Day 1: “MOTHER TERESA” AIRPORT – TIRANA (18 km)
Pick up at Tirana airport and transfer to Hotel. Tirana, Sulejman Pasha Bargjini, a native feudal lord from Mullet, established the city in 1614. His first constructions were a mosque, a bakery and a hamam (Turkish bath). On February 8, 1920 Tirana was made the temporary capital by the Congress
of Lushnje, and it was proclaimed the permanent capital on December 31, 1920.
What to Visit: Clock Tower (Kulla e Sahatit), Scanderbeg Square. Positioned in the city center, this tower has become a symbol
of Tirana. It is one
of the oldest constructions in Tirana, built in the 1820. Et’hem Bey Mosque, construction
of this mosque took about 28 years and finished in 1821. It is considered one
of the most beautiful mosques in
Albania with very interesting decorations and art-work within it . National Historic Museum, the main museum in Tirana, it is in the center
of the city, easily recognizable because
of a huge mosaic standing on top
of its front facade. It contains many artifacts ranging from ancient times through Hoxha’s regime. Also we will visit , National Art Gallery, National Archaeological Museum
of Albania, Resurrection
of Christ Orthodox Cathedral, Saint Paul Catholic Cathedral.
Bunkart, this is a bunker realization
of an art gallery, with many corridors full
of art works to admire.
Blloku (The Block), among the apartment blocks, one can find some
of Tirana’s best cafés, shops, and restaurants. Here is also located the villa
of the former dictator, Enver Hoxha. During communism, the area was reserved solely for government officials and was not allowed to be entered by the commoner. It was opened to the public in 1991 and since became the number one spot for Tirana’s youth. At night the area gets full
of people especially on weekends when most night clubs are full. From the Block you can go almost anywhere for less than 10-15 minutes. If you need to have a coffee or relax while taking a look at the parade
of trendy and elegant people, the block is a perfect place for you. Overnight in Tirana.
Day 2: TIRANA – SHKODRA – KRUJA – TIRANA (196 km)
After breakfast we drive to Shkodra the most important town
of north
Albania and the Illyrian capital, in the 3rd century BC.
What to visit: Kalaja/Rozafa Fortress, (2 km southwest
of Shkodra, near the southern end
of Lake Shkodra). Founded by the Illyrians, rebuilt by the Venetians and the Ottomans. Rozafa is a woman buried in the ramparts, who supports the structure. Visit the renovated museum. Bring a torch and go exploring. There are amazing views from the highest point. Shkodra Historical Museum, the Museum is situated at a traditional Shkodra House featuring valuable artifacts on every sphere
of social life in the area. Also we will visit , Ebu Beker Mosque , Shkodër Cathedral, Shkodër Orthodox Cathedral , Mesi Bridge, an Ottoman styled bridge and the nearby Drishti Castle , Museum
of Memory.
After we will proceed to Kruja – the centre
of Albanian resistance against the Turks under our national hero Scanderbeg. He kept them from crossing into Western Europe for 25 years, thus earning the title “Protector
of Christianity” given by the Pope.
What to visit: Scanderbeg Museum , Kruja Ethnographic Museum , located next to the castle in an old ottoman house full
of furniture and artifacts, Old Bazaar. Return to Tirana for a gourmet dinner. Overnight in Tirana.
Day 3: TIRANA – ARDENICA – APOLLONIA – VLORA (165 km)
After breakfast, depart for Vlora. What to visit: On the way we stop at the Monastery
of Ardenica, supposed to have been built in the middle ages, as argued by a stone in entrance dating back to the 1417. However the first building belongs to the beginning
of XVIII century. Today inside the church you can admire icon paintings
of 1743-1745, by Albanian artists such as Konstandin and Athanos Zografi, as well as Konstandin Shpataraku.
Proceed to the ancient city
of Apollonia situated on the famous Via Egnatia – one
of the most important cities in Roman times. The Roman Emperor Augustus Octavian studied here. Afterwards we continue to Vlora where we visit the Independence Museum, situated in the original house where the first Independent Albanian Government had its offices. Afternoon & evening at leisure. Overnight in Vlora.
Day 4: VLORA – BUTRINT (Unesco) – SARANDA (160 km)
After an early breakfast we depart for Saranda. What to visit: Drive on the spectacular Albanian Riviera looking down at the Ionian Sea. Breathtaking sceneries await us at the Llogara pass – 1000 m above sea level. We continue on to Saranda, make a short stop at the Lekuresi Fortress in Saranda with beautiful views
of the bay
of Saranda and the Island
of Corfu. The village
of Ksamili it has a beautiful beach with several small islands you could swim to. Ksamili is now heavily developed, with a large number
of part-completed properties.
Then we proceed visit the ancient city
of Butrint. Just outside
of Ksamili, lies Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Butrint was an ancient city throughout Greek, Roman, bishopric and Byzantine periods. The city was finally abandoned during the Middle Ages perhaps due to the marsh surrounding and subsequent malaria epidemic.
