For ten days we traverse Albania to get to know the traditional cuisine of the country on the one hand and the modern taste creations of today's young chefs on the other.
Albanian cuisine is strongly influenced by Ottoman and Italian cuisine. It is varied and rich in flavours - let yourself be spoiled by its different tastes.
Day 1 | Tirana
Meeting at the airport and transfer to Tirana, where we will visit the main sights of the city.
In the evening we visit a traditional Albanian restaurant in Tirana. In a rustic atmosphere you will get a first foretaste of Albania's culinary delicacies. Central Albanian cuisine is strongly influenced by the Ottoman way of cooking. Meat from the charcoal barbecue, grilled vegetables and yoghurt sauces are dominating the menu.
Overnight stay in Tirana.
Day 2 | Tirana and Shkodra (2 hours driving time)
After breakfast we will visit the National Historical Museum in Tirana, which provides a complete introduction to Albanian history from prehistory to the present day.
Afterwards we drive to Shkodra, the most important city in northern Albania. Between Lezha and Shkodra we stop in a village for lunch. The renowned and popular restaurant is situated in a typical farmhouse embedded in the surrounding lush vegetation. The restaurant is run by a local family who will serve us regional specialties. Organic olive oil, cucumber, cheese, meat and various kinds of homemade farmhouse bread are served.
After lunch we continue to Shkodra, a city whose architecture is dominated by Italian and Austrian influences. The city is situated on a beautiful plateau in front of the lake of the same name, which is also the largest lake on the Balkans. The Albanian Alps rise in the background.
A stroll through the city centre will whet your appetite for the following delights. In the evening we visit a restaurant where we will enjoy the typical carp of the city. Baked in the oven, the sea carp is a speciality of the city.
Day 3 Shkodra - Lezha - Kruja - Durres (3 hours driving time)
After breakfast you will visit the castle in Skhodra. From there you can enjoy the spectacular view of the city and its surroundings. After a stroll we drive to Lezha. On the way, we stop near Shengjin for lunch. The restaurants in Shengjin are well known for their fresh seafood. In the restaurant we visit for lunch, the chef combines traditional cuisine with modern cuisine. He spoils us with a menu of meat and fish.
After this culinary delight we set off for Kruja. The city is the symbol of Albanian resistance against the Ottomans. We visit some interesting sights such as Skanderbeg Castle and the rich ethnographic museum. Afterwards we visit a traditional Albanian restaurant in the castle, which offers various local specialities. The restaurant is famous for its lamb dishes, baked potatoes, rice with grapes and the famous meat desserts. These are unique in this region.
After dinner departure to Durres for overnight stay.
Day 4 | Durres - Berat (2 hours driving time)
After breakfast departure to Berat - one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Albania. The city is known for its unique architecture, in which the houses seem to be built on the shoulders of the neighbouring houses.
On the way we stop at the winery Cobo. The Cobo family has a long tradition of winemaking. The wines are produced exclusively from Albanian grapes. The winery currently produces five premium wines, Trebiano, Kashmer, Shesh i Zi, Shesh i Bardhë and E Bardha e Beratit as well as two Rakis. In the winery we have the opportunity to taste these excellent wines and learn a lot about the production.
After arrival in Berat we will visit the castle there, which is of particular interest. For generations people have lived in traditional houses within the walls. We will have lunch in a typical restaurant in the castle of Berat. The restaurant is run by a family living in the castle. Here we will try traditional home cooking.
After lunch we are free to explore this beautiful city.
For dinner we meet at the Mangalemi Restaurant. The Albanian cooking tradition is performed here. If possible, organically grown products from the local farmers' market are used for the food preparation. The regional specialities are carefully and lovingly created by the chef.
We spend the night in a traditional house that has been turned into a hotel.
Day 5 | Berat - Ardenica - Apollonia - Vlora (3,5 hours drive)
After breakfast we leave for Vlora. On the way we stop to visit the monastery of Ardenica, which is said to have been built in the Middle Ages, as evidenced by a stone at the entrance.
After visiting the monastery in all its beauty, we continue to the ancient town of Apollonia. It was one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire, as it was situated along the famous Via Egnatia.
Here we will have a typical Myzege region lunch with rice and baked chicken in a traditional village restaurant.
After lunch, visit of the archaeological site and drive to Valona. In Valona we will stay overnight and have a delicious fish menu.
Day 6 | Vlora - Albanian Riviera - Butrint (UNESCO) - Saranda (4,5 hours driving time)
After breakfast we leave for Saranda. We drive along the spectacular Albanian Riviera and admire the view of the Ionian Sea. Breathtaking scenery awaits you in Llogara. The National Park is situated at an altitude of more than 1000 m above sea level. Here we stop in a panoramic restaurant to taste the delicious yoghurt made from sheep's milk - a local delicacy.
Once we arrive in Ksamil, we will be served lunch with grilled fish in a restaurant on the beach.
After lunch we visit the ancient city of Butrint - today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is the most important archaeological excavation in Albania.
From Butrint we drive to Saranda. Arrived there we check in at the hotel. Afterwards we will have dinner in a local restaurant by the sea.
Day 7 | Saranda - Syri i Kalter (Blue Eye Spring) - Gjirokastra - Permet (3 hours travelling time)
After breakfast we will head to the museum city Gjirokastra. On the way we stop at the beautiful source of Syri i kalter (blue eye), a natural turquoise source surrounded by old maple trees.
We arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gjirokastra. At the same time, the city has the reputation of being one of the most famous culinary cities in southern Albania. We visit the castle, which is also used as a location for the National Festival of Folk Singing and Dance. The weapons museum, in which the weapons of the First World War are exhibited, is also part of the visiting program. Afterwards we walk through the Ethnographic Museum, the birthplace of the dictator Enver Hoxha and the house of the Zekati family. This house is probably the most beautiful and famous house in Gjirokastra.
Lunch in one of the typical restaurants of the city, with specialties such as: pasha qofte soup, kukurec, qumeshtor etc..
After lunch we continue through the spectacular Kelcyra Gorge on the banks of the Vjosa River to Permet. Permet is a region of Albania known for its delicious cuisine with some extraordinary delicacies such as tomato jam. Of course you have the opportunity to savour this speciality.
Overnight stay in Permet.
Day 8: Permet - Korca (4 hours drive)
After breakfast departure to Korca, one of the most prominent cities in south-east Albania. The journey takes us through spectacular landscapes with gorges, mountains and river valleys that will astonish you.
We have lunch in a traditional family restaurant in Boboshtica. From here it is only a short distance to Korca. Here we visit the Museum of Medieval Art and the Mirahori Mosque, one of the country's oldest mosques.
Dinner is served in a restaurant with unique furnishings. The dining room is decorated with a large collection of objects from the communistic Albania. Overnight stay in Korca.
Day 9: Korca - Pogradec - Tirana (3,5 hours drive)
After breakfast we stay in Korça for a while before continuing to Pogradec on the shores of Lake Ohrid. There we visit the Drilon area where the dictator Enver Hodscha had his fishing villa. We will have lunch in a family-run restaurant and taste the Koran fish. This unique and rare fish belongs to the trout and salmon family. It can only be found in Lake Ohrid.
After lunch we drive to Elbasan, where we visit the fortress and have a short refreshment break.
Once in Tirana, we will enjoy a refined gourmet dinner in one of Tirana's best restaurants. Overnight stay in Tirana.
Day 10: Tirana - Airport
After breakfast you will have free time until the transfer to the airport to explore the city.