Meeting with the guide, you will be transferred for 1.5 hrs through a serpentine mountain road to Gjirokastra for a visit to the "City of Stones". 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, the fortress of Argjiro and the Ethnographic Museum of Gjirokastra.
After the visit of Gjirokastra you will be transferred back to Saranda but this time you will stop on top of the Hill where Lekursi Castle is located for lunch. Perfect views from the restaurant overlooking Saranda town, Ionian Sea and Corfu island!
When the tasteful lunch is finished, 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 meeting with your guide you will be transferred for 1.5 hrs through a serpentine mountain road to Gjirokastra for a visit to the "City of Stones". 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, the fortress of Argjiro and the Ethnographic Museum of Gjirokastra.
After the visit of Gjirokastra you will be transferred back to Saranda. Along the way to Saranda, you will stop for a visit of the Mesopotam Monastery dedicated to Saint Nicholas. It is believed that was built in the 14th century. The remains in the area around the monastery indicate that there was a high defensive wall. One of the towers of this wall now serves as a bell tower.
The church of St. Nicholas is to be visited from outside as it is not opened to public due to reconstruction.
Once visited the Monastery, you will be transferred back to Saranda.
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.
Meeting with the guide, you will be transferred to Blue Eye Natural spring for a visit of the springs. The “Blue Eye”(Syri i Kalter) is situated 8 km north of Saranda town. The “Blue Eye” spring is formed by the underground springs and is worth visiting.
Continue from the Blue Eye to the Mesopotam Monastery dedicated to St. Nicholas, it has a very special architecture of the Byzantine style. Saved from the ruins of the monastery walls surrounding an area totaling approximately 100 m and controlled by seven rectangular towers. The surrounding walls are earlier than the church exists.
From the Mesopotam Monastery, your next stop will be in the Lekursi castle for Wine Tasting. At the restaurant inside the Castle you will taste 2 kind of local wine, cheese, pie and other traditional dishes.
The wine of Albania is characterized by its unique sweetness and indigenous varieties. Albania produced an estimated 17,500 tons of wine in 2009. The geographic elevation of Albania makes it a perfect setting for wine production. During the communism era, the production area expanded to some 20,000 hectares (49,000 acres). The Albanian wine industry is striving to re-establish an international presence in line with its long reputation as a quality wine producer.
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 Ksamil village for 1.5 hours passing first through Saranda city center, following the Burinti road. Along the way on our right side Ionian Sea will accompany us for half the trip, and the other half we will have perfect view of Butrint Lake and mussels farms. Once arrived in Ksamil village, you will have free time to relax in the beautiful sandy beaches of Ionian Sea. Possible pedal boat trip to Ksamil islands once there.
Next is our way back following the same way with a 30 minutes stop to visit the old Onchesmi and ruins of the Synagogue in Saranda 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.
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.
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