Highlights of Albania: Self-Drive (June-September)

Ben Washburn - (bengwashburn)
Itinerary created by
Ben Washburn
Day 1
The Wilson Tirana
Modern central apartments near Tirana’s best areas
Hotel
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1.1.a
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Popular spot for traditional Albanian food
Restaurant
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1.2.a
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Historic city square and Tirana hub
Area
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1.3
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Historic castle, now lively dining and shopping area
Historic
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1.4
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Central cafe and restaurant at Skanderbeg Square
Restaurant
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1.5
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Delicious gelato and desserts
Café
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1.6.a
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Tirana’s iconic pyramid reborn as innovation hub
Area
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1.7
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High-quality seafood restaurant in Tirana
Restaurant
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1.8.a
Day 2
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Cozy café with great coffee
Café
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2.1.a
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City park for an escape into nature
Park
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2.2
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Pinsas, burgers & casual dining
Restaurant
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2.3.a
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Quick mountain escape with views over Tirana
Area
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2.4
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Scenic countryside dining with fresh Albanian food
Restaurant
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2.5.a
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Award-winning cocktail bar with creative drinks
Bar
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2.6.a
Day 3
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Explore Albania by Car
Car Rental
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3.1.a
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Bazaar great for souvenirs in Kruja
Historic
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3.2
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Historic museum dedicated to Albania’s national hero
Museum
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3.3
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Restaurant with great views of Shkodër
Restaurant
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3.4.a
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A photographic journey through 150 years
Museum
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3.5
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Best affogatos in Shkodër, top gelato spot
Bakery
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3.6
Atelier Restaurant & Boutique Hotel
Charming centrally-located hotel and restaurant
Hotel
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3.7
Atelier Restaurant & Boutique Hotel
Charming centrally-located hotel and restaurant
Hotel
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3.8.a
Day 4
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Cozy coffeehouse with delicious brunch
Café
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4.1
Rozafa Castle
Historic fortress with panoramic views of Shkoder
Culture
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4.2
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Traditional fish restaurant on the lake road to Shirokë
Restaurant
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4.3.a
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Secure overnight parking in city center
Area
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4.4
Reconciliation Tower (Lock-In Tower)
Historic stone tower in Theth
Museum
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4.5.a
Guesthouse Gjoni Theth
Cozy family-run guesthouse with beautiful views
Hotel
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4.6.a
Day 5
Blue Eye of Kaprre (Theth)
A natural wonder in the heart of the Albanian Alps
Waterfall
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5.1
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Riverside meal stop before or after Blue Eye hike
Restaurant
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5.2.a
Waterfall Grunas (Theth)
Stunning waterfall in Albanian Alps
Waterfall
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5.3.a
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Hearty local food with mountain views
Restaurant
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5.4.a
Guesthouse Gjoni Theth
Cozy family-run guesthouse with beautiful views
Hotel
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5.5.a
Day 6
Valbona Pass
Spectacular one-day trek
Hike
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6.1
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Mountain dining with stunning Valbona views
Restaurant
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6.2
Kol Gjoni Guesthouse
A cozy stay with beautiful mountain views in Valbona
Hotel
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6.3.a
Day 7
Komani Lake
Scenic ferry ride through Albania’s mountain landscape
Sightseeing
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7.1
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Cozy Italian restaurant with homemade pasta
Restaurant
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7.2
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Secure overnight parking in city center
Area
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7.3
Mrizi i Zanave: Restorant Agroturizëm
Albanian farm-to-table culinary experience
Hotel
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7.4
Day 8
Mrizi i Zanave: Restorant Agroturizëm
Albanian farm-to-table culinary experience
Hotel
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8.1
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Island monastery with scenic wooden walkway
Historic
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8.2
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Seafood haven by the sea
Restaurant
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8.3.a
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Small, convenient beach with clear blue water
Beach
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8.4.a
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Seaside promenade with restaurants and evening atmosphere
Area
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8.5
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Quality seafood restaurant on Vlora Lungomare
Restaurant
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8.6.a
Le Palazzine Hotel
Hotel with unbeatable sea views in Vlora
Hotel
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8.7.a
Day 9
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Crystal clear beach below Nimfa Hotel
Beach
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9.1
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Scenic drive above the Albanian Riviera
Park
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9.2
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Great mountain restaurant stop in Llogara
Restaurant
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9.3
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Long Riviera beach with beach bars and clear water
Beach
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9.4
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Roadside homemade snack bar with views of Dhërmi
Restaurant
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9.5.a
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Vibey, high-end beach bar on Drymades Beach
Bar
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9.6.a
Zoe Hora
Beautiful hotel and restaurant with infinity pool
Hotel
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9.7
Drymades Inn Resort
Modern high-end beachfront hotel on Drymades Beach
Hotel
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9.8.a
Day 10
Drymades Inn Resort
Modern high-end beachfront hotel on Drymades Beach
Hotel
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10.1.a
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Main beach in Dhërmi, great for a beach day
Beach
