Corfu & Southwest Albania

Arrival in Corfu, transfer to 3* Hotel. In afternoon visit in the historical center built in a Venetian style and the old bazaar. Overnight in Corfu.

After breakfast Visit in Corfu town World Heritage, Visit in the fortress and in the palace of Mon Repos King Transfer to Corfu harbor and part by ferry to Saranda. Our Trip continues to Butrint Archeological Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site- since 1992, Butrint is only 18 km of distance from Saranda and includes such sights as the Askelapius temple, the theater, the stoat, the portals, the baptistery, the Venetian fortress, and more. The ecosystem surrounding the area is a national park, offering you the opportunity to walk in a real Mediterranean “jungle”. Visit new excavations of the Roman Colony of Butrint. The trip proceeds to Saranda city which is located along the Ionian coast, near the Greek island of Corfu. These two locations are connected via ferries, making it possible for tourists to visit all the marvelous sites of the city of Saranda. The city was mentioned in the first century B.C. with the name Onhezmus. In the evening visit to Lekursi castle from where you’ll enjoy a charming view of Saranda bay and the island of Corfu, 9 km of distance from Saranda. Accommodation in 4* Hotel. Optional, dinner at the restaurant. Overnight in Saranda.

After the breakfast to the hotel drive up to Albanian Riviera. En route making a short visit to the bay of Porto Palermo where the castle of Ali Pasha is situated. We will make a stop at a panoramic restaurant near the sea shore where you can have lunch with sea products according the traditional Albanian cooks. In the afternoon arrival in Vlora, a historical and costal city. which is known since IV century BC with the name of Aulona. Visit to Muradie’s Mosque build in 1542 by architect Mimar Sinani who is even the architect of Sulejmanie mosque in Istanbul. Accommodation in Vlora International Hotel 4*. Dinner and Overnight in Vlora.

After the breakfast proceed to visit Berat, named the “city of one thousand windows”, with a castle rising predominantly over the city. The city lies by the foot of the Tomorri Mountain, considered in antiquity as a sacred place. Berat has three characteristic quarters, Mangalem, Kala (the castle) and Gorica, and is described as a rare example of a well-preserved Ottoman city located in central Albania. Part of the city is the castle, which was built in the thirteenth century, but the origins of the site date back to the fourth century B.C. The center of the castle quarter is rich with many Byzantine churches; most of them unique for the wall paintings, icons and the values they hold. The cathedral of St. Mary houses the Onufri National Iconographic Museum. Berat is also home to a considerable number of mosques that were built in the Ottoman period. The King’s Mosque (Xhamia e Mbretit) is the oldest one, built in the fifteenth century at the time of Bayazid II, notable for its fine ceiling. Visit to the castle build on the hills of the city, Onufer Museum, Saint Trinity Church, Saint Nicolas Cathedral and museum quarters of Mangalemi and Gorica. Lunch at a restaurant at the edge of Osum River. After lunch continue to Durres, where you’ll learn about the history of this ancient city. There are 3000 years of civilization of the biggest sea-port city in Albania. Visit to the fortress build in the IV-V century BC with 120 hectares and 44 km circumference of surface, Roman amphitheatre with a capacity of 20.000 spectators and the Venetian Tower. Accommodation in 4* Hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Durres.

After the breakfast transfer to Kruja city where you’ll visit The Medieval castle and the museum of our National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbey, a stop to the old bazaar where you can do souvenirs shopping. Lunch in Kruja at local restaurant. After lunch the tour proceeds to the capital city of Tirana. In afternoon sightseeing tour in Tirana where you can visit the E’them Bey Mosque, Watch Tower situated to the main center of the city. You’ll also see the main boulevard called “Martyrs of the nation” and it’s characteristic buildings in Italian stile. Accommodation in 4* Hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Tirana.

After the breakfast to the hotel, the tour will proceed to Gjirokastra city, which is part of world heritage protected by UNESCO. In Gjirokastra the dwelling houses have the form of medieval towers constituting a building ensemble with a characteristic architecture. Visit to the Castle and the Museum of Weapons, the Church in the old bazaar and its characteristic shops, the Ethnographic Museum, located in the house where the former communist dictator Enver Hoxha was born. Proceed to Saranda, Accommodation in 4* Hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Saranda.

Ferry to Corfu to explore the old city before a farewell dinner. Accommodation in 3* Hotel Overnight in Corfu.

After breakfast, free time at leisure until departure. Transfer to airport for evening flight.