Best of Albania

Fly from London to Tirana. Head to the hotel and stay overnight at the Hotel Capital Tirana or similar.

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After breakfast, go on a walking tour of Tirana. The city has undergone a dramatic transformation since the 1990s. It has become a lively, colorful, and engaging city bursting with life. On the tour, you will visit the remains of an old castle, the Pydramid of Tirana, and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Then, go to the Blloku neighborhood, the nightlife hub of Tirana, followed by a trip to the National History Museum. The museum details the turbulent history of the Albanians. It is divided into 8 pavilions, which covers different aspects of the country’s history, including the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and more.

From there, drive to Pogradec. Located in south-eastern Albania, this charming resort city is surrounded by gorgeous mountains and is next to Lake Ohrid. Enjoy a scenic walk of Drilon National Park.

Stay overnight at Elite Hotel or similar.

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In the morning, take a 1.5-hour drive to Voskopojë Village. It is well-known for being a center of the arts, home to many talented Albanian painters. Take a 40-minute walk around the village, visiting one of the oldest churches in the region, which proudly displays authentic Voskopojë religious art.

Then, drive to the largest city in southeastern Albania, Korçë. The city is renowned for its local markets, with plenty of opportunities to trade and purchase handicrafts. It features a wide array of museums, including the Museum of Medieval Art, which has a large collection of religious icons. There is also the National Museum of Education, where the Albanian alphabet was taught to students for the first time.

Be sure to try local Korçë beer, which has been brewed for over 100 years. Stay overnight at the Hotel Christi Borova/Hotel Kocibelli or similar.

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Head to the gastronomic city of Përmet, visiting the mountain village of Ersekë en route. Ersekë is the highest town in Albania, reaching an astonishing 3,445ft (1,050m) in height. The town is also surrounded by Mount Grammos, which in Autumn transforms into a rich, colorful landscape.

Continuing to Përmet, make a quick stop at the bridge of Benje village, where you can bask in the glorious hot springs to relax. Arrive at Përmet in the evening.

Stay at the Hotel Villa Permet/Hotel Alvero or similar overnight.

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Make your way to the beautiful town of Gjirokastër, stopping at the Dhoksat village for a homecooked lunch. Go on a guided tour around the mountainside Gjirokastër. Visit the iconic medieval castle, which features breathtaking, panoramic views of the landscape. Homecooked meals may be switched to dinner depending on availability.

Stay overnight at the Argjiro Hotel/Hotel Fantasy or similar.

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After breakfast, travel to the Butrint National Park. The site has a diverse and colorful history, once being inhabited by a Greek colony, a Roman city, and a bishopric. The city was abandoned in the Middle Ages, resulting in the formation of marshes. Today, visiting Butrint will teach you about each of the different historical periods, with relevant artifacts and points of interest.

Drive to Llogora National Park. Stay overnight at the Llogora Tourist Village Hotel or similar.

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Go on a morning walk in Llogara National Park. The terrain is blanked in rich forests, alpine meadows, and steep rock formations. Then head to the ruins of Apollonia.

The Apollonia ruins is a UNESCO Heritage Listed Site and located about 13 miles from Fier. The site is in surprisingly pristine condition, comprised of highly detailed and intricate monuments and natural landscapes. It was named after the Greek god, Apollo, and it became an official settlement in 600 B.C.

After Apollonia, head to the town of Berat, and stay 2 nights at the Hotel Mangalemi or similar.

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Enjoy a guided tour of Berat in the morning. Head to Berat Castle, located on the slopes of Mount Tomorr. Inside the castle is dwelling houses, and the Onufri Museum, which holds over 200 artwork objects, icons, and liturgical items. Many of these artefacts date back to the 14th century.

Visit the National Ethnographyic Muesum of Berat on the way back to the hotel.

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From Berat, make your way to the port of Durrës. The city was once the capital of Albania but is now a popular channel for the importation of food and produce into Albania. During your trip, you will visit the amphitheater, which is the largest of its kind in the Balkans.

Then drive to the medieval city of Krujë. Check in at the hotel and visit the Skanderbeg Museum in the afternoon. Stay overnight at the Hotel Panorama or similar.

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Explore the medieval bazaar of Krujë, a beautiful and fascinating marketplace that has been around for over 400 years. There you will meet and interact with traders, where you can purchase various souvenirs and handicrafts.

Fly back to London in the afternoon.

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