Albanian Riviera With Charlie
Ready to meet a rising star? Immerse yourself in Albania on this speedy, sun-soaked escape of idyllic islands, Ionian lagoons and ancient Ottoman cities
PACKAGE INCLUDES
- All activities mentioned on the itinerary
- 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
- Stay in hand-picked 4-star hotels
SEPTEMBER 24TH – SEPTEMBER 28TH 2024
ABOUT CHARLIE @lifelikecharlie
Hey there, I’m Charlie! Dog dad, songwriter, and outdoor enthusiast turned content creator. You can usually find me walking in nature with my beautiful dogs or turning love stories into songs for happy couples.
My expectations for the upcoming Flash Pack trip to Albania? I’m all about experiencing the beauty of nature with a group of enthusiastic, like-minded people and forming some awesome friendships along the way.
My travel philosophy? Appreciating every tiny detail, every texture, smell, and place holds a valuable sensory experience for you. I will be packing my Inhaler, lip balm, and plasters. Let’s escape to explore Albanian Riviera! A trip like this, helps to remind you who you are and what you are. 🐾🎵
ABOUT THIS TRIP
Dramatic mountains, alpine meadows, endless sea views and beaches to rival any of its Mediterranean neighbours, Albania is a rising-star destination – and our five-day escape immerses you in its charms.
A postcard-worthy beach break crossed with a culture-rich city weekender, this is a short trip big on unforgettable Flash Pack experiences. We’ll be cruising idyllic islands by private boat, gazing at awe-inspiring vistas from the Ceraunian Mountains and mussel-picking in lagoons fed by the Ionian Sea – as well as visiting historic sites and Ottoman towns – all the while feasting on traditional Albanian cuisine.
Albania’s on the up, and we can’t wait to showcase its Balkans brilliance. See you for a cocktail on the sand at sunset.
Welcome to five glorious days of a riviera less travelled. Arriving at Tirana Airport, a private minibus will transfer us to our boutique hotel in Vlorë, an historic, coastal city in the foothills of the Ceraunian Mountains. After check-in, we’ll discover the beauty, antiquity and cultural significance of this seaside city – where Albanian independence was declared in 1912 – on a guided tour, before hitting the beach for group cocktails. Getting to know your fellow travellers over dinner and sundowners at a restaurant right on the sand? Sounds like a pretty good first evening on the balmy Albanian Riviera, and there’s plenty more in store.
Today, we leave Vlorë and road trip down the coast to Ksamil. Winding our way through the high-altitude zigzags of the Llogara Pass, we’ll stop off at the formidable Big Bunker – a Cold War-era concrete fortification, 2,000 feet above sea level. Take in the postcard-worthy views of mountains, meadows and endless cerulean sea, then it’s onwards to Ksamil for lunch. The afternoon belongs to swimming, sunbathing and cruising the treasures of Ksamil’s enchanting coastline on a private boat tour, stopping at quiet beaches and secluded coves. We’ll check in to our new hotel, then the evening is yours to dine and explore the walkable town at leisure.
Breakfast is sorted, but you’ll be harvesting your own lunch from the sparkling waters of the Butrint lagoon, where oysters and mussels thrive in the freshwater-saltwater mix. Enjoy the wonders of Butrint National Park by boat, before diving in yourself to gather the molluscs, ready to prep and cook at a nearby restaurant using traditional techniques. Post-lunch, it’s a short drive to Butrint’s ancient ruins, a Unesco site remarkable for its rare combination of preserved history, millennia-old ruins and natural beauty (there may be a little Flash Pack surprise waiting, too). Later, we’ll head to serene Pasqyra Beach with glorious turquoise waves ranked among the bluest in the world. Swim, chill and admire the sunset before a free evening.
Our last full day in Albania sees us head inland to the spectacular, forest-fringed Blue Eye spring. A truly striking natural phenomenon, the pool is extraordinarily clear, while its depths morph into a thrilling deep blue at its centre – the underwater cave where the spring and its name originate. We’ll kick back here for the morning before heading north to the easy-going town of Berat, known as the ‘town of a thousand windows’ for its huddle of Ottoman houses leading up to the hilltop castle. We’ll take a walking tour of the city’s ancient architecture, including ancient mosques and churches. Then it’s onwards to Tirana for a farewell meal of traditional Albanian cuisine with your fellow travellers.
Well, it’s been a trip, Flashpackers. The Albanian Riviera might not be as well-known as some of the world’s coastlines, but it’s a belter, serving up everything from fairytale pools in the forest to balmy beach evenings and historical wonders. After breakfast, make your own way to the airport or keep the vibes going; our adventure is over, but yours doesn’t need to stop. You can always stay a few days more, carry on with a nearby Flash Pack trip in Greece, Italy or Slovenia, or plan something new with the friends you discovered Southern Albania with. We’ve packed a lot into a little, and done it all together: it doesn’t get much better.
OUR FAVOURITE HOTELS
Here's a taste of the hotels we sometimes use on this adventure. The hotels you'll stay in for your departure will be shared with you one month before you go.
Veranda Boutique, Vlorë
With generous views onto the palm-fringed coast, the small friendly Veranda Boutique Hotel is just moments from Vlorë Beach. Rooms are bright and contemporary, with a scenic garden, breakfast veranda and plenty of restaurants and cafés on its doorstep. The National Museum of Independence is a five-minute walk.
Blue Water Hotel, Ksamil
This modern hotel, with light, air-conditioned rooms, is perfectly placed to explore the beaches and restaurants of Ksamil, and the nearby Butrint National Park. Keen swimmers and sunbathers have plenty here; as well as beaches such as Ksamil and Bora Bora on the doorstep, there’s an outdoor pool too.
Brilant Antik, Tirana
Hand-carved furnishings and traditional design accents are a highlight of this character-filled hotel located close to Tirana’s National Museum and National Art Gallery. Enjoy warm Albanian hospitality, spacious bathrooms and fine dining in the opulent hotel restaurant.
Important Notes
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Fly into and out of Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA).
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We will do one group transfer at 2pm from Tirana Airport to Vlorë on Day 1. We recommend booking a flight that arrives before 1pm so you have time to collect your bags and clear immigration before meeting the group.
If you arrive early (or book a pre-night) you will be picked up from the hotel in Tirana at 2.30pm and continue to Vlorë with the rest of the group.
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There are no planned activities on Day 5, so you can leave any time you like. We recommend taking an afternoon flight so you can relax in Tirana before you fly home. Your hotel will be 20-30 minutes away from the airport.
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If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included.
If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer. You can join the group at Tirana Airport at 2pm on Day 1 for the group transfer to Vlorë.
We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. We will offer you support with finding a local taxi.
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There will be a bit of walking involved, but overall this adventure does not require a high level of fitness. The hike to the Blue Eye takes about 20 minutes each way.
We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness.
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Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting.
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