Albania Discovery With Extended Stays: 9 – Day Unhurried Tour With Daily Excursions to Local Sights and Features Private Tour

From $1,220 Euro pp

Example Tour 2

After arrival at Mother Teresa Airport in Tirana you will take a three-to-four-hour car journey South to Sarande to begin your extended stay in Albania’s beautiful Riviera. Alternatively, you could arrive in Sarande by ferry from Corfu after a 40 minute sea crossing. This tour is one that enables you to select between relaxing in situ or undertaking daily excursions to destinations of your choice, including historic towns, natural beauty spots, ancient ruins, quiet beaches or lively coastal resorts. Following your Sarande stay, your tour takes you to the Berat where you will stay overnight in the ancient castle while enjoying traditional Albanian cuisine and local culture. Then on to Tirana for another extended stay during which you can explore the attractions of this unique and intriguing city. The final leg will take you to Shkoder in the North for two nights with options for visiting the lakes and mountains and maybe doing some of the scenic walks in this beautiful region. Depending upon your departure arrangements you will travel to Tirana in time to catch your departing aircraft.

Please note: Every itinerary can be fully customised to suit your interests, schedule, comfort level and budget.
Example Tour 2

Pricing:

Example Tour 2 - personally tailored private tour

Entry level

⭐⭐⭐+ hotels, half board, vehicle included, vehicle insurance, self-drive, no driver/guide

From €1,220 Euro pp

Mid level

⭐⭐⭐+ hotels, half board, vehicle included, vehicle insurance, fuel costs, tolls, parking fees entry fees, English speaking driver/guide

From €1,970 Euro pp

Pampered level

⭐⭐⭐⭐/⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ hotels, half board, vehicle included, vehicle insurance, fuel costs, tolls, parking fees entry fees, English speaking driver/guide

From €2,440 Euro pp

Note: These prices are for each person per double room occupancy. A supplement will be payable for single room occupancy (varies with the type of hotel selected). Be aware that some small towns and villages will be limited to 3-star accommodation only. Pricing will be match your choices and availability at the time of the booking. Engage with our Australian ambassadors to ascertain what will best suit the needs of your itinerary. They will guide you before linking you with our Albanian office for the actual booking to be made.

Groups of more than 4 travellers may be eligible for discounted rates. Our planners in Albania will do their best to obtain the best value prices for you.

Payment Terms

Inclusions & not included

  • Inclusions and not included
    • Inclusions:
      • Accommodation every night at hotel grade of your choice
      • Meals as indicated in daily itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
      • Transfers from and to Tirana Mother Teresa Airport
      • Comfortable vehicle for daily movement
      • Vehicle insurance
      • Entrance fees
      • Accompanied by an experienced English-speaking guide throughout the tour, if selected
      • All local guides
      • Wine and cheese tasting
    • Not included:
      • International flight tickets
      • Personal travel insurance
      • Meals not shown

Inclusions Key:

(B) - Breakfast
(L) - Lunch
(D) - Dinner

Day 1

Arrival and Sarande

Arrive in the morning at Tirana Mother Teresa Airport and drive (3-4 hours) to Sarande or arrive at Sarande by ferry from Corfu. With late air arrival into Tirana, you may prefer to stay overnight in the capital before travelling South. Whatever your method of arrival into Albania, you will be welcomed by your driver who, if you opt for the driver/guide to be with you throughout your tour, will be your guide throughout your trip. In the Sarande area, you will visit Butrinti (the largest archeological site in the country) and the famous beach of Ksamil – an icon of the Albanian Riviera. Later in the day, you will be free to wander the Sarande esplanade with many options for dinner.

Inclusions:

Overnight in Sarande hotel. (B,D)

Blue Eye

Day 2

Blue Eye, Gjirokastra, Permet

After a breakfast, travel by road to: • the Blue Eye – a unique monument of nature, • Gjirokastra – the UNESCO World Heritage city – and see its highlights of the old city centre, its castle, the ethnographic museum and the Skenduli open house, where the daughter of the owner will guide you through the 300 years old property and show you how people lived in those days. • Permet – the small town of on the bank of Vjosa River, with its natural sources of thermal waters. Vjosa River is believed to be the only wild river remaining in Europe. Many local and foreign activists fought for years against plans of building dams. Celebrities, including Leonardo di Caprio supported this cause. Both Permet and Gjirokastra are re-known for their traditional cuisine which you will be able to experience. Late afternoon, return to Sarande.