Despite being one
of the greatest classical cities
of the Mediterranean, Butrint remains largely unknown. The current archaeological site includes an impressive Roman amphitheater, a Byzantine Basilica (the largest in the world after Hagia Sophia in Istanbul), a Roman temple with mosaic floor, a beautifully carved lion’s gate as well numerous constructions built throughout the periods. Furthermore, what you see is just 15 per cent
of what lies beneath. As
of summer
of 2005, there is an international archaeological team performing excavations at Butrint which can be observed inside the park. The city was first settled by Greek colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers
of passing civilizations. It is situated in a beautiful peninsula among dense vegetation. Back to Saranda . Overnight in Saranda.
Day 5: SARANDA – GJIROKASTRA (Unesco) – BERAT (Unesco) (225 km)
After early breakfast we drive to Berat. Stop in Gjirokastra a UNESCO site and museum town with beautiful and very distinct architecture, also called , The Stone Town.
What to visit: Gjirokastra Castle , the Castle is billed as the second largest in all the Balkans, and is worth a look. The Armaments Museum is located in the castle and contains a collection
of mostly post-War era weapons, photographs and artwork: the main gallery, with its eerily lit corridor, contains two columns
of large German and Italian field guns, remnants
of WWII. The Castle also contains two Bektashi tekes, the stage for the internationally-renowned. Gjirokaster National Folk Festival, a prison (now part
of the Armaments Museum and available with an extra charge) and numerous chambers, some in ruins, open to exploration. A second museum gallery, the Zenebishi Gallery, features occasional free art exhibits. Underneath the castle is the recently discovered underground bunker built in the Cold War. Ethnographic Museum , Enver Hoxha’s house, it is a well-restored Ottoman house which displays clothing, kitchenware, tools and other cultural artifacts.
Old Bazaar and Historic Ottoman Homes The old bazaar is still the social and commercial center
of the Old Town
of Gjirokaster. Though the newer sections
of the city have attracted many businesses and people, the bazaar and its surrounding homes dating from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries still manages to capture a bit
of the bygone era
of Gjirokastrite life. Several
of the houses are at various levels
of restoration and are open to the public. Traditional houses include Cabej House, Kadare House, Topulli House, and Skenduli House. The Bazaar itself has recently undergone a cleaning and exterior restoration as part
of the government’s revitalization plan.
Zekate House, located in the historic Palorto quarter
of the city, is the most visited
of Gjirokastër’s monumental stone houses. Saint Sotira Church, located in the Old Bazaar quarter, this is a well preserved 18th century Orthodox Church. Gjirokaster Mosque, located in Old Bazaar, this mosque is a true testimony
of the communist religious ban in
Albania. After the visit we suggest the group should stop for lunch close to Tepelena, (optional) among beautiful scenery, on the way to Berat. We check in at the hotel and the group is then left at leisure to explore Berat. Overnight in Berat in houses turned boutique hotels
of the same standard. Mangalemi, Muzaka, Osumi. A unique experience staying in houses up to 300 years old. Overnight in Berat.
Day 6: BERAT (Unesco) – DURRES (97 km)
Berat . In 2008 it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it is a rare example
of a well-preserved Ottoman town. It is one
of the country’s most beautiful towns, and is known as the “town
of a thousand windows”.
What to visit: The Kala, a castle mostly built in the 13th century, but with origins going back to the 4th century BC. A very beautiful place with great views
of the surrounding area. Getting to the Kala requires a steep walk up a cobbled path. The citadel is still inhabited, with many churches. Onufri Iconography Museum located within the Kala at the site
of a Dormition Cathedral, features the vivid iconography works
of the famous 16th century painter Onufri and others. The museum hold other artifacts gathered form nearby churches and others around
Albania. Berat Ethnographic Museum located in the grounds
of a traditional house, on the way up to the castle. It features traditional local furniture and house utensils.
Also in Berati you can visit, old town areas – Mangalem north
of the river, and Gorica south
of the river , Numerous Byzantine Churches, dating from the 13th century , Several Mosques from the Ottoman era (starting from 1417). After this interesting experience we depart for Durres one
of the oldest (founded in 627 B. C. ) and most important cities in
Albania where we have lunch (optional).
What to Visit: Durres Amphitheater, the biggest in the Balkans it also features renovated iconography works. Durres Ancient City Wall and Medieval Hammam are located inside and around the wall, Venetian Tower (Rotonda) is a circular tower at the city center built in the 16th century with a restaurant on top , Archaeological Museum featuring archaeological artifacts found in and around the area. Overnight in Durres.
Day 7: DURRES – “MOTHER TERESA” AIRPORT (35 km)
After breakfast, free to explore until time
of transfer to Airport. End
of our services.
Cena: € 480
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