Day 1 – To Tirana: Afternoon flight from London Gatwick to Tirana. Stay at the Theranda Hotel / Tirana International for 2 nights (D)

Day 2 – Tirana: Morning tour of Kruja and the Skanderbeg Museum. Continue to the northern town of Shkoder, located near the largest lake in the region, Lake Shkoder. Explore the fortress and museum. (B)

Day 3 – To Lake Ohrid: Travel east to Elbasan, stopping en route at the remains of a Turkish fort. Continue into Macedonia and the town of Ohrid, situated on the east shore of Lake Ohrid. This Unesco world heritage site is known as the ‘Macedonian Jerusalem’ due to its large number of churches. The enormous lakeis renowned for the clarity of its water. Stay at the Hotel Royal View for 2 nights. (B)

Day 4 – Ohrid: Morning tour of the town. See St Sophia Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Macedonia, the Church of St Clement at Plaoshnik, where the first university in Europe was founded, and the Gallery of Icons, which has the largest collection of icons in the world. Afternoon visit to the Monastery of St Naum. Its position on a rocky overhang provides excellent views across the lake. (B)

Day 5 – To Korca: Cross the border back into Albania and continue south to Korca, historically an important trade town. Visit the Museum of Medieval Arts, which displays more than 150 icons and the Korca mosque. Stay at the Regency Hotel for 1 night. (B)

Day 6 – To Gjirokaster: See the Tumulus at Kamenica, where the biggest ancient burial mound to be excavated in the Balkans is located. Continue to Gjirokaster, the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the former leader of Albania. Visit his house museum and the city’s fortress, which was formerly a political prison. Stay at the Cajupi Hotel for 1 night. (B)

Day 7 – To Saranda: Drive through the mountains to the coastal resort of Saranda. Morning tour of the Unesco world heritage site of Butrint. Explore the ruins of this Greco- Roman town and view the third-century BC theatre, bathhouses and baptistery. Stay overnight at the Hotel Butrinti. (B

Day 8 – To Vlora: Travel to Vlora, a seaport and the gateway to Italy. Stay overnight at the Hotel Vlora International. (B)

Day 9 – To Durres: Morning tour of the Greek and Roman ruins at Apollonia, an important trading port for the Roman empire until the third century AD. Drive to Berat and visit the Museum of Icons and the castle, which has the remains of 42 churches within its walls. Continue to Durres and explore the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans. Stay overnight at the Adriatik Hotel. (B)

Day 10 – To London: Morning tour of the Albanian capital, including visits to the National Museum, the mosque, main square and its clock tower. Afternoon transfer to the airport and fly to London. (B)

Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals

Private Journeys: In addition to the Escorted Group Tour departures, this itinerary may be taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject to availability.

Discovery Tour: Cox & Kings uses the bestavailable accommodation and transport. However, outside Tirana, facilities should be regarded as tourist class. The tour involves some long drives and walking over uneven terrain.