Gems of Albania and Northern Greece

Your adventure begins as you embark on your flight from the United States to Tirana, Albania. Prepare to immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of the Balkans, with a journey that takes you from the ancient past to modern times.

Upon arrival in Tirana, Albania’s vibrant capital, you’ll check into a luxurious 5-star hotel. This hotel offers an oasis of relaxation with its beautiful pool and superb restaurant, making it the perfect spot to unwind after your journey and wait for other trip members to join us. Spend the day adjusting to the time zone, enjoying the hotel’s amenities, and preparing for the days of exploration ahead.

In the evening, we gather for our welcome drink and dinner, perhaps to try Tavë Kosi, a beloved national dish (lamb and rice with a creamy yogurt sauce).

Late morning, you’ll depart for Kruja, a historic town located about 20 miles north of Tirana. Kruja is one of Albania’s most significant medieval cities, known as the stronghold of Albania’s national hero, **Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg**. Skanderbeg was a 15th-century military leader who led a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire.

Next we visit Skanderbeg Castle, perched on a hilltop, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Within its walls, you’ll find the “Skanderbeg Museum”, dedicated to the hero’s life and military campaigns. The museum displays weapons, armor, documents, and other artifacts from the era, providing a deep insight into the period of resistance against the Ottoman Empire.
Next is the Ethnographic Museum of Kruja. Located within a traditional Ottoman-era house inside the castle complex, this museum showcases the daily life of Albanians during the Ottoman period. Exhibits include traditional household items, clothing, and tools, giving you a vivid picture of life in Kruja centuries ago.

After exploring the castle and museums, you’ll enjoy a traditional Albanian lunch in Kruja, followed by a wine-tasting experience, where you’ll sample local wines paired with Albanian dishes. In the evening, you’ll return to Tirana where you’re free to have a light dinner on your own.

We start our day in Tirana with a visit to the “Bunk’Art Museum”, a unique museum housed in a massive underground bunker built during the communist era under the regime of Enver Hoxha. Hoxha, Albania’s communist leader from 1944 until his death in 1985, was notoriously paranoid about potential invasions, leading to the construction of thousands of bunkers across the country. Bunk’Art provides a fascinating look into Albania’s communist past, with exhibits detailing the history of the Albanian police force, the lives of ordinary citizens under communism, and the broader geopolitical tensions of the Cold War.

Next, we’ll visit the “House of Leaves”, Albania’s former secret police headquarters, now a museum dedicated to the surveillance activities of the communist era. The museum is named after the ivy that covers the building’s exterior. Inside, you’ll learn about the methods used by the Sigurimi (Albania’s secret police) to spy on and control the population. The exhibits include wiretapping devices, surveillance photographs, and personal accounts from the period, offering a chilling glimpse into the totalitarian state’s control over its citizens.

For lunch, we’ll head to the “Bazaar of Tirana”, a bustling marketplace where you can shop for local crafts, souvenirs, and traditional Albanian products. The bazaar is a lively area filled with colorful stalls, street food vendors, and cafes. Afterward, you’ll explore “Blloku”, once an exclusive area reserved for Albania’s communist elite, now a trendy neighborhood filled with cafes, bars, and shops. Blloku was off-limits to ordinary citizens during the communist era, but today it’s the center of Tirana’s nightlife and a symbol of the city’s transformation. The day concludes with dinner at one of Blloku’s fashionable restaurants, where you can enjoy a blend of traditional and contemporary Albanian cuisine.

In the morning, we depart for Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage city located in central Albania. Berat is known as the “City of a Thousand Windows” due to the distinctive Ottoman-style houses that seem to climb up the hillside, each with large windows overlooking the city below.

We begin our exploration in the old city, which consists of the Mangalem and Gorica quarters, located on opposite sides of the Osum River. These quarters are known for their well-preserved Ottoman architecture, with narrow, winding streets and whitewashed houses.

