Overview
Holiday style:
A eight days tour from a tradition to another tradition . Meet new people, learn about cultures that you maybe have not heared ever in your life. There will drivings amost 3 hours. Accommodation and meals will be provided in hotels.
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Short description:
| DURATION: | 8 Days |
| TRIP CODE: | D8-TTT |
| GROUP SIZE: | 4-12(max) |
| MIN AGE: | 10 Years old |
| MAX ALTITUDE: | 1050m |
| ACCOMMODATION: | Hotel x 7 nts |
| MEALS: | 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners |
| DEPARTS: | March until October |
| JOINING POINT: | Tirana Airport |
| IMPORTANT: | Make sure your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run before you purchase your air tickets and make any other travel arrangements |
Brief Itinerary:
DAY 1
Tirane-Tirane
Time:
Distance:
DAY 2
Tirane-Durres-Vlore
Time: 40min- 1h 43min
Distance: 38km- 117km
DAY 3-4-5
Vlore-Vlore
Time:
Distance:
DAY 6
Vlore-Sarande
Time: 3h 5min
Distance: 163km
DAY 7
Karaburun-Tirane
Time: 4h 4min
Distance: 190km
DAY 8
Tirane-Airport
Time: 30min
Distance: 17.1km
Product Description
Details
DAY 1
Tirana, the vibrant capital. After arrival at noon, transfer from “Mother Teresa” airport to the hotel in downtown Tirana. Founded in 1614, Tirana became the capital of Albania in 1920 and is the main cultural and industrial centre of Albania. The city boulevards are marked with fascinating relics of the Ottoman, Italian and communist past. In the afternoon, a tour of the city is planned along with a visit to the National Historical Museum, Et’hem Bey Mosque, Skanderbeg monument, clock tower and a journey towards Dajti mountain, part of Dajti National Park. Here we will have dinner at a traditional restaurant (a la carte) and then return to hotel in Tirana.
DAY 2
Journey towards Durrës, the city founded in 627 BC which has much to tell of its colorful story, beautiful beaches and attractions. We will have time for a guided visit of the city and its Roman amphitheater and lunch in one of the restaurants by the sea. The journey continues in the direction of Vlorë, where a short stop is planed, to visit the old St. Mary’s monastery in Zvërneci island, which is connected to the mainland through a 250 long wooden bridge. Dinner and accommodation are provided at a hotel in Radhimë, near Vlora, with a special location by the sea. Here you can enjoy not only the view, but also the delicious cuisine. Wt.2 h.
DAY 3
Llogara National Park, the characteristic village of Dhërmi and Livadhi Beach. The activities of the day start right after the breakfast. You will be driven to the National Park of Llogara where a coffee break is planned. The park lies 35 km south of Vlora, has an area of 1020 ha and is covered with everlasting greenery. In the inner part of its forests there are beautiful meadows, countless natural resources and diverse animal and bird species. An amazing part of this geo-park is the "Balcony" in Llogara pass, at the height of 1050 m, from where the Ionian Sea can be seen. On the way to Livadhi Beach a sightseeing tour of the village of Dhërmi is planned. The old village is set into the mountain and is one of the oldest and most characteristic villages on the Ionian Coast, with its stone, mountain houses nestling happily with historical monuments. The earliest signs of settlement date back to the 1stcentury B.C. Lunch is planned in one of the restaurants at the seaside in Livadhi Beach. In the afternoon free time to enjoy the sun and the crystal clear water of the Ionia Sea. After dinner you have the possibility to enjoy the night life. We can organize some optional activities for you, to be performed during this day. 1. Guided walk through the National Park of Llogara (3 hours). 2. Paragliding(weather permitting): The starting point is the Pass of Llogara and ending point the beach of Palasa. For all those who have chosen one of the above mentioned optional activities arrival to Livadhi Beach is possible only in the afternoon.
DAY 4
Sun and see at Livadhi Beach. This is a day dedicated to the sun-and sea seekers. The white pebble beach and the crystal clear water make Livadhi Beach irresistible for everyone. During the day you will have the possibility to explore some marvelous beaches in the vicinity: The beach of Spille (Here lies a cave with underwater springs with an interesting history; it used to shelter people from the activities of the pirates), the beach of Llamani and that of Filikuri. In the afternoon visit of the old village of Himara. Here you can walk through the ruined walls of the old castle (century IV B.C. until century XVI). It had been built as a fortress for the Epirus tribe of Kaons and is an important part of the long history of the people of Himara to be safe and independent.
