Highlights of Albania

The tour starts at our hotel in Tirana, Albania’s capital. Those travelling

on the group flights will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel

(approx. 30 mins). This afternoon we'll have an orientation tour of the

renovated “New Bazaar” very close to our Hotel.



*Hotel Capital Tirana or Similar*

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.



Drive to Pogradec (approx. 2.5 hrs. drive), en route we make a short stop to

visit the fortress of Elbasan and possible lunch. A city influenced by

various cultures including Turks and Italians, the fortress here dates back

to the 15th century. The fortifications originally incorporated twenty-six

towers equidistantly spaced from each other along the length of a nine-metre

high wall; today the ruins can be seen along the southern wall which remains

more or less intact.



Our final destination for today is one of the most charming resorts in

Albania, Pogradec, thanks to its position on beautiful Lake Ohrid with clear

waters and mountain views. The Albanian side of the lake was included in the

UNESCO protected monuments list in 2019. Keep your eyes peeled for Ohrid

trout (known as ‘Koran’ in Albania), a species endemic to the lake. We go

for a scenic walk at Drilon Park where the fishing Villa of Albania’s

ex-dictator was situated, on the far side of the lake, to discover the

waterways and ornamental plants and trees that make up this special

ecosystem.



 



*Elite Hotel* *or Similar*

This morning we continue driving for about an hour 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.

Another short drive (approx. 30 mins.) takes us to the largest city of

south-eastern Albania, Korçë, which sits at the foot of Moravia Mountain,

800m above sea level. This city became an important trading and handicraft

centre in the 18th Century and has also been referred to as ‘the city of

museums’, being home to the National Museum of Mediaeval Art and

Archaeology, the Museum of Education (where the first Albanian School was

opened in 1878), and the new museum of ‘Bratko Collections’ displaying

antiquities from the Far East. Our visit to Korçë includes the National

Museum of Mediaeval Art and Archaeology, Mirahori Mosque (one of the oldest

in the Balkans) and the famous church 'The Resurrection'. Korçë has been an

important religious centre for Orthodox Christians. It's also worth trying

the famous local beer whilst in the city.

Our drive through the mountains today is truly spectacular as we enjoy

sweeping views across the Gramos and Nemercka Mountains. Along the winding

route, we enjoy a short stop in Ersekë, which at 1050m is the highest town

in Albania. This 17th century town is surrounded by beautiful green pastures

of the Gramos Mountains. In the lush forests of Leskovik we stop at a working

farm situated in the beautiful woodland. We will see how the different

animals are raised here, as well as sample some authentic organic produce.

Continuing onwards to beautiful Përmet, we make a quick stop at the old

bridge of Benje village, and the hot springs, where we have time to relax and

swim. After quite a long day (approx. 5 hrs. drive in total) we arrive in

Përmet, situated in the heart of the white mountains on the Vjosë River.

This evening you’re sure to be in for a treat as Përmet is famous for its

food and wine, including 'gliko' sweets and raki.

Drive to the beautiful town of Gjirokastër (approx. 2 hrs. drive), calling

in at the traditional village of Dhoksat en route for a home-cooked lunch. In

the afternoon we enjoy a guided visit around the famous town of Gjirokastër.

Set on a mountain slope, the cobbled streets wind their way between old

houses with interesting architectural features including mediaeval towers.

The castle is the main feature and stands like a balcony over the town

offering wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. We visit the

ethnographic museum which is the house of Albania's former dictator Enver

Hoxha.



/Please note: Lunch with the local family can sometimes be changed to dinner

dependent on their availability. /

After an early breakfast, we travel to Butrint National Park, a UNESCO World

Heritage Site situated about 18km south of Saranda. Butrint owes its growth

and early fame to a sanctuary dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine,

founded in the 4th century BC. The sanctuary was located on the south slope

of the acropolis (hill) and was visited by worshippers to be healed. The

Sanctuary was the making of Butrint and the sacred power of Butrint's water,

was to be revered as long as the town lasted. The city developed during the

Roman times however it fell into decline after an earthquake and was

abandoned towards the end of the Middle Ages. From here we drive to Llogora

National Park stopping along the coast on the way. Overnight in Llogora.

After breakfast, we take a walk in Llogora National Park, possibly reaching

Caeser’s field. Yes, Julius Caeser crossed into today’s Albania in his

battles against Pompei which was won in this territory.



Next, we stop at the wonderful ruins of Apollonia (approx. 1.5 -2 hrs.

drive). Originally occupied by the Illyrian tribes and then the Greek

colonists from Corfu and Corinth around 600BC, Apollonia flourished in the

Roman period and was home to a renowned school of philosophy (Octavian

studied here) but began to decline in the 3rd century AD when its harbour

started silting up as a result of an earthquake. After Apollonia we transfer

for just over an hour further inland to the UNESCO town of Berat where we

spend the night.  



*Hotel Mangalemi* *or Similar*

Today is dedicated to Berat the gem of Albania. This morning we enjoy a

guided tour around the old district of Berat, with its pretty white buildings

perched on the hill amid pine forests. We walk through the narrow cobbled

streets and finally reach 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. 

From Berat, we drive to the port of Durrës (approx. 2 hrs. 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.

We then drive to the famous mediaeval citadel of Krujë (approx. 45 mins.

drive), where Albania's national hero, Skanderbeg, led the resistance against

the Ottomans. He kept them from crossing into Western Europe for 25 years,

earning the title "Champion of Christ".



We will check-in at the hotel and in the afternoon will visit the Skanderbeg

Museum, a rich ethnographic museum inside the castle, and enjoy inspirational

views out to the Adriatic Coast.



Afterwards, we take a walk to Kruja Hospitality a characteristic house in the

castle where you will sample raki and local cheeses.

After breakfast, time to wander through the medieval bazaar of Kruja, one of

the best stocked in the country full of souvenirs and handicrafts. A transfer

is included to Tirana Airport (approx. 45 minutes drive), which will be

scheduled according to the group flight timings.