Albania in two weeks

Documents

• passport
• entrance fees include
  

The Program

Day 1 : TIRANA

• Arrival in “Mother Tereza” airport, meet & assisted by our representative. Transfer by coach and accommodation in the Hotel.
• Enjoy the welcome dinner in Petrela Castle – which dates back to 4 th century B.C. This  Castle is built on a rocky hill, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view.
• Dinner and o vernight in the Hotel.

Day 2 : TIRANA

• After breakfast a short sightseeing tour in Tirana – visit the important institutions and different buildings with historic value and National History Museum in Tirana.
• Midday departure to Dajti Mountain to have a panoramic view of the Capital from above.
• Lunch at “Chateau Linza” restaurant.
• Dinner and overnight in Tirana.

Day 3 : TIRANA – ELBASAN – POGRADEC

• After breakfast departure to visit Pogradec – on the Roman Via Egnatia route to the east.
• A brief stop to Elbasan (ancient Scampa) to see its fine Ottoman walls and continue to Pogradec.
• Arrive at Lake Ohrid – 363 km 2 who is one of the deepest freshwater lakes in Europe – it is the home to a number of fish and birds found nowhere else in the world.
• Lunch at local restaurant in Drilon (nice spot not far from Ohrid Lake which has been a preferred holiday place for the ex-dictator Hoxha) – decorated with willow trees, and streams flowing down to the lake.
• Dinner and overnight at Pogradec.

Day 4 : POGRADEC – KORCA

• After breakfast departure for a full leisure day at Prespa Lake , enjoying pebble beaches which offer to the tourists opportunities for sun bathing. In the small island of Maligrad an interesting eremite church is to be found.
• In afternoon proceed to Korca.
• Dinner and overnight at Korca.

Day 5 : KORCA – DARDHE – VOSKOPOJA – KORCA

• After breakfast traveling to Mborja, visit the wonderful Church of Christ’s Ascension (kisha e Ristozit) with its internal and external outstanding frescoes and drive into the pine-forested mountains to the rough little rural settlement of Voskopoja – a well known center of art, where some of the most talented Albanian painters practiced their profession.
• Visit to the most interesting and accessible Church of Shen Kollit , Notable for its frescoes made by the famous Albanian painters.
• Lunch at a local restaurant in Voskopoja.
• Dinner and overnight at Korca.

Day 6 : KORCA -GJIROKASTRA

• After breakfast a brief sightseeing tour to Korca city to visit to the Archaeological Museum housed in a lovely wooden Ottoman house – the Museum of Medieval Art ( seeing paintings and icons made by famous local artists)
• Visit the architecturally important 15 th century Mirahorit Mosque, and the Old Bazaar.
• Transfer to the “ Museum City ” of Gjirokastra.
• En route making a stop to a local restaurant in Permet.( traditional food)
• After lunch departure toGjirokastra city. In Gjirokastra the dwelling houses have the form of medieval towers constituting a building ensemble with a characteristic architecture.
• Continue the visit to the Castle and the Museum of Weapons .
• Dinner and overnight in Gjirokastra.

Day 7 : GJIROKASTRA – SARANDA

• After breakfast , continue to Saranda
• Visit the “Blue Eye” spring, formed by underground springs.
• Visit to the unusual church of St. Nicholas at Mesopotam with its fine carvings of mythological beasts, we explore the Greek settlement of Phoinike – the capital of the state of Epirus .
• Arrival to Sarnda.
• Lunch to “ Lekursi Castle restaurant (built on the ruins of an old castle).
• Diner and overnight in Saranda.

Day 8 : SARANDA – BUTRINTI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE – SARANDA

• After breakfast visit to Butrinti Archaeological Site, visit the Temple of Aesclepios , the Baptistery, Nymph, The Theatre, Lions Gate, the Acropolis, etc.
• Lunch at local restaurant to Ksamil, enjoying the wonderful Ionian scenery. In the afternoon free time at leisure.
• Dinner and overnight in Saranda.

Day 9 : SARANDA – HIMARA – DHERMI -VLORA

• After breakfast drive up to Albanian Riviera. En route making a short visit to the bay of Porto Palermo where the castle of Ali Pasha is situated
• Lunch at local restaurant in Llogara, enjoying the wonderful scenery among the pinewoods.
• In the afternoon arrival in Vlora, an historical and costal city.
• Dinner at a traditional restaurant.
• Overnight in Vlora.

Day 10 : VLORA – APOLLONIA – ARDENICA – BERAT

• After breakfast a sightseeing tour in Vlora and then proceed to the ancient Greek settlement of Apollonia – ( founded in 588 BC). After the visit to Apollonia proceed to Ardenica – where is a medieval monastery surrounded by stonewalls.
• Visit to the Marry Church and Saint Triadha Chapel.
• Lunch at local restaurant in Ardenica.
• After the visit to Apollonia transfer to Berat – the other one “ Museum City ” .
• Dinner and overnight in Berat.

Day 11 : BERAT -DURRES

• After breakfast proceed to half day city tour to Berat – known as “the city of one on one windows”
• Visit 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.
• Lunch at local restaurant in the Fortress.
• After lunch proceed to Durres , – the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Dyrrachium .
• Visit the town including the Byzantine city walls, Roman amphitheater and the Archaeological Museum .
• Dinner and overnight in Durres .

Day 12 : DURRES–KRUJE-SHKODRA

• After breakfast departure to visit Kruja – the picturesque birthplace of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, (the Albania ’s National Hero) – perched at more than 4,000 feet above sea level.
• Visit the Kruja Castle and the Skanderbeg Museum .
• Lunch at a local restaurant with a wonderful mountain view .
• After lunch continue to Shkodra.
• Dinner and overnight in Shkodra.

Day 13 : SHKODRA – LEZHE – TIRANA

• After breakfast 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.
• Continue the trip to Lezha – an Illyrian settlement that flourished in the Hellenistic,Roman and Byzantine period.
• Lunch at a local restaurant with a wonderful mountain view .
• Visit the tomb of Scanderbeg.
• Lunch at the Hunting Lodge of Count Ciano , Mussolini’s son-in-law.
• Dinner and overnight in Tirana.

Day 14 : TIRANA

• Free day

Day 15 : TIRANA – AIRPORT

• After breakfast at the Hotel, free time at leisure until departure.
• Transfer to the Airport .

This tour is valid for minimum 10 persons

This price includes:

• Arrival and departure transfers
• Tours and excursions as per the itinerary
• Transportation by deluxe air-conditioned motorcoach
• English, French, italian speaking guide at disposal
• Accommodation at the hotels (with 3 and 4 stars)
• The welcome dinner
• Entrance fees