Today after meeting with the guide, we will choose our bicycles and for 15 minutes you will be given information about the road that we will follow and precautions along the way. After settling everything we will cycle towards Tabakeve Bridge for approximately 20 minutes. Some free time will be given to admire the old bridge in ottoman style.
After the bridge you will cycle toward the city center of Tirana where a visit will follow to the main sights as Scanderbeg square,Ethem Beg mosque,main boulevard etc. After finishing with the visit of the city center, you will cycle towards the Bllok area which have this name because it was the place where the ex communist dictator use to live for all his life,and the area was restricted to civilians.
Some free time at your leisure in Block Area before cycling back towards the meeting point.
Your day starts with the visit of the Museum city of Berat. Berat, with an ancient history from 2400 years ago, is located along the stream of river Osum and in the middle of the great mountains of Tomorr and Shpirag. It is located on the side of a rocky hill and in the same place was settled the ancient town from the Illyrian tribes. It has been conquered many times but its castle has always been famous of being very difficult to invade. Today it has the name of the city of a thousand and one windows, coming from the panoramic view of the houses on the hill. It is a part of UNESCO World Heritage List with the well preserved houses of original Ottoman architecture.
The trip in thecity of one thousand and one windows starts in the old quarter which will send you back in time to the Middle Ages from the cobbled streets and the houses built in a special architecture and fanatically well preserved till the modern days. From what you see Berat has gained its status as one of the cities of UNESCO World Heritage List. The fortress, located on the hill top, is the most special attraction there, offering an amazing panoramic view of everything surrounding Berat. And there you understand the reason why it was such an important stronghold. Another specialty of Berat is the Onufri Iconographic Museum, named after one of the greatest Albanian painters. There are best preserved Albanian icons from XVIth century that were used in the many churches in the town.
After the visit of the old town of Berat, transfer to Nurellari Winery for wine tasting and exploring its Wineyards.
Today after meeting with you guide, you will experience real Albania by off road cars. Once got in the cars you will start driving following the road Saranda - Bajkaj - Vergo - FusheBardhe - Kardhiq - Gjirokaster for a 3.5 hours’ drive mostly off road.
This exciting off-road excursion in search of adventure, will allow you to cover parts of southern Albania and appreciate sights that most visitors never get to discover. We’ll drive on dirt roads off the beaten track, through rivers and old plantations from the Ionian coast into the heart of the south part. We’ll leave the jeeps behind to engage in a 90 minute visit to the stone city part of UNESCO world heritage list, Gjirokastra. You will see a variety of birds, old rural villages and typical Albanian houses and families. Learn the real life of the rural part of the small but charming country of Albania.
Once arrived in Gjirokastra you will continue the visit for 1.5 hours. Gjirokastra which is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site is situated in the southern part of Albania, on the slope of the hills of (Mali I Gjere), overlooking river Drinos. It became an urban centre by the 13th century. Gjirokastra is mentioned for the first time in a document of 1336, under the name ARGYROPOLIHNE (the township of Argyro), derived, according to the legend. (Princess Argyro, who hurled herself to her death from a tower to avoid falling into the hands of the invaders. Later the town became known as ARGYROKASTRO. Gjirokastra played an important role as the cradle of the patriotic movement of the Albanians for freedom and independence. Gjirokastra or so called “the town of one thousand steps” or “the stone town” is of particular interest for its native architecture. Today we will visit the old bazaar with wood and stone carving shops, old typical houses and quarters protected by UNESCO and the fortress of Argjiro overlooking the old and new quarters.
Your way back to Saranda will be from the normal asphalted national road for 1.5 hrs approximately
Your day starts with the visit of the Museum town of Berat. Berat, with an ancient history from 2400 years ago, is located along the stream of river Osum and in the middle of the great mountains of Tomorr and Shpirag. It is located on the side of a rocky hill and in the same place was settled the ancient town from the Illyrian tribes. It has been conquered many times but its castle has always been famous of being very difficult to invade.
Today it has the name of the city of a thousand and one windows, coming from the panoramic view of the houses on the hill. It is a part of UNESCO World Heritage List with the well preserved houses of original Ottoman architecture. The trip in the city of one thousand and one windows starts in the old quarter which will send you back in time to the Middle Ages from the cobbled streets and the houses built in a special architecture and fanatically well preserved till the modern days. From what you see Berat has gained it’s status as one of the cities of UNESCO World Heritage List.
