9 Days Discover Albania - IBMWAN2

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From The Alpine Peak to Albania Riviera


Day 1 - Arrival Day

Day 1 - Arrival Day

Tirana to Shkodra

Upon your early morning arrival at Tirana International Airport, we will commence our journey by heading towards the town of Lezha to pay homage to the Memorial of Scanderbeg, the renowned Albanian National Hero from the 15th century. Following this, we will go to Shkodra, where you will check in at a prestigious, time-honored traditional hotel. Take a moment to unwind and rejuvenate for 1-2 hours. In the afternoon, we invite you to explore the historic gems of Shkodra, including the captivating Rozafa Castle, offering breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views, the charming Pedestrian Street in the historic center, and a visit to the Marubi Studio. Our first day culminates with a memorable dinner, promising to be a delightful introduction to your journey. (D)


Day 2

Day 2

Lake Komani and Valbona Valley

After a sumptuous breakfast, we embark on a mesmerizing journey to Lake Komani, where you will be astounded by the ever-changing landscapes in the short distances traveled, a theme that will persist throughout this captivating tour. As we navigate the pristine waters of Lake Komani, you will witness the transformation of ancient valleys into fjords, a natural wonder that is sure to leave an impression. Upon reaching Valbona Valley, you are welcome to our Alpine-style hotel, where you will be surrounded by the untamed splendor of this "Gem of the Albanian Alps." The evening is a time to indulge your palate and nourish your soul. (B, D)


Day 3

Day 3

Journey South to Kruja

Start your day with a breakfast featuring local delicacies as we continue our valley tour by bus. We will cross the border and venture into Kosovo to visit Prizren, the second largest city, steeped in history and distinguished by its unique architectural center. Upon arriving in Kruja, we will explore its historical treasures, including the castle, the museum, the old bazaar, and the impeccably preserved ethnographic museum. Dinner will be a culinary delight featuring regional specialties in a reserved panoramic setting at the hotel restaurant, which shares the town's name. (B, D)


Day 4

Day 4

Berat

After a delicious breakfast prepared with local products we depart to the charming city of Berat (UNESCO World Heritage City) a historic city in Albania, located in the heart of the country's lush landscape and the most visited site of the country. Upon arrival visits to the castle and various splendid highlights, including Onufri Museum, accompanied by local professional guide.

Lunch in a traditional restaurant inside the castle, and learn about the owners story, while food is prepared. Listen to their adventures journey to Albania while enjoying a delicious meal.

Free afternoon and rest in Berat and overnight stay inside the Castle. (B, L)


Day 5

Day 5

Albanica Winery in Ardenica Hills to Vlora

Today will be visiting a nice Agro Tourism initiative in the hills of Ardenica and listen/talk to the owner. Participate in preparation of the dishes, with the recipes of the grandma and take a short tour of the Farm. Wine and cheese testing will be also part of the activity.

The visit of the old Monastery, only 500 meters from the farm will follow. Time to experience the sunset view and off to Vlora, visit the center and learn about the role that this city has played during the history, especially in the time of the declaration of the Independence in 1912. Overnight in Vlora. (B)


Day 6

Day 6

Boat Tour to Sazan Island and Karaburun

After breakfast, we will start with another main highlights of the tour, the cruise to the only island of Albania (used to be the most advanced military base in the west, of the Soviet Block, during the Cold War era, and the marvelous beaches of Karaburun Peninsula (accessible only by sea), we will learn about its military history. The Pirates Cave Expediton is also in the list! Explore the beauty and hidden gems of this island! Dinner will be served in one of the numerous restaurants of Vlora Lungomare. (B, D)


Day 7

Day 7

Albanian Riviera

Today will drive along the Ionian coast, or as it is better known, the Albanian Riviera. Will stop to in few highlights like Porto Palermo, a beautiful and unspoiled bay, we will visit the Ali Pascha Castle and you will have the option to swim in the turquoise waters. Continue to the Old Himare Village a lovely village built around a castle and wander around its narrow streets, we will then proceed to Dhermi Beach a beautiful beach with crystal clear and blue sea waters. Needless to mention, you should be prepared with enough memory and battery in your cameras.

Dinner & Overnight in a sea front view hotel in Sarande. (B, D)

 


Day 8

Blue Eye and Gjirokastra

This morning we will visit Butrinti - the biggest archeological site of the country, including all area of Northern Greece and the nearby beach of Ksamil, symbol of the Albanian Ionian Coast. Time to come back to Tirana, but from different route, more speedy and passing near Blue Eye Natural Monument, and the cultural town of Gjirokastra (UNESCO Heritage), visiting each of them for a short time.

