1. Albania Holidays DMC, Rr. "Sami Frashëri", Nd.30, H.2, Ap.7, Njesia Bashkiake Nr. 5, Kodi Postar 1019, Tirana, Albania,
Tel: +355 4 2235 688 / 498, Fax: +355 4 2235 498 contact@albania-holidays.com www.albania-holidays.com
Albania: An unusual yet rewarding experience
Albania is a fascinating Mediterranean country situated in South-Eastern Europe, in the West of the Balkan
Peninsula, in the crossroads between east and west. It is a mixture of history starting with the proud and warrior
like Illyrians in prehistory, continuing with the Greeks, Romans, Slavs and Turks. The wars throughout the centuries
and the 50 years of Communist isolation have left their scars in a peaceful and freedom loving people. Today
Albania is a country with an ancient history, spectacular nature, rich traditions, vibrant and diverse culture and
genuinely hospitable people.
Tirana
Tirana is relatively a new city founded in 1614. The city began to grow in the 18 century, but it remained
unimportant until it was proclaimed Albania’s capital in 1920. Italian planners and architects build the main square
named after the national hero Scanderbeg, the huge boulevard, ministry buildings, national bank and the town
hall. An area known as “Blloku” because the villas of the communist elite were based here, has become the
hotspot of nightlife in the capital with trendy bars, pubs, cafes and nightclubs. In recent years the dull communist-
style buildings have been altered by an artist turned Mayer, through the ingenuous idea of painting their facades
in bright colours, and abstract patterns.
Day 1. Wednesday Airport – Shkodra - Tirana (best:Lufthansa or Austrian midday arrrival)
Meet and greet group at Tirana International Airport and transfer by deluxe motor coach to Shkodra the most
important town of north Albania and the Illyrian capital, in the 3rd century BC . On the way stop for lunch in a
village where culinary traditional expertise meets organic produce. Afterwards visit Rozafa Castle from where
spectacular views all around can be admired and the feel of supremacy the Illyrians would have felt against
enemies standing in such an imposing fortress. We will also take a walk in town with its Italian influence
architecture. After visits return to Tirana where we take a driven tour of the capital and check in at the hotel 4* or
5 *. Dinner at a traditional restaurant
Day 2. Thursday Tirana - Apollonia - Drymades Beach
Drive to the ancient site of Apollonia situated on the famous Via Egnatia. It became one of the most important
learning centres in Roman times. The Roman Emperor Augustus Octavian was send to study here by his uncle
Julius Caesar, a testimony to this city’s importance. After a visit we continue on to Dhermi one of the most
2. Albania Holidays DMC, Rr. "Sami Frashëri", Nd.30, H.2, Ap.7, Njesia Bashkiake Nr. 5, Kodi Postar 1019, Tirana, Albania,
Tel: +355 4 2235 688 / 498, Fax: +355 4 2235 498 contact@albania-holidays.com www.albania-holidays.com
beautiful Albanian Beaches. A spectacular sight awaits us at the Llogara pass 1000 m above sea level looking down
at the Ionian Sea. Here we check in at the hotel and dinner is served with seafood and a sea view. Overnight Hotel
4*.
Day 3. Friday Relax at Dhermi Beach or explore UNESCO sites
Option 1. Today we relax on the wonderful beach of Dhermi, where sun bathing in the crystal clear waters is a
wonderful experience. Dinner in Dhermi. Overnight Hotel 4*
Option 2. For those who are really interested in culture we depart early to Gjirokastra a UNESCO World heritage
town for its architecture. We will visit the castle, the Ethnographic museum which was the house the ex dictator
was born in and a traditional house 300 years old. After these visits a traditional lunch will be had in one of the
local restaurants. After lunch we drive to the ancient site of Butrint considered the best discovery of antiquity in
Albania and beyond. Visit the site and afterwards return to hotel.
Day 4. Saturday Drymades – Berat – Tirana (UNESCO Cultural Heritage)
After breakfast we depart for Berat one of the most fascinating Albanian towns with a mixture of cultural
influences. Built in white on a slope of green with the river at its feet, it offers a striking view as soon as it becomes
visible. It is famous for its white-washed houses with their many windows which, seem to have been build on top
of each other, that give it the nickname “town of a thousand windows”. It is one of the most attractive towns in
Albania. Berat is thought to have been established in the 3rd century B.C by an Illyrian tribe of central Albania with
a protective castle, it was known as the fortified city of Antipatrea. In 1417 the town was occupied by the Turks
who build quite a few mosques in the area below the town’s old castle. Berat retains a unique style of
architecture, with narrow and stone paved streets. The castle is the only one in Albania that still has houses and
inhabitants within its walls, going about their daily life in exactly the same place their predecessors did centuries
3. Albania Holidays DMC, Rr. "Sami Frashëri", Nd.30, H.2, Ap.7, Njesia Bashkiake Nr. 5, Kodi Postar 1019, Tirana, Albania,
Tel: +355 4 2235 688 / 498, Fax: +355 4 2235 498 contact@albania-holidays.com www.albania-holidays.com
ago. We will visit the Fortress, Onufri Museum and several churches and mosques. Onufri was an Albanian master
painter of the 16th century who painted many church icons in Albania and Greece and is famous for its red colour
named after him.
After visits at the castle where we will have a home cooked meal in a traditional house in the castle, we drive to
Tirana where we take a tour of the city with its colourful buildings. Return to Tirana for a gourmet Gala dinner.
Overnight in Tirana in hotel 4* or 5 *.
Option 1. At a Fine dining restaurant, situated on top of a high building with a great menu prepared by
Option 2. Gala dinner at a special government villa, hired only for our group. The Villa is used to welcome the
highest Albanian dignitaries and their international counterparts. A unique occasion to dine in a very exclusive
place.
Afterwards possibility to go to Live performance music club where some of the best Albanian singers perform
international and local hits. Overnight in Tirana.
4. Albania Holidays DMC, Rr. "Sami Frashëri", Nd.30, H.2, Ap.7, Njesia Bashkiake Nr. 5, Kodi Postar 1019, Tirana, Albania,
Tel: +355 4 2235 688 / 498, Fax: +355 4 2235 498 contact@albania-holidays.com www.albania-holidays.com
Day 5. Sunday Tirana – Kruja – Airport
After early breakfast proceed Kruja - the centre of Albanian resistance against the Turks under our national hero
Scanderbeg. He kept them from crossing into Western Europe for 25 years, thus earning the title “Protector of
Christianity” given by the Pope. We visit the Skanderbeg Museum dedicated to him and the Old Bazaar with
handmade souvenirs. Transfer to airport for flight back.
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