All of our arrangements have been specially designed to incorporate a reason to travel and, for ease of choice, these have been categorised under the titles shown below.
7 nights from
£1125
Layer upon layer of eras and civilisations have created the culture, character, and language of Albania, from its 6th century 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 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; Gjirokastra’s stone-paved streets and 600 examples of Ottoman architecture; the mountainous forests and alpine meadows of Llogara National Park, 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.
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.
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.
Stay in the seaside town of Durrës along the Albanian coast, 30 minutes from Tirana. Stay at the AMH Hotel. Breakfast daily. (Available May-13th October 2025)
Extra nights are on request, please call to discuss your requirements
Panorama Hotel - Kruja
(per night) £35
Single supplement £25
Arrival transfer add £33
Opera Hotel - Tirana
(per night) £45 (2025 £50)
Single supplement £30 (2025 £35)
Departure transfer add £25
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 7 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.
Travel insurance, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
Highlights of Albania
A four-night tour, to four fascinating cities, this short break shows you ancient, medieval, and modern Albania. From a well-placed base in Durrës, on the shore of the Adriatic, included excursions take you to characterful Kruja, the capital, Tirana, and beguiling Berat
Balkan Explorer
Touring a trio of intriguing countries, Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia, this journey highlights historic sites, spectacular scenery, and the cities whose heritage monuments and museums tell the tales of their ancient, Ottoman, medieval, and modern eras
Discover Bulgaria
Across Bulgaria’s beautiful landscapes, monasteries, monuments, and museums mark thousands of years of historic heritage. From the Rila Mountains to river valleys and Black Sea shores, this beguiling tour visits stately cities, intriguing towns, and tiny villages
Treasures of Transylvania
A remarkable tour of Romania, this journey begins at Bucharest’s majestic monuments and takes you to medieval towns and rural villages, legendary castles and iconic ‘painted churches’, via mountain roads, river gorges, idyllic landscapes and inspiring heritage
The Balkans Revealed
Covering three countries’ capitals and a kaleidoscope of colours and cultures, this bountiful tour of the Balkans crosses borders and beautiful landscapes, to reveal the ancient sites, artistic treasures, and medieval monuments of Bulgaria, Serbia, and Romania
