Highlights of Albania

Our tour starts today in Tirana, the colourful capital of Albania and one of Europe's most underrated cities. Emerging from its cold communist past (the country spent decades under Stalinist rule), Tirana is becoming a not-so-hidden gem thanks to its vibrant arts scene, café culture and intriguing landscape - think communist-era architecture set against a rugged mountain backdrop.

For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Tirana at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Tirana International Airport (TIA), which is around a 30-minute drive from our hotel. Please look out for your driver, who will be waiting just outside the arrivals area near the Vodafone stand, holding an Explore signboard. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information on the morning of day two.

Tirana is easy to navigate on foot, so if your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to head out and explore. The House of Leaves, a museum dedicated to secret surveillance and the headquarters of Albania's secret service throughout the Cold War, is an intriguing stop. If you're into markets, check out Pazari i Ri, an open-air market where you can buy everything from fresh produce to local specialities such as byreks, baklavas and honey.

Whilst in Albania, we'll have the chance to try the country's delicious cuisine, which is a real mix of Turkish, Greek and Italian influences, like byrek - a spinach and feta stuffed filo pie, and in the more rural mountainous areas barbequed lamb and 'earthy' vegetables such as griddled aubergines and mushrooms are particularly popular. Along the coast, there'll be the chance to sample fresh seafood, too. Albanian red wine is especially good and also local beers, such as Birra Korca.

We've packed in as many of Tirana's highlights as possible on this trip, however, we have very little free time in the city. If you'd like more time to explore, we recommend extending your stay by a night or two.

This morning, we'll explore the city on foot with a walking tour, taking in the main sights including the government buildings, Skanderbeg Square and Et'Hem Bey Mosque. We'll include a visit to Bunk Art 2, the second of two nuclear bunkers in Tirana that has recently been transformed into an interactive artistic space. You can wander through the furnished rooms intended as a shelter for dictator Enver Hoxha and the innermost circle of his government.

After the visit, we'll drive to the Pellumbus Guesthouse where we'll meet the Duqi family. A truly unique experience (and a chance to try tasty, local produce), the guesthouse is run by the family and their visitors from all over the world, who all help to tend to the gardens and grow their food. Lunch will be served in their garden, and will include a selection of local cheeses, jams, fruits and olive oils.

Afterwards, we'll head to the Dajti Express cable car, which is the longest cableway in the Balkans. A 15-minute journey takes us almost to the top of Mount Dajti at around 1,049 metres/3,441 feet. From here, we can admire the views over the city below and the surrounding highlands.

We'll then drive back to Tirana for the evening.

Before leaving Tirana this morning, we'll visit the Bektashi World Centre. The Bektashi Order is an Islamic dervish sect which blends elements of both Shia and Sufi beliefs. We'll have a brief stop to see their ornately decorated tekke (place of worship) with its marble mosaics.

We'll then drive an hour to Elbasan to visit the historic fortress before continuing to the picturesque shores of Lake Ohrid, where we'll have free time for lunch before driving two-and-a-half hours to Pogradec.

Pogradec is situated between two mountain plains, and on the banks of Lake Ohrid. Stretching from the rugged mountains to the clear blue waters of the lake, the city is a kaleidoscope of calming colours and stunning views. Lake Ohrid itself is one of the oldest in the world and is a spot renowned for its beauty. The tranquil waters are perfect for cooling off in during the summer months, so don't forget your swimsuit if you want to take a dip before dinner.

Today, we'll make the journey to Voskopoja - formally known as Moskopoje. Founded in the 16th century, the town was once a major urban settlement and was famous for its churches which were adorned with beautiful frescoes. After exploring the churches, we'll have lunch in one of the local restaurants and try some of the local specialities.

We'll then continue to Korca, sitting at the foot of Moravia Mountain, where we'll spend the night. On arrival, we'll take a walking city tour including the Resurrection Cathedral, which is the main Orthodox Church.

In the evening, we'll have the chance to head into the old town and try the famous Baked Raki (Raki e pjekur) - the perfect opportunity to appreciate an Albanian staple. The local pubs and bars have a variety of raki flavours on offer, that you can sample while you soak up the cosy atmosphere of this historic city and rub shoulders with the locals.

A four-hour journey today takes us through the southern highlands to Gjirokaster. Travelling along one of the most scenic routes in Albania, we'll reach the Barmash Pass (1,040 metres/3,412 feet) where we can enjoy sweeping views of the Nemercka Mountains, which are snow-covered for most of the year and form the border with Greece.

For lunch, we'll stop in a mountainside restaurant serving homemade raki - if it's too early for you, try the mountain tea, one of the most popular herbal teas in Albania.

We'll then continue our drive to Gjirokaster, with a stop at Benja to admire the Ottoman stone bridge over the river with the mountains in the distance. There, we can enjoy a dip in the warming waters of the thermal pools, born from the geothermal waters near Permet. The heated water flows down the river unless it gets diverted into one of the several human-made pools. Some say the baths have healing properties.

The remainder of the drive to Gjirokaster takes us through the White Mountains via Kelcyra Gorge, carved by the Vjosa River on its way to the Adriatic Sea. The scenery in the mountains is breathtaking with rolling valleys, that in spring are covered with some of the most exuberant wildflowers you're likely to see anywhere in Albania.

We'll spend the next two nights in Gjirokaster, often referred to as 'the pearl of Albania' and undoubtedly one of the most enchanting towns on the Balkan Peninsula.

