Gastronomy and Culture in Albania

Day 1. Airport - Tirana

Welcome to Albania! Get settled in the hotel and for those of you not too tired, there is a guided walking tour of the city center before dinner in a traditional restaurant in the evening.

Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Berat

Transfer to Berat. Set out for a walking guide through the UNESCO and admiring the White Mosque, the Holy Trinity Church and Gorica Bridge.

Day 3: Rural Berat, Bogova Waterfall

Transfer to Bogove and start your 30min walk towards the waterfall. Home – made wine and “Raki” are pleasant drinks to accompany your food. In the afternoon visit the town of Polican, famous for its Weapon Factories during the Communist time. Head back to the city and enjoy free time in the evening exploring the ancient neighborhood of Mangalem and Gorica.

Day 4: Typical food from Rural Gjirokastra

Transfer to Gjirokaster to discover the city of “a thousand steps”. Step into Skenduli house, the nicest Ottoman tower house and listen to its history and details from the 10th generation of Skenduli family and your local guide. Soak up to the rich history of the castle and enjoy the view of the “city of stone” from above. Pass by the Ottoman Bazaar and historic wooden houses and visit Gjirokastra’s Obelisk dedicated to the first school of Gjirokastra and enjoy the 360º view from there.

Day 5: Typical food from Rural Gjirokastra

Drive to Albanian countryside cottage. Step inside and learn about food, life and traditions of an Albanian family. Start cooking with three generation of Albanian ladies or drink raki with cheese and olives with “Grandpa” and listen to Commie stories. You will have the chance to enter in these two amazing 400 year old constructions. In the evening, transfer back to the city but not without visiting a bunker on the road. Enter and see what it feels like inside a Communist thick, concrete bunker.

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of the Blue Eye spring and Butrint

Archaeological Park of Butrint, On site - Guide Travel to the Blue Eye and marvel at the spring’s shades of blue and nature around it. Transfer to Himare and enjoy free time in this typical seaside city. 

Day 7: Apollonia via Llogara National Park

Archaeological Park of Apollonia. En route to Apollonia, stop at Llogara balcony for a stunning view from above of the South Coast beaches and then head for lunch to Llogara National Park freshened by the mountain breeze and pine trees. Set off a guided tour in Apollonia in the afternoon, where an on-site archeologist explains the history behind the temple of Artemis, the Odeon and the Triumphal Arch. On the way to Tirana, stop for the delicious Byrek in the city of Lushnje.

Day 8: Departure

Transfer to the airport for your return flight home