Adventure Tour Of Albania & Macedonia

Arrive Tirana. This city was made the capital of Albania in 1920 in order to provide a power base in the geographical centre of the country. There has been a fortress on the fertile Plain of Tirana since Roman times, although the city only really came in to its own in the 18th century. Today it is Albania’s largest city. Later this afternoon we will take an escorted walking tour of the government buildings and the mosque, ending with an optional visit to visit the sky tower where we can enjoy the wonderful views of the city.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we will take a visit to the National Museum of History. We will then take a short drive to the Fortress of Petrela where we get to see the Tower which is one of the oldest structures in Tirana. The tower in the centre was built in the 5th century AD, although most of the remainder is Byzantine dating from between the 11th and 14th centuries. Later this afternoon you have some free time time to wander in the city. You may like to visit the modern Blloku area. This was once the district where only the Elite of the Communist Party were able to frequent, but is now the district with a vibrant cosmopolitan cafe culture, restaurants and shops illustrating the changing face of Tirana today.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive to Elbasan to visit the fortress before crossing the border into Macedonia. Our destination this afternoon is the ancient town of Ohrid: since the Roman times Ohrid has been a fortress and we will see examples of its turbulent past on our sightseeing tour of the city this afternoon.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After visiting St. Naum this morning we depart Macedonia, skirt serene Lake Ohrid and head south through Pogradec, passing rich agricultural land where quince, corn and wheat are grown. We continue our journey to Korca, a town well known for its folk songs and cooking traditions. On arrival we will take a tour of the the city including the cathedral and the Medieval Museum. You may also like to take an optional visit to the Archaeological Museum.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning our journey takes us through the southern highlands to Permeti. Our route takes us through the small town of Erseka in the foothills of Gramos mountains before finally reaching the Barmash pass (1757m). From here there are sweeping views of the Nemercka mountains (snow covered for most of the year), that form the border with Greece. We descend, twisting our way through the mountains, until reaching Permeti, situated in the heart of the white mountains on the Vjosa River. This is one of the most scenic routes in Albania.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we take the opportunity to walk through the scenic Benja countryside, and can bathe in the hot springs. Leaving the small highland town of Permeti we pass vineyards (the wine produced here is considered the best in the country), travelling alongside the scenic Vjosa River. It may be possible to visit the Spa area of Benja and enjoy a traditional Albanian BBQ. The pace of life is slow, following nature’s rhythm and we must adjust to this, throwing off the pressures of schedules.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning we will visit the village of Leuba and its 11th century church, before beginning our journey to Gjirokastra. Our route takes us through the White Mountains via the magnificent Kelcyra Gorge, carved by the Vjosa on its way to the Adriatic sea. The scenery in the mountains is wonderful with clear skies and rolling valleys, covered with some of the most exuberant wildflowers you are likely to see anywhere in Albania. When Lord Byron visited southern Albania in 1810 he described the early morning view of the landscape in this poem Childe Harold – ‘Mom dawns: and with it stern Albania’s hills, robed half in mist, bedewed in snowy rills’. The wild beauty of the mountains is invigorating and you should look out for eagles soaring in the thermals (after which the country is named). Albania’s mountains are home to many animal species now rare in other parts of Europe. Wolf and jackal can be found in the low oak and beech forests, while brown bear, lynx and weasel inhabit the higher pine-clad slopes. Gjirokastra, Albania’s most typical city, is a delightful place with beautiful buildings that epitomise Albanian architecture and perhaps the Albanian soul. The town has a splendid setting; its white and brown houses cling to the hillside while the Mali I Gjere (White Mountains) are all around. This afternoon we take a walking tour of its sights.