What To Expect
Day 1: Tirana Airport - Tirana
Arrival at Tirana International Airport. Meet your guide and transfer to Tirana, the capital of Albania. City tour. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 2: TIRANA - BERAT – VLORE (100 km + 100 km - 1,5 h + 1,5h)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart to Berat called the “city of a thousand windows”, divided into an “upper town” of 14th century origin, rich in Byzantine churches; and a “low town”. adorned with numerous ancient mosques. Its famous districts are the Castle, Mangalemi, and Gorica. Even today, its citadel is inhabited by more than a thousand families. There are countless places of interest in and around the Castle, including early Christian churches, the Cathedral of Santa Maria, and the many mosques built in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries.
The group will join a unique cooking experience in the heart of Berat, one of Albania’s most charming UNESCO-listed cities. Welcomed by a local family in their traditional home, they will learn how to prepare some of the most authentic Albanian dishes, using fresh ingredients from the local market or directly from their garden.
Together with the hosts, they will make traditional recipes such as Byrek (savory pie), Tavë Kosi (lamb with yogurt), or Qifqi (rice balls typical of the region). While cooking, they’ll discover the secrets of Albanian cuisine, its strong connection to family traditions, and its Mediterranean influences.
At the end of the class, enjoy the meal you have prepared, accompanied by homemade wine or raki, in a warm and friendly atmosphere, sharing stories, laughs, and flavors of Berat.
Transfer to Vlora. Dinner and overnight in Vlora.
Day 3: Transfer from Vlora to Saranda along the stunning Albanian Riviera
Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a scenic transfer from Vlora to Saranda, traveling along the breathtaking Albanian Riviera. This spectacular coastal road offers incredible views of the Ionian Sea, with turquoise waters, dramatic cliffs, and charming seaside villages. Along the way, you will pass through picturesque spots like Dhermi, Himara, and Porto Palermo, offering plenty of opportunities to admire unspoiled beaches and panoramic landscapes. A journey filled with natural beauty, where the mountains meet the sea in one of the most enchanting parts of Albania.
Lunch in a local restaurant.
Check in hotel. Some free time to refresh and relax.
Transfer to the archaeological park of Butrinti mentioned by Virgil in the Eneid. The city is located across the sea from the Greek island of Corfu, and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, declared “World Heritage” by UNESCO. The city retains Greek ruins; imposing Roman monuments; an early Christian Church and an Ottoman fort. Butrint has been inhabited almost continuously, from the 8th century B.C. and played an important role in the first Peloponnesian War. Some free time in Ksamil once a humble fishing village, today a charming seaside destination full of life and beauty.
Return in hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4: SARANDA BOAT TOUR
Discover the Albanian Riviera from the Sea from 10.00 AM to 17.00 PM
Breakfast at the hotel. Set sail from Saranda for an unforgettable boat tour along the stunning Ionian coast. As you glide over crystal-clear turquoise waters, you’ll discover hidden beaches, dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and remote coves that are only accessible by boat.
The tour includes stops at some of the Riviera’s most beautiful spots — like the secluded Kakome Bay, Krorez Beach with its powdery white sand, Krorez beach and the wild, untouched shores of Lukova. Along the way, enjoy swimming and snorkeling in pristine waters, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes.
Relax on deck, soak in the sun, and savor the gentle sea breeze as the captain shares stories about the coastline and its history. Lunch in a small restaurant by the sea.
A boat tour in Saranda is the perfect way to experience the magic of the Albanian Riviera — peaceful, scenic, and utterly unforgettable.
Return in hotel. Free time. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5: SARANDA - IOANNINA – KALAMBAKA (2 h + 2 h)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ioannina, crossing the border into Greece, stopping along the way for a break.
our of Ioannina, the largest city of the Epirus region. Built on the shore of Pamvotis Lake, 500 meters above sea level, the city charms all visitors with its beauty and the warm atmosphere. It is a city of 100,000 inhabitants with a centenary history. In all the streets and in all the squares there are traces of its culture and tradition.
Lunch in Ioannina. Transfer to Kalambaka.
Visit 2 Monasteries of Meteora a religious place with many Byzantine churches and monasteries. It is formed by 24 churches placed on a great impervious rock formation, in the past almost inaccessible. The first churches were built for hermits and monks in order to isolate themselves from the rest of the world, others were built during the fourteenth and fifteenth century to refuge from the Ottomans. Hotel accommodation and dinner.
Day 6: KALAMBAKA - OHRID (289 km – 4 h)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Ohrid, crossing the border into Macedonia. Transfer from Kalambaka to Ohrid, while your guide shares stories about the places where Alexander the Great was born and where his extraordinary journey began. As you travel through the landscapes of northern Greece and Macedonia, you will learn about the rich history of this legendary figure, his homeland, and the beginnings of one of the greatest empires in history. Stop for a break during the trip. Time for lunch at a local restaurant. Located on the shores of Lake Ohrid, the town was declared a World Heritage in 1980. Thanks to the efforts of St. Clement and St. Naum of Ohrid, the first pan-Slavic University in Europe was founded. The visit comprises of the Church of St Sofia (11th century), the most important medieval monument in Macedonia with magnificent Byzantine frescoes, paintings. Boat tour in Ohrid Lake (Unesco site) Dinner and overnight.
Day 7: OHRID – TIRANA (135 km – circa 2,5 h)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tirana, the lively and colorful capital of Albania, where history, culture, and modern life blend together in a unique atmosphere. The city tour takes you through Skanderbeg Square, the heart of Tirana, surrounded by important landmarks such as the National History Museum, the Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower.
Stroll along the main boulevard to admire the Italian-era architecture and the remnants of the communist past, including the iconic Pyramid of Tirana. Explore the trendy Blloku district, once reserved for the communist elite, now a vibrant area full of cafes, restaurants, and street art.
During the visit, you will also learn about the country’s complex history, from Ottoman times to the communist regime, and its transformation into the dynamic and youthful capital it is today. A stop at the Bunk’Art museum can offer a deeper understanding of Albania’s recent past.
The tour ends with some free time to enjoy a coffee in one of Tirana’s lively squares
Dinner in a local restaurant with traditional live music. Accommodation and overnight
Day 8: Tirana - Mother Teresa Airport
Breakfast at hotel and free time in Tirana. Depart to the airport.
