Day 1 : Tirana - Kruja
Arrive into Tirana airport where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel in Kruja. Overnight in Kruja.
Overnight in Panorama, Kruja
Meal plan: Dinner
Finally emerging in the 1990s from the shadow of one of the most brutal communist regimes in the region, Albania is like a child raised alone - its culture and quirks are distinctively its own. As well as a fascinating history since World War II, Albania also betrays more ancient influences - from Byzantines, Romans, Ottomans, Ostrogoths, Venetians, Bulgarians and Normans. Visit the remarkable ruins of Butrint, walk the stunning stone cities of Berat and Girokastra, explore remote monasteries and rustic villages and indulge your palette with delicious Albanian food and wine, a little known Mediterranean culinary secret. Finally experience a taste of blood feud country in the wild, mountainous and hospitable North of the country.
Kruja - Berat - Saranda - Butrint - Girokastra - Permet - Korca - Shkodra - Valbona - Tirana - Prizren
Arrive into Tirana airport where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel in Kruja. Overnight in Kruja.
Overnight in Panorama, Kruja
Meal plan: Dinner
Visit Kruja in the morning, and have lunch at a restaurant in Durres. Transfer to Berat to visit the citadel and the Onufri Icons Museum. Overnight in Berat.
Overnight in Mangalemi, Berat
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Transfer to Llogora for optional short hike and lunch. Continue South to visit the Ali Pasha fortress in the afternoon. Continue to Saranda. Dinner in a fish restaurant. Overnight in Saranda.
Overnight in Brilant, Saranda
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Visit Butrint Archaeological Park and have lunch at Syri Kalter Springs. Drive to Girokastra to visit the old town. Overnight in Girokastra.
Overnight in Cajupi, Girokastra
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Drive from Gjirokastra to Kelcyra Gorge. Lunch at a village restaurant and visit an Ottoman bridge. Option to walk to Benja village. Overnight in Permet.
Overnight in Alvero, Permet
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Drive to Korca through Germenj National Park. Afternoon spent exploring Korca. Overnight in Korca.
Overnight in Life Gallery, Korca
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Drive towards Tirana along Lake Podgradec and continue North to Shkodra. Overnight in Shkodra.
Overnight in Colosseo, Shkodra
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
In the morning, drive to Koman and take a boat trip on scenic Lake Koman. In the afternoon, continue to the beautiful village of Valbona and explore a village by foot. Overnight in Valbona.
Overnight in Rilindja, Valbona
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Transfer to Prizren (Kosovo) and explore its Ottoman neighbourhood. Drive back to Tirana. Overnight in Tirana.
Overnight in Diplomat, Tirana
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Transfer to Tirana airport for departure.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Hotel Panorama is a comfortable 4* hotel situated in Kruja, near the Rinas Tirana Airport. It's situated in a tranquil area and offers modern amenities and panoramic views from the room balconies.
The hotel is located in the historic center of the Mangalem Quarter at the beginning of the old road leading to the castle. It is built on the ruins of mansions once belonging to the famous Pasha of Berat (Ahmet Kurt Pasha).
Brilant is a modern 4* hotel, located in the beautiful area of Saranda, on the south coast of Albania. Its rooms offer lovely sea views, and it's only a few minutes walk from the beach.
This hotel is located in the heart of Girokastra. It has been recently refurbished to offer modern amenities.
This is a modern, 3* hotel in the centre of Permet. Rooms have air conditioning, TV, private bathrooms and a minibar.
This is an elegant, modern hotel, with minimalist design.
This is a 4* hotel, with rooms featuring air conditioning, TV, internet and a minibar.
This is a basic hotel, the first one in Valbona. Its restaurant specialises in serving local Albanian fare.
This is an elegant 4* hotel in the classic style, located in central Tirana.
Step back in time to Albania's ancient history
Fairytale landscapes, pine forests and breathtaking panoramic views
Grey herons, sandpipers and little ringed plovers
Serbia, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro & Bosnia
Ancient Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians & Ottomans
Discover the culture and hospitality of Albania
Laurel & Paul Smallwood , Balkan Odyssey & Albanian Odyssey, BalkansThe Balkans is a fascinating part of the world to visit with such complex histories. Wonderful scenery, great food, terrific variety of accommodation and especially loved the vineyards and wine tastings! Albania was such a surprise package! So much more than we anticipated and so much to see and do in this small country. Stunning scenery and roads generally better than we expected. Go before the rest of the world discovers this gem.
Raymond & Janet Sterling (USA) , Tailormade BalkansWe were looking for a land tour in the Balkans and contacted Travel The Unknown. The staff were very responsive in setting up a private tour schedule for us that proved to be perfect and reasonable in cost. We have just got back from our travels and can say that it was certainly a good choice The itinerary was varied and interesting and the accommodation well chosen. The quality and price of the food and wine in the region were an added bonus. Our drivers/guides were friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. They went out of their way to accommodation our interests and preference.s Highly recommended!