Visit Albania and Montenegro

Pick up at Tirana airport and transfer to Hotel. After a short brake we will visit, Clock Tower, Scanderbeg Square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, construction of this mosque took about 28 years and finished in 1821. It is considered one of the most beautiful mosques in Albania with very interesting decorations and art-work within it. National Historic Museum, the main museum in Tirana, it is in the center of the city, easily recognizable because of a huge mosaic standing on top of its front facade. It contains many artifacts ranging from ancient times through Hoxha’s regime. Also we will visit ,National Art Gallery, Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral, Saint Paul Catholic Cathedral, Bunkart, this is a bunker realization of an art gallery, with many corridors full of art works to admire, Blloku (The Block) Overnight in Tirana.

After breakfast we start our journey south through the Albanian countryside and visit the lovely Ardenica Monastery. Built by Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos II Palaiologos in 1282 after the victory against the Angevins in the Siege of Berat, the monastery is famous as the place where, in 1451, was celebrated the marriage of Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, with Andronika Arianiti. In 1780 the Monastery started a theological school to prepare clerics in Greek Orthodoxy. It had an important library with 32,000 volumes that got completely burned by a fire in 1932. The Church of Saint Mary within the monastery contains frescos from brothers Kostandin and Athanas Zografi, notably one of saint John Kukuzelis, born in Durrës, Albania.

Then we drive for about 30 min to the ancient site of Apollonia. Apolloniais a classical site that dates to 588 BC, set amongst rolling hills with lovely views in all directions, it is a wonderful merge of history and nature and the church of saint Maria.

Historically, the city was founded as Aulona as an Ancient Illyria City and was centuries later conquered by the Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Venetians and Ottomans. Between the 18th and 19th centuries, the Albanian people gathered both spiritual and intellectual strength for national consciousness in the city which conclusively led to the Albanian Renaissance. Thus, it was in the 20th century when the Albanian Declaration of Independence was proclaimed following the Assembly of Vlorë on the 28th of November 1912. Overnight in Vlora.

After breakfast we will start a picturesque journey that takes us along the beautiful Albanian Riveria and high across the Llogara National Park. We will have stop in several view points and the we will stop near the sea at Himare before continuing to the well preserved Ali Pasha castle at Porto Palermo. Ali Pasha Castle is a castle in Albania. It is named after Ali Pasha of Tepelenë who resided there until 1820. The current fortress was rebuilt in 1819 from its surface with 3 towers. Until 1820 it was the second residence of Ali Pashe Tepelena. The best spot in Albania.

Saranda. The city is located on an open sea gulf of the Ionian Sea within the Mediterranean Sea. Stretching along the Albanian Ionian Sea Coast, Saranda typically has over 300 sunny days a year and is about 14 km (8.7 mi) east of the island of Corfu. It is a significant tourist destination on the Ionian Sea, and by far one of the most popular destinatination. The region is prosperous with varied attractions, plants and mountains, rivers and lakes, springs and virgin beaches, citrus plantations, olive groves and vineyards, pastures and woods, fish and shellfish farming, desirable hunting places. In short, the right place for the development of tourism. Saranda's stony beaches are quite decent and there are plenty of sights in and around town, including the mesmerizing ancient archaeological site of Butrint and the hypnotic Blue Eye. Between Saranda and Butrint, the lovely beaches and islands of Ksamil are perfect for a dip after a day of exploring. We visit Lekursi Castle and Sinagoga.

After breakfast we will drive to the wonderful classical site of Butrint. 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. During its early period, Butrint was the center of the Kaonic tribes, later to become part of the kingdom of Epirus. 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.

After the visit in Butrint we will have a wonderful drive with ever changing scenery, takes us over the hills to the UNESCO town of Gjirokastra, with an en-route stop at the famous ‘Blue Eye’, an exquisitely colorful pool and source of fresh water. The "Blue Eye" is a water spring and natural phenomenon occurring near Saranda. A popular tourist attraction, the clear blue water of the river bubbles forth from a depth of more than fifty metres. Divers have descended to fifty meters, but it is still unclear what the actual depth of the karst hole is

Travel to Gjirokastra. Gjirokastra is known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage and is situated in Southern Albania. In Gjirokastra we will visit the medieval bazaar and the Ottoman-style houses in the old part of the town, where you will see artisan women making handmade doilies, carving wood or silver and other guild shops in the narrow cobbled stone streets of this suburb. Then we will visit the castle of Gjirokastra. Later on will also visit the Skenduli House. The house was built around the year 1700 and has many fascinating features. Overnight in Gjirokastra.

