Between culture and seaside in 8 days

Airport - Tirana, transfer: 18km/30min
Accommodation in Tirana, Hotel Oxford 4*
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3M7ir88VSyH5WePMA
Meals included: morning

Arrival at Tirana “Mother Teresa” Airport.
Welcome by one of our agents at the airport and then transfer to Tirana. Depending on the time of arrival, you can make a first discovery of Tirana.
Tirana, once a modest village, has completely transformed into the main center of the Albanian community, now home to people from all over. With a conurbation of nearly a million inhabitants, city of bright colors and nightlife, Tirana is the nerve center of the country.
The capital opens up to curious travelers as a festive and vibrant city. The National Museum, the Gallery of Fine Arts, a Catholic cathedral and another Orthodox one, as well as the “Et`hem Bey” mosque considered a pearl of Muslim worship, will be part of the cultural visits planned in this city. The evening will take you to the former Bllok district, formerly reserved for the communist nomenklatura, and today a trendy district of the capital and the heart of nightlife where all the youth of the Albanian capital meet in the evening around a drink, to the melodies of modern and varied music.

Optional activities:
-Visit of Bunk'Art 2
-National History Museum
- The House of Leaves
-The New Bazaar of Tirana (Pazari i Ri)
-The checkpoint
-The Bllok District
Optional: You can hire a guide if you want to know more about the monuments of Tirana and its Communist past.
Restaurant options:
Oda Restaurant:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oda+-+Traditional+Albanian+Restaurant/
Era Restaurant:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Restaurant+Piceri+Era+%22Blloku%22/
Lulishte 1-maj:https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lulishte+1+Maji/

Tirana - Divjaka: 85 km/1h30
Divjaka - Berat: 80 km/1h30
Accommodation in Berat. 3* hotel
Meals included: morning

Today, you are going to explore the Divjaka national park.
Divjaka-Karavasta National Park is a protected natural area located in southwest Albania, along the coast of the Adriatic Sea. It is one of the most important wetland ecosystems in the country, offering diverse flora and fauna. The park's ecosystem also includes around 230 birds, 12 species of mammals and 16 reptiles. The lagoon constitutes the main nesting and reproduction site of the Dalmatian Pelican throughout the country.
You can explore the Karavasta Lagoon, the largest lagoon in Albania and a key part of the national park. You can take a boat trip on the lagoon to observe the rich avifauna and the unique ecosystem of the region. You can also take advantage of the wild beach for swimming.

Then, you will head to Berat, an Ottoman-style city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. “The city of a thousand windows”, recognized for its facades and its adjoining houses, is the best preserved city in the country. The small streets of the “Kala” district and the museum of the painter Onufri will leave you with some unforgettable memories.

There are narrow streets with slippery cobblestones, Byzantine churches that are very sober in appearance but which house frescoes of inestimable value, a breathtaking view of the Osum valley, a minaret, grandmothers selling knitwear and lace and the precious Onufri Museum.

You can then dine in one of the authentic restaurants of this charming city. Also not to be missed, 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.

Optional activities in Berat (Possible visit with French-speaking guide)
• Visit to the fortress
• Stroll around the old neighborhoods in the evening
• Wine tastings in one of the many cellars in the region
• The Ethnographic Museum
• The Onufri icon museum
• Medieval Center, The King's Mosque and Teke Bektashi

Proposed Restaurants:

Onufri Restaurant: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Onufri+restaurant/
Klea Restaurant: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hotel+Klea

Berat – Gjirokastra: 180 km / 2h30
Accommodation: Gjirokastra, Kerculla Resort 4*
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Yt4t4txpikwzyhRA7

Meals included: morning

It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its architectural and cultural importance.
The stone houses, built into the hillside, give Gjirokastër a unique and picturesque appearance. Like Berat, Gjirokastër has a well-preserved old town, where one can find cobbled streets, traditional stone houses and historic buildings.
One of the highlights is Gjirokastër Castle, which dominates the town from a hill. It not only offers panoramic views of the city, but also houses a museum, showcasing the history of the region from ancient times to the present day.
Gjirokastër is also known for being the birthplace of Ismaïl Kadaré, a renowned Albanian writer and candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature. The house where he was born is now a museum dedicated to his work.
It is also the birthplace of the former dictator Enver Hoxha, whose house is today transformed into an ethnographic museum.
The atmosphere of Gjirokastër is steeped in history and culture. The town has a medieval atmosphere, with its narrow streets and cobbled squares. Visitors can also explore local markets, taste traditional Albanian cuisine and experience the authentic way of life of this region.
The town of Gjirokastër is also known for its culinary art. Typical dishes such as “pacha qofte”, “shapkat”, “oshaf” with dried figs (a dessert made from sheep's milk, sugar and dried figs), can be cited.

Optional activities in Gjirokaster:
• Visit to the fortress
• Visit to the traditional market
• Visit to Ismail Kadare's house
• Visit to the Skenduli house
• Visit of the houseZekate
• Ethnographic Museum (former house of dictator Enver Hoxha)

Proposed Restaurants:
Kujtimi Restaurant: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kujtim+Restaurant/
Mapo Restaurant: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mapo+Restaurant/
Restaurant Taverna kuka:https://www.google.com/maps/place/Taverna+Kuka/

Gjirokastër - Butrinti: 70km / 1h30min
Butrinti - Qeparo: 56km / 1h20min
Accommodation: Qeparo, Hotel Valta
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8rmcYvw6PE7jPibX9
Meals included: morning,

Head to the Blue Eye, a bright blue natural water spring. It takes its name from the extraordinarily blue color of the water which comes from an underground spring. The crystal clear water emanating from the spring creates a deep and intense blue hue, creating a magical and mysterious atmosphere. The site is nestled in an enchanting natural setting, surrounded by vegetation.

