Day 1 | Montréal — Departure
Overnight flight to Tirana; meals & entertainment on board

Day 2 | Tirana → Krujë — Arrival
Welcome transfer from Tirana Airport; first evening in Krujë — one of Europe's oldest cities

Day 3 | Krujë → Durrës → Berat
Skanderberg fortress & old bazaar; Roman amphitheatre of Durrës; vineyard wine tasting en route to Berat

Day 4 | Berat — City of a Thousand Windows
UNESCO fortress Kala; Onufri Iconographic Museum; traditional coffee with a local family

Day 5 | Berat → Gjirokastrër → Sarandë
UNESCO Ottoman stone city; 17th-century mansions & hilltop citadel; arrival on the Albanian Riviera

Day 6 | Sarandë → Butrint → Sarandë
UNESCO Butrint archaeological site; boat tour on Lake Butrint; seafood dinner on the promenade

Day 7 | Sarandë → Himarë — Albanian Riviera
Castle of Ali Pasha; stunning coastal drive; arrival at Himarë on the Ionian Sea

Day 8 | Himarë — Free Day on the Beach
Full day at leisure on the crystal-clear beaches of the Albanian Riviera

Day 9 | Himarë → Apollonia → Tirana
Ancient Greek city of Apollonia (625 BC); Ardenica Monastery; panoramic tour of Tirana

Day 10 | Tirana — Cable Car, Bunk'Art 2 & Bektashi Order
Mount Dajti cable car; communist history at Bunk'Art 2; World HQ of the Bektashi Order; New Bazaar

Day 11 | Tirana — Return to Montréal
Breakfast & transfer to Tirana Airport — Mirëupafshim, Shqipëri!

Included

✓ International flight from Montreal roundtrip

✓ Airport arrival & departure transfers (Tirana)

✓ Guide & driver throughout the entire 10-day tour

✓ Hotel Panorama ★★★★, Krujë — 1 night (Day 2)

✓ Hôtel Portik ★★★★, Berat — 2 nights (Days 3–4)

✓ Saranda International Hotel, Sarandë — 2 nights (Days 5–6)

✓ Hotel Chimaera, Himarë — 2 nights (Days 7–8)

✓ Hôtel Doro City, Tirana — 2 nights (Days 9–10)

✓ Full board throughout: breakfast, lunch & dinner daily (Days 2–10)

✓ Guided excursion: Krujë old bazaar & Skanderbeg fortress (Day 3)

✓ Guided excursion: Durrës Venetian Tower & Roman Amphitheatre (Day 3)

✓ Wine tasting at a local vineyard en route to Berat (Day 3)

✓ Guided excursion: Berat lower town, Mangalem quarter & UNESCO fortress Kala (Day 4)

✓ Onufri Iconographic Museum entrance, Berat (Day 4)

✓ Traditional coffee visit with a local family in Berat (Day 4)

✓ Guided excursion: Gjirokastrër UNESCO mansions & Citadel (Day 5)

✓ Gjirokastrër Citadel entrance (Day 5)

✓ Guided excursion: UNESCO Butrint archaeological site (Day 6)

✓ Boat tour on Lake Butrint — mussel farming discovery (Day 6)

✓ Castle of Ali Pasha visit, Albanian Riviera (Day 7)

✓ Guided excursion: Apollonia of Illyria ruins & Ardenica Monastery (Day 9)

✓ Guided tour: Skanderbeg Square, Et'hem Bey Mosque & Clock Tower, Tirana (Day 9)

✓ Cable car to Mount Dajti, Tirana (Day 10)

✓ Bunk'Art 2 Museum entrance, Tirana (Day 10)

✓ Visit to the World Headquarters of the Bektashi Order, Tirana (Day 10)

✓ All applicable taxes

Not Included

✗ Travel insurance

✗ ETIAS travel authorisation (approx. €7 — required for Canadians entering Schengen Area)

✗ Beverages (alcoholic & non-alcoholic outside of included meals)

✗ Tips & gratuities for guide, driver & hotel staff

✗ Personal expenses, optional activities & souvenirs

Tour package rates – Tour package rates are starting-from prices per person, based on double occupancy, and include the applicable flight rates and taxes. Rates are valid for the specified travel dates and are based on the itinerary details, selected flights and airline, specified hotels and accommodations, and meal plan indicated in the itinerary. Hotel ratings may differ from North American standards. Rates and hotel selections are subject to availability at the time of reservation and may change until all travel arrangements are confirmed. Any changes to the travel dates, itinerary, flights, hotels, accommodations, meal plan, or occupancy may result in revised rates.

Group departure rates – Group departure rates are valid only for the specified group, departure and return dates, selected hotels, and designated airline included in the quotation. These rates are subject to availability and apply exclusively to that specific group departure. Changes to the group size, travel dates, hotels, airline, or itinerary may result in revised rates.

Custom quote available on request – A custom quote will be prepared based on your requested travel dates, itinerary, selected flights and airline, accommodations, hotel selections, meal plan, and included services. Rates are starting-from prices per person, based on double occupancy, and include applicable taxes unless otherwise specified.

Albania - Passport & Visa Requirements

Passport Validity: Canadian citizens travelling to Albania require a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity beyond your planned return date and at least one blank page.

Visa: Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter Albania for stays up to 90 days. Albania is not a Schengen Area member, so no ETIAS is required. Standard passport control applies on arrival at Tirana International Airport.

Health & Vaccinations

No specific vaccinations are required for travel to Albania. Routine vaccines (tetanus, hepatitis A & B) are recommended. Travel insurance with medical coverage is essential — healthcare facilities outside Tirana can be limited.

Tap water is not recommended for drinking in most areas. Bottled water is widely available and included in your meals throughout the tour.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance including medical coverage, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation is strongly recommended. Medical facilities in rural areas and along the Albanian Riviera may be limited — evacuation to Tirana may be required in case of emergency.

Currency & Payments

Currency: Albanian Lek (ALL). Euros (€) are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas. USD is less commonly accepted. ATMs are available in major cities (Tirana, Sarandë, Berat). Carry cash for smaller towns, markets, and tips — card acceptance outside major hotels can be limited.

Climate & Best Time to Visit

Albania has a Mediterranean climate on the coast and a continental climate inland. Summer (June–September) is hot and dry, with temperatures reaching 30°C–38°C on the Riviera. Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) offer ideal conditions for sightseeing. Bring a light layer for evenings and higher-altitude areas (Gjirokastër, Krujë).

What to Pack

Clothing: Light, breathable clothing for summer; comfortable walking shoes are essential — many historic sites involve cobblestones, steep paths, and uneven terrain. A light jacket for evenings.

Essentials: Sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle. Modest clothing (covered shoulders and knees) required for entry into mosques and monasteries.

Electronics: Power adapter Type F (European 2-pin), 220V. Wi-Fi available at most hotels; connectivity may be limited in rural areas.

Language & Time Zone

Language: Albanian (Shqip). English is increasingly spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and by younger Albanians. Your guide will be English-speaking throughout the tour.

Time Zone: Central European Time (CET) — UTC+1 in winter, UTC+2 (CEST) in summer. Montreal is 6 hours behind Albania in summer (5 hours in winter).