From Castles to Coastline: Albania’s Cultural Journey

You explore Përmet’s rich Byzantine heritage: the 12th-century Church of the Dormition at Kosinë, the 11th–12th-century Church of Prophet Elias at Buhal, and the late-18th-century Church of Virgin Eleousa at Leusë. After lunch and a visit to the Martyrs’ Cemetery, you can relax in the Banjë thermal springs and end the day with wine tasting in Villa Permeti’s restaurant.

You visit central Albania’s principal monasteries: the Nativity of Mary (St Kosmas) and Ardenicë, exploring 18th-century frescoes, then the 11th-century Church of St Nicholas at Perhondi. In the evening, you wander Berat’s Ottoman old town.

You visit Berat Castle’s monuments such as Onufri Museum cathedral, Mary Vlacherna, St Nicholas chapel, Holy Trinity monastery, and the Byzantine cistern, anticipating in an icon-painting workshop and venerating St Nikodemos’s relic.

You discover Delvinë’s sacred sites: Gjinaleks Mosque and Kamena Monastery, then the 13th-century St Nicholas at Mesopotam and the cave monastery at Kostar. After visiting the Forty Martyrs Monastery in Sarandë, you can opt to explore its early-Christian basilica and synagogue remains.

You start at St George Dema Monastery overlooking Butrint Lake, explore early-Christian ruins in Butrint (with a mussel-collecting boat trip), sample Paschal dishes in Livadhja, and end the day at Labovë e Kryqit after an off-road drive through Mal i Gjerë.

You visit Labovë e Kryqit’s 12th-century church, the Tekke of Melan, and the 10th–11th-century Peshkëpi e Sipërme church, attend a live polyphonic song performance in Selo, then return to Zervat’s Dormition church before an evening icon-painting workshop in Gjirokastër.

After breakfast, you check out and transfer to the airport.