Day 1 - To Durres:
Fly from London Gatwick to Tirana with British Airways. Transfer to Durres, one of the oldest towns in Albania, which was founded in 627BC. Stay overnight at the Arvi Hotel. Evening welcome dinner. (D)
Day 2 - To Vlora Morning tour of Durres including visits to the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans, the archaeological museum (subject to confirmation) and St Michael's basilica, an early Christian church, with artifacts from the sixth century. Continue to Berat and visit the Museum of Icons and the castle, which has the remains of 42 churches within its walls. Special access to the King's Mosque and adjacent Helveti Tekke, containing some excellent Ottoman paintings, has also been arranged. This afternoon, explore the Greek and Roman ruins of Apollonia, an important trading port for the Roman empire until the third century AD. Continue to Vlora and stay overnight at the Hotel New York. (B)
Day 3 - To Saranda: Morning visit to the Orthodox monastery of Zvernec. Built in the 13th century and dedicated to St Mary, this is an important Byzantine monument in the Narta region. Continue through the mountains and along deserted stretches of coastline to the resort town of Saranda. Afternoon tour of the Unesco world heritage site of Butrint. Explore the ruins of this Graeco-Roman town and view the third-century BC theatre, bathhouses and the remains of the largest baptistery in the Balkans. Stay overnight at the Briliant Hotel. (B)
Day 4 - To Gjirokaster: Drive to Gjirokaster, visiting St Nicholas' monastery and the church of Labova en route. The church of Labova is one of the oldest and best preserved Orthodox churches in Albania, dating from the sixth century. Finally, visit the birthplace of Enver Hoxha and the city's fortress, which was formerly a political prison. Stay at the Cajupi Hotel for 1 night. (B)
Day 5 - To Korca: This morning, travel through mountainous landscapes to Korca, historically an important trade town. This afternoon, visit the tumulus at Kamenica, the largest ancient burial ground in the Balkans and home to numerous bronze and iron age artefacts. Continue to the Mirahori Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Albania. Stay at the Regency Hotel for 1 night. (B)
Day 6 - To Lake Ohrid: Visit the Museum of Medieval Arts, which displays more than 150 icons, then drive to Voskopojë, stopping to see the Shen Kolli (St Nicholas) church, which contains some of the best preserved 18th-century ecclesiastical art in the Balkans. Drive to Ohrid to visit the monastery of St Naum. Its position on a rocky overhang provides excellent views over Lake Ohrid, a Unesco world heritage site, renowned as the Macedonian Jerusalem due to its large number of churches. Stay at the Hotel Royal View for 2 nights. (B, D)
Day 7 - Ohrid: Full-day tour of the town, plus a special opportunity to experience Ohrid through the centuries. See St Sophia cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Macedonia; the church of St Clement at Plaoshnik; and the Gallery of Icons. Also visit the National Museum; housing works of art dating from 1863, the ethnological museum, the Samuil Fortress and the antique theatre, the oldest such building in Macedonia. (B)
Day 8 - To Tirana: Travel to Elbasan Castle, built during the Ottoman era, stopping en route at the remains of an Ottoman fort. Continue to Tirana for an afternoon tour of the Albanian capital, including visits to the National Museum, the mosque, the main square and its clock tower. End the day with a private visit to the house of Sali Shijaku, one of Albania's most famous painters. Stay at the Tirana International Hotel for 2 nights. (B)
Day 9 - Shkodër & Kruja: Morning drive to Shkodër, one of the most historic towns in Albania. After visiting St Stephen's Catholic Cathedral, depart for Kruja. Visit the fortress of Kruja, the Scanderbeg Museum, ethnographic museum, and the old bazaar, before returning to Tirana. Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)
Day 10 - To London: Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London with British Airways. (B)
Discovery Tour: Cox & Kings uses the best available accommodation and transport. However, outside Tirana, facilities should be regarded as tourist class. The tour involves some long drives and walking over uneven terrain.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
