Highlights of Albania

Meet our guide at the airport and head to the hotel. After a short break we will visit the city and the first visit will be Scanderbej Square, the largest square in Europe. In the square we will visit, the Et’hem Bej mosque, the monument of our national hero Scanderbeg, Opera house, Clock tower. Then we will visit the Pyramid monument and Bunk Art museum, Government building, main boulevard, Mother Teresa Square. In Tirana you will experience a city with a rich history from Ottoman rule through the fall of communist to a modern European city. Take time to immerse yourself in this colorful city where the past meets the present while rapidly striving towards the future. Overnight in Tirana.

After breakfast we start the day by visiting the medieval city of Kruja This historic city is 608m above sea level and offers an amazing panoramic view. The name and the importance of the city are closely related to the 25 years of activity of our national hero, Skanderbeg, who in the fifteenth century made Kruja a bastion of uncompromising resistance against the Ottoman. The Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg Museum is situated inside the castle walls, which date back to the fifth and sixth centuries A.D. The museum itself was inaugurated in 1981. Within the walls of the castle are also the Ethnographic Museum and the Dollma Tekke. Near the castle’s entrance is the old bazaar, which dates back to the period of Skanderbeg. Here, tourists can find Albanian craft products such as embroidered items, carpeting, silver objects, copper, alabaster, filigree, traditional clothing, antiques.

Then, on the way to Shkodra, we will stop in Lezha City. Lezha is one of Albania’s ancient cities and is mostly referred by the name Lissus. In 1398, after the construction of its castle, the city was under direct control of the feudal family of Lekë Dukagjini. One of the most important events in the history of Lezha is “the League of Lezha” on March 2nd, 1444, the Albanian princedoms united against the Ottomans. Then we will visit The memorial tomb of National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg. It is one of the most tourist landmarks in the town of Lezha. The memorial has been inaugurated in 1981 build over the ruins of Saint Nicholas cathedral. In the walls of the memorial tomb there are exposed 25 shields, which symbolize the victories of Skanderbeg's army against the Turks.

In the afternoon we visit Shkodra, the most important town of north Albania and the Illyrian capital, in the 3rd century BC. Visit Rozafa Castle from where spectacular views all around can be admired. Experience the supremacy the Illyrians would have feel over their enemies standing in such an imposing castle. Take a walk in the newly renovated pedestrian area of Italian and Austrian architecture, testimony to this town historic links with both these countries and then we will visit the famous Viennese mask factory which is located near the city of Shkodra. The Venetian masks made in Shkodra are all crafted by hand. They combine traditional techniques with new contemporary decoration. The masks have intricate details, bright colors, fancy feathers, gold leaf, and crystals that make them unique pieces of art. The masks are exported all over the world. Overnight in Shkodra.

Durrës is home of the biggest seaport in the country. It is the most ancient city in Albania, with almost 3,000 years of history. Its foundation dates back to 627 B.C. when the Corinthians and settlers from Corcyra invaded the Illyrian territory of the Taulants. The city is home to many ancient archaeological sites. The most notable tourist attraction in Durrës is the amphitheater of the Roman Emperor Hadrian with 15,000 seats, the second biggest amphitheater in the Balkans. During the 9th century, a small church with mosaic-covered walls was built nearby. You can also see the bath-houses of the 2nd century A.D. and nearby is Byzantine forum build in 5th-6th century with marble columns. One-third of the original wall of the city castle is still standing and you can even walk along the same road that Caesar himself once strolled. The Archeological Museum is an another attraction to visit.

In the afternoon we explore the most beautiful city in Albania or as we all call it, the city of a thousand windows, UNESCO since 2005. First we will visit Berat Castle, a fortress offering exceptional view of the town, with museums, churches and a mosque. The city’s life began in the 6th-5th century B.C. as an Illyrian settlement. Later, in the 3rd century B.C.it was turned into a castle city known as Antipatrea. Even today, residents live inside the castle. In the castle we will visit The Cathedral of St Maria, part of it has been turned into an icon museum. The famous iconographers of the 16th century is Onufri and his son Nikolla. There are over 100 icons on display and they also include works of other artists such as Joan Çetiri, Onufër Qiprioti, and many anonymous painter. in the cita we will visit the old town, Gorica bridge, King Mosque, Halveti Tekke and the old quarter, Mangalem. Overnight in Berat.

After breakfast we will drive to city of Vlore but first we will stop to visit the Ardenica Monastery. Located 237 meters above sea level, a pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis had existed where the Monastery sits now, which explains the origin of the name Ardenica. Covering an area of 2,500 square meters, the Monastery was built in 282, commissioned by the emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos of Byzantium. Perhaps the most interesting historical event recorded in Ardenica is Skanderbeg’s wedding to his wife Donika, hosted on April of 1451 at the Chapel of St. Trinity Church, the monastery’s very first church, built in the 10th century. St. Mary’s Church is the most impressive building on site. Built with stones coming from the antique city of Apollonia, this church welcomes anyone through the open porch and its columns and arches.The church interior is adorned with beautiful frescoes.

