Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana
You'll touch down in Tirana and get settled into your hotel. Once you're comfortable, there's a meeting with your guide and the rest of the group to go over what's ahead. After that, a guided walk takes you through Skanderbeg Square, past the Et'hem Bey Mosque, and through Bunk'Art. The evening finishes with a welcome dinner where you'll try local food.
- Start point
- Rruga Aeroportit, 1504 Krujë, Albania (Tirana International Airport, 00:00 - 00:00)
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner with local cuisine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Opera)
Included Activities
- Guided city walk exploring Skanderbeg Square
- Visit Et'hem Bey Mosque
- Visit Bunk'Art
Landmarks/POIs Skanderbeg Square Et'hem Bey Mosque Bunk'Art 
- Day 2
Tirana to Shkodra
Start with a morning walk around Tirana, hitting up local cafes and getting a feel for the city. Then you'll drive to Shkodra with a stop at Mrizi i Zanave agritourism in Fishte village to see how sustainable tourism and Albanian slow food work. After lunch, the Marubi National Museum of Photography is next, followed by the 18th-century Mesi Bridge where you can catch panoramic views. The day ends with a visit to the Venice Art Masks Factory before your evening is yours, either to pick a traditional restaurant or walk around Shkodra.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel ( Çoçja Boutique Hotel)
Included Activities
- Morning stroll in Tirana
- Visit to Mrizi i Zanave agritourism
- Visit to Marubi National Museum of Photography
- Visit to Mesi Bridge
- Visit to Venice Art Masks Factory
Optional Activities
- Traditional restaurant for dinner
- Leisure stroll in Shkodra
Landmarks/POIs Mrizi i Zanave Marubi National Museum of Photography Mesi Bridge Venice Art Masks Factory - Day 3
Shkodra to Berat
You'll leave Shkodra and head to Kruja to see the Skanderbeg Museum, which focuses on Albania's national hero who brought Albanians together and fought off Ottoman forces for 25 years. The Old Bazaar is next, where you can check out traditional crafts like the 'qeleshe' wool skull cap. From there, it's a drive to Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique architecture.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Mangalemi)
Included Activities
- Visit to Skanderbeg Museum
- Explore Old Bazaar in Kruja
- Qeleshe demonstration
Landmarks/POIs Skanderbeg Museum Old Bazaar in Kruja 
- Day 4
Berat
Berat gets a full day. You'll walk through Berat Castle, see the ancient walls, and visit the iconic St. Mary Church. The Onufri Museum shows off religious icons and manuscripts. Later, you'll head to Alpeta winery in Roshnik village for wine tasting and a farm-to-table lunch. The archaeological site of Apollonia comes next to explore ancient ruins and learn about its past as a trade center mixing Illyrian, Greek, and Roman cultures. You'll wrap up by transferring to Llogara National Park for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Farm-to-table lunch at Alpeta winery)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Sofo Llogara)
Included Activities
- Visit to Berat Castle
- Visit to St. Mary Church
- Visit to Onufri Museum
- Visit to Alpeta winery with wine tasting
- Visit to Apollonia archaeological site
Landmarks/POIs Berat Castle St. Mary Church Onufri Museum Alpeta Apollonia 
- Day 5
Llogara to Saranda
A nature walk through the forest happens early, then after breakfast you'll drive through the scenic Llogara Pass where mountains meet the Ionian Sea. Ali Pasha Castle sits on a scenic peninsula and you'll learn about the influential 18th-19th century figure Ali Pasha Tepelena. Beach time is built in with the option to swim. Upper Qeparo village offers great views and lunch at a local restaurant before you head to Saranda for a free evening by the sea, walking the promenade and eating fresh seafood.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Kaonia)
Included Activities
- Nature exploration walk
- Scenic drive through Llogara Pass
- Visit to Ali Pasha Castle
- Beach time
Optional Activities
- Swimming and bathing at the beach
- Dinner at local seafood restaurant in Saranda
- Stroll along Saranda promenade
Landmarks/POIs Llogara Pass Ali Pasha Castle Upper Qeparo 
- Day 6
Saranda to Gjirokastra
Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site with prehistoric roots and significance as an Illyrian, Epirote, Roman, and Byzantine settlement, is your destination. You'll explore the archaeological site, then take a boat trip on Butrint Lake with local guides to learn about mussel cultivation and try it yourself. Lunch features mussels, then you'll sail to Kalivoi to cook two mussel dishes with fresh vegetables, homemade bread, and white wine. On the way toward Gjirokaster, you'll pause to explore the Blue Eye, a natural spring with lush greenery around it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Tasting lunch featuring mussels prepared at Kalivoi with fresh vegetables, homemade bread, and white wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Kalemi 2)
Included Activities
- Visit to Butrint UNESCO World Heritage site
- Mussel Tour boat trip on Butrint Lake
- Mussel cultivation learning and hands-on experience
- Tasting lunch featuring mussels
- Mussel dishes preparation at Kalivoi
- Visit to Blue Eye
Landmarks/POIs Butrint Butrint Lake Blue Eye 
- Day 7
Gjirokastra
Gjirokastra, known as the 'City of Stone' and birthplace of writer Ismail Kadare, opens with a guided tour of Gjirokastra Castle, the Balkans' second-largest fortress built in the 12th-13th centuries with panoramic views. The restored Ottoman-era Skenduli House in the old town shows local traditions. You'll have free time in the Old Bazaar to explore and grab lunch, then visit the 6th-century Saint Mary Church in Labova e Kryqit village featuring Byzantine frescoes from the 9th-11th centuries. The rest of your day is free to relax in the Old Bazaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Kalemi 2)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Gjirokastra Castle
- Visit to Skenduli House
- Explore Old Bazaar
- Visit to Saint Mary Church in Labova e Kryqit
Optional Activities
- Traditional lunch
- Free time in Old Bazaar
Landmarks/POIs Gjirokastra Castle Skenduli House Old Bazaar Saint Mary Church 
- Day 8
Gjirokastra to Tirana
From Gjirokastra, you'll head to Dhoksat village for a real Albanian experience. A short guided tour covers the village's history, then you'll spend time with a local family for a cooking experience and lunch. The drive back to Tirana takes you through scenic countryside. A farewell dinner wraps things up, giving everyone a chance to share memories, photos, and stories from the trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch prepared during culinary experience with local family), Dinner (Farewell dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Opera)
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Dhoksat village
- Visit to local family
- Culinary experience
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks/POIs Dhoksat - Day 9
Tirana
Your morning is free before you head to the airport. Depending on your flight time, you might squeeze in one last taste of Albanian vibes before you go.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Free time to explore Tirana
