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ALBANIA & NORTHERN MACEDONIA

Blue Skies

THE BEST OF ALBANIA
& NORTHERN MACEDONIA

DAY 1

 

From airoport will shortly drive to the city of Kruja an old medieval town the centre of the Albanian resistance against the ottoman invasion. In Kruja we will have the opportunity to visit the old medieval castle, the ethnographic museum and the museum of Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu. After the visits the Old Bazar is a very good place for walking shopping or relaxes.

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Accommodation in Hotel Panorama

DAY 2

 

We leave Kruja and we head towards south toward South. On the way we make a visit in one of the most beautiful archeological sites Apollonia. This beautiful ancient city dedicated to the God of Sun and Light Apollo host a magnificent past and present history with the ruins of the old city and the monastery of St. Mary inside of it. After the visit will drive to Vlore the city of Albanian Independence.  After the visits in Vlore we head to Llogara National Park. Laberia when Llogara is part of is known as the area of flowers and shepherds.

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Accommodation in Hotel Alpine - Llogara

DAY 3

 

Today will take the Riviera drive. Along the way many old villages like Dhermi, Qeparo, Borsh and Ilias whos many tourists have descrideb as the “Amalfi of Albania” After a lunch stop in Saranda we drive to Butrint.  Inhabited since prehistoric times, Butrint has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Following a period of prosperity under Byzantine administration the present archaeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city’s development. Drive to Gjirokaster 

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Accommodation in Hotel Fantasy

DAY 4

 

Situated on the Drino valley and surrounded from Mali I Gjere and Cajupi mountains, Gjirokaster is carrying all layers of pre-history to nowadays. The castle and the museums inside will discover the “Past and Present” of this city that has surprised many foreign tourists from Edward Lear to Lord Baryon. After lunch we drive through the beautiful valley of Vjosa considered as the last wild river of Europe we reach Berat the city of “Thousand Windows” another authentic medieval town that will surprise with its elegance and beauty.  In Berat we visit the 2400 year old castle who host inside the Onufri museum dedicated to the famous iconographer considered like “Albanian Michelangelo”.

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Accommodation in Hotel Portiko

DAY 5

 

As today we will drive to Ohrid known in antiquity as Lychnidus "The city of light". The city of Ohrid and its lake are both a UNESCO Cultural and Natural heritage. On our way we make a stop in Elbasan to visit its fortress and city walls. We start today with a walking tour of Ohrid including a visit to Tsar Samuel's Fortress, Saint Sophia's Church and the Roman amphitheatre for sensational panoramic views. When we reach Saint Clement's Church and the Plaosnik archaeological site we will walk down the steps to the Church of Saint John at Kaneo with its fantastic views out over the lake. 

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Accommodation in Hotel Tino or similar

DAY 6

 

Firstly we drive along the lakeshore to the photogenic Saint Naum Monastery, located on a bluff stretching out into the lake and close to the Albanian border. Inside the monastery we can admire the 19th century frescoes and iconostasis dating from 1711. Next we continue across Galicica National Park and over the Livada Pass (at 1568 metres), before heading down to Lake Prespa where we'll stop for photos.

Next we visit the ancient site of Heraclea with a local guide. Founded in the 4th century BC by Philip II, the father of Alexander the Great, Heraclea grew to be an important trading town under the Romans, before being raided by the northern tribes and eventually falling into decay after an earthquake in AD518.

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Accommodation in HotelPremier or similar

DAY 7

 

This morning we drive to the charming historical Roman mining town of Kratovo, located in the crater of an extinct volcano. A local guide will take us down the winding cobbled narrow streets and show us the main sights of this small town, known for its Ottoman towers and high stone bridges which cross the deep ravine which divides the town in two. We will also have the opportunity to sample a homemade lunch, before we drive on to Skopje, North Macedonia's capital.

This afternoon we will go on a guided walking tour of Skopje including Fortress Kale, the Church of Saint Spas and the old Turkish bazaar, which is the largest and most well preserved in south-east Europe. In 1963 a huge earthquake rocked the city and destroyed an estimated 75%, but it is still rich in historic culture and Ottoman heritage.

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Accommodation in Hotel Inn Holiday or similar

DAY 8

 

A half-day excursion this morning takes us to Matka Gorge, on the outskirts of the city, where we visit the spectacular karst formations and the manmade Matka Lake, created by the damming of the Treska River. Fluctuating temperatures and the impact of the Mountain Rivers has resulted in a landscape of valleys, crevices and caves that carve their way through the 50 square kilometre canyon.  We enter on Mother Teresa highway to reach The Colored Mosque in Tetovo.

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Accommodation in Hotel Srca or similar

DAY 9

 

Later we drive a scenic route, largely through the Black Drim River Valley.. En route we make a stop to visit one of North Macedonia's finest monasteries - Saint Jovan Bigorski - dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It is famous for its remarkable iconostasis, which is among the most beautiful in North Macedonia, constructed by intricate wood carving between 1829 and 1835. After that we enter again in Albania to drive to the Albanian Capital Tirana A metropolitan city full of live like any other European capitals. In Tirana we visit the national historical museum, the Skanderbeg square and the main highlights of the city.

 

Accommodation in Hotel Capital or similar

Breakfast - Departure according your flights.

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Included: 

  • 9 nights hotels with breakfast included.

  • Professional English speaking guide/driver along the trip and transportation with SUV vehicle

  • Entrance fees in all mention sights and local guides in Ohrid, Heraklea and Skopje.

  • Boat tour in Matka Canyon

 

Not Included: 

  • Drinks, extra meals not mentioned and nothing that is not at the included

  • Tipping for local guides

 

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