Albania Adventure - 9 Days

Mire se vini! Welcome to Tirana, Albania. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and the other travellers joining you on your journey. If you arrive with time to spare, you might like to head out for a walk and take in the mosque, citadels, Ottoman architecture and museums of Albania’s capital. This city is a lively, colourful place with plenty of public squares and inviting cafes to discover. After your welcome meeting, maybe get to know your group over an optional welcome dinner where you can get your first taste of Albanian cuisine.

Leave the city behind after breakfast this morning and drive north to the mountain and lakes region. This region is a rare part of the Balkans that managed to maintain its independence and ancient traditions despite being surrounded by Ottoman armies. After a scenic drive along a winding road, you'll board a small boat for a journey across the brilliantly blue Lake Koman to the village of Nanplep and the Shala River. Check in at a cosy family-owned guesthouse, where you'll have some time to relax, refresh yourself in the water and learn about local culture and history over a delicious meal filled with shared stories.

Today, you’ll have the chance to get your feet wet in the Shala River on a challenging hike. Depending on the time of year, you’ll need to trek through the brisk waters to cross from one side of the river to the other. As you hike, watch the vibrant green mountainside drop steeply into the river’s bright, clear waters below. You’ll also have the option of hiring a local guide to hike to the mountain village of Molle.

Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast, then you’ll have some free time to soak up the wilderness and revel in the slow pace of life in the valley. Later, you'll return to the Komani hydropower dam by boat. You’ll then travel to the western part of the region to visit the agritourism destination at Mrizi I Zanave farm, also known as the ‘Shade of the Fairies’. Sit down to a farm-to-table dinner made with fresh ingredients grown on site. You’ll spend tonight at the farm, where you can relax among the peaceful surroundings.

Hit the road this morning and drive south, stopping first in Durres to admire the sandy beaches of the Albanian Adriatic. Your next destination is the Karavasta Lagoon, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the local conservation efforts for species like the Dalmatian pelican and sea turtles. Today’s activities are in collaboration with MEET, a non-profit organisation that supports local tourism operators in national parks throughout the Mediterranean by giving them the tools to develop community-based ecotourism projects. Later, check into your beach guesthouse for the night. This evening, you’re free to enjoy the sunset and sample some delicious local cuisine. Be sure to get a good night’s rest so that you can make the most of tomorrow's activities.

Start your day early with a sunrise breakfast in one of the birdwatching towers on the western side of the Karavasta Lagoon, travelling either by bicycle or electric vehicle. Surrounded by tranquil scenery, you'll have a breakfast prepared with a focus on reducing waste, served on a large, locally made carpet. You’ll have the opportunity to see various birds and possibly other wildlife while sipping on coffee and tea to start the day. After breakfast, visit the nearby village of Babunje, where you’ll take part in a hands-on bamboo craft experience and sit down to a meal with a group of local farmers and artists. Your hosts will introduce you to the local traditions of polyphonic singing, homemade raki (fruit brandy) and Turkish coffee fortune-telling. After your visit, drive to the nearby Bay of Vlora, where you’ll check into your apartment for the night. The rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy the beach or explore your surroundings.

Start your day with a relaxed morning spent at the beach. In the afternoon, take a hike to the old village of Tragjas, where time has stood still since the area was bombed during WWII. From the ruins of the old village, a family has created a farm that uses traditional farming practices. Learn how they coexist alongside animals such as grey wolves, jackals, birds of prey and bee-eaters. After the hike, return to the coast for a leisurely evening.

Begin your day with a morning drive to the small city of Berat, known as the ‘city of a thousand windows'. Take a walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old City and visit the castle, where you’ll go on a guided tour around the ancient walls of the 2400-year-old fortress. Next, drive back to Tirana, where your adventure began. Get to know the city's tumultuous past, including its Ottoman occupation, monarchy under King Zog I, Nazi occupation during WWII and communist rule. Visit Skanderbeg Square, which is paved with stones sourced from all over Albania, and the New Bazaar for a taste of local delicacies. End the day with a coffee and chat with some locals in a beautiful old garden, and browse through their collection of historical family objects.

With no activities planned for today, your Albania Adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend more time exploring Tirana, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.