After meeting with your guide you will start to visit Vlore. Vlore, the independency city, is picturesquely located on the Bay of Vlore. Vlore has a long history as it, not unlike other ancient towns along the coast, was first founded by Greek colonists in the 6th century BC. Later, it was an important port of the Roman and the Byzantine Empires. Changing hands several times over the centuries, Vlore finally fell to the Ottomans in 1417.
It was in Vlore that five centuries later - in 1912, during the First Balkan War, Albania declared its independence from the Ottomans, only to be occupied by the Italians a couple of years later. History speaks for itself in Vlore while visiting the city. In the centre is the Flag Square, where the people gathered to celebrate the raising of the flag. And in front of the square you will visit the building where the flag was raised and the Declaration of Independency was signed, now the Museum of Independence.
More from history that you will visit in Vlore is the Muradie Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the whole country which survived communist oppression. After visiting Vlore you will be transferred to Uji i Ftohte along the Adriatic Sea. Enjoy some free time at your leisure where you can take in the amazing view that Uji i Ftohte offers, being the place where the Adriatic and Ioanian sea meet each other.
After some free time you will be transferred back to the port for the end of your journey.
After meeting with the guide and driver you will be transferred in Ohrid, Macedonia Ohrid, the so called Jerusalem of the Balkans, is a city in the Republic of Macedonia located in the Easter shores of Lake Ohrid. It has had a continuous inhabitation since its first settlements in 4th century BC from the Illyrian tribes of Enchelai and Dassaretae, mentioned as the city of Lychnidos. Since the first centuries of Christianity, here the faith set roots so much that once is has been noted that had 365 churches, one of each day of the year. The city and the area were colonized by the Slavs but the city continued its prosper under many Empires.
Due to the cultural inheritance from the centuries and being well preserved, Ohrid and the lake in 1978 were included in UNESCO World Heritage List. Today Ohrid is the jewel of Macedonia and the pearl of Lake Ohrid. Your visit will start to the old quarter of Ohrid. The traditional houses, build close to each other have created some cobbled narrow streets like a labyrinth. They will lead you to the churches of Ohrid where the most important and the most special one is St. Sophia Church, coming from 9th-10th century from Bulgarian Empire, housing important medieval art of paintings, icons and frescoes. Other special religious attractions are the churches of St. Bogorodica Perivlepta from 13th century, the St. Jovan Kaneo from 13th century, St. Pantelejmon Plaosnik Monastery from 10th century, etc. On the way up you will also see the Roman amphitheatre, a one of a kind in Macedonia coming since almost 2000 years ago. Up in the Saint Klement Pantelejmon Church, named after the saint patron of Ohrid, is one of the most beautiful mosaics of the Balkans, a Christian one, on the floor of the church.
Being in Ohrid, the best place to have lunch is, of course, by the lake. And before continuing the itinerary back to Tirana, you will have lunch in a fancy restaurant by the shores of Lake Ohrid. After lunch you will be transferred back to Tirana for the end of your jorney.
The best way to see Tirana? On two wheels! Ride along city streets and take in Tirana’s most famous sites, from the city castle to the bizarre bunkers to that weird pyramid. Then, once you’ve absorbed 1,500 years of history, pedal your way to an authentic Albanian lunch and well-deserved local beer.
Your Tirana bike tour will start at the city’s centre, at Skanderbeg Square, where you’ll find the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, and the Museum of History. We’ll take off pedalling toward City Hall and onto Pedonalja, a lovely car-free street only open to pedestrians and bicycles. It’s an old-fashioned neighbourhood, but still a place where locals meet for barbecues and live music. It’s here that you’ll also find the Castle of Tirana (also known as the Fortress of Justinian), which dates back to the 6th century. Justinian was an imperial bodyguard who reached the throne and is considered today to have been one of the greatest Roman and Byzantine emperors.
We’ll then leave behind the calmness of Pedonalja and weave our way through city traffic, passing the Parliament, the new mosque of Tirana (fun fact: it’s going to be one of the biggest in the Balkans), and the Catholic Cathedral. But the highlight of all these sites will be the bizarre Pyramid of Tirana, which once was a museum and conference centre but is now an abandoned building and a canvas for graffiti. We’ll make a stop to see some of the Albanian “mushroom” bunkers, another remnant of communist leader Hoxha’s rule. There was once a bunker for every four residents in Albania, and while there aren’t as many as there once were, they’re still scattered throughout the Albanian countryside. Some of them have been converted into cafés, storage spaces, and even shelters for animals or the homeless.
We’ll finish up our Tirana sightseeing tour at Mother Teresa Square, where the University of Tirana and the Academy of Arts are located. Finally, no doubt hungry from all the biking, you’ll refuel with an authentic lunch at a traditional Albanian restaurant, where you’ll get to try local meat-lovers’ delicacies like kernacka and shishkebap, washed down, of course, with an Albanian beer.
