Durres – Visit of the colorful capital city of Tirana (30 min drive) – Afternoon visiting a local winery & Degustation of the famous Konjak Skanderbeu – Durres
Today we will explore the colorful capital of Albania, Tirana.
Tirana has a never-ending movement and energy. This metropolis city is worth to discover by day and night. Founded in the 1614, Tirana is now a developed city which combines culture, history, contemporary architecture and lots of hospitality shown towards tourists. As you take a walk in Tirana you will enjoy the look of the colorful buildings, fancy coffees and green parks.
We enjoy a unique experience while visiting the BunkArt 2, an old bunker in the center of Tirana, opened now as a museum, that will take us back in time in the period of Communism.
Lunch in Tirana, in the Blloku area, once a closed district only for the Communist Parti, and now a vivid area with the best bars and restaurants.
In the afternoon return to Durres, with a stop along the way in a local winery “Kantina Skanderbeg”. The winery produces the famous Albanian Konjak. Visit of the winery, production, walk through the vineyards and enjoy the konjak degustation with local snacks.
Overnight in Durres by the seaside.

Durres – More than 2000 years of history in the Unesco town of Berat (1.5 Hrs) – Durres (1.5 Hrs)
Today we head towards the UNESCO town of Berat, the pride of Albanian antiquity and architecture.
Berat forms a wonderful combination of eastern and western cultures, costumes and traditions. The architecture of the old houses, with large windows that overlook the town, is the first think that impresses the visitors. First stop: the Citadel. It overlooks the river and the modern city as well as the old Christian quarter across the river. The citadel can be reached by a steep road and is still inhabited. Inside the walls, you can visit ruined mosques and several medieval Orthodox churches, all intact and with restored frescoes and icons. Onufri National Museum is located in the inner part of “Saint Mary Church” in Castle of Berat. This Museum offers a collection of 173 belonging to the found of Albanian Churches and Monasteries.
Lunch in the old town in Berat with traditional menu of the region.
In the afternoon return to Durres for Dinner and overnight.

Durres – Visit of Shkodra castle (2hrs) – Kruja (1 hrs) – Durres (40 min)
After breakfast we proceed to the northern city of Albania – Shkodra; with the most important town of north Albania and the Illyrian capital, in the 3rd century BC.
We enjoy the view of the city from the hill top, where is located the Castle of Rozafa, a mysterious structure, surrounded in legends and mysticism.
Further we take a walk in the pedestrian area of the old town, where the architecture has a big influence from the venetian style. Lunch in a local restaurant, with traditional menu from the region.
Further continue on to Kruja, the historical city which lays on a panoramic view on the top of a hill, 600 km above sea level. With a combination of nature, history, archeology, traditional food and lifestyle, Kruja is one of the most beautiful tourist spots in Albania. Kruja is notable from its stony streets and traditional buildings. The tour begins with the visit in the Castle, the citadel of the National hero, Gjergj Kastriot Skanderbeg.
After the visits it’s time to get closer to Albanian traditions and lifestyle, by visiting the bazaar. It is a one street of shops, with wooden buildings and a mixture of cafés and small souvenir and antique shops.
Here we can visit a local artisan and see how they work on the handmade souvenirs.
In the afternoon return to Durres. Dinner and overnight in Durres.

Durres – Monastery of Ardenica – Archeological park of Apollonia (2hrs) – Vlora
Today we travel to Apollonia, one of the most well-known archeological sites in the country and recently a national archaeological park.
Along the way, stop to visit Monastery of Ardenica, an Eastern Orthodox monastery. Here we can see the fantastic interiors of the 18th century Church of St Mary: the iconostasis dominates the nave, but equally impressive is the golden pulpit, which positively heaves with adornments, not to mention the frescoes of the Zografi brothers that can be seen on display upstairs.
Arriving in Apollonia we stop for lunch in a local restaurant nearby the archeological park, before starting the guided tour. We visit the Odeon and see some monuments like the Encircling Wall, the Bouleterion, the Mosaics House and the Nymphaioum. Afternoon arrival in the coastal city of Vlora. It is the town of Albania’s independence proclamation.
Enjoy evening by the seaside promenade. Dinner with seafood menu and Overnight in Vlora.

Vlora – Gjirokastra (3 hrs) – Vlora (3 hrs)
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. In the 17th century it had 2000 houses and was a very important trading town. Today we can still notice the Otoman influence in architecture and culinary.
Arriving in Gjirokastra we visit its castle, overlooking the city from the top of the hill and the old bazaar. Further we visit the Ethnographic museum situated in the house the dictator Enver Hoxha was born in. Traditional lunch in the city before our return transfer towards Vlora
Free evening to relax in Vlora, dinner and overnight.

Vlora – Porto Palermo Castle – Llogara Park – Vlore
After breakfast we depart for a panoramic drive through the Albanian Riviera
We continue passing through the small coastal villages of Dhermi and Himara. In Himara we stop for visit of Porto Palermo Castle.
The Porto Palermo is situated in the closed bay of Porto Palermo, a few kilometers south of Himarë, and makes nearly an island that is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land. The fort served as former Soviet submarine base during the communist regime in Albania, and nowadays its semi abandoned tunnel and barrack attract attention of visitors, as well as the stronghold walls and gates built by the powerful Ali Pasha of Ioannina.
Return transfer on the spectacular Albanian Riviera looking down at the Ionian Sea. Breathtaking sceneries await us at the Llogara pass – 1000 m above sea level. We stop in Llogara National Park to enjoy the view, photo shooting from above & enjoy the panoramas.
In the afternoon return to our hotel in Vlora. Dinner & overnight.

Vlora – Return transfer (2 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel and free time until airport transfer for the return fight.