'What about Albania?' is something we are hearing more often from clients. It has a beautiful Ionian coastline, a fascinating history that most of us know very little about, and still feels undiscovered compared with its neighbours. Pair it with Athens and two of the Cyclades, and you have a trip that mixes somewhere new with the Greek islands everyone loves.
Here is 14-day itinerary we'd suggest, and all parts of it can be adjusted to suit you!
Tirana from above, with the Namazgah Mosque in the foreground
Day 1: Arrive in Tirana
You'll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. After a long flight from New Zealand, the rest of the day is yours to rest or do a bit of exploring in central Tirana.
Day 2: Tirana with a private guide
Having a local guide is the perfect way to experience Tirana. Your guide starts at Skanderbeg Square and the Et'hem Bey Mosque, then walks you through the Ottoman and communist-era buildings that tell the country's story. You will see Blloku, once a closed-off neighbourhood of the elite that is now full of cafés and bars, and visit Bunk'Art, a museum built inside a former underground bunker. Dinner tonight is at Marchesi, with views out over the countryside.
Day 3: South to Vlorë
A private drive takes you down to the coast at Vlorë, the city where Albanian independence was declared in 1912. Enjoy a walk along the Lungomare promenade and a visit to Independence Square and its monument with the afternoon at your leisure.
Day 4: Llogara Pass and Dhërmi
Today is all about the scenery with the Llogara Pass and its gorgeous views across the Ionian Sea. Enjoy a long lunch and a swim in Dhërmi before heading back to Vlorë in the late afternoon.
Day 5: A day to yourself
No plans today. Choose the pool, the beach, or some more exploring. We love to have a free day in the middle of a busy trip to relax and reset, and our clients tell us it is often one of their favourite days.
Day 6: Fly to Athens
A private transfer takes you back to Tirana airport (allow about two and a half hours) for the short flight to Athens. The evening is free, and Plaka, right below the Acropolis, is a lovely spot for your first Greek dinner.
Day 7: The Acropolis and ancient Athens
A private guided visit to the Acropolis will include the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. We recommend an early start to beat both the heat and the crowds. Later, a walk through the centre brings the Greek myths to life with storytelling, music and local tastings along the way.
Day 8: Fly to Naxos
A short flight takes you to Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades. It is greener and more lived-in than some of the better-known islands, with great beaches and a real local food scene. Take the afternoon at your leisure.
Day 9: Naxos Town and the Portara
Your guide takes you up through Naxos Town into the Venetian Kastro, past historic churches and through the Old Market. You will visit the Portara, the huge marble doorway of an unfinished Temple of Apollo. Portara is also the best sunset spot on the island. Stop off at a traditional distillery for a tasting of kitron, the island's citron liqueur, along with some local specialties.
Day 10: Ferry to Paros
The ferry to Paros is a short one. Check in for three nights, then head to Naoussa in the late afternoon. The little harbour, lined with fishing boats and tavernas, is beautiful in the evening.
Day 11: Village hopping on Paros
A private guided day around the island takes in Naoussa's narrow lanes, Parikia (the island capital) and the Panagia Ekatontapiliani, one of the oldest churches in Greece. The day finishes in Lefkes, a traditional mountain village, with a Greek coffee and something sweet.
Day 12: A free day on Paros
Beaches, the pool, or something more active. Cycling, sailing and other activities can be arranged if you would like to fill the day.
Day 13: Back to Athens
A short flight returns you to Athens for a final night. We usually suggest a hotel close to the centre so you can enjoy one last evening out.
Day 14: Depart Athens
Private transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.
We match hotels to how you like to travel, but here are some of the properties that suit this route well:
Several of these hotels sit within the preferred partner programs we work with. Depending on the property, that can mean daily breakfast, a hotel credit and upgrades when available, which you would not get booking direct.
International flights from New Zealand are quoted separately so we can find you the best routing and cabin.
This is a starting point. You might add a few days in Saranda and the ruins of Butrint in southern Albania, swap Naxos for Milos or Santorini, or finish with a cruise through the islands. Tell us what you love and we will shape it around you.
If Albania and the Greek Islands are on your list, get in touch with the team at Quay Travel and we will put together a trip designed for you.
Travel well and stay inspired.
