Albania and Macedonia 14 days trip

Airport – Tirana, transfer: 30min 20km
Accommodation: Tirana. Hotel Idea 3* https://www.hotelidea.al/

After collecting your luggage, you are welcomed by our correspondent at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can begin your discovery of Tirana by visiting its many museums such as the National Historical Museum retracing the history of Albania or the Bunk'art 2, a museum housed in a large underground bunker and the House of Leaves which allows you to understand the history of espionage in Albania during communism. You can also take the time to admire the colorful facades of the city's buildings, testimony to the post-communist era of the early 90s. You can then stroll through the Shetitorja Murat Toptani district to admire the castle ramparts of Tirana, the Tanners' Bridge, the Et'hem Bey mosque and the Pazar i Ri bazaar. In the evening, we recommend you to go to the Bloc, which was at the time a place reserved for the political elite and which is, today, the trendiest district of Tirana. You will have the opportunity to have a drink there and discover the typical atmosphere of Albanian bars.

Tirana – Lin: 2h 110 km
Accommodation: Linen. Guesthouse.
Meals included: morning

This morning, there will be a briefing at your hotel by our French-speaking team on the progress of your adventure and collection of your rental car. Then, begins the departure for the start of your road trip towards the south and Lake Ohrid. Along the way, pass through the town of Elbasan with its pretty citadel and the Clock Tower.
Before joining the village of Lin. You will cross the ancient road of Via Egnatia. It was built by the Romans and was the only road to connect Rome to Constantinople.

You will arrive in the middle of the day at the village of Lin, nestled on the shores of the majestic Lake Ohrid. The crystal clear waters of the lake blend harmoniously with the traditional houses and cobbled streets of the village. You can observe the locals going about their ancestral fishing activities and visit the small churches and historical sites of the village.
Your guest room will be ideally located in the heart of the village by the lake.
Options:bike ride / boat ride / hike.

Flax –Ohrid: 45 min 36 km
Accommodation: Guest house
Meals included: morning

Today, you will cross the border into North Macedonia towards the town of Ohrid, a cultural and natural treasure of exceptional beauty. Along the way, pass through the town of Struga, a charming town crossed by the Black Drin river.
Dominated by the majestic UNESCO-listed Lake Ohrid, the city offers breathtaking views of deep blue waters surrounded by green mountains. Cobbled lanes and historic buildings tell centuries of history, while medieval churches adorned with precious frescoes bear witness to the region's rich religious heritage. The old Roman theater, medieval fortifications and various museums illustrate the diversity of its heritage. The lakeshores buzz with activity, with shoreline walks, boat trips and peaceful beaches. Restaurants offer delicious local cuisine, while colorful markets add a touch of authenticity. Ohrid is a destination where history, nature and culture combine harmoniously to provide an unforgettable experience.

Accommodation: Guest house
Meals included: morning

This second day is an opportunity to deepen your visit in the city of Ohrid with its historical heritage and to go hiking around the lake. The city of Ohrid is overlooked by the Galitchitsa massif, itself part of a national park of the same name. You will have the opportunity to discover extraordinary fauna and flora (brown bear and lynx for example) and to admire sumptuous panoramas! For heritage lovers, don't miss the Saint Pantaleimon Monastery and the Church of Saint John of Kaneo, overlooking Lake Ohrid, certainly the most famous and most photographed building in the country.
At the end of the day, go to the old port to admire the sunset.

Optional: visit religious sites such as; St. Jovan Kaneo Church, Saint Naum Monastery, Saint Sophia, Saint Climent, Plaoshnik Church.

Ohrid – Voskopoje: 2h 87km
Accommodation: Voskopoje. Hotel Pashutahttps://www.booking.com/hotel/al/pashuta-voskopoje1.fr.html
Meals included: morning

Today is the return to Albania as you will be taking the road towards the village of Voskopoja, renowned throughout the country for its historical attachment to Balkan Orthodoxy. After a quick passage through Korça, the road rises to reach Moscopole (Voskopoja in Aromanian) located about twenty kilometers west of the town, at an altitude of 1200 meters. On site, several hikes are available to you, including one of the three Wolf Trail routes, over 5, 10 or 20 km, which allow you to discover the six main churches and monasteries in the surrounding area: The church of St Mehilli , the Church of the Prophet Ilia, the Church of the Dormition of the Holy Virgin, the Orthodox Monastery of Saint John the Baptist, the Church of Saint Athanasius as well as the Church of Saint George, erected on the heights of Voskopoja nearby from the small shepherd village of Shipskë. For the night, you will be staying in a guest room at Vila Pashuta, the best address in the city.

