Albania Discovery

Arrive at any time. After a welcome briefing, set off with your CEO on an evening orientation walk along the river and into the old town. Get your bearings of the area on the way to an optional group dinner.

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

ACTIVITY: Head off on a CEO-led orientation walk starting at the very centre of the city, the Skanderbeg square, a large open area surrounded by several important sights of Tirana. This interesting meeting point is one of the best places to start your journey through the city. Walk to old Tirana neighbourhoods (or what is left of them), a taste of communist architecture with many recently-built modern architecture and venues.

Drive east from Tirana this morning to the coast, and to the ancient Roman remains of Durrës, dating back more than 3000 years. Explore the fascinating site with your CEO and see the massive amphitheatre which could hold up to 20,000 people. In the afternoon, continue south to the city of Vlorë and set off on an exploration walk of the old town to see the Muradie Mosque and other striking historical landmarks. The rest of the evening is free to relax and find a spot to watch the sunset over the Adriatic sea.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Explore Durrës with your CEO, the most ancient city in Albania with almost 3,000 years of history. Its foundation dates back to 627 B.C. when the Corinthians and settlers from Corcyra invaded the Illyrian territory of the Taulants. The Durrës amphitheater is the largest and most important Roman amphitheater in Albania. Built in the 2nd century AD under Emperor Trajan, it once held up to 20,000 people for different spectating events, such as gladiator fights and other ancient games. The amphitheater was recently discovered in 1966 and is now one of the best ways to experience the city’s ancient history.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Set off with your CEO on an orientation tour of Vlorë's Old Town. The Muradie Mosque (or Lead Mosque) is one of the most important structures in Vlorë. Built in 1537 by Ottoman Turkish architect Mimar Sinan and is distinctive for its exceptional brick work. Vlorë looks west over the Adriatic making it a perfect spot for watching the sunset as well.

Be immersed in Albanian culture today on a hike to a shepherd outpost in the mountains. Start walking from the community of Tragjas, heading up the mountain to meet the local shepherds who will share their time with us. Learn about their traditional life in the mountains and enjoy a delicious typical lunch before hiking back down to the bus for the trip back to Vlorë. The remainder of the day is free to explore the city or to relax.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Go to the old Tragjas farm of Sofo and Dhurata. Hike a short trail of about 3km with an elevation of approximately 280m to get to the shepherds' outpost where one can enjoy the authentic life of the Albanians, their traditions and life in the mountains, so close to the sea. Enjoy a typical lunch at the farm before hiking back down to the bus to return to Vlorë.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Drive along the spectacular Albanian Riviera today to Gjirokastër with a number of stops and highlights along the way. First, visit the small beach town of Himarë and have a bit of time for lunch. Continue to Ksamil and visit the beautiful and historic castle of Ali Pasha, dramatically perched on the edge of a peninsula jutting out into the sea. Next visit the ruins of city of Butrint, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site that was once an ancient Greek city. Arrive to Gjirokastër in the evening and check into the hotel.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Explore Himarë with your CEO. The Old City of Himarë and its commanding hilltop castle stand as testament to the rich historical legacy of Albania. These ancient structures date back to Illyrian times and are revered as vital historical landmarks in this region. The old town is ingeniously laid out around the ancient castle and the Spilea coastal area, which serves as both a tourist hub and an economic centre for the region. Himarë has a promenade along the seashore lined with numerous Mediterranean-style taverns, creating a perfect atmosphere for leisurely strolls and dining with a view.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Visit the beautiful and romantic Castle of Vasiliqia. Built in early 19th century by Ali Pasha of Tepelena, the “Mohametan Bonaparte” was made famous in Alexander Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo and poet George Gordon Byron’s Child Harold’s Pilgrimage.

ACTIVITY: Visit the ruins of the city of Butrint, excavated in 1944. This Greek city and UNESCO World Heritage Site was once a stopping point along trading routes but when the Roman Empire began to decline residents started to leave. After the city was flooded during an earthquake Butrint was abandoned and laid untouched for years under the mud and debris from the quake, preserving artifacts and protecting the ruins.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Set off after breakfast with your CEO to explore the old city of Gjirokastër. Pass by some of the historic sites like the obelisk and the imposing Girokastra Castle then take some free time to continue exploring and to find some lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to a local winery to tour the vineyard with one of the local experts and to taste their wines with a light dinner, accompanied by traditional Albanian polyphonic singing, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. The rest of the evening is free after returning to the hotel.

ACTIVITY: Set off with your CEO to explore Gjirokastër and it's main attractions. See the old town and the stunning historical landmarks like the Skendulaj House, the Obelisk, and Girokastra Castle with it's Weapon Museum that used to be the castle's prison.

ACTIVITY: This wine-tasting journey just 15 minutes driving from Gjirokaster, links the rich tradition of Albanian polyphonic singing, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, with the authentic charm of local winemaking. This exclusive experience will be hosted at a local vineyard, passionately run by a family deeply rooted in winemaking, traditional rural cuisine, and hospitality. Tour the vineyard with one of the local on-site experts who will share insights into local grape varieties and the meticulous care that goes into cultivating them. Continue with a tasting of both white and red wines, each paired with regionally sourced accompaniments and fresh farm fruits. To enhance the cultural immersion, the evening will be accompanied by traditional Albanian polyphonic music.

Drive north today to the riverside city of Berat, known for its white Ottoman houses. In the afternoon, set off on a walking tour with your CEO to explore. Visit the castle, the remains of a sprawling 13th century fortress as well as the traditional low neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica. The remainder of the day is free to continue exploring before regrouping in the evening for a traditional Albanian meal and farewell dinner.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Take an afternoon tour of Berat, led by your CEO. Tour of the Castle of Berat with its chapels, typical houses, the ancient walls of Antipatrea and the Orthodox Cathedral with its art collection from 16th century iconography artist Onufri. Visit the traditional low neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica, (which gave Berat the nickname “Town of a 1001 Windows.“)

Leave Berat after breakfast for the drive back to Tirana, where the tour ends on arrival at approximately 11am.

Additional Information: Please do not book onward travel from Tirana before 2pm.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.