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Albania: Land of the Eagle
Group Tour
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General Interest
8 Days & 7 Nights
Lead-in price: £995
Known as the 'Cradle of the Balkans', Albania is home to a wealth of natural and historic sites. Beyond the gritty capital of Tirana, the country is home to spectacular mountain and coastal scenery and dotted with pretty Ottoman towns like Gjirokastër and Kruja. It is also home to many important Greek and Roman ruins including Butrint and Apollonia. Travelling through this almost forgotten corner of the Mediterranean is both informative and a total delight.
The Cox & Kings signature experiences
- Lunch with a local sheep herder
- Wine and brandy tasting at Skanderbeg
- Visit one of Europe's most unique art galleries, BunkArt
- Tour the well-preserved Roman sites of Butrint & Apollonia
- Explore the architectural legacies of the Ottoman empire & Communist era
- Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)
- Stay in 3- & 4-star accommodation
Tour variations
Standard Group Tour in brief
Day 1: Fly to TiranaFly from London (regional connections available) to Tirana with British Airways. Transfer and stay at the Hotel Opera (or similar) for 2 nights. Enjoy a welcome drink. (N)
Day 2: TiranaThis morning, visit the National Historical Museum, followed by BunkArt – an antinuclear bunker built under the city, that is now a museum and modern art gallery. Afterwards, visit Bektashi World Centre, a Dervish sect that fuses elements of Shia and Sufi Islam. Your afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Day 3: Apollonia - Vlora - LlogaraEn route to Vlora, visit the most important Roman site in Albania, Apollonia, where the nephew of Julius Caesar once studied. Continue to Vlora to visit Muradie Mosque and the headquarters of Albania’s first independent government. Finish the day at the scenic Llogara National Park. Stay at Llogara Village (or similar) for 1 night. (B)
Day 4: ButrintDepart for the ancient city of Butrint, travelling along the spectacular Albanian Riviera. The town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the country’s most important archaeological museum. After lunch in a recommended restaurant, transfer to Gjirokastër for check-in at Hotel Argjiro (or similar) for 2 nights. (B)
Day 5: GjirokastërSpend the morning touring Gjirokastër, famous for its Ottoman architecture, grand fortress and being the birthplace of notorious dictator, Enver Hoxha. Visit Hoxha’s place of birth and learn more about Albania’s recent history.
In the afternoon, head out into the countryside to a traditional sheep farm for lunch with a local family. Return to Gjirokastër in time for dinner. (B, L)
Day 6: BeratAfter breakfast, depart for Berat – another UNESCO-listed town – where you visit the Onufri Museum and the town castle. Berat castle is of particular interest as people still live within its walls in traditional houses. In the afternoon, meet a local family and learn how to prepare raki and traditional coffee.
Stay overnight in Berat at Hotel Mangalemi (or similar) for 1 night. (B)
Day 7: Durrës - Skanderbeg wineryTransfer to Durrës, one of Albania’s oldest towns and the site of the first and perhaps most important of the country’s Greek colonies. In the afternoon, visit the awardwinning Skanderbeg winery and brandy producer, famous throughout the Balkans. After, drive to Kruja, the hometown of Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero. Stay at the Hotel Panorama (or similar) for 1 night. (B)
Day 8: Kruja - Fly to LondonKruja was the centre of Albanian resistance – led by local feudal lord, Skanderbeg – against the Ottomans. Visit the museum dedicated to Skanderbeg’s life, as well as Kruja’s centuries old Bazaar, before returning to Tirana Airport. Fly to London or continue to your extension destination. (B)
Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
TOUR EXTENSIONS Please enquire for prices to extend your stay in Montenegro.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Private & tailor-made travel: This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements.
Standard group tour accommodation
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Hotel Opera Tirana
The Hotel Opera is a 4-star property in the centre of Tirana, close to Skanderberg Square and the Natural History Museum. Guest rooms are comfortable and contemporary in design. Dine at the hotel's restaurant, which serves a selection of international and regional Albanian cuisine.
