Tirana to Corfu: Ancient Towns & the Albanian Riviera
7 days, Tirana to Corfu
Itinerary
Day 1Tirana
Arrive at any time, and welcome to Albania's capital! After a welcome briefing, in the evening head out with your CEO on a brief orientation walk to get to know Tirana a little better. Walk through Skanderbeg Square and see the Et'hem Bey Mosque, famous for the clock tower that is the symbol of the city. Enjoy an optional dinner out and take the rest of the evening to relax with new friends.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Orientation Walk Tirana
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends
Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.
Day 2Tirana
There is no better way to get to know a country than to dive head first into their cuisine. Connect with your fellow travellers and learn about the local specialties with an immersive cooking class this morning, ending with a well-deserved and delicious lunch. Enjoy the rest of the day for yourself to explore the city or explore museums, like Bunk'Art 1 or 2 which are located in underground nuclear bunkers.
Tirana is known for it's colourful Ottoman, Fascist, and Soviet era architecture. Skanderbeg Square acts as the city's focal point, surrounded by pastel buildings. On the square's north end is the modernist National History Museum, covering prehistoric times through Communist rule and the anti-Communist uprisings of the 1990s.
Your Foodie Moment: Tirana Cooking Class
Immerse yourself in the local culture by learning how to cook some local specialties. Sip regional wine and Raki (an alcoholic beverage made of twice-distilled grape pomace and flavored with aniseed) while gaining greater understanding of dishes such as Raki, Byrek (seasonal filling), Tave Kosi (the Albanian national dish featuring lamb cooked in yoghurt), and Seqerpare for dessert.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time this afternoon to get out and explore Tirana however you'd like.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 3Tirana/Berat
Head from Tirana to Berat today with a stop in Kruje along the way. Stretch your legs with a walk around town, one of the most historically significant villages in the country. Nestled in the foothills of the Albanian Alps, this little village is steeped in history and is the epicentre of Albania's independence from the Ottoman Empire. Explore the small centre, roam around one of the country's oldest bazaars, and climb to the Krujë Castle. Upon arrival in Berat, head out with your CEO on a walking tour of the city and the Berat Castle, then enjoy the rest of the evening free.
Berat is known as the "Town of a Thousand Windows", due to the large windows found on old, decorated houses overlooking the town.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Kruje Entrance Fees
Set off on a walking tour of Kruje with your CEO. Krujë is more than just a small mountain village in Albania – it holds historical importance for various reasons. Back in the day, around the Roman era, the area was home to the so-called Albani. This ancient Balkan tribe turned the area into one of the more important cities of that time. Later, during the Middle Ages, it became the first capital of the Albanian state. However, the village is best known as the hometown of national hero Skanderbeg, a military commander who fought off Ottoman forces for 25 whole years before his death in 1468. Check the Old Bazaar and the Castle of Kruja.
Berat Walking Tour
Take an afternoon tour of Berat, led by your CEO. Tour of the Castle of Berat with its chapels, typical houses, the ancient walls of Antipatrea and the Orthodox Cathedral with its art collection from 16th century iconography artist Onufri. Visit the traditional low neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica, (which gave Berat the nickname “Town of a 1001 Windows.“)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 4Berat/Himarë
Transfer to Himarë today with a stop at the Vjosë-Nartë Delta Protected Area. Check out the natural beauty of the wetlands and coastal lagoons and see an old Byzantine monastery before continuing the drive to the beautiful beach town of Himarë. After settling into the hotel, set off on a walk with your CEO to explore the old town before an optional dinner out with the group and free evening.
The Old City of Himare and its commanding hilltop castle stand as testament to the rich historical legacy of Albania. Dating back to Illyrian times, these ancient structures are revered as vital historical landmarks. The old town surrounds the castle and the Spilea coastal area serving as both a tourist hub and an economic centre.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Visit the Vjosë-Nartë Delta Protected Area:
Visit the Vjosë-Nartë Delta Protected Area: on the way to Himarë. A vast area of wetlands, sand dunes & a coastal lagoon, the area is home to sheltering migratory birds and a Byzantine monastery.
Himarë Walking Tour
Explore Himarë with your CEO. The Old City of Himarë and its commanding hilltop castle stand as testament to the rich historical legacy of Albania. These ancient structures date back to Illyrian times and are revered as vital historical landmarks in this region. The old town is ingeniously laid out around the ancient castle and the Spilea coastal area, which serves as both a tourist hub and an economic centre for the region. Opt to visit the inside of the castle on your own. Himarë has a promenade along the seashore lined with numerous Mediterranean-style taverns, creating a perfect atmosphere for leisurely strolls and dining with a view.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Himarë
Experience authentic Albanian culture today on a hike to a shepherd outpost in the mountains. Start walking from the community of Tragjas, heading up the mountain to meet the local shepherds who will share their time with us. Learn about their traditional life in the mountains and enjoy a delicious typical lunch before hiking back down to the bus for the trip back to Himarë. The rest of the day is free to explore more of the town or just relax on the beach.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Local Living Moment: Hike to a Shepherd Outpost with Lunch
Go to the old Tragjas farm of Sofo and Dhurata. Hike a short trail of about 3km with an elevation of approximately 280m to get to the shepherds' outpost where one can enjoy the authentic life of the Albanians, their traditions and life in the mountains, so close to the sea. Enjoy a typical lunch at the farm before hiking back down to the bus to return to Vlorë.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy free time to check out the local beaches in this beautiful coastal town.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 6Himarë/Corfu
Head down the coast to the town of Sarandë to catch the ferry to Greece, and the island of Corfu. Transfer to the hostel and settle in with time to relax before heading out in the evening for an optional farewell dinner and a Big Night Out at a couple of bars with your new friends on this Greek Island paradise.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Your Big Night Out Moment:
Whether it’s a pub crawl, drink specials or a bonfire on the beach, celebrate late into the night with your new best friends.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Corfu
Depart at any time. Make sure to say goodbye to your new friends and snap any final photos before heading out.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.