Albania,Montenegro & Macedonia Cultural Tour

This tour combines some of the highlights the Balkan county’s Albania, Macedonia, and Montenegro, by trying to show the best each of these countries offers. Albania offers a mixture of cultural elements with 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a rich archaeological legacy. Macedonia offers some of the most excellent religious relics, with Ohrid having the as many beautiful churches. Montenegro which has made a name for itself based on its wild natural beauty.

Day 1: Tirana- Airport-transfer to Tirana.

Arrival in “Mother Teresa” Airport, meet and assisted by our representative. Enjoy the welcome dinner in Local Restaurant in Tirana. And then explore the nightlife of Tirana, walking in the ex-block area known as “the forbidden town” where the villas of the communists’ leaders are still standing next to trendy boutiques, expensive jewelry shops and active local pubs. Overnight  in Tirana. Overnight in hotel 4*

Day 2: Tirana -Shkoder-Budva (Montenegro)

After breakfast we begin with a full day in Albania’s lively capital, Tirana. We visit the National Historical Museum, the early 19th century Ethem Bey Mosque, and the National Gallery. we continue to the Archaeological Museum, home to a vast collection and opened especially for our group.  Continue with the new opened Atonic bunker, the Bunk’art2 museum in Tirana opened to the public describing it as a museum throwing light on political persecution during the Albanian communist era. The museum – called Bunk’Art 2 – is also intended as a memorial to the tens of thousands of people who were imprisoned and executed by the communist regime”. Continue on to Lezha where visit the Memorial of Skanderbeg – proceed to Shkodra – afternoon visit the “Rozafa” fortress, Continue to Montenegro through Murriqan/Sukobin cross border– proceed to Budva through Petrovac and St.Stefan island – sightseeing and visit the old town – dinner, overnight at hotel in Budva area.

Day 3: Budva-Podgorica-Shkoder-Durres

After breakfast drive” –follow on to Cetinje -visit the Royal Palace of King Nikola II and the Monastery of St. Petar – proceed to Podgorica – Shkodra- The route continues to Durres– Visit the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Dyrrachium. You will visit the Amphitheatre (2nd, century AD) and the old town. Overnight in Durres. Hotel Ylli or Similar

Day 4: Tirana-Elbasan-Ohrid  (Macedonia)

After brealfast Travel east to Elbasan, stopping en route at the remains of a Turkish fort. Continue into Macedonia and the town of Ohrid, situated on the east shore of Lake Ohrid. This Unesco world heritage site is known as the ‘Macedonian Jerusalem’ due to its large number of churches.The enormous lakes renowned for the clarity of its water. Stay at the Tino Hotel

Day 5: Ohrid-Pogradec-Korca

Morning tour of the town. See St Sophia Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Macedonia, the Church of St Clement at Plaoshnik, where the first university in Europe was founded, and the Gallery of Icons, which has the largest collection of icons in the world. Continue visit to the Monastery of St Naum. Its position on a rocky overhang provides excellent views across the lake. Cross the border back into Albania and continue to Pogradec Enjoy the lunch at local restaurant in Drilon (nice spot not far from Ohrid Lake which has been a preferred holiday place for the ex-dictator Hoxha) – decorated with willow trees, and streams flowing down to the lake. Continue to Korca, historically an important trade town. Visit the Museum of Medieval Arts, which displays more than 150 icons. Stay at the Hotel Grand or Bujtina Leon Hotel for 1 night.

Day 6:  Korca- Permet-Gjirokastra

After breakfast our tour will progress to Permet city. Along the way, you will enjoy the wonderful views of nature. Stop for lunch in traditional local restaurant in Permet.  Continue with ss tour of the small town of Permet. Here lso we will visit a nice traditional Permeti Family where the group will enjoy the ALBANIAN Hospitality also will try our National spirit Raki & gliko. We will proceed along the Vjosa River and see the charming canyons of Kelcyra outfall. The way pass through Tepelena city, the native land of Ali Pasha Tepelena, where is found the medieval castle with the same name. In the evening arrival to the stony city of Gjirokastra. Accommodation and Overnight at Hotel Argjiro Gjirokastra.

