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7-Nights Highlights of the Balkans: Cities, Mountains & Coasts - Custom Groups of 10+ from $1,850
Goway Travel
OFFER ID 1722805
Epic Scenery, Iconic Landmarks Step into a journey where history whispers from ancient ruins, monasteries touch the clouds, and vibrant cultures welcome you with open arms. 8 days. 3 countries. 1 unforgettable adventure. Let the Balkans steal your heart.
Trip Overview:
Uncover the layered heart of the Balkans on a captivating journey through Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece. Begin in Tirana, where pastel façades and pavement cafés set the rhythm of a capital rediscovering itself. Cross into North Macedonia and feel time stretch in Ohrid, a lakeside city steeped in serenity and UNESCO-listed wonders. Trace Roman footprints in Bitola before arriving in Kalambaka, where the cliff-perched monasteries of Meteora rise like dreams from stone.
Return to Albania and wind through Gjirokastër’s slate-roofed lanes, where echoes of the Ottoman past linger in every courtyard. In Butrint, roam a hauntingly beautiful archaeological site framed by wetlands and myth. Then follow the sun-drenched curves of the Albanian Riviera to Vlorë, where mountains meet the Ionian Sea in a painter’s palette of blues and greens.
Explore the ruins of Apollonia, then wander through Berat’s cascading white houses and fortress walls, catching golden light in its “thousand windows.” Connect over coffee and cake with a local family, gaining insight into Albanian warmth and resilience. Wrap up your adventure with panoramic views from Mount Dajti and Tirana’s stirring stories of resistance, revival, and hope.
Ideal for curious travellers, this itinerary blends natural beauty, ancient legacy, and living culture in three of Europe’s most intriguing corners.
Highlights:
- Begin in Tirana, where vibrant streets and layered history reveal Albania’s dynamic spirit.
- Wander the lakeside charm of UNESCO-listed Ohrid, where ancient churches overlook shimmering waters.
- Stand beneath Meteora’s soaring monasteries, then cross back to Albania’s stone-built Gjirokastër.
- Trace empires through Butrint, Apollonia, and Berat, where culture and hospitality meet in timeless settings.
- Ride the Mount Dajti cable car for sweeping views before a final farewell in Tirana.
Included Services:
- Private arrival and departure airport transfers in Tirana
- 3 nights moderate accommodation in Tirana
- 1 night moderate accommodation in Kalambaka
- 1 night moderate accommodation in Gjirokaster
- 1 night moderate accommodation in Vlore
- 1 night moderate accommodation in Berat
- Local Tour Guide for full duration
- Sightseeing as per itinerary.
- All transfers and transportation is by private, air-conditioned coach (One Group transfer meeting one flight only on arrival and departure is included.)
- One bag per person on the coach touring/transfers. Additional bags will be carried subject to availability. Additional charges will apply if additional vehicles are required.
- Service charges and taxes at existing rates. In the event of an increase in tax or of the introduction of a new city tax after the date of this offer and before date of travel, we will be forced to collect the increased amount.
- Breakfast daily (excluding day 1), 7 dinners
Excluded Services:
- All airfares, departure taxes & fuel surcharges, seat selection
- Additional charges will apply for extra transfers if anyone in the group is arriving or departing on different flights.
- Any future fuel surcharges on land arrangements or additional costs due to COVID rules
- Personal items
- Changes in Government taxes and/or city taxes
- Airport and Hotel Porterage
- Optional Tours
- Meals unless listed in itinerary
- Tips & Gratuities
- Early check-in & late check out of rooms (standard check-in time is 2pm and check out 10am)
- Travel Insurance
- Visa/passport handling fees
7 nights from $1,850 per person
Day 1: Arrive Tirana
Your journey begins in the heart of the Balkans - Tirana, Albania’s vibrant capital. Upon arrival, meet your friendly local guide who will escort you to your hotel where comfort and relaxation await. The rest of the day is yours: wander Tirana’s colourful boulevards, sip espresso in lively cafés, or explore hidden corners of the city where Ottoman, Fascist, and Communist-era architecture coexist with modern flair. From bunkers to boulevards, Tirana’s streets whisper the stories of a city reborn. Enjoy a welcome dinner and restful overnight stay.
Hotel: Hotel Theatro (4 Star Rating)
Located in Tirana, less than 1 km from Skanderbeg Square, Hotel Theatro- City Center provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a terrace. This 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi.
Guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom with slippers and a bidet. All rooms at Hotel Theatro- City Center include air conditioning and a desk.
The accommodation offers a continental or à la carte breakfast.
Popular points of interest near Hotel Theatro- City Center include Former Residence of Enver Hoxha, House of Leaves and Rinia Park. The nearest airport is Tirana International Mother Teresa Airport, 17 km from the hotel.