Then, you will head to the historical and cultural jewels of Albania, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, Butrint.

It offers a fascinating insight into Mediterranean history, with remains dating from Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian antiquity. This is why the site is home to a wide variety of ruins and historical monuments from different eras.
Some of the most notable monuments in Butrint include the theatre, the Temple of Asclepius, the Christian baptistery, the Roman forum, the medieval city walls and the early Christian basilica.
The archaeological site of Butrint is located in an exceptional natural environment, on the edge of Lake Butrint and surrounded by a dense forest. This is why visiting Butrint is often considered an unforgettable experience, combining history, culture and nature.
In the afternoon, your journey runs along the surprising Albanian Riviera.
You can enjoy the beach there or you can go on foot to explore the old village of Qeparo.
The village is famous for its traditional stone architecture and narrow streets which give the village a picturesque and authentic atmosphere. Due to its elevated position, Qeparo offers exceptional panoramic views of the Ionian Sea.
Proposed Activities:
• Butrint archaeological site
• Blue Eye Natural Source
• Explorations of old Qeparo
• Beach explorations
• Visit to the Porto Palermo Fortress

Proposed Restaurants:
• Vila Gjika:https://maps.app.goo.gl/6LRjVjKKXWQyVXi17
• Riviera Restaurant:https://maps.app.goo.gl/AjvJ1RMQgS9GvLji8

You can have a French-speaking guide if you want to know even more about the history of the archaeological site of Butrint

Accommodation: Qeparo, Hotel Valta
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8rmcYvw6PE7jPibX9
Meals included: morning,

On this day, you will have the opportunity to discover and explore Ali Pasha's fortress on the edge of the splendid bay of Palermo, as well as the beach of Qeparo, Porto Palermo, Borsh, Lukove, the town of Himara with its lively evenings or even the famous bays of the Riviera like Livadh and Dhërmi.
You can relax on the sandy beaches, where you can swim in the warm, crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea or simply soak up the Mediterranean sun. Then, you can enjoy a meal of seafood, freshly caught and prepared in the local culinary tradition, a delicious way to connect even more intimately with the spirit of the place.

Proposed Restaurants:
• Vila Gjika:https://maps.app.goo.gl/6LRjVjKKXWQyVXi17
• Riviera Restaurant:https://maps.app.goo.gl/AjvJ1RMQgS9GvLji8

Qeparo – Llogara: 1h20
Llogara-Vlora: 35min
Accommodation in Vlore, Kraal Hotel 4*
https://maps.app.goo.gl/g9sVcFtEzicibZro7
Meals included: ALL INCLUSIVE

Hike: 2km
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Elevation difference: 200m + and – 200 m

After breakfast, you will leave for the Llogara National Park.
Llogara National Park lies mainly in the Ceraunian mountain range, encompassing the Llogara Pass which is famous for its panoramic views of the Ionian Sea. The region is covered with dense forests, green pastures.
Due to its location between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, the park is home to rich biodiversity. A variety of bird species, endemic plants and wildlife can be found here.

You will hike to the Caesar Pass (during the war with Pompe Jul Caesar camped with his army hence the name today) where a beautiful view of the entire bay of Vlora will be revealed.
After this beautiful encounter with nature, you will reach the city of Vlora. It is one of the most important cities in the country in terms of maritime trade and tourism.

Vlorë has a rich history and has been the location of some important historical events for Albania.
The city is home to several museums that highlight Albania's history, culture and independence.
It was in Vlorë that Albania's declaration of independence was proclaimed in 1912.
And the Independence Museum tells the history and events during this crucial period for Albania.

Proposed Activities:
• Hiking in Llogara National Park
• The Independence Museum
• Flag Square
• The old quarter
• Stroll along the Adriatic Sea

Vlore - Apollonia: 40 mins
Apollonia – Tirana: 1h40

Accommodation in Tirana, Oxford Hotel
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3M7ir88VSyH5WePMA
Meals included:Breakfast.
New day dedicated to the discovery of the archaeological site of Apollonia.

Apollonia was an important ancient city, founded in the 6th century BC since it was dedicated to the God Apollo.
Today, the archaeological site of Apollonia is a major historic site in Albania, and the associated museum houses a collection of artifacts and archaeological objects that bear witness to the history of the city.
The city was an important political, economic and cultural center during Antiquity. It flourished under Roman rule.
Walk among the ruins of thousand-year-old buildings. You will have the opportunity to explore the ruins, its theater, its temples and its ramparts, the Bouleuterion, the Odeon, the church and the museum.
You will discover several statues and sculptures, some of which represent Greek and Roman deities. You will also be able to see ancient inscriptions, religious objects and architectural elements from the temples and public buildings of the city.

After your visit to the museum, you will head towards Tirana.

You can have a French-speaking guide if you want to know even more about the history of the archaeological site of Apollonia

This evening, you will return the rental car to the Oxford Hotel, one of our agents will collect it.

Tirana-Airport, transfer: 30min
Meals included: Breakfast.

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.