This is an optional excursion. Guests may join this tour for an additional cost of 39€ per person. Pick-Up and Drive to Bovilla Lake Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation for a scenic drive toward Bovilla Lake, located northeast of Tirana. Drive Overview: The 21-kilometer journey includes partially off-road sections, offering beautiful landscapes, views of Tirana’s outskirts, and insight into the everyday life of local residents. Hike to Gamti Mountain Arrival at the Dam: Once you reach the lake’s dam, your hiking adventure begins. Hike Overview: Difficulty: Easy to moderate Duration: Approx. 40 minutes to the top Highlights: Spectacular panoramas of Bovilla Lake, dramatic cliffs, and rolling green hills. Break at the Summit: At the top, take time to rest, enjoy the stunning views, and relax in the shade of a nearby cave. This is the perfect moment for photos and a light snack. Descent: After your break, return to the starting point by the same trail.

This is an optional full-day excursion. Guests may join this tour for an additional cost of 90€ per person, including lunch at the famous agritourism restaurant Mrizi i Zanave. Morning – Travel to Shkodra After breakfast, depart for Shkodra, the cultural capital of northern Albania. Nestled on a wide plain overlooking Lake Shkodra—the largest lake in the Balkans—and framed by the dramatic Albanian Alps, Shkodra offers stunning natural scenery and deep historical roots. Walking Tour of Shkodra Gjuhadol District Begin with a stroll through the charming Gjuhadol District, a beautifully renovated pedestrian area influenced by Italian and Austrian architecture. This area reflects Shkodra’s long-standing cultural connections with Central Europe.

Visit Rozafa Castle Explore the legendary Rozafa Castle, dating back to the Illyrian period. Its elevated position provides breathtaking 360° views over Shkodra, Lake Shkodra, and the surrounding valleys and mountains.

Lunch at Mrizi i Zanave (Included in the Optional Tour Price) After visiting the castle, head to Mrizi i Zanave, one of Albania’s most famous agritourism restaurants, located between Shkodra and Lezha. Enjoy an authentic farm-to-table culinary experience, featuring: Regional pickles Fresh local cheeses Organic olive oil Stone-baked bread The restaurant’s specialty: young goat meat prepared in the traditional style This unforgettable meal is included in the 90€ optional tour price.

Afternoon – Travel to Kruja After lunch, continue to Kruja, the historic center of Albanian resistance against the Ottoman Empire and the hometown of the national hero Skanderbeg. Kruja Sightseeing Skanderbeg Museum Located within Kruja Castle, this museum presents the story of Skanderbeg and the long struggle for Albanian independence. Optional: Ethnographic Museum Visit this beautifully preserved 18th-century Ottoman house, filled with authentic household items and cultural artifacts that reveal traditional Albanian life. Old Bazaar of Kruja Wander through the charming Bazaar of Kruja, one of the oldest traditional markets in the country. Enjoy free time to explore the shops and purchase handmade crafts, rugs, and souvenirs. Evening in Tirana

Morning – Transfer to Durrës Beach After breakfast, the group will be transferred to Durrës, where you will check into your seaside hotel located directly in front of the beautiful Adriatic coastline. Guests who choose not to join the optional tour can spend the day relaxing on the beach and enjoying the hotel facilities.

Optional Tour: Apollonia Archaeological Site (55€ per person) Guests who opt for the excursion will depart from Durrës with their guide and driver. Departure to Apollonia Archaeological Site Begin your journey south toward Apollonia, one of Albania’s most important ancient cities, located along the historic Via Egnatia, the great Roman road connecting the Adriatic with Byzantium (modern-day Istanbul). Visit to Apollonia Archaeological Site Explore the remains of the ancient Greek and Roman city known as Apollonia Prima, dedicated to the god Apollo. Highlights include: The ancient theatre The Bouleterion The Church and Monastery of St. Mary The impressive city walls and surrounding landscape Learn about Apollonia’s key role as a cultural and educational hub during Roman times. Your guide will share fascinating stories about daily life in the ancient city.

This is an optional full-day excursion. Guests may join this tour for 80€ per person, including wine tasting. Morning – Departure to Berat Breakfast & Meet the Guide: After breakfast, meet your guide and driver and begin your journey toward Berat, one of Albania’s most picturesque and historically rich cities. Drive to Berat: Travel south toward this UNESCO-listed gem, continuously inhabited since the 6th–5th centuries B.C. Originally an Illyrian fortress named Antipatrea, Berat grew into a prominent castle city during the Byzantine and Ottoman eras. Sightseeing in Berat Old Town Upon arrival, visit Berat Castle, standing proudly atop the hill with origins dating back to the 4th century B.C. Inside the castle walls, explore: Several beautifully preserved churches (some from the 13th century) Cobbled streets and traditional stone houses Local life, as many families still reside within the fortress today Built in 1797, this cathedral offers:

