The territory of Albania has been inhabited since Antiquity. Traces of life from the period of middle and late Paleolithic (100 000 – 10 000 years ago) are found in Xare, as well as in the Cave of Saint Marina in Saranda. Albanians are the direct successors of the Illyrians. The Illyrian tribes stretched along the Western part of the Balkans, and they reached the rivers Sava and Danube in the North, the rivers Morava and Vardar on the East (the border line with Thrake), and the mountain-chain of Pindi in the South and South-East (the border with the Greeks and Macedonians).
Day 01 Tirana – Kruja (40 Kms / 50M appx.)
Arrival at Tirana airport meet, assist and transfer to Kruja the historic citadel of the Albanian hero Skanderbeg. Visit of the castle , skanderbeg museum and the old bazar in which buy authentic Albanian antiques and souvenirs. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 Kruja – Durazzo – Berat (132 Kms / 2H 10M appx.)
After breakfast, transfer to Durres one of the most ancient cities in Albania and main commercial port. Visit of the fortress with a Venetian tower, the amphitheatre (one of the biggest in the Balkan Peninsula), the Archaeological museum. Continuation to Berat. The most striking feature is the collection of white ottoman houses that climb the hill to the castle, earning it the title of “ Town of a thousand windows”. Visit the Onufri Museum, Bachelors Mosque, The King’s Mosque, The Leaden Mosque. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Berat – Apollonia – Byllis – Girokaster (182 Kms / 3H 15M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to Apollonia Archaeological Site – this ancient site was an important port along the route between Rome and Byzantium. Emperor Augustus studied there, and Aristotle mentioned the town in his book on politics. We continue to Byllis. It was the largest city in Southern Illyria and it has a dominance position over the hills of Mallakastra and over the valley of Vjosa. The city’s origins date back to the fourth century BC, when it was founded by the Illyrians. The original set of walls, whose foundations remain to this day, were built by the Illyrians during the third century BC. The ruins cover a vast area, in a triangular shape, for about two kilometers. We continue to Girokaster. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 Girokaster – Blue Eye – Sarande (88 Kms / 2H 35M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to visit the Girokaster : many houses have a distinctive local style that has earned the nickname “ Town of stone “ , because most of the old houses have roofs covered with stones ( Unesco World Heritage ). Great importance Museum of Weapons, Enver Hoxha house and the castle. We continue and we admire “ Blue Eye “ is a water spring and natural phenomenon occurring near Muzine. A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a stunning, more than fifty-metre-deep pool. Divers have descended to fifty metres, but it is still unclear what the actual depth of the karst hole. Arrive in Sarande, visit of the city: Ohnemois’s ruins, Orthodox Church and promenade. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 Sarande –Butrint – Sarande (28 Kms / 46M appx.-ONE WAY)
After breakfast, proceed to discover Butrint. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration, then a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area. The present archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city’s development. Visit Lekurski’s castle . Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 Sarande–Porto Palermo–Valona–Tirana (150 Kms/6H 25M appx.)
After breakfast, proceed to we drive to Vlora along mountain road of Albanian Riviera enjoying the beautiful and fantastic scenery and landscapes of Ionian Coastline – enroute you can see the Ali Pasha Fortress at Porto Palermo bay follow on to Vlora through Llogara Pass (3500 feet above Sea level). We continue our trip to Vlora where we visit the Independence Museum that is still situated in the original house, where the first indipendent Albanian Government had its seat.Upon arrival in Tirana, Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Tirana
After breakfast, proceed to visit the capital city of Albania, a conglomeration of Communist, Ottoman and Italian influences, the Albanian capital of Tirana is always evolving. Simply fascinating, Tirana represents both the past and the future of Albania. Guided tour of the city center including Skanderbeg square and its clock , boulevard, national museum, cemetery of heroes. Free afternoon to explore Tirana. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Depart Tirana
Departure transfer to onward destination.
| City | Nights | 5* Hotels |
| Kruja | 01 | Hotel Panorama |
| Berat | 01 | Hotel Mangalemi |
| Girokaster | 01 | Hotel Cajupi |
| Sarande | 02 | Hotel Butrinti |
| Tirana | 02 | Sheraton Tirana Hotel |
- Accommodation as per the program.
- Meals as per the program.
- Entrance fees.
- Local English speaking guide.
- All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
- All taxes.
Branding
– Logo branding on Vehicles.
– Color and logo branding Merchandise.
– Departure gifts with company’s branding.
- Personal Expenses.
- All Domestic and International Flights with airport taxes.
- Camera / Video Camera Fees.
- Medical Aid.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.