Unspoilt, uncrowded, and unique in its culture, Albania is a treasure chest of ancient cities, mystical mountains, museums, castles and coastline, its feast of Ottoman architecture the jewel in its crown. This tour lifts the lid on its riches, of heritage and of nature
(limited dates/availability)
6 November 2023
4 November 2024
Kruja - 1 night
Berat - 2 nights
Saranda - 2 nights
Gjirokastra - 1 night
Tirana - 2 nights
Layer upon layer of eras and civilisations have created the culture, character, and language of Albania, from its 6thcentury BC Illyrian origins, to Greek and Roman, Turkic and Slav settlement. Travelling through its past and present, amid splendidly scenic landscapes, the route covers every facet of this fascinating country, from ancient citadels to an astonishing anti-nuclear bunker, from a cable-car up Dajti Mountain to a woodland walk at the Blue Eye spring, from medieval tower-houses to water’s edge cafés in coastal villages, from fortresses to rock hewn tombs. The tour takes in atmospheric Berat, with its Byzantine churches and medieval citadel; the 2ndcentury Roman amphitheatre and Venetian castle tower of seafront Durrës; Gjirokastra’s stone-paved streets and 600 examples of Ottoman architecture; the horseshoe bay and hillside tiers of houses in Saranda, and the nearby forest ruins of ancient Butrint. With the fortresses of Porto Palermo and of Kruja, home of the 15thcentury nobleman and national hero Skanderbeg; it spends time too in the Illyrian sites of Apollonia and Bylis; and in the capital, Tirana’s broad boulevards, brightly painted buildings, utilitarian architecture and modernist museum.
Cultural & Countryside Tour
Jules Verne Sightseeing
2 UNESCO Heritage Sites
No Single Supplement
Solo Group Departure
Local Expert Guide
Visit an Albanian family in Dhoksat village and learn about their life and history followed by a home cooked lunch. Dhoksat is an authentic village in the region of Lunxhëri, close to Gjirokastra. The village has preserved its original cobblestone roads and traditional houses. You will be warmly welcomed.
Day 1 Fly to Tirana and transfer to Kruja, the former capital when Skanderbeg led the resistance movement against the Turks, keeping them at bay for 25 years. Overnight at the 3-star Hotel Panorama.
Day 2 Visit the Ethnographic Museum and the Skanderbeg Museum, within Kruja castle, before travelling to the 15,000-seat amphitheatre of Durrës. Continue to Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage town, renowned for its 16th-century mosques and tiers of multi-windowed Ottoman houses. Two nights at the 3-star Hotel Mangalemi or similar. (B, D)
Day 3 Visit Berat’s citadel castle, crowning the hill, and the Onufri Museum – a celebrated 16th century artist, Onufri’s work includes the interiors of many of Albania’s Orthodox churches. Enjoy a visit to a local home for Turkish coffee and raki. (B)
Day 4 Travel to the ancient ruins of Roman Appolonia, where the Emperor Augustus Octavian studied, and visit the site’s old Orthodox monastery, now the museum. Continue to the Independence Museum in Vlora, and along the superbly scenic Albanian Riviera, crossing the Llogara Pass enroute to Porto Palermo’s Ali Pasha fort, and onward to Saranda for two nights at the 4-star Hotel Brilant or similar. (B)
Day 5 Visit UNESCO listed Butrint, the ancient city nestled amid luxuriant greenery on its beautiful peninsula. First settled by Greek colonists, its ruins are evidence of many centuries of continuous inhabitation. Continue to Lekuresi castle for spectacular views of the Bay of Saranda and across to the island of Corfu. (B)
Day 6 Begin today’s tour with a drive to the medieval ‘Museum City’ of Gjirokastra, its characterful tower-houses clinging to the mountain slope beneath its crowning castle. Visit the Castle and Ethnographic Museum. Lunch at a village home in Dhoksat. Overnight at the 4-star Hotel Argjiro (4-star Hotel Fantasy for 25 Sep & 16 Oct). (B, L)
Day 7 Drive to the ancient site of Bylis, overlooking the timeless landscape from its hillside setting; and continue to the capital, Tirana, for two nights at the 4-star Hotel Opera. Enjoy dinner at an organic farm. (B, D)
Day 8 Visit the World Headquarters of the Bektashi liberal sect of Islam; and experience summit and sub-terranean sights with a cable-car ascent (1,613m) of the Dajti Mountain for spectacular views of the city, and a visit to Bunk’Art, the huge, four-storey anti-nuclear bunker hewn into a hill. A walking tour in Tirana focuses on the Bllok area, a former exclusive enclave of villas for the communist elite; and visits Komiteti Communist Museum Bar. (B)
Day 9 Visit to the National History Museum. Transfer to the airport for return flight. (B)
Notes
This is a full itinerary with many visits on foot including some uneven surfaces and inclines.
Most of the travelling is along a well-established road network but some minor roads may be in poor repair.
The order of sightseeing might change depending on flight schedule.