After meeting with the guide, you will be transferred for 60 minutes towards Tirana. Capital of the Republic of Albania, with a population of just over 700.000, lies at the foot of Dajti Mountain (1612 m) at the 110 m above the sea level. Today Tirana is the main administrative, economical, art and culture centre. The visit of Tirana starts with the Scanderbeg Square, a monument dedicated to the National Hero of Albania. From the center you will be able to see the main boulevard, main administrative buildings, National Bank of Albania and the Et'hem Bey mosque. You will continue beside Lana River for looking at the painted socialist buildings towards the old bridge and parliament building of Tirana. Once finished the sightseeing by bus of Tirana you will stop and stroll for some minutes to the local market of Tirana.
Your next destination will be Nari Restaurant in Lunder village just 6 kilometers from Tirana.
Albania has an incredibly hospitable culture and has its own particular traditions of courtesy. They are very closely related to the notion of hospitality, a notion similar to that of the sacred guest from Homer and classical literature. Many Albanian traditions of hospitality come from The Kanun, or ""The Code"", a 15th-century text written by the powerful Dukagjin clan, although many of the laws written in the code date from earlier times. As written in The Kanun, the guest will be shown the highest respect by being offered a seat at the head of the table. The guest is then regaled with the best the family has to offer, usually taking the form of homemade raki, traditional liquor.
After arrival, you will experience the same old rule. You will be welcomed inside the restaurant of the Lunder village, learn about traditional Albanian cooking and food such as milk, dairy of different types, honey, village eggs, whole goats roasted on a spit, trout fish, various types of soups. Help the local family collect food from the farm and help them cook your own meal by helping in the kitchen.
Once finished lunch you will be transferred back to Durres for about 1.5 hours of drive having in mind still the amazing experience at the local family house.
After meeting with the guide, you will start walking for 30 minutes to the city center for a visit of the Old Onchesmi and the Old Synagogue in the city center. Saranda the gateway to the southern Albania, is a small town of about 33.000 inhabitants, situated on a beautiful horseshoe bay between the mountains and the Ionian Sea. The name Saranda derives from an early Christian monastery dedicated to Agioi Saranta (Forty Saints). In antiquity, Saranda was known as Onchesmus. Located opposite the Greek island of Corfu, Saranda is characterized by a Mediterranean climate and warm sea waters.
Next, you will walk for 60 minutes up on the hill where Lekursi Castle is located for some minutes of free time for taking photos. From Lekursi castle you will be able to have great views of Saranda Town, Ionian Sea and Corfu Island. After enjoying the amazing Panorama from the Lekursi castle we will walk down towards the port.
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.
Continue the visit to Dajti Mountain. It offers numerous opportunities all year round for excursions and recreation. Its UN spoilt nature, attracts many visitors during all seasons. Dajti is also a National Park, rich in diversity of flora and fauna. You can enjoy the beautiful view from the cable car leads to nearly to the top of Dajti Mountain. This afternoon is free for you to explore Tirana’s lovely shops and boutiques.
After meeting with the guide you will be transferred in 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 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. Next visit for you would be the Onufri Iconographic Museum, named after one of the greatest Albanian painters. There are best preserved Albanian icons from XVI century that were used in the many churches in the town.
After visiting the wonderful city of Berat you will have lunch in a restaurant inside the castle. Finished the lunch you will be transferred back in Tirana through Belshi area which is well-known for its lakes. Short stops on the way to make some photos of the amazing view. Once you arrived to Tirana you will be transferred at the meeting point for the end of your journey.
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 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.
You will meet with the guide and you will be transferred south 40 minutes drive towards the biggest and most important archaeological site in Albania. The ancient city of Butrint, which is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was first inhabited by Illyrians. Butrint is a special archaeological site – a microcosm of Mediterranean history from the age of the archaic Greeks until the Venetians. The ancient city of Butrint is much preferable to be visited as an archaeological center, where antiquity and beauty intertwine.
The archaeological excavations show that Butrint has been an important center of the Kaonian Illyrians, one of the big tribes of southern Illyria. According to discoveries made in the area, it has been proved that the site was inhabited as early as Paleolithic period. In the 6-th century BC Greeks from Corfu settled here, alongside with Illyrians and the new colony prospered as the result of the trade. By the fifth century BC, Buthroton was an Illyrian fortified city. In the fourth century BC Butrint had fallen to Epirus, and in 167 BC it was taken by Rome. Butrint was captured by the Normans in eleventh century and passed to Venice from 1690 to 1797, when Ali Pasha Tepelena captured it. With the fall of the Pashallek of Janina, in 1822, Butrint passed under Ottoman rule until 1913. Several excavations dating from the 1-st and 4-th centuries AD and today, we will visit, among them the Old Amphitheatre, the temple of Asclepiads or Aesculapius, the Baptistery, Nymphaeum and the ancient city walls.
After visiting Ancient Buthrotum, you will be transferred to the Saranda city center for a visit of the Old Onchesmi and the Old Synagogue. Saranda the gateway to the southern Albania, is a small town of about 33.000 inhabitants, situated on a beautiful horseshoe bay between the mountains and the Ionian Sea. The name Saranda derives from an early Christian monastery dedicated to Agioi Saranta (Forty Saints). In antiquity, Saranda was known as Onchesmus. Located opposite the Greek island of Corfu, Saranda is characterized by a Mediterranean climate and warm sea waters.