Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Tirana - Berat - Gjirokaster - Sarande - Corfu
100% customisable for you
Your adventure through Albania and Greece begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and settle into the lounge with a few pre-flight nibbles before boarding your three-hour flight to Tirana. On arrival, you’ll be met by a private driver and transferred to your home for the next two nights: a contemporary hotel in the heart of the capital.
The rest of the day is yours to ease into Albanian life. Stretch your legs with a stroll through the city streets, then stop for an aperitif (rakia, a fruity spirit, is the go-to here) before returning to the hotel for a hearty evening meal and a well-earned night’s rest, ready for a day of discovery tomorrow
Today is all about discovering Albania’s vibrant capital, a city known and adored for its dizzying mixture of Ottoman, Soviet and Fascist-era architecture. In the company of a clued-up local guide, you’ll explore some of the city’s standout sights, including Skanderbeg Square, the Hajji Et'hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower of Tirana and the 18th-century Tabakkane Bridge. You can also visit the National History Museum, which traces Albanian culture from the Paleolithic period through to modern times.
The afternoon is yours to play with. Continue wandering Tirana’s colourful streets, pause for a coffee, or let us arrange a guided hike on Mount Dajti for a refreshing escape into nature.
Leave Tirana behind today as you head south towards Berat, a beautiful Ottoman city set on the banks of the Osum River. After breakfast, collect your hire car and begin the roughly hour-and-a-half-long drive, allowing for a couple of worthwhile detours along the way.
Continue south to the Archaeological Park of Apollonia, Albania’s largest ancient site. Founded in around 620 BC, this former Greek city was once home to 60,000 inhabitants and was an important site of culture. Today, it sits in a peaceful natural setting with sweeping views towards the Acroceraunian Mountains and the island of Sazan.
Arrive in Berat later this afternoon and settle into your hotel in the historic centre, your base for the next two nights.
Step back in time this morning as you explore Berat, one of Albania’s most evocative Ottoman cities. In the company of a knowledgeable local guide, wander through the historic quarters of Old Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its whitewashed houses cascading down the hillside. As you stroll, you’ll uncover layers of history woven through Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques and centuries-old stone streets. Highlights include the imposing hilltop citadel (which is still home to local families), the 13th-century Church of St Mary of Blachernae and the 15th-century King’s Mosque.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure – perhaps with a coffee overlooking the Osum River or a final wander through the atmospheric town.
Today you continue your journey south towards the Greek border. After a fuelling breakfast, hop back into your hire car and travel two-and-a-half hours to Gjirokaster, a beautifully preserved Ottoman city set in a valley surrounded by mountains. On arrival, check in to a traditional Ottoman hotel in the heart of the old town, where you’ll be spending the next two nights. The remainder of the day is free to slow the pace and settle in – perhaps with a gentle wander through the cobbled streets, or simply relaxing at the hotel – ready for a day of exploring tomorrow.
Today is dedicated to exploring the historic heart of Gjirokaster, a beautifully preserved city where layers of Ottoman and Albanian heritage sit side by side. After breakfast, set out on foot with a knowledgeable local guide to discover the city’s oldest neighbourhoods, shaped by wealthy merchant families in the 17th and 18th centuries. Highlights include the imposing 13th-century citadel, which offers sweeping views across the Drino Valley, the bustling bazaar lined with traditional shops and cafés, the Memi Bey Mosque and the birthplace of Albania’s most celebrated writer, Ismail Kadaré.
The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure – perhaps lingering over a coffee in the old town or tucking into some Qofte (meatballs) or Qifqi (rice balls).
Today you’ll bid farewell to inland Albania and make your way to the coast. After breakfast, jump back into your hire car and travel one hour to Sarande, a relaxed resort town on the edge of the Albanian Riviera. On arrival, check in for two nights at a small boutique hotel overlooking the sea.
The rest of the day is yours to spend soaking in the scenic and cultural delights of southern Albania. You could head to nearby Lake Butrint, whose calm waters encircle a low hill connected to the Ionian Sea by a narrow channel. From here you can visit the archaeological ruins of Butrint, an ancient Greek city later shaped by Roman, Byzantine and Venetian rule, now home to a range of beautiful monuments, including dwellings, Roman baths, chapels, a fortress-museum and a fourth-century basilica. Alternatively, spend the afternoon lounging on one of the many beautiful beaches of southern Albania. Ksamil Beach, just south of Sarande, is a firm favourite, with pale sand and clear, turquoise water worthy of its ‘Albanian Caribbean’ nickname.
This morning, it’s time to say farewell to Albania and hop across the Ionian Sea to the Greek island of Corfu.
After breakfast, head to the port in Sarande to catch a thirty-minute hydrofoil ferry crossing to Corfu. On arrival, collect your next hire car and travel to your final accommodation: an elegant hotel located in Kommeno, a few miles north of Corfu Town. Spend the rest of the day settling into your new Greek surroundings. We recommend heading to the beautiful beach nearby for an afternoon stroll and dip in the sea before enjoying a relaxing evening in the hotel’s fragrant garden.
These final two days of your holiday are all about soaking in the scenic coastal delights of Corfu. Known as the ‘Emerald Island’ for its lush greenery and crystal-clear waters, Corfu is the largest and, for many, the most beautiful of the Ionian Islands. With picturesque countryside, calm bays and pretty houses emerging from forests of olive trees, Corfu is a real paradise on earth. Even during its most touristy months, there are always hidden gems to be found. Our local Concierge will be on hand to recommend the spots that most tourists don’t know about – from secluded coves and quiet hiking trails to family-friendly tavernas serving up authentic Corfiot dishes.
Sadly the time has come to leave the beautiful Balkans behind and embark on the journey home. After a final hearty breakfast at the hotel, make your way to Corfu City airport. Drop off your hire car, whizz through security and take the opportunity to stock up on any last-minute Greek specialities and souvenirs before boarding your three-hour flight back to the UK.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
