{"id":5692,"date":"2024-06-21T15:10:30","date_gmt":"2024-06-21T13:10:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/tour\/albania-one-and-a-thousand\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T17:48:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T15:48:48","slug":"albania-one-and-a-thousand","status":"publish","type":"tour","link":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/tour\/albania-one-and-a-thousand\/","title":{"rendered":"Albania, one and a thousand"},"content":{"rendered":"

DAY 1 \u2013 WELCOME TO ALBANIA!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Departure from Italy to Tirana, with arrival scheduled by late morning<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meet our local representatives at the airport and transfer to the hotel.<\/p>\n

Free lunch.<\/p>\n

The first day is entirely dedicated to a guided tour of Tirana, Albania’s vibrant capital. Starting from the central Skanderbeg Square, surrounded by some of the country’s most important landmarks and institutions, we explore several characteristic districts of the historic city centre on foot. At the recently renovated Pazari i Ri, the city’s largest open-air market, we browse among stalls and meet local vendors and artisans. Following the monumental boulevard dedicated to the Martyrs of the Nation, we reach Blloku, once the restricted residential area of dictator Enver Hoxha and today one of the liveliest districts in Tirana. During the day we will stop at one of the city’s historic caf\u00e9s to enjoy coffee in true Albanian style. <\/p>\n

Our first introduction to Albanian cuisine takes place over dinner in a traditional restaurant renowned for preserving regional culinary traditions.<\/p>\n

Overnight stay in a charming family-run historic hotel in the heart of Tirana.<\/p>\n

Experience: The city tour will be enriched by a meeting with an intellectual from Tirana, who will offer insights into contemporary Albanian society and current affairs.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DAY 2 \u2013 TIRANA \u2013 DURR\u00cbS \u2013 APOLLONIA \u2013 P\u00cbRMET<\/strong><\/p>\n

A day dedicated to discovering Albania’s ancient history and gastronomic traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our first stop is Durr\u00ebs, Albania’s second-largest city and principal port. It was from here that many Albanians departed during the major migration waves to southern Italy in the early 1990s, a chapter of recent history that we will explore during the journey.<\/p>\n

Guided visit of the historic centre, including the Byzantine walls, the impressive Roman amphitheatre, and the seafront promenade.<\/p>\n

Lunch at leisure in a traditional byrektore, where participants can sample different varieties of byrek, Albania’s most popular savoury pastry, together with the traditional yoghurt drink dhall\u00eb.<\/p>\n

In the afternoon we continue to Apollonia, one of Albania’s most fascinating archaeological sites. Guided visit of the ruins, museum, and Byzantine monastery. <\/p>\n

Late afternoon arrival in P\u00ebrmet, a charming town on the banks of the Vjosa River and one of Albania’s leading Slow Food destinations. <\/p>\n

Dinner featuring local specialties. Overnight stay in a historic family-run hotel overlooking the Vjosa River.<\/p>\n

Experience: Discover the gastronomic traditions that have made P\u00ebrmet one of Albania’s flagship Slow Food destinations.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DAY 3 \u2013 P\u00cbRMET \u2013 B\u00cbNJA \u2013 LUNXH\u00cbRIA \u2013 GJIROKAST\u00cbR<\/strong><\/p>\n

Morning excursion to B\u00ebnja, famous for its thermal springs and beautiful Ottoman stone bridge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Return to P\u00ebrmet to visit a local artisan workshop that preserves traditional agricultural processing techniques. Travelling through the protected landscapes of the Vjosa Valley, Europe’s last major wild river, we reach the rural region of Lunxh\u00ebria. <\/p>\n

Traditional lunch with a local family in the Drino Valley before continuing to Gjirokast\u00ebr.<\/p>\n

Guided visit of the UNESCO-listed “Stone City”, including the Old Bazaar, the imposing fortress, historic houses, and stories of its most famous residents, including writer Ismail Kadare and former dictator Enver Hoxha. <\/p>\n