Explore Berat’s Old Town Neighborhood Mangalemi, Gorica & Kala: Walk through Berat’s famous districts, known for their stacked white houses and distinctive windows. The architecture and atmosphere give Berat its name: “The City of a Thousand Windows.” Enjoy plenty of photo opportunities and immerse yourself in the timeless charm of these ancient quarters. Traditional Lunch & Wine Tasting Enjoy a traditional Albanian lunch in Berat, sampling regional specialties such as: Fresh salads Homemade dishes typical to the region Local desserts After lunch, experience a wine tasting session at a local winery, where you can enjoy some of the best wines produced in the Berat region. Learn about local winemaking traditions and taste carefully selected varieties. Free Time in Berat After the wine tasting, enjoy free time to: Continue exploring the old town Visit artisan shops Enjoy a coffee in a traditional café Take in the beautiful views from the castle walls

Depart Gjirokastër and drive toward the coast (approx. 2 hrs), stopping at Syri i Kaltër (Blue Eye), a mesmerizing natural spring where crystal-clear blue water bubbles up from a depth of over 50 meters. The surrounding forest offers shade and scenic walking trails—perfect for photos or a cool drink. Continue to Sarandë, a popular coastal town known for its turquoise waters and relaxed Mediterranean vibe. Afternoon options: Relax on the beach or stroll along the lively promenade. Visit Butrint National Park (UNESCO), one of Albania’s most important archaeological sites. Explore ancient Greek and Roman ruins, an amphitheater, and a baptistery with mosaic floors—all set within a lush lagoon ecosystem.

Drive Through the Llogara Pass Llogara National Park: Ascend through the mountains via the Llogara Pass, where the lush greenery of the national park contrasts beautifully with the deep blue sea below. This is the perfect spot for a quick photo break. Local Treat at Llogara: Enjoy a traditional yogurt with honey, a refreshing local specialty, while taking in the spectacular surroundings. Arrival in Himara – Beach Time Continue south to Himara, a charming coastal town with pristine beaches. Guests can enjoy some free time to relax on the beach, swim in the Ionian Sea, or simply take in the serene atmosphere of this historic town. Arrival in Saranda & Butrint Archaeological Site

Butrint Archaeological Site: Explore Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient Greek, Roman, and Byzantine ruins. Highlights include: Roman theater and temples Ancient baths and city walls Insights into the city’s history as a Greek colony, Roman settlement, and later bishopric of Epirus Learn about Butrint’s rich history and its decline following natural disasters and earthquakes, which left much of the city submerged. Visit Ksamil Village After Butrint, stop at the village of Ksamil, famous for its stunning beaches and three small islands just off the shore. Guests can enjoy free time for swimming, sunbathing, or relaxing on the sand. Dinner and Overnight in Saranda Return to your hotel in Saranda for a delicious dinner, featuring fresh local seafood and Albanian specialties. Overnight in Saranda: Relax and enjoy the evening at your hotel, ready for the next day’s adventures along Albania’s southern coast.

Optional gjirokastra tour – 80€ per person This is an optional full-day excursion. guests may join the gjirokastra tour for 80€ per person, or enjoy a relaxing day in saranda near the beach. morning – departure for gjirokastra breakfast & meet the guide: after breakfast, meet your guide and driver for the scenic drive to gjirokastra, one of albania’s best-preserved ottoman towns, famous for its stone architecture and historic charm. Sightseeing in gjirokastre old town walking tour: start your visit in the old town, wandering through cobblestone streets lined with ottoman-era houses. known as the “city of stone,” gjirokastra is famous for its traditional architecture, historic atmosphere, and panoramic views of the valley below.

gjirokastra castle: ascend to gjirokastra castle, perched atop a hill. while originally built in the 12th century, much of the current structure dates back to the 19th century ottoman period. highlights include: impressive fortifications and towers exhibits on its use as a prison during the communist era a collection of armory and artifacts stunning panoramic views of the town and valley, perfect for photos traditional museum house: visit one of gjirokastra’s traditional museum houses to learn about local life during the ottoman period. see preserved furnishings, architecture, and daily artifacts that showcase albania’s rich cultural heritage. free time in the old town: after the guided tour, enjoy free time to: explore the streets independently visit artisan shops for local crafts relax in a traditional café

Morning – departure for divjake karavasta national park breakfast & meet the guide: after breakfast, meet your guide and driver for the journey to divjake karavasta national park, a coastal haven known for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity. Arrival at the park explore the karavasta lagoon, a vast coastal oasis covering over 222 square kilometers. the area includes diverse ecosystems such as wetlands, floodplains, estuaries, woodlands, reed beds, and salt marshes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. Exploring the park nature walk: take a guided nature walk through the park, enjoying the peaceful forests and observing the rich variety of flora and fauna. the park is especially famous for birdwatching, including the dalmatian pelican, which migrates through the lagoon. relax in nature: enjoy the tranquility of the coastal meadows, lush surroundings, and pristine landscapes before departing the park.