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we visit Gjrokastra Castle before moving on to the pleasant Ionic town of Saranda. Because of its close proximity to Corfu, ten kilometres away, it is rather cosmopolitan compared to other places we have visited. This afternoon we visit Butrinti, one of the great archaeological sites of the Balkans. Excavations have revealed an early Neolithic settlement, but the site was later occupied by the Illyrians and then colonised by the Greeks around the 5th century BC. For the next two thousand years the city flourished as a naval base and granary station. Under the Romans it became an early Christian centre and later the Normans plundered the city. By the Ottoman period Butrinti lay abandoned. The oldest sections of the site date back 2500 years but all periods are represented. In the complex are the Roman theatre, Roman house, thermal baths (heated by under-floor conducts), Temple of Esklepios and a very fine baptistery with fabulous mosaic floors. The gymnasium has an area for exercises and another for study and contains a nympheum. We spend time absorbing this fascinating site and then return to Saranda. In the evening we suggest a stroll along the promenade, looking out over the sea to the sun setting gracefully behind Corfu.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The drive along the Adriatic from Saranda towards Ionian Sea to Llogara is one of the most scenic routes in Albania. Leaving Saranda we notice terraces planted with citrus groves and olive trees. There are breathtaking views of the mountains, the sea and the forest, and an equally breathtaking series of hairpin bends as we wind our way up and down this rugged coast. We visit the fortress of Ali Pasha Tepelena at Porto Palermo before descending to the sea at Himare where there’s a quiet beach. The town was once an orthodox stronghold, obtaining a Bishopric in the 9th century. Later this afternoon we traverse the Llogara Pass (1027m) to Llogara National Park which lies along the Cikes range, whose peaks are bare limestone while the slopes are covered with black pine. On arrival there is a choice of an optional walk to Caesar's Pass or alternatively you may choose to stay and relax in the beautiful surroundings of the National Park.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Llogora National Park is an area of great natural beauty with mountains plunging sharply to the shimmering sea and one of the most unspoilt areas of the Adriatic. We plan to spend this morning walking in the Kaburuni Peninsular area of the park before heading to Vlora. On arrival we will visit Independence Square, the market, ther Museum of History and the Muradi Mosque. Later this afternoon there will be an optional visit to the Kanina Fortress set in a commanding position in the Shushica Mountains on the site of an ancient settlemt in the 3rd Century BC. It provides great views of the Karburuni Peninsular and Sazani Island.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we drive to the ancient settlement of Apollonia. Founded in 585 BC by settlers from Corinth, this wonderful site was dedicated to Apollo. The ruling Greek class traded in slaves and controlled the Illyrian serfs, imposing their culture and philosophy. The city achieved fame and wealth and Apollonia was incorporated into the Roman Empire to become Caesar’s stronghold during the civil war with Pompey. It maintained its status until an earthquake in the 3rd century altered the course of the Vjosa River, leaving the area around Apollonia marshy and unproductive. The regional capital then moved. The most impressive feature of the site is the Bouleterion, a facade with six Corinthian columns which probably dates from the 2nd century AD. Much remains to be excavated, but with so few other visitors it is possible to imagine the time when the city supported 55,000 free men and Octavia (later Emperor Augustus) was one of its students. We continue to Berat where we spend the next two nights.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Situated over a gorge next to the Osumi River and shadowed by Mount Tomori (2416m), Berat’s white buildings sprawl up the hillside towards the fortress. New construction is strictly regulated in order to guard the city’s character. Exploring on foot this morning, we head up to the fortress and see the superb painted icons and frescoes in the church of St. Mary, one of seven churches within the citadel’s walls. We also visit the red mosque and the onufri icon museum. The afternoon is left free for you to explore the town – perhaps visit one of the town’s museums or the city park.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Berat we drive to Durresi, one of Albania’s main ports. With regular ferries to Trieste and Bari in Italy, it has an upbeat feel, with new development along the beach. Durresi was founded by Epidamnos in 627 BC and became an independent city state. It was seized by the Illyrians in 232 BC who then allied themselves with Rome. The Romans used the port as the starting point for the Via Egnatia. As the invading Normans, Crusaders, Venetians and Serbs plundered and conquered, a new city was built from the old. There are many reminders of its history as you wander around the town: the Roman amphitheatre, not far from the modern city’s main square. After our visit we head northeast to Kruja. The main highlight here is the citadel, from where Albania’s greatest hero, Skanderberg, led the resistance against the Ottoman domination. He succeeded in ousting the Turks in 1443 and Albania was free for the next 30 years. Today the fortress is a place of pilgrimage and inspiration for Albanians; it enjoys a classic setting high on a ridge staring out to the Adriatic coast, approached via pine clad hills.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to Tirana Airport where the tour ends.

Included meals: Breakfast