After being collected from your accommodation, you will begin your day exploring the port city of Durres. Discover a mixture of modern and ancient features, with this town having many interesting stories to tell. We will walk around its City Walls, Byzantine Forum, Roman Thermal Baths and around these ancient monuments we will enjoy Durres now famous street-art. Visit the Amphitheater in Durres. Afterwards we head for our local winery to enjoy wines, cheeses and local food. Visit the vineyards and the winery and get acquainted with the wine production process and their Applied Agriculture. Tasting of wine varieties includes 3 glasses - 125 ml (Wset level 2) and Raki accompanied by appetizers.

Participate in this cooking class and learn more about Albanian traditions. This country is a rich table of delicious dishes and there is no better way than to learn how to cook them from the locals. Your guide will explain everything you have to know about the recipes and prepare yourself to cook with your tour leader. Learn how to cook “Tave Kosi” a traditional dish that consists of the cooking of yogurt with meat. This dish holds its own history behind it. Your guide will tell you why this dish is also called the “independence dish. You'll also learn how to cook Byrek (Albanian for pie), but Albanian pie is special and you will learn the methods of preparing it. To make this meal complete, you'll also be introduced to Albanian traditional desserts. At the end of the tour, try the local alcoholic drinks, Raki, and homemade wine.

The tour guide will pick you up and drive you to Durres area, an area on the Adriatic Sea that is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Tirana. Once in Durres area, you will visit Cape of Rodon, a rocky peninsula that extends into the sea. This hidden gem features the ruins of Skanderbeg Castle and St. Anthony Church, both of which have historical significance and offer beautiful views of the surrounding scenery. After exploring Cape of Rodon, the tour offers free time for visitors to walk along the sandy beaches or swim in the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. Then, the tour will head to the Duka Winery and Vineyard, where visitors can relax and enjoy the atmosphere while sipping on local wines. Finally, the tour will end with a transfer back to Tirana in the evening. Overall, this excursion offers a mix of history, natural beauty, and relaxation, making it a great option for those looking to explore Albania's coastline and enjoy some local wine.

Explore Theth National Park on a 2-day guided tour and see breathtaking natural wonders such as the Blue Eye and the Grunas Waterfall as well as historical marvels like the Church of Theth and the Lock-in Tower. Arrive in Theth and take some time to settle into your room. Then, head down to the valley for a scenic walk along the river before stopping at the Lock-in Tower. Hear the fascinating history of this old prison from your expert guide. Continue to the Grunas Waterfall, and see one of the most unique natural formations in the Albanian Alps, proclaimed a state-protected natural monument. Then, head back to the guesthouse. Start your morning with a traditional breakfast before traveling to the Blue Eye. As you go, admire the incredible scenery along the trail with mountain ranges above you and rocky pools of freshwater - excellent for swimming. Finally, arrive at Cape Kapre, one of the most beautiful villages in the Alps. Here, marvel at the spectacular Blue Eye pool. Take the opportunity to capture incredible photos or just relax with your group on the edge. After a delicious lunch, travel back to Tirana city.

You will begin your journey of the past at the Bunk’ Art Museum with a full immersion into Albanian history over the last 100 years. The ex–nuclear bunker, built to accommodate Communist Dictator Hoxha in the event of attack, tells a story of the dictator’s time as well as both world wars through photographs, items, and documents. Once you step out of the Bunk’ Art you will head for some local qofte (meat balls) complete with yogurt sauce, potato chips, and local beer, a combination of which comprises Tirana’s typical street food. You'll then walk towards Skanderbeg Square and learn about the historical buildings such as the Et’hem Bey Mosque and the clock tower, which surround the main square of Tirana. Following that, enter the National Gallery of Arts, which is home to socialist and realist art. There you will encounter powerful images which provide an insight into how “realistic” art was used to create propaganda throughout history. You can also behold the pyramid, the former Enver Hoxha Museum, whose once-white-marble walls are now crumbling and full of graffiti. Following the museum you'll take a break at the Komiteti-Kafe Museum for some raki, communist candy, and some optional coffee. You will then walk through the Blloku area, where you will discover the home of Enver Hoxha and other senior members of his regime. You'll stop at the Post Blloku Memorial, which honors former political prisoners, in an area which was once forbidden to enter.

Your tour will start with the pick up at the hotel, then your guide will take you to taste a traditional breakfast at Mengjezore, a place where traditional breakfasts have been cooked for decades. Then you will walk to get to the New Bazaar, where you can find all kind of ingredients for the mediterranean and traditional recipes. While walking around, your guide will also tell you about the attractions nearby. Of course, we can’t exclude the tasting traditional byrek, the Albanian pie in this Tirana food tour. After byrek, you will stop for a coffee and then walk through the boulevard and Blloku. For lunch you will have the opportunity to taste more traditional food, Fergese me qofte is a famous dish widely consumed at lunch time in Tirana Albania. The time to go again for a walk around the city, you will visit the castle and stop at a olive oil shop to taste and learn more about the tradition of olive oil making.

