Arrival at Tirana Mother Teresa Airport. After the airport transfer, accommodation in the hotel. In the afternoon sightseeing of Tirana, starting from the Skanderbeg square. Visit in the National History Museum (depending on time), E`them Bey Mosque, Clock Tower etc. The walking tour can continue then to the main boulevard, the Pyramid building, the Block area etc.
Overnight in Tirana
In the morning, travel towards Durres, the oldest city in Albania mentioned from the VII century B.C. In Durres we will visit the Venetian tower, and the Roman amphitheater of the 2nd century A.C.
After Durres, travel to Apollonia, located 12km from Fier. This archeological park located in a fascinating landscape comprises an interesting combination between the beauty of monuments and nature. 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, Fontana, and the church of Saints Mary. In the end travel to Vlora, a city situated in south-west Albania.
Overnight in Vlora
After breakfast departure toward Saranda. The road will pass through the Llogara park and some of the most beautiful villages of the Albanian Riviera. Have a short stop in Porto Palermo, a few kilometers south of Himarë. The well preserved castle is commonly, but wrongly, asserted, by guide books and the local tourist guides, to have been built in early 19th century by Ali Pasha of Tepelena. Most probably it was built by the Venetians as it could be relieved by sea and it has the same triangular plan with round towers found in the Venetian fort at Butrint.
Afterwards the trip continues to the ancient city of Butrint, one of the most interesting Unesco sites in the Balkans, with the Greek amphitheatre (later remodeled by the Romans), the baptistery, the cathedral, the Lion’s gate, and the museum which includes many interesting artifacts found in the area. In the evening back in Saranda.
Overnight in Saranda
After breakfast, travel towards Gjirokastra. A Unesco World Heritage Site, the old town 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 in the south part of Albania. First we will visit the castle and the museum of Weapons, then the ethnographic house, the old original house where the dictator of Albania, Enver Hoxha was born. Later travel to Berat, another city under UNESCO protection. Have a sightseeing of the lower part of the city with Mangalem and Gorica neighborhoods.
Overnight in Berat
After breakfast continue the sightseeing of Berati. Visit the castle of the town and the “Onufri” museum, housed inside an old church with a very good collection of icons painted by Onufri and other icon-painters of the region. Later departure to Ohrid. After the border procedures, reach Ohrid and start the sightseeing of the city of 365 churches, one for every day. Sightseeing of Ohrid includes St. Sophia church, Kaneo, castle etc. Then enjoy some time at leisure by Ohrid lake.
Overnight in Ohrid
After breakfast travel to Bitola. Visit the old area of Bitola, the Catholic Church and later proceed toward the archeological site of Heraclea, founded by Philip the II, father of Alexander the Great.
Located 2 km south of central Bitola, Heraclea Lyncestis is among North Macedonia's best archaeological sites. See the Roman baths, portico and the monumental amphitheatre, the striking early Christian basilica and episcopal palace ruins, with beautiful, well-preserved floor mosaics which are unique in depicting endemic trees and animals.
In the end continue to Skopje the capital and the biggest city of Macedonia.
Overnight in Skopje
In the morning, the trip continues towards the Republic of Kosovo. The first visit will be in the city of Prizren, a city which has well preserved the old ottoman style. First visit the mosque of Sinan Pasha build during the 16th century and than the old part of the city with the Hammams (ottoman baths) and the house of the “League of Prizren”
Later continue toward Prishtine the biggest city and the capital of Kosovo. Visit the “New Born” monument, Scanderbeg Square and the center of the city with its beautiful library and governmental buildings.
Overnight in Pristina
After breakfast visit the Monastery of Gracanica under UNESCO protection. The Gračanica Monastery is one of King Milutin's last monumental endowments. It is situated in the village of Gracanica, a Serb enclave 5 km (3.1 mi) from Pristina. The monastery is in the close vicinity of Lipljan (ancient town of Ulpiana), the old residence of bishops. Gračanica was constructed on the ruins of an older 13th-century church of the Holy Virgin, which was built on the ruins of a 6th-century early Christian three-naved basilica.
Later travel toward Gjakovo, a city situated on the south-west of Rep. Of Kosovo. Visit one of the largest markets of the Balkans, the tower of Gjakova and a city walk around the old streets.
Overnight in Gjakova
After breakfast, the tour will continue with the Monastery of Decani which is under the protection of UNESCO. It was built in the 14th century, building started in 1327 and finished in 1335 by the king Stephan Decani. We will visit the Monastery and the church inside which contains some of the most beautiful frescos created at that time.
We will continue towards the city of Peje, the house of Tahir Beg and the Patriarchate of Peje (if there is time).
Lastly we will go to Podgorice, the capital and the largest city of Montenegro.
Overnight in Podgorica
After breakfast, morning sightseeing tour of Podgorica. Visit the center of the city, the old mosque and the orthodox church of Podgorica. Than we drive via the city of Cetinje. Visit the Monastery of Cetinje and the “Royal Palace”.
Later Departure to Kotor. Visit the city center and the old area of Kotor. A walking tour in Kotor – fortress walls, St. Luka square, Beskuća Palace, St. Trifon’s cathedral. In the evening travel to Budva.
Overnight in Budva
In the morning walking tour of the old part of Budva. This city is the center of the Montenegrin tourism and is well known for its Mediterranean architecture. The city is more than 2500 years old. Visit the city walls, the citadel and the church of the Holy Trinity. Later the group can either travel back to Podgorica and fly back home from there the next day/ OR continue to Tirana, via Shkodra (where the group can stop for sightseeing or some free time on the way). Dinner and overnight can be in Tirana. On day 12 the group can travel back home via Tirana.