An unforgettable tour in Albania
10 days / 9 nights
Departure 2022
Departure 19 June 2022 from Belgrade and Skopje
For a group of at least 30 people the day of departure on request
Price per person € 490
THE JOURNEY INCLUDES
- 9 nights in 4 **** and 3 ***
- 10 breakfasts, 9 dinners
- expert serbian speaking guide
- travel by air-conditioned buses and minibuses
- all entrances to museums and paid sites
- medical, baggage and travel cancellation insurance.
SUPPLEMENTS PER PERSON
- full board € 80.00
- single room € 190.00
Admire the classic beauties of Albania and fall in love with this country and its ancient traditions
A perfect mix of history, nature, sea and local food.
Program
Departure from Belgrade at 6 am, guests will be served with hot coffee and croisssant. Between the stations in are not a breakfast break. Arrival in Skopje around 13 where we will meet with a guide who will lead us to return. Free lunch, in the square of Macedonia and a visit to the memorial house of Mother Teresa. Departure from Skopje around 15 arrival in Ohrid around 18. Dinner and overnight at a three star hotel.
SKOPJE– a sunny capital with a taste of good wine, capital of Macedonia where you will be greeted by a recognizable southern spirit, hospitality, people who love life and celebrate it every day. As much as it can be said that they are similar to us (after all, it is a city only 400 km from Belgrade), they are so different, so traveling to Macedonia is a new experience. Maybe even more than you expect.
Macedonia is not big, and you can use the trip to Skopje to make a plan to visit not only this city, which has a lot to offer and which is otherwise well connected with all regional centers, but also nearby sights.
Most of the unavoidable sites are located within the so-called Old Bazaar, at the foot of the Kale Fortress.
The Old Bazaar is a craft, cultural and historical part of Skopje that testifies to the Ottoman influence and is certainly the most visited part of the city when it comes to tourists. It is located on the stretch from Dušan’s Bridge to Bit-pazar (markets – literally translated as flea market), and from the Kale Fortress to the Serava River. In this area there are two churches, a mosque, as well as the Museum of Macedonia and the Museum of Contemporary Art. There are also numerous restaurants, shops…
The stone bridge or Dušan’s bridge connects the old and the new part of Skopje. It is also a rare building that was not destroyed in the 1963 earthquake. Near the bridge, on the banks of the Vardar, there is a promenade with many cafes and restaurants.
The Museum of Macedonia contains ethnographic collections, exhibitions of old objects, money, costumes, jewelry – objects that testify to the past and history of Macedonia. Working hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, slightly shorter on weekends, while Monday is non-working.
Museum of Contemporary Art (Samoilova bb), contains works by Macedonian and foreign artists. He often organizes exhibitions, panels, film screenings and lectures.
Kale – a fortress from the 6th century, originally a Byzantine and then a Turkish fortress, today is a witness of time and an excellent lookout point from where the city and the river can be seen as in the palm of your hand. It is interesting that it was here that Tsar Dušan was crowned Emperor of Serbs and Greeks on Easter, April 16, 1346.
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The second day ohrid
After breakfast visit to the Samoil fortress I and the monastery of St. Panteleimon. Free lunch and the opportunity to walk through the center and time for cappuccino.
Departure around 14 towards Vlora, half an hour break for coffee. Arrival in Vlora around 5 pm and overnight stay in hotel Rolex **** hotel
The Macedonian jewel attracts with its beauty, both in its natural environment and numerous historical monuments. It is a city where many cultures have intertwined throughout history, to leave us today a unique place where everyone feels welcome
Ohrid is a city with a rich historical heritage. Today, it is proud of its many valuable sights, some of which are thousands of years old.
The most significant among them is Samuel’s Fortress, whose roots go back as far as the 4th century BC. Three kilometers of massive walls and towers surround a powerful complex, which offers a great view of Ohrid and its surroundings.
There is also the Ancient Theater, as well as several beautiful shrines, among which the monastery of St. Panteleimon and the church of St. Ivan Kane.
Of course, when you are already in Ohrid, don’t forget the Ohrid pearls, the most famous local souvenir and the pride of local masters. The method of production is known only to members of certain families, and the secret has been successfully kept since the 1920s.
