Summer Colors of Albania – 11 Day Tour

Private transfer from the airport to your hotel, followed by a 1-hour welcome walking tour through central Tirana. Relax at your hotel afterward. Overnight: Tirana

Depart for Berat, with a stop in Belsh along the way. Visit the Castle of Berat and the Onufri National Museum of Iconography, followed by a wine tasting. Spend a quiet afternoon strolling the pedestrian promenade and crossing the Gorica Bridge. Overnight: Berat

Depart for the stone city of Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the castle, the old bazaar, and the Skenduli family house-museum, followed by a traditional Gjirokastër lunch, included. Overnight: Gjirokastër

Depart to visit the Blue Eye near Sarandë, the largest karst spring in Albania. Continue to Butrint National Park, the largest and most important archaeological site in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by the Ionian Sea and Lake Butrint. Free time on the beach in Ksamil before returning to Sarandë. Overnight: Sarandë

No activities today — simply the beach, and the spa if your hotel has one. In the evening, an optional visit to Lëkurësi Castle to watch the sunset over Sarandë and Corfu. Overnight: Sarandë

Depart along the Riviera, passing Porto Palermo Castle, built by Ali Pasha of Tepelena. Nearby lies a Cold War-era tunnel built to hide submarines, which you'll pass close to but not enter, as it remains a restricted military area. Arrive in Himarë, with free time to relax and enjoy the beach. Overnight: Himarë

An optional boat excursion, at an additional cost, to see some of the Riviera's most beautiful beaches — Livadhi, Jal, the Pigeon's Cave, and Gjipe. Stop for around 2 hours at one beach before returning to Himarë, with free time to follow. Overnight: Himarë

Depart for the Llogara Pass, stopping at the panoramic viewpoint for one of the most spectacular views over the Ionian coast in Albania — with optional paragliding available at an additional cost. Continue into Llogara National Park, one of Albania's most important parks for flora and fauna, for a traditional lunch finished with kos dele me mjaltë e arra, before free time to enjoy the park. Overnight: Llogara

Depart for Vlorë, the "City of the Flag," where Albania's independence was declared. Visit the historic Muradie quarter, the Lungomare seafront promenade, and the Independence House. In the afternoon, visit the Narta Lagoon and Zvernec Island, home to a Byzantine monastery. Overnight: Vlorë

A full day by boat to Sazan Island, Albania's largest island and, until 2015, a restricted military zone off-limits to civilians — once home to a small permanent population, now uninhabited. Optional walking exploration of the island or free time on the beach. Continue to the Haxhi Aliu Cave, the largest sea cave in Albania, and the Karaburun Peninsula, with free time on one of its beaches, before returning to Vlorë in the afternoon. Overnight: Vlorë

Depart Vlorë for Apollonia, the "city of students" where even the Roman Emperor Augustus once studied. Continue to the Karavasta Lagoon for a boat ride to observe its wildlife — keep an eye out for flamingos and pelicans — followed by a stop at the visitor center to meet Johnny and Vlashi, two very special resident pelicans who welcome every visitor to Karavasta. Return to Tirana for a farewell craft beer tasting with snacks, or a full traditional dinner instead. (For guests departing the following day: an additional night in Tirana and a private transfer the next morning can be arranged.)