New Years on the Albanian Coast

Celebrate New Year's Eve at a four-star beachfront hotel on the Albanian Adriatic Coast!

Albania is still off the radar for most, which is exactly why it should be on yours. Savvy travelers recognize this overlooked Balkan gem as "The New Croatia," boasting ancient castles, stunning shorelines, and mild Mediterranean winters often at a fraction of the cost of its neighbors. Your complete, hassle-free holiday features five overnights at a 4-star beachfront hotel in Durrës, guided tours of three historic cities, and an exclusive invitation to a spectacular New Year's Eve Gala. With daily breakfast and dinner included, your only job is to relax, explore the coast, and enjoy the party.

Army Outdoor Recreation handles all the logistics, including round-trip flights and an airport shuttle from your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks. Because airlines enforce strict, early cancellation deadlines, spaces on this trip are highly limited. The first 20 travelers to book will lock in our Early Bird discount. Don't miss your chance to welcome 2027 while watching fireworks explode directly over the beach! Reserve your Albanian New Years today.

Price, Seats 1-20:

• Double Occupancy: $2299 per person
• Single Occupancy: $2679

Price, Seats 21-36:

• Double Occupancy: $2499 per person
• Single Occupancy: $2879
   
• Sea View Room Upgrade: $150 per room

Reservations made on or after Friday, October 23—or after the 36th seat is sold—are subject to dynamic airline pricing and may experience a price increase based on the individual airline ticket rate available on the date of payment.

• Up to two children aged 6-11 in room with 2 paid adults: $899
• Children under 6 sharing existing bedding with 1 or 2 paid adults: $499

Trip Includes:

• Round trip air transportation from Frankfurt including airfare and all local shuttles
• Airport shuttle from your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks to Frankfurt Airport
• Free on-post parking
• 5 overnights at Royal G Hotel & SPA**** or equivalent
• Daily Breakfast Buffet and Dinner
• New Year's Gala Event including:
  • 4-course Albanian Traditional New Years Dinner with unlimited beer, wine, water and juice
  • Live music, dance show and entertainment
  • Fireworks
• Orientation to Durrës
• Full-day tour of Tirana
  • Entrance to Bunk'Art 2 Museum
• Full-day tour of Krujë
  • Entrance to Krujë Castle
  • Entrance to Skanderbeg Museum
     
• Pay in US Dollars
• Support your local Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs

What to Bring:

• Comfortable, weather-appropriate shoes and clothing
• Credit/Debit card or Albanian Lekë
• Military ID, SOFA documentation and Tourist Passport
   
• Albania is outside the Schengen Zone and the EU. Travelers without US or EU passports may require a visa.
• Any required paper or electronic travel documentation is the personal responsibility of each individual traveler.

Departure:

• 4 a.m. from Wagon Wheel Theater, Smith Barracks
• 5 a.m. from Kaiserslautern Outdoor Recreation, Pulaski Barracks bldg. 2905

Return: Sunday Night

Estimated Itinerary

Tuesday: Arrival & Coastal Orientation

Your hassle-free holiday begins with our included airport shuttle, taking you directly from your choice of Pulaski or Smith Barracks to the Frankfurt airport. Just a few hours after takeoff, you will touch down on the beautiful Albanian Adriatic Coast. Your adventure starts immediately with a guided orientation to Durrës, one of Albania's oldest cities. You will discover incredible hidden history, including a massive, 20,000-seat Roman amphitheater that remained buried under the city until 1966. Afterward, you will check into your four-star beachfront hotel, which will serve as your modern and comfortable home base for the entire week. Don't forget to improve your experience by reserving a sea view room.

Wednesday: Discovering Tirana & The Cold War

Today is dedicated to Albania’s vibrant capital city, Tirana. This fascinating metropolis offers a unique blend of traditional lifestyle and rapid modern development. Your guided tour centers around the monumental Skanderbeg Square, surrounded by historic architecture and government buildings. Albania's most unique features, however, are its bunkers. Built during the Cold War era, you will find one on almost every corner. You will step directly into this history with included admission to the Bunk'Art 2 Museum, a former top-secret nuclear bunker beneath the city center that has been transformed into a captivating immersive experience.

Thursday: New Year's Eve on the Adriatic

Get ready to welcome 2027 with a bang! Your entire day is dedicated to your free time, allowing you to relax on the beach, utilize the hotel's spa amenities, or further explore the coastal charm of Durrës. Tonight, you will be the guest of honor at your hotel’s New Year's Eve Gala Extravaganza. This exclusive event features a spectacular four-course traditional Albanian New Year's feast with unlimited beer, wine, and water. A dedicated team of entertainers will keep the energy high with live music, dancing, and folklore before you ring in the New Year with a brilliant fireworks display directly over the beach at midnight.

Friday: Welcome to 2027

How you spend the first day of the New Year is entirely up to you. You are welcome to sleep in and simply enjoy the mild Mediterranean winter weather along the coast. If you are looking for more adventure, a taxi ride back to Tirana is highly recommended. Because Albania's holidays traditionally follow the Orthodox calendar, the beautiful Christmas Markets in Skanderbeg Square remain open through January 6th, giving you a rare chance to keep the holiday spirit alive into the new year.

Saturday: The Fortress City of Krujë

Today, leave the coast behind and journey up into the mountains to the fortified city of Krujë. Found nearly 600 meters up the mountain slopes, this ancient city was the capital of the first Albanian state in the Middle Ages. Much of the Albanian national identity is linked to the imposing Krujë Castle, which you will explore alongside the national history and ethnographic exhibits in the Skanderbeg Museum. Afterward, you will have time to shop for authentic souvenirs and handmade crafts in the perfectly preserved, Ottoman-era Old Bazaar.

Sunday: Return to Germany

Enjoy one last Adriatic sunrise and a final breakfast before transferring back to the airport. Your return flight to Germany takes off this afternoon. Once you collect your bags in Frankfurt, our private shuttle will return you to your starting point this evening, carrying unforgettable memories of your Balkan New Year.