Day 1:TIRANA

Arrival in “Mother Tereza” airport, meet & assisted by our guide. Transfer by car and accommodation in the hotel.

Enjoy the welcome dinner in a characteristic restaurant of Tirana.

Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 2: KRUJA

Morning departure to the ancient town of Kruja. It is situated in a small mountain at more than 1200 meter above sea level. Kruja is the famous birthplace of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, a XV century Albanian leader who resisted the Ottoman Empire for 25 years.
Visit the Old Bazaar with its famous shops full of silver filigree jewelry, authentic folk costumes, woven rugs, and traditional felt hats.
Visit the most important sight of Kruja, the citadel. This fortress dates back to the 5th or 6th century Visit the Skanderbeg Museum, built to honor the National Hero of Albania, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg.
Lunch will be served at a restaurant within the castle walls with traditional Albanian food.
Turkish coffee comes in the traditional copper pot and is best enjoyed while sitting in the garden facing the majestic mountains, or curled up on the rows of pillows that surround the Turkish tables.
In the afternoon visit the Ethnographic Museum. It displays the reconstructed interior of an Albanian house circa 1800. Exhibits include 19th century folk dress, as well as traditional copper goods and clay utensils.
Within walking distance of the citadel are the Turkish baths, a church and rows of medieval houses.
Return to the hotel and overnight in the hotel.

Day 3: DURRES-VLORA

Durres, Albania’s second largest city was known formerly (in antiquity) as Durrahium and is one of the oldest towns in the country and Balkan Peninsula. It was for centuries the largest port on the Adriatic Sea, and the start of the Via Egnatia to Constantinople. Visit the town including the Byzantine city walls and Roman amphitheater.
On the way to Vlora short visit to Monastery of Ardenica and to Apollonia Archaeological Park an ancient Illyrian city. The first documentation of the settlers’ presence dates back to 588 B.C. Apollonia was the most important, as it served as a middleman for trade between the Illyrians and the Hellenes (Greeks).
Lunch on the sea side in Vlora based on fresh Adriatic Sea fish. After leisure relax of the harmony of seaside waves sounds, we will enjoy a round tour to Vlora. Overnight in hotel in Vlora.

Day 4: BERATI

After breakfast departure to Berat, the city of 1000 windows. Berati is a treasure-trove of Albanian history and culture, and testimony to the country’s tradition of religious harmony. Visit at the post-Byzantine monumental Cathedral of Shën Maria are located within the castle. The Cathedral of Shën Mëria houses a museum of works by the famous iconographers of the 16th century: Onufri, and his son, Nikolla. There are over 100 icons on display and they also include works of other artists.
Lunch at the castle traditional restaurant and overnight in Berati.

Day 5: TIRANA

After breakfast departure to Tirana. On the way we will stop in one of the best wineries of Albania near Berati and will spend some time in wine testing.
Lunch on the sea side near Durres based on fresh Adriatic Sea fish. After leisure relax of the harmony of seaside waves sounds, we will take the way back to Tirana. Enjoy the nightlife of the capital of Albania on the famous clubs area of Tirana.

Day 6: TIRANA

After a late morning wake-up you will have time for shopping characteristic Albanian souvenirs.
Transfer to the airport of Mother Teresa.

Accommodations

4* Hotels - Double Deluxe room (or similar)

Sightseeing

Private day guided tour of the Kruja, Vlora, Berat, Durres and Tirana including Museum entrance fees and wine testing

Private half day guide to around Tirana during shopping time with English speaking guide

Transfers

Private transfers in luxury car from and to Rinas Airport

English speaking assistant

Meals

Breakfast daily at hotel

Lunch in, Kruja, Vlora, Berati, Durres and the first dinner in Tirana

Services

Local emergency contact number daily.

Does not include

Airfare

Travel Insurance (highly recommended)

Tips and gratuities to drivers and local guides

1) Consult with our tour designers

Contact our office by phone or e-mail and speak to one of our tour designers who will answer any question you have about our suggested tour. They will listen attentively to your ideas and plans and suggest changes to personalize the tour based on your interests and budget.

Tel: +355 684040066
E-mail: reservations@bestbalkantours.com

2) We send you a Proposal

Shortly after your initial contact with our tour designers, you will receive a draft proposal based on your earlier discussions, normally within 2 business days. This proposal is a no obligation draft for your review and comments. Any additions or modifications will be implemented and a new proposal will be forwarded to you for approval.

3) You like what you see!

Upon meeting your requirements and expectations, you will be requested to send a deposit in the amount of 25% of total. Final Payment is due 45 days prior to scheduled departure date.

4) Buon viaggio!

Approximately, 2 weeks prior to departure you will receive a personalized and detailed day by day itinerary booklet and the necessary vouchers for the services to be provided, along with a general information section on the various regions of Italy.

The booklet and vouchers will include all the important information; addresses, phone & mobile numbers for all your service providers, hotels as well as the phone number of our office in Rome.