Albania Uncovered

London – Corfu

On arrival in Corfu, you transfer to your hotel. 

Meals Included: Dinner

Gjirokastro

Today we take a short but stunning cruise across to Agia Saranta in Southern Albania. From here we’ll take a spectacular drive along the Blue Eye National Park to the UNESCO Heritage town of Gjirokaster. Dating back to the Ottomans, this medieval town has a wonderful old quarter with a maze of narrow stone cobbled streets and a Turkish bazaar, perfect for some unusual souvenir spotting!

Meals Included: Breakfast Dinner

Tepelene & Apollonia

We drive along the Drino river towards Tepelene. Take in the 'UJI I FTOHTE' (cold water), a unique natural waterfall before reaching Tepelene, a medieval town with an impressive location once visited by Lord Byron. The landscapes, rivers and streams of natural beauty charmed him so much that it inspired him to write the beautiful 13th century poem 'Mother Albania'. After lunch in a typical local tavern (not included), we head for the ancient Roman site of Apollonia. We then head south to the beautiful coastal town of Vlore. 

 

Meals Included: Breakfast Dinner

Vlore

We walk along the grand boulevard "Skele-Vlore" in the large pretty seaside town of Vlore bordered on both sides with elegant palm trees, many street merchants, little shops and restaurants towards "The Flag Square" with its enormous socialist-realist 1912 Independence Monument and visit the large Turkish Bazaar and 16th century Muradie Mosque. Late afternoon we reach the picturesque seafront village of Himare.

Meals Included: Breakfast Dinner

Eagles Nest's

Today we head up to a forgotten traditional shepherd's hamlet located high in the Cancella mountains. After coffee among the locals in the settlements, we can walk around this traditional shepherd village with very old stone houses and little goat farms, a medieval church between a historical beech park and agricultural fields and pastures. After a delicious meal, we slowly descend back to the coast.

Meals Included: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Butrint

Our final day in Albania will take us to one of Europe’s best kept secrets, the ancient ruins at Butrint – a UNESCO World Heritage site, thought by many to be one of the finest ancient cities in Europe.

Meals Included: Breakfast Dinner

Agia Saranta

Today is at leisure to shop for original souvenirs, relax on the terrace or join our guide for a walk through Agia Saranta along the pretty palm tree lined promenade. In the early afternoon, we head back to Corfu.

Meals Included: Breakfast Dinner

Corfu – London

Depart for Corfu Airport.

Meals Included: Breakfast