Then we visit the Holy Virgin Maria Church, part of the Berat Castle complex. The church dates back to the Byzantine era and is known for its beautiful frescoes and iconostasis. The castle itself is one of the few in Europe that is still inhabited. Inside the castle, we’ll visit the Onufri Museum, housed in a former cathedral. This museum is dedicated to the work of Onufri, a famous 16th-century Albanian painter known for his vivid icons and religious paintings.

After exploring Berat, we have lunch in a local restaurant, surrounded by the city’s historical charm. In the afternoon, we drive to the Nurellari Winery, a boutique winery offering a personalized wine-tasting experience. Set in a picturesque landscape, the winery produces a variety of Albanian wines, and you’ll have the chance to sample them along with local delicacies.

Today, we depart for Vlora, a coastal city in southwestern Albania. Vlora holds a special place in Albanian history as the city where Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912.

We visit the House of Albanian Independence, now a museum, where Ismail Qemali raised the Albanian flag for the first time, marking the birth of an independent Albania. The museum provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the declaration of independence and the early years of Albania as a nation-state.

After visiting the museum, we’ll enjoy a seaside lunch in Vlora, taking in the beautiful views of the Adriatic Sea. In the afternoon, we embark on a scenic drive along the “Albanian Riviera”, a stretch of coastline known for its stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, and picturesque villages. The road offers breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea, with opportunities to stop and take photos of the dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters.

Tonight, we check into a hotel along the Riviera for the night. Dinner will be at a local restaurant, where we’ll be joined by a former commander of the Albanian fleet, who will share stories and history related to the region, providing a unique and personal perspective on Albania’s maritime heritage.

The day begins with a visit to Porto Palermo Castle, a small but strategically significant fortress built by Ali Pasha of Tepelena, a powerful Ottoman Albanian ruler known for his semi-autonomous reign over much of southern Albania and northwestern Greece in the early 19th century. Ali Pasha was a controversial figure, both feared and admired, often referred to as the “Lion of Ioannina.” The castle at Porto Palermo, located on a peninsula jutting into the Ionian Sea, offers panoramic views of the surrounding area and includes a submarine base used during the communist era, reflecting Albania’s Cold War military history.

After exploring the castle, we’ll have lunch near the site, enjoying fresh seafood and local specialties. We will even get to enjoy live traditional Albanian polyphonic music, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

https://youtu.be/G4V2cE-LmBU

Then, we continue our journey to Saranda, a lively seaside town close to the Greek border. Known for its vibrant promenade, crystal-clear waters, and nearby archaeological sites, Saranda is a popular destination for both Albanians and international tourists.

Upon arrival in Saranda, we’ll check into our hotel and have time to explore the town. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a restaurant with views of the Ionian Sea, soaking in the atmosphere of this beautiful coastal town.

In the morning, we depart for Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Albania. Butrint has a rich history that spans from the Greek to the Roman, Byzantine, and Venetian periods. According to legend, Butrint was founded by exiles fleeing the fall of Troy. Over the centuries, it became a major center in the ancient world.

The archaeological site includes a well-preserved theater, Roman baths, a basilica, and the **Temple of Asclepius**, dedicated to the Greek god of medicine. The site is surrounded by water and dense forests, creating a serene and picturesque setting. The layers of history visible at Butrint reflect the many civilizations that have left their mark on this region.

After exploring Butrint, you’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the Blue Eye Spring, a natural wonder known for its stunning turquoise waters. The spring is a popular spot for photos, and you’ll have the chance to take in the beauty of this unique site.

Next, we continue to Gjirokaster, another UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its Ottoman-era architecture. Gjirokaster is often referred to as the “City of Stone, due to the stone roofs of its houses and the cobbled streets of its old town.

The highlight of our visit will be Argjiro Castle, which dominates the city’s skyline. The castle dates back to the 12th century and has been expanded and modified over the centuries. It played a key role in the defense of the region during various conflicts. Inside the castle, you’ll find a military museum with weapons, artifacts, and even a captured American spy plane from the Cold War era. After exploring the castle, you’ll wander through the steep cobbled streets of the old town, where you can admire the traditional Ottoman houses and visit the **Ethnographic Museum**, which is housed in the former home of Albania’s communist dictator, Enver Hoxha.

