Day 1: TIRANA
Arrival at Mother Tereza airport and transfer to hotel in Tirana. Guided tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania. Visit National Historic Museum. There are objects that show the beginning of prehistoric culture, the Neolithic, bronze and iron age. There are 4000 objects, photos, relics, which testify the history of this country. Visit The Clock Tower that dates back in the beginning of 19th century and in 200 years of existence it became the symbol of the city. Visit The Mosque of Ethem Bey. It lies on a 9m high tower composed by 37 lines of stones. Some of them are engraved with geometric and vegetable motives extracted from the Albanian tradition. Free time for leisure. Dinner in the hotel .
Day 2: KRUJA – SHKODRA
Today you will see examples of an age of unbounded creativity. Your morning tour begins with the visit to Kruja–one of the biggest cities in Northern Albania is the “city of history” and the best known as hometown of Albanian’s National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. Visit to the Castle, Skanderbeg Museum and Ethnographic Museum. After the visit of the castle, is free for you to explore Kruja’s old bazaar with authentic and antique shops. Lunch at local restaurant in the fortress. Continue to Shkodra. Tour to visit the Mosque of Plumbit and the castle of Rosafa over the lake of Shkodra – perched at more than 4,000 feet above sea level. Drive back to Tirana. Dinner and overnight in Tirana
Day 3: DURRES –ARDENICA – APOLLONIA – VLORA
After breakfast the route continues to Durres– the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Dyrrachium. Formerly Durrazzo is one of the oldest towns in Albania. The legend says that it was founded by Epidamnos, the Illyrian King of the area, who called it by his own name and named the port area after his grandson – Dyrrah. Visit to the town including the Byzantine city walls, Roman amphitheater and the Archaeological Museum. On the way, we have a break for a visit in the medieval monastery of Ardenica. There, we admire the Church of Holy Mary and the Chapel of Holy Trinity .Continue to the ancient Greek settlement of Apollonia. An ancient city, and one of the most important archeological sites of the country, founded in 588 BC by Greeks from Corinth. Drive towards Vlora. Dinner and overnight in Vlora.
Day 4: ALBANIAN RIVIERA
Morning tour takes you to a sightseeing tour in Vlora. Drive towards Albanian Riviera over Llogara National Park. Continue climbing to 3,000 feet where you can enjoy the best breathtaking scenery views, as w e drive through the fertile slopes and villages. Drive along Dhermi, Himara coastline and stop for a lunch in a restaurant on the way. En route making a short visit to the bay of Porto Palermo where the castle of Ali Pasha is situated. Depart for Saranda the hillside town facing the sea, famous for its magnificent “Butrinti” archeological site.
Dinner and overnight in Saranda.
Day 5: SARANDA – BLUE EYE SPRINGS – GJIROKASTER
Breakfast in the hotel. Drive towards the ancient city of Butrint, 18 km away from the town which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unique and most beautiful archaeological site of Albania. The visit includes: The Temple of Aesclepios , The Baptistery, Nymph, The Theatre, Lions Gate, the Acropolis, etc. Afterwards we continue to Blue Eye Springs for a visit. Free time and continue towards Gjirokastra -”The stone city”, an outstanding example of an Ottoman merchant town and one of the few still surviving in the Balkans/UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit of the Castle and Museum of Weapons. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 6: ALONG THE GRAMOZ MOUNTAINS
After breakfast drive towards Gramoz Montains with stop and visit of Tepelene cold water -most famous Albanian mineral spring. Afterwards we continue through rural scenery with views to Greece through the Gramoz Monatains to Korca – city of Museums. Visit of the city and museums, we take a walk down the main avenue of the city, then we go for a visit to the Museum of Medieval Art and visit “Birra Korça” – the renowned local beer factory. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 7: OHRID LAKE – ELBASAN – BERAT
In the morning transfer to the Podradec at Ohrid Lake (UNESCO)– one of the deepest freshwater lakes in Europe. This lake is home to an endemic wildlife – fish and birds unique to the area. Boat ride. Drive to Elbasan – visit of the city with fortress. Before arrival at Berat stop at Cobo Winery for wine tasting. Dinner and overnight in Berat.
Day 8: BERAT – CITY OF 1000 WINDOWS
A morning tour of marvelous city of Berat (UNESCO) – known as “the city of thousand windows” Visit the Fortress, The Cathedral of St. Nicholas, The Old Baazar, the lovely painted Mosque of the Bachelors and the Tekke of the Helvetis with its beautiful portico. Visit to Onuphri Icon Museum that contains some of the finest examples of his work as well as other outstanding Albanian artists. Stop for the lunch at restaurant in the Fortress where you will enjoy a rustic lunch. Transfer to Tirana with cable car drive and visit to Dajti Mountain. It offers numerous opportunities all year round for excursions and recreation. Afterwards visit Bunk Art Museum. Free time for you to explore Tirana’s lovely shops and boutiques. Dinner and overnight in Tirana.
Day 9: Depature
Transfer to the Airport
