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DISCOVER ALBANIA FROM CORFU

Ocean

DISCOVER ALBANIA FROM CORFU
5 nights, 6 days

This is basically an extended Albanian highlights tour which is devised for travellers who can save considerable travel costs by flying to Corfu, or those who would like to combine a Corfu holiday with an Albanian discovery tour. In addition to the major highlights visited, this tour includes also the south eastern part of Albania which offers a combination of cultural monuments, magnificent natural landscapes and tasty cuisine.

DAY 1

 

Saranda - Syri i Kalter (Blue Eye Spring) - Gjirokastra (UNESCO)

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Meeting at the port and drive to Gjirokastra, a UNESCO site and museum town with beautiful and very distinctive architecture. On the way a quick visit at the interesting Blue Eye natural spring an amazing spring in the shape of a deep blue eye. After the lunch in Gjirokaster, Visit the medieval Castle which used to be a political prison during the communist dictatorship and the Ethnographic Museum which is also the house the Albanian dictator was born in. Dinner and overnight in Gjirokastra.

Hotel Kodra or Kalemi 1

DAY 2

 

Gjirokastra - Byllis - Berat (UNESCO)

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On the way to Berat we stop to visit the ancient city of Byllis one of the largest cities in Southern Illyria. After the visit we depart for Berat - a UNESCO town for its wonderful architecture where houses look as they were built on each other’s backs. Lunch in Berat. We visit the Castle and the Onufri Museum. Berat castle is of particular interest as people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, as have their ancestors for centuries. The castle used to have over 40 churches of which 7 still remain, including one turned into Onufri Museum. Onufri was an Albanian Icon master painter of the 16th century who painted many orthodox churches in Albania and Greece. Dinner and Overnight in Berat. Hotel Mangalemi or Belgrade.

DAY 3

 

Berat - Durres -Tirana

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depart for Durres one of the oldest (founded in 627 B.C.) take a sightseeing tour of the Amphitheatre situated in the middle of the modern city in an inhabited area, and the Archaeological museum rich in arte facts found in the city and its suburbs. Lunch in Durres. Visit of the National Museum , introduced for a quick History of Albania. After the visit we walk through the square, we will visit the mosque and the clock-tower. Afterwards we walk to the pyramid (mausoleum of the late communist leader Enver Hoxha, designed by his daughter).Dinner and overnight in Tirana. Hotel Theranda or similiar.

DAY 4

 

Tirana - Ardenica-Apollonia - Vlora

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Depart to Vlora where Albanian Independence was proclaimed. 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. In fact it is said that Scanderbeg was married at the small chapel of Ardenica. 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. Due to its fame and importance it was known as Apollonia Prima out of 16 ancient cities built to honour Apollo. Caesar chose to send his nephew Augustus Octavian to study oratory in Apollonia revealing the importance of this ancient city. 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 and evening at leisure. Overnight in Vlora. Hotel Vlora International or similiar.

DAY 5

 

Vlora – Albanian Riviera – Butrint (UNESCO) – Saranda

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After breakfast continue through the spectacular Albanian Riviera with its traditional villages. At the Llogara National Park we stop at around 1100 metres where spectacular views of the Ionian Sea can be admired and lunch can be had.  Afterwards continue along the wonderful coast past Saranda to reach the ancient city of Butrint another UNESCO World Heritage considered the best archaeological site in Albania and probably one of the most important in the Balkans. The city was first settled by Greek colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers of passing civilizations, giving archaeologists the possibility to study continuity through time. The site has been occupied since at least the 8th century BC, although myths associated with its origins speak of the city’s foundation by Trojan exiles. After the visits return to Saranda for overnight. Hotel Jaroal or Brilant

DAY 6

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Saranda – ferry to Corfu

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After early breakfast our guide will accompany you to the port to take the ferry to Corfu.

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