Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana
You'll arrive at the airport where your self drive agent meets you for the transfer to your hotel. After you get settled, there's a tour briefing where you'll pick up your gadgets and car keys. From there, head into the New Bazaar area of Tirana to get a feel for the city and start getting oriented to the layout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel
- Tour briefing with Self Drive agent
- Walk in New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri) area
Landmarks/POIs New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri) - Day 2
Tirana to Theth
Stop in Shkoder first and check out Rozafa Fortress, which sits high with 360-degree views out over the mountains, Skadar Lake, and the town below. Then continue driving toward Theth, going through the mountain village of Boge and over Thore Pass. You'll stop for lunch somewhere with nice views before you arrive in Theth for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Rozafa Fortress
- Stop in mountain village of Boge
- Pass through Thore Pass
Optional Activities
- Lunch at Thore Pass
Landmarks/POIs Rozafa Fortress Skadar Lake Shkoder - Day 3
Theth
Start your day hiking to the Natural Pools of Nderlysaj for a swim and lunch. Afterward, continue hiking through the mountain terrain to reach the Blue Eye of Theth, which takes about 30 minutes from the pools. Local transportation brings you back to the village center so you can rest before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Natural pools of Nderlysaj
- Hike to Blue Eye of Theth
Optional Activities
- Lunch at Natural pools of Nderlysaj
Landmarks/POIs Blue Eye of Theth Natural pools of Nderlysaj - Day 4
Theth to Berat
Head out toward Berat with a stop in Durres first. Walk the main boulevard there, see the Roman Amphitheatre and Archaeological Museum, then grab ice cream at Gelateria Cela. Later in the day you'll reach Berat and explore the castle, Iconographic Onufri Museum, the Mangalem quarter, Gorica Bridge, and Medieval Center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Durres main boulevard
- Visit Roman Amphitheatre in Durres
- Visit Archaeological Museum in Durres
- Ice cream stop at Gelateria Cela
- Visit Berat Castle/Citadel
- Visit Iconographic Onufri Museum
- Explore Mangalem quarter
- Visit Gorica Bridge
- Explore Medieval Center
Landmarks/POIs Roman Amphitheatre of Durres Archaeological Museum of Durres Berat Castle/Citadel Iconographic Onufri Museum Mangalem quarter Gorica Bridge - Day 5
Berat
Drive to the trailhead for Bogova Waterfall. The walk takes roughly 30 minutes along a well-marked path that runs beside the stream the whole way. Once you get there, you can swim in the natural pools and hang out by the waterfall for a bit before heading back.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Bogova Waterfall
Optional Activities
- Bathing in waterfall pools
Landmarks/POIs Bogova Waterfall - Day 6
Berat to Gjirokaster
Drive to Apollonia Archaeological Park in the morning and walk through the Temple of Artemis, Odeon, and Triumphal Arch to learn about the site's history. Continue on to Gjirokaster, a UNESCO town, where you'll tour the Castle, the Neck of the Bazaar, and Skenduli House. Dinner is at a local restaurant like Edua or Kujtimi.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Apollonia Archaeological Park
- Visit Temple of Artemis
- Visit Odeon at Apollonia
- Visit Triumphal Arch at Apollonia
- Visit Castle of Gjirokaster
- Explore Neck of the Bazaar
- Visit Skenduli House - former Ethnographic Museum
Optional Activities
- Dinner at Edua or Kujtimi restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Apollonia Archaeological Park Temple of Artemis Odeon Triumphal Arch Castle of Gjirokaster Skenduli House - Day 7
Gjirokaster to Permet
Travel to Permet, known as the town of flowers and where the Albanian slow food movement started. Visit the House of Congress where the first Communist government was formed in 1944. Climb up an iron staircase to the Stone of the City for good views, then later swim at Benje Thermal Pools under the old Ottoman Kadiu bridge. You can also explore Langarica Canyon if you have time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit House of Congress
- Hike to Stone of the City
- Swim at Benje Thermal Pools
Optional Activities
- Explore Langarica Canyon
- Rafting in the Vjosa River
Landmarks/POIs House of Congress, Permet Stone of the City Benje Thermal Pools Kadiu Bridge Langarica Canyon Vjosa River - Day 8
Permet to Saranda
Drive toward Saranda but stop at the Blue Eye, a karstic natural spring where you can see the different shades of blue in the water and take in the surrounding nature. After that, head to Saranda and check into your hotel. Spend the evening walking around town and getting familiar with this seaside location.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Blue Eye natural spring
Landmarks/POIs Blue Eye natural spring - Day 9
Saranda
Start the morning visiting Butrint Park, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site. Later in the day, head to Ksamil Beach to relax and swim. On the drive back to Saranda, stop at Lekursi Castle which overlooks the town and time it to catch the golden sunset before heading back to your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Butrint Park (UNESCO)
Optional Activities
- Spend time at Ksamil Beach
- Visit Lekursi Castle for sunset
Landmarks/POIs Butrint Park Ksamil Beach Lekursi Castle - Day 10
Saranda to Tirana
Begin the drive back to Tirana and stop at Ali Pasha's triangular fortress on the peninsula of Porto Palermo. Later, pause for lunch at Panorama Restaurant in Llogara National Park where you get views of the Riviera spread out below. You'll arrive in Tirana in the afternoon and settle into your hotel for the final night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ali Pasha Fortress at Porto Palermo
Optional Activities
- Lunch at Panorama Restaurant in Llogara National Park
Landmarks/POIs Ali Pasha Fortress Porto Palermo Llogara National Park - Day 11
Departure
Your F&D team will transfer you to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Airport transfer and drop-off