Free evening.<\/p>\n

Overnight stay in a traditional family-run hotel in the historic centre.<\/p>\n

Experiences: Optional bathing in the thermal springs of B\u00ebnja, lunch with a local farming family, and a meeting with a resident of Gjirokast\u00ebr’s historic centre. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DAY 4 \u2013 GJIROKAST\u00cbR \u2013 BUTRINT \u2013 MESOPOTAM \u2013 GJIROKAST\u00cbR<\/p>\n

Morning guided visit of Butrint, Albania’s most important archaeological site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to legend, Butrint was founded by refugees from Troy and later became one of the Mediterranean’s most significant ancient cities. <\/span><\/p>\n

Following a free lunch, we explore the fertile region of Vrina, known for its citrus plantations and beautiful Ionian coastline. Guided visit of the remarkable Church of Saint Nicholas in Mesopotam, part of a medieval monastic complex and considered architecturally unique.<\/p>\n

Dinner in a traditional restaurant.<\/p>\n

Overnight stay in the same historic hotel in Gjirokast\u00ebr.<\/p>\n

Experience: Visit Butrint accompanied by a park archaeologist and learn about ongoing excavations, conservation efforts, and contemporary challenges.<\/strong> <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DAY 5 \u2013 GJIROKAST\u00cbR \u2013 IONIAN RIVIERA \u2013 LLOGARA NATIONAL PARK \u2013 ZVERNEC \u2013 BERAT<\/p>\n

A spectacular journey along some of Albania’s most beautiful coastal landscapes. Following the famous Ionian Riviera, we enjoy panoramic views over bays, coves, beaches, and olive groves. Stops include Porto Palermo and Himar\u00eb. <\/span><\/p>\n

Lunch in Llogara National Park, where we discover distinctive local dishes and traditions.<\/p>\n

In the afternoon we continue through the Bay of Vlora region before visiting the picturesque island monastery of Zvernec, located within the protected natural area of Narta Lagoon. .<\/p>\n

Late afternoon arrival in Berat.<\/p>\n

Free evening and overnight stay in a charming central hotel.<\/p>\n

Experience: Meet the family who runs the traditional guesthouse restaurant in Llogara and learn about local culinary traditions.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DAY 6 \u2013 BERAT \u2013 TIRANA<\/strong><\/p>\n

Guided visit of Berat, the famous UNESCO World Heritage “City of a Thousand Windows”. Explore the historic districts of Mangalem and Gorica, the fortress quarter of Kala, Byzantine churches, mosques, caravanserais, and the renowned Onufri Museum. <\/span><\/p>\n

Free lunch during the day. <\/span><\/p>\n

In the afternoon we travel through the scenic landscapes of the Dumrea Lakes region before returning to Tirana. Continuation of the city tour, including visits to lesser-known neighbourhoods beyond the usual tourist routes.<\/p>\n

Farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight stay in a historic family-run hotel in central Tirana.<\/p>\n

Experience: Visit the working-class district of Ali Demi and meet representatives of local development projects supported through community-based tourism initiatives.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

DAY 7 \u2013 RETURN TO ITALY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Free morning for independent sightseeing, shopping, or relaxation in one of Tirana’s many garden caf\u00e9s. Transfer to the airport and return flight to Italy.<\/span><\/p>\n

A personalized programme of optional visits will be suggested for travelers departing later in the day.<\/em><\/p>\n

Please note:<\/strong> Please note: The itinerary may be subject to changes. Any updates or modifications will be communicated at the time of booking. <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Contact us<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1477,"template":"","tour_destination":[138],"tour_type":[119],"class_list":["post-5692","tour","type-tour","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tour_destination-albania-en","tour_type-travel-around-the-world","tour_facility-trip_facilities_a4d29a6d-6d07-4e9d-9a90-a543947073f1_it","tour_facility-trip_facilities_ccdf4378-07a0-4d75-9367-86d1cea00d85_it","tour_facility-trip_facilities_2f40f723-4bef-414f-9667-6888234b81c1_it","tour_facility-trip_facilities_94b3b224-4fff-4d8f-8c3e-e0595265dfc2_it"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tour\/5692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tour"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/tour"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tour\/5692\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5696,"href":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tour\/5692\/revisions\/5696"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"tour_destination","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tour_destination?post=5692"},{"taxonomy":"tour_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.betaniatravel.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tour_type?post=5692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}