ALBANIA HIGHLIGHTS – TIRANA & VLORA ESCAPE

Meet the driver and the escort at the airport and transfer toward the city. The transfer takes about 35 minutes. Overnight at Tirana hotel.

10.30 – 12.30 City tour of the capital: Start the walking tour toward the main Square, Skanderbeg Square. Here can be seen the main landmarks such as the National Historic Museum and its mosaic; Opera House, Clock Tower, Et’hem Beu Mosque, from there move toward pedestrian area among coffee shops and trees and wander in the vivid area of Kalaja e Tiranes. Leave this area by the Lana River, where the bus will be waiting for you to do the rest of the boulevard at the Nene Tereza Square with main landmarks: The Stadium, the University going further toward Block area, where you can see the Villa of ex-dictator. 13.00 – 13.15 Transfer toward the cable car station and ride by cable car to Dajti Mountain. 14.00 – 15.30 Time for lunch in a local restaurant, overviewing the city. 15.30 – 17.00 Free time in surroundings of the mountain 17.30 – 20.30 Time in the biggest shopping mall in Albania TEG Return to your hotel in Tirana. Overnight at Tirana hotel.

07.30 – 10.00 Time for breakfast 10.00 – 12.00 Pick up from hotel and transfer to Berat 12.00 – 13.30 Visit Berat, a medieval town listed under UNESCO Heritage. We’ll visit the castle that was built on top of a rocky hill. Walking in “the city of 1000 windows” with its narrow cobblestone streets and tilting facades, we imagine ourselves as an extras in a film from the last century. This castle is the pride and joy of the city of Berat. 13.30 – 14.30 Time for lunch on your own 14.30 – 16.00 Afternoon in the city 16.00 – 18.00 Transfer back to Tirana Overnight at Tirana hotel.

07.30 – 10.00 Time for breakfast 10.00 – 11.00 Transfer toward Kruja, the second most visited one in Albania. 11.00 – 13.00 The walking tour takes you through the Ottoman bazaar and wooden shops and displays various gifts and antique items for the home. Visit the castle walls, the Historical Museum dedicated to Skanderbeg (outside), and an old house converted into an ethnographic museum (inside), inviting you to a special cultural aspect of life in northern Albania. 13.00 – 14.00 Time for lunch in a local restaurant. 14.00 – 16.00 Free time in the old bazaar, visit of different handicraft workshops, select among hundreds of souvenirs and wander around the Old Bazaar. 16.30 – 17.30 Transfer back to Tirana. Free afternoon on your own to wander around the streets that you already know. Overnight at Tirana hotel.

07.30 – 10.00 Time for breakfast 10.00 – 12.30 Drive to Vlora. Vlora is known by the name Aulona and was founded in the sixth century BC. It is situated in a beautiful location, in the front of the Karaburun peninsula and Sazan Island, and surrounded by beaches and rocky sand. The city carries historical importance to Albania as it hosted the First National Assembly, which declared the country’s independence from Ottoman rule on November 28th, 1912. The Museum of Independence is dedicated to this historic event. Other museums include the ethnographic and historic ones. Highly recommended is the Muradije Mosque, the only work remaining in Albania from the famous architect Sinan the Great, built in 1542. Free time in Vlora. Overnight at Vlora hotel

07.30 – 10.00 Today, after our breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to the medieval town of Gjirokastra. 12.30 – 14.00 Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town is famous for being a well-preserved Ottoman-style town, with its fortress overlooking the entire city. The old houses lean against the slopes of the hills with their beautiful old wooden facades. It is the birthplace of the notorious communist leader, Enver Hoxha. The city is intriguing and controversial as it preserves all phases of history. Visit the Castle & explore the old town and the bazaar with its characteristic shops, and have the great opportunity to interact with local folks. 14.00 – 15.00 Free time on your own Return back to your hotel in Vlora Overnight at Vlora hotel

08.00 – 09.00 After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a scenic journey to Himare, heading on down the Ionian Coast of Albanian Riviera, the high mountain and fascinated views, passing by National Park of Llogara, then you’ll find one of Europe’s only unspoiled sections of Mediterranean shore, a near – permanently sunny spot, where the twin blues of sea and sky are ripped asunder by a ribbon of grey mountains Stop to Porto Palermo Bay, with its long history of the Mediterranean pirates to the stronghold of Ali Pasha Return back to Vlora Overnight at Vlora hotel

After breakfast, board the car for your transfer back home. (2 hours of driving) Next time, stay a bit longer!!!!