Our next stop is Apollonia, an ancient Iliryan city. The city flourished during the 4th century AD as an important economic and trade center. Situated in southwestern Albania, about 13 miles from the city of Fier, this city was built by Greek colonizers on the lands of the Taulantii Illyrian tribe. Apollonia, with a strong Illyrian component, is a magical place. In Apollonia, you will find a nice combination of unique monuments, archaeology, and landscape. All this scenery creates a special atmosphere that difficult to find anywhere in the Mediterranean. The ancient city of Apollonia is one of the best known and important classical cities in the country. The site is an important destination for cultural tourism and that is the main reason why it has been visited by a very big number of tourists every year.

In the afternoon, we reach Vlora, where Albanians claimed independence from Ottomans in 1912 and visit the Museum of Independence and then we will visit the Zvernec Monastery. Overnight in Vlora.

Ali Pasha Castle is the crown jewel of the Albanian Riviera. Built on the hill of an island, connected to the shore via a narrow man-made strip of land, this castle attracts everyone’s immediate attention thanks to its triangular shape and the three bastions built on each corner. The castle was built in 1814 at the request of Ali Pashë Tepelena, after the destruction of Justinian’s castle. During the same period, the church of St. Nicolas was built directly across the castle.

Albania’s rugged coastline, with traditional villages nestled in isolated bays and golden beaches lapped by turquoise waters, was a revelation when travelers first started discovering the country during the turn of the century. Since then Europe’s last untouched beaches have changed almost beyond recognition, but there’s still plenty of reason to come here and explore this magnificent coastline where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet.

Saranda is considered as the unofficial capital of the Albanian Riviera, a city plenty of things to see and do, especially in summertime when it gives its best. From the plebby beaches near the town to the vibrant nightlife, from the ancient archaeological sites to natural treasures, Saranda is a top choice destination that every traveler should include in his itinerary and will not disappoint you. First we will visit Pasqyra Beach. The beach is a terrific bay that is never crowded, not even in the peak of the season. One of the highlights of Saranda is the Lekursi Castle, a magnificent castle from the mid-1500s located on the top of the hill that surround the town, In the ancient times, a large Jewish community inhabited Saranda and generally the south of Albania. Did you know that the Land of the Eagles was the only country in Europe that was a safe haven for the Jewish community from concentration camps during the Second World War?

After breakfast we start the day by visiting the ancient ruins of Butrint, The first Albanian site to be included on UNESCO’s World Heritage was Butrint in 1992. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was a part of the Greek and Roman colonies. The most ancient objects found at the archeological site in Butrint are a stone hammer and a shaft belonging to the second half of the second millennium B.C. Hekateus made first mention of the city at the end of the sixth century B.C., affirming that the city was built according to Troy and that the origin of the name refers to the sacrifice of a bull, Buthrotos, provided by the Trojan prince Aeneas on his way to Dodona. The most extraordinary objects discovered in the theater of Butrint are the statue of Apollo, the goddess of Butrint, the marble heads of Zeus, the portrait of Agrippina, the head of Livia and many Latin and Greek epigraphs. Parts of the city were rebuilt during the fifth century B.C.

Then we will drive to Gjirokastra but first we will stop to Blue Eye. Albania’s famous Blue Eye is a water spring and natural phenomenon that each visitor should witness. A popular tourist attraction, the beautiful light turquoise river stuns with its beauty. The Blue Eye is located beneath a small metal balcony that was built so you can get a closer look. Even though swimming has been prohibited via signs, it doesn’t really prevent people from jumping right into the ice-cold water.

In the afternoon we arrive in Gjirokaster. One of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, this gorgeous, carefully preserved, peculiar-looking city is built on steep slopes where stone-roofed houses seem to be built on top of one another. The spirit of Gjirokastra has been captured in many novels written by the city’s most illustrious son, the renowned author Ismail Kadare. His home along with the childhood home of Enver Hoxha, Albania’s former communist leader, are only some of the many attractions of this city. Alongside Albania’s most beautiful traditional houses and the city’s famous limestone and shale paved roads, the city houses the Castle of Gjirokastra, one of the oldest in the Balkans! The “city of stone” offers a number of authentically rich culinary delights and memorable panoramas of the surrounding mountainous.

After breakfast we travel to Tirana but first, we will stop at a Albanian fast food to try the Albanian McDonald’s, which is called pie. Pie can be found in every city but the fast food that we chose for you is in one of the most special in Albania. After enjoying the Albanian pies which are with different tastes and a price of 50 lek for one piece or 35 cents we continue the journey to Tirana. Free afternoon in Tirana. Overnight in Tirana.

After breakfast we drive to the Airport. End of our Service.