Culture and Beach: Albanian Tradition

Route

Saranda → Butrint → Karavasta Lagoon → Berat → Gjirokaster → Ksamil

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1
   Corfu – Saranda

   Arrive to Corfu airport.

   Ferry to Saranda

   Free evening.

   Dinner at the hotel.

   Overnight in Saranda
2. 2
   Saranda – Butrint – Saranda

   Departure for the archaeological site of Butrint, located about 20 km from Saranda. According to UNESCO, it was inhabited since 50000 BC. Drive back to Saranda.

   Drive back to Saranda.

   • Monastery of the Forty Saints – According to legend 40 Christian soldiers had been confronted with an ultimatum, to either change religion or to perish.
   • Sinagogue dhe Basilica of Saranda– During the excavations for the construction of the Palace of Culture in Saranda, archaeologists discovered remnants of a mosaic at a depth of 1 m.

   Dinner at the hotel.

   Overnight in Saranda
3. 3
   Saranda – Karavasta Lagoon – Berat

   Karavasta Lagoon bird-watching

   Boat ride-optional

   The Karavasta Lagoon is part of the Divjakë Karavasta National Park and is separated from the Adriatic Sea by a large strip of sand. The combination of lagoons, small sandy islands, coastal pine forest with sand dunes is attractive for many birds. 230 different species of birds have been recorded.

   Drive to Berat and take a walking tour.

   Learn about Berat, the city of towering windows.

   UNESCO World Heritage site

   Learn about Muslim and Christian houses of worship and the city’s heritage for sheltering Jewish people from the Nazis during World War II.

   Overnight in Berat
4. 4
   Berat – Gjirokaster

   Have breakfast at the hotel before leaving.

   Gjirokaster (UNESCO) called the City of Stone, the hometown of the former dictator and famous internationally renowned writer Ismail Kadare.

   Visit:

   • Gjirokastra Castle, from below
   • Skenduli House

   Coffee-tasting on Skenduli House: live once again the medieval atmosphere.

   Overnight in Gjirokastra
5. 5
   Gjirokastra – Saranda

   In Saranda, visit by speed boat a mussel plantation and observe the processes by which seafood is made for sale and restaurants. Enjoy a delicious meal.

   Rest of the day free.

   Dinner at the hotel.

   Overnight in Saranda
6. 6
   Saranda – Ksamil – Saranda

   Beach day Ksamil

   After all day relaxing in the evening, prepare yourself for an amazing night in a special place,twenty minutes from Saranda we would go to a restaurant, where traditional delicious food would lead the main event of polyphonic singers and folk dance.

   Folk Show Dinner.

   Overnight in Saranda
7. 7
   Saranda – Corfu

   Transfer to the ferry and take the ferry to Corfu airport. End of services.

This programme is a proposal: hotels, activities, guides and the order of visits can be adjusted to your clients.