Morning / Afternoon

• Meet at Tirana International Airport (TIA), Albania, at 2:00 p.m. to join your fellow travelers. 
• Your Trip Leader will be waiting for you at the airport, and then your group will take included private transportation to your accommodations in Albania’s capital city, Tirana. 
• After the welcome meeting at the hotel, head out with your group and Trip Leader for a stroll through Skanderbeg Square, the colorful Pazari i Ri market, and the Blloku district. 

Evening

• Get to know your new friends, featuring delicious traditional Albanian food as you begin to settle into this side of the world.

Morning

• Wake up for your first morning in Albania and enjoy breakfast at the accommodation before leaving the city of Tirana behind and going to Berat. 
• The drive time from Tirana to Berat is approximately 2 hours. 
• Join your Trip Leader for a walking tour of Berat, a UNESCO World Heritage city.  
• The tour includes entry to Berat Castle, as well as visits to the Medieval center and the Gorica Bridge. 
• Visit a traditional Albanian house where locals will welcome you with homemade dessert, Turkish-style coffee, and a glass of raki, Albania’s famous spirit. 

Afternoon

• Lunch is not included on this day, but your Trip Leader will recommend where you can grab a meal. 
• After checking into your accommodation, you’ll have some free time to explore the town of Berat. 

Evening

• Rejoin the group and head to Roshnik Village for a hands-on cooking class, where you’ll learn to prepare authentic Albanian dishes using fresh, local ingredients. 
• After dining on what you and your friends have cooked, you’ll return to your accommodation, where you can rest for the night.

Morning

• After breakfast at the hotel, depart Berat and begin your scenic journey toward the Albanian Riviera. 
• Today’s journey will include a stop in Vlore, but the final destination is Dhermi. The total driving time is approximately 3 hours. 
• Visit the Zvernec Monastery, a beautifully preserved 13th-century Byzantine monastery. Take some time to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and learn about the history of the Albanian Orthodox Church and Byzantine architecture. (Expect to spend 45-60 minutes during the visit.) 
• After visiting the Zvernec Monastery, take a 30-minute drive to the city of Vlore. Vlore is a culturally and historically important center where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in 1912. 

Afternoon

• Lunch is not included on this day, but you will find many restaurant options along Vlore’s vibrant seaside promenade. 
• Go on a brief orientation walk of Vlore with your Trip Leader, and then you’ll enjoy some free time to explore Vlore and its colorful old town. Expect to spend about 3 hours in Vlore to explore and dine.
• In the late afternoon, continue along the coastal road toward Dhermi, with breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea. The drive takes about 1 hour.  
• Upon arrival at Dhermi, settle into your accommodation before going on an orientation walk with your Trip Leader. 

If time permits, your group may take a one-mile (1.6-kilometer) scenic hike along the Mills Trail—a footpath connecting water mills that Dhermi locals have used for centuries. 

Evening

• Dinner is not included tonight, but your Trip Leader will suggest good local restaurants and evening activities.

Morning

• Eat a hearty breakfast so you have the energy for today’s hike. 
• The total hike is 4.3 miles (~7 kilometers) round trip and is rated as moderate. 
• After a 15-minute drive, you’ll arrive at the trailhead and begin your hike through Gjipe Canyon. 
• The trail consists of walking along rocky paths and dirty roads, with some mild scrambling. 

Afternoon

• When you reach Gjipe Beach, relax on the golden sands and swim in the waters of this secluded cove. 
• Lunch is not included, but you can buy food in Dhermi before the hike and enjoy a picnic lunch at the beach. 
• Umbrellas and sunbeds are available for an additional cost. 
• After your beach time, take another trail to where the bus will be waiting to take you back to the accommodation. (Expect about 30 minutes of walking on the return trail, but not through the canyon.) 

Evening

• Enjoy an included group dinner featuring Albanian cuisine. 
• Spend the evening relaxing at the accommodation or go out for your last night in Dhermi.

Morning

• After breakfast at the accommodation, it's time to grab all your belongings and get into the bus for your drive back to Tirana. 
• Today’s drive time is approximately 3.5 hours, with a few stops along the way. 

Afternoon

• Lunch is not included today. However, you will most likely stop at a local eatery on your drive from Dhermi to Tirana. 
• Upon arrival in Tirana, you’ll check into your hotel and then have free time to explore the capital city. 

Suggestions: Visit the Bunk Art museums, ride the Dajti Ekspres Cable Car, grab a drink at the Komiteti-Kafe Muzeum.

Evening

• Reunite with your new friends for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. 
• Reflect on the cultural experiences you had during your adventure through Albania and enjoy one final night out with your group of travelers. 

Morning 

• Your final breakfast in Albania will be served at the accommodation. 
• If time permits, you can go into town for some last-minute shopping or simply go for a stroll to enjoy the atmosphere one last time. 
• A group transfer will be included to Tirana International Airport (TIA) and you’ll arrive at the airport by 12:00 p.m. 
• After the trip, stay in touch with the Under30Experiences community both offline and online.