The fortress, located on the hill top, is the most special attraction there, offering an amazing panoramic view of everything surrounding Berat. And there you understand the reason why it was such an important stronghold. Another specialty of Berat is the Onufri Iconographic Museum, named after one of the greatest Albanian painters. There are best preserved Albanian icons from XVIth century that were used in the many churches in the town.
Not only history but also traditional cooking from the locals! Today you will experience one of the best meals of the region. Immerse yourself in the kitchen and learn about the recipe and the local cooking. Do it yourself, do it better!
Your morning city tour begins from Skanderbeg Square, named after the Albanian hero the main landmark of the city. Pilgrims from far and wide reach the Et'hem Bey Mosque to offer prayers. The Clock Tower next to the Et'hem Bey Mosque, National Museum- north of Scanderbeg Square, The Palace of Culture, The monument to Mother Albania and The National Historical Museum are the significant spots that catch up the attention of one and all who make a visit to the city.
The route continues through Durres– the ancient Greco-Roman port city of Dyrrachium. Formerly Durrazzo is one of the oldest towns in Albania. The legend says that it was founded by Epidamnos, the Illyrian King of the area, who called it by his own name and named the port area after his grandson - Dyrrah.
Visit the town including the Byzantine city walls, Roman amphitheater and the Archaeological Museum. The route continues through Kruja–one of the biggest cities in Northern Albania is the “city of history” and the best known as hometown of Albanian’s National Hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. Then, visit the Castle, the Skanderbeg Museum and the Ethnographic Museum.
After the visit of the castle, is free for you to explore Kruja’s old bazaar with authentic and antique shops. Drive back to Tirana.
After meeting with the guide, you will be transferred for 60 minutes towards Kruja.
As members of a prominent Albanian aristocratic family, the young George Kastrioti and his three brothers were taken hostage and brought up in the Sultan’s court where Scanderbeg attended military school and later fought in the Ottoman army. When the Ottomans were defeated by a multinational Christian army in the Battle of Nis in 1443, Skanderbeg and his troops defected and retuned to Albania where they re-took the Kastriotis’ family’s fortress at Kruje. In the following years, Scanderbeg successfully united the Albanian ruling families against the common enemy and managed to fight off the Ottoman armies until his death in 1468 thus effectively halting their invasion further into Western Europe.
Kruje was the center of the Albanian resistance against the Ottomans led by Skanderbeg. Driving along the winding mountain road, you will reach the town’s main square marked by the equestrian statue of Skanderbeg wielding his sword. Continuing uphill and above the town, you will reach the historic fortress and citadel which successfully withstood three Ottoman sieges led by Sultan Murat and later by his son Sultan Mehmed II – the conqueror of Constantinople (now Istanbul).
It was only after Skanderbeg’s death that the fortress finally fell and the Albanian resistance was suppressed. One you are in Kruja you will visit the castle and Ottoman-style covered bazaar. After the short visit of Kruja you will be transferred to city market to buy some fresh vegetables and some local products and than head to Restaurant Panorama.
After arrival, you will be welcomed inside the restaurant Panorama, meet the Chief learn about traditional Albanian cooking and food. Help the the chief inside the kitchen to prepare your tasteful lunch. Once finished lunch you will be transferred back at the meeting poing in Tirana for the end of your jorney.
After meeting with the guide, you will be transferred for approximately 2 hours to the Museum city of Berat. The town of Berat is one of the most ancient towns of Albania, 2400 years old. Lying on the banks of the Osumi river, and overshadowed to the east by the Great Tomorr mountain 2415m,is an ancient Illyrian settlement founded in the 4th and 5th centuries B.C. on the territory of the Illyrian tribe of Desaretes. Its innumerable monuments and the beautiful and characteristic architecture of its houses have proclaimed Berat, a “Museum Town”. The houses on the fortress have typically two stories, with the upper storey slightly overhanging and rich wood carving within. With their wide facades and large windows, they seem to be built almost on top of one another, giving Berat its name of “The City of One–Thousand Windows”.