The day concludes with a spectacular dinner at a riverside hotel in Gjirokaster, where we’ll be treated to local delicacies in a beautiful setting.

Crossing the border into Greece, we head to Ioannina, a city with a rich history situated along the shores of Lake Pamvotis. Ioannina was a major center of learning and culture in the Ottoman Empire, particularly under the rule of Ali Pasha of Tepelena, whose influence extended throughout the region.

We’ll visit the historic Castle of Ioannina, built in 528 AD by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian. It is one of the oldest castles in Greece and served as the administrative center of Ioannina for centuries. Ali Pasha made it his stronghold, and within the castle, you can visit the Fethiye Mosque and Ali Pasha’s Tomb, as well as the Silversmithing Museum, which showcases the city’s long tradition of silver crafting.

After visiting the castle, we’ll enjoy lunch in Ioannina, sampling local Greek dishes such as baklava or the famous “pies of Epirus”, a region known for its savory and sweet pastries. In the afternoon, we’ll explore **Lake Pamvotis**, with options for boat rides or a leisurely walk along its shores. The lake is known for its small island, which hosts a monastery and several quaint cafes. The island is also associated with the final days of Ali Pasha, who was assassinated here by Ottoman agents.

The day ends with dinner and a restful night in a luxurious 5-star hotel in Ioannina.

The day starts with a visit to the ancient site of Dodoni, one of Greece’s oldest and most significant oracles. The Oracle of Dodoni was dedicated to Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, and was believed to be the oldest Hellenic oracle, even predating the more famous Oracle of Delphi. Priests at Dodoni interpreted the will of Zeus through the rustling of oak leaves, the sound of sacred doves, and other natural signs.

The Dodoni Theater could seat up to 18,000 people and was used for both religious festivals and plays. Dodoni was a major cultural and religious center in ancient Greece, and walking through its ruins provides a deep connection to the ancient world.

After exploring Dodoni, we’ll have lunch nearby, savoring local Greek cuisine. Then, we drive to the coast and board a boat to Corfu, one of Greece’s beautiful islands. The boat ride across the Ionian Sea offers stunning views of the coastline and the crystal-clear waters.

Upon arriving in Corfu, we bid farewell to our Albanian drivers and enjoy dinner in Corfu Town. Known for its Venetian architecture, Corfu Town has a vibrant atmosphere, with narrow streets, bustling squares, and a rich cultural heritage. After dinner, we check into a 5-star hotel for the night.

The final full day of our journey is dedicated to exploring Corfu City on a guided tour. Corfu, known as **Kerkyra** in Greek, has a rich history shaped by Venetian, French, and British influences. The island was a major naval base during the Venetian Empire and later became a British protectorate.

Our tour will include a visit to the Old Fortress, a massive structure built by the Venetians in the 15th century. The fortress played a crucial role in defending the island from Ottoman invasions. We’ll also visit Spianada Square, the largest square in Greece, which was designed by the French during their occupation of the island. The square is a popular gathering place for locals and offers beautiful views of the old town.

Another highlight is the Church of Saint Spyridon, dedicated to the island’s patron saint. Saint Spyridon is credited with several miracles, including saving the island from famine and plague. His relics are housed in the church, and the building itself is a fine example of Venetian architecture.

After the guided tour, you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch in Corfu Town, where you can sample local dishes such as “sofrito” (a Corfiot dish made with veal cooked in white wine and garlic) and “pastitsada” (a traditional pasta dish with meat and tomato sauce). The afternoon is free for shopping in the city’s charming streets, where you’ll find everything from luxury boutiques to artisanal shops selling local products, including the island’s famous kumquat liqueur.

The day concludes with a memorable farewell dinner, featuring a selection of Corfu’s finest cuisine, providing a fitting end to your journey.