It is forecasted to be in a nice resort in the periphery of Tirana, by early afternoon. Time to relax and have a joint reunion, in the beautiful grounds of the resort, enjoy the resort's unique delicacies and dishes or visit the resorts brewery and try their unfiltered or filtered beer. (B)


Day 9

Farewell and Departure

Before your flight departs, you have the option to explore Tirana's city center or visit a large shopping center, marking the end of our remarkable journey and Discovery of Albania. (B)


Choose your preferred dates and book your trip today

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Dates & Rates


Departure date Start Date End Date Starting At Double Occupancy Single Price Child Price Book
10 May 2024 11 May 2024 19 May 2024 $2,206 $2,626 $1,435 BOOK BOOK NOW
24 May 2024 25 May 2024 2 Jun 2024 $2,206 $2,626 $1,435 BOOK BOOK NOW
7 Jun 2024 8 Jun 2024 16 Jun 2024 $2,295 $2,731 $1,491 BOOK BOOK NOW
21 Jun 2024 22 Jun 2024 30 Jun 2024 $2,295 $2,731 $1,491 BOOK BOOK NOW
5 Jul 2024 6 Jul 2024 14 Jul 2024 $2,524 $3,004 $1,641 BOOK BOOK NOW
19 Jul 2024 20 Jul 2024 28 Jul 2024 $2,524 $3,004 $1,641 BOOK BOOK NOW
9 Aug 2024 10 Aug 2024 18 Aug 2024 $2,524 $3,004 $1,641 BOOK BOOK NOW
6 Sep 2024 7 Sep 2024 15 Sep 2024 $2,295 $2,731 $1,491 BOOK BOOK NOW

* All prices in USD

Services Included:

  • Transfers from/to the airport
  • 8 nights in 4 - 4.5* accommodation
  • Daily Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 5 Dinners included
  • Wine & cheese tasting activity
  • Air-conditioned deluxe motor-coach
  • English speaking Tour Director and local guides
  • All transport and entrance tickets to the sites visited as per itinerary
  • Boat tickets for Komani lake and the Sea tour in Sazan Island and Karaburun Peninsula
  • Services charges & hotel taxes

 

Services Not Included:

  • Airfare & Departure taxes
  • Tips to guide/drivers & hotel staff
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal extras on meals not mentioned above

 

Hotels:

Shkodra - https://traditagt.com/

Valbona - https://bujtina.hotels-albania.net/en/

Kruja https://hotelpanoramakruje.com/

Berat -https:// https://hotelonufri.hotelscheck-in.com/al or https://beratcastlehotel.com/

Saranda - https://santaquaranta.com/

Tirana - https://hotelkotoni.com/  or https://testela.al/

 

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TestimonialsTestimonials

Still traveling but wanted to thank you for planning a marvelous trip.  It is truly a trip of a lifetime.

Best, 

Susan Lachtman

 

The IBMT Bar Mitzvah tour was fantastic! It was the perfect blend of family time and peer group time, of sites with religious/historic significance and just plain fun. The guide was personable and informative, and even the bus driver was great. All the details were attended to and you didn’t have to concern yourself with or worry about a thing. It was a true vacation. We would highly recommend it to anyone. If you are going to Eilat, Petra is a must!

We went on a church group to the Holyland with IBMT Tours and had a great trip, everything was planned for us perfectly. There was over 123 people in four different bus groups and things went smoothly, I thought it was going to be hectic with that many people in the group but IBMT did a wonderful job and made sure the buses did not go convoy, every bus had its own time table and itinerary for the day, our guide Dani was so knowledgeable and loving. We love you IBMT and we will recommend you guys. Thanks for everything you have done for us.

We just returned from Israel on an IBMT Bar Mitzvah Tour for our three grandsons.  We had enough family members to warrant our own bus.  After checking out many tour companies we went with IBMT and all of us were glad we did.  The hotels were fabulous and the rooms allotted even more so.  From the INBAL in Jerusalem, KFAR BLUM in the Galilee, the SHERATON in Tel Aviv, to the ROYAL BEACH in Eilat we couldn’t have asked for more.  Our meals were equally excellent.  Beginning with a welcome reception at the INBAL to the closing dinner at the CANAAN restaurant in Tel Aviv one and all loved them.

It was a busy tour made even more so by my husband who was determined the grandchildren see “everything”.  Fortunately for us, we had the best guide when Ornan (from IBMT) gave us GADI.  All of the groups loved their guides but Gadi was  special.  He was able to reach the kids (ages 7-13) as well as the adults.  His knowledge, willingness to adjust the schedule, and good nature gave him a soft spot in all of our hearts.  He filled in at Yad Vashem when the guide droned on a bit too much for some of us.  He searched out a cemetery where a father, grandfather and great grandfather was buried and proceeded to enlighten us on the rituals and customs of a military cemetery.  He adjusted our times to include those little extras.  When weather precluded the camels, we visited Qumran.  After the Bar Mitzvahs, some wanted to walk down Masada - again, no problem. 

We loved everything.  Friday night dinner with an Israeli family (coincidentally the husband was from Toronto), meeting the soldiers on the kibbutz, the Druze lunch, sampling different foods at the shuk, the bullet factory and on and on.  Although the weather was precarious in December, it didn’t stop us and we were able to celebrate Chanukah in Israel...menorahs  everywhere, sufganiyot of every kind, celebrations in the street galore.

Would we recommend this tour...without a moments hesitation.  We had a family trip of a lifetime.  Thank you also to our bus driver Louie, whom we all loved and who got us around safely. 

“Gadi” - what else can we say ... g double o - d, j-o-b. Good job, good job.  V-e-r-y-n-i-c-e, very nice, very nice.💕

 

 

I cannot imagine a better, more organized, more perfect experience! IBMT went above and beyond all expectations!

Loved the trip! The itinerary was fantastic and really kept us moving. We were able to see and do so much. Best of all was our tour guide Natalie. She was very kind, patient and extremely knowledgeable on every aspect of Israel.

5/5

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