Our tour starts today in Tirana, the colourful capital of Albania. Having emerged from its Communist past in the early 90's, Tirana's vibrant arts scene, café culture, diverse architectural styles and intriguing landscapes create a rich tapestry of styles; offering a great introduction to Modern Albania. The warm welcome you'll receive from the locals here is something that will mark your journey throughout our Albanian adventure. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting, and for those who wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner afterwards. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Tirana at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Tirana International Airport (TIA), which is around a 40-minute drive from our hotel. Please look out for your driver, who will be waiting outside the terminal in the arrivals area holding a branded sign. You'll need to exit through the doors on the left hand side when you exit the baggage claim area. We'd recommend taking cash out at one of the exchange stations when you arrive in the terminal. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to head out to explore the city, which is easy to navigate on foot. If you're hungry, the Blloku District, near the Grand Park, is popular with local families, as is the park itself. In the valleys surrounding the park's artificial lake, you can see the remains of the Church of St. Procopius, a great spot to get a stunning view of the water. If you're into markets, check out Pazari i Ri, an open-air market where you can buy everything from fresh produce to local specialties such as byreks, baklavas and honey. Our itinerary doesn't afford us a lot of time in the capital, so if you're keen to explore, you might like to think about adding extra time here pre- or post-tour.