ALBANIA HERITAGE & RIVIERA – 8 DAYS

Arrive to Albania from Mother Teresa International Airport. Meet and greet with the locals through the guide. Transfer to Tirana Hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, if time permits, it is possible to have a Panoramic Tour of Tirana in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Tirana.

In the morning depart from Tirana to Kruja, a medieval town situated 560m above sea level. It is situated by the side of the mountain where the beautiful horizon can be admired. Visit in the fortress of the town, inside of it is to be visited the Museum of our National Hero and the Ethnographic Museum. Enjoy some free time at the bazaar of Kruja. Its peculiarities are the cobblestone street and the wooden shops where you can find different kind of souvenirs like filigree, wooden or alabaster handicrafts, woolen carpets etc. Possibility to Enjoy lunch in Kruja. During the afternoon we take a walking tour Tirana capital city, known for its colorful Ottoman-, Fascist- and Soviet-era architecture. Take a walk along the main boulevard where are found the buildings of Tirana Main University, Presidential Palace, Pyramid building etc. Walk also through the Blloku district. Next approach to the main square of the city, named after our National Hero “Skanderbeg” . Visit the “House of Leaves” museum. Free afternoon in Tirana and overnight.

In the morning depart from Tirana towards city of Berat, the town of “1001 Windows” declared also a museum town and a UNESCO World Heritage. While you approach the center of the town, you will be impressed by the typical buildings, beautiful historical churches, and the mosques. Visit to the castle, built up on a rocky hill 260m above the sea level. Churches here have survived within its powerful stony walls. Visit in the church, which preserves wooden -engraved iconostasis housing the “Onufri” Museum. In the evening, enjoy wine testing and dinner in a local winery in Berat. Winery “Pupa” Pupa Winery, Cellar, Vineyards, Restaurant & Guesthouse. Overnight in Berat

After leaving Berat we will depart to Gjirokastra, which is a “Museum City” . The characteristic houses resemble the towers which are build one above the other. They have only one common element, the stone. All the homes have the form of medieval towers. Visit to the castle, which stands out above the city as a balcony, providing the possibility for visitors to enjoy the beautiful landscape. The castle houses the National Museum of Weapons, which preserves all the kinds of weapons used and produced by the A lbanians from antiquity. Visit Ethnographic Museum. Proceed to Saranda in the afternoon. Overnight in Saranda.

In the morning depart to Butrint archaeological site. A scenic narrow leads you to the ancient city of Butrint. Visit to the Old Amphitheatre, the Temple of Aesculapius, the Baptistery with colourful mosaics and the ancient city walls. An old fortress hous ing a small museum watch over the entire site, which is one of the last unspoiled natural and ancient historical areas in Mediterranean. Return to Saranda. Walk in the main pedestrian road, visit the ruins of Synagogue- Basilica. Just 2 km South of Saranda on a dominating hill is the Castle of Lekurs. Possible to enjoy the view over the entire city of Saranda and Corfu Island. Possible to enjoy the dinner with folkloric music. Overnight in Saranda.

Travel in the morning continues along the Riviera in the villages of Lukova, Borsh, Qeparo Dhermi, on the way possible stop in Porto Palermo and visit the Castle of Ali Pasha. Upon arrival to Vlora, visit the city. Visit the Independence Square, with the statue of independence dedicated to the independence of Albania on 28th of November 1912.Visit Muradie Mosque. Possibility to take a walk along the Promendade of the city. Free afternoon in Vlora and overnight.

Travel in the morning towards the archeological site of Apollonia. Visit the Amphitheatre, the Monument of Agonotheteve, Odeon, Portic, the Mosaics House, the courtyard of the Monastery where there is found the Byzantine style church of Saint Mary and the archeological museum. Our trip will continue to the ancient city of Durres that is also the most important seaport in Albania. Visit the Amphitheatre, the biggest in the Balkan Peninsula (capacity 15.000 spectators) with a rare wall mosaic, which belongs to the 2nd century A.D. Visit the 16th- century Venetian tower. Dinner and overnight can be in the city of Durres OR Tirana (depending on the traveling period).

Goodbye and return back home!