Meal(s): Dinner
Day 2: Tirana to Ohrid
After breakfast, journey to Ohrid, North Macedonia - a UNESCO World Heritage city cradled by the glistening Lake Ohrid and wrapped in layers of sacred history. Wander the cobbled alleys of this spiritual center on a guided tour. Step inside the awe-inspiring Church of Saint Sophia, and marvel at the ancient ruins of Plaosnik Basilica, perched above the lake. Feel the stillness of centuries past in a city where every stone has a soul. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay by the lakeside.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Ohrid to Bitola and Kalambaka
Start the day tracing the footsteps of emperors in Bitola, once a prominent Roman settlement. Explore Heraclea Lyncestis, where the amphitheater and Byzantine mosaics reflect a vibrant past. After lunch, cross into Greece, arriving in Kalambaka, nestled beneath the mighty spires of Meteora. From North Macedonia’s forgotten amphitheaters to Greece’s sky-high sanctuaries, today is a journey through time and elevation. Dinner and overnight stay in Kalambaka
Hotel: Divani Meteora Hotel (4 Star Rating)
As one of the Divani Collection luxury hotels in Greece, Divani Meteora hotel offers guests the opportunity to enjoy traditional Greek hospitality in a contemporary setting. The fully renovated hotel in Meteora is surrounded by immense natural beauty, the religious rocks of Meteora, encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to come and escape. The hotel offers a stunning locale from which, one can experience one of the natural wonders of the world, practically in front of their room window. Our beautiful hotel is a 4-hour drive from Athens on a good road.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Meteora to Gjirokastër
This morning, ascend to the world-famous Meteora Monasteries, where Byzantine monks built their heavens on towering rock pillars. Visit two of these gravity-defying sanctuaries - true masterpieces of faith and endurance. Continue to Gjirokastër, Albania’s “stone city,” a cascade of Ottoman-era homes. Wander the fortress that looms over the valley and breathes stories of centuries past. Dinner and overnight in Gjirokastër.
Hotel: Bineri hotel Gjirokastra (3 Star Rating)
Those wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of daily routine will find peace and tranquillity at this property. The hotel offers Wi-Fi internet connection on-site. This hotel offers a 24-hour reception service, so that guests' needs will be fully met at any time of the day or night. There is a car park.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: Gjirokastër to Butrint and Vlorë
Venture south to Butrint, a magical mosaic of civilizations where Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Venetians each left their mark. This UNESCO-listed site is where history and nature entwine in a silent dialogue. Travel the breathtaking Albanian Riviera, where the road dances between mountains and the deep blue Ionian Sea, en-route to the coastal town of Vlorë. Dinner and overnight in Vlorë.
Hotel: Regina City Hotel (4 Star Rating)
The Regina City Hotel is one of the newest hotels in Vlore, located a one minute walk across from a beach on the Adriatic Sea. Numerous restaurants, bars and cafes are just steps away from the property while the historically significant Muradie Mosque is an easy 4 km drive into the heart of Vlore's old section. Among the public spaces are a beautiful rooftop pool and restaurant with great views over the sea and the city. Rooms feature floral-inspired wall murals, are nicely furnished and offer all the amenities you would expect from a contemporary hotel.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Vlorë to Apollonia and Berat
After breakfast, set off to Apollonia, a once-thriving Greek city and Albania’s largest archaeological park, surrounded by rolling hills and olive groves. Later, arrive in Berat, the “City of a Thousand Windows.” Visit its hillside fortress and the Onufri Museum, home to iconic Albanian religious art. Wrap up the day with a heartwarming visit to a local family, tasting Turkish coffee and homemade Albanian cake—a genuine cultural connection. Dinner and overnight in Berat.
Hotel: Hotel Colombo (4 Star Rating)
When you stay at Hotel Colombo in Berat, you'll be 11 minutes by car from Ethnographic Museum. This 4-star hotel is 2. 4 mi (3. 8 km) from Berat Castle. Take time to pamper yourself with a visit to the full-service spa. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access and tour/ticket assistance. Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage. This hotel has 2 meeting rooms available for events. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge (available 24 hours), and free self parking is available onsite. Enjoy a meal at the restaurant, or stay in and take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour room service. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Make yourself at home in one of the 118 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and electric kettles, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: Berat to Mount Dajti and Tirana
Enjoy a scenic ride to Mount Dajti via cable car, offering panoramic views of Tirana nestled between mountains and sea. Back in the capital, a guided tour reveals the secrets of Skanderbeg Square, the Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the National History Museum, where Albania’s past comes alive through artifacts and legends. Get together tonight for a farewell dinner and overnight in Tirana.
Hotel: Hotel Theatro (4 Star Rating)
Located in Tirana, less than 1 km from Skanderbeg Square, Hotel Theatro- City Center provides accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar and a terrace. This 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. The accommodation features a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi.
Guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom with slippers and a bidet. All rooms at Hotel Theatro- City Center include air conditioning and a desk.
The accommodation offers a continental or à la carte breakfast.
Popular points of interest near Hotel Theatro- City Center include Former Residence of Enver Hoxha, House of Leaves and Rinia Park. The nearest airport is Tirana International Mother Teresa Airport, 17 km from the hotel.
Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Depart from Tirana
As your journey comes to an end, you leave with more than just souvenirs, you arrived as a visitor—now you leave with stories etched in your heart. Savour your final breakfast in Tirana. Depending on your flight, enjoy some last-minute shopping or café-hopping before your group airport transfer.
Meal(s): Breakfast
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Fine dining, on-site bars or lounges and room service with extended hours are characteristic of deluxe establishments. Guest services usually include valet parking, concierge services, baggage assistance and laundry services. Other on-site facilities often include shops and boutiques, full service spas, full fitness facilities with pools and tennis courts. Business amenities may include available up-to-date technology and support staffs available for services. Attention to detail is apparent in the guestrooms which typically have stylish furnishings, quality bedding and bath products and often provide an evening turn down service.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
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Mimosa Travels
(951) 587-5505