We offer an in-depth 6-day tour with your own guide and driver. The tour includes an overnight in Saranda at either end, covering the highlights of this fascinating region – three places on the tour are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The tour can be combined as a two-centre with Greece, with a week based at any of our accommodation in Lefkas, Meganissi, Parga or Sivota. We can also offer a shortened 4-day tour by missing out Tirana on days 4 and 5.
Notes on towns and main sites.
Butrint. Ancient Buthrotum. Important and impressive Greco-Roman city, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, south of Saranda on a bluff of land half-circled by a large lake. Inhabited continuously from the 7th C BC until abandoned in 18th C. Impressive cyclopean walls and deep well within the gate, reminiscent of Mycenae – but most excavated remains are Roman.
Gjirokaster. This fascinating and historic small town is also on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Largely medieval, with some lovely architecture to admire reflecting the town’s wealthy past, it is built on a hill overlooking valley and mountains. Excellent views from the large castle above, which houses a weapons museum! Some good restaurants in the narrow cobbled lanes of the old town.
Berat. Another member of the UNESCO club, Berat is called ‘the town of a thousand eyes’ because of the many-windowed old houses that crowd above the river Osrum and up the hill. High along the ridge is a 14th C citadel, its walls enclosing no fewer that fourteen small painted churches (hence the presence of the famous Onufri icon museum). The Turkish influence may be seen in the town’s three mosques and tekke, also worth visiting.
Ardenica. 12th C monastery converted into an inn, it occupies the whole of a rocky outcrop amid pine and cypress trees and is a landmark visible for miles across the plain. The church, dedicated to the Virgin, is characteristically Greek, and has a magnificent iconostasis and high-quality wall-paintings.
Apollonia. Another most important archaeological site. Founded in 588 BC by Greeks from Corinth, it rose to become a renowned cultural centre in the Roman period. Memorable are the elegant façade of the Bouleuterion and the great Stoa. Below stands the beautiful 13th C church of Shenmari, built out of the antique stone.
Flight to Prevesa (Sunday). Transfer to Saranda and overnight.
Guided tour to ancient Butrint. Visit to Blue Eye spring en route to Gjirokaster for overnight.
Walking tour of Gjirokaster, including the castle and museum. Drive to Berat. Walking tour and visit to icon museum. Overnight Berat.
Sightseeing tour of Tirana including the National Museum. Overnight in Tirana.
Drive to historic Kruja and explore the town, castle and old bazaar. Overnight in Tirana.
Turn west towards the sea. Visit Ardenica Monastery and the famous site of Apollonia. Then head south for the attractive small seaside resort of Himara for overnight.
Enjoy a well earned morning's R&R - perhaps a swim from Himara's splendid beach. After lunch a scenic coastal drive along the Albanian Riviera to Saranda for overnight.
Transfer to Prevesa Airport or to a Greek resort for your second week.
We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).
If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.
Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.
We promise that a member of our specialist reservation teams will reply personally to your holiday enquiry before 5.30pm if received before 12.00pm (Monday to Friday). Enquiries received after 12.00pm will be replied to within 24-hours (excluding Sundays).
If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.
Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.
Thank you for your enquiry. A member of our specialist reservation teams will be in touch shortly.
If your enquiry is of an urgent nature, please telephone our dedicated reservation teams on the numbers listed below.
Our lines are open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday-Friday and from 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday.
Feel free to continue to browse the site and add to your enquiry. Don't forget to send the enquiry before you leave!
We understand that so much choice can be overwhelming which is why we have developed 'My Suitcase'. This facility allows you to save and compare your favourite holidays, and even allows you to return to your selection at a later stage.
Why not use 'My Suitcase' to compile a wish list of your future Sunvil holidays?