Spring Colors of Albania — 11 Day Tour
11 Days, Private JourneyAn 11-day private spring journey from the Albanian Alps to the Ionian coast — from the snow-fed valleys of Theth, through the last wild river in Europe at Vjosa, over the dramatic Llogara Pass, to the nesting wetlands of Karavasta.
There is a version of Albania that only reveals itself once spring arrives. The Albanian Alps shake off winter into fresh green valleys. The Vjosa runs high and clear with snowmelt through the last wild river valley in Europe. Wild horses graze the marshes of Karavasta as Dalmatian pelicans return to nest, and the turquoise waters of the Albanian Riviera warm ahead of the summer crowds. This is spring in Albania — wild, unhurried, and largely undiscovered by the wider world.
Spring Colors of Albania is an 11-day private journey from the Albanian Alps to the Ionian coast, designed for travelers who want more than a checklist of landmarks. Over the course of this tour, you will hike into a snow-fed alpine valley, soak in the wildlife of Karavasta's lagoons, drive one of the most dramatic coastal roads in Europe over the Llogara Pass, and stand among the ruins of an ancient Greek colony at Apollonia. Every detail — the vehicle, the guide, the hotel, the table you sit at for dinner — has been chosen to the same standard: quietly excellent, never generic.
- Alpine valley of Theth, with an optional hike to the Blue Eye or a visit to Razëm
- Farm-to-table lunch at Mrizi i Zanave
- Wine tasting and lunch at a family-run agritourism estate near Berat
- Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage town, with three nights to explore at ease
- Traditional Gjirokastër lunch on arrival
- The Vjosa Valley — the last wild river in Europe — at its fullest with spring snowmelt, and the Benjë Thermal Baths
- Blue Eye of Muzinë and the layered ruins of Butrint National Park
- Narta Lagoon and the island monastery of Zvernec
- The dramatic Llogara Pass, one of the most scenic mountain roads in Europe
- Ancient ruins of Apollonia
- Karavasta Lagoon, home to nesting Dalmatian pelicans
Day by Day
Your Journey
01Arrival in Tirana
Private transfer from the airport to your hotel, followed by a 1-hour welcome walking tour through central Tirana. Relax at your hotel afterward. Overnight: Tirana
02Tirana · Krujë · Shkodër
Visit Krujë's old bazaar and hilltop castle, along with the Skanderbeg Museum. Enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at Mrizi i Zanave before continuing to Shkodër. Overnight: Shkodër
03Shkodër · Theth National Park
A scenic drive into the Albanian Alps to Theth, alive with fresh spring greenery. Explore the village, with an optional hike to the Grunas Waterfall at its most powerful with the spring snowmelt. Overnight: Theth
04Theth · Blue Eye · Shkodër
An optional hike to the Blue Eye of Theth for those able to make it, or a visit to Razëm instead. Return to Shkodër. Overnight: Shkodër
05Shkodër · Durrës · Tirana
Depart for Durrës to explore its Roman amphitheater, Venetian Tower, and seaside promenade, before continuing to Tirana. Overnight: Tirana
06Tirana · Belsh · Berat
Depart for Berat, with a stop at the Belsh Lakes along the way for coffee surrounded by water on all sides. Wine tasting and lunch at a family-run agritourism estate near Berat. Overnight: Berat
07Berat · Gjirokastër
Morning visit to Berat Castle and the Onufri National Museum of Iconography, before departing for Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Traditional Gjirokastër lunch on arrival, followed by a visit to the old bazaar and the Skenduli House, with a free evening to enjoy the city's atmosphere. Overnight: Gjirokastër
08Day Trip to Përmet
A day trip through the Vjosa Valley — the last wild river in Europe, at its fullest with spring snowmelt — to Përmet, with time to relax at the Benjë Thermal Baths and explore the town. Return to Gjirokastër in the evening. Overnight: Gjirokastër
09Gjirokastër · Blue Eye · Butrint
Depart along the scenic road toward Sarandë, stopping at the Blue Eye of Saranda. Continue to Butrint National Park to explore its layered ruins spanning Greek, Roman, and Venetian history, before returning to Gjirokastër. Overnight: Gjirokastër
10Gjirokastër · Narta · Vlorë · Llogara
Depart for Vlorë, with a stop at the Narta Lagoon, home to the island monastery of Zvernec. Continue over the dramatic Llogara Pass, with sweeping views over the Ionian coast, before returning to Vlorë for the night. Overnight: Vlorë
11Vlorë · Apollonia · Karavasta · Tirana
Visit the ancient ruins of Apollonia before continuing to the Karavasta Lagoon — home to nesting Dalmatian pelicans and one of the most important wetlands in the Mediterranean. Return to Tirana for a farewell dinner or craft beer tasting. (Optional extra night in Tirana with private transfer, for guests departing the next day.)
Inclusions
What's Covered
Everything below is arranged, booked and paid for before you arrive — the rest is listed just as plainly.
Included
10 items- Private transportation throughout in a premium vehicle (Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class, or Mercedes V-Class)
- A dedicated, licensed multilingual guide-driver for the full journey
- Fuel, road tolls, local taxes, parking fees
- Private airport transfers on arrival
- 10 nights in 4-5★ and boutique hotels, including breakfast daily
- Farm-to-table lunch at Mrizi i Zanave
- Traditional lunch in Gjirokastër
- Wine tasting and lunch at a Berat-area agritourism estate
- Farewell dinner or beer tasting in Tirana
- Entrances: Skanderbeg Museum (Krujë), Durrës amphitheater, Berat Castle & Onufri National Museum of Iconography, Benjë Thermal Baths, Blue Eye of Muzinë & Butrint National Park, Apollonia archaeological site
Not Included
6 items- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed above and personal expenses
- Gratuities
- Single room supplement, where applicable
- Any additional night beyond the 10 included, such as an extended stay in Tirana for later flights (available on request, at an additional cost)
Anything here can usually be added to your journey. Just ask
Why This Journey
What Makes This Journey Different
A private journey, start to finish
You travel in a premium vehicle (Audi A8, Mercedes S-Class, or Mercedes V-Class, depending on group size) with your own licensed, multilingual guide-driver — English and other languages available on request — never merged into a larger coach group, never on someone else's schedule.
Genuine wilderness, not just scenery.
Built around Albania's wildest natural spaces at their most alive: the Albanian Alps in fresh spring green, the Vjosa Valley at high water, and the wetlands of Karavasta and Narta, where flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans nest each spring.
Genuine culinary experiences, not just meals
A farm-to-table lunch at Mrizi i Zanave. A wine tasting and lunch at a family-run agritourism estate near Berat. A traditional dinner in Gjirokastër featuring the town's distinctive cuisine. A relaxed craft beer tasting paired with local dishes on your final evening in Tirana — or, for those who prefer, a full traditional dinner instead. No compromise on quality either way.
Handled with care, down to the smallest logistics
Your first day is intentionally free of touring — a chance to rest after your flight before the journey begins in earnest the following morning (for guests with an early morning arrival and limited time, the tour can begin directly from the airport instead). Every hotel is 4-5★ or a carefully chosen boutique property.
Route
Where You'll Be, Day by Day
Tirana International AirportSaranda
Available
From 1740 EUR
Final price depends on group size, season and hotel selection.
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