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. 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. For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 7pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information on the morning of day two. Tirana is easy to navigate on foot, so if your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to head out and explore. The House of Leaves, a museum dedicated to secret surveillance and the headquarters of Albania's secret service throughout the Cold War, is an intriguing stop. If you're into markets, check out Pazari i Ri, an open-air market where you can buy everything from fresh produce to local specialities such as byrek, baklava and honey. Whilst in Albania, we'll have the chance to try the country's delicious cuisine, which is a mix of Turkish, Greek and Italian influences, such as byrek - a spinach and feta stuffed filo pie and barbequed lamb with hearty vegetables such as griddled aubergines, peppers and courgette. Along the coast, there'll be the chance to try some fresh seafood, simply prepared to let the natural flavours of the sea take centre stage. Albania is also home to some excellent local wines and refreshing regional beers, such as Birra Korca, perfect for an evening toast. We've packed in as many of Tirana's highlights as possible on this trip, however, we have very little free time in the city. If you'd like more time to explore, we recommend extending your stay by a night or two.
