Euroventure
Balkans Holiday
17 daysfrom $5,140
Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour
Albanian Odyssey
Albania is a part of Europe rarely visited by most Europeans. It has a rich and varied history. Its people are friendly and welcoming.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Tirana
London to Tirana
Afternoon direct flight from London for an evening arrival in Tirana, capital of Albania. Transfer to our city centre hotel. Evening meal included.
- Day 2railovernight: Voskopojë
Lake Ohrid & Voskopojë
A short walking tour of the Tirana highlights includes the clock tower, the Palace of Culture and the Bunk’ Art 2 Museum dedicated to the memory of the tens of thousands who were imprisoned and persecuted during the communist regime. Drive to Durrës and then train to Elbasan in Albania’s central mountains. Finally by road via beautiful Lake Ohrid to the tiny village of Voskopojë where a late evening meal awaits us.
- Day 3overnight: Voskopojë
Korcë
Time for a stroll in the village before the short drive to nearby Korcë, a bustling cathedral city which owes its existence to its proximity to both North Macedonia and Greece. Return to Voskopojë for overnight stay.
- Day 4overnight: Permet
South to Permet
The mountains are spectacular as we drive along minor roads towards our next destination. We visit the Farma Sotira bio fish farm and pass close to the Greek border before arriving at the spa town of Permet. Dinner at a local restaurant.
- Day 5overnight: Sarandë
Sarandë
Morning drive to Gjirokastra, birthplace of Enver Hoxha. The town is built on two levels, the upper level of which includes the old city with its pre-Ottoman citadel affording striking views of the Drino River below. Time for lunch here before continuing via the Blue Eye fresh water spring to the lovely coastal town of Sarandë for dinner and a 2-night stay.
- Day 6overnight: Sarandë
Sarandë, Butrint & Coastline
Explore Sarandë, the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site at Butrint, originally settled by the Ancient Greeks, and the Albanian Riviera coastline.
- Day 7overnight: Berat
Berat
Heading into the mountains of Central Albania, our next overnight stay is in Berat, a small UNESCO Heritage town on the Osum River known for its white Ottoman houses and castle housing an ethnographic museum and reconstructed medieval bazaar.
- Day 8overnight: Shkodër
North to Shkodër
Our exploration of the northern half of Albania starts with a drive to Shkodër, the largest city in the north west of the country and, once again, a place of rich history dating back to the Bronze Age. We have a 2-night stay here.
- Day 9overnight: Shkodër
Mes Bridge & Shiroka
A full day’s sightseeing starting with the famous Mes Bridge, an 18th Century stone viaduct over the Kir River, once part of an important trade route linking Shkodër with Constantinople. We then continue to the lakeside fishing village of Shiroka.
- Day 10overnight: Valbonë
The Koman Ferry
We drive into the Albanian Alps, the wildest and remotest region in the whole country. Highlight is a 2 hour trip on a ferry linking the dam at Koman with the small village of Fierza. The lake was created in the eighties by flooding the valley of the River Drin and is now one of a series of important hydro-electric schemes. In Fierza we rejoin our bus to reach our final destination of Valbonë. Here we are surrounded by snow covered peaks, beautiful but rarely visited.
- Day 11overnight: Shkodër
Return to Shkodër
Heading back down the valley, we arrive at the town of Bajram Curri (named after a 19th Century local hero who played a big part in Albania’s struggle for independence). From here we cross into Kosovo and pause briefly in Prizren with its citadel high above the town. Returning to Albania, we overnight in Shkodër.
- Day 12railovernight: Podgorica
Montenegro
A morning transfer brings us to Podgorica, capital of Montenegro for a short sightseeing tour. The afternoon is free and those who wish could take the opportunity to ride either the main rail line to the coast at Bar or the branch to Niksic.
- Day 13railovernight: Belgrade
Montenegro’s Scenic Main Line
The main railway line from here to Belgrade in Serbia is justifiably famous as one of the most scenic in Europe. For the first 80 miles, the line climbs high above the valley and there are wonderful views of the surrounding mountains.
- Day 14overnight: Belgrade
Belgrade
Free day in Serbia’s capital city. Our hotel is within an easy walk of the main sights including the fortress and Kalemegdan Park.
- Day 15
Home Again
Mid-morning flight to London arriving at lunchtime.
Included
- Flights in Economy Class by scheduled airline
- Rail and ferry travel as specified
- Other travel by private mini-coach
- Accommodation in good quality hotels or guest houses with en suite facilities
- All breakfasts and 12 evening meals
- Entrance fees
- Airport and other transfers
- All local taxes/fees
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour plus local professional Albanian guide
