ALBANIA FOOD, STORY & MYSTERY – 6 DAYS

WELCOME IN ALBANIA!! Please let us know the flight details in advance, to organize the first day Meet your driver / guide and transfer to Shkodra Meet your driver/guide at the airport and enjoy your private transfer to Shkodra. Overview: Spend a delightful afternoon exploring Shkodra, one of Albania’s oldest and most charming cities. Its diverse architectural styles reflect Ottoman, Austrian, Italian, and Communist influences. The walking tour includes the vibrant city center and Kol Idromeno promenade, as well as a visit to the Catholic Cathedral of Saint Stephen, dedicated to the city’s first martyr. Dinner Recommendation: Savor the rich local flavors with dishes such as veal, seasonal goat, wild pork fillet, and grilled vegetables. Don’t miss Tespice, Shkodra’s beloved traditional dessert. Overnight in Shkoder

After breakfast and check-out, begin the day with a visit to the Venetian Arts Mask Factory. The entire process of creating a mask takes several days, which explains their high value in Venetian markets. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to witness the craftsmanship behind these unique pieces and even purchase your own mask directly from the source at a much better price. Next, enjoy a guided tour of Rozafa Fortress. This captivating legendary castle overlooks Shkodra (Skadar ) Lake and the Adriatic Sea and was once the stronghold of the brave Illyrian tribe of the Adrians. Explore the fascinating blend of ancient and modern history and learn about the local traditions of northwestern Albania. The walk up the cobblestone path leads through the main ancient gate of the fortress, originally founded in the 4th century BC and reconstructed in the 20th century. From the top, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea to the southwest, Skadar Lake, the Albanian Alps to the north and east, and the fortress’s surrounding walls and towers that still stand proudly against time. Lunch on the way to Kruja at Mrizi i Zanave Agrotourism (30 min from Shkodra). To try during lunch: The Shkodra region is well-known for its mountain-sourced meats, fine wines, and fruit-bearing trees that enrich its culinary traditions. Signature dishes include baked cheese, clay -baked kid goat, wild mushrooms, wild blueberries, and cornflour pitas made from homegrown corn. Continue the drive to Kruja (approx. 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour through the Ottoman Bazaar, where charming wooden shops display a variety of gifts, crafts, and antique items for the home.

Enjoy breakfast, check out, and begin your walking tour of Kruja, one of Albania’s most historic and glorious cities. Visit the castle walls, the Historical Museum dedicated to Skanderbeg, and the Ethnographic Museum, located inside a beautifully preserved traditional house that offers an authentic glimpse into northern Albanian life. What to visit: • The Fortress • Museum of George Castriota Scanderbeg • The Ethnographic Museum Continue to the Uka Farm in Laknas, a well -known agricultural destination built around the “from farm to table” concept —everything grown from the earth is served fresh on your plate. The farm produces vegetables, fruits, grains, and even its own wines and beers. Guests are welcomed to enjoy healthy, locally sourced meals prepared with love and passion for nature. Proceed to Berat (120 km – 2 hrs). Upon arrival, experience a warm welcome and traditional hospitality in a local house-restaurant, known for its homemade dishes and authentic Berat specialties. To try: Berat olives, lamb, pies, stuffed grape leaves, local wine, and raki—a traditional Albanian spirit made from fruits such as grapes, plums, or mulberries. Some varieties are aged in wooden barrels (oak or mulberry) for a golden color and rich aroma. Overnight in Berat

After breakfast and check -out, begin your walking tour of Berat, known as the “City of a Thousand Windows.” Overlooked by Mount Tomorr (2,415 m), Berat is an ancient Illyrian settlement dating back to the 4th–5th centuries B.C., once inhabited by the tribe of the Desaretes. The city is divided into three parts: • Gorica, across the river • Mangalem, on the fortress side • Kala (the Castle), the residential quarter within the fortress The old town is home to beautiful Byzantine churches and mosques, reflecting its diverse heritage. Berat is proudly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What to visit: • The Fortress • Onufri’s Museum Continue with wine tasting at Çobo Winery, nestled at the base of Mount Tomorr. The winery features cultivated vineyards, a traditional kulla (stone tower), and an elegant tasting room built in the local Berat style. During your visit, enjoy a detailed explanation of the winemaking process and listen to engaging family stories that bring the winery’s history to life. After the visit, drive to Durrës (1.5 hrs). Explore Durrës, Albania’s oldest city, founded in the 7th century B.C. Today it remains one of the most important urban centers, known as the city of the three T’s – Transport, Trade, and Tourism. Visit the city center, including the Town Hall, ruins of th e Byzantine Forum, Roman Baths, Amphitheater, Byzantine walls, Venetian Tower, and the Archaeological Museum, which showcases remarkable discoveries from the city’s ancient past. Visit the Roman Amphitheater of Durrës, one of the largest and most beautiful in the ancient world. What to visit: • Roman Amphitheater Enjoy free time along the promenade, lined with cafés, shops, malls, and seafood restaurants. Overnight in Durres.

After breakfast and check -out, drive to Tirana (approx. 1 hour). Upon arrival, start your walking tour of Albania’s lively capital. Tirana is a city shaped by the meeting of Islamic and European Christian cultures. Its architecture reflects a blend of infl uences—from Italian Fascist -era buildings designed by renowned architects to modern and Ottoman elements. In Skanderbeg Square, you can clearly see this mix of styles: monumental government buildings, mosques, and the pulse of the city’s modern development. Dinner recommendation: Enjoy a special dinner in a traditional old house, paired with local wines. Dishes to try include: • Tavë Kosi (baked lamb with yogurt), a comforting national favorite also known as Tavë Elbasani, combining tender lamb with a creamy, golden yogurt crust. • Fërgesë e Tiranës me Speca (Tirana-style Fërgesë with peppers), a delicious local specialty. Overnight in Tirana

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Depending on your flight schedule, you may choose one of the optional visits in Tirana (with extra cost): 1. Cable Car to Dajti National Park – Enjoy panoramic views over Tirana and the surrounding landscape. 2. Visit Bunk’Art Museum – A fascinating journey through Albania’s communist past, showcasing the bunker built under Enver Hoxha’s rule, a symbol of political paranoia and isolation. 3. National Historical Museum – Explore Albania’s rich cultural and historical heritage. Transfer to the airport. End of Our Services! • Bus at Disposal throughout the Tour • English Speaking guide who will escort the group Throughout the Tour • 5 Nights Accommodation as per below: o Tradita Geg & Tosk Hotel – Shkoder (1 Night) on HB basis or similar same standard and category o Panorama Hotelv – Kruja (1 Night) on BB basis or similar same standard and category o 1 Overnight at Grand White City Hotel – Berat on BB basis or similar same standard and category o 1 Overnight at Ajsel Hotel – Durres on BB Basis or similar same standard and category o 1 Overnight at Opera Hotel – Tirana on BB Basis or similar same standard and category • Accommodation Tax • Restaurants as follows: o Lunch in Mrizi I Zanave – Lezhe o Dinner in Restaurant Panorama – Kruje o Lunch in UKA Farm o Dinner in Traditional House in Berat o Cobo Winery – Wine Testing o Dinner with Folkshow in Tirana Entrances as per below: • Rozafa Castle • Venetian Mask Entry • Kruja Castle and Ethnographic Museum • Berat Castle & Onufri Museum