Day 1 Fly to Tirana and travel to the 15,000-seat amphitheatre of Durrës. Continue to Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage town, renowned for its 16th century mosques and tiers of multi-windowed Ottoman houses. Two nights at the 3-star Hotel Mangalemi or similar. (B, D)
Day 2 Visit Berat’s citadel castle, crowning the hill, and the Onufri Museum – a celebrated 16th century artist, Onufri’s work includes the interiors of many of Albania’s Orthodox churches. Enjoy a visit to a local home for Turkish coffee and raki. (B)
Day 3 Travel to the ancient ruins of Roman Appolonia, where the Emperor Augustus Octavian studied, and visit the site’s old Orthodox monastery, now the museum. Continue to the Independence Museum in Vlora, and along the superbly scenic Albanian Riviera, crossing the Llogara Pass enroute to Porto Palermo’s Ali Pasha fort, and onward to Saranda for two nights at the 4-star Hotel Brilant or similar. (B)
Day 4 Visit UNESCO listed Butrint, the ancient city nestled amid luxuriant greenery on its beautiful peninsula. First settled by Greek colonists, its ruins are evidence of many centuries of continuous inhabitation. Continue to Lekuresi castle for spectacular views of the Bay of Saranda and across to the island of Corfu. (B)
Day 5 Begin today’s tour with a drive to the medieval ‘Museum City’ of Gjirokastra, its characterful tower-houses clinging to the mountain slope beneath its crowning castle. Visit the Castle and Ethnographic Museum. Lunch at a village home in Dhoksat. Overnight at the 4-star Hotel Argjiro. (B, L)
Day 6 Drive to the ancient site of Bylis, overlooking the timeless landscape from its hillside setting; and continue to the capital, Tirana, for two nights at the 4-star Hotel Opera. Enjoy dinner at an organic farm. (B, D)
Day 7 Visit the World Headquarters of the Bektashi liberal sect of Islam; and experience summit and sub-terranean sights with a cable-car ascent (1,613m) of the Dajti Mountain for spectacular views of the city, and a visit to Bunk’Art, the huge, four-storey anti-nuclear bunker hewn into a hill. A walking tour in Tirana focuses on the Bllok area, a former exclusive enclave of villas for the communist elite; and visits Komiteti Communist Museum Bar. (B)
Day 8 Visit to the National History Museum and transfer to Kruja, the former capital when Skanderbeg led the resistance movement against the Turks, keeping them at bay for 25 years. Overnight at the 3-star Hotel Panorama . Visit the Ethnographic Museum and the Skanderbeg Museum, within Kruja castle. (B)
Day 9 Transfer to the airport for return flight. (B)
Notes
This is a full itinerary with many visits on foot including some uneven surfaces and inclines.
Most of the travelling is along a well-established road network but some minor roads may be in poor repair.
The order of sightseeing might change depending on flight schedule.
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A traditional 3-star hotel in the centre of Kruja, with great views to the castle. Restaurant, bar, WiFi (free) and 75 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-fridge and satellite TV.
A 3-star hotel built on the ruins of Turkish mansions in the historic centre of Mangalem Quarter, close to the town centre. Restaurant, bar, WiFi (free) and 19 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar and satellite TV.
4-star hotel close to the town's main boulevard. Bar, WiFi (free) and 33 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar and satellite TV.
A modern 4-star hotel in traditional style, situated in the main square, at the entry of the bazaar. Restaurants, bar, WiFi (free) and 30 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer and satellite TV.
A comfortable 4-star hotel in the centre of Gjirokastra. Restaurant, bar and WiFi (free). 25 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-fridge and satellite TV.
An elegant 4-star hotel close to Skanderbeg Square. Breakfast room, WiFi (free) and 52 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, mini-bar and satellite TV.
Durrës Extension
Spend three nights at the seaside town of Durrës along the Albanian coast, 30 minutes from Tirana. Stay at the Royal G Hotel and Spa. Breakfast daily.
Day 1 Transfer to 4-star Royal G Hotel and Spa for a three-night stay. (B)
Day 2 At leisure. (B)
Day 3 At leisure. (B)
Day 4 Return flight. (B)
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A modern 4-star hotel in Durrës, close to the seaside with beach access. Restaurant, bar, pools, gym, spa, sauna and WiFi (free). 110 air-conditioned rooms with sea view, hairdryer, safe, mini-fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, satellite TV and balcony.
Mondays/Tuesdays
per person in a twin/double room
British Airways from Heathrow
(limited dates/availability)
6 November 2023
4 November 2024
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
(limited availability)
2023: Oct 30
Solo Group Departures
(No Single Supplement)
2023: Nov 6
Single supplement £175 (May - Oct 16 & Nov £185)
Flight Options
British Airways Club Europe - On request
Extension Options
Extension - Durrës
(Available: May - Oct)
Royal G Hotel and Spa
3 nights £195 (Jun-Sep 11 £220)
Single supplement £100
Extra Nights - Kruja
Panorama Hotel (per night) £35
Single supplement £20
Extra Nights - Tirana
Opera Hotel (per night) £40
Single supplement £70
Departure transfer add £20
Privately Guided
Add £825 per person
Tour Only
Save £225
Arrival transfer add £25
Departure transfer with group included
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 8 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 2 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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