Visit Albania and Macedonia (4 UNESCO Sites)

Visit Albania and Macedonia (4 UNESCO Sites)

The dramatic mountain scenery, untouched beaches and crystal clear lakes of Albania and Macedonia are in a big contrast to their lack of economic prosperity.
Small, unknown and hidden in the heart of the Balkans, Macedonia and Albania offer visitors a unique blend of natural wonders, traditions, culture and hospitable people. Virgin beaches, mountains and lakes, churches and chapels, remains of ancient civilizations, breathtaking gorges and diverse wildlife are all available now to tour ists willing to enjoy this roundtrip in two of the economically poorest European countries. Our tour in Albania has no constant route. As infrastructure here is in a process of changes all the time we may be forced to react the bad roads by making slight alterations in the program. The accommodation facilities are also being developed in order to meet the requirements of tourists, but at this stage it may be still rather basic.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tirana - Ohrid UNESCO (Macedonia)

Stop At: Ohrid, Ohrid, Southwestern Region
Our professional tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Tirana. Right after the group gets together we start our journey toward Ohrid (Macedonia) which is one of the most seductive destinations in Macedonia, indicated as one of the oldest human settlements in all Europe. Ohrid city and Ohrid Lake are part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1980. Ohrid Lake and its surroundings where inhabited by the Illyrian Tribe of Enkeleys. Ohrid became an important centre for the Orthodox believers during the Byzantine Empire and is famous for it’s 365 Orthodox churches, said to have one church for each day of the year. The houses where built with a very specific architecture that created narrowed streets, tunnels and tiny yards on the hilly terrain, making it possible for every house to have a good view of the lake. Overnight in Ohrid.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 3*- 4* hotel in Ohrid

Day 2: Ohrid - Berat UNESCO (Albania)

Stop At: Berat Castle, Rruga Mihal Komnena, Berat 5001 Albania
Our next destination is Berat, also known as the 1001 windows city, part of UNESCO world heritage. Walking through the narrowed stone streets offers a fantastic view of the medieval old houses, with windows that seem to stand above each other. Berat has it all; a beautiful medieval castle, ancient churches and mosques, a lively lower town consisting of grand old houses draped on steep hillsides, an old stone bridge, great museums and remains from the communism era in Albania. Berat is also known as the birthplace of Onufri, the famous churches’ painter all-over the Balkans, distinguished for creating a specific reddish colour still difficult to imitate. Overnight in Berat.
Duration: 1 day
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Berat

Day 3: Berat - Gjirokastër (UNESCO)

Stop At: Gjirokaster Castle, Gjirokaster Albania
Our next destination is Gjirokastra, also known as “The Stone City”, part of UNESCO World heritage. The origin of the city starts with the castle of Gjirokastra, built in IV century AD, and is considered one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the Balkans. Right before entering the castle of Gjirokastra you would have to pass by the medieval bazar. The atmospheric old town cascading down in graceful hill crammed full of beautiful narrowed stone decorated streets, where you would be amazed by the wide variety of hand made crafts from local artisans and producers. Overnight in Gjirokaster
Duration: 1 day
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Gjirokastra

Day 4: Gjirokastër - Blue Eye - Butrint UNESCO - Saranda

Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
Stop At: The Blue Eye - natural wonder of Blue Eye.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Butrint National Park. The ancient site Butrint, is our next destination. Part of the UNESCO world heritage, Butrinti is the most important archaeological site in Albania.
Duration: 3 hours. Then we will visit Sarande. In the evening we take a city tour of Saranda, including the synagogue and Lekursi castle. On the ruins of the old castle there is a bar with a breath taking view of Saranda and Corfu Island. Overnight in Saranda.
Duration: 12 hours
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Saranda

Day 5: Saranda - Dhërmi - Llogara National Park - Vlora

Stop At: Llogara National Park, Llogara National Park, Vlore County
We drive along the coastline known as Albanian Riviera. Our next stop will be the beautiful castle of Ali Pasha at Porto Palermo. Wile driving by the Albanian Riviera we will pass by some of the most beautiful beaches of Albania; Borsh, Llamani and Dhermi beaches. We will pass one by one small villages clinging to rock faces by the seaside, all tumbledown stone walls and narrow pathways, overhung with vines full of grapes, and trees heavy with figs and walnuts.
We will shortly stop at Llogara National Park offering a spectacular view of the Palasa Beach. Overnight in Vlora
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Vlora

Day 6: Vlora - Apollonia - Tirana

Stop At: Apollonia Archaeological Park, Pojan Albania
After breakfast we head back to Tirana our final destination for this tour. On our way to Tirana we visit the ruins of the ancient city of Apollonia the Odeon Theatre, the Church of Saint Mary, the ancient statues of Illyrian times and the mosaic. After Apollonia we drive to Tirana and we will visit, Skanderbeg Square, At the center of Tirana,
Tirana, the capital of Albania would be our final destination for the day, where we have brief city tour. Colorful, lively, vibrant, dynamic, 24/7 and crazy nightlife, these are some of the words that better describe this city where the communist and capitalist-era buildings battle on daily basis. Not to be missed is Tirana’s delicious food varieties, from the tasty and cheap street food to the finest gourmet options Overnight in Tirana.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 3* - 4* hotel in Tirana

Day 7: Tirana City Tour

Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
After breakfast we see more of Tirana; a great combination of very interesting museums, historic sites, national parks and mountains, ottoman, Italian and communist style architecture all clashing between each other, offering however a great pleasure to wander. Then we will drop of to the airport.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.