Your visit will start with a walk from the Gorica old bridge for some 20 minutes to come back to Mangalemi quarter from the new bridge. A walk in the newly built boulevard will follow the tour before you continue the visit to the Castle of Berat located on top of the hill overlooking Berat town. You will embark back on the Bus to continue the tour in the Castle of Berat which involves a bit of walking in uneven surfaces, cobblestone streets and a bit of inclination. Once inside the Castle first we will continue towards the Museum of the Icons for a visit.
National Museum Onufri is located in the center of the inhabited quarter in Berat medieval castle. It is organized in Virgin Mary cathedral, built in 1797 on the foundation of an older church with the same name. It bears the name of the most remarkable Albanian painter, Onufri, who left a very rich fund of iconographic creation.
Finishing the visit at the museum, a traditional lunch from Berat is a must after a tiring day. You will be welcomed in one of the restaurants located in the old quarter of the castle to try different specialities cooked in a traditional way from the local house family especially for you. After lunch, a short walk to the view point of 15 minutes will follow to have some nice views of all the quarters of Berat before your transfer back to Durres for another 2 hours’ drive.
After grabbing your bicycles you will cycle around Ohrid Lake discovering two countries on a joyful ride. Your first stop will be the St. Naum Monastery just few minutes from Albanian border. Established in the 10th century, the frescoes of the small church will amaze you even today. After a visit of the monastery, you will continue cycling north towards Peshtani village for a visit of the ""Museum on water"". A recreation of pile-dwelling settlement dating back to 1200 BC. Continue cycling towards Ohrid Town for lunch in a centrally located Restaurant. After lunch and a short stop in Ohrid town, continue cycling around the lake up to Pogradec.
Your day will start with a transfer for 60 minutes towards the Historic town of Kruja. The town of Kruja rises 560 meters above sea level, on the slopes of Sari - Salltiku Mountain. It provides to the visitors the great view of majestic landscape and a rich collection of historical and cultural objects. The most important is the castle of Kruja, which was built during the 5th and 6th centuries and has an elliptical shape.
Our tour will start with a walk through the old bazaar of Kruja where people still sell carpets or other hand-made souvenirs just like they did in the medieval times. Continuing through the old bazaar the road goes up to the entrance of the medieval castle, the main fort of Scanderbeg and the main stronghold of the struggle of the Albanians against the huge Ottomans.
Once inside the Castle our visit will continue first to the Scanderbeg Museum dedicated to the Albanian National Hero and then to the Ethnographic Museum where you will learn the way people in this region used to live and work during the 17-18 century. Once the visit of the museum is finished, you will be given free time at the old bazaar to stroll by yourself and shopping.
You will meet your guide again just at the entrance of the bazaar to enjoy an refreshment, wine taste different, try Albanian original home-made Rakia with traditional food and pies especially cooked for you in the old town of Kruja.
After a tasteful refreshment, you will be transferred back to your ship in a 60 minutes drive towards Shengjin.
Your day start with meeting with the local guide and grabbing your preferred 4x4 wheel drive for a fantastic day. Your drive starts in Berat following the road Berat-Ballaban-Kelcyre-Permet. Along the way short stops will be made for your to take pictures and admire the rural villages of Albania. This region is hilly and the road is bad, perfect for a nice adventure day.
Once arrived in Permet a short tour will follow to the Gliko Factory where you can taste different type of Jam being produced by different fruits found in the south-eastern part of Albania. After lunch in Permet with typical traditional local cooking, you will drive towards Corovoda Canyons. After arrival a short visit to the spectacular canyons will be made before your transfer back to Berat.
The Osumi River canyon is one of the most spectacular natural attractions of Albania. During the spring, high waters from melting snow make it possible to explore all 26 km (16 mi) of the canyon from the river. Spring is also the best time to view the many waterfalls in the canyons, which thunder from above as explorers pass below on boats. The rapids are Class-II, so one does not need prior white water experience to join the fun. At the end of the summer, when the water is lower, boating in the full length of the canyon is not possible, but there are many wonderful hikes with opportunities for swimming in various pools and streams. The edges of the canyon are notable for its unique ecosystem that preserves the greenery on both sides of canyon year-round.
Mediterranean bushes like heath and briar flourish along with a rich and lively world of flora and fauna. On the slopes of the canyon, erosive activity has created pockmarked cavern walls, with small caves to explore as well. Some of the rock formations in the canyon have fanciful names such as the Cathedral, the Eye, and the Demon’s Door.