UNDISCOVERED ALBANIA
UNDISCOVERED ALBANIA
DAY 1
Saranda - Labova church - Gjirokastra (UNESCO)
Meeting at the port and drive to Gjirokastra, a UNESCO site and museum town with beautiful and very distinctive architecture. On the way to Gjirokastër visit the church of Labova, one of Albania’s oldest and best-preserved Orthodox churches. After the lunch in Gjirokastër, 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 Kastro or similar.
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DAY 2
Gjirokaster - Korca
This morning we will drive along beautiful gorge of Kelcyra along the Vjosa valley. It will be a beautiful and scenic drive along mountains and national park of Germenji to reach Korca the city of serenades. In Korca we will visit the Old bazzar, the Mirahori mosque, the Cathedral and the Medieval art museum. Dinner and overnight in Korca
Hotel Vila Lako or similar.
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Skiing in Brezovica
Skiing in Brezovica
DAY 3
Korca – Voskopoja - Tirana
This morning we continue driving for about 30min to reach Voskopoja Village (formerly known as Moskopole) an important and well-known centre of art where many talented Albanian painters chose to practice their profession. The village has suffered over the years, as many of its treasures were stolen during the second half of the 18th century and this continued during the world wars. We take a 40 minute walk to visit one of the oldest churches representing Voskopoja religious art. After the visits in Voskopoja we make a stop at Lin village by lake Ohrid andt along the Shkumbini valley we reach Tirana. Dinner and overnight Tirana
Hotel Capital Tirana or similar
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DAY 4
Tirana
After early breakfast, we take a walking tour of the colourful streets of Tirana, which was made the capital of Albania in just 1920, passing through the old castle remains, the Pyramid, Prime Minister’s Office Building.
Reaching an area known as Blloku, where villas were once occupied by members of The Politburo (a former leading group of the Albanian Labour party) which today the lively centre of Tirana’s nightlife where trendy bars, cafés, and fashionable clubs can be found. We will visit the National History Museum offering an impressive façade, adorned with a gigantic mosaic known as ‘The Albanians’. The exhibits within the museum give great insight into Albania’s intriguing past and recent history up to the present day.
After the visits in the city we drive to the Dajti cable car to reach the Dajti Mountain for lunch after Dajti we will visit the Bunk Art 1 the Nuclear Shelter of the Politic Byro during Cold War. On the way back to town we will stop to the World Bektashi Headquarter to know more about the Bektashi history in Albania. Dinner and overnight Tirana
Hotel Capital Tirana or similar.
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DAY 5
Tirana - Shkoder
Today will start travelling to Shkoder. First we stop in Fishta Village to visit a handcraft pottery production. There we can have not only a demonstration of forming clay into shapes but we can make also our hands dirty. Close by, the “Mrizi Zanave – Agrotourism” will welcome us with its delicious food and service. After lunch we drive north to our destination Shkodra. Shkoder is one of the biggest Albanians towns and in antiquity has been the capital of Illiria. On our arrival in Shkoder and we will have opportunity to visit Shkodra castle with its stunning views over the rivers Drin and Buna and Shkodra city and lake the biggest in Balkan peninsula. After arrival at the hotel we will have time for diner and prepare for the beautiful next day.
Lunch and accommodation in Shkoder
Hotel Rose garden or similar
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DAY 6
Shkoder – Koman lake – Valbona valley
Today will get into an Albanian adventure With the breakfast ''on the go'' we start our day early to reach the ferry in the Koman Lake who will take 2:30 min ride. The Ferry trip is considered to be as one of the most amazing scenic lakes formed by the construction of Koman Dam in the early 80’. After we reach Valbona valley with a local minibus we will drive towards Valbona waterfall on the steps of the Alps. Dinner and accommodation in Valbona.
Hotel Vila Dini or similar.
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DAY 7
Valbona valley – Prizren(Kosovo) - Kruja
Today we cross the border into Kosovo to visit Prizren. Kosovo is the world's newest country and has been independent only since 2008. Unfortunately, to most people Kosovo is most known for its war. However, it is a fascinating country boasting lots of treasures from past empires including Greek, Roman, Turkish and Ottoman. Driving through the town of Gjakova, we continue our drive to Prizren - a town dominated by Ottoman villas and is perhaps the most authentic town in Kosovo. Prizren is rich in history and you can see the architectural marks left by both the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. There are a number of traditional handicraft shops to explore and a good selection of restaurants to choose from. Prizren is especially known for its filigree jewellery, which has been handmade locally here since the 15th century.
Drive back to Albania to reach Kruja. The town was home to Albania's best-known national hero, Skanderbeg, who fought to defend the country from the Ottoman Empire. The main highlight in Kruja is the citadel, from where Albania's greatest hero, Skanderbeg, led the resistance against the Ottoman domination. He succeeded in ousting the Turks in 1443 and Albania was free for the next 30 years. Today the fortress is a place of pilgrimage and inspiration for Albanians; it enjoys a classic setting high on a ridge staring out to the Adriatic coast, approached via pine clad hills.
Dinner and accommodation in Kruja
Hotel Panorama
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DAY 8
Kruja - Durres - Berat
From Kruja we drive to the port of Durrës (approx. 45min. drive), the second-largest city in Albania and famed for housing the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans. The amphitheatre dates back to the 2nd century AD, seats 15,000 people and contains an early Christian crypt with rare wall mosaics. The city was colonised by colonists from Corinth and Korkyra in 627 BC and was named Epidamnus, but later became Dyrrachium after the visits we drive to Berat the gem of Albania.
Our tour will go around the old district of Berat, with its pretty white buildings perched on the hill amid pine forests. Berat Castle on the slopes of Mount Tomorr, where we are rewarded with breath-taking views (and begin to understand why it is known to Albanians as 'The City of a Thousand Windows'). Within the castle walls are dwelling houses and the Onufri Museum (Museum of Iconography), which we will visit. The rest of the day is free to explore the town.
Dinner and accommodation in Berat
Hotel Caslte Park or similar
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DAY 9
Berat – Apollonia- Llogara N.P.
After breakfast we drive to 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. A stop in Vlora for the Muradie Mosque and old quarter of Vlora. The surroundings of Llogora Park have been described as one of the most “dramatic” mountain & sea panoramas. If time permit we can do a short hike to Caesar Pass to admire the sunset and the coastline of Karaburun. Dinner and accommodation Llogara N.P
Hotel Sofo.or similar
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DAY 10
Llogara National Park - Albanian Riviera - Ali pasha castle - Borsh - Saranda
On the way to sud Albania we stop in Porto Palermo, visit the Ali Pasha’s fortress. Another stop is foreseen in waterfalls of Borsh where can be enjoyed a coffee.
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. Dinner and accommodation Saranda
Hotel Brilliant or similar
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DAY 11
Saranda - ferry to Corfu
After early breakfast our guide will accompany you to the port to take the ferry to Corfu.
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Included:
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Transportation with A/C vehicle for all the tour
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English speaking guide
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1 Lunch with 3 courses menu + water
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9 Dinner with 3 courses menu + water
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Accommodation for 10 nights in good hotels breakfast included as per itinerary
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Accommodation and food for the guide and driver
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All entrance fees as per itinerary
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All taxes
Not Included:
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Flight Tickets
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Ferry tickets from Corfu to Saranda and return
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Gratuities/Tip to Driver, Guide