Adriatic Tour – Greece – Albania – Montenegro – Croatia
11 Days/ 10 Nights
Arrival Corfu / Dubrovnik – Return flight
Corfu, Saranda – Butrint UNESCO, Gjirokastra UNESCO, Albania Riviera, Vlora – Apollonia – Tirana, Shkodra, Budva, Kotor UNESCO, Dubrovnik
11 Days
All year
Arrival Corfu
*Guide tour of the capital city, Tirana
*Welcome dinner at the beach
Arrival at the airport of Corfu, private transfer to your hotel. Free time in the evening to explore Corfu Old town and overnight in Corfu.
Corfu – Ferry to Saranda (30min) – Butrint UNESCO (30min) – Saranda (30min)
After breakfast, private transfer towards Corfu Port. Ferry towards Albania, the coastal city Saranda.
Meet with your guide at the port and start the tour with a visit of Butrint Archeological Park – an UNESCO world heritage site. The city was first settled by Greek colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers of different civilizations, making it an important discovery in the Mediterranean, rich in ancient sites. It is situated in a beautiful peninsula among dense vegetation, offering visitors more than just old ruins.
Free afternoon in Saranda, and overnight.
Saranda – Blue Eye Spring (40 min) – Gjirokastra UNESCO (2 hrs) – Saranda (1 hr 40 min)
Visit the National Park Syri i Kalter (Blue Eye), where we will enjoy the walking and sightseeing of 15 springs of the area. The main spring of Blue Eye too which has always amazed visitors with its color, temperature and the running power too.
Our journey will lead us to the town of Gjirokastra, known as the city of stones. Gjirokastra is included in the World Heritage List of UNESCO in 2005. The town of Gjirokastra is built on the slope of a hill and is known for its characteristic and narrow coble stone streets. The dwelling houses have the form of medieval towers consisting of a building ensemble with characteristic architecture. The city was besieged and captured by the Ottomans in the 15th century, but unlike many other towns in Albania it flourished under its new rulers. Visit the city’s fortress overlooking the city from the top of the hill. We will visit also the Ethnographic Museum, which is also the house the Albanian dictator was born. Next we visit the old town and the bazaar, where you can find typical handmade souvenirs.
Drive back to Saranda for overnight.
Saranda – Panoramic Drive through Albania Riviera – Coastal City of Vlora (3 hrs)
Drive on the spectacular Albanian Riviera looking down at the Ionian Sea, passing through the small coastal villages of Himara, Dhermi, Jala. Enjoy swimming in the undiscovered stony beaches. In the late afternoon arrive in the coastal town of Vlora – the town of Albania’s independence proclamation, for overnight.
Vlora – Apollonia (1 hr) – Tirana (2 hrs 20 min)
Today we travel to Apollonia, one of the most well-known archeological sites in the country and recently a national archaeological park. Arriving in Apollonia we visit the Odeon, and the courtyard of the Monastery where there is a Byzantine style church believed to have been built in the 14th century. Here you can see some monuments like the Encircling Wall, the Bouleterion, the Mosaics House and the Nymphaioum.
Afterwards drive to the capital Tirana, where we take a walking or driven tour of the major sites of Tirana, including the colorful buildings for which the Albanian capital is now popular for. The dull grey communist architecture buildings have been transformed into modern art canvases through splashes of bright colors and abstract shapes. An ingenious way of uplifting the facades and the moods of the inhabitants. Overnight in Tirana.
Tirana – Full day and optional cable car trip to Dajti Mountain (30 min) – Tirana
Heading towards Dajti mountain – standing at 1,613 m above sea level. The trip starts with a panoramic cable car ride to the National Park of Dajti. This is the longest cableway in the Balkans of 4.7 kilometres. The 15 minute scenic journey takes visitors over forest, farms, hilltops and even bunkers. After arrival, visit Dajti National Park, which offers the visitors the possibility of enjoying the panoramic views over Tirana and its surroundings while breathing fresh air.
Transfer back by cable car at the starting point and drive back to the hotel for overnight.
Tirana – Shkodra (1 hr 50 min) – Budva (2 hrs)
Drive towards to the northern city of Albania – Shkodra; with the most important town of north Albania and the Illyrian capital, in the 3rd century BC. Walk to the Castle enjoy the view of the city from the Castle of Rozafa a mysterious structure, surrounded in legends and mysticism. Then lose your self in the narrow stony streets of the city, enjoy its venetian architecture, mix with the locals in the outdoor coffee bars by the pedestrian area, or taste a delicious cocktail in a garden bar.
After the tour of Shkodra we cross border with Montenegro and drive towards Budva the main tourist center of the country. The secret of the city’s popularity rests mainly on its beautiful, mostly sandy coastline, diverse nightlife and examples of Mediterranean architecture. In addition to the splendid beaches of the “Budva Riviera”, the city also possesses a tiny, but beautiful, historic center. Surrounded by a wall, the historic center is located on a small peninsula which extends as a harbor-side promenade. Overnight in Budva.
Budva – Boat tour in Skadar lake and wine tasting – Budva (40 min)
Drive towards Skadar Lake where we will enjoy its the magnificent view while on a boat tour. We will also have the possibility to enjoy enjoy wine made from grapes in a local winery in the area around the lake. Drive back to Budva for overnight.
Budva – Kotor UNESCO (30 min) – Budva (30 min)
Drive towards Old City of Kotor, a well preserved urbanization typical of the Middle Ages, built between the 12th and 14th century. Medieval architecture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage have made Kotor an UNESCO listed “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site”. The entrance of the city is in 3 different old gates, Kotor’s Main Gate is the largest and probably the most beautiful of the city’s three gates. Dating from the 16th Century, this gate was erected during the time of Bernardo Renier. Its style combines Renaissance and Baroque elements. Afterwards we see the clock tower. Located in the very heart of Kotor, the Clock Tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city. Situated opposite the Main Gate, the 16th Century tower combines elements of Baroque and Gothic architecture. Further we pass by the Drago Palace. This palace was first erected in the 14th Century, but had to be renovated twice after earthquakes in 1667 and 1979. Decorated with dragons, the palace remains a good example of Gothic architecture. Nowadays, it houses the Regional Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments. Drive back to Budva for overnight.
Budva – Dubrovnik (3 Hrs)
Morning transfer towards Croatia, with city tour of Dubrovnik, this UNESCO protected pearl of the Adriatic and its Cathedral , Rector’s Palace, Fransican Monastery (included Old Pharmacy), Clock Tower, Orlando’s Columns, Sponze Plaza, Dubrovnik City. Lunch in the old City , free time , Dinner and Ovenight at hotel in Dubrovnik.
transfer to the airport
based on your flight timing.