Arrival at Mother Teresa airport. After the procedures, meet with the guide and transfer in “Uka farm” for lunch or dinner (depending on the flight). This farm was started in 1996 and his owner cultivated organic agricultural products in a small piece of land. With the years, it turned into one of the best places to eat in Albania, where in its restaurant guests can enjoy fresh vegetables, local cheese and meat and quality homemade wine.
Overnight in Tirana.
In the morning, have a sightseeing tour of the capital, Tirana. Start the tour from Skanderbeg square where are to be seen Ethem Bey mosque, Palace of Culture, History museum. Then visit BunkArt 2, an ex-communist underground bunker which was turned recently into a museum that shows the communist time in Albania. Next transfer to Korca, south-east of the country. On the way stop for lunch in Elbasan to taste the typical dish, called Tave Elbasani (made with meat, yogurt, flour etc). Reach Korca in the afternoon. Have a short sightseeing of the city of culture and serenades. Visit Korca beer factory where Korca beer is produced. This factory started the construction in 1929 and has been a leader in the market. Dinner can be in the restaurant of the factory with Korca beer and traditional meatballs/ OR in a local restaurant with Korca beer, meatballs, lakror (a traditional kind of salty pie) etc.
Overnight in Korca.
After breakfast departure from Korca towards the city of Ohrid in North Macedonia. After the border procedures transfer to visit St Naum monastery at the south part of the lake, near the Albanian border. The grounds are patrolled by peacocks and contain the source of Lake Ohrid’s water. Visit in the monastery and optional boat ride above the springs of Black Drim river. Then transfer in Ohrid. Free time for lunch. Afterwards begin Ohrid walking tour (3 hours) to visit the most famous Ohrid sites – Church of Mother of God, the Icon gallery, the ancient theatre, Ohrid fortress, new St. Clement’s church, church of St. John, Kaneo and the main church of St. Sofia. Dinner in Ohrid, try the Koran (a kind of trout found only in Ohrid lake and used in the dishes in Albania and in North Macedonia).
Overnight in a hotel by the lake.
After breakfast in the hotel, enter again in Albania and drive towards the town of Berat. 12 km before reaching Berat, stop for wine tasting, raki tasting and small lunch (if you wish) in “Cobo Winery”. “Cobo wine” was born out of family tradition. It is 100% Albanian product made from local grapes. This winery currently produces 5 premium wines and 2 rakis. Visit the vineyards, the winery and taste local wine with cheese and olives with the family members. After this nice stop, reach Berat which is a Unesco protected town. Visit the castle located on the top of the hill and the “Onufri” museum dedicated to a famous Albanian icon-painter of the 16th century. Then descent to the lower part of the town where the traditional neighborhoods of Mangalem and Gorica are found.
Dinner and accommodation will be in one of the traditional hotels.
In the morning visit the ancient city of Durres, that is also the most important seaport in Albania. Visit the Amphitheatre, the biggest in the Balkan Peninnsula with a capacity of 15 000 seats, which belongs to the 2nd century A.D and the Archeological Museum. If you wish we can also arrange a visit in Kantina Skanderbeg to taste “Skanderbeg” brandy, a drink rich in alcoholic percentage (about 40%). Lunch can be arranged with sea food in one of the numerous restaurants in Durres. After lunch, transfer in Kruja medieval town. This is one of the most visted towns in Albania because its history is closely related with the national hero, Skanderbeg. Visit in the castle houseing the national Historical museum and the Ethnographic museum to get more info about the tradtions of the area. After that some free time at the typical bazaar for souvenir shopping. Late in the evening transfer in Tirana for traditional dinner with folk show.
Accommodation in Tirana.