Day 7- Gjirokastra- Blue Eye- Saranda

This morning depart to Saranda, the hillside town facing the sea, famous for its magnificent “Butrinti” archeological site. Visit the “Blue Eye” spring, formed by underground springs and the unusual church of St. Nicholas at Mesopotam with its fine carvings of mythological beasts. Stop for the lunch to “Lekursi Castle restaurant (built on the ruins of an old castle). Overnight in Saranda. Hotel Brilant 4* or similar

Day 8: Sarande-Butrinti- Ksamil- Saranda

After breakfast drive to Butrint, we will visit the well preserved ruins of the ancient city of Butrint and its museum hosted in the Venetian castle, Butrint: is a National park that includes a very well preserved archaeological area, an uncontaminated vegetation area of Mediterranean, and has also a lake that is connected to the Ionian sea by a natural channel. The wetlands around the lake are shelter for different animals and aquatic species in danger of extinction. The excavations and studies has proved that during the VII and the VI centuries BC. Butrint was a protourban  centre. By the V century BC Butrint has got the full form of an ancient city. During the VI century the city was equipped with new buildings such as the theatre, the agora, the small, temple and the stoa. The complex of the sanctuary of Asclepius forms the most magnificent part of the city. The main importance and magnificence of the Site was in the Roman period when the City was proclaimed a Roman Colony and used by the roman aristocracy as a holiday destination. Even during late antiquity Butrint maintained its importance. The construction of the Great Basilica and of the baptistery dates to this period. The baptistery has the floor surface covered by a mosaic decoration of a very fine processing, which is very well preserved. .After the visits in Butrint, we will continue to must beautiful sea side village of Ksamil, free time for optional lunch in Fish restaurant 10 m from the sea. Continue to Saranda. Overnight in Hotel Brilant or similar

Day 9: Sarande-Dhermi-Vlore

After breakfast drive up to Albanian Riviera. En route making a short visit to the bay of Porto Palermo where the castle of Ali Pasha is situated. Continue climbing to 3,000 feet where you can enjoy the best views, as we drive through the fertile slopes and villages. Drive along Himara, Dhermi coastline and stop for a special lunch in a restaurant in Llogara, enjoying the wonderful scenery among the pinewoods. Afternoon arrival in Vlora, an historical and costal city. Overnight in Vlora. Hotel Partner or Regina

Day 10: Vlore-Apollonia-Ardenice-Berat

Morning tour takes you to a sightseeing tour in Vlora. Proceeds to the ancient Greek settlement of Apollonia – (founded in 588 BC). After the visit to Apollonia proceed to Ardenica – where is a medieval monastery surrounded by stonewalls. Here you will admire Marry Church and Saint Triadha Chapel. After the visit to Apollonia continue to Berat – the other one “Museum City”. Overnight in Berat. Hotel Magalemi

Day 11: Berat–Durres- Kruja

After breakfast full day to explore the Unessco town of Berat known as the ‘town of a thousand windows’, Berat’s Ottoman architecture and ancient history has given it UNESCO World Heritage Status. The town is home to Berat Castle which is perched on a rocky hill, inaccessible from the south. The fortress was so large that it could house a substantial proportion of the town’s inhabitants. The influence of different cultures can be found in Berat’s mosques and Byzantine churches.  Today, we will walk from Classical to Medieval times in the attractive town of Berat.  We will visit the castle,  Onufri Museum.  Ethnographic Museum. Continue to Kruja, the capital of Albania during the resistance against the Turks under Scanderbeg, who is our national hero and was a great leader that defeated the Turks in 25 battles. Visit the Scanderbeg Museum, Ethnographic museum the best in Albania, walk through the old Bazar and time for shopping. Overnight at Hotel Panorama Kruja

Day 12: Kruja-Airport

After breakfast, free time at your resort before the transfer to Tirana Airport.

Including: Transfers with Modern A/C private car/bus/minibus or bus ,Good standard Accommodation at 3,4* hotels, Professional English-French-German-Italian-Russian or Spanish speaking local guide throughout the  tour, all the museum entry fee. + 2 Archaeological Guides in Butrinti and Apolonia. Comprehensive sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary. Baggage assistance for one suitcase. For the group tours will have one night Diner with live folk music in a traditional restaurant.