Arrival at “Mother Teresa” airport, in Tirana. After the airport transfer, accommodation in the hotel. If there is time, in the afternoon sightseeing of Tirana, starting from the Skanderbeg square. Visit in the National History Museum, E`them Bey Mosque, Clock Tower etc. The walking tour can continue then to the main boulevard, the Pyramid building, the Block area etc.
Dinner and overnight in Tirana.
In the morning, travel towards Durres, considered the tavern of the Adriatic. In Durres we will visit the Venetian tower and the Roman amphitheater of the 2nd century A.C. Then travel to Ardenica to visit the monastery with the same name, which was built in the 13th century by the byzantine emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos after a victory against the Angevins. Next stop will be in 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. In the end travel to Vlora, a city situated in south-west Albania.
Dinner and accommodation in Vlora.
After breakfast continue towards Saranda. The road will pass through 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 Himara. The well preserved castle is commonly, but wrongly, asserted, 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. Then travel towards 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.
Dinner and overnight in Saranda.
After breakfast in the hotel, on the way, stop to visit the beautiful natural spring of the Blue Eye. Then travel to Antigonea, which lies on a hill about 600 meters above sea level. The Agora of the city has been excavated and a Stoa, 59 meters long and 9 m wide has been brought to light. Coins from various city states have been found in excavations, most of them made of bronze and few in silver. A triconch Palaeo-Christian basilica has been found at the site, dated to the 6th century A.D., and decorated with a mosaic floor. Next proceed 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. First we will visit the castle which provides a possibility for great views over the city, which stores some old armory and a recovered US Air force jet from communist time Albania.
Dinner and overnight in Gjirokastra.
In the morning, continue the sightseeing of Gjirokastra. Visit the ethnographic museum. The ethnographic museum is situated in the Palorto Quarter, which is 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. As we leave Gjrokastra, travel towards another Unesco town, Berat.
Dinner and overnight in Berat.
After breakfast, have the sightseeing of Berat. Start 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.
Dinner and overnight.
In the morning departure to Kruja medieval town. This is one of the most visted places in Albania because its history is closely related to the national hero Skanderbeg, who succesfully fought against the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century. Visit in the castle housing the national History museum and the Ethnographic museum to get more info about the history and the traditions of the area. After that, some free time at the typical bazaar where you can find unique handicrafted items, silver jewelry, loomed carpets etc. After lunch transfer to Shkodra. Visit Rozafa castle, overlooking the surrounding area and get to know its sad legend. Then walk in the historical pedestrian street, where the religious objects peacifully cohabitate with each other and get a feeling of the local life. Return back to Tirana in the evening.
Dinner and overnight.