South Albania Tour

Kruja is just 32km away from Tirana and very close to Tirana International Airport. This historic city is 608m above sea level and offers an open vista to an amazing panoramic view. The name and the importance of the city are closely related to the 25 years of activity of our national hero, Skanderbeg, who made Kruja a bastion of uncompromising resistance against the Ottoman. The Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg Museum is situated inside the castle walls, which date back to the fifth and sixth centuries A.D. No compilation of Albanian agritourism farms would be complete without mentioning Mrizi i Zanave. Various appetizers, hardy main courses and imaginative desserts. The restaurant is a member of the international Slow Food Convivium, and focuses on regional dishes and seasonal variations, so the menu is continuously adapted throughout the year. Depending on the season, the starters can include dried tomatoes, different kinds of pickled vegetables like okra or aubergine, olives, dried meats, sausages, plates of different homemade cheeses accompanied by pine-flavoured syrup, byrek, a filo pastry with various fillings, deep fried zucchini flowers and grilled vegetables. The food is not only flavourful, but also beautifully and creatively presented. Overall, one finds traditional and well-known Albanian dishes with a modern spin, reflecting the composition of kitchen staff of both local women as well as professionally and often internationally trained chefs. It’s this mix of tradition and modernity, the attention to detail and the authentic experience that makes Mrizi i Zanave a truly special place for local and foreign visitors alike. Return to Tirana during late evening.

• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Gjirokastra is enchanted with the almost fabulously steep alleys, where each building has its history written in stone. Located in southern Albania, Gjirokastra lies on the steep slopes of the Drino River valley, in a dominant position and a landscape rich in history. This is the “city of a thousand steps”, which includes hundreds of houses – Ottoman-type towers with stone roofs, wooden balconies and stone walls. With a magnificent castle on a steep hill, Gjirokastra is the magical city with a troubled past, since 2005, it is part of UNESCO’s world heritage. The city’s origins begin with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in the 4th century AD. The castle, known as Argjiro castle, is the most important structure of the city and the largest in Albania. The city was called Argyrokastro in 1336. It reached the peak of flowering during the 1800s–1830s, when characteristically monumental houses were built. The Bazaar and Hazmurat Neighborhood were the first two neighborhoods of the city. The main characteristic of Gjirokastër is the intensive use of stone in the construction of houses, which resemble small castles, cobbled streets, all leading to the Bazaar. Overnight in Gjirokaster

• Meals Included: Breakfast

Përmet is located in a mountainous and hilly area with very broken and diverse relief, where the peak of Paping on mount Nëmërçka is prominent. It is located in the southeast of Albania and borders to the south by Gjirokastra; with Skrapar and Berat to the North, Kolonja to the east and Tepelena to the west. During this tour we will also visit the hot springs of Bënjë with healing properties for a variety of diseases constitute another wealth of underground resources of the area, along with the beautiful valley and canyons of Langarica. On our visit to Përmet you will always smell the good aroma of fruit and nut 'Gliko', where you can also go to a small 'factory' of making gliko, and taste the unique and excellent flavours of wine and rakia of the area as well as the delicious traditional meat dishes. Overnight in Saranda  

• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

It is difficult to explain in words, why the Blue Eye Albania is such a beautiful place. The Blue Eye of Albania has become a popular touristic attraction. Actually, the blue eye is just a natural spring. And if you think about it, there are millions of water springs across the world. So, what makes the Blue Eye Albania different? The Blue Eye is an underwater spring. There is a cave very deep underneath the water, which pumps fresh water to the surface. The blue eye spring is more than 50 meters deep. And the water is pumped up to the surface with an enormous power. The discharge rate is 18400 litres per second. The water is ice-cold, at around 10 degrees Celsius throughout the year. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration, then a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area. The present archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city’s development. The fortifications bear testimony to the different stages of their construction from the time of the Greek colony until the Middle Ages. Enjoy a relaxing day in a paradise-like beach destination in the south of Albania. The Albanian Riviera has many pretty beaches. But this beach gives you that bora bora beach feeling. Only here you feel like you are in the Maldives, without the hour of flying or the high expenses. Unlike other beaches in the Mediterranean, Ksamil is still a quiet and secluded place. The water is crystal clear and turquoise color. The beach site offers white sand and fantastic views of the Ionian coast. Furthermore, the beach is surrounded by stunning Mountain scenery. This beach is the star of the Albanian Riviera. Overnight in Saranda  

