After meeting your guide you will firstly start the visit of Vlora. 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 raise of the flag. And in front of the square is the building where the flag was raised and the Declaration of Independency was signed. More from history that you will visit in Vlore is the Muradie Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the whole country which survived the communist suppression which you are going to visit.
After Vlora you will be transferred in Ardenica for approximately 1 hour drive. Once in Ardenica you will visit Ardenica monastery. The Monastery of the Nativity of the Theotokos in Ardenica or simply Ardenica Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery. Built by Byzantine Emperor, Andronikos II Palaiologos in 1282 after the victory against the Angevins in the Siege of Berat, the monastery is famous as the place where, in 1451, was celebrated the marriage of Skanderbeg, the national hero of Albania, with Andronika Arianiti. In 1780 the Monastery started a theological school to prepare clerics. It had an important library with 32,000 volumes that got completely burned by a fire in 1932.
After the dose of history you will be transferred in Prifti family winery, which is located very near to Ardenica monastery.
The winery have a surface of 12-hectare vineyard, planted by hand on the coasts of Albania.
The view is stunning: Ardenica, an orthodox monastery from 750 years back is standing like a guardian over this Mediterranean landscape covered by pine trees and grapevines. The monastery, strategically located in the axes of Ancient Greece and Rome, is even today an outstanding part of local and national culture. Albania wine is the unique produce of a historic terroir: hit by the Mediterranean breeze every evening and abundantly exposed to sunlight during the day, the slopes have an ideal loamy soil composition, a perfect mix of 30% sand, 50% silt and 20% clay,full of organic matter. It keeps the moisture and is nutrient rich, makes them ideal for cultivation Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for growing highest quality wine.
After wine tasting in Prifti family winery you will be transferred back in Vlora for the end of the jorney.
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 raise of the flag. And in front of the square is the building where the flag was raised and the Declaration of Independency was signed.
More from history that you will visit in Vlore is the Muradie Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the whole country which survived the communist suppression. Also you will walk towards Kuzum Baba hill where you can visit the Bektashi teke located in the top of the hill and enjoy the wonderful panorama Once finished all your visits, you will be walking back to your ship for the end of your journey.
After meeting with your guide you will be firstly transferred near Dukat village by bus during a 45 minute drive. Once we arrive there you will start hiking in the National Park of Llogara. Llogora National Park has been declared a national park in Albania since 1966 by the Albanian Government.
The park covers an area of 1,010 hectares and protects the forests on the northern side of the Llogara Pass, located between 470m to 2,018m above sea level. In the park you can find many black pine trees, Bosnian pines, Bulgarian fir, and ash trees. Feel the pleasure of the fresh air and enjoy the beautiful view that the mountain offers.
After exploring Llogara you will have a lovely lunch in a restaurant in the heart of the park. After lunch you will be transferred back to the ship by bus for the final part of our journey.
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 you will be transferred towards Apollonia archeological park, for approximately a one hour drive. Apollonia is one of the most interesting Archaeological Parks in Albania, coming today from 6th century B.C. as one of the many Greek colonies in the Illyrian coast of Adriatic Sea. Soon it became a city state self-governed and its importance grew in the area especially after the connection with Dyrrachium with Via Egnatia.
The city flourished under Roman rule becoming an important producer of olives, wine and was also home of an important philosophy school where Emperor Augustus studied. Its downfall came in 3rd century A.D. because of an earthquake. Still, from history many attractions remain such as the famous great Odeon, a Nymphaeum, and many other remains that speak about the development it had once upon a time. There is also a church in the area, the St. Mary Church, important for the villages around and its specialty is in its age, standing since 12th century, and its wall paintings.
After visiting the archaeological park you will drive back towards Vlore, for your next destination Zvernec & Narta Lagoon. Zvërnec Island is an island within the Narta Lagoon in southern Albania. The island is nearly all covered with tall pine trees and is just east of a much smaller island. It is 430m in length and has a maximum width of 300m. Zvërnec Island is connected to the mainland by a 270m long wooden bridge.
The island is a tourist attraction because it contains the well preserved 13th-14th century Byzantine Zvërnec Monastery which you are going to visit. Near the island lies the village that bears the same name. The island has an area about 9 hectares.
After Zvernec you will be transferred back to Vlore port for the end of your journey.
After meeting with the guide, you will be transferred for 150 minutes towards Tirana. Tirana is the capital of the Republic of Albania, with a population of just over 700,000, lies at the foot of Dajti Mountain (1612 m) at 110 m above sea level. The region of Tirana has been inhabited since the Neolithic period.
Tirana was founded in 1614 when, under the care of Sulejman Pasha Mulleti, the first settlement was built. It consisted of a mosque, bath-house (Hamam), a bakery and some shops. Today Tirana is the main administrative, economical, art and culture centre. Our visit of Tirana starts with the Scanderbeg Square, a monument dedicated to the National Hero of Albania.
From the centre you will be able to see the main boulevard, main administrative buildings, National Bank of Albania and the Et'hem Bey mosque that is one of the most beautiful mosques in Albania which is located nearby the National Historical Museum. You will visit the country’s largest museum – the National Museum of History, which is impossible to miss because of the huge mural on its facade depicting Albania’s long and eventful history from the Illyrians through the Ottoman occupation to the Communist period of the last century. Next the visit will continue on foot towards the National Art Gallery. It has a fund of over 4,000 works of art by Albanian and foreign artists, spanning seven centuries of Albanian cultural heritage.
Finishing the visit of the National Gallery, you will continue on foot entering the "Block area" towards Sky Tower Restaurant where you will have lunch overlooking all Tirana from the 15th floor of the Restaurant.
With nice memories in your head, you will be transferred back to the pier.
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 it’s status as one of the cities of UNESCO World Heritage List. Next visit for you will be 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. After the visit of the wonderful city of Berat you will have some cooking lessons with a local family and prepare your tasteful lunch in a restaurant inside the castle.
Finished the lunch you will be transferred back in Vlora for 2 hours drive for the end of your jorney.
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.