Best of Albania

Best of Albania

Description

1st day: Tirana

Pick up at Tirana airport and transfer to Hotel. Time permitting we will visit the National Historic Museum in Tirana offering an in depth introduction to Albanian history from prehistoric times to present day. Overnight in Tirana. Hotel 4*

2nd day: Tirana – Ardenica – Apollonia – Vlora

After breakfast, depart for Vlora. 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. However the first building belongs to the beginning of XVIII century. 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. The Roman Emperor Augustus Octavian studied here. 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 & evening at leisure. Overnight in Vlora. Hotel 3*

3rd day: Vlora – Llogara – Dhermi – Himare - Saranda

After an early breakfast we depart for Saranda. Drive on the spectacular Albanian Riviera looking down at the Ionian Sea. Breathtaking sceneries await us at the Llogara pass - 1000 m above sea level. We continue on to Saranda, make a short stop at the Lekuresi Fortress in Saranda with beautiful views of the bay of Saranda and the Island of Corfu. Overnight in Saranda. Hotel 3*+

4th day: Saranda – Butrinti – Syri I kalter  - Gjirokastra

After early breakfast we drive to the ancient city of Butrint, an UNESCO world heritage site. The city was first settled by Greek colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers of different civilizations, making it an important discovery in the Mediterranean, rich in ancient sites. It is situated in a beautiful peninsula among dense vegetation, offering visitors more than just old ruins. After the visit proceed to Gjirokastra another UNESCO site and museum town with beautiful and very distinct architecture. Visit the Fortress which is used as the venue for the National Festival of Folk Song and Dance and has an arms museum with weapons from WW I. next we visit the Ethnographic Museum which is also the house the Albanian dictator was born in. Overnight in Gjirokastra.

5th day: Gjirokastra – Berat

After breakfast we drive towards Berat. On the way stop to the Blue Eye Spring, a natural spring shaped like an eye, with of blue and turquoise colours among old maple tree. While arriving 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 many 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. We check in at the hotel and the group is then left at leisure to explore Berat. Overnight in Berat.Hotel 3*

6th day: Berat - Durres – Kruja – Tirana 

After breakfast we drive to Durres one of the oldest (founded in 627 B.C.) and most important cities in Albania. We 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 artifacts found in the city and its suburbs. Then we proceed towards Kruja - the centre of Albanian resistance against the Turks under our national hero Scanderbeg. He kept them from crossing into Western Europe for 25 years, thus earning the title “Protector of Christianity” given by the Pope. We visit the Skanderbeg Museum, a very rich Ethnographic Museum and the Old Bazaar. Have a characteristic Albanian lunch in Kruja. (optional) After lunch we depart for Tirana where we visit the newly furbished and reconstructed Archaeological Museum. In the evening free to explore the capital city. Overnight in Tirana. Hotel 4*

7th day: Tirana - Airport

After breakfast, free to explore until time of transfer to Airport. End of our services.

Category
4 stars Private Tour Bed & Breakfast

Itinerary

Accommodations provided in each place