Best tours in Albania

The craggy Albanian scenery has made it a strategic zone since the times of the most ancient Mediterranean civilisations. One of the most fascinating pathways consists of following the tracks of the Illyrians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans on archaeological sites of tremendous beauty. The ruins of Butrint at the southern point of the country or those of Apollonia in the Fier region, the Arapaj mosaic, the Durres amphitheatre (one of the largest in the Balkans) and the impressive troglodyte tombs of Selca are some great examples of sites you can visit during your tour of Albania. The towns of Gjirokastër and Berrat (classified as a UNESCO world heritage site), both protected by a castle, offer beautiful perspectives for strolls along the steep and craggy cobbled streets, in the shade of lovely medieval facades with thousands of turrets and windows. Both are blessed with interesting museums and churches and ancient cathedrals with differing architecture. With regard to culinary specialities, Albanian cuisine is strongly inspired by its Greek, Italian and Turkish neighbours. Like every southern European country with pride, the olive represents honour, either as oil or in fresh salads. Dried meat, vine leaves, sun vegetables stuffed or in a tart, tender mutton, lamb chops, offal, grilled fish, burek, rice with yoghurts and fromage frais on the menu.