some interesting buildings from the Ottoman period, including one of the most important mosques in Albania. On arrival in Korca we check in to the hotel Alysa 3* and overnight. (B)
Day 9 : Pogradec - Lin - Tirane.
Location: Pogradec, Lin Pogradec, Tirana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3*
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast we will travel to Pogradec. On the top of the hill overlooking Pogradec, there used to be an ancient Illyrian fortress known as Encheleana. In the Middle Ages this fortress was reconstructed and the place was renamed by the Bulgarians, who invaded Southeastern Albania at this time. (Pogradec, Pod Grad - the place beneath the fortress). (We will have a short break where you can enjoy walking by the Ohrid Lake). Then we will continue to Elbasan, where we will have another short stop at Lin village (oldest in Europe 8000 years) by the lake of Ohrid. Elbasan was a very important city in ancient Illyrian time, while in Roman empire time was famous as the cross-point of the main road “Via Egnatia” that used to connect Durres-Elbasan-Ohrid-Thessaloniki-Istanbul. City tour to visit: Elbasan Castle (dating back to 4rth Century BC), The Clock, The ethnographic Museum, Church, The Old Mosque. Then we will continue to Tirana. Leisure time to walk in the city. Overnight in Freddy’s Hotel 3*, or similar.
Day 10 : Departure.
Location: Tirana International Airport
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel 3*
Transfer to Tirana Airport for departure. End of services. (B)
What's Included
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Accommodation
Accommodation on standard double occupancy rooms in 3*/4* hotels (as indicated, or similar)
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Airport transfers and all other transfers as per itinerary.
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Fully Guided
English speaking driver/ guide, and local guides in respective countries
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Meals
Breakfast included
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Transport
Transportation with modern AC car/minibus/bus, etc) during all tour itinerary.
What's Not Included
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Optional
Everything not mentioned in “Inclusions”,
Driver/guides tips,
Gratuities and individual daily expenses and porterage, -
Additional Services
All museums and other sites entry tickets as per itinerary
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Insurance
Travel insurance
Optional Extras
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Entry fees in Museums, sites, antique cities, castles etc.
All museums and other sites entry tickets as per itinerary: National Museum in Tirana Skanderbeg Museum in Kruja Skanderbeg Mausoleum in Lezha Castle Rozafa Castle in Shkodra Amphitheater in Durres Onufri Museum in Berat Ardenica Monastery Apollonia Archeological Park Butrint Antic City (UNESCO) Mesopotam Monastery/Temple Blue Eye National Park Gjirokaster Castle Voskopoja St. Nicolas Church Lin Paleo Christian Basilica Elbasan Ethnographic Museum If it happens, that one Museums, sites, antique cities, castles etc., is closed or on restorations we will substitute with another site.
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Single supplement
Single supplement to stay alone in a single room, or a double room used as single.
Please Note
Price assumes the itinerary is purchased "as it is". Minor changes to hotels or hotel add-ons to the beginning or the end of the existing itinerary can be made at no extra charge. Prices are shown in Euro and may or may not include administrative fees, taxes, meals, airfare (where applicable) and Single Supplements. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates and other restrictions may apply.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, Our services are available in English and other local languages
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, airport transfers included
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Do I need Travel insurance?
We do not offer insurance packages but we highly recommend travel protection, it’s important to protect your trip investment and loved ones. We will offer you the best option for your vacation.
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Do you book group travel ?
Yes, we book group travel all the time! We specialize in helping groups of all sizes plan their dream trips. From family reunions to corporate retreats, we can take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy your time away.
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How do I set up the consultation with the Albania Explorer agent ?
To set up a consultation with Albania Explorer's travel expert, you can contact us directly via phone or email us at contact@albaniaexplorer.com. You can even reach us on Whatsapp at +355 68 399 9480 . local operation working hours during week monday to friday : 08.00-18.00 , saturday 09.00-14.00 , Sunday - off.
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Will you available while I am on my vacation?
Yes, we will be available to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have. You can get in touch with us anytime. We are committed to providing the best possible service and helping our clients create memorable vacations that they will always remember.
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Low Deposit
Albania Explorer requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of albania explorer charges.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.