• Meals Included: Breakfast

This day of our tour we will drive along Ionian coast to visit picturesque bays where our first stop is Porto Palermo bay with it’s 19th-century fortress, also known as the Castle of Ali Pasha. After Ali Pasha Castle we will continue Arriving to Vlora. In antiquity Vlora was known as Aulona, and is mentioned by many foreign travelers and chroniclers, as one of the main cities of Southern Illyria, which flourished after the fall of Apollonia and Orik. The importance of Vlora grew even further as the Independence of Albania was declared in this city, by the Ottoman Empire, in 1912. Decorated by blues and greens, with the impossibly azure Adriatic Sea on one side and the pine-wrapped Ceraunian Mountains on the other, Vlora has been hosting local visitors since the days of Homer. Vlora is the circle where all forms of relief alternate between them, such as the low field, hill, and mountain. Two of the cultural heritage values that the Vlora region carries are also the Vlora Polyphony, considered UNESCO asset, or Vlora civic songs. Vlora, for its many values and thanks to its geographical location is visited by tourists all year round, offering several types of tourism such as cultural, historical, mountain, sport, coastal, etc. Vlora as a destination for your vacation is an intelligent choice, as the magic of this blue city makes it difficult to return to everyday life. Overnight in Vlora  

• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

Explore the Beauty of Nature with an Unforgettable Trip to Sazan Island and Pirate Cave Expedition! With a comfortable Rib boat we will be sailing all the Bay of Vlora,in a unique tour of the Marine Park of Sazan and Karaburun to explore the glorious history of sailors and pirates and the most unique hidden gems of the Island. The Ultimate Rib boat Adventure Trip to have Fun with no limits!!! Book a speedboat ticket to one of the most beautiful experiences in your life. On this excursion, you will visit the Sazan Island Military Beach, Haxhi Ali's Big Cave, and Karaburun Peninsula Beach Tour Itinerary First Stop: Sazan Island Military Beach (Travel time from Vlorë to Sazan: 30 minutes) We'll spend 40 minutes at the beach in Shenkoll Bay on Sazan Island. Second Stop: Haxhi Ali's Big Cave (Travel time from Sazan to the cave: 15 minutes Once inside the cave, we stay for 20-30 minutes, where tourists can swim, dive, and take photos. Third Stop: Karaburun Peninsula Beach (Travel time from the cave to the beach: 20 minutes) Upon reaching Karaburun Beach, which is partly private and partly public, tourists have 2 hours to relax. The beach offers private services (not included in the cost) and a public area for those who prefer not to pay. There's also a bar and restaurant available. After 2 hours, we head back to Vlorë, marking the end of the tour (Travel time from the beach to Vlorë: 20 minutes). Take a break from the bustling beaches and discover hidden gems around the Karaburun Peninsula on this full-day speedboat tour from Vlorë. Sip complimentary drinks as you soak up views of the cliffs, caves, and bays that line the coast, including Haxhi Ali Cave. Overnight in Vlore  

• Meals Included: Breakfast

Berat, known as the “City of One Over One Windows”, is a historic city in Albania, located in the heart of the country’s lush landscape. Known for its picturesque beauty and rich cultural heritage, Berat offers visitors a glimpse into Albania’s fascinating past and a taste of its warm welcome. A 2,400-year-old city, pride of Albanian architecture, wealth of culture and symbol of religious coexistence, has been proven in the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. The first thing you will notice in Berat is its stunning natural environment. The city is divided into two distinct parts: Kala (old town) and Mangalem (new city). Both are set in the backdrop of the Tomorri mountains and the Osum river winds through the valley, creating a mesmerizing view. Across the Osum River, lies the Goricë neighborhood, with its houses facing Mangalem. The Arched Bridge of Gorica, built in 1780, is a beautiful architectural monument built to connect Gorica with Mangalem. The ottoman-era white houses in the old town with their many windows create a unique architectural spectacle, which has given Berat its nickname. Berat has a rich history dating back to ancient times, with influences from the Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods. The city is home to many historic sites, including The Castle of Berat, a castle dating back to antiquity. Overnight in Berat  

• Enjoy Lunch in a local farm with fresh local products and nice wine
• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch

From Berat you can choose if either you want to go back to Tirana or go directly to the airport.

• Meals Included: Breakfast.