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After a good continental breakfast,we will visit Independence Square, the monument and the house where independence was declared. Free afternoon and the opportunity to swim on the beach of the city of Vlora or to visit the beautiful island of Zrnec. At 7pm the diner and overnight stay in Hotel Rolex****
The city of Vlora is the third largest after Tirana and Durres. It is approximately 135 km from Tirana and 72 km from Italy. This area has a Mediterranean climate that often exceeds 40 degrees.
In its history, Wallonia fell under different kingdoms. It was founded in the 6th century BC. In the 5th century, it became the seat of the Roman episcopate, and from 733, it was under the administration of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Normans and the Byzantines clashed around it. The Serbian Empire conquered Vlora in 1345, and later the Ottoman Empire took over the city.
Vlora is known in Albanian history as the city where independence was declared in 1912.
In the last few years, Vlora has made a lot of progress in terms of tourism and is also important for the trade.
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After breakfast in our hotel Rolex **** we take our guests to one of the most beautiful beaches in the city of Valora Dhermi with organized transport. Arrival at our hotel at 6 pm. At 7 pm is the dinner and in the evening the opportunity to discover the beauties of the city of Vlora along the promenade “Lungomare”
Dhërmi beach, one of the largest beaches on the Ionian coast, is the most favorite beach by the readers of Class magazine during the latest survey for the most favorite coastal place to spend holidays. Dhërmi beach, an area frequented in recent years by celebrities, has become one of the main centers of artistic activities for the entertainment of young people during the summer.
The clean coast, the mild climate and the greenery in some parts of it make the holidays there special. The area is overcrowded with bars, restaurants or even overnight stays. On the coast of Dhërmi you can enjoy the morning rays and crystal clear water, but also the magic of the sunset at sea.
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After a good breakfast around 9 our guests have the opportunity to visit the city of Fier where they will visit Apollonia, an ancient city in Illyria and the city of Berat which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage and known as an open-air museum that best depicts the history of Albania. The name of the city, Berat, translated into Balkan languages, means “white city”, and this city used to be called Belgrade, very similar to the name of the Serbian capital. Arrival at 19, dinner and overnight stay in hotel Rolex****.
Fier is a city in southwestern Albania, the capital of the Fier District and the Fier District. It is 8 km from the ancient Corinthian city of Apollonia. The city has 82,297 inhabitants (2005).
The town of Fier was founded by the Vrioni family as a trading town in the 18th century. Near the town there are reserves of oil, natural gas and bitumen, for which there are records from the 1st century.
Fier is today an important industrial city, located on the river Gjanica, which is a tributary of the river Seman, and the city is surrounded by wetlands. Together with the nearby town of Patos, Fier is the center of Albania’s oil and chemical industry.
Apollonia is an ancient city in Illyria, located on the right bank of the Vjosa River. Its ruins are located in the Fier district, near the village of Pojan.
Where the first Roman emperor Octavian Augustus studied philosophy
Apollonia was founded in 588 BC, in a locality occupied by Illyrian tribes. The city flourished during the Roman period and was home to a renowned school of philosophy. The decline, however, began in the 3rd century AD. when – among other things – an earthquake devastated its port.
Cicero, the famous Roman orator, was fascinated by the beauty of the city, defining it in his Philippicas ” magna urbs et gravis ”, that is, a large and important city. Archaeological excavations have shown that the city reached its peak from the 4th century BC. to the III D.C .; the sources depict a flourishing culture and a very active port during the period of splendor of the city, which also had its own mint for the production of coins, found up to the foot of the Danube.
The city of Berat, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also known as an open-air museum that best depicts the history of Albania. The name of the city, Berat, translated into Balkan languages, means “white city”, and this city used to be called Belgrade, very similar to the name of the Serbian capital.
Berat is located on the banks of the river Osum, at the foot of Mount Tomor. The city is known for its more than 2,500-year-old fortress, which is still inhabited by the citizens of Berat, while next to the castle there are famous houses that look like they stand on top of each other.
Because of such landscapes, the city of Berat is often called the “City of a Thousand Windows”.
Among the historical attractions in Berat, apart from the fortress, it is interesting to visit the Church from the Byzantine period, the monastery of St. Spyridon, as well as numerous mosques, some of which date back to the 13th and 14th centuries.
Berat is located about 120 kilometers from Tirana.
