CULTURAL TOUR ALBANIA

Day 1: TIRANA-KRUJE-SHKODER

Departure toKruja and visit of the castle and National Museum dedicated mostly to the Albanian National hero GJERGJ KASTRIOTI-SKENDERBEU.A short visit to traditional market(old bazar).Lunch in Kruja. Shkodra the ”Capital”of north Albania(Tirana-Shkodra approx.2 hrs)city of YLLIRIANS kings located on the banks of Shkodra lake,15 km from Adriatic sea and where two rivers Buna and Drin join together near the castle.The city is an important cultural and economical centre of north Albania.Visit to the castle of Rozafa and center of Shkodra city..Hotel and dinner in Shkodra

Day 2:SHKODER-DURRES-BERAT

After breakfast departure to Durres, primary seaport of Albania also called in antiquity the balcony of Adriatic sea.Visit to the roman amphitheater  and departure to Berat, after the lunch at the bay of Durres.Berat is a 2400 year old city situated on the banks of Osumi river and is part of UNESCO WORLD  Heritage.Visit of the city,dinner and hotel in Berat.

.BERAT is known for its well preserved architecture influenced by the Ottomans and Byzantines. There are a variety of Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques in the town reflecting the historical influences of the region and the coexistence of different religious and cultural communities. It is known as the “city of a thousand windows” because of the architectural style whereby buildings are constructed with a multitude of windows on a background of whitewashed walls to make use of daylight. Combined with the hilly nature of the town, the buildings rise above each other on the slopes, making for a striking impression on visitors.

Day 3:BERAT-VLORA

After breakfast visit of the castle of Berat and the museum of Onufri.Departure to the monastery of Ardenica. Ardenica is located 237 meters above sea level and is famous for the Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos and many breathtaking landscapes. A pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis had existed where the Monastery sits now, which explains the origin of the name.Lunch on the road to Apollonia.After lunch visit of  the archeological site of APOLLONIA.Apollonia of Ylliria(there were 18 cities in mediterranean sea called Apollonia) was an ancient city in Illyria, located on the right bank of the Aous River (the modern-day Vjosë River). Its ruins are situated in the Fier region, near the village of Pojani. Apollonia flourished during the period of Roman rule in the area and was home to a renowned school of philosophy.

The city began to decline in the 3rd century CE when its harbor began silting up as a result of an earthquake.

Cicero, the famed Roman Orator, was captivated by the beauty of Apollonia and in his Philippics, referred to it as “magna urbs et gravis,” or “great and important city.” Archaeological excavations have shown that Apollonia achieved its zenith around the 4th-3rd centuries BC. Sources depict a flourishing culture, with a busy harbor along this active trading route.Apollonia, like Durres further north, was an important port on the Illyrian coast as the most convenient link between Brundusium and northern Greece, and as one of the western starting points of the Via Egnatia leading east to Thessaloniki and Byzantium in Thrace.It had its own mint, stamping coins that have been found as far away as the basin of the Danub river.Departure to Vlora that is the second seaport city in Albania where independence of Albania was declared here in 1912.Visit of historical centre.Hotel and dinner in Vlora.

Day 4:VLORA-SARANDA

Departure to Saranda(approx.3 hrs) driving one of the most beautiful panoramic roads of Albania also called The Albanian riviera enjoing part of Ionian sea views.Visit of the castle of Ali pasha di Tepelena  a Porto Palermo,Lunch in Qeparo.Visit to the archeological site of Butrint one of the most beautiful and well known in the world full of history from Enea,the troyan king who founded Rome,till nowadays.Hotel and dinner in Saranda.

Day 5: SARANDA-GJIROKASTRA

Day 6: GJIROKASTRA-KORCA

Departure to Korca with a visit at thermal waters of Benja in Permet.A nice trip to the valley of river Vjosa.Lunch at Farma Sotira.Visit of Korca

Day 7: KORCA-TIRANA

Departure from Korca toward Tirana with a stop at lake of Ohrid,Pogradec.Afternoon in the capital city  TIRANA.