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10.2
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Stylish beach bar with music and sunbeds
Restaurant
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10.3
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Affordable, solid restaurant next to Dhërmi Beach
Restaurant
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10.4
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Popular beachfront restaurant with iconic sea view
Restaurant
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10.5
Day 11
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Stunning canyon beach with short hike or boat access
Beach
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11.1
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Charming village along the Albanian Riviera
Area
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11.2
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Oldest seafood restaurant in Himara
Restaurant
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11.3.a
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Clear water, relaxed beach in Himara
Beach
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11.4
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Creative sunset dining with spectacular views
Restaurant
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11.5
Aphrodite’s Garden
Hilltop stay with great food and sunset views
Hotel
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11.6.a
Day 12
Aphrodite’s Garden
Hilltop stay with great food and sunset views
Hotel
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12.1.a
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Beachside brunch with great coffee and cocktails
Restaurant
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12.2
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Himarë boat tours to secluded beaches and caves
Tours
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12.3
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Crystal clear beach with cave, accessible by boat
Beach
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12.4.a
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Simple local taverna with affordable, tasty food
Restaurant
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12.5
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Beautiful water, popular beach near Himara
Beach
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12.6
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Relaxed beachfront bar with good drinks and sunbeds
Bar
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12.7
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Relaxed beachfront seafood restaurant
Restaurant
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12.8
Day 13
Aphrodite’s Garden
Hilltop stay with great food and sunset views
Hotel
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13.1.a
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Stunning small beach with crystal clear water
Beach
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13.2
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Beachfront brunch spot with wide menu variety
Restaurant
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13.3
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Clear water beach new Himara
Beach
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13.4
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Laid-back taverna perfect for beach days
Restaurant
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13.5
Day 14
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Secluded hidden beach, potentially paid ‘private’ access
Beach
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14.1
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Impressive castle along the Albanian Riviera
Historic
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14.2
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Casual seaside spot with delicious seafood
Restaurant
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14.3.a
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Relaxed, family-friendly beach with casual vibe
Beach
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14.4.a
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Creative cocktails and sunset views in Qeparo
Bar
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14.5
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Upscale seafood dining in a beautiful setting
Restaurant
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14.6.a
Harmony Hotel
Small seaside hotel steps from a beach
Hotel
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14.7.a
Day 15
Harmony Hotel
Small seaside hotel steps from a beach
Hotel
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15.1.a
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Iconic Ksamil beach, crowded in summer
Beach
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15.2
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Tasty seafood with a seaview
Restaurant
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15.3.a
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Ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site
Museum
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15.4.a
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Relaxed cocktail bar near Ksamil Beach
Bar
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15.5
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Solid seafood spot across from beach
Restaurant
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15.6.a
Day 16
Harmony Hotel
Small seaside hotel steps from a beach
Hotel
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16.1.a
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Popular beach with clear water
Beach
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16.2.a
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Delicious mussels and seafood close to Ksamil
Restaurant
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16.3.a
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Beautiful beach with challenging access
Beach
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16.4.a
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Best sunset view in Sarandë
Historic
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16.5
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Creative, high-quality seafood dishes in Saranda
Restaurant
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16.6.a
Day 17
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Vivid natural spring, crowded in summer
Park
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17.1
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The heart of the stone city
Sightseeing
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17.2
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Central restaurant with delicious local dishes
Restaurant
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17.3.a
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Must-visit castle overlooking the stone city
Sightseeing
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17.4
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Ottoman museum house with great views
Museum
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17.5.a
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Farm-to-table dining in peaceful countryside setting
Restaurant
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17.6
Hotel Musée
Comfortable hotel near the heart of Gjirokastër
Hotel
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17.7.a
Day 18
Hotel Uji Ftohte Tepelene
Luxury riverside hotel with creative restaurant
Hotel
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18.1
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Ancient ruins and museum in Fier
Museum
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18.2
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Homemade Albanian dishes inside the Berat Castle
Restaurant
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18.3.a
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Albania’s first wine window, decent food
Bar
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18.4
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Living history with the best views of the city
Sightseeing
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18.5
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Family-run winery and guesthouse in Roshnik
Restaurant
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18.6.a
Hotel Mangalemi
Charming hotel in Berat’s Mangalem quarter
Hotel
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18.7.a

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