Albania – UNESCO’s most unusual European heritage
1st day
Arrival in Rinas airport. Transfer to Tirana and accommodation in apartment or villa, two steps from downtown. Sightseeing tour of the capital of the country. Visit the “Martyrs of the Nation” Boulevard, the National History Museum, the Mosque of Et’hem Bey, the Block (former communist nomenclature neighborhood) and a taste of sweet evenings in Mediterranean Tirana. Dinner # in traditional restaurant based on local Central Albanian cuisine.
2nd day
Departure early in the morning. Arrival in Durres, the most important Albanian harbor and a antique town with more than 2600 years of history. Caesar fought here against Pompeus for the throne of Rome. We’ll visit here the very interesting Archaeological Museum, very rich with artifacts from different periods of the regions history. 500 meters from there, we’ll also visit the Amphitheater of Dyrrhachium (Durres for the Roman Empire), once having a capacity of 20 000 people and being as such the biggest in the Balkan Peninsula. Transfer to Berat, a town listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site for the particularity of its architecture dating back to its Byzantine and Ottoman periods. We’ll check in a local Bed and Breakfast located in a picturesque part of the town. Visit of the traditional low neighborhood of the town Mangalem and Gorica, which give Berat the nickname of Town of a 1001 Windows. Traditional dinner # in town. Please note that we aiming to make this a trip not just through Albanian history, culture and landscape but also through local exquisite and healthy Mediterranean cuisine.
3rd day
Breakfast and morning tour of the Castle of Berat with its 24 towers and the stunning Orthodox Cathedral with its art collection from 16th century iconographer Onufri.
Transfer in the direction of South. We’ll drive to Gjirokastra but we’ll stop for fast lunch on the way in a nice and simple local restaurant. Arrival in Gjirokastra, check in local bed and breakfast situated in typical Gjirokastra house. Gjirokastra is another town which has integrated the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites for its marvelous architecture and lifestyle. We’ll visit here the Ethnographic Museum situated in the house where Albanian communist dictator Enver Hoxha was born in 1908. After that we will visit the Skendulaj house, a private visit which will not only surprise us with its beauty but through which we will help the owner family make a little income so that they can assure the survival of one of the most beautiful and special houses of the region (42 doors in the labyrinth house and 62 windows are only some of the elements which have so far marveled all visitors we brought there). If time permits we will also visit the Castle of Gjirokastra, its Weapon Museum and the former prison of the Castle. A lot of history can be found here, dating back from the 20th century conflicts and tragedies. If time does not allow we will visit the Castle the next morning before leaving to the direction of Saranda. Traditional dinner # with Gjirokastra specialties.
Day 4
We’ll stop on the way to Saranda to show you one of the recent symbols of the country, the Enver Hoxha bunkers. More than 700 000 of them, shaped like concrete mushrooms invaded Albania during the 70ies and 80ies in an attempt to keep the population under a constant threat of terror. They are a modern symbol of the isolation and suffering through which the Country of the Eagles went through, during the Cold War period. Another refreshing stop in the stunning natural springs of the Blue Eye, a natural park with spectacular springs and a perfect place for a little relaxing break.
Another Albanian site under UNESCO protection which we propose to show you is the antique site of Butrint at the very south of Albania facing the island of Corfu and surrounded by beautiful landscape of Lake Butrint, mountains and hills and a paradisaical atmosphere of flora and fauna. According to the Roman writer Virgil its legendary founder was the seer Helenus, a son of the king Priam of Troy, who had married Andromache and moved West after the fall of Troy. The Greek historian Dionysius of Halicarnassus, as does the Latin poet Virgil, wrote that Aeneas visited Bouthroton after his own escape from the destruction of Troy. The visit of the small but rich museum of the site will be completing the atmosphere of this special historical but also natural spot of Albania.
After Butrint we will take another road in the direction of Saranda. This will complete the whole tour of Lake Butrintos. We’ll stop on the beach facing Corfu for a fish, mussels and sea fruit late lunch # and refreshment in the turquoise waters of the bay of Ksamil.
Sunset digestive on the Fortress of Lekuresi dominating the Bay of Saranda and enjoying a breathtaking panorama of Corfu and the surrounding region. Check in at the hotel and free evening to explore town and nightlife.
Day 5
Wake up early in the morning and start after breakfast a trip on one of the most spectacular faces of the Mediterranean, the Albanian Riviera. About 120 km of mountains ending in the blue waters of the Ionian Sea. Many stops for pictures of the landscape and of the beautiful little villages on the way. Stops for refreshment in natural springs or on the beach for bathing. Lunch in the Bay of Porto Palermo where among others we will also visit the beautiful and romantic Castle of Vasiliqia, built in early 19th century by Ali Pasha of Tepelena the “Mahometan Bonaparte”, where we will take a little time to speak about the history of this Albanian who remained in history because of the literary works of Alexander Dumas (The Count of Monte Cristo) or world famous English poet George Gordon Byron (Child Harold’s Pilgrimage).
We’ll continue through the Pass of Caesar in the direction of North and then we’ll stop for a very short visit of the Independence Square in the town of Vlora (Albanian independence from the Ottoman Empire was declared here in 1912, after 500 years of domination).
Transfer to the airport or on a beach resort area (as arranged with clients).
Price for participation in program (minimum participation 3 persons, maximum 14 persons):
499.0 euro/person
Includes:
Transfer in AC 4WD car or minivan (if group bigger than 4 pax)
Car or van rental and fuel
Professional English speaking tour guide and driver
Accommodation in double or twin rooms in 3 star hotels or local bed and breakfast
Breakfast and Meals (where indicated with a #)
Entries in Museums, Archaeological sites and Natural Parks as in the program
Taxes
Bottle of Mineral Water
Does not include: Overnight in Tirana.
Air tickets, Travel Insurance and nothing which is not mentioned in the Includes section