Voskopoja – Korca: 30 min, 20.5 km
Korca-Farma Sotira:1h 45m, 68km
Accommodation: Farma Sotira.Mountain Lodge https://www.booking.com/hotel/al/farma-sotira.fr.html
Meals included: morning

This morning, continue your self-drive tour and head back down towards cosmopolitan Korça. Nicknamed “Little Paris”, set off on foot to explore the city and its Old Bazaar district (Pazari i Vjetër) with its traditional houses, its shaded terraces, its shops, its small streets… Then return to the road towards the south and Leskovik, on the Greek border. You will be crossing the Germenj-Shelegur National Park and settling in at Farma Sotira, a farm inn well known to all travelers.
You will undoubtedly be seduced by this night in a chalet with a rural atmosphere at Farma SotiraA, asymbol of Albanian ecotourism. You will find on site a trout farm, cows, a swimming pool and an excellent restaurant offering local products from the farm.
Many hiking and horse riding trails are possible from the farm. The different trails will help you discover the wonders of the Germenj-Shelegur National Park.
With its pine forests, its wildlife (bears, wolves, etc.), its wild rivers, its meadows and of course its mountains, the park is a true paradise for hikers.
In the evening, after spending the day in nature, don't miss the traditional trout prepared on the barbecue for dinner at Farma Sotira's restaurant before closing your evening around a campfire at the foot of your chalet.

Farma Sotira - Allows: 1h 30min 65 km
Accommodation: Allows, Hotel Alvero 3*https://www.hotelalvero.com/
Meals included: morning

Today, you will be leaving for the town of Permet, nicknamed the “city of roses” and the main gateway to the national parks of the Hotova-Dangëll fir and especially the Vjosa, which will be the main theme of the day. Considered one of the last wild rivers in Europe, the Vjosa has just obtained (in 2023) the status of National Park thanks to the long-standing investment of the Patagonia brand, known worldwide in the outdoor industry for the quality of its products, benefiting in particular from some of the most rigorous environmental standards in the world. Driving for around fifty kilometers, you will follow this river with magnificent landscapes.
Don't hesitate to stop on the very photogenic wooden footbridges, which locals and shepherds use to cross the beautiful Vjosa (or Aoos in Greek).
Along the way, don't miss the Strembec hike. Departing from the village, this route of around twelve kilometers (round trip) will take you through the Nemerka massif, to the Sopoti Falls with a panoramic view of the Vjosa river valley.
On your arrival in Permet, enjoy this pleasant town ideally located on the banks of the Vjosa. For your meals, we invite you to meet at Te Culi, a popular adress for locals for its traditional dishes and its excellent value for money.

Accommodation: Allows, Hotel Alvero 3*https://www.hotelalvero.com/
Meals included: morning

Departure this morning for the Langarica canyon and the famous Benja baths, located about ten kilometers from Permet, in the heart of the Hotova-Dangell pine national park.
To fully enjoy the site, we advise you to arrive there before 9 a.m. in order to avoid the many tourists who come to visit these 2 essential spots in the country.
On your arrival, you will not miss the photogenic stone bridge of Kadi, a magnificent Ottoman building which dominates the Langarica River and marks the entrance to the canyon.
Start your visit with a natural bath in the first hot water pool, the largest of the ten springs, with a magnificent view of the surrounding mountains. Then, set off on an aquatic hike to discover the Langarica canyon. You will then navigate between cliffs over 150 meters high, in a stunning setting rivaling the Wadi Mujib canyon in Jordan, possibility of going up the river for more than 4 kilometers.
For the afternoon, another essential activity in the region is rafting for white water sports enthusiasts. Don't hesitate to book a descent of the Vjosa in rafting directly from your hotel. The activity is accessible to everyone, including beginners.

Allow– Gjirokaster: 1h 10min 60km
Accommodation:Gjirokaster,Hotel Kalemi 2 3*http://kalemihotels.com/en/homepage/
Meals included: morning

After breakfast, you continue your Albanian adventure towards Gjirokastër, nicknamed “the stone city” which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.
The start of the stage will first take you to the Kelcyra gorges, a natural wonder where the Vjosa plunges into an impressive corridor buried under steep cliffs over 1000 meters high. To enjoy the show, stop for a coffee at the Gryka e Kelcyres hotel and go to the small iron bridge. Then head to Gjirokastër, where you arrive for lunch. Gjirokastër, Albania's iconic city, captivates with its unique architecture and cultural heritage.
This city is full of typical neighborhoods and shaded terraces, but above all it is home to the ethnographic museum and its citadel, witnesses to a large part of Albanian history. It is also the birthplace of the great writer Ismail Kadaré and the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha. You will discover its city center and its hundreds of buildings of Ottoman architecture. We also advise you to take the time to visit its bazaar, a major trading hub in the region.
We recommend immersing yourself in a book by Ismaël Kadaré, the "poet of the Balkans" during your trip to discover the country from the perspective of its best-known author!

