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Via Egnatia Explorer
10 days | Cultural Tours | Albania
A fascinating 11-night escorted tour through three countries: Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece. Combine stunning natural landscapes with some of the most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Balkans. Guests will experience the lakeside tranquility of Ohrid, the elegant charm of Kastoria, the clifftop monasteries of Meteora, and the ancient capital of Aigai. This route uncovers layers of history that span from antiquity to Byzantine grandeur.
Highlights of the tour include sacred sites such as Dodona, lively cities like Thessaloniki, and picturesque coastal destinations including Parga and Corfu.
With knowledgeable guides, smooth travel logistics, and carefully selected accommodations, this tour allows participants to fully immerse themselves in the region’s culture, history, and landscapes, all while enjoying the convenience and comfort of a well-organised itinerary.
What We Love
- 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Cliff-top Monasteries of Meteora
- Scenic Ferry Ride
- Balkan Culture Experiences
- Balanced Pace Tour
Holiday Types ByDesign
Rebecca
Reservations
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Caroline
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We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Amanda
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We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Hayley
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We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Athena
Senior Reservations
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Leanne
Reservations Manager
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Charlotte
Senior Reservations
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
Rachael
Reservations
We love creating perfect holidays for our clients. Start planning your dream trip today by talking to one of our Destination Specialists.
At a Glance
Duration:
11 Nights
Tour Type:
Escorted Coach Tour
Star Rating:
3* & 4* Throughout The Itinerary
Board Basis:
Bed & Breakfast
Departures:
On Request
Start / Finish:
Tirana – Tirana
Excursions Included:
- St. Naum Monastery, Ohrid
- Samuel Fortress, Ohrid
- Heraclea Ancient Site, Bitola
- Eddessa Waterfalls
- Filip 2nd Tomb (UNESCO)
- Dion Archaeological Park
- Kalambaka (UNESCO)
- Nikopolis Ancient Site (UNESCO)
- Parga Castle
- Dodoni ancient site, Ioannina (UNESCO)
- Ardenica Monastery
Optional Excursions:
- St. Naum Boat Tour
- Dinner with Bozouki in Thessaloniki
- Ioannina Lake Island Tour
- Albanian Night with Folk Show
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More Information
What's Included
Exclusions
Other
Why we like it
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival in Tirana
Arrival at Tirana International Airport with transfer to the city. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Tirana.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 2 | St. Naum Monastery – Ohrid
After breakfast, travel towards Ohrid Lake via the historic town of Elbasan, once an important city along the ancient Via Egnatia trade route. Visit the beautiful St. Naum Monastery, a significant religious and cultural site on the shores of Ohrid Lake. Continue to the UNESCO-listed town of Ohrid, known for its blend of western and oriental architecture. Visits include the Orthodox Cathedral, the 11th-century Church of St. Sofia, and the Roman Theatre. Overnight in Ohrid.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 3 | Bitola – Heraclea – Kastoria Lake
Breakfast at the hotel before departing towards Bitola. En route, pass through Resen, a region renowned for its extensive apple orchards. Stop at the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, founded in the 4th century BC and later incorporated into the Roman Empire. Highlights include the basilicas, exquisite mosaics, Roman baths, synagogue, portico, and ancient theatre, still used today for performances. After lunch, continue to Kastoria, a picturesque lakeside town famous for its Byzantine churches and elegant 19th-century mansions. Enjoy a walking tour along the lake promenade, where locals gather and pelicans can often be seen. Overnight in Kastoria.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 4 | Edessa Waterfalls – Aigai – Thessaloniki
Depart after breakfast, stopping first at the dramatic Edessa Waterfalls. Continue to the archaeological site of Aigai (Vergina), the first capital of ancient Macedonia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Royal Tombs, including that of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great. Proceed to Thessaloniki, Greece’s vibrant second city. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 5 | Thessaloniki
After breakfast, enjoy a full day dedicated to Thessaloniki, a UNESCO World Heritage city rich in Byzantine monuments and modern Mediterranean culture. Highlights of the walking tour include the Arch of Galerius (Kamara), the Rotunda, the Roman Forum, St. Demetrius Church, Bey Hamam Baths, the Church of Holy Wisdom, and the White Tower. Visits also include the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Byzantine Civilization. Afternoon at leisure to explore independently. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 6 | Dion Archaeological Park – Meteora – Kalambaka
After breakfast, journey to the ancient site of Dion, dedicated to Zeus and once an important religious centre of the Macedonian kingdom. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Dion, which houses remarkable artifacts including a rare 1st-century BC hydraulis (water organ). Continue to Meteora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its monasteries perched dramatically on 1,000-foot-high rock pillars. Visit several monasteries and enjoy panoramic views over the valley. Evening arrival and overnight in Kalambaka.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 7 | Metsovo – Arta – Nikopolis – Preveza
After breakfast, travel through the scenic Pindus mountains to Metsovo, a traditional village with cobbled streets and wooden houses. Continue to Arta, a city framed by mountains, rivers, and lagoons, known for the historic Bridge of Arta crossing the Arachthos River. After lunch, proceed to the ancient city of Nikopolis, founded by Emperor Augustus in 31 BC to commemorate his victory over Antony and Cleopatra. Evening arrival and overnight in Preveza.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 8 | Lefkada – Parga
After breakfast, drive to the island of Lefkada, connected to the mainland by a causeway. Explore the capital, Lefkada Town, with its harbour and lively streets. Continue to the coastal town of Parga, known for its Venetian-style architecture, turquoise bays, and hilltop castle overlooking the Ionian Sea. Guided walk of the town and castle included. Overnight in Parga.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 9 | Parga - Corfu
Morning transfer to Igoumenitsa for the ferry crossing to Corfu. Explore Corfu Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Venetian, French, and British influences have left their mark. Discover its medieval streets, fortifications, and multicultural charm during a guided walk. Afternoon ferry return and overnight in Parga.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 10 | Dodona – Ioannina
After breakfast, travel to Ioannina, capital of the Epirus region and an important Ottoman-era centre under Ali Pasha. Visit the lake of Ioannina and the monasteries located on its island. Continue to the ancient sanctuary of Dodona, one of Greece’s oldest oracles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Evening in Ioannina with overnight stay.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 11 | Ardenica Monastery – Tirana
Depart for Albania, stopping en route at the Ardenica Monastery, a 13th-century Byzantine site built on the foundations of an ancient temple. The monastery is famed as the wedding site of national hero Skanderbeg. Enjoy panoramic views over the Myzeqe Plain, Adriatic Sea, and surrounding mountains. Afternoon arrival and overnight in Tirana.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 12 | Depart Tirana
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by transfer to Tirana International Airport for departure.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
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