Albania and Thessaloniki

Breakfast and departure for Pogradec, a charming town located on the southeastern shores of the beautiful Lake Ohrid. Free time for coffee at traditional cafes and then continue to Elbasan, a city combining the traditional with the modern, boasting impressive monuments and an old market with cobbled streets reflecting its long history. Next, continue to Tirana and check-in at the hotel. Early afternoon, we will take a tour of the Albanian capital, visiting the restored buildings in Skanderbeg Square, the Et'hem Bey Mosque with its exceptional frescoes, the Orthodox Resurrection Church, the National Museum, the unique Bunk'Art Museum housed in a preserved nuclear bunker from the communist era, the Opera House, the Parliament, the Presidential Palace, the National Football Stadium, and its famous castle. The rest of the day is free. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart for Kruja, the birthplace of Albania's national hero, Skanderbeg. Kruja was the largest center of resistance against the Ottoman Empire’s expansion in the Balkans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum within the Kruja Castle, which includes artifacts from the 15th century related to the Albanian-Ottoman wars. Free time at the local market with traditional products, then continue to Durrës, the second-largest city in Albania and its main port. The city, formerly Epidamnos, was founded in 627 BC by settlers from Corfu and Corinth in the ancient Illyrian region. Free time to visit the Roman amphitheater in the city center and the port for a coffee. Return to Tirana and rest. Overnight stay.

Breakfast and departure from Tirana towards Gjirokastër. Along the way, we will visit Berat, located on the banks of the Osum River, known for its traditional houses inside the city walls that offer a unique view of the town’s history and cultural heritage. Visit the castle, built during the Byzantine era, which preserves its medieval grandeur with ancient walls, gates, and churches. Continue to the Monastery of Saint Cosmas of Aetolia outside Fier and then to Tepelenë to see the statue of Ali Pasha and his castle. In the surrounding areas near the Drin and Vjosë rivers, some of the fiercest battles of the Greco-Italian War of 1940-41 took place. Arrival in Gjirokastër in the late afternoon and check-in at the hotel. The historic center of Gjirokastër has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. Free time at the local bazaar. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, depart for Butrint, Albania’s most significant archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Free time for a tour and then continue to the coastal town of Saranda, located on the Albanian Riviera. From Lekursi Castle, we will enjoy a stunning view that stretches all the way to Corfu and the Ionian Sea. The castle was built by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1537. Free time for a walk along the seaside promenade and lunch. In the afternoon, return to Gjirokastër for a stroll through its countless houses and narrow streets. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will visit the Greek-speaking village of Dervitsani and take a guided tour of the Church of the Virgin Mary. Free time, then continue to the village of Bullarat to visit the military cemetery of the Greek soldiers who died during the 1940-41 war. Our visit to Albania ends with a stop at the Kakavija border station. Our next stop is in Ioannina, where we will have free time for lunch. We will arrive in Thessaloniki in the late afternoon and check in at the hotel. Free time for the rest of the day. Overnight stay.

After breakfast, the day is free for you to enjoy Thessaloniki. In the afternoon, transfer to Thessaloniki airport for the flight back to Larnaca, carrying with us unforgettable memories, unique landscapes, experiences, and knowledge.