Page 62 - 2026 Brochure

Small & Traditional

Mes Bridge, Shkoder

Albanian Odyssey

Saturday 29 August to Saturday 12 September 2026

Albania is a part of Europe rarely visited by most Europeans. Apart from Tirana and the narrow coastal belt, it is mountainous and sparsely populated
yet has a rich and varied history. Above all, its people are friendly and welcoming – after years of isolation they really appreciate our visit.

Day 1- London to Tirana owes its existence to its proximity to both North Day 6 - Sarandë, Butrint & Coastline
Afternoon direct flight from London for an evening Macedonia and Greece. Return to Voskopojë for Explore Sarandë, the UNESCO World Heritage
arrival in Tirana, capital of Albania. Transfer to our city overnight stay. archaeological site at Butrint, originally settled by the
centre hotel. Evening meal included. Ancient Greeks and the Albanian Riviera coastline.
Day 4 - South to Permet
Day 2 - Lake Ohrid & Voskopojë The mountains are spectacular as we drive along Day 7 - Berat
A short walking tour of the Tirana highlights includes minor roads towards our next destination. We visit Heading into the mountains of Central Albania, our
the clock tower, the Palace of Culture and the Bunk’ the Farma Sotira bio fish farm and pass close to the next overnight stay is in Berat, a small UNESCO
Art 2 Museum dedicated to the memory of the tens Greek border before arriving at the spa town of Heritage town on the Osum River known for
of thousands who were imprisoned and persecuted Permet. Dinner at a local restaurant. its white Ottoman houses and castle housing an
during the communist regime. Drive to Durrës and ethnographic museum and reconstructed medieval
then train to Elbasan in Albania’s central mountains. Day 5 - Sarandë bazaar.
Finally by road via beautiful Lake Ohrid to the tiny Morning drive to Gjirokastra, birthplace of Enver
village of Voskopojë where a late evening meal awaits Hoxha. The town is built on two levels, the upper Day 8 - North to Shkodër
us. level of which includes the old city with its pre- Our exploration of the northern half of Albania
Ottoman citadel affording striking views of the Drino starts with a drive to Shkodër, the largest city in the
Day 3 - Korcë River below. Time for lunch here before continuing north west of the country and, once again, a place of
Time for a stroll in the village before the short drive via the Blue Eye fresh water spring to the lovely rich history dating back to the Bronze Age. We have
to nearby Korcë, a bustling cathedral city which coastal town of Sarandë for dinner and a 2-night stay. a 2-night stay here.

Korce, Albania © Alan Heywood Lake Ohrid, Albania © Ramona Cazacu Albanian Coatline

57 Over 50 Years of Unforgettable Rail Journeys