8 Days Albania - Ohrid

Day 1: Tirana Airport – Kruja – Durres (70 km - 2hrs.)

Welcome in Albania! Meet the guide and driver at the airport and transfer to the first site, Kruja. Upon your arrival, start touring the medieval fortress of Kruja hill town. The walking tour will take you through the cobble stone pathway of Ottoman bazaar, with wooden shops and displays of various gifts and antique household items. 

Visit within the walls of the castle will include the historic museum dedicated to Scanderbeg and his resistance against the Ottoman invasion. An old house turned to an ethnographic museum will invite you to a unique cultural aspect of life in northern Albania. Continuation to Durres for dinner and overnight 

Accommodation in Dures 

Day 2: Durres – Ardenica – Apollonia – Vlora (180 km - 3h30min)

Today, after breakfast, we’ll start walking along the Venetian Tower and the Byzantine stretch of wall, “the old-and-new-in the same time” promenade of Durres. We’ll explore the ruins of town forum, roman baths, city center, town hall, Roman Amphitheatre and Venetian tower a panoramic display of discoveries and urban planning of this once important city. 

Afterwards, we’ll board the coach and drive for one hour to Ardenica Monastery. 

Enjoy the visit of St. Mary Church, one of the most beautiful Byzantine churches in Albania, dating back to XIII century. After a delicious lunch, at a local restaurant, we’ll head to Apollonia Archaeologic Site. The walking tour of the Apolonia Archaeological Park includes the encircling wall, the monuments of Agonothetes, the Library, the Odeon, the Portico, Archaeological Museum and the Church of St. Mary. One more hour drive to the hotel in Vlora for dinner and overnight 

Accommodation in Vlora 

Day 03: Vlora – Butrint – Saranda (170 km - 5h30min)

Today we’ll have a long drive along the breathtaking Albanian Riviera. Enjoy the scenic mountain ride, descending the rocky shore and pristine beaches of Ionian Sea, offering photo opportunities of the natural landscape, unique village settings, Himara beach town and fortress of Porto Palermo. 

Upon arrival to Saranda, lunch and then visit of Butrinti Archaeological Park, a UNSECO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar Wetland Site of International Importance (two very important titles). 

This impressive walking tour will stir your imagination about the ancient word during the peak of the Roman power and the classical Greek mythology. Start with the Asclepius temple, theatre, Roman portico and baths, early Christian baptistery, byzantine basilica, defensive walls and their impressive gates. After a wonderful walk in Butrinti Natural Park, drive back for 30 min to Saranda.

Dinner and overnight in Saranda 

Accommodation in Saranda

Day 04: Saranda – Gjirokastra – Berat (250 km - 4h30min)

After breakfast at the hotel, board the bus and head to Gjirokastra, on the way stop for visit Blue Eye, a wonderful karst spring located on the western slopes of Mount Mali Gjerë. 

Our journey will continue to Gjirokastra. Upon arrival, start with the visit. Many houses in Gjirokastra have a distinctive local style that has earned the city the nickname "Town of the Stones". Visit of the Castle and explore the old town, the bazaar, with its characteristic shops and great opportunity to interact with local folks. This UNESCO Site has something unique to offer to his visitors. After time for lunch, drive to Berat for 3 hrs. for dinner and overnight 

Accommodation in Berat

Day 05: Berat – Ohrid (195 km - 4hrs)

Today we will visit one of the most important medieval towns in Albania, listed under UNESCO Heritage. The walking tour will explore the ancient fortress, main gates, towers, orthodox churches, the typical architecture of the dwelling sites, bearing 2500 years of heritage and the tour of Onufri Museum, located within St. Mary’s church. 

You may have an optional tour and wine testing to Cobo Winery. Continuation of driving to Ohrid/North Macedonia (Please note border procedures) Dinner and overnight in Ohrid (2 nights)

Accommodation in Ohrid

Day 06: Ohrid – St. Naum – Ohrid  

After breakfast, walking tour of Ohrid old town (UNESCO heritage site), city of light with rich cultural and historical heritage in which a lot of civilizations left their own mark. Welcome to the magical place where on an amazing way the cultural and natural heritage are mixed along with the hospitality, city for which many world searchers of beauty use to call this city – Macedonian part of paradise. The highlight of the Ohrid tour include Church of St. Sophia, St.Bogorodica Perivlepta, St.Pantelejmon – Plaosnik, Old Bazaar and Antique Theatre

Optional boat ride on extraordinary Lake of Ohrid

Afternoon visit to a monastic complex, known for its rich history of orthodox religion, some of the painting achievements and wood carving, displayed within the church of St. Naum, a priest and scholar with a famous legacy.

Accommodation in Ohrid

Day 07: Ohrid – Tirana (135 km - 3hrs)

Today, after breakfast, we’ll travel back to Albania, with stop en route for refreshments. (Please note border procedures). Upon arrival, the target of our visit will be Tirana, the capital of Albania, with a history enriched by the interaction of cultural forces originating in the Islamic and European Christian worlds.

During the tour, you will encounter the impact of these influences in the Tirana’s architecture. The tour will highlight some symbols and remains of the communism era to provide you with a general understanding of Albanian history. Visit National Historic Museum and the Mosque of Et’hem Bey 

Dinner and overnight in Tirana 

Accommodation in Tirana

Day 08: Tirana – Airport (20km – 30min)

Today you will be transported to the Airport for your flight back home

End of Service