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After a delicious continental breakfast in our hotel, the sixth day is for you to Explore the pristine beaches or impressive caves located in the district of Vlora, and enjoy to the maximum the intimacy that only places forgotten by people and time can convey to you! The transport to the island will be organized with touristic boat there and back. Dinner and overnight stay in our hotel Rolex****.
The Karaburun-Sazan Marine Park (Albanian: Parku Detar Karaburun-Sazan) is a marine park in the Vlorë County of southwestern Albania. The marine park encompasses over 125.70 km2 (48.53 sq mi) and comprises the boundaries of both the Peninsula of Karaburun and the Island of Sazan. It is home to a vast array of landforms, including mountains, caves, islands, depressions, bays, cliffs, canyons and rocky coasts, all contributing to an exceptionally considerable biological diversity.The marine park has been identified as an Important Bird and Plant Area, because it supports immense bird and plant species.Containing ecosystems and habitats that are specific to the Mediterranean Basin, the convention of Barcelona has classified the marine park as a Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance.
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A special day for our guests, the most beautiful beach in the Ksamil region and the Butrint National Park.
After breakfast we depart for Ksamil, free lunch as desired in a touch of traditional restaurants and in the late afternoon visit to Butrint. Dinner and overnight at the 4-star hotel in the most favorite city for tourists, Saranda.
KSAMIL is a paradise like beach destination in the south of Albania. The Albanian Riviera has many pretty beaches but this beach gives you that Bora Bora beach filing. Only here you feel like you are in the Maldives without the hour of flying or high expenses.
Unlik other beaches in the Mediterranean, Ksamil is still a quiet and secluded place.The water is crystal clear and turquoise colour. Furthermore the beach is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
Ksamil is perfect for a fun day on the beach or a romantic holiday.
Butrin was an ancient Greek and later Roman city and bishopric in Epirus. Perhaps inhabited since prehistoric times, Buthrotum was a city of the Epirote tribe of the Chaonians, later a Roman colony and a bishopric. It entered into decline in Late Antiquity, before being abandoned. In modern times it is an archeological site in Vlorë County, Albania, some 14 kilometres south of Sarandë and close to the Greek border. It is located on a hill overlooking the Vivari Channel and is part of the Butrint National Park. Today Bouthrotum is a Latin Catholic titular see and also features the Ali Pasha Castle.
The city is considered as one of the most important archaeological sites in Albania. On the strength of the immense wealth of cultural, historical and natural value with a considerable history, Butrint was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1992 and further a National Park in 2000.
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After breakfast, around 9 departure to the “Blue Eye” (Albanian: Siri and Kalter), a source of water and a natural phenomenon that occurs near the village of Muzine in the municipality of Finik, in southern Albania. Next is a visit to Gjirokastra, a UNESCO heritage site where we will visite the Castle. A Free Lunch in a traditional restaurant. In the afternoon we travel to Durres with a break in Fier. Dinner and overnight stay in the city of Durres in a 4 star hotel.
SYRI I KALTER (The Blue Eye) is one of those rare, almost unreal places. You know, places you won’t believe exist on Earth. Like The salt flats in Bolivia, Antelope canyon in Arizona, the glowworm caves in New Zealand and the lava beaches, glaciers, volcanos and waterfalls in South Iceland.
You’ll find Syri i Kalter in south Albania, located between the gorgeous Albanian Riviera and the epic UNESCO town of Gjirokastër. Both are worth a visit while you’re there.
There is a very interesting legend about this mysterious place which you will hear during our tour.
GJIROKASTER is an ancient city whose archaeological traces date back to the 1st century AD. The city was probably founded in the 12th century around a fortress on the hill. During the Byzantine Empire it became an important commercial center known as Argyropolis, which in Greek means “silver city”, or Argyrokastron, which means “silver castle”.
The city was part of the Despotate of Epirus in the 14th century before being subjected to the Ottoman Empire in 1417. In 1811 it was conquered by Alì Pascià di Tepeleni, who built his own autonomous fiefdom in the southwestern Balkans. in the second half of the 19th century it became a center of resistance against the Turks. In 1880 the Assembly of Gjirokaster was held in this city, a key moment for the Albanian liberation movement.
