Hi! 
My boyfriend (27) and I (22) going to Albania for two weeks this summer. We land in Corfu and take the boat over to Saranda. We have not booked hotels yet, thus holidays taken some on the fly. We intend to experience different places of Albania and therefore wants to travel as far as possible into the country before we go gradually travels down again towards Corfu with lodging in different locations. Since we only have two weeks at our disposal, we must confine ourselves a bit in terms of how much we get done, want to experience a lot but still have vacation and relax along the way.
Our itinerary so far:
- We travel from Corfu to Saranda and then directly to Durres.
- Staying a few days in Durres and take a day trip to Tirana one of these days
- Travelling from Durres to Vlore and being here for a few days
- Traveling then to Ksamil and being here for a few days
- Traveling then to Saranda and some lodgings here
- Travel to Corfu and has 1 or 2 lodgings here before we turn home.
Have tried to read us some up online, but found there is little to find. If any of you have been in Albania and in some of these places, we appreciate the tips and advice. Please share your experiences.
Some of our questions
1. Which means of transport are recommended when traveling around this way?
2. Are there any other places you "MUST" experience the first time in Albania?
3. Which beaches are good? (We love sandy)
4. How is the nightlife in Albania? tips to pubs / bars?
5. Is it easy to get accommodation when coming down or it is advisable to book in advance? We travel on 25 July - 9 August.
6. What did you think about our travel route so far? something we should add or delete?
7. Should we had accommodation in Tirana or will a day trip be enough?
8. How are shopping opportunities and where are the best centers / stores?
9. We would love to hear about your tips and advice
Greeting us 
First time in Albania
Our itinerary so far:
- We travel from Corfu to Saranda and then directly to Durres.(Tour bus would be advisable, there are regular intercity coaches; not any other way)
- Staying a few days in Durres and take a day trip to Tirana one of these days (In Durres stay in Hotel Arvi that is a nice place in town centre facing the sea)
- Travelling from Durres to Vlore and being here for a few days (no, first Saranda to Vlora; stay there and then make Vlora to Durres)
- Traveling then to Ksamil and being here for a few days (From Tirana you may have coaches minibuses there)
- Traveling then to Saranda and some lodgings here (Saranda no idea)
- Travel to Corfu and has 1 or 2 lodgings here before we turn home.
MY ADVICE WOULD BE STAY AT "VILA ALBA" AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN; AND TRAVEL TO VLORA, DURRES, KSAMIL ETC. FROM TIRANA.
Have tried to read us some up online, but found there is little to find. If any of you have been in Albania and in some of these places, we appreciate the tips and advice. Please share your experiences.
Some of our questions
1. Which means of transport are recommended when traveling around this way? (COACHES WITH AIRCONDITIONERS, THERE ARE SMALL MINIBUSES FOR 8 PASSENGERS, THEY USUALLY DO HAVE A/C)
2. Are there any other places you "MUST" experience the first time in Albania? (YOU MUST GO UP TO THETHI VALLEY AND TAKE A TRIP TO BERAT AND MAKE RAFTING THERE)
3. Which beaches are good? (We love sandy) (QUITE, SANDY AND CLEAN BEACH=pLAZHI GENERALI AROUND DURRES)
4. How is the nightlife in Albania? tips to pubs / bars? (TIRANA, ABA 5TH WOULD BE OK)
5. Is it easy to get accommodation when coming down or it is advisable to book in advance? We travel on 25 July - 9 August. (BETTER YOU ARRANGE IT IN ALBANIA)
6. What did you think about our travel route so far? something we should add or delete? IF YOU ARE COMING FROM THE SOUTH, COME SLOWLY; FOLLOW ITENERARY; KSAMIL, VLORA, DURRES, AND TIRANA AND FROM TIRANA DIRECTLY TO SARANDA AND BACK TO CORFU)
7. Should we had accommodation in Tirana or will a day trip be enough? (I THINK YOU MAKE YOUR HQ IN TIRANA AND TRAVEL TO THOSE PLACES FROM TIRANA BY HAVING DAY TO DAY ADVICE)
8. How are shopping opportunities and where are the best centers / stores? (ALL OF THEM ARE IN TIRANA NOT ANYWHERE ELSE)
9. We would love to hear about your tips and advice BETTER RENT A CAR, THEY ARE REALLY CHEAP UP UNTIL YOUR LAST DAY OF YOUR TRIP; AND TAKE A COACH TO SARANDA TO REACH CORFU.
IF FLIGHT BACK IS NOT A CONDITION IN YOUR TICKET; FLY OUT FROM TIRANA TO SERBIA OR ISTANBUL OR MUNICH TO REACH HOME.
YOU MAY CONTACT ME DAYTIME
