Welcome to Tirana. Your hotel is located in the downtown. There are plenty of attractions, cafes and bars to keep you busy. Founded in 1614, Tirana became the capital of Albania in 1920 and is the main cultural and industrial center of Albania. The city boulevards are marked with fascinating relics of the Ottoman, Italian and communist past.
In the evening, you can have a drink at one of the numerous cafes or trendy bars of the “Blloku” district. The most animated quarter of the city lies at the place where before the democratic changes it was not allowed for the public to enter as it was inhabited only by the higher leadership.
The price includes:
• Accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in Tirana
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

After breakfast we will depart from Tirana to start our journey towards the region of Zagori in the surrounding of Gjirokastra.
The field of Çajup lies at an altitude of 1200m, right in the middle of the mountains with the same name. The road is windy, and gains more than 1000m in altitude in an hour-long drive, but it will reward us with some spectacular views.
We will be guest of a local shepherd, who will show us how their ancestors lived throughout the millennia, and how they continue to live to this day. We will see how milk is turned into cheese or yoghurt, through some, to the western world long-lost techniques. Of course, you will also taste the fresh products during our traditional shepherd’s lunch.
But don’t eat yourself too full, because there is a hike planned as well. We will walk to the mountain ridgeline, from where the views on the valley of the river Drino are more than spectacular. After the walk, we will transfer to Gjirokastra, where dinner and accommodation are planned.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in Gjirokastër
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

After breakfast, you will get to experience another century – old tradition, the preparation of coffee on a rock. You will be part of the entire process: roasting in an oak wood fire, pressing on a carved limestone rock, boiling on the fire in a copper pot and serving with a spoonful of jam and a glass of Raki.
Then follows the visit of Gjirokastra. It is an outstanding example of an Ottoman merchant town and one of the few still surviving in the Balkans. We will visit the castle and the museum which lies inside it. Then follows a visit of a very special museum house which is a well-preserved representative of the past urban life of the region.
For lunch, we will be guests of a local family in the surroundings of Gjirokastra. The region is well known for the rich culinary tradition, which people have preserved and transmitted to the youngest.
In the afternoon we will visit the archaeological site of Antigonea. Founded in the 3rd century BC by the King Pyrrhus of Epirus. It has been one of the most important cities of its time.
After the visit, transfer to Gjirokastra, where the accommodation is planned.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in Gjirokastër
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

After breakfast, short transfer to the starting point of the hike at the village called Labovë of the Cross. There we will visit the church, which is known as one of the most important Byzantine monuments of the entire Balkans. It has an interesting architecture, decoration and an extraordinary story. Until the end of 80s, in the church was preserved a silver cross that was believed to contain a piece of the True Cross where Jesus Christ was crucified. This very rare relic in the Byzantine world, gave the village its name.
We will start the hike on a clearly visible but not marked path which mostly goes through meadows up to Libohovë. This path was part of the old pastoral trails used by the migrants travelling from Greece to the north.
Lunch is planned at a small local farm. This experience starts with the gathering of the vegetables from the back yard. After returning to the kitchen, the very ingredients you gathered from mother nature, will be cooked into a delicious meal, right in front of your eyes. Of course, after putting in all the effort, you will also get to taste the food, which is now doubly as delicious.
In the afternoon we will take a short transfer to the villages of Peshkëpi and Melan. In Peshkëpi, the village that lies on the border with Greece, is located the St Mary`s Church, one of the most important ones in the area. The church has constantly attracted visitors and researches attention because is one of the most popular and studied medieval monuments in Albania. It is also one of the oldest dome churches remaining in Albania.
From there the tour continues to the Tekke of Melan. The building of this center of the Bektashi Order just in the middle of an Orthodox region is a perfect example of the harmonious religious coexistence in Albania. After the visit, transfer to Gjirokastër, where the accommodation is planned.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in Gjirokastër
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

After breakfast, we will begin the return trip to Tirana. Founded in 1614, Tirana became the capital of Albania in 1920 and is the main cultural and industrial centre of Albania. The city boulevards are marked with fascinating relics of the Ottoman, Italian and communist past.
Tirana has changed incredibly in the last twenty years, from the dull, grey city it once was. Tirana is a city where fun is guaranteed: lively, loud, crazy, colourful, simply fascinating.
After some free time to rest in Tirana, we will start the guided tour of the city and its main attractions.
The farewell dinner will be provided in a restaurant not too far from your hotel.
In the evening, you can go out and enjoy a drink at one of the numerous cafes or trendy bars of the “Blloku” district. The most animated quarter of the city lies at the place where before the democratic changes it was not allowed for the public to enter as it was inhabited only by the higher leadership.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant in Tirana
• Accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in Tirana
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

After breakfast at your hotel, it is time to say goodbye to Albania.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
*Please see “Inclusions” section!