Arrival at “Mother Teresa” airport, in Tirana. Meet with the local guide and transfer in the city. If there is time, have a walking tour of the main sites including Skanderbeg’s square, Ethem Bey mosque, ministry buildings (outside only), main boulevard, the Pyramid, Block area etc.
Overnight in Tirana.
In the morning travel around 35 km from Tirana, towards the ancient site of Zgerdhesh. Called otherwise Albanopolis, this was the center of the Illyrian tribe of Albans which flourished in the 4th century BC. This site used to occupy a surface of 10 hectares, surrounded by high walls and towers. It was abandoned centuries later, when the local population moved to nearby Kruja or Lezha. At its current state, though considerably damaged, it is worth a visit to learn more about the construction and structure of the buildings of the Illyrian cities. After this visit, travel to Kruja, located only a few km away. Our main interest is the castle built in the 5th century which has seen many battles. Used in middle ages as a stronghold against the Ottoman Empire, the national hero Skanderbeg managed to keep it free for 3 sieges during his life. Among remains inside its walls, you can still see the Watch tower, ruins of a church turned later into a mosque during the Ottoman rule, Dollma tekke of the 18th century, Skanderbeg’s museum and the Ethnographic museum. Then free time in the traditional bazaar, known for art crafts.
Travel towards the north of Albania and arrive in Shkodra for overnight.
After breakfast, have a short walk in the downtown area of the biggest city in the north of Albania, Shkodra. In the pedestrian area, you will see several religious buildings like the Big mosque, the Franciscan church, the Orthodox cathedral and some of the characteristic renovated buildings. Next visit will be in Shkodra castle, known as Rozafa connected with a sad legend circulating in the area from a long time ago. This castle was one of the most important Illyrian centers in the country, founded somewhere in the 5th century BC. First thing you notice are the cyclopean walls, typical construction from the Illyrian period, which were huge stones put together without mortar. Divided into three yards, there are still several objects of archeological value within its walls like the water cistern, St. Stephen’s church, the Garrison building etc. Afternoon transfer to Durres. On the way a short stop in Lezha, the ancient Lissus which was an Illyrian settlement near the Adriatic Sea. The fortification system of Lissus with its towers and walls was built in the 4th century BC, probably incorporating walls from an earlier period.
Accommodation in Durres.
In the morning visit some of the most interesting archeological sites of Durres, which has an impressive long history dating back from the 7th century BC. Due its strategic position on the Adriatic Sea, it has been continuously inhabited and is rich in many old ruins. First stop will be in the Roman amphitheatre from the 2nd century, built during the rule of the Roman Emperor Trajan. It is one of the biggest discovered, with a capacity of around 20 000 seats. You can enter in the arena, where at one time gladiator fights and other activities were displayed for the public. Built by local masters, the arena, the staircases, the galleries can still be visited today. When gladiators’ fights were prohibited, this was turned into a Christian site where a cemetery and a church were built. During Middle Ages it was completely abandoned and buried in to be only rediscovered in the 20th century. Then, transfer to Apollonia, located 12km from Fier. Its foundation took place immediately after the foundation of Epidamnus (modern Durres) and quickly became one of the most known cities in the Adriatic basin. Greek settlers found here an Illyrian community and this is why this place was called Apollonia of Illyria. Here you can see some monuments like the theatre, the Monument of Agonothetes, the Agora, the Mosaics House and the church of Saints Mary.
Travel for accommodation in Vlora.
In the morning travel to Orikum to visit the ancient city of Orik which is rather unusual among Albanian National parks as it lies within the confines of the Naval base at Pasha Liman, south of Vlora. The site is set in a fine location on a small hill overlooking the bay of Vlora. It was founded in the 7th century, located on a 20 metres high hill with an area of 5 hectares. At the highest point, it was a fortress. The theatre could accommodate about 400 spectators, which suggest this was a small location. Later during the day travel along the Albanian Riviera. Have several stops on the way for pictures or to enjoy the beautiful landscape. Before reaching Saranda, the final destination for today, have a stop in the archeological park of Phoenike. This place was inhabited by the Kaonian tribe and in the 3rd century it became the center of all Epirus. Within the surrounding walls, there can still be seen the Greek and Roman ruins. Continue then towards Saranda, located facing the Greek island of Corfu. Enjoy the evening.
Dinner and overnight in Saranda.
The first part of the day is reserved for Butrint, one of the most famous ancient sites in the Balkans and Unesco protected. This site has been occupied since at least the 8th century BC although myths associated with its origin, speak of the city’s foundation by Trojan exiles. By the 4th century BC a walled settlement was established, and then it was continuously inhabited and constructed in Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman rules. Visit the theatre, the temple of Asclepius, the Baptistery, the big Basilica, the Venetian castle etc. Butrint is worth also for a rare opportunity of exploring some of the most amazing biodiversity and scenic features in the Mediterranean region. The landscape features a wide range of natural habitats, ranging from mountains to vast plain, and fresh water ecosystem in rivers to the saline aquatic ecosystem in the lake. The rest of the day can be spent for sunbathing in Ksamil or individual exploration.
Overnight in Saranda.
In the morning travel from Saranda to Gjirokastra. En route, stop in the natural site of the “Blue Eye”, a water spring where clear blue water bubbles from a depth of more than 50 meters creating a unique resemblance with a human eye. After refreshing, continue towards Gjirokastra. A Unesco World Heritage Site, the old part of Gjirokaster is famous for being a well-preserved Ottoman town. With its huge fortress overlooking the entire city, the old houses leaning against the slopes of the hills with their beautiful old wooden facades, this place is a must for all visitors. First we will explore the castle which provides a possibility of great views over the city, stores some old armory and a recovered US Air force jet from communist time Albania. Continue the visit with the ethnographic museum which is situated in the Palorto Quarter, the best preserved district in the old town of Gjirokastra. The museum building was reconstructed in 1966 after the original house was destroyed by fire. The reconstruction was designed as a model traditional Gjirokastra house with many classic features known to have been copied from particular houses around the city.
Accommodation in Gjirokastra.
Leave the town of Gjirokastra to travel to Bylis archeological park. The city of Bylis, dating back to the 4th century BC, has been the largest city in the Southern Illyria due to its dominating position over the Vjosa river. Founded by the Illyrians, the fast construction of such a big city was the result of a development of civic life in this area, to strengthen the economic development and to resist the aggression of Philip II of Macedonia in the middle of the century. After the Roman conquest, Byllis turned into a Roman colony and is said to have been a supply base for the Roman legions of Julius Cesar. The city was mentioned in one of Cicero’s orations, in a fiery speech damning Marcus Brutus for occupying the city. During Roman rule the city was sacked twice by foreign invaders. The first was an attack by the Visigoths at the end of the fourth century AD, who reached the region after their siege of Adrianople (modern day Edirne in Turkey). Later during the day travel to Berat, another Unesco site.
Accommodation.
After breakfast, have the sightseeing of Berat. 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. The castle expanded afterwards, particularly during the feudal dominion of the Muzakaj family. Start the visit from the lower part of the town. Pass the stone bridge of Gorica built in the 18th century, which connects the two historical neighborhoods of Berat, Gorica which was traditionally a Christian quarter and Mangalem where the Muslim population of the city lived. Take a stroll through the narrow cobbled streets to get a feeling how the locals lived here for centuries. Next visit will be in the castle built on top of the hill at a strategic position. Inside the castle visit “Onufri” museum, located in the cathedral “Dormition of St. Mary”. Enjoy a very well-preserved iconostasis and a dedicated area with Icons from Onufri and other icon-painters.
In the afternoon travel to Tirana for dinner and overnight.