Arrival in the capital of Greece, Athens. Meet with the driver and transfer at the hotel in the city. Free time in Athens for relaxing or independent exploration.
Overnight in Athens.
This day will be fully dedicated to the city of Athens. Visit the marble Panathenaic Stadium which hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896. Continue the visit in the Temple of the Olympian Zeus, which started to be constructed in the 6th century BC but was finished many years after during the rule of the Roman emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. A part of the temple remains today and it continues to be an important archeological site of the city. We'll also visit Hadrian's Arch, the Parliament building, Memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Academy, the University, the National Library, and Constitution Square. Later during the day we will visit the Acropolis, with the Parthenon dedicated to goddess Athena, the theatre of Dionysus and the temple of Zeus.
Overnight in Athens.
Travel in the morning from Athens towards the archeological site of Delphi. The ancient Greeks considered this sanctuary to be the center of the world, marked by the stone monument known as “the omphalos”. Visit the temple of God Apollo, the god of music and truth and the mythical source of the oracle’s prophecies. Then stop at the Treasury of the Athenians (built around 510 BC and re-erected 1903-06) is in the form of a Doric temple. It was built by the Athenians, using marble from the island of Paros, to house their offerings to Apollo. Continue the visit with the ancient Theatre dating back from the 4th century BC and the Stadion, which lies at the highest part of the site built in the 5th century about 50 meters above the theatre. Later during the day travel towards Ioannina, located on the shores of lake Pamvotis.
Overnight in Ioannina.
After breakfast, travel towards Albania. In a short drive from the border, first visit will be in 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. In the evening travel to Saranda, located on an open sea gulf on the Ionian Sea, opposite the Greek island of Corfu.
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. Then travel to Vlora through the picturesque Albanian Riviera. Photo stop for the castle of Ali Pasha, located a few km from Himara. The well preserved castle is commonly, but wrongly, asserted, to have been built in early 19th century by Ali Pasha of Tepelena but it was most probably built by the Venetians earlier on. Arrival in Vlora.
Overnight.
Breakfast at the hotel. 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 famous 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. Next travel towards Berat, a town which holds the Unesco status. First stop 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”. Then descent in 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 and chat with some locals.
Overnight in Berat.
In the morning 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. Afternoon visit BunkArt2, an ex-communist bunker which was turned recently into a museum showing the history of the country during the communist period. The evening can be reserved with a traditional dinner with folk show in one of the numerous restaurants in Tirana/ or dinner at “Dajti” mountain, a popular retreat during all year around which can offer beautiful views (round trip to the mountain by cable car).
Accommodation in Tirana.