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Llogara Tourist Village
Located in the heart of the national park, Llogara Village offers a good standard of accommodation in a beautiful forest setting. The property consists of a main building, with indoor pool, and restaurant, and small cottages which house the bedrooms dotted across the grounds. Features: 34 suites & cottages, restaurant, bar, lounge, indoor swimming pool Room amenities: Wi-Fi throughout, room service during restaurant hours, mini bar, balcony or terrace, TV
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Hotel Argjiro
Situated in the centre of the city, this 19th-century building has been completely refurbished to high standards. The reception features stone floors and extends into a comfortable bar and lounge area. The guestrooms are decorated in light colours, with wood floors and sleek bathrooms. As well as a bar and restaurant, the hotel has a roof garden with panoramic views across the city and nearby castle.Facilities: 30 rooms, bar, restaurant, roof garden, Wi-Fi.<br>Rooms: Air conditioning, television, Wi-Fi.
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Hotel Mangalemi
The Hotel Mangalemi was one of the first hotels to open after the fall of socialism in 1991. It offers comfortable guestrooms, each of which are equipped with an en suite bathroom. The traditional woodwork in the dining areas is reminiscent of the old inns that once existed in Berat. Highly acclaimed traditional dishes are served either on the upper floor veranda or in one of the two private dining areas. Features: 27 rooms, restaurant, bar. Room amenities: Air conditioning, television, minibar.
Dates & prices
ALE2022
Main Costs
| Status | Tour Code | Tour Name | Departure-Return date | Original Price | Saving | Single Supplement | depdate | returndate | Guaranteed Departures | Click to Book | cpntav | MaxGrpSize | IsSuperOffer | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available | ALE2022 | Albania: Land of the Eagle | 3 Jun 2022 - 10 Jun 2022 | £1,075 | £0 | £0 | 6/3/2022 12:00:00 AM | 6/10/2022 12:00:00 AM | Yes | Reserve | Available | 0 | Available | |
| Available | ALE2022 | Albania: Land of the Eagle | 2 Sep 2022 - 9 Sep 2022 | £1,075 | £0 | £0 | 9/2/2022 12:00:00 AM | 9/9/2022 12:00:00 AM | Reserve | Available | 0 | Available |
Vaccination Travel Policy
All clients must be fully vaccinated before travelling with us on a Cox & Kings (C&K)
group tour. This means that a customer must have received their full two doses of the
COVID‑19 vaccination at least 14 days before travelling with us. This does not apply
to our private tours or tailor-made travel. If you have any questions please call us
or visit our FAQs page on our website here
Flexible Prices & Itineraries
For a quote based on alternative accommodation standards or flight options, or to tailor this
itinerary, please call 020 7873 5000
or
send an email enquiry
Guaranteed Departures Where a tour date has ‘yes’ listed, this tour is guaranteed to run.
For all other departure dates, once the minimum number of people booked has been reached, this tour is also guaranteed to run. Our sales consultants will be able to advise how many people are booked for your chosen date at the time of enquiry, giving you the confidence to book safe in the knowledge your tour will go ahead.
Terms & Conditions Guaranteed departures will run except in the circumstances where travel to the destination is advised against by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or entry restrictions relating to COVID-19 preclude travel.
Additional InformationPlease call 020 7873 5000 for more information or to make a booking.
Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication, may be subject to change, particularly as a result of variable flight costs. You will be informed of any such changes prior to booking.
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- * No single supplement on all departure dates (limited availability)
- * 3- & 4-star accommodation
- * Flexible - extensions, room & flight upgrades available
- * Average group size - 12 people (max 18)
- * Direct international flights with British Airways
- * Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- * Experienced local tour manager
- * 7 breakfasts & 1 lunch
- * Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
- * Welcome drink
Destinations on this tour
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