DAY 5
Boat trip to Jali and Ngjipe Beach There are many bays in the vicinity of Livadhi Beach and some of them are reachable only from the sea. Today you will have the possibility to enjoy the privacy of these bays, to watch the marvelous colors of the sea reflecting the sun. The first stop is at the bay, which due to its calm and clear water is called "Aquarium" and then a short coffee break is planned in Jali Beach. From there we will travel to the Canyon and the beach of Ngjipe. It is formed by water erosion, is more than 2 km long and 100 m deep. The landscape is very attractive, the beach is clean and the water clear. The next stop is in Dhërmi Beach and from there the trip continues in the direction of Palasa Beach, and weather permitting, up to Grama Bay. Return back into Livadhi Beach in the late afternoon.
DAY 6
Ali Pasha Castle at Porto Palermo Bay, the coastal city of Saranda and the ancient Butrinti. The trip starts right after breakfast. The first planned stop is at the Porto Palermo Bay, which apart from its natural beauties was also one of the most important military bases during the cold war. The tunnel where Albanian military submarines were moored can still be seen. Here lies the Castle of Ali Pasha Tepelena, which seems to be built in the middle of the sea. It is a good example of traditional, Ottoman military architecture. Today, only some stone walls of the castle survive. However, there are underground tunnels which were used to house the prisoners of some rulers such as Ali Pasha and Enver Hoxha as well as the King Zog. There is a spectacular and rare view of the coast from the castle walls. The trip continues up to Saranda. Its name originates from "The Forty Saints", an old Christian monastery whose ruins lay near the city entrance. After some free time for lunch, drive to Butrint to visit the ancient city, the most important archaeological site in Albania. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is well known since the 7th century B.C. as the most important city of Epirus. The building of the city was linked to the presence of the Trojan prince Aeneas and is mentioned by the Roman poet Virgil. The dinner is organized at the restaurant that lies at "Lëkursi Caste" on the top of a hill overlooking the bay of Saranda
DAY 7
On the way to Tirana, after a short coffee pause in Llogara National Park, and lunch in Radhima near Vlora, a boat trip around Karaburun Peninsula is planned. It is known for its natural attractions and its various archaeological discoveries. At the north end of the peninsula, lies the cave of Haxhi Ali (Haji Ali), which is 30 meters long, 10-15 meters high and 9.5 meters wide. For a long time, it served as the base in the wars against the military vessels of Venice, France and England. If the sea conditions permit, we can visit the cave.
Arrive in Tirana is planned in the late afternoon, and after a short break in the hotel, dinner will be provided at a traditional restaurant, where you can choose between various dishes on the menu. After dinner, you can spend some pleasant moments in one of the bars of the “Block” area, the most vivid quarter of the city.
DAY 8
Transfer to the airport, after breakfast according to the flight schedule.
Dates and Prices
WHAT'S INCLUDED AND NOT INCLUDED
What's included
* English-speaking local guide
* Group airport transfers
* All meals throughout the holiday
* All land transport required by the itinerary
* National park entrance fees
* All excursions mentioned in the itinerary.
What's not included
* Travel insurance
* Visas
* Airport taxes
* Airport transfers other than group transfers
* Extra activities and excursions
* Tips for local staff
* Miscellaneous personal expenditure
SUPPLEMENTS
Rooming on tour & Single Room Option (Not applicable to self-guided holidays).
Most group tours are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book as an individual, you will be roomed with someone of the same gender. However, on many tours we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room. On some of these tours a single room will be provided at some of the night-stops but for logistical reasons not all. Individual Trip Notes clarify this. If, for whatever reason, we are unable to provide a single room as outlined in the Trip Notes, we will refund a proportion of the supplement paid to us for the Single Room Option.
Where you are able to purchase a single room, the price does not necessarily guarantee you a single room for every night of the tour.
All of our group tours are planned and operated on a twin-share basis, meaning that the standard cost is based either on individual travelers sharing accommodation with another group member of the same sex, or people who book together sharing accommodation.
Please refer to the tour notes where the single room option availability is detailed on a night by night basis for this tour, and the price for the available nights is detailed on the dates & prices tab by departure date.
For Self-Guided trips the Single Room supplement offers the option of a single room each and is charged per person. The Single Room supplement also applies to the third person in a party of three that will be accommodated in a single room.
PRE POST TOUR SERVICE
Transfers
If you need a pre tour transfer from the airport to the hotel, or the other way around Post tour transfer, from the hotel to the airport, please let us know sending by email your request. After we will make all the arrangement for you.
