Highlights of Albania

(6 nights-7 days)

Best period: April, May, June, September, October
Good: March, November

1st day: Tirana
Pick up group at Tirana airport and transfer to Hotel. Visit the National Historic Museum in Tirana offering an in depth introduction to Albanian history from prehistoric times to present day. Overnight in Tirana.

2nd day: Tirana - Ardenica - Apollonia - Vlora
After breakfast, depart for Vlora. On the way we stop at the Monastery of Ardenica, supposed to have been built in the middle ages, as argued by a stone in entrance dating back to the 1417. However the first building belongs to the beginning of XVIII century. Today inside the church you can admire icon paintings of 1743-1745, by Albanian artists such as Konstandin and Athanos Zografi, as well as Konstandin Shpataraku.
Proceed to the ancient city of Apollonia situated on the famous Via Egnatia - one of the most important cities in Roman times. The Roman Emperor Augustus Octavian studied here. Visit the city and the Orthodox monastery turned into archaeological museum of the site. Afterwards we continue to Vlora where we visit the Independence Museum, situated in the original house where the first Independent Albanian Government had its offices. Afternoon & evening at leisure. Overnight in Vlora.

3rd day: Vlora - Saranda - Butrinti - Saranda
After an early breakfast we depart for Saranda. Drive on the spectacular Albanian Riviera looking down at the Ionian Sea. Breathtaking sceneries await us at the Llogara pass - 1000 m above sea level. We continue on to Saranda and enjoy lunch at the Lekuresi Fortress in Saranda with beautiful views of the bay of Saranda and the Island of Corfu. After lunch we visit the ancient city of Butrint a world heritage site. The city was first settled by Greek colonists and was continuously inhabited for centuries forming archaeological layers of passing civilizations. It is situated in a beautiful peninsula among dense vegetation. Overnight in Saranda.

4th day: Saranda - Gjirokastra - Berat
After early breakfast we drive to Berat. Stop in Gjirokastra a UNESCO site and museum town with beautiful and very distinct architecture. Visit the Fortress which is used as the venue for the National Festival of Folk Song and Dance and has an arms museum with weapons from WW I. next we visit the Ethnographic Museum which is also the house the Albanian dictator was born in. we suggest the group should stop for lunch close to Tepelena, renowned for its crystal clear water among beautiful scenery, on the way to Berat. Just before arriving in Berat we stop at a local winery for some wine tasting. afterwards we check in at the hotel and the group is then left at leisure to explore Berat. Overnight in Berat.

5th day: Berat - Durres
After breakfast we visit the Castle and the Onufri Museum. Berat castle is of particular interest as people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, as have their ancestors for centuries. The castle used to have over many churches of which 7 still remain including one turned into Onufri Museum. Onufri was an Albanian Icon master painter of the 16th century who painted many orthodox churches in Albania and Greece. After this interesting experience we depart for Durres one of the oldest (founded in 627 B.C.) and most important cities in Albania where we have lunch. After lunch we take a sightseeing tour of the Amphitheatre situated in the middle of the modern city in an inhabited area, and the Archaeological museum rich in artefacts found in the city and its suburbs. Overnight in Durres.

6th day: Durres - Kruja - Tirana
After breakfast we drive to Kruja - the centre of Albanian resistance against the Turks under our national hero Scanderbeg. He kept them from crossing into Western Europe for 25 years, thus earning the title "Champion of Christ". We visit the Skanderbeg Museum, a very rich Ethnographic Museum and the Old Bazaar. Have a characteristic Albanian lunch in Kruja. After lunch we depart for Tirana where we visit the newly furbished and reconstructed Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon group is left free, to explore the capital city. After dinner at the hotel, we enjoy a folk show with some of the best folk dancers in Albania. Overnight in Tirana.

7th day: Tirana - Airport
After breakfast, free to explore until time of transfer to Airport. End of our services.

Minimum 6 pax required for tour to depart. Price for min 6 pax available upon request.
Price includes:
- Transfers and transportation with a/c motor coach
- English (Italian, German, French or Spanish) speaking tour guide.
- Accommodation in Good 3* Hotels with HB ( Breakfast + Dinner )
- Folk Show in Tirana with lead dancers of The National Folkloric Ensemble of Albania
- All taxes
Entrance fees:
1. Tirana: National Historic Museum
2. Berat: Fortress and Onufri Museum
3. Gjirokastra: Fortress , Ethnographic Museum
4. Apollonia and Orthodox Church
5. Durres: Amphitheatre and Archaeological Museum
6. Kruja: Fortress, Scanderbeg Museum and Ethnographic Museum
7. Butrint & Blue Eye
Excludes
- Flight Tickets
- Lunches
- Tips/Gratuities
- Everything that is not specified in the “Includes” section.

Price: 420 EUR p/p HB in twin share room. Supplement for Single Room is: 100 EUR
The above prices apply to a group with a minimum of 20 participants.
Price: 475 EUR p/p HB in twin share room. Supplement for Single Room is: 100 EUR
The above prices apply to a group with a minimum of 10 participants.
Smaller groups and individuals are welcome with price available upon request!

For more information please contact:
Tibor Dienes
Mobile : 06-30-9524-548
email: alban@jobbkezek.hu