Gjirokaster-Butrint: 1h 20 min 70 km
Butrint – Qeparo: 1h 20 min 56 km
Accommodation:Qeparo, Hotel
Meals included: morning

Today, your path will continue towards the Butrint National Park, an ancient city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in an exceptional natural environment, which Julius Caesar transformed into a residential city and an aristocratic cultural center for his war generals. Butrint was also, two thousand years ago, a real inspiration for various Greek authors and philosophers who described it as “the garden of democracy”.
After the visit to Butrint, the day will be dedicated to relaxation. Your path will continue towards the only sandy beach on the Albanian Riviera: Ksamil is famous for its turquoise water and its four islands facing the Greek island of Corfu!
You then head towards the magnificent Albanian Riviera to the wild village of Qeparo, ideally located by the sea. Still sheltered from tourist flows, the locality is divided into two parts, the first considered to be the “new village” (on the coast) and a second the “old village” perched on the heights with a panoramic view of the Ionian Sea.

Accommodation:Qeparo,
Meals included: morning

For this day on the riviera, two options are available to you.
The first, focused on relazation, consists of simply enjoying your hotel, its private beach and hiking on the heights of Qeparo, to discover the old village.
The second option takes you to discover the treasures of the Albanian Riviera. the first spot, Porto Palermo, is a preserved bay housing a pretty fortress as well as an old submarine base from the communist era. Then, Himare, the most Greek of Albanian towns, has a festive atmosphere with its white sandy beaches, its bars, its restaurants... And finally, the canyon and the beach of Gjipe is accessible after a 30-minute walk from the Saint Theodore monastery. Isolated and surrounded by cliffs, Gjipe Bay is considered the most beautiful page of Albania.

Qeparo -Llogara: 1h 20 min 50 km
Llogara- Berat: 2h 20 min 127 km
Accommodation: Berat, Hotel Onufri 3*https://www.booking.com/hotel/al/onufri-berat.fr.html
Meals included: morning

Resuming of the road trip towards the north, you will take a magnificent road, with numerous viewpoints over the Albanian Riviera, leading to to Dhermi, a charming village with Greek architecture, characteristic of the Ionian coast.
Then, gain height to reach the Llogara pass. The road ascends and winds through a series of turns before arriving at the summit perched at an altitude of 1043 meters, offering an impressive panorama of the region and the Adriatic Sea. You then enter the Llogara National Park, known for its wide variety of conifers, its mountain fauna but also for its numerous hiking trails.

Before reaching Berat, you can take a possible detour via the village of Zvernec, north of Vlora, to discover the Narta lagoon with its colony of pink flamingos and its famous Orthodox monastery erected on an island covered with pine trees and accessible from a wide footbridge.

After this nature break, head to Berat, “The city of a thousand windows”, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your arrival, set off to explore the ancient citadel, one of the most beautiful sites in Albania. Located on the heights of the Mangalem district, the fortress houses the oldest mosque in the country, numerous churches as well as the famous museum dedicated to the painter Onufri. Also not to be missed are the ethnographic museum and the Gorica district located on the left bank of the Osum river and accessible by the two bridges from the city center.

For dinner, an essential appointment and a favorite is the Klea restaurant, hidden in the heart of the citadel with its “homemade” cuisine and its beautiful shaded terrace.

Berat – Tirana: 1h50min 101 km
Accommodation: Tirana. IDEA 3* Hotelhttps://www.hotelidea.al/
Meals included: morning

Last discovery of the city of Berat, and on the way to your last stop in Tirana.
Possible passage through the lagoon and the Karavasta national park, south of Durres. A little paradise for ornithologists and migratory birds, the 4,300 hectare park is known for being home to one of the largest colonies of Dalmatian pelicans in the world.
Upon arrival, return your vehicle directly to your hotel located in the city center.
For this last Albanian evening, we invite you to Oda, a classic in the Albanian capital. Located in the popular Pazari i Ri district, the establishment has a pleasant shaded terrace and offers quality traditional cuisine, accompanied by music.

Tirana – Airport: 30min

Today, one of our agents will accompany you to the airport.
We hope you enjoyed this trip.
We look forward to seeing you again in Albania.