After breakfast we travel from one historic city to another. Berat is one of the main cultural centers of the country. Known as the city of a thousand and one windows, Berat is UNESCO, since 2005 The three major neighborhoods of the old city are Mangalemi, Gorica, and Kala where the castle itself is located. You will start our tour with the castle area. Visiting the 'Kala' involves a steep walk up a cobbled path, but those who make it to the top will be rewarded with a fine view of the surrounding area. You will visit the Museum of Iconography 'Onufri' which bears the name of the renowned fresco and icon-painter Onufri, who has left a rich inheritance. This museum is located within the cathedral of St. Mary’s Assumption. You will also visit the Red Mosque, recognized by its lonely minaret and St. Trinity Church. After the fortress you will visit the Mangalemi quarter.

After breakfast we depart for Shkodra but first we will stop and visit the city of Durres, one of the oldest (founded in 627 B.C.).Discover a mixture of modern and ancient features, with this town having many interesting stories to tell. You will walk around encountering its city walls, alongside other famous landmarks such as the Byzantine Forum, the Roman Thermal Baths, and other ancient monuments. Later, you can enjoy Durres’s now-famous street-art, and have a coffee break on top of the Venetian Tower. After your break, you can visit the amphitheater and the Archeological Museum.

Continue to Shkodra, the center of Roman Catholicism in Albania and a town with long historic roots. It is the only mentioned capital of the Illyrian Kingdom in the 3rd C.B.C. We will visit the famous Rozafa Castle, then the colorful pedestrian area, with its Italian influences, and the catholic cathedral an then we will visit Venetian masks factory. Overnight in Shkodra.

After breakfast we cross into Montenegro, our first stop Ulcinj, a town where 90% of the inhabitants are Albanian, visiting the fortress and the Archaeological museum.

Continuing to Budva, we pass through the pretty town of Petrovac, visiting the old town, and see the famous island of Sveti Stefan. Budva, rich in historical monuments and home to a wonderful old town, offers a treasure chest of cultural heritage. Overnight in Budva.

Our day begins with a visit to the ‘old town’ of Perast, a picturesque town overflowing with history. Perast is described by the Lonely Planet guide as ‘looking like a chunk of Venice that has floated down the Adriatic and anchored itself onto the bay’, a tiny town that boasts 16 churches and 17 Grand Palazzos.

(Our Lady of the Rocks) is one of two gorgeous islands in the bay of Boka Kotorska, which are situated in the sea across Perast in the Kotor municipality. The other island, which also should be visited, is the Island Sveti Djordje. That island is also called “the island of the dead captains”, because according to a legend one French soldier, by shooting from cannon towards Perast, has hit a house of his beloved girl and killed her. That legend was a motive for the master piece “The Island of the Dead” by the Switzerland painter Beklin.

In the recent period Njegusi are famous for the production of the famous cheese from Njegusi, smoked ham and dried goat cheese. In this mountain lodgment, at the 900 meter above sea level, the high quality honey and the nice refreshing drink mead are produced. That is why the tourist groups always stop in this lodgment and taste the specialties from Njegusi. From this area a long time ago the tasteful Njegusi steak has become well known and it won numerous European restaurants.

Our final visit is Cetinje, a cultural and historical Montenegro gem, where we will see the Royal Palace of King Nikola II and the Monastery of St. Petar.

Free afternoon in Kotor. Overnight in Kotor.

After breakfast we return to Albania and we will visit Kruja, the center of Albanian resistance against the Ottomans, where the national hero, Skanderbeg, continuously defeated and resisted the Ottomans for 25 years. We will visit the castle, which has fantastic views, and the excellent Skanderbeg museum. There will be free time to wander in the Ottoman style bazaar, situated along the atmospheric cobble streets that lead to the castle. Overnight in Kruja.

After breakfast we will transfer to the Airport. End of our services.