Accommodations
If your flight comes days in advance, or you want to stay longer than other participants of your tour, we can arrange the accommodation for you. If you are interested please send us a request to the follow email address: info@ivisitalbania.com
DATA
Please send us an email at info@ivisitalbania.com, asking for availability.
Participants & Transit
I Visit Albania consciously chooses to travel in small groups. For this trip, the maximum 16 participants. We guarantee a trip based on the minimum number of permanent participants. This destination is that a minimum of 6 participants. A journey can already with fewer participants are guaranteed. The minimum age for these trips is 18 years.
100% No Surcharge Guarantee
Once booked and confirmed we will guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. You will not be approached to pay fuel surcharges unlike the vast majority of other adventure tour operators.
Tour Prices
Tour prices shown on this website are a guide only. For flight-inclusive group tours the selling price at the time you book your holiday could be different to that shown here, due to current flight availability. Please refer to the trip notes for details of what is included in the cost.
Tour Durations
The tour duration shown above is based on the Land Only length of the tour. Please be aware that the flight inclusive duration of the tour may be longer.
Tour Itineraries
Please be aware that the specific itinerary on some of our tours may differ depending on departure date. Please check the relevant trip notes for the most up-to-date information regarding the trip itinerary.
Child Prices
Child prices applicable for ages 11 and under at time of travel. (Not applicable to self-guided holidays as these are currently sold to adults only).
Price Changes
Any changes to prices will be kept updated on this web page, in accordance with above.
Tour Information
ACCOMMODATION
During this trip we stay in different types of accommodation which are always attractive and nicely situated. We stay mostly in small hotels.
Standard - Our mid-range accommodation offers a good level of service often with other amenities such as a restaurant, bar, garden or swimming pool. Generally rooms will be comfortable with en-suite facilities.
Accommodation and service levels in Albania are generally very good. We try to use smaller, family-run hotels and pensions that might not offer the same luxuries as larger chain-style hotels, but they do provide a warm welcome, a comfortable place to stay and the chance to gain a better understanding of local life.
ROOM LAYOUT AND SINGLE
* If you go, you do not pay extra fee for traveling alone. We or assume that you are sharing a room (or tent if applicable) with a fellow traveler of the same gender. If you prefer to have your own room, you can for € xxxxx, - additional books a single room.
* If you travel as a couple, share together a room (or tent). You can choose between a 'twin' or a 'double'. A twin room has two twin beds; one has a double bed. Some hotels only have twin rooms and sometimes all doubles have been forgiven so you still have two twin beds.
* If you travel with three of them, two people sharing a double or 'twin' room (or tent) and one participant is assigned to a twin room (or tent) with another fellow traveler of the same gender. If you prefer to have your own room, you can for € xxxxxx, - additional books a single room.
When making the reservation you can specify what kind of room layout you desire.
BUDGET INFO
You will need some extra money to cover meals and drinks not included in the tour price, any optional sightseeing, souvenirs and items of a personal nature such as laundry.
The reference amount of pocket money for this trip is € 250, - per person. This amount is an average of what travelers in recent years have spent during this trip to meals and refreshments, additional excursions, entrance fees, any local airport taxes and gratuities. Of course, your own spending habits this also decisive. Souvenirs are therefore not included. During the trip several (optional) excursions, you spot (using the tour leader) can book. If a better excursion can be booked in advance, then it will be listed in the itinerary and on the booking form. So you can still give your group an individual accent.Food
The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.
Light lunch £: 4.00
Dinner £: 10.00
Drink
The prices for drinks can vary greatly depending upon location and the prices detailed below are an average guide. In general you would expect that drinks purchased in a supermarket or local bar to be less expensive, whilst drinks in an upmarket bar or restaurant may be more expensive.
Bottle of Beer £: 1.50
Water £: 0.50
OPTIONAL - EXURSIONS
Some free time has been allowed for you to explore on your own or with your travelling companions.
TIPPING - TOUR LEADER
At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
The amount 20 euro, of tipping is a directive except the tips of the Dutch or local tour guide. Travelling is common to eg. Drivers, cooks and guides to tip. Gratuities are often an indispensable supplement to the income, which is usually a whole family depends. In many cases you can give a tip itself. Common expenses (group tips, entrance fees, etc.) are usually paid from the joint pot for which a contribution is requested to all participants. When you are satisfied with the tour leader yourself, you like him / her, of course, give a tip.
TIPPING - LOCAL CREW
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. Accordingly, you should allow approx. €20 for tipping.
In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