Explore Albania's top attractions in the hands of an expert tour director during a 4-day, 3-night sightseeing tour. Sample authentic Albanian food and visit Unesco World Heritage Sites such as Berat, Gjirokastra, and Butrint. Day 1: Sightseeing tour of Berat via Durres Travel to Berat, stopping in Durres for a short walking tour of the City Walls, Byzantine Forum, Roman Thermal Baths, the Venetian Tower, and the Amphitheater. Transfer to Berat passing through suggestive hills full of olive trees. Then, get settled in the hotel and head out for a guided tour admiring the citadel/castle of Berat with the Red Mosque, recognized by its solitary minaret, and the many Byzantine Churches like the Holy Trinity Church and the St. George Church. Finally, step inside a local home inside the castle of Berat for a coffee, raki, and dessert break. Enjoy the rest of the day wandering in the two main districts of Mangalam and Gorica. Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Gjirokastra After breakfast, admire small villages during your transfer to Gjirokaster. Once you arrive in this “city of a thousand steps,” settle into your hotel before soaking up the rich history of the castle and enjoying the view of the “city of stone” from above. Next, see the Ottoman Bazaar and historic wooden houses. Visit the Gjirokastra Obelisk dedicated to the first school of Gjirokastra and enjoy the 360º view from there. Next, stop for lunch in a small local restaurant for a taste of the city’s authentic dishes. Step into Skenduli house, the nicest Ottoman tower house, and listen to its history and details from the 10th generation of the Skenduli family. Spend a relaxing evening in the streets of Gjirokaster. Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Butrint & the Blue Eye spring Travel to the “Blue Eye” spring. Admire the shades of blue and surrounding nature before heading to Butrint. There, marvel at 2,500 years of history on a guided tour with a local guide. See the highlights, such as the amphitheater, castle, churches, and Lion Gate. Drive to Ksamil and enjoy lunch by the lake at the Mussel House. Spend your afternoon in Ksamil before heading to Saranda via Lekursi Castle, which overlooks the city. Day 4: Tirana via Vlore and Riviera Road En route to the city of Vlore via the scenic Riviera road, and explore the Ali Pasha Castle with your Tour Director. First, head to the Llogara “balcony” for a stunning view of the South Coast beaches before indulging in lunch at Llogara National. Next, visit a park surrounded by pine trees and a fresh mountain breeze. Marvel at the architecture and listen to entertaining legends about the man who built it, Ali Pashe Tepelena. Then, stop for lunch at a rustic local restaurant along Shushica river. After lunch, visit the city of Vlore, the hometown of the National Independence movement. visit Flag Square with its Independence Monument in the center, the Muradie Mosque, and Vlore Lungomare. Transfer to Tirana. (Hotel accommodation in Tirana is not included on the tour).

The main aim of this Cooking Class is to combine the typical Albanian welcome, local food and some of the most interesting traditional local “rules” that will make your experience unique and unforgettable. In addition, during the cooking class, you will be thought to create from scratch some of the most unique Albanian dishes. All of this in good company and good local wine and drinks. In this cooking class, you will be tough to nicely prepare “Tave Kosi” the most iconic Albanian Dish, known as “Independence Dish” since it was the most favorite dish of Ismail Qemali, Albanian first Prime Minister. “Lakror” is also the Albanian version of Byrek. Very special and of course delicious. You will also learn how to prepare a delicious homemade byrek. In addition, traditional desserts will be also part of the cooking class and the tour also includes some homemade appetizers, beverages, and good wine and Raki. Since it is a Family-based tour you will be lead in the cooking class by my sister, a non-professional chef but talented 🙂 Furthermore, some of the recipes are passed in the family between generations. We try our best to pick up Bio – Organic Ingredients, starting from our garden herbs and veggies to homemade wine and Raki, offering to our guest above all the real Local Taste of Albania.

The city of Lezha is located 47 kilometers south of Shkodra. It is one of Albania’s ancient cities, and in historical documents, it is mostly referred to by the name Lissus. In 1398, after the construction of its castle, the city was under the direct control of the feudal family of Lekë Dukagjini but was eventually conquered by Venice. One of the most important historical events for Lezha, and indeed for all of Albania, was the famed “League of Lezha” on March 2nd, 1444, where under the leadership of national hero Skanderbeg, the Albanian princedoms united against the Ottomans. The Memorial Grave of Skanderbeg is here, at the ex-Cathedral of Shën Kolli, where he was buried in 1468. The memorial tomb of National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg is one of the most popular tourist landmarks in the town of Lezha. It was inaugurated in 1981 over the ruins of a Saint Nicholas cathedral. It is supposed to be the place where our national hero has been buried since 1468. In the walls of the memorial tomb, there are exposed 25 shields, which symbolize the main battles led by Scanderbeg. There is also a copy of his sword and helmet. Lezha Castle is perched on top of a hill 186 meters high, overlooking the town. Because of its strategic location, the visitor can see the outlet of the Drin River, the Adriatic Coast, and even Mount Tomorr and Sazan Island in the south. The castle dates since the Illyrian times but it has been reconstructed by Venetians in the year 1440. After that, the Ottomans did another reconstruction in the year 1552. The visitor can see ruins from the Illyrian, Roman, Venetian, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods. Mrizi i Zanave is set in the village of Fishte, in the region of Zadrima, a location that gave birth to Albania’s national poet, Gjergj Fishta. Mrizi i Zanave is the most famous restaurant in Albania and one of the best. Its cuisine is part of the slow food mentality. They have reinvented Albanian traditional cuisine and taken it to the next level. Everything that we consume there is created on their farm and in the Fishta Village. Delicious, fresh, and great hospitality.

Begin your day tour with a transfer from Tirana. Once there, visit the medieval bazaar and the Ottoman-style houses in the old part of the town. Witness artisan women making handmade doilies, carving wood or silver and other guild shops in the narrow cobbled stone streets of this suburb. While visiting people in their homes, traditional coffee (ground in stone) and mountain tea will be served.  You will also visit Gjirokastra city, the castle and much more. Later, you will have the chance to taste the typical local food cooked by local women. You will also visit the Skenduli House, you'll most likely be shown around by Mr Skenduli himself. The house was built around the year 1700 and has many fascinating features. Later, you will visit the Ethnographic Museum. In the end, you will enjoy free time around the city.