Albania – Macedonia

Explore the little visited corner of Europe like Albania and Macedonia, two charming and delightful countries, bursting with culture, history and traditions

Overview

Day 01: Airport - Tirana

Day 02: Tirana – Shkodra

Day 03: Tirana – Ohrid

Day 04: Ohrid

Day 05: Korca – Voskopoja - Korca

Day 06: Korca - Gjirokastra

Day 07: Gjirokastra - Butrint - Saranda

Day 08: Saranda-Vlora

Day 09: Vlora - Apollonia – Berat

Day 10: Berat - Durres - Tirana

Day 11: Tirana – Kruja - Tirana

Day 12: Tirana-Airport

Country: Albania-Macedonia (FYROM)

Duration: 12 Days-11 Nights

Day 01: Airport-Tirana (18 Km, 21 min driving time)

Welcome to Albania!
Meet and greet with the guide at the airport and transfer to Hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Tirana.

To visit:

• Scanderbeg Square
  • National Historical Museum
  • National Art Gallery of Tirana
  • Et’hem Bey Mosque

Accommodation, overnight.

Day 02: Tirana – Shkodra (95 Km, 1.5 hours driving time)

After breakfast we drive to the north of Albania and visit Castle, located on a 130 m hill top, which offers a panoramic view of Shkodra, the Buna and Drini Rivers as well as the southern end of Lake Shkodra. Here we also visit the oldest standing structure on the castle grounds the St. Stephen’s Church, which dates back to 1319, and the Ethnographic Museum of Shkodra. Late afternoon return to Tirana. Overnight in Tirana. Dinner at hotel.

Day 03: Tirana – Ohrid (135 Km, 2.5 hours driving time)

After breakfast we head towards Elbasan, where we will have a sightseeing tour of Elbasan Castle. The castle and its surrounding walls speak of the military significance of Elbasan in the early Ottoman period. It used to have 26 towers, equidistant from each other, along the whole length of the 9 meters high wall. Sinan Pasha's Turkish bath is situated within the walls of the castle. It is a well preserved attraction built in the early 19th century. We then continue to Ohrid – Macedonia, UNESCO Town-Museum. Hotel Accommodation. Dinner, overnight.

Day 04: Ohrid

After breakfast morning sightseeing of Ohrid. Located in the Southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula.  Here we visit Saint Sophia Cathedral, Icon Gallery, the Holy Virgin of Peribleptos Church, Saint Panteleimon Church, Saint John the Baptist Church in Kaneo. Short time at leisure in the old part of Ohrid, featuring numerous Ohrid pearl filigree shops, souvenir and antique shops. Afternoon visit to Saint Naum Monastery by boat. Dinner and overnight in Ohrid.

Day 05: Korca – Voskopoja (24 Km, 30 min driving time)

Following breakfast drive along magnificent scenery of the Ohrid Lake to Korca, once a bustling trading town in the Balkans. Here we visit the Medieval Arts Museum and the Mirahori Mosque, built in 1469. Continue to Voskopoja, one of the most important European towns of the Ottoman period with number of churches whose frescoes have been recently restored, located in the gorgeous natural setting at the altitude of 1000 meters. A refreshing short break in Vojskopoja. Afternoon return to Korca. Traditional dinner and overnight.

Day 06: Korca-Gjirokastra (191 Km, 4 hours driving time)

After breakfast we drive along the scenic mountains towards the UNESCO heritage town of Gjirokastra, birthplace of the dictator Enver Hoxha. Gjirokastra known by many as the “City of Stone” and its old charming well preserved wood and stone architecture, and its Weapons Museum that used to be a political prison. Hotel accommodation. Overnight Gjirokastra.

Day 07:  Butrint – Saranda (18.5 Km, 40 min driving time)

Following breakfast this morning we head for a scenic drive to the coastal resort of Saranda. Ahead we stop at the UNESCO heritage site of Butrint, which has been the site of a Greek colony, a Roman city and a Bishopric, with its Greek-Roman town ruins including a third century BC theater and baths with the largest baptistery in the Balkans. The present archeological site is a repository of ruins representing each period in the city’s development. Hotel accommodation, dinner in the Lekuresi castle overlooking the Ionian Sea and Island of Corfu. Overnight Saranda.

Day 08: Saranda-Vlora (124 Km, 2.5 hours driving time)

After breakfast we drive along the beautiful Albanian Riviera to Vlora, and visit to the Museum of Independence and the Historical and Ethnographic Museums exhibiting rich heritage and traditions of Albania.

To visit:

• The Museum of Independence
  • Ethnographic Museum
  • The Mosque of Muradie
  • Historic Museum
  • Kuz Baba
  • The Vlora Bay
  • Triportus

We also visit the nearby Kanina castle with its majestic views, which dates back to the time of the Emperor Justinian. Hotel accommodation, dinner and overnight.

Day 09: Apollonia – Berat (69Km, 1.5 hours driving time)

After breakfast we drive 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. Visit the city and the Orthodox monastery turned into archaeological museum of the site. Lunch in Apollonia. After Lunch, we drive on to Berat, known also as "the city of one-thousand windows", beautifully located on the banks of the Osum River. Sightseeing of the Berat Citadel, the Onufri Museum and the Icons and Fresco Gallery and numerous churches, overlooking the stunning Tomorri Mountain. Overnight in Berat. Dinner at hotel.

Day 10: Durres – Tirana (38 Km, 30 min driving time)

After breakfast drive to the coastal city of Durres, situated on a small peninsula on the coast of the Adriatic sea. Is one of Albania's oldest cities, and the country's main sea port. Here we visit the largest amphitheater in the Balkans and the Archaeological Museum. After we proceed to Tirana and hotel accommodation.

Day 11: Tirana – Kruja (30 Km, 1 hour driving time)

This morning starts with a sightseeing tour of Tirana; we visit the National Museum, the Ethem Bey Mosque, Skanderbeg Square and the famous Clock Tower. Drive to Kruja, a hilltop town and center of the Albanian resistance against the Ottomans. Visit to the Skanderbeg Museum and the famous Kruja old bazaar selling various traditional handicrafts. Return to Tirana, afternoon is at leisure for you to explore Tirana on your own. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 12: Tirana-Ariport (18 Km, 21 min driving time)

After breakfast checkout hotel and move to Airport for final departure. End of our service.

Km traveled:  770