Inclusions:

Overnight in Sarande hotel. (B,D)

Berat​

Day 3

Albania Riviera and Berat

Today, after breakfast, will be one to make maximum use of your camera as you explore the scenic Albanian Riviera coastline. Stops will include Himara, Porto Palermo (visit of the Ali Pascha castle, who built it for his much younger wife – the legend says within 24 hours), Jal, Gjipe and Dhermi beaches. You will have time to take a dip in the sea if you wish. Alternatively, if you want to take the shorter route to Berat, you can visit Apollonia, the second biggest archeological site in Albania, the old Ardenica Monastery and Albaniaca Winery. Upon arrival in Berat you will dine in a restaurant within the castle walls

Inclusions:

Overnight in a Berat castle hotel. (B,D)

Berat

Day 4

Berat, Belshi and Tirana

Following breakfast, you will be joined by a professional local guide who will show you around Berat castle – the only citadel in Albania where people still live within the walls. You will also visit the newer Berat – a UNESCO World Heritage City, similar to Gjirokastra, and the most popular tourist site in the country, with plenty of old Byzantine churches, its river and its famous Onufri museum. Then you will set off to Tirana. Along the route, you will have the option of visiting Belshi the centre of the Dumrea Area, similar to Tuscany in Italy with over 60 lakes. Here, you will spend time with the Manushi family, in their home. The couple of retired engineers have opened their house to the public, where the wife offers unique food recipes and the husband makes and sells his home made wine. Late afternoon, arrival in Tirana.

Inclusions:

Overnight in Tirana hotel. (B,D)

Tirana

Day 5

Tirana

Today you will spend the whole day visiting highlights of the capital, including Bunkart 2, Pyramid, Bllok area, pedestrian street near the main square and the new bazaar.

Inclusions:

Overnight in Tirana hotel. (B,D)

South towards Kruja

Day 6

Kruja, Durres

In the morning you will visit the highlights of Kruja, that are within a few hundred metres of each other, including the castle, museum, old bazaar, ethnographic museum. Then on to Durres, the 2,900 years old coastal city. Places to visit will include the Archeological Museum (the biggest and the best in the country to be re-opened in 2025 after a complete reconstruction, the Amphitheater, Venetian Tower and a walk along the sea front.

Inclusions:

Overnight in Tirana hotel. (B,D)

Shkodër

Day 7

Shkoder

After breakfast, you will leave Tirana and head North towards the city of Shkoder, stopping on route in Lezha, few hundred meters from the main road, to visit he memorial of Scanderbeg, the Albanians’ national hero. Afterwards, you will have the option of stopping at Mrrizi I Zanave which offers a unique story of Agrotourism, implemented by two brothers who returned to Albania after living abroad for many years. Wine tasting is available. For further details: https://www.mrizizanave.al Then, on to Rozafa castle, before entering Shkoder and checking into the hotel. After a short rest, you will be joined by a professional guide to show you the highlights of this charming old city. A private guided tour is planned for the highlights, after the check-in and.

Inclusions:

Overnight and dinner in Valbona Valley hotel. (B,D)

Theth Valley.

Day 8

Theth Valley and Blue Eye in Nderlysaj

Following breakfast, you will visit the Valley of Theth, considered the jewel of the Albanian Alps. Following the winding road, there are some excellent places to stop and take photographs. Upon arrival you can choose to visit the Highlights of the Thethi village i.e. old church, isolation, Grunas waterfall etc. and/or the iconic Blue Eye, a nature monument. For the adventurous, there is an option of driving up to Nderlysaj and then hiking for one hour with scenic views. The driver/guide (if you take this option) will suggest places for lunch where you can sample the locally caught trout or regional meats.

Inclusions:

Overnight in Shkoder hotel. (B,D)

Day 9

Departure

Depending upon the time of your flight, you will depart from Shkoder and head to Tirana Mother Teresa Airport or into the City to follow your own itinerary.

Inclusions:

(B) (if time allows)

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