This morning, we'll visit Gjirokastra Castle. The castle sits at a height of 336 metres/1102 feet and is one of the most magnificent structures in the city with views over the hilly countryside, river valley and city. There have been extensive renovations to the building since it was constructed in the 12th century and it now boasts five towers, a church, a cistern, and houses the Weapons Museum. The museum exhibits artillery and memorabilia from the Communist resistance against German occupation, as well as a captured US Air Force plane to commemorate the Communist regime's struggle against the 'imperialist' Western powers.

Afterwards, you'll have the chance to explore either the Ethnographical Museum or Skenduli House. The Ethnographical Museum is located in the historic Palorto district, the birthplace of former dictator Enver Hoxha. Spanning four floors, it's a fascinating glimpse into traditional Albanian life, showcasing vibrant folk costumes, intricate household items, and cultural artefacts. Or step back in time at Skenduli House, the most remarkably preserved residence in Gjirokastra's old town, dating back to 1823. Still owned by descendants of the original builders, this grand home once served as the Ethnographical Museum during the communist era. Now, it's open to visitors, offering an intimate look at the opulent lifestyle of affluent Albanian families centuries ago.

We'll then drive to Dhkosat village for a traditional homemade lunch at a family house. We'll meet the family and explore their farm where we'll learn about the rural life in Albania. Depending on the season, we'll also discover the beehive and taste local honey, walk around the vineyard, and learn about the local wine production or visit the padlocks to meet the goats and other animals on the farm.

Later on, we'll return to Gjirokaster where we'll take a walking tour through the cobbled streets of its UNESCO-listed historic centre.

Leaving Gjirokaster behind us, we'll drive for two-and-a-half hours to Saranda. Along the way, we'll make a stop to walk to the karstic spring, known as 'The Blue Eye' where we can marvel at the clear waters.

This afternoon, we'll visit UNESCO-listed Butrint, which is one of the greatest archaeological sites in the Balkans. With a long and colourful history dating back to the early Neolithic age, Butrint was occupied and fought over until the Ottoman period when it lay abandoned. More recently, excavations have taken place and all periods of Butrint's history have been revealed including its Roman theatre, Roman house, thermal baths and a fine baptistery with fabulous mosaic floors. The setting is idyllic with the ruins nestling in the bend of the Vivari River.

After spending time exploring this fascinating site, we'll return to the shores of the Mediterranean and Saranda for the night.

Prepare for breathtaking views this morning as we leave Saranda and set out on our three-hour journey along the Albania Riviera to Llogora National Park - possibly one of the most scenic drives in all of Europe. As we wind our way along the coast, with views over the turquoise waters, and over Llogora Pass, we'll be treated to views of sea, mountain, and forest, passing terraces of citrus groves and olive trees - it's simply stunning.

We'll stop at Ali Pasha Fortress, a castle on a small peninsula within Palermo Bay with even more impressive views over the clear waters. Although small, the walls of the triangular fort are well preserved, and some canons remain in place, too. We'll stop for lunch along the beach at Himara, where you can take a refreshing dip during the summer months.

Upon reaching Llogora National Park, we'll have time for a hike (approximately 4 kilometres/ 2.5 miles) in the mountains to soak up even more views. If you'd rather not take on the hike,you can relax at the hotel or take a short walk in the forest independently.

Tonight, we'll stay in a hotel nestled amongst the pine trees of the tranquil national park.

This morning, en route to Apollonia, we'll stop at Vlora where we'll visit Flag Square and the Muradi Mosque.

From here, we'll continue our drive to Apollonia. Founded in 585 BC and dedicated to the god Apollo, the city achieved fame and wealth before it was incorporated into the Roman Empire to become Caesar's stronghold during the civil war with Pompey. The most impressive feature of the site is the bouleuterion - a facade with six Corinthian columns which are thought to date back to the 2nd century AD. Although much of the ancient site is yet to be excavated, with so few other visitors, it's possible to imagine a time when it supported 55,000 men and Octavian (later to become Emperor Augustus) was one of its students.

After our visit, we'll continue one-and-a-half hours to Berat where we'll spend the night.

Situated over a gorge next to the Osumi River and in the shadow of Mount Tomori, Berat's white Ottoman-era houses sprawl up the hillside towards the city's famous fortress, unmarred by newer constructions (which are strictly limited to preserve the city's historic beauty). As well as its rich history - which is evident at every turn - Berat is also famous for its wine, which we recommend trying at dinner this evening.

Exploring Berat on foot this morning, we'll head up to the fortress and see the painted icons and frescoes in the Church of Saint Mary, one of the seven churches within the citadel walls. We'll also visit the oldest mosque in Albania, the Red Mosque, and the Onufri Icon Museum.

Afterwards, we'll drive on to Durresi which is one of Albania's main ports. Originally founded in 627 BC by the Greeks (then called Epidamnos), the city was later plundered and conquered by the Illyrians, Romans, Normans, Venetians and Serbs, which resulted in the many reminders we can see as we wander around the city today of its long and varied history. We'll stop off at the Roman Amphitheatre, which is not far from the modern city's main square before we depart and drive to Kruja where we spend the last night of our trip.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Kruja.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like to receive an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Tirana International Airport (TIA), which is around a 40-minute drive away.

Depending on the time of your flight, or if you're extending your stay, you might have some free time today to explore Kruja. You might like to visit the fortress, which is a place of pilgrimage and inspiration for Albanians, the nearby bazaar or the Ethnographic Museum.