During the First Balkan War of 1912-1913 the city was unsuccessfully reclaimed by Greece. In 1917 Gen. Giacinto Ferrero from the Castle of Gjirokastra launched the famous Proclamation of Gjirokastra. King Vittorio Emanuele III visited the city of Gjirokastra in the 1940s. During the Second World War the city was occupied several times by Italy in 1939-40, by Greece in 1940, again by Italy until 1943 and finally by Germany in 1943-44, before returning to Albanian control in 1944.
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We will dedicate the ninth day to Kruja, a symbolic city of anti-Ottoman resistance, as well as the city of the national hero Scanderbeg, a visit to the Kruja fortress. Free lunch in a traditional restaurant. In the afternoon visit to Tirana, Skender Bega Square, possibility for shopping. Late afternoon arrival in Drac, dinner and overnight at a 4 star hotel an opportunity for a good walk along the promenade.
KRUJA (Kruj; alb. Kruja, Krujë), a city in central Albania, the capital of the Kruja District. It is the old capital of Albania. Kruja was a stronghold of resistance to the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. The Ottomans (Turkuši) tried to conquer it on several occasions, but failed. Skanderbeg defended him heroically. As many as twice the Turkish sultan led the army. The whole of Europe admired the resistance of the people of Albania. At that time, Bosnia, the Serbian despotism and Constantinople fell under Turkish rule, and Albania resisted. Skanderbeg died in 1468. Albania fell under Turkish rule ten years later. The last one fell to Durres, in 1501
TIRANA (Albanian: Tirane) is the capital and largest city of Albania. The capital of the prefecture of the same name is the largest city in terms of area and population of the Republic of Albania. Territorial expansion makes it one of the largest municipalities in Europe.
Geographically located in the center of the country, about 35 km east of Durres and about 40 km northwest of Elbasan, it rises in a valley surrounded by mountains and hills (Monte Dite in the east, Kerba and Sauk hills to the south, Vakarr and Izberisht hills in the west and Kamze in the west). north), and next to them several lakes and a national nature reserve (park and madh).
It flourished as a city in 1614, but the region that today corresponds to its territory has been continuously inhabited since the Iron Age. The area was inhabited by the Illyrians and was most likely the core of the Illyrian kingdom of Taulanti, which in classical antiquity was concentrated in the hinterland of Epidamnus. After the Illyrian wars, it was annexed to Rome and became an integral part of the Roman Empire. The legacy of that period is still evident and represented by “mosaics from Tirana”. Later, in the 5th and 6th centuries, an early Christian basilica was built around this place. After the division of the Roman Empire into East and West in the 4th century, the successor of the Byzantine Empire took control of most of the Principality of Arbanon and the Epirus despotate and built Petrela Castle during the reign of Justinian I. Compared to other Albanian cities it was declared the capital of Albania by the Lush Congress after the proclamation of Albanian independence from the Turkish-Ottoman authorities in 1912.
DURRES (Albanian: Durres) is the second most populous city in the Republic of Albania and the capital of the county and municipality of the same name. It is located on a flat plain between the confluence of the Erzen and Ishem rivers on the southeastern corner of the Adriatic Sea. It has a seasonal Mediterranean climate.
Durres was founded by ancient Greek colonists from Corinth and Corcyra under the name Epidamnos around the 7th century BC in collaboration with the local Illyrian Taulanti. [6] [7] Also known as Dirrachium, the city essentially developed as it became an integral part of the Roman Empire and its successor to the Byzantine Empire. Via Egnatia, a continuation of Via Appia, started in the city and led across the interior of the Balkan Peninsula to Constantinople in the east.
In the Middle Ages, Durres was challenged by Bulgarian, Venetian and Ottoman rule. After the Albanian Declaration of Independence, the city served as the capital of the Principality of Albania for a short time. After that, the Kingdom of Italy annexed it in the interwar period and was occupied by Nazi Germany during the Second World War. Durres experienced a strong expansion in its demographics and economic activities during communism in Albania.
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Breakfast at the hotel. Check out. You will be able to store your luggage in the hotel until all our guests are ready to leave.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to provide you with the service of our ten-day tour of Albania. We are very pleased that you have chosen us as your travel planner to Albania. We hope you enjoyed the tour, services and our friendship. Best wishes for safe travel and we hope to see you again soon.