Escorted Tours
From Tirana to Corfu: A Cultural Journey Tour
This tour offers two destinations in one package and provides a real contrast of flavours, both historic, cultural and scenic. Beginning in Albania, we uncover some of the country’s rich heritage at a carefully chosen array of sites that represent both historic events and cultural influences on a people that were suppressed by communism right up to the early 1990s.
In Corfu, Homer’s ‘beautiful and rich land’, separated from Albania by only 3 nautical miles at its narrowest point, we experience a vastly different culture and an equally rich historic heritage that has been shaped by Byzantine, Roman, Venetian, French and British influences, all of which are particularly evident in lovely Corfu Town, that is always a delight to visit.
what’s included
At A Glance
itinerary & excursions
Your Itinerary
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Tirana
Transfer by coach, and check-in to our hotel for a two-night stay. Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 2: Explore Tirana and Bunk Art 1 museum
Albania’s lively capital, Tirana, has positively blossomed since Albania left communism behind and today is a thriving modern city. Our visits here include the National Historical Museum, the early 19th-century Ethem Bey Mosque and a secret nuclear bunker from the Cold War era, known today as the Bunk’Art 1 Museum. This huge bunker, one of thousands built throughout Albania due to Enver Hoxha’s paranoia of a nuclear attack, was created specifically for Hoxer and his political companions and remained secret for much of its existence. A fascinating place, especially knowing it was built as recently as the 1970s. Evening at leisure.
Day 3: Apollonia and Berat
Leaving Tirana, we head to the UNESCO site of Apollonia, one of the most well-known classical sites found in Albania, dating from the 6th century BC. It’s a lovely site with the ruins scattered amongst nature. After our visit here, it’s on to Berat, also a UNESCO-listed site, and known as the “city of a thousand windows”. Towered over to the east by Tomorr Mountain at 2415m, Berat was founded in the 4th century B.C.
The old part of the city has a remarkable collection of fine traditional houses of great architectural importance, as well as Byzantine churches, a mosque, and a fortress. Dinner at a traditional restaurant. Overnight at the Mangalemi, Onufri or Portik Hotel in Berat.
Day 4: Gjirokaster and Sarande
Depart Berat for another delightful historic town, Gjirokaster. The old quarter is known as the ‘City of Stone’, due to the tall houses here using solid stone slabs for roofing. Our visits begin with the impressive 8th century castle, formerly used as a prison. The castle has spectacular views across the town and its splendid traditional houses, one of which is now a fascinating folk museum and was the birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the Albanian Stalinist dictator. From Gjirokaster it’s on to seaside Sarande where we check-in to the Hotel Demi or Al Yacht Hotel for a two-night stay. Evening at leisure.
Day 5: Butrint and Lekursi Castle
Our visits start today at the archaeological site of Butrint, also a UNESCO listed site. Inhabited since prehistoric times, sprawling Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration, then a brief occupation by the Venetians, the city was abandoned in the late Middle Ages after marshes formed in the area. The present archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city’s development.
After our visit here we will take a short drive back to and above Sarande to visit the Lekursi Castle, where we can enjoy incredible views all the way to Corfu. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
Day 6: On to Corfu
We depart on a morning hydrofoil from Sarande to Corfu, journey time approximately one hour. On arrival in Corfu, we will enjoy a break for coffee at a lovely viewpoint just outside the town followed by a guided walk of historic Corfu Town, a fascinating and attractive town that owes its character to its extensive history and the influence of the various occupiers of the island who left a beautiful architectural legacy, including its grand Venetian fortress which sits proudly on a promontory next to the town.
There will be free time to enjoy the town at leisure before checking-in to the five-star Kontokali Bay Hotel, situated next to a beautiful bay. Dinner included at the hotel this evening.
Day 7: Day at leisure or join an optional tour to the Achilleion Palace Gardens and Paleokastritsa.
Today is an opportunity to relax and enjoy the facilities of the lovely beach side Kontokali Bay Hotel or, if you would like to see a little more of Corfu, join an optional tour (at a supplement) visiting the Achilleion Palace Gardens built by Elisabeth of Austria (known as ‘Sissi’) who adored Corfu, Greece and its culture, and seaside Paleokastritsa, described as the ‘jewel of Corfu’.
Dinner is not included this evening, giving you the opportunity to try one of the hotel’s speciality restaurants or return to the buffet restaurant (at a supplement) or perhaps return to Corfu Town for dinner, which is very atmospheric in the evening.
Day 8: Return to London Gatwick
Coach transfer (approx. 20 minutes) to Corfu Airport for return flight to London Gatwick.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“This trip was fantastic. We were able to enjoy the excellent knowledge of the guide Genti throughout the entire trip. All of the meals were great, including accommodation. Thank you for a wonderful trip.”
Bridget Craig, May 2025
“I really enjoyed this tour. What made such a big difference was being guided through Albania with an Albanian tour guide – an unexpected revelation! For this reason, we absolutely loved Albania, Thank you!”
Ms E, May 2025
“Albania was brilliant: learning about the history and seeing the very ancient sites of the city was fantastic. Jane and Genti, the tour guides, were excellent and contributed to a very good trip!”
Mr C, May 2025
“This trip was great. I really liked Albania, and everyday there was enjoyable. If I had to pick a favourite thing it would be the day we travelled to and visited Berat. Lovely scenic drive there, beautiful spot for a coffee break along the way, picture perfect Berat when we got there, dramatic castle visits and a superb meal there to finish the day off. Overall, a fantastic trip from Travel Editions.”
Ms B, May 2025
Availability
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HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Hotel Opera, Tirana
Situated in Tirana, both hotels are four-star centrally located hotels offering modern rooms with easy access on foot to the sites of Tirana. Rooms have private bathroom facilities with bath/shower, air-conditioning, TV, telephone and free wi-fi.
Hotel Opera Website
Hotel Mangalemi, Berat
Charming historic hotel set in the old Mangalemi quarter in the heart of Berat. The hotel has a restaurant serving traditional Albanian cuisine, and a terrace which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the city and mountains. Rooms all have private bathroom facilities, hairdryer, TV, air-conditioning/heating, minibar, telephone, safe and free wi-fi.
Mangalemi Hotel website
Hotel Onufri and Hotel Portik Berat
The four-star traditional style Hotel Onufri is situated in the heart of Berat, and just a two minute walk from the Osum river. This attractive hotel offers spacious rooms featuring dark woods and high windows with views to the historic centre. The four-star Hotel Portik is equally well located, offering a modern design. Both hotels offer comfortable spacious bedrooms with private bathroom facilities with shower, as well as air-conditioning, TV, wi-fi and telephone.
Hotel Onufri website Portik Hotel
Demi Hotel or Al Yacht Hotel, Sarande
Comfortable four-star hotels, located along Sarande’s coast road. Rooms all have private bathroom facilities, air-conditioning, minibar, telephone, TV and free wifi.
Demi Hotel website Yacht Premium Hotel website
Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa
The five-star Kontokali Bay Resort & Spa, located on the lush Kontokali Peninsula, offers comfortable rooms and a magnificent setting. The included rooms in the tour are all bay view rooms, all of which have private bathroom facilities, safe, hairdryer, TV, free wi-fi, air-conditioning, telephone, minibar and tea/coffee making facilities. Sea view rooms are available at a small supplement. Facilities at the hotel include a pool, private beach, two speciality restaurants, bar/cafe, and spa.
Kontokali Bay website
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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