Albanian Trip
The Gjirokaster Tour- Two Day Trip
This tour is designed for those who have 2 days free. From Tirana, it takes about three hours to get to Gjirokaster and it is definitely worth spending the night – there are many things to see and do! You can let us know the days that you are coming and we can go from there. Afterwards, we can either take you back to Tirana or on to another destination (which we can discuss! We are flexible.) Gjirokaster is beautiful and unique – it shouldn’t be missed.
If you don’t know about Ismail Kadare’s works or life yet (he is our most famous author, born here in Gjirokaster), let us recommend some of his books before you come! Start with his popular Chronicle in Stone and/or The General of the Dead Army – neither of which have been difficult for past visitors to order online in English. They have excellent translations and some have in-depth biographies which help explain his complex mind and life situation (he lived through many tragic events.) He paints a story of 20th century Albania like no other author has, and nowhere can this history come to life better than in Gjirokaster!
Itinerary:
- Depart Tirana early in the morning for Gjirokaster (approx. 3 hour drive.) Thanks to who knows who, we can profit from the substantial improvement of road infrastructure between the two towns! We will happily stop for a bathroom break or coffee on the way.
- Check into a charming boutique family hotel.
- Tour of the Old Town. Visit the beautifully located Castle and the Weapon Museum. Then head to the Bazaar.
- Enjoy a delicious traditional meal in the romantic atmosphere of the “stone town” and its wonderfully preserved Ottoman era homes. (We can suggest some great dishes to try here!)
- Visit the neighbourhoods and some of the more than 600 houses and buildings that give Gjirokaster the reputation of being a town of unique legends, witches, dragons and “crazy alleys.” (Enver Hoxha’s birthplace is also here, just to add to the mystique.)
- There is an option to make a trip to the corners that Kadare mentions in his books. We will comment on his works and have some deeper discussions on some of the imagery in his writing (which will be easy to imagine walking through his birthplace!) We can be flexible – if you have studied him well, just let us know what you know and we’ll try to design a tour around your readings.
- Overnight in Gjirokaster.
- Next day return to Tirana or on to another destination
Price and Information:
This tour is offered as a private tour only!
Please use this contact form to sign up – it will provide us with all the information we need from you including your pick-up address, number of people, date and any special requirements.
Private tours are slightly more expensive and can be done any day of the year according to your needs. For private tours we can offer pick-ups in Tirana or from another spot like Durres (the price will change if the pick-up is outside of Tirana.)
The private prices for this tour are:
1 person: 380 Euros
2 people: 199 Euros per person
3 people: 179 Euros per person
4 people: 169 Euros per person
For more than 5 people we will discuss with you personally what the tour will cost!
This price includes the hotel room and is based on double occupancy. For a single room supplement we will add 40 Euros.
The price will include:
- All expenses for your guide/driver.
- Fuel and AC car rental.
- Entrance fees.
- Local taxes.
- Transfers back to Tirana or to next destination.
- One night in a charming boutique hotel.
Elton led us on a wonderful customised day trip from Tirana to Kruja and Durres. He was knowledgeable and passionate about the history and culture of his country, and was also very entertaining. We had a very smooth experience organizing the trip, and ended up taking a couple of hour longer than stated as he accommodated some special requests very willingly. I felt like I had seldom learned so much in one day and had such a fascinating time doing it. Well done, Albanian trip!